Hello and welcome to the weekend! We’re in for some beautiful weather, celebrating my brother’s birthday and yes, more gardening. It never ends and that’s fine! The joy is in the doing. My parents gave us these beautiful Veradek planters for Christmas that we’re going to fill with hummingbird attracting flowers. We saw a handful last summer in the garden, which was absolutely thrilling! If you have any hummingbird plant tips (especially pertaining to shade-loving annuals), let me know.

This is going to be an extra speedy edition of our weekend catch up. Such a busy time of year and it feels like there are never enough hours in the day. Sending my love all the way over to you! Take care 💜

5 Things I’m Reading:

1. Jan Todd May Be the Reason You’re Lifting Weights via The New York Times (gift link)
2. 5 Habits of Peaceful Living via Elevate by Yung Pueblo on Substack
3. The Bittersweet Beginnings of Vanilla Cultivation Can Be Traced Back to the Far-Flung Isle of Réunion via Smithsonian Magazine
4. The Bliss of a Quieter Ego via The Atlantic
5. Why – and how – to rewild the night via Rewilding

5 Things I’m Enjoying:

1. Chelsea flower show 2025 – in pictures
2. Not being on Instagram/social media much at all the past couple weeks! I check in on Tiki and scroll for a few minutes and that’s it. Not an intentional social cleanse or anything like that–honestly it’s just too busy around here lately–but it’s been great.
3. Shopping for a new fridge! Our 20+ year old fridge has been leaking from the water line and the freezer, and after multiple maintenance visits we’ve decided to replace it. Our fridge fits tightly into a defined cabinet space, so there aren’t a ton of options to choose from. The functionality of the current fridge has been a slight pain point since we moved here, so I’m looking forward to replacing it.
4. The Gardening with the RHS podcast (thanks to Jess for recommending this!)
5. A nightly bowl of cereal. I’ve never been much of a nighttime snacks person or a cereal person, but for some reason this is really doing it for me lately. I mix either the Farm Girl Cinnamon Crisps or Chocolate Puffs with All Bran Buds and Mesa Sunrise (like a cereal salad lol) and soy milk.

5 Questions:

1. Fave vegan summer potluck dish?
   I’ve got 6 of my favorites linked for you below in the “Seasonal Recipes” section! I also absolutely LOVE making cowboy caviar and serving it with tortilla chips/Fritos Scoops :)
2. What sheet pan would you recommend to get a great crisp on roasted veggies?
   I use the Nordic Ware Prism line and love it! I preheat my baking sheets with a drizzle of oil before adding the veg to the hot sheet pan and tossing with seasoning. This little extra step definitely helps with crisping and browning!
3. Any ideas for a lower fat homemade vegan mayo?
   Maybe try blending some silken tofu with lemon juice, white vinegar, mustard, water, salt, and a hint of something sweet (agave or maple). I’m not sure how long this would stay in a spreadable consistency after whipping up to be honest! This aquafaba and tofu-based recipe looks promising!
4. How do you get the majority of your protein requirements??
   Protein shakes, soy milk, loads of edamame, lentils and tofu, Explore Cuisine Edamame & Mung Bean Fettucine, and Kaizen rice/pasta! Those are the big ones for me, along with all the other plant-based foods I’m enjoying. It all adds up!
5. Do you have a favorite cruelty-free facial sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF?
   I ordered this one by Ultra Violette from Sephora recently and it’s excellent. Not greasy, light and fluid texture, hydrating, and doesn’t sting my eyes.

6 Seasonal Recipes:

1. Citrus Miso Slaw with 10 Vegetables
2. Fresh Corn, Tomato & Avocado Salad
3. Pesto Orzo Salad with Roasted Vegetables & Chickpeas
4. Vegan Potato Salad with Dill Pickle Dressing
5. Colorful Fruit Salad with Orange Mint Dressing
6. Tangy Four Bean Salad with Rosemary & Roasted Peppers