Nine Favorite Things.

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com

{goats in the summer sunset}

Wow. I can’t believe it, but this is my 50th Nine Favorite Things Post. When I first started writing these favorites post, I wasn’t sure if you guys would be into them since they are not recipe focused, and much more focused on my life, what’s going on in it, and well, and all the things I am loving. I was positive that no-one would care about my favorite podcast, what I was loving from the Nordstrom sale, or what was happening in my family, but it turns out some of you do!

It still amazes me, but these favorites posts have become some of the most popular with you guys. For whatever reason, you seem to enjoy them, and it makes me SO happy because I love writing them and sharing my interests outside of food. It’s so much fun!

I’m spending my weekend preparing for two full weeks away. On Tuesday my family and I are heading to the Caribbean to visit my grandpa. I’ll be there for about a week and then I am heading to NYC for work and a really fun event…if you are in NYC, keep your eyes peeled. Announcing the event this week and I am so excited to share!

Coming up this week on HBH I’ll be sharing a new easy summer seafood recipes, something sweet and filled with berries, the perfect grilled salad, a new pasta that will become a summertime staple, and rounding things out on Friday with a show stopping dessert inspired by one of my favorite flowers. I’ll also share a new cocktail Saturday post, so look out for that too! Lots of fun summer recipes are coming your way!

If you missed anything from this previous week and would like to have them all delivered at once, right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Saturday newsletter that recaps all the posts of the week! Sign up here. And of course, if you’re meal planning for the week ahead, don’t forget to check my menu below (it’s #9 on the list!).

Have the best Sunday and enjoy this weeks favorites!

1. Today I am Grateful For…

If any of you guys follow Ali of Inspiralized, you may know that she challenged everyone on Instagram to share three things they are grateful for. I LOVED this idea and want to start sharing things I am grateful for too. So here are three things I am grateful for today…

1. my brothers for always reminding me to lighten up and have fun.

2. the summer sunshine and long days.

3. my favorite guy in life, Merle (aka our dog).

Let me know what you are most grateful for today in the comments! It can be anything, even something as silly as you stack of pancakes or flowers growing outside your window. Anything that is making you feel grateful in this very moment.

2. My favorite Pinterest Pins this Week.

{all photos via pinterest}

3. My Favorite Sunscreens I am taking on vacation …

4. Let’s Play a Game.

I really want to go here. Thankful that I am headed there this week.

I really love these shoes. Can’t wait to wear them.

I really want this bag. It’s so cute.

I really love stone fruits and heirloom tomatoes. Excited they are coming into season.

I really want these strawberry muffins.

I really love this summery Thai peanut chicken salad recipe.

5. New Videos:

A post shared by Tieghan Gerard (@halfbakedharvest) on Jun 2, 2018 at 9:36am PDT

Spicy Gingered Mango Margarita

A post shared by Tieghan Gerard (@halfbakedharvest) on Jun 6, 2018 at 7:42pm PDT

30 Minute Stir Fried Korean Beef and Toasted Sesame Noodles

A post shared by Tieghan Gerard (@halfbakedharvest) on Jun 5, 2018 at 10:07am PDT

Sweet Thai Chile Turkey Burgers with Spicy Herb Salad

A post shared by Tieghan Gerard (@halfbakedharvest) on Jun 3, 2018 at 7:28pm PDT

Cacio e Pepe with Arugula and Lemon

6. Mental Health.

Mental health seems to be the hot topic right now and I’m glad it is. I debated talking about this today because it seems like every other blogger, influencer, and celebrity out there is also talking about it. But you know what? We all have our own stories, and if I can help even just one person see that mental health is a serious issue, than I’m going to talk about it too. There’s power in numbers.

With the sad passing of both Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain this past week, people are really talking about the importance of mental health and how crucial it is to seek help with something you are struggling with. Like a lot people out there, I have, and still do, struggle with mental health. I’ve talked a lot about my anxiety here on HBH and even though it’s something I have learned to cope with, it’s still something I deal with daily. Some days are worse than others, but learning of ways to deal with my anxiety have helped me to become a stronger, better, and happier person.

When I was in middle school I went through one of the hardest times of my life. It’s not something I’m ready to fully discuss, but I know that someday I will. What I am ready to say, is that mental health is a very serious, very real thing. If you are struggling, reach out to someone and ask for help. It can be anyone, a friend, a parent, a mentor, anyone. Don’t feel embarrassed, no matter what it is you are struggling with, someone else out there is struggling with that same issue too. You are not alone and you deserve to be happy. Life has so much to offer!

On this same topic, I found this article to be really on point. Social media has a huge effect on our mental health and it’s important to be aware of how it might be affecting you.

Bottom line? Let’s not be afraid to talk about mental health. Let’s help prop each other up. Be kind, and ignore the perfect picture scene that social media can portray. It’s never as perfect as it seems.

7. A Few Links I am Loving…

blue and white pieces for summer…love these.

4 natural ways to prevent fine lines…good to know.

Hilary Duff is pregnant with her second child…um. so cute.

12 can’t miss Chicago hot spots…take me to the Green City.

who what wears new Target collections…summer style steals.

what to do this summer on a budget…all about a dinner party.

the ultimate Father’s Day brunch menus...those pancakes. you need them.

Miley Cyrus talks empowerment…a good read.

mental health asking for help is not a weakness…very inspiring post.

Kate Bosworth’s night time rituals…loving her skincare routine.

inside the James Bond 007 movies…kind of cool if you into this type of thing.