It may just be impossible to complete a full (uninterrupted) week of classes this semester. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not complaining! This week was almost full, but my Thursday morning class was canceled due to the crazy wet, slippery snow that pummeled DC again. Will it ever end? Where is Spring? I can't take another month of this crazy weather 🙁 But alas, we must keep truckin' through...the end IS in sight...maybe 😉
As I'm walking in the freezing cold in the city, I ponder the most random thoughts. This weeks nagging question was "why is a venti dark roast cheaper than a grande mint hot tea at Starbucks?" The venti is like $2.58 and the grande tea is like $2.75?! Baffling. But I guess that Mint Majesty tea is a hot commodity :/ <--- That stuff is damn good if you want some yummy tea and not coffee! (Plus the tax in DC is insane! The grande tea is actually only $2.45 or something, but add another 30 cents of tax!) Thankfully I am blessed with an endless supply of gift cards...otherwise this Starbucks obsession would not be possible.
Anyway...while I'm crossing my fingers for warmer temps and possibly get back to running outside this weekend, I'll also be studying for a mid-term on Tuesday. Then I only have one more mid-term on the 18th (after spring break)!? Yea, only 2 of my classes have mid-terms (again, not complaining). Now enough rambling, I know you all are eager to dive-in to this week's Finisher! XOXO
SS Posts from the week:
Monday: Recipe ReDux #16 Chocolate Hemp Seed Butter
Tuesday: The One Thing You Need To Advance Your Yoga Practice (And Your Life)
Wednesday: Anti-Inflammatory Cherry Smoothie
Blog Posts and Links I loved this week:
Life, Mind, Body, Spirit:
+ The Difference Between Successful People And Those Who Flounder
A little thing called honesty.
+ 11 Secrets To Successful Meditation
It's all about taking it slow and not having expectations.
Sometimes we just have to get lost!
+ I Wish I'd Never Told Her To "Hurry Up"
Innocence and childhood is too short.
+ The One Crucial Step To Creating The Life You Want
It's hard to do, but you can.
Need this!
+ 15 Benefits Of Mindful Meditation
Really, I am going to start trying meditation again...
+ Be The Same Person In The Dark
You need to be the true YOU all the time.
This was so honest and real in so many ways. You can relate it to more than just motherhood too!
Fitness:
+ No More Girly Fitness Bullshit
I could have written this myself! This awesome badass women KNOWS what's real! Omg! IN LOVE!
+ 5 Things Beginners Need To Know About Getting Lean
This is another golden post! So so so good!
+ How To Manage Exercise With Pain
When you have chronic pain, fitness can be the last thing on your to-do, but you can!
+ How To Know When You Need A Rest Day (Or Week!)
Great post with all the questions you should be asking yourself!
+ 18 Most Annoying Fitness Myths That Just Won't Die
Please...please die!
Food:
+ 5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Gluten
Read this and be educated some more! (Celiacs should NOT be eating at Pizza Hut, just FYI!)
+ What Are Your Thoughts On The Paleo, Gluten-Free, IIFYM, Low Carb Diet?
I love Paige's answer!
+ How To Make Dairy-Free Coconut Yogurt
Must try this!
+ 12 Fruits & Veggies With The Most Pesticides (2015 Dirty Dozen)
Just an updated list to keep in mind!
+ 55 Amazing Peanut Butter Lovers' Recipes
If you don't have time to drool or you haven't eaten...don't click this! (P.S. they're all vegan!)
+ What Makes Non-Dairy Milk Shelf Stable?
I always wondered...
Health:
+ The Burning Questions Every Person With Food Allergies Wants Answered
That's right, allergies can be grown out of! (Unlike autoimmune disease!)
+ For Our Family, Gluten-Free Isn't A Fad, It's A Lifesaver
My heart!
+ 9 Ways To Fall Asleep That You Probably Haven't Tried
I'm liking #2 and #7 😉
+ 25 Things Only A Food Allergy Parent Would Understand
Or food allergy college student, haha!
Blogging, Social Media, Tech & Photography:
+ Writing With Brands: Writing A Pitch Email
In case you want to do the reaching out!
Blogging or creating, be brave in all you make!
+ 30 Tutorials That Will Make You A Better Photographer And Editor
Great resource list my dear friends!
+ Are You Being Conned? Sponsored Blog Posts Rates And Best Practice Guidelines
Don't let yourself be cut short!
Am I the only blogger who doesn't like guest posting?
+ How To Build An Awesome Online Community (And Why It's Important)
Sharing, caring, and being nice!
+ How To Make A Product Collage In Photoshop Without Tedious Cropping
This maybe useful!
+ 9 Food Blogging Books To Buy And Read
Well I just added a bunch to the list!
+ 5 Questions For Anyone Who Wants To Turn Their Blog Into An Income Stream
What exactly are you're end goals?
I really do want to care....but....
Other:
+ The 26 People You'll See At Every Whole Foods
Not mine...it's too small :/
+ 7 Ways To Banish (Almost) All Of Your Pre-Interview Jitters
Interviews can be pretty damn nerve-racking!
+ 9 Phrases Successful People Say Every Day (And You Should, Too)
Some great powerful phrases!
+ Creating A Healthy At-Home Work Environment
When you work from home, take these important wellness steps!
+ 11 Delightfully Unusual Color Combinations (Plus The Reasons Why They Work)
I love these! Now I just need a house to paint....
Favorite Pins:
(Follow me on Pinterest – RebeccaGF666)
Chocolate Layered Banana Bread. Right when you thought banana bread couldn't get any better 😉
Vegan Mediterranean Chickpea Burgers. Yummy! I really do miss making my own :/
Sesame Cashew Chickpea Dip. She was ever so humble to call it dip too!
Lime, Chili, and Roasted Pumpkin Quinoa. Okay wow....I need this now!
Sticky Coconut Rice with Scallions. Sweet and savory and o so good!
Chocolate Banana Graham Ice Cream Sandwiches (Vegan, Gluten-Free). Really?! How can you not want one!?
Honey Lime Glazed Salmon with Sesame Rice Noodle Salad. This for dinner...everyday!
A few things I loved about my week or am grateful for:
+ Coffee...but I think that's a given! I don't drink it for the caffeine. I really do drink it for the taste! It even kills my tummy...but I love that damn taste!
+ Great strength training workouts this week! It's felt really good, better than yoga this week!
+ Half way through the Spring semester :O Now I have to doing my housing application this weekend though for the Fall.....
So tell me:
+ Do you drink coffee for the caffeine or the taste?
+ What random thoughts/questions have you been pondering this week?
+ Anyone else love that Mint Majesty tea?
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Sue Anne Dunlevie
Thanks for including Successful Blogging in your Friday Finisher post!
Sue
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
No problem, my friend!
Evolve with Mary
Friday Finisher always makes me hungry!! love it. I am avid green tea drinker and it seems like green tea is like gold to coffee chains like Starbucks and Petes, I'm really not sure why but it's the truth.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
We need the tea to clean out all the coffee sometimes 😉 haha!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits
So many great yummy treats here! I'm guessing that the tea was more expensive because it's a non-starbucks product that starbucks buys and resells. I could be entirely wrong though!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha no, obviously that's why! It's the brand they use and feature, Teavana!
Farrah
Great roundup as always! Completely with you on the fitness myths and on the girly fitness bullshit (it pisses me off so much ._.). "Baby jellyfish." <3 And that "plank" makes me want to cry.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha! Omg that was like my favorite post ever written! So spot on!
Ariana
So much awesomeness in one post! This is quickly becoming one of my favourite Friday reads 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to share all of this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Ariana 🙂 So glad I can make you all happy on a Friday with these posts!
Nicky
I'm ready for warmer weather too. I can't wait for it to warm up and stay warm. Enjoy your weekend.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Haha, it's all about actually staying warm!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
Great links! 1) I don't like guest posts either. I have only done two in my years of blogging. 2) Coffee for the taste and caffeine! Love both 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
YES! I'm not the only one! Haha! Like...this is MY blog, not yours and I wouldn't want to waste my ideas writing a post you you (even if "they" say it is good for exposure). It really isn't since everyone reads the same blogs in this community, haha!
Just the taste for me 😉
Katie @ Mom's Kitchen Handbook
Wow...so many good nuggets here this week. I've got my weekend reading to do. Thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, you sure are welcome!
Jennifer Hepka
Your blog is too cute!! I absolutely am going to be trying the Chickpea Spinach Burgers this weekedn...looking super delish!!
I'm one of those coffee drinks that likes coffee with her cream! I'm trying to kick the habit..baby steps right ? I have tried black coffee alone and just cannot do it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you!
What!? EW! Haha! Black coffee is the only way!
Jennifer Hepka
What kind of black coffee do you drink? Are the stronger, more bold flavors better to drink black?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Dark roast! Really, I'll drink any, but right now I'm spoiled and am able to get Starbucks everyday (even when I brew my own).
Emily @SinfulNutrition
I have to try that mint tea from Starbucks!! Hopefully it's a little cheaper in my neck of the woods 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It probably is, haha! DC is crazy!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
Thanks for including my pancakes! Those vegan ice cream sandwiches look amazing and are definitely going on my to make list! I plan on reading all the blogging + mindfulness posts you've included here tonight. Happy Friday, lovely! Stay warm xo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You too love! Bundle up and read in warmth!
Purelytwins
Do you drink coffee for the caffeine or the taste?? We drink it for both, mainly the taste and it makes us happy, a little mini ritual we have. But a little caffeine is nice too 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is so a morning ESSENTIAL. The caffeine doesn't affect my energy levels anymore (to "immune" to it), but that taste....I just need that taste!
Lauren
Great list of links! I mostly drink coffee for the taste!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's it girl!
Tianna
thanks for sharing all the delicious food and great links! Stay warm and safe in all that snow! ♥ try not to stress too much over class ♥ have some hot chocolate instead haha ♥
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, o believe me, I am NOT stressing about 2 easy mid-terms!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
I did not even drink coffee at all until after I had my third baby, so I guess you could say it's for the caffeine! That chocolate banana bread really caught my eye. Good luck studying for midterms and have a great weekend run 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I just fell in love with that taste I hadn't had in YEARS!
Thank you Michele!
Kim @ thebakingchocolatess
All of these look amazing and beautiful photography too! thanks so much for sharing! So ready for spring!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Aren't we all!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
Your Friday Finisher posts kill me Rebecca! I end up lingering for like a half hour 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
ONLY half an hour 😉
Linda @ Veganosity
So many great links Rebecca! I particularly love the one about how successful people are honest people. There is nothing more aggravating to me than a person who can't acknowledge their imperfections. Unfortunately, I have a few of those people on my husband's side of the family, and it's torture!
Thanks for sharing the coconut yogurt recipe. I can't wait to try that!
Have a great weekend. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Honesty is the best policy 😉 We need to be honest with ourselves and everyone around us!
I am so making that yogurt when I get home!
XOXO
Mikayla Christiansen
I agree this snow has taken a toll on my schooling. In the last 2 weeks, I have only had school twice!
-Mikayla
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
But should we complain 😉 Hahahaha!
Dana
This is an AWESOME collaboration of articles...I laughed when I read someone else's comment about the number of tabs she has open because my computer looks the same now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's my goal with these posts though! The more tabs the better!
Pragati // Simple Medicine
The recipes you shared looked AMAZING! I will have to pin a few of them 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Pin them ALL!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit
Woohoo for being halfway to summer! 😀 Thank you for reminding me, that is very exciting! But I hate how early you gotta start signing up and thinking about fall classes...which for me means planning an internship. Yikes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I am literally craving summer! I can almost taste it!
Ugh, I know! And what I know is that I DON'T know what I'm doing in the fall!
Shashi RunninSrilankan
That sesame ginger cauliflower - ooh yum! Awesome links, Rebecca - hope you have a wonderful warmer weekend - and good luck on those tests -I am heading over to read about How To Make Dairy-Free Coconut Yogurt now...
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It does! Thank you Shashi!
Coconut yogurt....amazing!
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite
I'm wondering where spring is too! Hoping it comes SOON! I'm actually visiting DC the second week of April so it better be warmer then 🙂 Those chickpea spinach burgers look so yummy --- along with everything else!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Come visit me! (If it isn't warmer by then...there is a problem!)
And yes....all the yummy veggie burgers!
Jamie
Well, I loved all your links...will be looking at the blog articles and some of those recipes! I don't drink coffee...yeah...neither does my hubby. We don't even have any kind of coffee pot...much to my teenagers dismay! 🙂 Guess I am saving myself a LOT of money not having that addiction! It is mostly just water for me!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I only started drinking last summer...since then....it has really become an addiction!
Emily @My Healthyish Life
I love the smell of coffee but hate the taste! I'm starting to plan my classes for next semester, my last...so crazy. That roasted pumpkin quinoa looks delicious. Hope you have fun plans for spring break!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I like the taste more than the smell! But it depends on the "quality" you know 😉
O my goodness! That's even scarier...but so exciting!
I literally have no idea what I'm doing spring break! :O
Tina Muir
I have so many new tabs open! I feel like you were talking to me with the slow down, be easier on yourself theme today. That head of cauliflower also looks delicious, I have been wanting to try one of those recipes for a while. oh and thanks for reminding me to pick up cherries 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think we ALL can use some slowing down!
I know! I've never roasted a whole cauliflower either, but I'm dieing to try! They always look so good!
(YES, pick up those cherries!)
Joy @ Joy Love Food
So many great links to check out! I love my morning coffee, I think the smell of coffee is my favorite part 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The smell! Yes that is so good too!