5 Reasons Why I Liked The Secret Life of Pets

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'The Secret Life of Pets' is no 'Inside Out' or 'Frozen,' but it got a lot of flack from critics and I don't think that was at all warranted! I would say it's not that far under 'Finding Dory,' the other big animated release of the summer, in terms of quality and both my sister (11yo) and I enjoyed it!

Source: Giphy

If you were excited to watch the movie and now put off by the poor reviews, read on for five good reasons to give 'The Secret Life of Pets' a shot, after all!

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Back to School with Garden Lites!

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It's back to school time! My little sister is eleven years old now (how did that happen?!) and heading into her second year at her new school in Germany. She loves it! 

Though we have a later start here in the USA, my coworkers' kids are all heading back to school soon, too. Back to school is the perfect time to refocus on goals (consider it a mini New Year's Eve) and set your family up for a happy, healthy, and successful academic year. 

Garden Lites are the perfect delicious lunchbox treat, after school snack, or breakfast component. Kids (and big kids) love them and parents love that they're packed with 3g of fiber, 5g of whole grains, and vegetables at the main ingredient. 

I tried two of the three delicious muffin varieties - chocolate and blueberry oat.

Both are delicious! They're the right amount of sweat, flavorful, not heavy, and neither greasy nor dry. They're perfect!

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5 Things to Know Before Moving to Cambridge

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I just moved back to Cambridge, MA and, while I already miss NYC and hope to live there again someday, there are many great things about living in Cambridge!

Cambridge is a very green city and also very close to Boston, in case you want the downtown city sort of feeling! There are many different squares in Cambridge - Harvard, Central, Kendall, and more - and each one has its own character and is complete with its own cute cafes, boutiques, and neighborhood quirks! For someone who doesn't have a car (me) it also has green public transit and lots of bike paths.

If you have decided to move to Cambridge, too, read on for five handy things to know before your move!

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Travel Wrap-Up: My Trip to Germany!

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Tomorrow I start my new job at a tech startup in Cambridge, MA! I've already moved into my new apartment and love it. The location is great, my roommate is really nice, the common spaces are lovely, and (for the first time in a while) I've finally taken the time to really decorate my room in a way that reflects my personality and makes me happy!

I have a cat hanging from my light switch! So yes, I love my new home. I'm also so excited to start my new job tomorrow and learn a lot!

Before that, here's a photo dump post of some beautiful images from my summer vacation with my family in Germany! I'm already looking forward to visiting them again next summer. <3 p="">

I love strolling around the Schloss Derneburg property!

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Blue Cheese Crusted Filet Mignon with Cabernet Reduction

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Whether it's a dinner party, date night, a birthday, or just a wear-high-heels-and-have-perfect-posture Tuesday, sometimes breakfast for dinner or a simple pasta dish doesn't cut it.

This blue cheese crusted filet mignon with cabernet reduction is loved by all of my taste testers, spanning three generations and many different food preferences, and it's a pretty dish perfect for any fancy evening in!

I'm not going to pretend that this is 'quick and easy' as you should definitely give yourself a solid hour to prepare this dish along with the sides (I recommend mashed potatoes and garlic spinach), but the big smiles and rave reviews are well worth the effort. Read on for how to make a restaurant-quality steak dinner at home!

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Recipe: Saumon aux Lentilles

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After years of curiosity, work brought me to France for the first time last December! I had almost two weeks in Paris and loved the architecture, lifestyle, and cobbled streets. The French are really into the art of food and, while ratatouille was my favorite dish while there and Ratatouille is one of my favorite Disney movies, I decided to be inspired for today's recipe by the fish markets.

My family loves salmon, as do many of my friends. Salmon is easily found in French cuisine! The French green lentil, with a crunchier texture than traditional brown lentils, pair well with the meatiness of the fish and the lemony mustard-herb butter ties it all together. The leeks are less common in traditional American fare and a nice change in this recipe!

Read on for the easy to follow recipe! It makes a great, heart-healthy lunch.

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Recipe: Savory Zucchini Pancakes

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I'm visiting my family in Germany before I move into my new apartment and start my new job in Boston next week!

In addition to frolicking in the fields, polishing up my mini-golf skills, being amused by my suddenly sassy tween sister, and enjoying seeing my loved ones after a year apart (!), I'm working on a ghostwriting project. While everyone is at work and at school, I write. Since writing means no commute, I have more time than the others and, since I also love cooking, it only makes sense that I'm in charge of lunch this week!

So, what do you do when a friendly farmer neighbor gifts you a massive tree trunk of a zucchini?



You make savory zucchini patties! What's a savory zucchini pancake? It's a cheesy, veggie-packed patty full of vitamins, minerals, and veggie goodness! It's somewhere between a latke and a potato pancake, but with zucchini instead of potatoes.

Read on for the easy and delicious recipe! It's a meat-free meal that my kid, adult, and grandmother taste testers all enjoyed.

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Recipe: Jalapeno Cheddar Bread

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I love baking bread! While I'm a total wuss when it comes to spicy food, many of my friends love a little fire in their food. This bread is savory, just the right amount of cheesy, and has a jalapeno kick (but not so much that you cry when you eat it).

This loaf is flavorful, moist with a good texture, and makes grilled cheese sandwiches, croutons, and savory sandwiches. It's also a nice gift loaf or nice to bring along to a picnic or potluck! Read on for the easy-to-follow recipe.

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