All posts by Beth Berger

Unknown's avatar

About Beth Berger

Hi there! Finding Delight is a lifestyle and lifelong learning blog written and curated by me in Alabama. Along the way, I attempt to tackle the rough real world with books, budget-livin', brainpower and all the beautiful stuff you can find when you really look. Won't you join me? The true delight is in the finding out.

Memorize this grocery list.

Food, How to's, , , , , ,

grocery list

Hey guys! I thought I’d pop on today and share a really simple grocery list you can use to create quick and easy meals for one through the course of a work week. Maybe you’re trying to limit eating out to save a little dough for your weekend or maybe you just don’t have the cash flow right now to get fancy. Whatever the reason, I’ve got you covered. Pick up these items and combine them with spices and other pantry staples you probably already have on hand. These are pretty much the key foods I discovered, after years of spending money I didn’t have to dine out with frequency, could be turned into a meal plan I can whack out with my eyes shut. And in time, this is the list I would turn to when I showed up at the grocery store without a plan and just a twenty dollar bill or two to spare. Hope you find it helpful!

Grocery List

  • Oatmeal packets
  • Bananas
  • Dozen eggs
  • Canned tuna
  • Tortillas
  • Mustard
  • Hummus
  • Box of spring mix
  • Avocado
  • Baby carrots
  • Rice cakes
  • Peanut butter
  • Bag of sweet potatoes
  • Can of black beans
  • Chicken breasts (2)
  • Brown rice
  • Bag of frozen vegetables

This list = 5 breakfasts + 5 lunches + 5 snacks + 4 dinners

Here are some ideas…

Breakfasts – Oatmeal with bananas, Oatmeal with peanut butter, Hardboiled eggs, Scrambled eggs, Rice cakes with peanut butter and banana, Breakfast burrito

Lunches – Tuna salad wraps, Peanut butter and banana wraps, Salad greens with tuna and avocado, Salad greens with leftovers, Egg salad on rice cakes, Egg salad wraps

Lunch sides/Snacks – Baby carrots and hummus, Hardboiled eggs, Bananas, Rice cakes and peanut butter, Sweet potato, Avocado

Dinners – 1) Baked chicken breast with a baked sweet potato, cooked vegetables, and a side of salad greens. 2) Jacket sweet potato dressed with black beans and a side of Mexican rice. 3) Scrambled eggs with sweet potato home-fries and avocado smash on a rice cake 4) Stir-fried chicken and vegetables over brown rice.

A quick catch up between friends.

Every day life, , , , , , ,

outside cafe

If we were on a coffee date this morning we would sit outside in the cool promise of a Summer early morning. We would drink iced coffee from mason jars and split three baked goods, still warm, because we couldn’t make up our minds so early in the day. I would, perhaps, slide off my sandals and tuck my feet up under my thighs in the cross-leg position I prefer, because at nearly 30, the idea of sitting lady-like for too long still evades me. We might unapologetically admit the rapidity with which we completed the latest season of Orange Is the New Black. Surely agreeing that Piper is the literal worst. Maybe I mention seeing a Bluegrass band at the beginning of the week and how it’s a weekly event and free. Maybe you say we should catch the next one. We both agree we need to make Pimm’s Cups and bulletin boards made from thrifted picture frames and wine corks, but not necessarily in that order. I would pull the book I’m reading out of my backpack and you’d read the jacket cover, nodding. Perhaps we discuss an article we’ve pored over, perhaps we discuss people’s ridiculous Facebook posting habits. As I check the time on my trusty iPhone, I’d probably get distracted and ask you to reveal your most used emojis and then share mine. A last, random anecdote to smile about each time I look at my phone for the rest of the day.

Later that evening I’d text you, “Thanks for the coffee date! You are the literal OPPOSITE of Piper Chapman. *coffee cup* *kimono* *crying while smiling face* *knife* *prayer hands* *poop*”

Must-haves for sleeping in the heat.

How to's, , , , , , , ,
Summer is upon us…and all the merciless heat and humidity that comes with it. Since slumber should be your one true respite from all the annoyances of ANY day (not just the hot ones), your bedroom and nighttime routine are worthy recipients of a refresh during these warmer months. With just a quick change of sheet texture, a cool breeze, and a good read; I think I’ve found the keys to honing in on some cool vibes. Here are my tips for a “chillaxed” night of sleep that will HOPEFULLY keep you from running to the freezer at 3 in the morning to toss ice cubes down your drawers….
summer slumber border
-A lightweight, cool to the touch set of sheets is my TOP must have for the summer months. These deliciously soft Egyptian cotton sheets from Parachute come in at under $100 for queen size and the website promises they’ll get even softer with age! If you’re feeling like splurging, the linen duvet cover set in “Sea” is airy and light-colored with a truly beachy vibe perfect for summer.
***
-If you have a ceiling fan, count yourself lucky and turn that sucker on! If not, a personal fan on your nightstand or dresser is a worthy (and affordable) purchase. Be sure to turn on your fan an hour or so before bed time to get the air circulating and the temperature down.
***
-No matter the month, you can never go wrong with a sound conditioner. However, in the summer they are just the ticket for drowning out cicadas and early morning disturbances (for the Country Mice), as well as, late night traffic and extended sunlight revelry (for the City Mice).
***
-Lately, I’ve been absolutely OBSESSED with this coconut water toner. Gently spraying your face at night, rather than lathering on goopy moisturizer and diligently working it into your skin, is so much more conducive to the hot weather. And your skin will thank you! It needs a little hydration too after a long day in the heat. Pop it in the fridge before spritzing if you’re feeling really scandalous.
***
-Calm your mind by getting a little distracted before bedtime. Quiet the fast-paced social media world and the glaring Netflix binge screens and tuck into a good book. Need a recommendation? Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead is freaking fantastic. It is brilliantly written and while I’m somewhat biased towards it’s Balletic plot-line, I think it would be entertaining for just about anyone.
***
-And finally, scent can be a handy tool when needing to float away to the Land of Nod. Give your landing pad a quick once-over with a lavender scented pillow spray before nuzzling down for the night. ZZZZzzzzz

STAY COOL AND SLEEP WELL! 

mid-week round-up

Wednesday Links, , , , , , , , , , , ,

zebraWhat are you up to this week, loves? We saw a Bluegrass band play Monday night at the weekly Southland Jamboree. It was nice to have an excuse to eat dinner outside and we even (accidentally) showed up matching.  It took my mom pointing it out for us to notice! Thanks for all your love on my barrage of social media activity about our recent trip to Savannah. I had such a wonderful time and can’t wait to go back. And shout out to the new Mr. and Mrs. Berger!

OH, and speaking of Savannah, thanks to the million hour car ride I’m now obsessed with Snapchat. So…follow me at bberg1012 if you’re into Snappin’! Now onto the links…

America falls behind on language learning.

These new homes offer a (submerged) sea view.

A true icon of dance.

Your yoga flow with x-ray vision.

Illustrator says, “…animals lives are so sad and so weird.”

The shape of a healthy spine may surprise you.

Many women’s prisons use periods to punish inmates.

What to do on a short stay in Savannah.

A podcast featuring an interview with one of my ballin’ on a budget muses, Leanne Brown.

Absurdly unequal use of the term terrorism.

To Kill a Mockingbird tank for the literary lady.

Where my speech folks at? #ballotshame

Photo Diary: Wedding in Savannah, GA

Travel, , , , , , , , , ,

Here’s a look back in pictures of my recent trip to Savannah, GA for my brother’s nuptials. The ceremony was so sweet and lovely in a small courtyard complete with blooming flowers and a gurgling fountain (plus a porch-swing!). I was honored to do a reading from Wendell Berry and my sister sang a Neutral Milk Hotel song. I loved hearing my brother and his new wife, Dawn, exchange vows. Such love! Savannah itself is absolutely gorgeous — all Spanish Moss and cobblestones under a mystic haze of Southern, coastal town humidity — and I highly recommend you give it a visit if you haven’t already.

Much like memories, which are more a feeling than a narrative, these photos are in no particular order. They simply showcase some of my favorite things about our trip!savannah 1

savannah 2

savannah 3

savannah 4

savannah 5

savannah 6

savannah 7

savannah 21

savannah 9

savannah 10

savannah 11

savannah 12

savannah 13

savannah 14

savannah 15

savannah 16

savannah 17

savannah 18

savannah 19

savannah 20

Thank you to Chet and Katie for helping me capture these images

but mostly for being such good comrades in memory-making. 

7 tips for snacking smart on the road.

Food, How to's, , , , , , , , , ,

snacks for a road trip

As I mentioned earlier this week, I’ve already embarked on a cross (part of the) country road trip this summer and am about the embark on another day-long drive to Savannah, GA to see my brother exchange vows (!!!). And since I figured I’m not the only one loading up the car for a road trip or two this season, I thought I’d share my favorite snacks to pack for nibbling as you drive (or ride) along the roads and highways on your journey! With a well-traveled childhood and over a decade of competitive forensics under my belt, I kind of consider myself a BIT of an expert and, dare I say, even a road warrior! Here’s what I pack to battle boredom  hunger on the open road…

1. PBR….no not a 6-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon (don’t drink and drive, kids!) but Peanut Butter, Banana and Rice Cake. This is typically what I would turn to if I hadn’t given much forethought to my trip as I would probably have all these items on hand. Toss a package of rice cakes, a bunch of bananas and a half-used jar of peanut butter in your backseat, along with a knife, and you’re ready to whip up a quick PBR treat! Some assembly required so leave the work to your co-pilot or save preparation of a couple for when you’re at a rest stop.

2. Bulk Bin Trail Mixes….if your grocery store has a bulk aisle, go ahead and go wild right before your trip! Fill up individual sized baggies or jars with any variety that strikes your fancy. You’d be super surprised how little a small amount of each will cost you. My store has a version that includes chocolate covered espresso beans which could keep you from turning to cans of Red Bull once you’ve hit your wall on late night drives.

3. Grapes and Baby Carrots….on more solo journeys I’m prone to mindless eating and want something with crunch that’s not gonna be too calorically painful if I just keep reaching my hand back in the bag over and over again. I can recall a fair few trips in recent memory that have included a bag of one of these two items in between my thighs as I barrel down the highway. Sorry not sorry.

4. Snack bars….it seems I don’t go anywhere any more (even errands across town) without an emergency snack bar in my bag. I am NOT someone who is cut out for sitting in traffic when even the teeeeensiest bit hangry. Lara bars are my favorite but I also enjoy a Kind bar (especially the new spicy ones) now and again. Either of these can double as a nice breakfast (maybe paired with a piece of fruit and some gas station coffee) if you’re on the road early or your options are limited upon reaching your destination. I’ve also recently discovered the S’mores Luna bar which I think is a bangin’ solution to a candy bar craving!

5. Turkey Wraps….planning to stop somewhere for lunch? Bring along an insulated lunchbox with tortillas, deli turkey, and some sliced cheese. Maybe some fancy mustard if you’re feeling crazy! This has been Chet and my go-to for outdoor adventures (hikes, beach, etc.) and it is surprisingly satisfying. Pair with the produce and trail mix mentioned above and you’ve got yourself a meal!

6. Road Snack Meal Prep….if you’re super ahead of the game and organized, these protein energy balls and roasted chickpeas (I like mine spiced with cajun seasoning or rosemary/garlic powder) would be easy additions to your weekly meal prep when you know a road trip is on the horizon. Toss ’em in tupperware and keep them within arm’s reach in the vehicle.

7. Handy Hydration and Beverages….no matter where you’re going or how many miles you plan on covering, come prepared with plenty of water! I always fill up a few of these guys and Chet is partial to these because they keep your water cold basically forever (ice still clanging around at the end of your drive? WITCHCRAFT!). I also love Vitamin Water Zeros when it’s especially hot and sweaty…I’m sure there are reasons I’m not supposed to drink these but longhairdon’tCARE. And I will never not enjoy an iced coffee with soy if a Starbucks is made available to me. A super stingy thrifty beverage lifehack that I feel no shame in practicing is to bring along tea bags and drink mixes because you can get boiling water for free pretty much everywhere and tap water for free DEFINITELY everywhere. So, no shame in that game.

There you have it! That’s how I save a little $$$ and feel a little healthier when I’m out on the road. Of course, sometimes you’ve just gotta get a bag of Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffles and a Slurpee…but you know, BALANCE!

What do you pack for snacks when you head out on a road trip? Do you throw caution to the wind and load up on gas station treats or do you bring your own healthy alternatives? I’d love to hear! Open to switching it up for my next journey!!! Thanks in advance. xoxo

Creating costume makeup masterpieces!

Style and Design, , , ,

Though I’m not skilled with a contour brush at ALL, let alone simple bits of makeup like say, a tube of lipstick, I DO appreciate the artistic hand it takes to get some of the more complicated looks. I also find YouTube tutorials weirdly calming and fascinating to watch. Kandee Johnson, who has a popular channel (with over 2 million subscribers) dedicated to utilizing her face as a canvas, is a true artist when it comes to this odd genre. Let’s check out some of my favorite looks…

Effie Trinket


Black Swan


Elsa


Flo the Progressive Lady

P.S. Another YouTube video genre, if you feel like falling down the rabbit hole.

mid-week round-up

Wednesday Links, , , , , , ,

dandelion blowing

What are you up to this week? I had an amazing long weekend complete with sunshine, shopping trips, and even got to see my brother who was up from Savannah for a wedding. (The highlight was definitely this sandwich, though!) I’m excited for next weekend and what adventures it may hold! Oh, and if you’re in the area, drop by Good Foods Co-op this Friday…it’s our Kick Off Summer Event and it’s sure to be a spectacular time (as always!). Hope you have a good week, and now here are the links…

The price of nice nails. 

Food lessons from India.

What to cook in a drought.

Last minute take-along to your next pot-luck.

Brits react to American culture.

Genius invention.

Do you have attachment issues?

Packing tips for a city getaway!

No crying in baseball! Ok, maybe just a little…

New documentary reveals the artist under the feathers.

Genius empathy cards.

In case you’re planning a trip!

—

(Drought recipe article via Adam.)

Just us broads.

Media, , , , , , , ,

Hi guys! I thought I’d pop on to tell you about a couple shows I’ve watched recently that I would definitely recommend. I watched these two series back to back and only recently realized they both contain the word “broad” in the show title. Random.

Broad City

broad city

This show originally aired on Comedy Central (and was picked up for a third season so there will be more!!!) and follows the hi-jinx of two twenty-something girls ballin’-on-a-budget in NYC. Created by and starring Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson, and produced by Amy Poehler, the hilarious concept for the show originated as a web series. I found it laugh out loud hilarious and embarrassingly relatable.  If you liked Girls, Workaholics, or spent part of your 20’s doing any or all of the following; a) convincing your best friend to do stupid shit, b) being convinced by your best friend to do stupid shit, c) making questionable financial decisions, d) working harder to not work than you would have to just work, or e) living with a super putz who never seemed to leave the apartment, you will DEFINITELY want to check out this gem. Stream for free on Hulu Plus.

Broadchurch

broadchurch2

While this show contains two seasons, only one was available to stream when I picked it out of my Netflix line-up. And really it’s the perfect length for a good ol’ fashioned weekend-long binge watch. The series begins after the death of a young boy in a small, coastal town in England and focuses largely on the grief, suspicion, and media attention that plague it’s population in the aftermath. But of course, more than just small town grieving, there is also a case to be solved! And the twists and turns throughout the whodunnit keep the show fast paced and kept me hitting the “Watch next episode” button. I think it’s a very interesting, and most likely quite accurate, portrayal of the effects violent crime can have on an extremely close-knit community. Definitely a must-see if you’re a lover of the crime drama genre. Stream for free on Netflix.

P.S. Need MORE recommendations on what to watch? Prefer your crime drama a little more literary? Or how about a podcast!

Happy Memorial Day!

Personal, , , ,

Happy Memorial Day, friends! I hope everyone is having a fantastic long weekend and that you’re able to fire up the grill and have a relaxing break from work! I apologize for the recent radio silence around these parts. The blogging sabbatical has not been without good reason! Most notably, SOMEONE got to add PhD at the end of his name…

chet's graduation

university of louisiana graduation

I was lucky enough to fly down to Louisiana for Chet’s graduation and then we loaded up all his stuff and made the big move back to Kentucky. And of course we made a stop along the way to visit our friends in Bowling Green! Since then, we’ve just been happily settling in to the end of long distance (!!!) and enjoying the beginning of what promises to be a spectacular summer.

So, that’s what I’ve been up to…what about you?

xoxo