The Rest & Relish Monthly Musings series is returning! Monthly Musings May 2019 includes lifestyle and entertainment ideas for all ages, as well as other random thoughts and ideas on my mind!
Check out the activities, foods, books, and entertainment we’re enjoying this month!
Monthly Musings May 2019: Doing
Meal Planning! Whether you create your own or follow Rest & Relish’s weekly meal plans I cannot stress enough how valuable a meal plan is for EVERYONE. It helps your stress level, time management, health goals and wallet to know what you’ll eat each day.
Once we plan our meals, I like to make sure it’s visual to everyone. I’ve alternated between using the large chalkboard in our kitchen or adding it to a smaller paper meal plan.
I also love the Super Foods Wall Calendar to track family activities in coordination with your meal plan. It features farm-fresh foods paired with simple recipes, fun facts, and cooking tips for incorporating healthy foods into your diet. Great inspiration to have in the kitchen!
Monthly Musings May 2019: Eating
Plants, lean protein and healthy fats! We’re eating simple whole foods with lots of flavor. Our Tangy Southwest Quinoa Bowl with Lime Vinaigrette has been on regular rotation this month; it checks all the boxes!
Monthly Musings May 2019: Reading
Fiction Pick: Pax
Our fiction pick of the month is actually a middle grades book. My son read this novel in his book club at school. He really wanted me to read it too, so I checked it out from the local library.
The story is about a boy named Peter and his pet fox Pax. Peter rescued Pax after his family was killed and they’ve been inseparable ever since that time.
When his father unexpectedly has to go to war, Peter must move in with his grandfather and his father tells him he cannot take Pax.
I won’t spoil the storyline for you, but this is a very moving story about the bonds of people and their pets. While the book is written for middle grade readers, it’s a fabulous story for adults as well.
Nonfiction Pick: Slow
I listen to this author’s podcast and am inspired by her choice to live a simpler life. Her book is about her family’s conscious choice to slow down and create a more mindful life.
Intentional acts and choices are very important to me, but it’s easy to get caught up in the go-go-go of life.
Decluttering our physical stuff and jumping off the merry-go-round are steps I’ve taken over the past few months. Brooke’s honesty and values are admirable!
Monthly Musings May 2019: Watching
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Prime Video!
If you love stand-up comedy, you’ll enjoy seeing a fictional take on a female stand-up comic’s experience in the 1950’s. Oh, and the NYC setting and beautiful costumes are an added bonus!
Try the Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial if you’re not a Prime member to check out the show.
Monthly Musings May 2019: Listening
Experts on Expert Podcast with Dax Shepard.
This podcast is one of my favorite finds of late 2018! If you have a long commute, travel frequently or love to listen to podcasts while doing mundane housework, check this one out!
Dax Shepard interviews experts on a wide variety of subjects. His focus in this podcast, as well as his original podcast (Armchair Expert) in his own words “[explores] the messiness of being human” and how we can learn from others’ experiences and knowledge base.
Side note: Language and content can be explicit, so use your earbuds!
Monthly Musings May 2019: Making
Bouquets of flowers! We have a peony bush in our front yard that blooms for a very small portion of the year, so I’m taking advantage of these beautiful blooms indoors this week.
The problem is I’m not very good at flower arranging! I would love to learn how to do more than plop the blooms in a vase of water. Any ideas for me to stretch myself in this special skill? Flowers make me so happy!
Monthly Musings May 2019: Wearing
Workout wear! I enjoy regular exercise, but I’ve gone through some inconsistencies with my exercise schedule in the past months. I’ve always mixed up my workouts with HIIT, barre, yoga and strength training, but have recently added consistent running to my weekly schedule.
I think I need more goal-oriented exercise routine at this particular point in my life, so I’ve added distance running to my repertoire. A recent article on the cardiovascular benefits of distance running has solidified my decision to run longer distances!
Time for cute running shorts and a new pair of running shoes! I also bought these sports bras while on Spring Break (I forgot to pack mine!) and they have been awesome for such a good price!
Monthly Musings May 2019: Noticing
Bravery. Our city recently experienced a gas explosion that caused the loss of two lives, injuries to many others and decimation of several city buildings.
The heroic acts of first responders before, during and after this explosion represent the best of humanity. We recently honored our city’s first responders at a local baseball game and it was a privilege to honor them on that day.
Monthly Musings May 2019: Obsessing
It may be early May, but in the South this week we’ve had almost 90 degree temps. I use this Mario Badescu facial spray year-round, but have especially enjoyed it this past week. I use it every morning and evening after I cleanse my face, but it’s also nice to use throughout the day for cooling effects and extra hydration.
Other Random Thoughts….
My hands are itching to do something new….crochet, knitting, needlepoint….I would love suggestions! I’ve got a lot of energy that needs to be pointed toward creative productivity…read..not folding laundry!
I’m also trying to take up gardening, but haven’t moved beyond container herbs and tomatoes. My MIL is a Master Gardener (for real certified!), so while I have a great resource apparently my yard is not the best for sun/garden ration. Any articles/resources you all recommend for novice gardeners?
Let’s Connect
Let me know some of your own Monthly Musings for May 2019 in the comments below and be sure to repin these ideas for later!
Also, please tag @restandrelish on Instagram or Facebook if you try any of our suggestions! I’d love to share favorites back and forth!
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