Welcome to episode two of Just This. No books on the table this time but you know we always have a lot to say! Enjoy.

It's time to dig in to another banned book — but plot twist: this one isn’t a dystopian novel. This week we’re diving into Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, the powerful story of a girl who endures a traumatic summer, finds herself shunned by her peers, and turns inward to cope.

And you know we’ll be catching you up on the latest in our sourdough adventures, Debbie’s new “Home Safety Tips” series, and Carey’s upcoming trip to celebrate Granny. Oh and an Alani fall flavor review.

So grab that energy drink, look up the non-emergency number, and get ready to get angry that another book was banned.

What’s for Dinner:

A TikTok recipe win: Garlic Butter Steak Bites with mashed potatoes and asparagus

Sorry I couldn't find a link - go search it up - you won't be disappointed

and... Carey takes a break from cooking this time!

You should by it:

Dry Shampoo Paste: https://www.randco.com/products/badlands-dry-shampoo-paste?srsltid=AfmBOoqPkdbFLBfqHUktvft7577FNBVmQ7jkKDXPMADlfh2X9Veg__QB

Boujee Grape Juice: https://lakewoodorganic.com/products/lakewood-organic-pure-concord-grape-juice-32-ounce-pack-of-6?variant=42203644756159

Other Links:

https://rainn.org/

Hey hey! We’re shaking things up today and kicking off a brand-new mini-episode series. These short catch-up and vent sessions will drop every other week — no books on the table this time, just real life, business chatter, a little venting, and our best attempts at solving the world’s problems. Grab your favorite bevvy, have a listen, and let us know what you think!

We’re back with another banned book — and it’s a big one. Chances are you first met this classic in high school or college: Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. Published in 1953, this isn’t just a story about banning books — it’s about burning them. All of them. We dive into Bradbury’s fire-hot cautionary tale and explore themes about censorship.

And because it wouldn’t be an Off the Shelves episode without a little real life sprinkled in: Carey’s trying to crack the TikTok code after her egg post went viral, we’re fresh off a work trip to Denver, and Deb’s bringing some pro tips for Salt Lake City concert goers and what not to do when shopping for groceries online. Grab a cold drink and settle in for an unsettling episode.

What's for dinner: Bananas for every meal, jk

Pesto Pasta Salad

https://cookieandkate.com/pesto-pasta-salad-recipe/

Pressure Cooker Pot Roast

https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/pressure-cooker-beef-stroganoff/

Products you need - we both got new perfume and you should too:

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia: https://www.gucci.com/us/en/pr/beauty/fragrances/fragrances-for-women/gucci-flora-gorgeous-gardenia-100ml-eau-de-parfum-p-667343999990099?srsltid=AfmBOooFw-35LiQ6tdab8AQRhMugTVc0SHtF6VAG39sIAyGYGGC7-0Qz

Diptyque Orphéon:

https://www.diptyqueparis.com/en_us/p/fragrances/eaux-de-parfum/orpheon-eau-de-parfum-75ml.html

This week, we’re switching things up with a very different kind of book—one Carey picked entirely by its cover (and because BookTok wouldn’t shut up about it). We’re talking about John Green’s Everything Is Tuberculosis. Green educates the reader about a disease that still kills over a million people each year, despite there being a cure since the 1950s. Through the story of Henry, a young man who’s battled TB for years, he blends education with a call to action.

Of course, it’s not all serious—we’ve got updates on the great sourdough saga (are the babies still alive?), stories from Carey’s California birthday trip, and plenty more chaos along the way.

So grab your headphones, your coffee, and that sourdough starter—and let’s get into it.

What's for dinner?

Grilled Chicken & Chopped Veggie Salad with Sesame-Ginger Vinaigrette: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/grilled-chicken-and-chopped-veggie-salad-with-sesame-ginger-vinaigrette-2105595

Get the products we love:

Mrs. Meyers Clean Day: www.mrsmeyers.com

Maui Jim Sunnies: https://www.mauijim.com/US/en_US/shop/sunglasses/fashion/starfish

This week, we’re stepping away from banned books and diving into a story that’s been sitting on Deb’s shelf for a longtime—a gift from Carey that finally got its moment. We’re talking about Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead, her modern retelling of Dickens’ classic David Copperfield. This unforgettable novel follows Damon—aka Demon—a boy born into poverty who faces the harsh realities of foster care, child labor, drug addiction, and the opioid crisis. It’s a book that was both impossible to read and impossible to put down.

We’ll also chat about the chaos of summer break, the start of our sourdough adventures, a full-on kitchen disaster, and yes—Carey’s birthday celebration (plus a brand-new hobby we’re testing out).

What's for dinner:

Spicy garlic noodle stirfry - MUST TRY ITS SO GOOD: https://rainbowplantlife.com/vegan-chili-garlic-noodles/

Taco Bowl FTW: https://simplyscratchmade.com/ground-turkey-taco-bowls/

What we're loving:

Carey's Nike Leggings: https://www.nike.com/t/swift-womens-high-waisted-7-8-running-leggings-with-pockets-6FGPQ6/HJ2252-233

Deb's quick dry polish: https://www.opi.com/collections/rapidry

This week on Off the Shelves, we get into the wild, frustrating, and hot conversation around menopause. Where’s the healthcare? Where’s the support? Why is it still so hard to get help in 2025? We read The New Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver—OBGYN, badass, and a woman on a mission to create the resources she and her patients never had.

As two women entering this next chapter of life, this book was equal parts eye-opening, maddening, and deeply validating. We wish we’d had it earlier... but we’ve got it now, and we’re talking all about it.

So—grab your protein, collagen, and fiber smoothie. Throw on your weighted vest, pop in those earbuds, and take your hot midlife girl walk while you listen to this one.

We are celebrating a major milestone—Carey’s graduation from Johns Hopkins with her MPH (yes, really—send her a belated congrats!). There’s also a little humble brag about our kids on their academic grind and a fun personality test reveal to round things out.

Let’s get into it.

What's for dinner:

Butternut squash and chicken situation: https://thenaturalnurturer.com/maple-dijon-chicken-and-butternut-squash-dinner/

Viral Hot Honey/Beef/cottage cheese bow: https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/ground-beef-bowls/

What to buy/what do we love:

Stay hydrated: First Endurance, EFS Hydration mix https://firstendurance.com/products/efs-drink

Bag update - here's a dupe that less than half the cost and I love it!

Quince https://www.quince.com/women/italian-handwoven-leather-mini-shoulder-bag?color=taupe&productPosition=1&searchQuery=purse%20&tracker=searchPage__search_section__search_results

This week, we read Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams—a memoir that chronicles her years working for Mark Zuckerberg from 2011 to 2017. It’s an inside look at the disconnect between Facebook’s public image and what was really happening behind the scenes.

There’s a lot we want to say in this episode—so we’ll let the conversation speak for itself. Grab a beverage (maybe a strong one), because this book made us angry on more levels than we expected. Honestly, if you use social media, you should read this book and tell your friends, because Wynn-Williams is not allowed to promote it.

In other news: Carey is rewatching The Handmaid’s Tale and it’s feeling a little too real, and Debbie wonders—are there ever circumstances where a book should be banned?

Dinner Links:

Braised Mexican Beef (Nom Nom Paleo) https://nomnompaleo.com/post/22316250352/oven-braised-mexican-beef

Ginger Lime Chicken

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/ginger-lime-chicken-with-rice-noodles-8584928

Product Links:

ClareV Handbag

https://www.clarev.com/products/petit-moyen-bisque-woven-checker