When it comes to healthy eating, even the most motivated among us can be tempted to slip for the sake of convenience. Who has time to slave away in the kitchen when there are to-do lists to get done?
But why should eating meals that are healthy and eating meals that are convenient be mutually exclusive activities? The good news is that they don’t have to be thanks to these new delivery services offering organic kids meals, all-natural workout snacks, plant-based entrees and more.
If you give a kid a milkshake, he’ll like you a lot.
But if you give a kid unlimited milkshakes, he’ll love you forever.
* * *
Two weeks ago, I was invited to experience Johnny Rockets 2.0. The theme restaurant recently underwent a complete brand refresh, ditching its 50s diner vibe in favor of a more modern dining experience. No more jukeboxes. No more dancing servers dressed in soda fountain uniforms.
No reason not to attend.
The event happened to be on Jordan’s birthday, and since Johnny Rockets has always been family friendly, we decided that we’d all go down to Georgetown to celebrate Daddy’s special day with hand-crafted burgers and thick, creamy shakes.
As soon as we sat down, our super nice server brought us a milkshake — and sweet potato fries, onion rings, and bacon cheese fries. While we were eating our burgers (made with 100% domestic farm-raised beef, btw), we were offered another milkshake.
Then the boys were asked if they wanted to see how a milkshake is made, so we walked over to the open kitchen to watch his strawberry Oreo shake get hand-spun.
That’s three milkshakes so far, if you’re counting.
Also, Asa decided that he’d rather slurp down a milkshake instead of eating his chicken fingers, and he might have consumed nearly an entire one by himself. (Yes, we later regretted our decision to let him drink so much.)
And as we were packing up to leave, another friendly server brought us two more milkshakes in nifty to-go cups.
FIVE milkshakes.
Can you guess why Johnny Rockets is my kids’ new favorite restaurant?
* * *
Unfortunately, Johnny Rockets is in Georgetown, and we don’t get down there much as a family. So if Levi and Asa need a milkshake fix, I can either take them to a local ice cream shop or make them myself.
You probably can’t go wrong mixing a scoop of ice cream and some milk in a blender, but there are more elaborate — and therefore, more delicious — ways to make a milkshake. A quick search brings up enough milkshake recipes to satisfy every sweet tooth, but here are a few that look particularly decadent:
Funfetti Cake Batter Milkshake
Which flavor sounds the best to you?
This post is sponsored by Gigasavvy. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that help to support this blog.
(bottom milkshake photo via The MerryThought)
What does your ideal morning look like? Mine definitely includes having time to myself to read the newspaper and drink my coffee.
And not just a cup of Keurig coffee (although there are some tasty varieties). Last month, I tried a honey cinnamon latte at a coffee shop in downtown DC, and I’d love to be able to enjoy a similar hot beverage at home.
In order for my ideal morning to become a reality, a few important things would have to happen first… READ MORE!
Earlier this month I shared some photos of Levi and Asa playing in their shared bedroom over on Honest to Nod. The post was part of The Land of Nod’s #CelebrateTuesday campaign, a reminder to frazzled parents everywhere to celebrate the every day… READ MORE!
After months of working from the living room sofa, the dining room table, and select local coffee shops, I finally realized in December that I needed a dedicated office space in our home. I couldn’t have a room of my own since our townhouse doesn’t have any to spare, but there was an unused wall in our basement begging to be turned into an office nook.
Working with The Land of Nod, I picked desks, bookcases, and chairs that I could share with my four-year-old son, Levi. He takes his art very seriously and wanted a place to “work” just like mommy. So cute, right? Eventually, I’ll let Asa have my desk, but he’s not quite old enough to need a proper workspace yet.
But there’s more than just furniture to a stylish office. When it came time to decorate, I learned that there are many ways to upgrade your home office. Read on for 5 easy tips that’ll take your workspace from standard to chic.
1. Set the mood with a candle. Candles are the easiest way to add a decorative and fragrant touch to your home office. I also love the idea of a candle-lighting ritual every time you sit at your desk to get you in the mindset to work. Anthropologie has some of the prettiest and best-smelling candles, including this cut-work candle and this patterned candle tin. PS: Don’t forget matches!
2. Add some greenery. Studies have shown that working in an office with plants can help reduce blood pressure, lessen stress, and increase productivity. Plus, it’s just nice to have a bit of nature nearby when your home office is in a basement. For smaller plants, I’m digging these small clay urns and this hanging pot from Terrain.
3. Make a statement with wallpaper. When you work from home, you can use all of the energy boosts you can get — and there’s just something so energizing about a patterned wall, isn’t there? I’m so grateful to Chasing Paper for sending me several rolls of their removable wallpaper for my home office makeover. While The Land of Nod desks and bookcases looked fantastic on their own, the geometric star pattern took the space to the next level.
4. Frame some artwork. Sure, you could use washi tape to secure small prints and postcards to the wall, but hanging framed artwork makes a room feel more finished. This framed Minted print was actually hanging in our dining room before I realized that my workspace’s blue and white color palette was begging for a pop of orange. This abstract and this birthstone print could also work in my space — and maybe yours, too?
5. Introduce decorative objects. Once you’ve organized your pens, notebooks, and paperclips, it’s time to add a bit of flair. When my friend Jeran suggested I add something gold to my workspace, I hightailed it to Target and picked up this metallic sheep figurine. It may seem totally random, but I’m an Aries, so I think it works! You could also try decorating with chic bookends or a geometric sculpture.
Would you try any of these easy ways to upgrade your home office? Tell me about your workspace. If you work from home do you have a dedicated workspace or do you curl up on the couch with your laptop? Or does your job happen in a corner office or cubicle?
shop A Girl Named PJ’s favorites
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I’m sharing more photos of my home office makeover, plus additional details about Levi’s side of the workspace, over on The Land of Nod‘s blog, Honest to Nod. Please check it out!
This time of year, I’m partial to almost anything pumpkin-flavored — except hot pumpkin tea. For some reason, I just can’t wrap my head around the idea of it. I did, however, enjoy a pumpkin spice tequila-based margarita at a friend’s wedding on Halloween.
Before fall turns to winter, and everyone’s favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte is replaced with a Peppermint Latte, I thought I’d share eight of the yummiest-looking easy pumpkin spice recipes. Not surprisingly, most are desserts because that’s the way I (pumpkin) roll.
1. Not only do these pumpkin muffins from Sarah Hearts have a super moist texture similar to pumpkin bread, but there’s cream cheese filling hiding inside.
2. For a deliciously seasonal grab-and-go breakfast, bake a batch of these chewy oatmeal pumpkin chocolate chip muffins from Avery Cooks.
3. Described as a cross between fudge and bark, The Kitchen Prep‘s pumpkin spice latte bark would be the perfect complement to an afternoon cuppa.
4. If you prefer to go full fudge, this white chocolate pumpkin spice fudge recipe from Mom on Time Out would be my recommendation.
5. Sorry to burst your bubble, but there’s no actual pumpkin in a Starbucks PSL! On the other hand, the pumpkin spice coffee creamer recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction includes flavorful pumpkin puree.
6. Make The Cake Blog‘s pumpkin cupcakes the day before and top them with homemade cinnamon-flecked cream cheese frosting before you serve them.
7. I won’t judge if you want to eat an actual dessert like leftover pumpkin cupcakes for breakfast. Or you can whip up Skinnytaste‘s pumpkin spice cream cheese to enjoy on a bagel as a healthier option.
8. Because you can’t go wrong with a classic pumpkin roll. Plus, Gimme Some Oven‘s trick for cutting perfect slices is genius.
Which pumpkin spice recipe looks the most delicious to you?
(And which would you actually try making at home?)
PS – Eight eggnog recipes to get your psyched for the holiday season.
When we left Omaha last September, my parents welcomed us back to my childhood home in New Jersey while we decided where to go next. By the time we moved out nine months later, I was itching to decorate with our furniture and home decor accessories.
The goal was to have our new townhouse put together by the end of the summer. Unfortunately… READ MORE!
I was somewhat familiar with Schoolhouse Electric and Supply Co. before learning the Portland-based furnishings and housewares brand would be hosting a cocktail party for The Hello Sessions on the eve of the conference. Now, after browsing every page of their website, I’m thoroughly obsessed with Schoolhouse Electric’s self-described “domestic utility” style… READ MORE!
My latest obsession? Sputnik chandeliers and all things space-related… READ MORE!
