First week back and it was a very large mix of everything. Not all pleasant, but not too horrible overall. I haven't mentioned this on the blog, but ever since I got my wisdom teeth out back in July, I've always had this weird pain in my lower left jaw area. At times it would get really painful (if I touched it, it would always hurt), but other times I never even noticed it. Until 2 days after Thanksgiving and my jaw blew up again, making me look like I had JUST gotten my wisdom teeth out (you know, swollen squirrel cheek). It was bad, painful, but I couldn't do anything about it down in DC. Thankfully it went down again after a week and my mom was able to get me in to see the oral surgeon the Monday I came home (this past Monday). Turns out, there was a nasty infection in the area. It's kinda scary since the infection must have been there the whole time, thankfully it didn't get worse and spread. So I was put under Novocaine and laughing gas while the surgeon cut open and "cleaned" out the infection. I won't go into it, but that was a really horrible hour of my life, haha! Now I still have a huge swollen left side of the face and am on an antibiotic for a few more days. Hopefully though, this will all be over by next week's festivities and for the rest of my life, haha!
Besides that, I've been doing a lot of nothing, a lot of cooking, relaxing, reading, some nice workouts, Christmas movie watching and music listening, and just enjoying my time in the house (while in pain from my mouth). I finished my DIY Christmas gifts and lengthy letters to my family yesterday! I always get SO excited about the things I give them. I can't wait for them to open them up Christmas morning! Giving really is more "exciting" than receiving! And you should be excited for Monday's post! It's Recipe ReDux day and the recipe I have is so good I can't even stand it! (Make room on your Christmas dinner menu for this one!) Now, here are the cool and interesting articles and posts from the week! Enjoy! XOXO
SS Posts from the week:
Monday: When Life Gets Interesting
Wednesday: Snickerdoodle Breakfast Cake
Blog Posts and Links I loved this week:
Life, Mind, Body, Spirit:
It is not the end! Find a new one!
+ Letting Go Of Fear And Self-Doubt
Don't let fear hold you back and make you miss out!
+ Get Off Your Butt: 16 Ways To Get Motivated When You're In A Slump!
I need this!
+ Why Motivation Is Overrated (And What You Need Instead)
Yup! It's all about habit for me too!
+ 15 Ways To Be Happier In 2015
Great things to think about going into the new year!
You don't have the right to bash skinny people either.
+ 6 Things YTT Taught Me
Love it!
+ 3 Lies You Need To Stop Telling Yourself About The Future
Yea...all that inner guidance stuff isn't true (just being a realist here!)
Fitness:
+ The Best Workout For Your Zodiac Sign
Mine actually makes sense!
+ How To Become A Personal Trainer
One day...maybe!
+ Ten Alignment Cues Yoga Teachers Need To Stop Giving
The scary thing is...I've heard ALL of these! Word for word!
+ 7 Big Benefits Of Exercising Outside This Winter
I'm actually enjoying it!
+ Remember Why You Started
Remember why and what's important to you!
+ I Donut Run For A "Fitspo" Body!
Real athletic fit bodies aren't always "pretty"!
Food:
+ Which Sweetener Is Best? The Lowdown On Sweeteners - Part 1
One word..(or two)...REAL stevia!
+ 13 Fast Food Items You Should Never Order According To Employees
Just don't eat fast food...ew!
This isn't very good...many of these are not really gluten-free, but still a great list!
+ 15 Foods To Add To Your Diet In 2015
Crickets....no...
+ Vegan DIY Holiday Gifts, Jar Gifts, Cookies, Cakes, And More
You're homemade gifting needs are met!
Yes! These are the good ones! I use all of them.
+ Healthy Vegan Cookies And Milk Combos Santa Will Love
Keep it cruelty-free for the big man!
+ 100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips
I've never been an appetizer person, but there are some great ones here!
+ What The Paleo Diet Gets Wrong
Interesting take.
Health:
+ Sticking To Your Plant-Diet When No One Supports You
Golden wisdom!
+ Stop Judging My Body - A Rant
Seriously, stop!
+ One Question To Ask When Reading "Healthy" Advice
Is it really for you?
It is okay to consider medications.
+ 9 Steps To An All-Natural Immune System Makeover
Time to recharge and reboot!
+ The Post-ED Identity
You've got to give major props to Sam for how honestly she writes!
Blogging, Social Media, Tech & Photography:
+ Major Realness: Talking About "The Blogger Facade"
O man is this real, but there is no way to get around it. No matter what you do, someone will have a problem with it.
You know how I feel about writing!
+ Surprising Benefits To Writing Or Why Everyone Should Write
Yes! Write! Everyday!
+ How To Kill Conversation On Your Blog
Why will bloggers never learn to fix their comment system...
+ Branding Beyond The Blog: Media Kits & Business Cards
I need both...ASAP! And I should be working on that right now...during break!
+ 10 Reasons Why You Should Blog
Never give up! (Hahaha....free stuff 😉 )
+ 25 Writing Promps For Bloggers
For fitness and health bloggers!
+ Why I Read "Perfect" Blogs
It's okay to enjoy that "escape" pleasure reading.
Learn from a pro!
Other:
+ What Every US State Is The Worst At
Hahahaha! Maryland...what the hell?
+ Family Dinner - Confessions Of An Imperfect Mother
It isn't actually that important.
+ High-End Home Listing In The Washington Area
Yea...I live in one of those areas. Beautiful!
+ 9 Tips For Maximizing Your Blowout
O hair...
+ 36 Santa Photos That Did NOT Go As Planned
Hahahahahahahaha!
+ How I Handle The Hard Days As A SAHM
For the stay at home mommas.
+ Which Animal Themed Holiday Movie Are You?
I got that Grumpy Cat thing. The description was accurate, but I don't even know what Grumpy Cat is!
+ Why Setting "Just For Today" Goals Might Work For You
Another approach to goal setting.
+ Escaping Materialism This Holiday Season
Remember what's important!
Favorite Pins:
(Follow me on Pinterest – RebeccaGF666)
Casbah Chicken and Rice. Those flavors! Seriously a perfect winter dinner!
Red Lentil Cashew Soup with Toasted Cashews. Toasted cashews...enough said!
Black Sesame Salad Dressing. This looks so good! Pour it on everything!
Crunchy Root Salad. I am really loving this as a Christmas dinner side!
Smoky Sun Dried Tomato + White Bean Dip. The perfect holiday appetizer!
Thai Coconut Cabbage Soup. Hi there, yummy coconut creaminess!
Bourbon Date Nut Truffles. A boozy edible gift!
A few things I loved about my week or am grateful for:
+ Enjoying my time at home with my family!
+ Making my DIY gifts! So much fun!
+ My 5K on Sunday! I am so excited!
So tell me:
+ Do you have all your gifts ready to go?
+ Have you ever gotten the "laughing gas"? It does not make you laugh! I could have opted to be put under, but I didn't want that full sedation.
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Kristin
Thank you so much for sharing my post, I really appreciate it! I just followed on Bloglovin!
xoxo
Kristin
Crumbs & Curls
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Your so welcome my friend! XOXO
(Thank you!)
Gretchen - A Fit Fashionista
All of your photos are so beautiful and the food looks so good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
That lentil soup looks so good! Good luck on the 5k tomorrow and I hope your jaw feels better soon! Sucks that the infection has been there the entire time... ick! I haven't gotten my wisdom teeth out, but my dentist keeps trying to get me to do it. I've never been put under laughing gas, but it might happen when my dentist finally forces me to get my teeth out haha. And nope, presents aren't sorted out yet! Gotta get on that... Thanks for including me again! Lots of love to you- enjoy your time home! Hopefully it'll be infection free from here on out.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much!!!!
You should get them out! The longer you wait, the more tryble you can have down the line....and when we get older, it is harder and harder to heal afterwards! When they take them out, a good surgeon will put you fully to sleep! No crappy gas, but a full knock out, hahaha 😉 Much better!
You still have 4 days! Nothing like the last minute rush! Everything always comes together though! xoxoxoxo
Kristen
Awesome links! For that link on things each state is the worst at, as a sexual health educator in Alaska I actually knew that fact already. It's a good way to get people's attention when I'm teaching! And good luck on Sunday!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha! Good to know!
I am so excited...and nervous (which is silly!)
Kristen
That's not silly! I was before I ran that distance too! The good thing is that you're alone and not technically being timed (like in a race where it's put online for everyone to see) so there's no pressure! I'm excited to hear all about it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I just printed my bib!
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut
So many awesome links!
And all those photos on here have amazing lighting!
Hope you have a Happy Christmas, lady! <3 <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha! Some food bloggers are simply amazing!
You too Amanda! XOXO
Emma @em-poweredwellness
Hope you feel better soon! I got my wisdom teeth out and loved the laughing gas part--but the healing afterwards was not as fun.
I sent the superfood cricket article to my friends haha. I'm totally on board--super sustainable and high in protein! Cricket protein bars anyone?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! When I got my teeth out I was fully sedated! I cant imagine not being!
No way! I really home that does not catch on anymore! (Which I stringly doubt it will anyway!)
Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating
Hi there Rebecca! Oh goodness, I hope your teeth and gums heal well this time after the second go around with surgery. At least it is fixed now and you should improve. Haha! The Grumpy Cat you mentioned cracks me up because I have a friend that is OBSESSED with that cat. And they actually made a Christmas movie themed with that cat this year. I've watched it. Guilty. And it's....interesting? Definitely better than I thought it'd be but not something I'd watch every Christmas. Have a great one!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Yea, the quiz was for Christmas movies, lol. I've just never seen anthing with Grumpuy Cat......plus I totally hate cats! Ha!
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet
That's too bad about your teeth! I think you're brave for just getting laughing gas instead of full sedation...I definitely would have wanted to be asleep for that. I finally have all my gifts bought, I'm just waiting for the final ones to arrive. I had pay extra for shipping, but that's what I get for procrastinating!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I didn't even plan on having the surgery that day! When they finished I was the last person in the whole office right before closing, haha, creepy!
Even when you order things on time, sometimes they still don't arrive! Stupid shipping 😛
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
Gorgeous pins as always! I really appreciated the posts about commenting on blogs and about social media kits!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Sonali! Blogging tips are always the best!
lindsay
me too! always great pins. Now i need to go read the commenting post. Thanks for great links Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sure thing 😉 XOXO
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West
Hi Rebecca! Oh no! I hope you feel all better soon. That is scary stuff. On a lighter note, thanks for all these great links. I've bookmarked a ton. Have a nice weekend! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Ashley! Reading all this great stuff is a mood booster 😉 Haha!
Emily @ Zen & Spice
Thanks for sharing my post! 🙂 Always love these Friday roundups!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank Emily! XOXO
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom
Eeek! I hope your jaw is pain-free and the swelling does away quickly. That's brutal. As if getting wisdom teeth out isn't bad enough in the first place... I feel for you.
Thanks for featuring my post:
How to Kill Conversation on Your Blog
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Jennifer!
Great post and happy holidays! XOXO
Tianna
awesome roundup ! Love that plaid shirt!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Tianna!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
Girl, how are you even cooking and exercising? That sounds awful and I hope it clears up soon! Lots of great links 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I don't let anything stop me! Time is limited and I need to make the most of each moment at home, haha!
Thank you! XOXOXOXO
Chickgettinfit
Getting surgery sounds like an awful way to be speanding break. I remember when I had pain from a tooth I need a root canal for, worst pain I've ever been in! Hope your feeling better soon!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you sweetheart! Hopefully the rest of my time at home will be good though!
AJ @ NutriFitMama
I have had two wisdom teeth pulled (the other two have just never come in- I have had the option to get them surgically removed...but no..that freaks me out..especially when they don't bother me..) and I am SO paranoid about getting an infection. Glad you got yours taken care of! That stuff freaks me out, and I totally opt for the laughing gas for pretty much any procedure that doesn't involve being put under.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'd totally rather be put to sleep again next time! The gas was NOT good. Knock me out please! Hahaha!
Mar @ Mar on the Run
sorry about your dental woes, hope you feel better! Lots of interesting reads here, will have to check them out this weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you sweetheart!
Have fun reading!
Natalie
That list of yoga alignment cues is spot on! I have heard every single one of them before, and they really don't make sense 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right! When I read that I was like...omg! Seriously! Haha! It was spot on!
Alanna
Hope you feel better soon! Feel grateful for quiet time lately and hopefully taking some much needed time away from all that is social media for the holidays...kinda. A great round-up and happy Friday!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Alanna! XOXO
Yes! I am seriously not into blogging at all right now. I feel so much better stepping away!
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness
OMG those quinoa pancakes!!!! That will be a must this weekend!!
I am grateful that I wasn't born with any wisdom teeth because everyone comments that the pain is excruciating! However, I must say that I wore braces for 5 years and had 7 baby teeth removed in the process. I guess I wasn't that lucky, huh?
Looking forward to Monday's post! 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They look to die for!
Getting my wisdom teeth out was fine! All 4 and I was eating an apple the first night! I have a high pain tolerance. It's just now 5 months later, somehow the one side had an infection :/
Laurie
Wonderful post!!! Loving all the links!!! I agree getting Wisdom teeth out is no fun, but for me it was much better after than all the problems I had before I got them out!
XOXO,
Laurie~
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I got mine out early to PREVENT problems while I was away from home...haha, so much for that one! 😛
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl
I am LOVING the food words link!! I use most of those, but found some new ones that I will definitely starting adding into my posts to keep things livelier!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha! I love them all! I mean some are just gross...but she didn't list them there! And sometimes there just ISN'T a word to describe the beautiful and yumminess of food!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
Tons of great reads as usual! I don't know how you pull so many together and they are so diverse. Awesome job! Hope you feel better soon. Dental issues are just the worst...
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Lauren! XOXO
They totally are!
Dietitian Jess
Love FF, great end to the week and gets me thinking about plans and things to make for the weekend! I had my wisdom teeth out two weeks ago but luckily I didn't get any infection- I heard it's very painful, feel better soon chica!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm so glad you enjoy them!
Considering it's been 5 months since I got mine out...it's pretty sucky!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
Your FF are so awesome, don't know how you collect so many articles and recipes! I also wound up having 2 subsequent infections after getting out my wisdom teeth. Apparently the wound was healing too quickly and trapping bacteria. So after they cleaned the first one out, that healed and a week later it blew up again and I had to repeat the process! As I remember it took up almost a whole summer. Hope this is it for you with the wisdom teeth!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! And thank you again!
My holes felt so big and took forever to close up. I think food just inevitability got trapped at some point and even with all the cleaning, things seemed to always be stuck deep in there! (So gross!)
Jamie
Dental issues can be the worst! Hope you are fully recovered by Christmas!! Love some of your links...great healthy recipe ideas!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope so too! Thank you! XOXO
Ruthie@She'sWickedHealthy
Thanks for including my post, lady! Great roundup as always. Happy Friday to you!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You too Ruthie!
Cassie
I had a totallllll reaction to laughing gas once. Like panic attack reaction when I was getting my wisdom teeth out. It was awful.
So many great links! I love these posts, girlie!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I would not have lasted if I had my wisdom teeth out with on the gas! I was fully sedated! Seriously, I just hate all medical stuff! Ah!
Thanks! XOXO
Emily @My Healthyish Life
The SAME thing happened to me when I got my wisdom teeth out. I got them out the same time you did (going into college) and then over Thanksgiving break (seriously) I got an infection and my mouth swelled up like a chipmunk again. It was awful! Weird how we had such a similar experience. I'm sure your DIY gifts are so special 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I did everything they told me to when I got them out! I kept rinsing and everything for weeks after! The surgeon still wouldn't give me an answer as to why it could have gotten infected 🙁
We are one in the same my friend 😉
I can't wait to show you guys on the blog!
Farrah
I looked like an angry chipmunk for a while after I got my wisdom teeth out, and was vaguely worried because I was supposed to be a bridesmaid for my cousin's wedding the following week, and really didn't want said angry-chipmunk-face to forever be remembered/documented in her otherwise breathtakingly-beautiful wedding. D: Thankfully, the swelling and pain finally went away, but it was definitely rough. I hope you feel better soon! <3
I need to get on my Recipe ReDux post, haha. It's been pending forever and I know what I want to make, but I just haven't had the chance to make it yet! 😛
Looking forward to all the reading material for this weekend! 😛 (Especially the blog ones! :] ) I wish my gym had wifi so I could read while I did some light cardio or something. Multitasking would be nice! 😮
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It sucks....I have to go through this TWICE! Haha....just have to make the best of it though 😛
I was worried about getting mine done this month too! But I waited until I got home and them whipped it up yesterday!
You don't need wifi. Just use the satellites...or what ever the stuff in the air is!
Farrah
I'm so sorry. :[ That really does suck. Sending you positive healing thoughts! <3
hehehe, that's my weekend project! 😛
I totally would, but limited shared data on a family plan makes life kinda difficult! :[ I usually reserve all my data for looking up stuff while I'm on rotations so I won't seem quite so incompetent! 😛
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I can't wait to see your creation!
And damn data plans!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie
Oh no, I am so happy that you are feeling better! I could not imagine having to still deal with something from my wisdom teeth surgery. Hopefully it is all in the past now! I have all of my Christmas shopping done except I still have one brother to finish up. Why are guys so difficult to shop for? It doesn't help that his birthday was just last week so I am completely out of ideas for him!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The swelling is slowly going down, but no the medication I HAVE to be on....is causing some tummy trouble. I never win 😛
I just need to find gift boxes for my gifts! I can't wrap them this year...to fragile!