It’s been three months, and I’m transitioning back to work. I’m really looking forward to getting back into the swing of things back at the clinic, but there are also moments when I know I’ll miss having this much time with Will. The first weeks with a newborn are so tough. Now that he’s rounding out into a baby with more manageable routines and schedules, I’m feeling like this is the baby I want to spend some time with.
Here’s what I’m eating and reading this week:
Weekly Menu Plan
Sunday: Spaghetti & meatballs (dairy-free and soy-free, made by friends we visited last weekend)
Monday: Leftover soup
Tuesday: Meatloaf (kinda based on this recipe), baguette, roasted cauliflower
Wednesday: Roasted chicken with herbs au Provence, roasted potatoes and carrots
Thursday: Shrimp with pineapple tacos from Bon Appetit
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Pasta e fagioli from Cook’s Illustrated
What I’m reading and enjoying this week:
Why We Forget Most of the Books We Read
There’s been a lot of reading during the first few weeks of maternity leave, but I’ve been catching up on some old favorite TV shows and acquainting myself with some of the new stuff that’s out there. Like I mentioned, maternity leave is a strange, sometimes boring time that manages to be absolutely depleting and exhausting. Having TV on in the background of feedings, diaper changes, and soothing (not yet playtime, really) helps keep me sane and hearing adult voices. Here are some of the TV shows I’ve been watching lately:
Schitt’s Creek (Netflix): So, so funny. Probably one of my favorite shows right now, not just for filling the hours of maternity leave.
Great British Baking Show (PBS/Netflix): I’m a bit late to jump on this bandwagon, but this show is as good as everyone says it is. Plus, the contestants are super supportive of each other. They love baking and they have a good attitude about being in the competition. The judging is rigorous and articulate, explaining why some things work well and others aren’t up to snuff.
Great Holiday Bake-Off and Great Spring Bake-Off (Food Network/Hulu): Compared to the Great British Baking Show, this is the less exciting, less educational, less rigorous version. The judging is super flat, with descriptions like “that’s so yummy!” In the Great British Baking Show, there’s insight into skill and technique, but here we just hear judges comment on taste and appearance, and their assessment doesn’t go very deep. It did, however, totally satisfy a holiday cheer quota I was looking to fill in December.
Zundo’s Desserts (Netflix): The New York Times recommended this show for fans of the Great British Baking Show. It’s an Australian show focused on desserts, where contestants compete with inventing their own dessert within a theme and then everyone looks to perfect the same recipe, an elaborate creation originally by Zundo (a famous baker). Totally worth watching, though I didn’t love how Zundo was a wanna be Willy Wonka.
The Chew (ABC/Hulu): Another show that scratched my holiday baking/festive itch. I’m also a fan of Clinton Kelly (from What Not to Wear) and Carla Hall (from Top Chef). After watching this for a few weeks, the Mario Batali sexual harassment story broke, he left the show, and it’s honestly better without him. What wasn’t cool was the January diet-themed shows. Yuck. And boring.
