Guess what? I SURVIVED MY FIRST COLLEGE SEMESTER! And I'm going home tomorrow for winter break! I am done with my exams (have been since 8:45am yesterday)! This semester went by pretty fast, but when I think back it doesn't seem like it. A lot happened, yet the weeks really did fly by! Every time Monday would roll around, I would be amazed that yet another week had passed. Not only did the school semester fly, but this year too! It is going to be 2015 in just a few weeks. That is pretty insane!
I should probably start packing up some things to take back with me tomorrow (all.the.things!) And then what I will be doing this weekend...watching the Hallmark channel, cooking, and sleeping in MY bed! Yay! I went a little crazy with the links again this week! (Finals procrastination reading took place!), but enjoy anyway! There are LOADS of good things here! XOXO Stay warm! I should probably brace for the cold in NJ. It has been SO bearable in DC...
SS Posts from the week:
Monday: My Favorite {And Least Favorite} Holiday Movies
Tuesday: Gift Guide For The Guys
Wednesday: Roasted Sweet Vanilla Pecan Butter
Blog Posts and Links I loved this week:
Life, Mind, Body, Spirit:
+ Don't Let The Struggle Hold You Back
Keep going and reach for the stars!
We can choose to follow it or not.
+ Why You Shouldn't Think Of Life As Good Or Bad
Very compelling and beautiful.
+ What Not To Say This Holiday Season
Know that your words have an impact.
You never need to justify anything to anyone. Screw those who judge you unfairly!
+ How To Start Your Day Off Right (Even When You Get Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed)
Never start your day bad again!
+ 11 Powerful Reasons To Smile
Because a smile is magic!
To our younger generation.
+ No One Lives The Life You Are Dreaming Of
We all forget that everyone has struggled and dons't always talk about the hard parts.
+ Why Negative Body Talk Has No Place On The Yoga Mat
Really, yoga does not judge. Don't think you aren't "made" for yoga!
+ How To Quit Being Your Own Worst Enemy
Because we usually are.
+ How To Start A Meditation Practice
Give it a try!
+ Can't Get No Satisfaction? Actually, Yes You Can
To feel satisfied with life!
Fitness:
+ How Much Physical Activity Do You Really Need?
It actually isn't as much as you may think!
+ Why I Love Drop Sets & Why They Are Effective
A great way to switch up and make your strength sessions effective!
My absolute favorite posture!
+ 20 Things To Remember About Fitness
Great stuff!
+ Why Time Is Screwing Up Your Workout
My workouts are long because I take my time and savor it. I focus on form and quality.
+ The Woman's Guide To Beating Gym Intimidation
DO NOT be intimidated. Really, I leg press more then all the guys I've ever seen in my gym 😛
+ 5 HIIT Exercises To Wipe Out Stress
Woohoo burpees!
+ What Happens When We Pause In Mountain Pose
Magic happens.
Food:
+ Clearing Up The Chocolate-Acne Myth
Good thing! Now, eat up!
Great interview with SizzleFish!
+ 20 Healthy Crock Pot Recipes For Quick & Easy Meals
Slow cooker season is in full swing!
+ 50 Allergy-Friendly Cookie Recipes
This has you covered for the season!
+ A Complete Visual Guide To 11 Different Kinds Of Sugar
Learn about each type and how it's used!
+ Vegetarians Who Go Back To Meat
Have you seen that study that came out?
+ 23 K-Cups Ranked By A World-Class Barista
Hahaha, I have yet to have a good K-Cup!
+ 12 Tips For Holiday Baking Success
Don't have any holiday flops!
+ Am I Right?
Yes...yes she is!
+ Top 10 Superfoods You Haven't Heard Of
Well if you have been living under a rock...But this has good info!
+ The Step-By-Step Guide To Eating During The Holidays
Genius! 😉
Health:
+ 12 Ways To Deal With Holiday Stress This Season And Why Stress Is Bad For You
Great practical tips!
+ My (Hard-A**) Health Philosophy, #NoExcuses
Love this girl! Her philosophy is really similar to the paper I wrote for my UW class!
+ You Can't Detox Your Body. It's A Myth. So How Do You Get Healthy?
I LOVED everything this post had to say! This is what I believe!
+ It May Be Time To Cut Ties With The Scale
No good comes of it.
+ Why Should I Have A Personal Trainer And Nutrition Coach?
Have you ever had either? Do you want to?
+ What NOT To Say To Someone When They Are Dealing With An Ongoing Medical Condition
I think we have learned now (see other post earlier) that we should just not say anything.
+ 8 Tips For Staying Healthy Over The Holidays
I usually hate these posts, but this one is good and should be used ALL-YEAR!
+ Therapists Now Encourage Cooking And Baking As Cures For Depression
This is great! Everyone should get in the kitchen!
Blogging, Social Media, Tech & Photography:
+ Why I Still Write: Sharing Personal Stories On My Blog
For the most part blogging is great and so are the virtual connections we make through this outlet.
+ 6 Tips For Sticking With Blogging When First Starting Out
Don't get in over your head!
+ 7 Steps Bloggers Should Take To Protect Your Privacy Online
Important!
+ What I Learned From 550 Blog Posts
Good real stuff!
+ Pinterest Demographics Mean It Could Become The Next Monster Social Advertising Platform
Time to amp up your Pinterest game!
+ How To Use Color On Your Blog
It's all about visual appeal, folks!
+ 10 Different Ways To Vary Your Blog Content
Keep your readers (and yourself) interested!
Do you sponsor blogs? Have you payed to be sponsored? Personally, I just don't get it....
Other:
+ 6 Ways To Make Your Home Smell Like Christmas
Yes please! Christmas love and joy!
+ 9 Moms Found At Every Elementary School
Haha! This is too funny!
+ VS Fashion Show '14: Favorites, Inspiration, And Empowerment
Great post on why we shouldn't bash the show.
+ An Exclusive First Look At London's New Cereal Cafe
Mom, can I go here for my birthday!?
Favorite Pins:
(Follow me on Pinterest – RebeccaGF666)
Mushroom Shallot Garlic Quinoa. Did I ever tell you how much I love mushrooms 😉
Stuffed Portobello Burger. Not only is it a meaty portobello burger, but it's stuffed with goodness too!
Roasted Parsnip, Carrot, and Apple Soup with Gingery Toasted Pepitas. Can this get anymore creative?!
Soft Batch Pumpkin Cookies. Cookies that taste like pumpkin pie...enough said!
Roasted Red Pepper and Fennel Soup. This must taste amazing!
Lemongrass Lentil Cakes with Goji Tahini Sauce. This is the ultimate foodie creation!
Good-For-Ya Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cake. Good for EVERYTHING!
Crazy 'Porridge-That's-Not-Really-A-Porridge'. So cool!
A few things I loved about my week or am grateful for:
+ It's already been said, but it's time for love, cheer, freedom, family, and relaxation!
+ The Santa Con movie premiere on Lifetime tomorrow at 8pm! Melissa Joan Heart is in it, so you know it'll be good!
+ Starbucks coffee....which I sadly will be without during break :O
So tell me:
+ What are you looking forward to this weekend?
+ Are you a tree-tinseler? No....I don't like the stuff.
+ I feel like right now everywhere s CHRISTMAS! But I know not everyone celebrates. So tell me, what do you celebrate?
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Whitney @ Sweet Cayenne
Congrats on having your first semester under your belt! So impressive that you write such a great blog with the hectic schedule of a student! Thanks for linking to my baking tips 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Whitney! XOXO
Liv @ Healthy Liv
CONGRATS on being done with your first semester!! I just finished my first semester, too, and it was the BEST feeling. Such a weight off our shoulders when exams are done, right?!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Congratulations yourself as well!!! It just feeling so awesome (and strange) to be home again!
Kristy @ Southern In Law
Thank you so much for sharing my recipe, sweet girl! Hope you're having an amazing weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They look so amazing!
I am and I hope you are too!
Paula Kiger
I am overwhelmed by all this awesomeness!! Have a great holiday!!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Paula! You too! 🙂
Kelly
Another great week of links! Congratulations on finishing up your first semester. Enjoy the break. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Kelly! XOXO
Farrah
Yay! Congrats on finishing your first semester! (+ hooray for being done with finals! Ain't it a great feeling!?)
Agreed on the living under a rock for those superfoods! ;P I need in on that cereal cafe (wouldn't it be nice if we could teleport!? *-*) and that stuffed portobello burger looks amazing! *-*
Thanks for rounding up these links! 😀 I'll have great reading material for the weekend again! :]
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Yes it is! WOOHOO!
Seriously, who hasn't seen hemp seeds, haha!
That cereal cafe....would be my life! I want a job there! Haha!
That burger is just amazing! Yum!
XOXOXO
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet
Congrats on being done! This was my last full week of work until 2015, so I'm starting to feel "done" as well (even though I have plenty of stuff to get done before the holidays!). This weekend I'm looking forward to my work's Christmas party. I have a great group of coworkers, so it should be a lot of fun.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Rebecca!
That sounds like fun! I can't wait to actually get to do festive things now!
Kimberly Bolden
Congrats on completing your 1st semester of college! I am saving this post so I ca review the links. Thanks so much for the goodies!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Kimberly! XOXO
Emma @ em-poweredwellness
Ahh you always have the BEST links--I just read through like half of them. I am one of those vegetarians who go back to eating meat. I have given up adding titles or rules to my eating habits, because for me that makes me stress too much about what I am eating. Now I focus on eating mostly plant foods and sustainable meats and eggs (farmers markets are the way to go!)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Yes! Labels are just ways for humans to feel a sense of belonging, but they don't mean anything. I'm gluten-free (celiac), soy, dairy, egg, and meat free. So I'm not vegan, but I'm plant-based and I just eat healthy!
lindsay
the sizzlefish podcast was awesome! agreed. love rob! and did i just see fruit cake pancakes? oh YUM
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I loved listening to it!
Aren't those pancakes STELLAR!?
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
Congrats on finishing up your first semester! You must be so happy about that.
And so many awesome links - I'm definitely checking out the one on shoulder stand. I want to be able to do that! Thanks for including my post my dear <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I so am! Thank you Sam! XOXO
You are so welcome!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
Yay! I always look forward to reading your Friday post! Okay, so, the chocolate acne myth- I have always disregarded it, because I just love chocolate way too much! This weekend I'm looking forward to relaxing (sleeping + reading + recipe testing). Congrats on finishing your first semester! Safe travels home and happy holidays to you and your family! I hope you get the tea before you leave tomorrow... Keeping my fingers crossed!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know right! Even if it was true...Screw It!
Thank you! And I think the package came today! I have to go to package services and check! XOXO
(Recipe-Testing! I am going to go WILD in the kitchen when I get home!)
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West
Hi Rebecca! What an awesome feeling to finish exams and go home for break. I remember those days of college. Home-cooked meals and a good place to do your laundry is always nice. I'm not much for tinsel, by the way. Have a wonderful weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Break is going to be SO welcomed and much needed just to be back in my own home!
(Woohoo, for non-tinsel!)
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
Congrats! Enjoy your time off. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
Congrats on a successful first semester done with! I know you will savor the break and time with family and friends. Such a relief to be done with exams, I remember that feeling. I'll be checking out a few of the yoga articles you linked 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Muchele! XOXO
Woohoo 😉 Keep up that new yoga love, girl!
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness
Congrats!!! I still remember my first semester...chaotic! I am not crazy for Christmas but I do have that cheesy spirit! My favorite celebration is Christmas Eve..I guess the excitement takes over me and I am a small kid again waiting for Santa!
Have a great weekend! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year! I think it is so much better and more exciting than actual Christmas day! The anticipation is still there!
Shashi @ runninsrilankan
Woohoo - congrats on completing your first semester! "Watching the Hallmark channel, cooking, and sleeping" are my idea of total bliss 😉
Thanks for the links - cannot wait to check 'em out
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! XOXO
Haha, I literally CAN NOT wait!
Rachel
Congratulations on completing your first semester!
I hate tinsel! I also have cats and have heard horror stories of cats eating tinsel. I actually use ribbon instead of garland on my tree as well.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Rachel! XOXO
That would be so dangerous! They could chock for sure :O
We usually just have the lights and then ALL the ornaments!
Linda @ Veganosity
Congratulations Rebecca!!! My daughter finished her first semester of grad school last week and my son just called me to tell me he just finished his last exam of his junior year!!! He's coming home tomorrow!!!! 🙂 I know your family is excited to see you. Love the links, especially the stuffed Portobello mushroom burger.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! I really hope we can get some "family time" even though I know that NEVER happens...I'm going to make it happen this year!
I hope you guys are all reunited well and safe! XOXO
clare @ fitting it all in
wonderful as usual! congrats on finishing your first semester - enjoy your break!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Clare!
jess meddows
Hey Rebecca, Congrats on finishing your first semester of college! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas break. Another great round up of links, the vegetarians who go back to meat was a bit confronting. I can't imagine ever eating it again, it's been 10 years since I've had a steak! LOL
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Jess! Time to really celebrate the joy of the season!
Yea, that study seemed pretty out-of-whack. :/
Natalie
Yes, yes I would like a stack of crazy-thick Pumpkin Spice Latte Pancakes. And that cauliflower "porridge" is pretty awesome!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Aren't breakfast recipes just....AMAZING!
Laura@ Fit Running Mama
Enjoy Winter break!! Congrats! I used to love the long extended break!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! I can't wait!
Rachel G
Congrats on finishing your first semester! In my experience, it all got easier after the first one! And The Hallmark channel is especially good this time of year. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! I really hope it does!
Haha, I LOVE IT!
Dietitian Jess
I am a newer reader but I am in love with your Friday Finisher... so many great articles/blog posts to read!!!! It's awesome that you touch on so many topics too, happy Friday 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Jess! That means a lot! I hope you come back to check it out each week! XOXO
Emily @My Healthyish Life
CONGRATS on finishing your first semester! Time to celebrate the holidays! Thanks for sharing my post 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Emily! We college kids DESERVE this break ASAP!