I spent a lot of my twenties planning my life.
Nine years ago, I ran my first Corporate Challenge as a first-year analyst in New York City.
If you’d told me then what my current job title is and where I would live today, or that I’d be spending a Sunday teaching people how to stock their fridge with seasonal snacks, I would have laughed in your face.
And yet, here we are.
This past week, I ran my third Corporate Challenge with my coworkers in Buffalo.
As I was running, I kept thinking about that first-year analyst and all the things I would tell her.
First: you are not defined by your career.
No one is tracking your overtime besides you.
Second: mistakes are how you learn.
Early in your career, one mistake can feel like the end of the world. It isn’t. You’re human. Humans make mistakes. The best ones learn from them.
Third: stop living so far in the future.
Have goals, but don’t spend so much time planning your life that you forget to enjoy it.
One day you’ll look back on your early career as the good old days. Don’t waste them worrying about a future that probably won’t unfold the way you imagined anyway.
Fourth: you are your own worst critic.
I lost so much sleep chasing perfectionism and holding myself to impossible standards. It took me years to realize that life becomes a lot more enjoyable when you stop treating every decision like it’s make-or-break.
Fifth: soft skills matter.
A smile, positive attitude, genuine curiosity, and the ability to work well with others will take you further than you think.
And lastly: you become who you surround yourself with.
I was so hesitant to move to Buffalo. Plenty of my New York colleagues couldn’t understand why I’d leave.
But as I said in my wedding vows, one of the first things my Husband ever told me about Buffalo was that it’s a “city of good neighbors.”
Almost three years later, and nearly one year into working for a Buffalo-based marketing agency, I can wholeheartedly say he was right.
This city is filled with genuinely good people.
People who show up.
People who care.
People who root for each other.
Nine years ago, I had a vision for what my 30s would look like.
None of it happened the way I planned.
And somehow it turned out better.
Funny how life makes the most sense when you look back.
This Week’s Snackagories
Snack Attack #2 is today, and I’ve been spending the week prepping recipes, organizing ingredient lists, and reminding myself that teaching people how to use fresh produce is my favorite part.
This week’s menu is built around one idea: Prep a few versatile components and let them become multiple meals throughout the week.
🥣 Savory Dip / Spread
Strawberry Balsamic Dip
If summer had an official flavor, I think it might be strawberries and basil.
This dip is creamy, tangy, sweet, and endlessly versatile. It starts as a snack board centerpiece but quickly becomes a dressing, sandwich spread, or grain bowl sauce.
Ingredients
• Greek yogurt
• Cottage cheese
• Strawberries
• Balsamic vinegar
• Lemon zest
• Fresh basil
• Salt & pepper
Seasonal Tip:
Local strawberries are one of the first true tastes of summer. The best ones are often the smallest, most fragrant berries in the basket.
Niknack Tip:
Thin leftovers with olive oil and a splash of lemon juice to create a pasta salad dressing.
🍞 Grab + Go Pantry Snack
Cherry Pistachio No-Bake Cookies
Because it’s too hot to turn on the oven.
These cookies are chewy, nutty, lightly sweet, and packed with pantry staples that actually keep you full.
Ingredients
• Rolled oats
• Pistachios
• Pumpkin seeds
• Dried cherries
• Almond butter
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
Niknack Tip:
Store them in the refrigerator for an easy grab-and-go breakfast, afternoon snack, or post-walk treat.
🥕 Fresh Produce
Crispy Pea & Herb Salad
This recipe is summer produce at its peak.
Crunchy lettuce, fresh herbs, radishes, tomatoes, eggs, bacon, and a creamy lemon dressing all working together to create something far more exciting than a side salad.
Ingredients
• Lettuce
• Fresh herbs & green onions
• Radishes
• Cherry tomatoes
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Crispy bacon
• Crispy pea “croutons”
• Creamy lemon dressing
Seasonal Tip:
Fresh herbs are one of the easiest ways to make vegetables feel special. Think of them less like garnish and more like a vegetable themselves.
Niknack Tip:
Turn leftovers into a pita sandwich, grain bowl topper, or quick lunch with grilled chicken.
🍫 Sweet Tooth Snack
Strawberry Olive Oil Sundaes
A reminder that not every food needs a health justification.
Some foods exist simply because they’re delicious.
And strawberries, vanilla ice cream, olive oil, flaky salt, and rhubarb caramel happen to be one of my favorite combinations of the season.
Ingredients
• Vanilla ice cream
• Fresh strawberries
• Rhubarb caramel
• Olive oil
• Flaky sea salt
Sometimes dessert is the snack.
🍗 Bulk Protein Source
White Bean Chicken Salad
One of my favorite examples of practical snack prep.
A single batch can become lunches, sandwiches, lettuce wraps, snack plates, or an easy dinner throughout the week.
Ingredients
• Shredded Chicken
• Cannellini beans
• Green onions
• Celery
• Fresh herbs
• Lemon
• Olive oil
• Dijon mustard
Meal Prep Tip:
The beans stretch the chicken while adding fiber, texture, and staying power.
The Good Old Days
One thing I’ve realized recently is that we’re often living through the very moments we’ll someday look back on fondly.
The good old days rarely announce themselves.
They’re a Thursday evening walk.
A Corporate Challenge with coworkers.
A summer workshop.
A dinner on the porch.
A city that slowly becomes home.
For years I spent a lot of time looking ahead.
Lately I’ve been trying to pay more attention to what’s right in front of me.
Because one day, I know i’ll look back on this season of life and miss it too.
Thanks for reading this week’s SubSnack ❤️
Until next time,
Niknack
Would eat this salad in buckets