Weekly reads, Vol. 16

 I have a lot of good links for you today.  Take your time with a cup of coffee or two.

The "Parenthood" series finale aired Thursday night. I watched it Friday morning with a case box of kleenex.  And then I read Allie's post about why the finale was perfect.  She NAILED it.  (There are spoilers in her post, so if you haven't yet watched the finale and intend to, just bookmark it for after you've watched.)  By the way, Allie also posts some fabulous "Bachelor" recaps every Tuesday.  

Speaking of "The Bachelor," Katie shared the life lessons she's pulled from watching the show.  Some of them are tongue-in-cheek, but I think #8 is kind of insightful -- "Sometimes the girl who finishes first isn't the winner."  Hmm. 

I've been looking for meals I can make and take for lunch.  Food ruts are the worst.  I can only handle so many chicken breasts with a side of vegetables.  I think I found a contender on Faith + Feathers this week.  Crockpot taco chicken bowls.  Yum!!  I might serve them over lettuce occasionally instead of rice (to save some carbs), but I think this would be a super easy and delicious option.

My friend Laura got married a few months ago and instantly became a stepmom to a young girl.  She's still trying to figure out what that means and how her role is defined.  My stance is that as long as she loves the girl and is there for her, the rest will fall into place.  But I have no first-hand experience with step-parents (or bonus parents, as I prefer).  If any of you do, please hop on over and share it with her.

Too often we hear that we need to "fake it til we make it" and put on our best face.  But sometimes we really don't feel like it.  The Frenemy nailed this topic with "I don't always have to be pretty." Sometimes we don't feel pretty.  And why should we fake it?

I have long said that as women, we spend too much time tearing each other down instead of building each other up. Enough is enough.  As Holly at Hey, Hollywood says, "Ladies, we're all on the same team."

In the same vein, Erin at Two Thirds Hazel opened up about judgment she's faced in her relationship decisions.  Seriously, people?  When will we learn to just live and let live?  Or in this case, live and let love.  There's no shame in giving in to love just as there's no shame in being single.