Right now, I believe...

that catching up after a few days out of town can be really energizing or completely draining--and usually not anywhere in between.

that homesickness comes and goes but when it's around it can really feel terrible.

that there's almost nothing better than snuggling close with a tired pup.

that true friendships really do stand the test of time and distance.

that it's never too late to learn a new skill.

that getting enough sleep is never overrated.

in coming home late after a trip, picking up Chinese takeout, and eating it in bed while trying not to fall asleep to your favorite HBO shows.

What's true for you right now?

Happy Friday from Charlotte! We got in on Wednesday night and since then it's been a whirlwind of seeing friends, recording a podcast episode, and teaching a SkillPop class. This morning was a little slower--I had breakfast with my friends Corri and Haley and then met Rob and our friend Paige at Hex for coffee, and now we're just lying around our Airbnb for a bit before heading Uptown for a late lunch. It's so nice to be back in Charlotte--this city still definitely feels like home.

I wanted to pop in before I go completely in vacation/weekend mode and tell you about a fun contest I'm doing to celebrate my book being available for preorder:

• Confirm your purchase order of The Big 10 Paleo Spiralizer Cookbook (send your receipt to giveaway@callistomedia.com) and receive 30% discount code to your first purchase with Farmbox Direct, an amazing organic fruit and veggie delivery service. They just sent me a huge box of produce to try and it was incredible. 
  • If you've already preordered the book, you can enter right away! Just forward your receipt.
• 10 winners will receive an extra copy of my first book, The Big 15 Paleo Cookbook.
• 1 lucky winner will receive a spiralizer!
• Contest runs until May 8, winners will be contacted directly on May 9. See official rules here.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! As always, you can catch up with me while I'm out of town on Instagram. 

Photo by Shannon Douglas for The Big 10 Paleo Cookbook.

I've been thinking about this salad for a while now and I'm so glad I finally made it--it's mostly cucumbers and tuna but I threw some lettuce and peas in there as well. The whole thing is dressed in a really simple lemon vinaigrette and tossed together with the secret ingredient...chopped mint! There's just something so beautiful about lemon and cucumber and mint together, and I especially love it with tuna. 

Ingredients:

• 1 large cucumber, sliced thinly or spiralized into ribbons
• 1/4 cup of peas
• About 1/2 cup of lettuce, chopped
• 1 5-ounce can of Wild Selections Tuna in Water, drained
• 2-3 tablespoons of fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup lemon juice (or the juice of 1 lemon)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic, crushed
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine cucumber, peas, and lettuce together. In a smaller bowl, whisk lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil together. Season with salt and pepper. Pour half of the dressing onto the salad and toss well to combine.
2. Just before serving, add the tuna, mint leaves, and a bit more dressing. Toss gently and serve immediately.

I'm really excited to be partnering with Wild Selections on this post--their tuna is not only Non-GMO Project Verified but also simple, natural,and delicious. Wild Selections gives back to the oceans by donating 13 cents from every can sold—a total of $1 million by 2018—to World Wildlife Fund marine conservation and fishery improvement projects.  Wild Selections is the only brand to “pay it forward” and act on its belief to take care of the oceans for the future, not just fishing sustainably in the present.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.