Happy Monday friends! Did you think “scoop” was in reference to ice cream? I wish! But it’s not. I’m sadly trying to avoid ice cream right now, or sugar in general actually. So what it’s really referencing is my weekly conglomeration of readings that I thought you might like to read too. Since I know it can be hard to get back in the swing of things on Mondays I thought maybe having a picture of pretty flowers and some entertaining reads could be useful. Especially now that the olympics are done. Is anyone else bummed over that? And also wondering if it’s too late to start a figure skating career? No? Just me? Well if anyone knows the cutoff age to get started on that let me know. Ha! Anyway I hope you all had a relaxing weekend and enjoy the reads:

Life Things

• Since we are still in the month of love here’s a wonderfully written article about how love isn’t beautiful. Ha! Maybe it sounds a bit pessimistic but have a read, you might agree.
• On really, really living life.
• I loooove self help books, or as I prefer to call them: “Empowereads”, so I’ve added this collection especially for women to my list. Have you read any of these??
• Monday’s make me crabby (you too?) and seeing that today is Monday I could use this advice on how not to hate the day that starts the week.

Green Things & Health 

• An awesome list of gadgets to help keep food fresh that are reusable and better for the environment.

On Infertility & Motherhood

• I know this isn’t breaking news, but if you’ve been under a rock, Illinois (that’s my state!) Senator Tammy Duckworth is going to make history by being the first sitting senator to give birth while in office. She’s pregnant though IVF and has vowed to fight for maternal rights. You go Tammy! Proud constituent over here!
• While it’s fantastic that women have an advocate literally experiencing some of the same issues, “It Shouldn’t Take A Pregnant Senator To Put Parental Leave On The Agenda” as this article discusses.
• Some might think maternal rights or IVF coverage aren’t important issues but according to this article, studies show that America’s fertility rate is in decline which actually can adversely affect the economy, among other things. Interesting ponder…
• Speaking of declining fertility rates…this article on how the typical family in Japan is disappearing due to rapidly declining fertility rates is fascinating and devastating all at once.

Pure Fun

• I feel like I associate with being in the Millennial generation but also feel on the cusp of not fitting in (like the youngin’s would call me old). This article has declared a new micro-generation name for my fellow 1977-1983’ers.
• I am so, so sad the olympics is over now. No more figure skating for 4 years! This look back at figure skating outfits through history made me forget about my despair.
• No one likes action pictures, but these “faces of figure skaters” make me giggle. No judgements though, I’m sure I’d look even more giggle-worthy if I could even pull off 1/1000th of the skills they are capable of.