Hello April! I do love you, but please go by smoothly and swiftly! The count down is on, just a few more weeks to freedom, yet it seem so far away! At least the weather is slowly becoming more spring-ish and warming up! I even was able to go out with just a sweatshirt yesterday! Woo! What's weighing on me now is the fact that on Tuesday (registration day for me), I got ZERO of my classes I tried signing up for. The next day I was able to get into the biology class I needed, but right now that puts me at 3 credits and you need 12 to be a full-time student. Everything is either closed of wait-listed. Thus, this weekend will be spend going through classes and trying to get into SOMETHING! The GW registration process is the bane of my existence right now. I need Summer, please!
Anyway, if you celebrate Easter, I hope you have a lovely Sunday with your family and loved ones! I'll be reminiscing about waking up early with my brother and going to hunt for the plastic goody filled eggs my mom kids around the house and Easter baskets she put together when we were kids. (Easter baskets and plastic eggs were the best! So were Peeps!....Stale Peeps actually! I liked to leave them open for awhile to get a bit harder and chewier!)
Monday: Fruity Banana Coconut Pancakes
Tuesday: What To Avoid With A Dairy Allergy
Wednesday: Baby Purple Brussels Sprouts
Blog Posts and Links I loved this week:
Life, Mind, Body, Spirit:
+ 13 Things To Remember If You Love A Person With Anxiety
So very very true.
+ 5 Ways Of Finding Positivity In Times Of Trial
When things seem so hard.
You should go in with really no expectations.
+ 9 Tips To Unwind That Don't Cost A Dime
The best things in life are free 😛
+ I Love My Body (But Still Want To Change It)
This is so true! You can want change out of love and not hate. It isn't all bad.
+ How To Quiet Your Mind When You Feel Intense Anxiety
I like #2! Might seem a bit dorky, but it could work!
+ 9 Simple Habits To Get More Done Every Day
O boy....social media. <--- the devil!
Yes! You are most important first and foremost!
What's in yours? Do you even have one?
Fitness:
+ 60 Of The Most Recommended Yoga Books
Must read them all!
+ 17 Ways To Make Sure You're Stretching The Right Way
One of my daily rituals!
+ How To Stay Motivated When You're In A Running Run
Run barefoot! Love it!
Great tips in all aspects of a running journey!
+ What It Means To Live Your Fitness & 7 Ways To Do It!
Yes! This! Fitness is so much more than a workout!
+ How To Know If You Have Tight Ankles & 5 Exercises To Increase Ankle Range Of Motion
If you think you have tight ankles, this will help!
Food:
+ Top Expo West Finds 2015: Meals & Snacks
I just can't even contain my excitement anymore!
+ How To Make A Sourdough Starter
Be prepared for sourdough things on the blog this summer!
Just make all of these, all season long!
+ Gluten-Free Cheerios? Here's The Deal
This made me kinda sad....it's all a waiting game for now. Us Celiacs are on the edge of our seats for sure!
+ The One-Bite Secret That Will Make You Crave Healthy Food
Try EVERYTHING and try it again!
+ Healing Ingredients: Benefits Of Curry
One of my favorite things! <3
+ What Produce Is In Season This Spring?
Stock up on the goods!
+ The 15 Nutrients Every Runner Needs
Fuel your body properly for these essentials!
+ Which Breakfast Food Are You?
Omg! I got pancakes!
Health:
+ 11 Natural Zit-Zapping Home Remedies
Get rid of those pesky pimples!
+ The Idea Behind Most Diets Is Totally Stupid
Amen, Business Insider...amen!
+ So You Want To Study Nutrition
Maybe......
+ What You Need To Know About Amino Acids
For when you don't eat meat!
Blogging, Social Media, Tech & Photography:
+ How To Start Sharing Your Blog Posts On Instagram
Because my life isn't interesting and my blog posts are more interesting to share 😛
+ How To Take Food52-Style Photos
Hahahahahahaha! Yea....
+ Twitter Strategy: 10 Tips For Gaining Followers
I forgot about Twitter for awhile there, but it's okay I guess since my numbers grew 😛
+ 10 Essential Rules For Effective Pinterest Marketing In 2015
See! I told everyone! Commenting IS good!
All about comments, commenters, commenting, etc. on blogs!
+ How To Craft A Blog Comment That Will Generate Traffic And Get You Noticed
And more talk on comments!
Just some great ideas to spark those words!
+ 30 Days For Writing Prompts For April
My favorite round-up of ideas!
+ A 30 Day Challenge To Show Your Blog Some Love This Month
I may do a few of these!
+ How To Turn Your Hobby Into A Career
Time to step it up!
+ 3 Crucial Pieces Of Advice For A New Blogger
Ah! Spot on! Please read this new (and old!) bloggers!
+ The 80/20 Rule For Building A Blog Audience
Time to shift focus?
+ When Writing Your First Draft, Don't Be Afraid To Write Like Crap
Totally agree! You can always go back, but just write to start!
+ 6 Research-Baked Ways To Get More Followers On Twitter, Facebook, G+, And More
I need to go back and read this, but it looked helpful and interesting!
+ 10 Questions Not To Ask A Food Blogger
Hahahahahahaha!
Other:
Let's get out of this Winter funk NOW!
+ How To Remove Every Type Of Stain, In One Simple Chart
So helpful!
+ The 25 Best Medical School In America
I was pretty surprised with the ranking!
+ 24 Pictures That Perfectly Sum Up Going To College
Hahahahahahahaha! Fine dining 😉
+ A Decluttering Manifesto: 6 Tips For Kicking The Clutter From Your Home
You know you always feel better after you do a good purge of the old!
+ How To Create Your Own City Map
This could come in handy for you travelers!
Favorite Pins:
(Follow me on Pinterest – RebeccaGF666)
Herbed Beet Puree with Spicy Kale Chips and Salmon. Perfect dinner right here!
Macadamia Chestnut Falafel with Physalis Hummus and Sweet Potato Fries. Now that is a winning recipe!
Citrus Marinated Salmon. A perfect and simple way to flavor up some salmon!
Raspberry Chamomile Cream Sodas. These sound so refreshing!
Vegan Carrot Cake Energy Bites. Just look at that chocolate drizzle!
Crispy Thai Cashew Chicken. These look spectacular and so healthy!
A few things I loved about my week or am grateful for:
+ My new love of Unsweetened Venti Iced Passion Tea from Starbucks!
+ Sunshine, there's been lots of sunshine!
So tell me:
+ Do you celebrate Easter? Any fun traditions?
+ If you only had one workout left in your life (1 thing, 1 more time), what workout would you choose? I think I'd go with the longest hardest yoga practice possible!
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Cristina @Filling My Prayer Closet
Thanks so much for sharing my Instagram post in your finisher post. I can't wait to dive into + 6 Research-Baked Ways To Get More Followers On Twitter, Facebook, G+, And More <-- perfect for my clients!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
So welcome!
Florian @ContentednessCooking
Thank you, Rebecca for including my falafel recipe in this awesome link roundup. I love all the links, great work!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The falafel look fabulous! One of my favorites!
Kristen @ The Endless Meal
Thank you SO MUCH for including my mashed purple yams in this list!
I love these round ups you do. They give me so much good reading for the weekend.
And if I had one last workout it would be a few hours of hot yoga followed by an most unending session of hot yin. Bliss!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's such a beautiful dish!
And thank you! XOXO
Ah, a yogi friend 😉
Ariana
Another great roundup - thank you!! 🙂 I'll be joining you on the plastic-egg-reminiscing on Sunday morning 😉 Have a lovely weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, best memories! XOXO
Allie
I love the recommendations for the yoga books. And those vegan carrot cake energy bites. Oh my I will be making those. Have a great weekend
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I need all the yoga books!.....and carrot cake 😉
Allie
Ha. Me too
Michele
Hopefully the classes get straightened out soon, that sounds annoying and I'm sure you want it all settled! If I had one last workout I'd choose a long run with my husband, hoping to one day run a marathon with him 🙂
Even though we're Jewish I still do an Easter egg hunt in the backyard for the kids, it's too fun to skip 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I do! Just not having to worry about it, ugh!
I bet that will happen 😉 There's no way (living with you) that he can't do it!
Haha, no shame! The Easter eggs are just the fun commercialization anyway!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf
So many great links here to catch up on. And those recipes! Totally just made me hungry even though I just finished dinner. Oh class registration - that brings back stressful memories! I hope that you're able to get into some decent classes. Happy weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes! And thanks Christine! XOXO
alyssa
I always love your friday finishers! The links are always great and I absolutely had to send my man a link of the "if you love smeone with anxiety" post. <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Alyssa!
Brittany Bergman
What an awesome list! I clicked on so many of these links. By the way, I'm also pancakes. 🙂 Classic! Thanks so much for featuring my decluttering post!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! Pancake people!!!
XOXO You're welcome 🙂
Ana Valentin
I adored the article on dieting and plant based protein. I honestly had no idea about that! Crazy! Great finish, as always. So sorry for your classes. my registration is coming up. so I'm feeling those feels. May the odds be ever in your favor
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Good good stuff, right? 😉
And you too! haha! XOXO
Margaux
Oh man, what a great list - I especially love the April ideas, because sometimes I have recipes and nothing else to talk about, and then I feel rather silly posting 1000% pictures without some "human" input 😉
Also, I have never seen a purple yam in my country and it makes me sad, because wow!
That really sucks about your registration - I hope you find some awesome subjects to take; there may be something that surprises you in its awesomeness. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, so true!!!
Omg....if I could send you a Stokes PSP, I would! ASAP!
Right now I got into one more random class....we'll see 😛
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker
Thanks for sharing the plantain love 🙂 But honestly I can't look away from that purple sweet potato whatever that is -- it's hypnotic! <33333
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Isn't it a beautiful dish! The color automatically made me fall in love!
Calee Paskett
Last November, I was registering for my last semester of college (this semester) and only one class was open that I needed. Of course it was just one of the electives I need but the two important required classes were closed. I had to email five different people just so I could register to graduate this May.
It's so frustrating but make friends with your advisor, it helps!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea, it's totally frustrating!
Alex
As always interesting reads! ANd the food looks so good, I just had dinner but I'm getting hungry again 😉
Have a nice (Easter) Weekend!
Alex
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I'm getting ready for dinner soon!
You too Alex! (P.S. Hope the little one is doing better!)
Casey @ Casey the College Celiac
It'd have to be a killer soccer game! I haven't played in over a year since my knee injury, but I miss it every day!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Girl, soccer is my least favorite sport, haha!
Emily @SinfulNutrition
All that salmon has me craving it. I think I know what I'm having for Easter!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, good call 😉
Leah M @ love me, feed me
Oh no!! Wishing you the best of luck with getting the classes you want!!
If I could choose just one, I'd probably choose one that was filled with deadlifts! I just love them.
Or a super stretchy yoga... Oh I just don't know haha!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
No way! Haha! I really don't life deadlifts! I mean..I do them all the time, but they just annoy me!
Linda @ Veganosity
Hang in there Rebecca, you'll get in to most of your classes. 🙂
I bet your mom misses making those Easter baskets as much as you miss getting them. I know I do!
Thanks for the great links and for sharing my carrot cake energy bites. xoxo Have a blessed Easter.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
No, haha, I really won't in all seriousness.
She still does...if I was home! Haha! (My lucky brother is!)
XOXO You too!
Miranda @ Miranda Writes Blog
WOW! SO many good links here! I'm bookmarking some of those blog ones for sure. Have a great weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Of course! You too!
Bri
Bookmarking this to read in bed on Saturday morning! 🙂 Have a great weekend Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, sounds good to me 😉
Nichole
I'm sorry to hear about your classes :// I hope you can figure out/find others to take!! I was never a fan of peeps.. My brother and dad love them! I did used to have fun putting them in the microwave and watching them expand! LOL!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I never put them in the microwave, but marshmallows are always fun to play with 😉
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness
OMG the Herbed Beet Puree with Spicy Kale Chips and Salmon looks surreal! That pink color!! Thank you for the links, they are looking great as always. 🙂 If I had to choose a workout I guess I would pick something crazy I haven't done before like surfing or kayaking. All or nothing! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know! They all have me drooling!
O that could be an idea! And omg...I would LOVE to learn to Surf! I know I would love it!
Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together
Literally all of those pins look gorgeous and are making me so hungry!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I had to stop myself...I had like 50 more to add....but the post would have blown up then 😛
Meghan
In my day we had to sign up for classes via a phone system which was super stressful! I hope you get some classes you want.
And I hope you enjoy college more next year! It is the ultimate freedom and place for fun, lifelong connections (which come in REALLY handy in professional life) and growth!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Who said I didn't enjoy it?
Meghan
Sorry if I've misread, just seems in a lot of your posts you are looking forward to the year being over. I was the opposite! I couldn't wait to go back after breaks and wanted semesters to go slowwwly!
Lisa @ RunWiki
I am so sorry about your classes. I can remember having to go through that and wondering if I'd ever graduate with a degree in my area of interest. Sending good vibes, and btw stale Peeps are the only way I'll eat them! In fact, I generally wait until they are on sale after Easter, open the package for a few days and then dig in. Thank you so much for linking me up- we can all get in a rut from time to time. xoxo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! Like....I'm just hoping maybe some of my gen-eds can be fulfilled. I don't have many left. And since I want to apply to the Public Health school at the end of next year, those classes don't even open up until April 16th...so things are just so confusing right now!
I think Peeps are kinda gross when they are fresh and gooey...they need to be CHEWY! Hahahaha! Stale all the way!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit
Ugh I hate college registration! It's so frustrating to not be able to get what you need or end up with a wacky schedule or have to go to guidance and wait for like an hour just to talk to someone who can maybe help you...if you can't tell, I've been in your position many times. Good luck getting your classes 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
There has to be an easier way...in this day and age...there should be!
Alexandra @ Made to Glow
LOVE these articles! My stress emergency kit is super inspiring... so necessary for self-care. Also, the 5 simple habits to get more done everyday is exactly what I've been trying to figure out lately - I love Live Simply. Thanks as always for these terrific round-ups! AND, I had to tell you that thanks to your suggestion, I've been stopping in my local ShopRite (Lawrenceville/Princeton) and have occasionally found the purple sweet potatoes where I live, it is very exciting 🙂 Thank you for the recommendation to look there!
Oh, and one last workout would be a Figure 8 class - it's a combo of cardio dance and weights/plyo/toning exercises that I used to take in LA. My favorite of all time!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you love! Live Simply is a new fave! and I loved that stress emergency kit too! It's good to keep in mind that things that can help!
And Yay! NJ is the best...here in DC...I only found them once, one day....It was a sad season to not have them enough!
And ooo, so a combo of it all 😉
XOXO
Farrah
I'm so sorry about your registration woes! I hope you get into some classes this weekend! (There's gotta be something open!)
Great roundup of links, as usual! I'm apparently Oatmeal for that breakfast food quiz! 😛 Those recipes are gorgeous!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hopefully something I actually need! There's no money/time to waste!
Oatmeal! Hahahaha! Well that's good too 😉
Karleigh.Reads
Came in here with one tab open, left with 50. haha thanks so much for all the resources, very handy!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha! Wooo! I hope I didn't lock-up your computer 😉
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl
I want some GF Cheerios!!! Woot woot!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea, but if you read the article, they may not be safe for Celiacs 🙁
Heather @ Life In Leggings
Stale peeps - haha! That's awesome. I've never seen a purple pancake, that looks interesting and yummy! Thanks so much for linking up your faves. Happy Easter! <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are the best and only way!
Happy Easter Heather!
Emily @My Healthyish Life
My last workout would be a long run 🙂 I'm not going home for Easter but I still got an Easter basket from my mom that i'm saving to open on Sunday. Happy weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah, lucky girl 😉 Happy Easter!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige
Some great reads! Happy Easter, Rebecca 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Paige! You too!
Rachel
Oh my gosh, stale peeps! That's the only way I like to eat them. One of the memories of my dad that I cherish is when he used to stash an already opened package in the cabinet to eat after they'd gone stale.
I remember the chaos that was registering for classes. I hope you're able to get into what you need. Good luck!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea!!!! I loved when my mom actually put a Peep in one of the plastic eggs since then they would get stale quicker than me having to open a package later that day! Hahaha!
Thank Rachel! XOXO
Channing
I'm looking forward to spending time with my family this Sunday for Easter. We're cooking a pot roast for dinner.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That sounds fun Channing! Have a great time!
Alanna
Stale peeps are the best!! I'm not ashamed to admit that I am a peep lover. Good luck with registration and enjoy your Easter weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I wish I could still eat them! Haha! That and Cabury eggs (the mini ones...frozen from the freezer!)
Thank you and you too! XOXO
Tina Muir
I have so many new tabs up now.....gonna take a good read, starting with the 5 habits to get more done.....which I promised myself blogging would take a back seat at this time in my life....oops not sticking to that! Thanks for the great links as always. Happy Easter!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Girl, I feel yea! It is do not taking a backseat 😛
Happy Easter too!!! XOXO
Kimberly/TheLittlePlantation
Yup, I remember standing in a long line, waiting to register at 7am or something crazy early like that. For what's it's worth: it somehow all works out in the end 🙂
Thanks as always for putting together such a beautiful list. The colours in the food links. OMG amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You had to stand in a line :O That's terrible!
XOXO
Michelle
Thanks for the round-up Rebecca - I can't wait to read through these! And GOOD LUCK picking your courses. It is so hard. But remember that you'll learn and learn through life; there is no course which you select in which you will not take away something, even if it is a clearer vision that that specific topic is not for you.
PS - I almost wrote you yesterday to ask where your FF was! The holiday today has me all confused, I kept thinking that yesterday was Friday!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, no, I need to even find an OPEN course or I can't even be a student. It's no so frilly 😛
And, um you wrote me? Who are you?
Michelle
Sorry! No, I didn't write to you but almost did when your Friday Finisher didn't pop up yesterday as I thought all day that Thursday was Friday due to today's holiday - short work weeks always confuse me! I so look forward to your Friday posts!!
Good luck again with finding some open courses. Such stress I know but it will work out for you!!