Carrie Saum

This weekend, I was at a work function where there were thousands of vendors trying to sell their goods.

I made you these cookies. They are special cookies that are made from pulverized cookies that became butter that then became cookies again.

Charcuterie. Have you heard of it?

I also kind of feel like whatever I do eventually put in my body needs to be quality and filling and full of nutritious goodness. This is hard on mornings when it literally feels like all I can do to make toast. Sometimes I look at it, contemplate it fresh out of the toaster and briefly wonder if I really need to spread the almond butter on it. Because effort.

Visiting my family in the Sierra Nevada foothills is one of the great pleasures of my life. I get to work, cook, and play while my amazing folks keep an eye on my kid. My inspiration and productivity skyrocket when I'm able to step away from my version of the daily grind and get a little refocused and centered. The food I make tastes a little better, and I move a little easier without a three-year-old constantly in tow.

Last month, I heard my kid say "I'm sorry" to a complete stranger at Target for no reason.

My grandmother planted these gorgeous Meyer lemon trees

The country is kind of obsessed with KonMari. I get it. Truly, I do.

No real measuring, no special ingredients, and it makes cookies that even the snobbiest cookie connoisseur will crave? It might seem too good to be true, but it's absolutely real.

I love this refreshing summer slaw. Packed full of nutritious veggies and healthy oils, this cold vegetarian dish is a perfect way to re-balance and re-center yourself when the heat gets to you.