Well it's been one glorious and much needed week of rest, relaxation, warmth, sunshine, and New Jersey loving! (Plus some GREAT solid sleep in my own comfy bed!). It was that needed recharge before the last push to the end of the semester! I'm also just so happy the weather is finally warming up and Mr. Sun is out and bright! Spring is just around the corner and I can taste it π
They say Spring is a rebirth. Well I need that right now. I need to feel fresh and new as this Winter has taken a toll on me (and I know many of us!) So here is to good weather, love, life, and rebirth! (O the irony of starting dissection in lab when I get back to school.....)
SS Posts from the week:
Monday: Power Monday #70 Why Affirmations Don't Always Work
Tuesday: The Best Grain-Free Starches And Carbohydrates
Wednesday:Β The Ultimate Vegan BLT
Blog Posts and Links I loved this week:
Life, Mind, Body, Spirit:
+ 12 Ways Successful People Stay Focused, Productive, And In Control
Because we all want to be on the top of our game!
+ How To Deal When Life Happens
You can take back some control when everything seems crazy.
+ How The Unexpected Can Make You Feel Like You're In The Movie JAWS (And How To Deal With It)
How's that for a blog post title!
+ It Doesn't All Happen For A Reason
It's about what you select to do.
+ How To Improve Focus And Use Your Time Better
I think we could all use a little more focus.
Great things to think about!
+ 13 Apologies You Deserve But Never Got That Make You Stronger
Wow, spot on with some of these!
+ 6 Ways Yoga Can Chill Anxiety
Yoga may be that source of magic we need.
+ What I Learned During Our Week Of Doing Nothing
Sometimes "nothing" is the best and only thing we need.
Fitness:
The fight about exercise.
+ Are Rest Days Necessary Even If I'm Not Sore Or Tired?
That's a toughy, but Taylor clears it up!
+ When Fitness Becomes Part Of Who You Are
It's like losing a part of yourself...
+ "But I Don't Want To Look Like You"
That's fine! Own it!
+ Training Lies: Use 3-5 Pound Weights For Definition
You know how I feel about this one!
Food:
+ Enjoy Life Launches New Baking Mix And Flour Line
Omg! So excited!
Hahahaha! I'm a combo of a few! How about you?
Yea, you can sample ANYTHING! Just gotta be brave enough to ask π
+ 25 St. Patrick's Day Green Tea Recipes
Green and antioxidant rich π
+ How Long Do Things In Your Fridge Stay Good After Their Expiration Dates?
Ah, my life! Love it!
+ 39 Amazing Ways To Use Asparagus
The green veggie I always forget about!
This is a great list for easy swaps and uses too!
Health:
+ Achieving A Healthy Balance - Stress ManagementΒ
Loved this practical post!
10 great habits (from an RD) to try if you're struggling!
Blogging, Social Media, Tech & Photography:
+ Mastering Photography & Your DSLR
One day it will be easy!
+ The Top Blogging Lessons I've Learnt
These are super stellar!
+ 10 Annoying Things Bloggers Do
Not responding, too many sponsored posts (sadly recently a few of the bloggers I read have ONLY been posting sponsored crap), automated messages...the list goes on!
+ 16 Online Tasks You Should Really Automate With IFTTT
Have you heard of IFTTT? Sounds interesting!
+ How To Become A Photography Pro In 10 Minutes Or Less
I need to just print this post out!
+ 20 Actions You Can Take To Look Like A Pro Blogger
If you want to take it up a notch and be professional!
+ Journal Prompts: People Watching
You can get some great content from watching people!
+ What Are Your Creative Values?
What will you not compromise on in your blogging and creative space?
+ How To Write Amazing Blog Comments
Please stop with the crappy ("I didn't actually read your post") comments...
+ How To Create A Bangin' Infographic That Gets 1000 Shares
Well this is pretty helpful!
+ 7 Strategies For Growing Community On Your Blog
That's what blogging is really about anyway.
Other:
+ 7 Ways To Be A Better Memory Keeper
Love this! We need to keep beautiful moments alive!
+ 29 Thoughts Every Vegan Has At Whole Foods
Hahaha, just a funny video!
Favorite Pins:
(Follow me on Pinterest β RebeccaGF666)
Sesame Crusted Salmon with Zesty Ginger-Garlic Drizzle. Just let that sink in for a moment...
Vegan Salted Caramel Ice Cream. Look at that drizzle!
Homemade Gluten-Free Cereal with Quinoa, Buckwheat, & Dates. You know I'm in love with this!
Superfood Chocolate Quinoa Pancakes. I'll have a stack...or two...or three...
No Bake Pistachio Cookies. These are so perfect! I love pistachios!
The Million Dollar Everything Bagel Potato Chips. Yummo! I can smell these from here!
Black Tea Infused Irish Porridge with Acai Berry Ripple + Pistachio Cream. This just screams EAT ME!
Mung Bean Noodle Stir Fry with Saffron Cashew Cream. So fancy and exotic!
A few things I loved about my week or am grateful for:
+ My surprise trip home to New Jersey for spring break! #Love
+ I got to do some cooking and created some new recipes! I know I have plenty now to get me through the rest of the semester to have for the blog!
+ I loved this post...and giveaway...which you should enter NOW!
So tell me:
+ What Spring activities are you looking forward too? I'm just going to be happy to not have to bundle up to go outside! (or you know...slip on ice!)
+ Tell me something fun you did this week or will be doing this weekend!
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Sherry
I love your Friday Finisher feature! It's inspiring.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks so much!
Erlene
I always get so hungry after I get to the bottom of your posts...lol. Everything looks so good π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha π
Amanda
Oh my goodness, I just clicked through to so many links! What a fantastic round-up! I hope it doesn't snow wherever you are in Jersey. I saw it might be on the forecast for Philly and I wanted to cry. But for today I will at least enjoy the sun. π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks! Haha, this is last week π I'm no longer in NJ!
Alex
Always so many great links in your Friday Finisher. Now I just need to find the time to explore all of them!
And yea I don't do anything of these annoying blogger things, but I certainly have to step up my response game.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you π They're always here when you have time!
I have a love/hate with responding. I always respond (habit), but it can get annoying π
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits
I hear you on getting ready to feel refreshed in spring! Thanks for including my green tea recipes in the round-up!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O yes! π
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
As always, thanks for all of the great links! The "24 Types of Food Snobs" was such a fun read π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, right? Funyy and true!
Sandra Laflamme
No spring here yet in NH but that's ok because we love to ski! The weather was crummy today so we went and saw the new Cinderella. I am going to have to come back by to check out some of the blogging posts you linked too. Looks like some fantastic tips.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I can't even imagine living up there! Haha! But all the more reason why I'm sure you're pretty damn tough π
O haha, how was it!?!?
Colorado Gal
My best friend's baby shower is this weekend and I'm pretty psyched. She is the first close friend to have a baby so naturally, I had to buy her ALL the gifts!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's so exciting and fun! Haha!
Rachel G
I cannot wait until the sun comes out where I live! So many of your links and pins look so very tasty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I wish the sun was always out! To me there's nothing better!
Alyssa @ Simply Quinoa
First, your week of relaxation sounds like complete bliss! You deserve it especially since I can certainly remember what is was like at the end of a semester. Two, these recipes you're sharing? AHHH-mazing! I am freaking over that vegan ice cream. And three...thank you for sharing my pancakes!! xoxo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you so much Alyssa! I hope you have a lovely weekend! XOXOXO
Annmarie
I am away for the weekend, sans children. Hopefully I will actually have some time to go through all these amazing links!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think you will π
Clare Speer
All this food looks so good and so scrumptious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yup!
Ruth Bloch
oh my gosh all that food is making me HUNGRY!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yay!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
Glad you've enjoyed your week in NJ! It's definitely been a nicer weather week. Out of the 10 annoying blogger things my pet peeve is definitely vague blogging! It just strikes me as being manipulative and dramatic! I say either tell the whole story or don't say anything, just my opinion π I also liked the "how to comment" post and my sister actually just texted me after reading my blog saying she can tell right off the bat in the comments who read the post. Interesting! It's so hard to keep up with reading/commenting in general for me.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha! That one isn't in my top! There are so much WORSE offenses!
Haha! yes! I always have a lot to say, but I never feel like writing it all in a comment :/
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
With our very spring-like weather all winter, I think we may go biking this weekend where there should have been snow!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I would have loved to go biking!!!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
I am excited to read the blogging posts. π Happy Friday!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, always π
Tianna
thanks for all the delicious recipes, links, etc. I'm glad spring is coming too - will be nice! just wish we got more rain x
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
MORE rain!?
Miss Polkadot
Great, thanks, that's eactly what I didn't need today: waaay too many interesting posts to read. As if I didn't have enough open tabs of my own already π .
In all seriousness, though, you found some good reads again. Which I'll read -after- trying to catch some sun on a walk outside. Happy Friday!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha! I thought you were really mad until I read the rest of your comment π
Girl! The sun and fresh air is so much better! These links can wait! XOXO
Larissa
Um, those bagel chips though. I would devour those.
And man I miss spring breaks! Not finals though. So I guess that's a fair trade.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right!? I need them!
Haha, I only have 2 finals! I'm not worried π
Jaime
Thanks for the links! A few of the blogging ones look interesting, so I'll have to check those out.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you do!
Lisa @ RunWiki
I am guilty of a few of the annoying things that bloggers do. I have three little kids, and a full schedule, so sometimes it's tough to answer all of my comments, but if I get real with myself, it's probably more of a time management thing. Thank you once again for a lovely Friday afternoon reading list. xoxo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I feel weird if I don't answer every one. Even though I know not all comments warrant a response either :/ Just a habit now!
Alanna
I'm looking forward to getting in more runs outside when it's time! That homemade cereal is perfection and I must make it ASAP. Have a great weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The cereal would be a perfect way to fuel those runs, haha!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit
Hehe the Whole Foods video made me laugh π
Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm confused. On the BLT post you say you don't eat meat since being diagnosed with Celiac, but then you post recipes and links with salmon and chicken?? I'm not trying to be an annoying vegan, but I've just been wondering this for awhile so i thought I'd ask.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, it was a good laugh π
I don't eat "meat". I only eat fish (no seafood) and chicken. No other animal products in my diet π I'm a complex foodie!
Joy @ Joy Love Food
Great links! I will be reading the one about the expiration dates and those pistachio cookies look amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That one's so good!
Those cookies totally do look awesome!
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite
Yay for sunshine! We've had some here too! And I'm definitely going to have to try those sweet potato tots. YUM!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sweet potato tots in the sunshine π
Karen
Wow - SO much to check out in this post! This will be fun to go through over the weekend when I have time to explore! Thanks! Great connecting with you via The Blogging Elite on Facebook!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks! I hope you find some great stuff that interests you!
Min
Gosh Rebecca, there are soooo many wonderful links here! I'm bookmarking this page so I can come back and click through most of them! Have fun in New Jersey! I miss spring breaks haha..it's hard to believe I was a student this time around last year..
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you find some great stuff in the posts!
I wish it was longer! One week is not enough!
XOXOXO Have a beautiful weekend!
Farrah
I'm so happy that it's finally warming up! Didn't it feel like it was just yesterday when we were stuck in a snowstorm and slipping on ice!?
Great collection of reads and recipes as always! I wish Whole Foods was closer to me!! I've heard of IFTTT, but haven't really looked into it yet! Will definitely be reading that one too!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Hahaha! Mother Nature and Father Time are strange beings!
In NJ, I don't even care if I have a Whole Foods anymore! My grocery here is simply amazing and I took it for granted!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
Oh my gosh, that 24 types of food snobs is too funny. I'm a combination of the few of them, too π So looking forward to reading all these great links- I have some of the blogging tabs open, ready for my break later! What I'm looking forward to the most when spring arrives is... BEING OUTSIDE! I'm tired of sitting indoors. Hello sunshine, parks, and picnics! Spring is my favourite season, but I like to say that about every season haha! Happy Friday π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm dieing to be able to take walks and WRITE outside on a bench again in the sun! I loved doing that and miss it so much!
XOXOXO Happy Weekend dear!
lindsay
secretly hoping i win that tahini! i'll trade you bites for it? LOL! and yay for sesame salmon! cara's recipe is drool tastic!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Girl, that's a deal! Haha!
Her salmon....still swooning!
Heather @ Life In Leggings
I couldn't be happier that temperatures are finally rising. HELLO SUN!! Yay. Glad to hear you've been sleeping well... there's nothing like the feeling being at home in your own bed. Thanks for linking up! Happy Friday!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I just want to kiss the sun!
Haha, I only have one more night in my bed now π I sure will miss it!
Margaux
Seriously, these Friday posts are always a source of joy and torment, because of all the yum, the thought-provoking stuff, and the fire that gets lit under my butt because I need to up my exercise, baking and blogging skills within five minutes of inhaling every link! π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahahaha! I get the same feeling when I'm putting them together π
Emily @My Healthyish Life
So glad you had an awesome week! I feel the same way...rested, rejuvenated and (mostly) ready to take on the rest of the semester. Glad I can read all these links today π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
All I know is I got all the papers that needed to be written DONE! So now I just have to wait for one more assignment in one class and I'm DONE with all things I have to "hand in" WOOOOO!
Christine Gallagher
wow what a great assortment I can't decide between the BlT or the Vegan Salted Caramel Ice Cream thanks for sharing
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just go with both π
Tina Muir
Agh! So many wonderful articles to read as always, dont know where to start! I will say that I also loved that recipe on Lindsays blog, looked so good!!! As did many of your others....including pancakes, I ALWAYS love pancakes! Love looking through the blogging articles, as I dont really come across many of those in my everyday life. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
There's just so many articles every week π Especially in blogging topics!
Jessica @ kiwiyogirunner
I'm excited for that photography post, I'm so new to blogging so stuff like that is very useful to me π it's summer here in oz but winding down for autumn which is actually kind of a relief cos hopefully things will be a little less sticky soon! π awesome thing this week: getting to grips with my current essay for university! It is trying to beat me but I am going to win π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Photography will always be a struggle! I just don't have the SPACE to take the photos I want!
O, you will own that essay π Yesterday was a total bore of a day and I did nothing...but I DID write a paper that is due in April for my own class! WOOHOO!
Jessica @ kiwiyogirunner
Wow you are so on to it! I need your tips haha
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Procrastination KILLS me!