Christmas is just 9 short days away! Do you feel the excitement, the electric currents of joy flowing through the air? I think I'll be a bit merrier after Wednesday night. That will officially mark the end of the semester and beginning of winter break! I'm excited to go home and sleep in my own bed! That's always such a joy, to snuggle up in your own bed after months away, heck, I get that feeling even just a weekend away! Crazy though that I won't have much time to "readjust" before Christmas. I have a feeling the entire weekend will just be a big blur, but hopefully a blur of love, hugs, and comfort!
As we head into our last week before Christmas and the second to last week of 2016, let's all go in full-force and make the best of our current situations and go out with a bang! Keep on keeping on and savor these moments! Happy Friday, have a great weekend, and enjoy this week's Friday Finisher reads!
Monday: Classic Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies (Vegan)
Wednesday: Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Thursday: Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments
Recently Updated: Chocolate Peppermint Quinoa Flakes
Recently Updated: Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Flakes
Blog Posts and Links I loved this week:
Life, Mind, Body, Spirit:
+ 20 Ideas For New Year's Resolutions To Improve Your Life
Some beautiful ideas to think about!
+ 50 Ways To Do Well By Doing Good
Do these good things!
What do you want to improve on?
+ 6 Secrets Of Mental Toughness From The Navy Seals
They know what they're talking about.
+ 3 Proven Rituals That Will Make You Motivated
I Like #3!
+ Your Decisions Create Your Destiny
This is so true!
Step out of it!
+ These Habits Will Dramatically Improve Your Life
Some things to think about in the new year?
Fitness:
+ 32 Beautiful Badass Strength Training Tip And Principles
These are badass!
Food:
+ A Map To Find Your Sugar Cookies Soulmate
Find the one that's just right!
+ How Millennial Foodies Are Challenging The Supply Chain From Farm To Table
The landscape needs some changing.
+ Inside The Battle Of Meatless Burgers
Anyone else grossed out by Beyond Meat's video? Bahaha!
Be still my kitchen-loving heart <3
+ Companies Fighting Food Waste
Love these! Support these guys!
Health, Celiac Disease, & Food Allergies:
+ Science Panel Urges Rewrite Of Food Allergy Warning Labels
This does need to be fixed; it's been an issue for too long.
+ People Are Dying Younger Because Of America's "Bad-Break" Test
Eye-opening? We had a decline in life expectancy for the first time since 1993.
Blogging, Social Media, Tech & Photography:
+ Quit Social Media. Your Career May Depend On It
This...this is so good!
+ 20 Photography Project Ideas For The New Year
I think I want to challenge myself to get back into my photography (excluding food).
Just like if running make you a runner.
+ 50 Blogging Tools To Help You Work Smarter, Write Faster, And Become Irresistible
Some tools to help you up your game in 2017!
+ The Best Instagram Hashtags For Creatives
Creatives in all niches!
+ Do You Take Time Off Your Blog At The End Of The Year?
Join the discussion! Do you? I will be! (More on that later!)
+ 18 Things You Need To Know About Marketing Your Local Business On Instagram
I think all businesses/brands can take some insight from these!
+ How To Monetize Your Influence As A Micro-Influencer
The secretly powerful group!
+ Creating A Blog Content Plan For 2017
Already rockin' it! I'm going to really dive in once I get home though!
+ All Of Facebook's Admitted Errors
Really...don't judge yourself by those numbers you see on Facebook!
+ 7 Growth Hacks To Improve Your Content Strategy
Let's all grow our strategies in 2017!
+ The Pinterest 100: Top Ideas In 2017
O gosh, guys! Go crazy! π
+ http://photography-mapped.com/Photoagraphy Mapped
Your life will be changed. THIS is how to learn how to use the camera!
+ Reader Surveys: Why You Need Them & What To Include
I'm glad I finally did one!
See a viral post? Use that title!
+ Chopped Podcast: Reduce Blogger Burnout
THIS! This might be my favorite episode of my favorite podcast <3
Career, Business, & Success:
+ 10 Ways You Can Live & Work Wholeheartedly In 2017
Let's make 2017 perfect for us!
+ 7 Women-Only Resources For Growing Your Career
I may just check out some of these!
+ How To Master Group Projects In College
I always take on the leader role :/
+ The Simple Scheduling Trick That Will Be A Sanity Saver In 2017
Ah! This is such a good idea! I already do something similar!
+ Want To Be A Creative Genius? It's About Progress Not Perfection
Because there is no end of perfection! You can never "get" to perfect!
+ Diversify Your Income Online
All the many, many ways to make money online!
+ 8 Common Mistakes First-Time EntrepreneursΒ Should Ditch
Don't make an avoidable mistake!
+ Get More Done In 2017 By Tracking Your Time
Track you time to make more time!
Other:
+ 10 Of The Most Beautiful Streets In The World
Let's go for a walk!
One of my dream locations (even though I hate the cold!)
+ The Perfect Gift Idea For Failed Memory Keepers
Ah! I love this!
+ How To Make Asymmetrical Holiday Wreaths
O, these are so pretty!
Favorite Pins:
(Follow me on Pinterest β RebeccaGF666)
Lentil Walnut Gingerbread Biscotti. The power of the legumes!
Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes. My favorite sandwich in cupcake form!
Quick Maple Tahini Oat Cookies. So simple and delicious!
Miso Glazed Salmon with Sesame Soba Noodles. This perfect dinner! So yummy!
No Bake Nanaimo Bars. These just look so perfect!
Almond Macaroons with Satsuma Marmalade. Check out these flavors!
Golden Turmeric Chickpea Chicken Soup. This may get me to love soup!
Gingerbread-Spiced Vegan French Toast. Christmas morning breakfast!
Salmon + Spicy Caraway Tomato Sauce. More salmon in a crazy delicious way!
A few things I loved about my week or am grateful for:
+ Finishing the semester. Not sure if I'm feeling excitement or nerves. I'm not really scared for my finals, but...I just want them to be over!
So tell me:
+ What are you cooking/baking, watching, and listening to this weekend?
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Stay connected: Facebook: Strength and Sunshine Twitter: @RebeccaGF666 Instagram: rebeccagf666 Pinterest: RebeccaGF666 Bloglovinβ: Strength and Sunshine Google+: Rebecca Pytell
Farrah
Oh em eff gee those kitchen island ideas. *-* I am so with you, haha. I want an amazing kitchen someday! <3!
Yay for those companies fighting food waste!
I hope your finals went well + have an awesome winter break! <3!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I've been planning my dream kitchen like little girls plan their dream weddings π
Haha, not yet! Finals start tomorrow!!
Mandy
EEEEEP! You're almost done with the semester!!! Yay! I hope these next few days fly by π There are waaaaay too many links to check out here, I feel like more than usual! I just finished reading the Quit Social Media one. Wow. I gotta be totally honest, the four months I took off from social media not only opened up more time for me, but I got so much done with blogging ideas and Etsy. Addictive for sure! It's so easy to get on IG and get caught up in everyone else's posts. I also read The Worst Parts of Me and really loved her honesty - a lot of what she talked about is definitely on my list. I'll have to come back to read more of these links! And OMG. Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes?!?!
We've been listening to Christmas music on Spotify pretty much all day long...Willow is a bit obsessed! We have some spiced cider on the stove and we're about to watch Elf π
Good luck on finals!!! XOXO
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think I did find more than usual! (Procrastination at its best!)
I can't wait for my mini break for the holidays! AHHH!
Thank you dear!!! xoxoxo
Coralee
OH my these Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies sound delish. I might have to make them for a Cookie Exchange I'm going to tomorrow. Thanks
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They will steal the show!
Kristina @ Ms.Modify
I could literally eat all those peanut butter and jelly cupcakes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They look amazing! Just imagine biting right in with a glass of almond milk!
Mary
Yay! Friday Finisher. I always enjoy these posts. Itβs the best part of my Friday afternoon.
Good luck on your finals Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O, thank you!
Patricia @Sweet and Strong
Good luck on finals! You're so close! I bet you can't wait to be on break and enjoy some relaxation and time in the kitchen. I know I'm ready!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha! You said it exactly! Thanks, Patricia!