I don't know about you guys, but this extra-long holiday weekend really wore me out! It took me a little bit longer than usual to get back into the swing of things, but I couldn't resist sharing my friend Kenzie of Cave Girl in the City's newest book with you! Weeknight Cooking for Two is full of delicious, perfectly-portioned meals that come together in 30 minutes or less--perfect for weeknights, especially ones like these right after a holiday.

I can't wait to dig into this chocolate-chia seed pudding (I love that you can make it ahead of time and that it doesn't require any cooking! Win-win.) Check out the recipe below, and make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this post for a chance to win your own copy of the book! It's available now for pre-order and releases on July 18th. Congrats, Kenzie!

Chocolate-Chia Seed Pudding from Weeknight Cooking for Two

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 cups almond milk
• sea salt
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the cocoa powder, chia seeds, maple syrup, and almond milk. Add a pinch of sea salt and whisk until well combined and the cocoa powder has dissolved.
2. Divide the pudding into two jars, cover, and place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes or until the pudding reaches desired consistency.
3. Top with blueberries and serve.

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Every summer I find myself at the library, checking out more books than I know what to do with. My graduate program at Hollins consisted of an intensive three months during the summer (then online throughout the regular school year), so from June through August I was always reading a ton and spending a lot of time between classes at the library on campus. I'm a big fan of fall and that new semester feeling, but there's just something so magical to me about a big stack of books in the summer.

Here's what I've got on my list this year:

• The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri: We're reading this for my book club this month. The library actually didn't have any hard copies available so I'm listening to the audiobook, which I never really do. I like it a lot and I'm actually enjoying listening to it in the car a little at a time.
• Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson: Next month's book club pick--I want to get a jump start on it (especially since I have the other one on CD) because I have a really bad habit of waiting until it's too late to start and then I have to speed read the books before we get together, even though I always really enjoy the stories.
• Encyclical on Climate Change and Inequality: On Care for Our Common Home by Pope Francis: I saw this in a bookstore the other day and was so intrigued by it. I haven't really identified as Catholic for a long time but I do quite enjoy Pope Francis. 
• Theft by Finding by David Sedaris: I'm a huge Sedaris fan. I've been to two or three of his readings and my favorite part was always when he read excerpts from his diaries, so a whole book sounds like a dream come true.
• Great with Child: Letters to a Young Mother by Beth Ann Fennelly: I haven't read any pregnancy or parenting books yet but this one was recommended to me by an Instagram friend whom I really respect and am excited to start here.
• A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin: It's no secret that I'm obsessed with Game of Thrones. I've been meaning to read the books and since Rob and I just started re-watching from the beginning, now is as good a time as any to pick up the first book (especially since the series will be over for good so soon!)

What's on your summer reading list?

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My favorite thing to do in the kitchen lately is cook fruit down in a pot with a tiny bit of sugar or honey--it makes for the most delicious little treat and I can do all kinds of stuff with it. The other day we brought some peaches home from the grocery store, but they weren't very ripe, so I thought they would be perfect cooked--putting them over heat just really brings out the natural sweetness of the fruit. I love it on everything, but especially some creamy yogurt.

Ingredients: 

• About a cup of sliced or diced peaches
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons water

Instructions: 

1. Over medium-low heat, stir peaches together with sugar and water. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until peaches are broken down and soft. Allow to cool and serve with whatever!

I've been incorporating more and more dairy into my diet over the past few months, so I was really excited with noosa recently sent me a bunch of their yoghurt in different flavors to try, and I have really enjoyed having them for breakfast, as a snack, or really any time throughout the day. Rob and I even enjoyed the coconut flavor for dessert the other night (we topped it with chocolate chips because YOLO).

It's delicious not only with chocolate chips but mostly on its own, although we've also been topping it with granola or my sweet sautéed peaches. noosa is the perfect combination of sweet and tart, plus it's made in small batches with all-natural whole milk and fresh fruit purees. So delicious. I think it's going to be my go-to summer snack all season long!

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