Are you gearing up for big Memorial Day festivities this long weekend? I'm not, but that's okay, I'm still in post-college recovery. You know what I did yesterday? I took a NAP! What a miracle! I never do because I feel like they are such a waste of time. I had a few option though. Either do work/blog, sit and be overwhelmed by my never-ending closet of STUFF which I filled one garbage bag to throw out and it didn't make dent, read (which I really hope to get back into this summer), or take a nap because I was tired. I chose the latter. I left my phone in my bedroom where all distractions are, went down to the living room, curled up on the couch and fell asleep for an hour. It was one of those sleeps where you're mind don't totally turn off (I have so many things going on), but I just needed the nap! It was kinda glorious. After that, I cooked a bangin' new recipe. So I'd say a lazy Thursday was actually a major relaxing success! Woh!
I should take naps more often. I have the whole summer to do just that. To take real-time for myself to rest and recover with no obligations that need my urgent attention. Maybe you're feeling a bit stressed about holding a cook-out this weekend? Well Here are some simple recipes you should put on the menu! These easy veggie burgers, these portabello burgers and baked beans, maybe some chicken burgers, grilled plantains, some sweet potato fries, o and you should probably make this homemade mustard and ketchup!
Happy eating, loving, thanking those who served us, and happy weekend my dear friends! Read these links and then go take a nap!
Monday: Top Products Picks From Gluten-Free Bloggers
Tuesday: 6 Steps For A Safe Gluten-Free College Experience
Wednesday: Recipe ReDux #19 Cantaloupe Pistachio Granola
Blog Posts and Links I loved this week:
Life, Mind, Body, Spirit:
You actually benefit more by allowing yourself to feel the pain.
+ The Only Technique To Learn Something New
I think #1 is most important!
+ The Top 10 Things Children Really Want Their Parents To Do With Them
This is/was so true!
+ How To Love A Creative Person Well
Creative people are unique in their needs!
+ Selfies, Budgets & The Reality Distortion Field
You know, all that comparison.
+ 10 Tips For Dealing With Bad Body Image
These are wonderful and not the typical ones you always read!
+ I AM Enough And So Are YOU! You Just Don't Know It Yet
We are ALL enough!
+ 8 "Healthy" Things I'm Not Going To Do Anymore
Only you hold the power and knowledge you need.
+ Inspiring Podcasts To Help You Live Your Best Life
So many! I have become very fond of podcasts recently while I'm working on the computer!
+ A Simple Exercise To Release Fear
Never let fear hold you back!
Fitness:
+ Should I Correct People's Form At The Gym
It's so hard, but if you're just another gym-goer, you really shouldn't.
+ A Reminder To My Fellow Slow Runner
Omg! My slow running twin!
Food:
+ 5 Guidelines For Cooking Perfect Salmon Every Time
Don't ruin a perfect piece of lovely salmon!
+ Why You Should Never Buy The Shiny Apples From The Grocery Store
Go "naked" so to speak 😉
+ The "Healthier" I Ate, The Worse I Felt
Sometimes what we deem as healthy just isn't "healthy" for us.
+ I Eat Processed Foods (And I'm Ok With That)
I think we all do 😉
+ How To Make Steel Cut Oatmeal {Quickly}
Omg yes! Laziness hack!
If I can hack this to be gluten-free....my life will be made!
+ The Differences Between Northern & Southern Indian Cuisines
Loved this! I was never super sure on the differences or my favorite cuisine!
+ 10 Tips To Help You Cook Faster
It's all about the prep!
+ The Best Ways To Reheat Leftovers
We all know the leftovers are the best part anyway!
+ 40 Crave-Worthy Veggie Burgers
Just some yummy vegan ideas for this holiday weekend!
+ How To Make (Almost) Anything Into Vegan Bacon
Because plant-based bacon is the only good kind!
Health:
+ What I Learned From Interviewing 39 Experts In Autoimmunity
Really great things to know if you suffer from an autoimmune disorder.
+ 12 Ingredients To Avoid In Makeup + Skincare Products
Stay away from all that nasty stuff :/
+ New Tests Offer Hope With Millions Of Patients With Irritable Bowl Syndrome
Very interesting break though!
+ 7 Reasons Why You Should Avoid Hand Sanitizers (And What To Use Instead)
I'm not sure how I feel about this post...discuss!
Did you know May 19th was IBD awareness day?
+ How To Reduce Cortisol Naturally
Such a great informative post!
+ The Most Important Thing I've Ever Done For My Health
Yes! Listen to your body!
+ How I Gave Myself Permission To Be Gluten-Free
Sometimes I wish I just didn't have to tell anyone.
You know you want to check this out 😉
Blogging, Social Media, Tech & Photography:
+ The Future Of Blogging: An Update
I really do think all of these are true. I hope the Instagram blow up happens sooner rather than later 😛
+ Do You Make These 10 Mistakes When You Blog?
Good stuff! Don't make these mistakes!
+ 10 Tips For Blogging That Will Actually Amaze You
Not too ground-breaking, but the usual good tips!
+ A Blogger's Guide To Building Your Instagram: Part 2
Love this woman!
+ 8 Design Elements You Need On Your Blog Right Now
With #3 for the millionth time, for the love of all things, PLEASE have them set up with your handles!
+ 6 Professional Food Photographers Reveal Their Most Challenging Shots
And the pure talent!
+ 5 Steps To Making Money Blogging
Great tips for making some dough! 😉
+ Writing Sponsored Content: Why You Shouldn't Work For Free
You might in the very beginning, but once you're established, it's a big no-no!
+ How To Create Images To Get Noticed On Pinterest
How to make good pinnable images!
+ 25 Things I've Learned From Blogging 5 Days A Week
I used to do that 😉 But I actually like the one day break!
Other:
+ Five Friends You Have When You Have Celiac Disease
Hahaha, this is so true!
+ The 14 Best Small Beach Towns In America
2 of them are in wonderful NJ! Cape May is the bomb!
+ Why Are Some People Better At Drawing Than Others?
I'd say I'm in the middle of good and bad.
+ 5 Ways Reading Makes You A Better Reader
Read book people!
+ 15 Rainy Day Activities We Bet You Haven't Thought Of
Good to keep bookmarked for those days!
+ World Leaders' Official Residences, Ranked
Wow! Some are just amazing! Not sure why the White House is #4...it really isn't that impressive close up!
+ My Best Decluttering Tip (& It Might Surprise You)
I totally agree with this!
+ Develop These Skills To Save Money
Cooking, yes! Number one!
+ The 18 Items To Keep AT Your Desk If You Want To Nail Your Day At The Office
Hahaha #4 and if you're going to do #17 (which you should), I'd suggest a mirror too.
Favorite Pins:
(Follow me on Pinterest – RebeccaGF666)
Hibiscus, Lemongrass, Basil and Honey Sweet Iced Tea. It's better than Starbucks 😉
Curried Chicken en Papillote. Just look at this foil pack of love!
Fudgy Cardamom Squares. These sound lovely and such a unique flavor!
Tomato Arugula Stew. My arugula love obsession! I think it's one of the best greens!
Honey Sweetened Rhubarb Fig Jam. Rhubarb and fig! Can you get any more elegant!
Breakfast Sweet Potato with Hibiscus Tea Yogurt & Granola. Swooning over the purple sweet! Use vegan yogurt and we're golden!
Roasted Rosemary Dijon Potatoes. Such a perfect side dish!
Salt 'n' Pepper Cookies. Don't these just sound awesome! Sweet with a touch of pepper spice!
A few things I loved about my week or am grateful for:
+ Napping!
+ Weird kitchen experiments. I tried making vegan allergy-free marshmallows and it was a total fail...back to the drawing board! I wish I has a stand mixer, but alas, it's the one kitchen appliance I don't have. Sadness!
So tell me:
+ Do you take naps? Do you like taking naps?
+ What are your Memorial Day plans? Hopefully, I'll be making a new veggie burger recipe 😉
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Erlene
Glad you took some time to rest 🙂 I see some posts on your list that I have to check out. Thanks for posting these great links to some awesome content.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
nutrition mate
I had a period in my life when I was visiting a therapist and my therapist was famous for giving homework for patients. Well, my homework was to have a rest 😀 I had to try naps or just not working every moment. It's still funny when I think of it that while other's nap/rest too much, I had to be forced to do that 🙂
So, rest is good, naps are good. Even if you can't really sleep. True story 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sometimes just laying down and closing your eyes does help!
Brittany Lesser
Thanks so much girl!!! I never take naps either.. I just can never fall asleep hahah
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know! Such a struggle! Just not a "daytime" sleeper!
Katie Ringley
Thanks so much for sharing my poop blog! HAHA! 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend and it's nice to officially "meet you" <3 <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, gotta share the poop love!
O, you too sweetheart! Have a beautiful weekend!
Sandra Laflamme
Enjoy your rest and relaxation! There is nothing wrong with a good nap! I am adding the Hibiscus, Lemongrass, Basil and Honey Sweet Iced Tea to my summer drink menu. Looks so refreshing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It sounds fantastic! Summer perfection in a nice cold icy glass!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home
Nap? Yes please.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right on! 😉
Laura
mmm all that food sounds amazing, but HOW GOOD ARE NAPS?
enjoy your long weekend! And make sure you do plenty of relaxing post college. You've earned it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah, haha! That's why the naps are welcome 😉
Farrah
I'm excited about checking out all the different veggie burgers! 😀 + also the how-to-make-anything-into-vegan-bacon one--I can't eat bacon, so that'll be interesting to test out! Looking forward to reading the blogging ones too! :]
I fail at taking naps because they always turn into sleeps. :[
Oh, hand sanitizers--I definitely use a crap ton of it in the hospital because sometimes, there really isn't any time to stop and wash my hands properly. I try to make up for this by giving em' a thorough washing when I'm done for the day, and moisturizing a lot when I get home!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm brewing up a new veggie burger recipe in my head to try out this weekend!
I'm still pro-sanitizer. But if I'm eating out or something anyway, I never touch my food. I'll shake it into my mouth or use the wrapper/plastic. And I would never touch my face in public!
Lori Musselman
Naps are AWESOME!!! Thank you for including me this week 🙂 XOXO #FITFAM
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Of course dear! XOXO Nap on!
Linda @ Veganosity
Great links Rebecca. I especially liked the Instagram one. Very useful, thank you!
I don't nap because once I fall asleep I'm down for hours. I've never mastered the art of the cat nap.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I've been uploading and emailing GOOD photos to my phone for insta! It's the only way now...I actually enjoy it a bit more 😛
Hahaha, that's where you should set an alarm!
Lisa Nolan
You had me at naps! I love couch naps! Much better than coffee with cream and sugar (and less fattening). Great post, lots of resources!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha Naps <3
Lora
As always, love love love Friday Finisher! I am always so amazed by everything you've pulled together! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
There were so many things this week!
JcCee Barney
That iced tea looks delicious and I love the color of it. It is always great to take a lil break. Kudos to your relaxing success!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is such a lovely color!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf
I'm so behind in reading blogs so thank you for this post and for helping me catch up!! So looking forward to relaxing this weekend. Have a wonderful long weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I might have given you too much to catch up on, hahaha!
Have a beautiful weekend yourself love!
Cheyenne @Rosevine Cottage Girls
Oh man this is a great post!!!! That tea looks amazing, trying it. I love a good nap.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I really could use a glass!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige
Sounds like I've got some reading for my weekend 🙂 Also - those potatoes look delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, potato love!
Kimberly/TheLittlePlantation
I've book marked SO many links today.
Gonna get reading now.
Thanks for sharing your finds.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Have fun!
Ana Valentin
As always great Friday Finisher! I adore the article on body image and the future of blogging. Fingers crossed this gets to be a full time gig one day! I also MUST try that hibiscus tea. I shared the how to love a creative person blog post to my boyfriend since it hit it on the nail for me! Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I really want that tea right now!
Ah, have a wonderful weekend too dear!
Harriet Emily
I sooo know how you feel about napping!! I always feel like they're the bottom of my list as there's always so much to do at home! I'm so glad you took the time out to rest though, as it's definitely important 🙂 hope you have a great memorial day weekend! Can't wait to read these links and your recipe looks amaaaaazing!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! I think we can all use a nap sometimes even when we feel like we don't HAVE the time! (That's when we need them most!)
Thank you dear! Have fun reading!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen
Loving those pins!! So glad you had a successful nap...I'm not a napper either so I completely understand how you feel!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I felt like giving myself a high-five, haha!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl
Such a bummer about the apples.. the shinny ones always get my attention 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahahahaha! I know! The glistening beckoning call right as you walk in to the grocery!
Stephanie Volkert
I didn't even pay attention to when Memorial Day was this week. Been so busy!
I'm one of those weird people that can't nap. No matter how tired I am, it just doesn't happen.
Stephanie Volkert
Also, thanks for sharing the blogging posts you liked. There's some great info on them!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha!
And I know! I'm so surprised it actually worked yesterday!
Lisa @ RunWiki
SO many thoughts going through my head, like I need to read about a dozen of these articles... but when? I'm a frazzled mess trying to wrap things up with end of the school year stuff. Also cracking up at you, and reading all of these wonderful posts, but my ADD mind is simultaneously thinking, I wish I could meet you face to face, we would crack each other up and then cry on each other shoulders. I am also ADD with my emotions. Belly laughing one minute, crying the next. Every time I read you blog I feel like you might be the same. hugs. hugs. hugs. xoxoxox
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, one day we will meet up! It would be pretty amazing and ALL the things we would talk about, haha, we would need days!
I hope you have a lovely weekend and try to rest your frazzled mind with the beautiful weather, love, and fun this long weekend! XOXO
Lisa @ RunWiki
Thank you! xo
Alanna
I never take naps because like you, I feel like the day is wasting away! Sweet Potato fries AND grilled plantains sound like heaven right about now. Have a great weekend!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think we should both make from fries and plantains and then go pass out on the couch!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
I'm not a napper but wish I was, I rarely have the time and I think I've trained myself not to nap no matter what. If I do nap it usually means I'm sick so that's a bad association! Love all of these pins but those dijon potatoes are really calling out to me. And the bug bite balm, we'll be needing that ASAP! Have a great weekend and enjoy your rest!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know, I'm the same way. But then when I am able to have that rare nap, I feel accomplished! Haha!
I'm dieing over the potatoes!!
I get bug bites the second I step out the door! This stuff looks fab!
Emily @My Healthyish Life
Girl, naps are awesome! Take advantage of them while you can 😉 Have a great weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know! I'm thinking this may be some of my last chances!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
Yay for naps! I've always been a fan but now with a toddler at home, I CHERISH them!! Instagram rocks, I can't wait for it take over the social media world!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well apparently, it's going to die, not blow up like it always has!
Janine Huldie
Always truly an honor to be included here and cannot thank you enough for the shoutout this week. And I agree #3 is most definitely annoying if not added!! Have a great weekend and hope you get to nap a bit more, too 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Janine, you are just one amazing blogger! All the topics you write about you always nail <3 From blogging to parenting and everything in between!
XOXO I hope you and sneak in a nap too 😉
Janine Huldie
Aw, thank you so much and you made me smile more than you know this morning. I truly adore you, too!!!! <3
Jennifer F
Great roundup of links, I will have to check some of these out with my extra time this weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you do dear!
Annmarie
That iced tea and that chickpea sandwich look AWESOME!!! Need to pin for later 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think those two together and we would have mealtime perfection!