Happy lat Friday of May! This month was actually the perfect length. I still can't believe I was still in school at the beginning of the month and now I'm home! But that also means that my absolute favorite month is starting on Monday! Which is a double yay since I love when a Month starts on a Monday! The numbers make sense then! June 1st - Monday, the first day of the week! But really, June means Summer and a beautiful time to live and love! Plus two birthdays (mine on the 6th and Strength and Sunshine's on the 27th!). I think I'm more excited for my blog's second birthday than my own, haha! My mom's birthday was yesterday too! Lots of celebrating to be had!
Even if you don't have any birthdays or big celebrations in the summer, the summer really is a time to reset and reevaluate life! Check in with your goals, motivations, change things up, rest AND energize the body, set new goals, and find new ways to bring some happiness and extra sunshine into your life! I know that's exactly what I hope to do. Now that I've really rested these last 3 weeks at home, I'm ready to really begin the summer and live each say to the fullest! Who's with me?
Cheers to the weekend and now catch up with anything you might have missed with the Friday Finisher! XOXO
Monday: My Favorite Gluten-Free Products
Tuesday: HowΒ To Help Ease A "Glutened" Stomach
Wednesday: Triple Chocolate Doughnuts
Blog Posts and Links I loved this week:
Life, Mind, Body, Spirit:
+ You Are Not The Voice Inside Your Head
A wonderful reminder!
+ Why Clothing Sizes Don't Matter
Legit! Every brand makes their clothes different anyway!
+ Finding Your Own Way When You Feel Totally Lost
It's okay to feel lost. It might actually be good!
+ 3 Ways You're Making Your Life Harder Than It Has To Be
Practice not doing these and you may find a little more peace.
+ 18 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I Was 18
One week left of being 18. I hope I can be better with these.
+ Inside The Mind That Built Google Brain: On Life, Creativity, And Failure
This was such an interesting read!
+ 10 Quotes For Getting Rid Of Toxic People
So good! Read these when you need that boost to push away!
If you want to find more time to LIVE, you have to LOVE life!
Because you're not. "Fine" tells you nothing and doesn't answer the question.
+ Chasing Those Picture Perfect Smiles
That smile isn't judging you or wanting something more.
Fitness:
+ 17 Fitness Terms You Should Know
I'll cry if you don't!
+ 15 Alternatives To Burpees For When You're Tired Of Doing Burpees
Gotta love them, but sometimes they get boring!
+ Getting Mentally Strong Is More Important Than Physically
I agree. Mental strength accounts for at least 90%.
+ How To Design A Kettlebell Workout & 5 Kettlebell Exercises Every Kettlebell Enthusiast Should Know
Can you say kettlebell one more time! Haha!
+ 20 Little Things You Can Do To Improve Your Running
Little tips from one of the greatest running bloggers!
+ Exercise Is About More Than A Pretty Body
This wouldn't be more well said and true!
+ 6 Things Yogis Do To Look And Feel Awesome
That's because yoga= = awesome!
Food:
+ 10 Items That People Think Contain Gluten But Actually Don't
I'm still cautious with a few of these. Nothing's definite.
+ The Ketchup Taste Test: We Tried 7 Brands And Ranked Them
Or, just go with this one π
+ 12 Magical Ways To Use A Food Processor
I loved mine! Until I broke it on Monday :/
+ USDA Announces Plans For "GMO-Free" Label Certification
Well this is a step in the right direction!
They just want their GMOs and deception. They want their own rules.
+ 15 Facts That Will Change How You Think About Starbucks
An evening menu!?
+ 10 Grocery Shopping Mistakes (Almost) Everyone Makes
Don't be in the everyone category!
+ 19 Sushi Myths You Probably Believe
Don't waste your money on special "sushi" rice. There's no such thing!
Health:
+ I Am Not My Treatment: A Disease Overshadowed By Glutenspeak
This is so perfectly written and just says it all.
+ Poorly Responsive Celiac Disease
You may have more than Celiac Disease.
+ How Naps Affect Your Brain And Why You Should Have One Everyday
Hey! I think I'm on to something here!
Blogging, Social Media, Tech & Photography:
+ How To Take Quality Workout Photos Using A Self Timer
Omg! A shoe! Yes!
+ Personal Blogging Isn't Dead
If you can write posts with vulnerability and let your unique self shine, I will be a devoted reader.
+ The Problem With Too Many Tabs Open In Your Browser
In life and online. This is me and it needs to be fixed. (You may be having this problem literally right now too...)
+ 7 Things You Need To Write A Cookbook
I just have to say, stop writing cheap "e-books", they don't do well and no one would buy what they can already find online π Make a real book if anything!
The quality over quantity thing is real!
Other:
+ This Is Why You're Terrible With Names
I am the worst. Like the first day of classes and we have to introduce ourselves. Forget it. I will not remember your name.
+ 10 Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About Jersey
More reasons why NJ is pretty awesome π
+ America's 20 Most Popular National Parks, Ranked
Makes me want to travel to the West so bad!
+ Out Must-Have Texturizers For Perfectly Undone Locks
I'd love to give my hair a "beachy" wave look...
Favorite Pins:
(Follow me on Pinterest β RebeccaGF666)
Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice. It's like cheddar broccoli soup in cauli-rice form!
Chicken Cutlets with Strawberry Avocado Salsa. This just sounds like the perfect light summer dish!
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lentils, Dates, and Tahini Dressing. Anything with tahini!
N'Oatmeal Breakfast Bowl. For when my tummy can't handle more oats!
Tart Cherry Glazed Salmon. O my goodness! The salmon loves keeps on coming!
Wild Rice & Rocket Salad with Chai Soaked Raisins. This would be a flavor explosion in the mouth!
Walnut Fig Granola. Everyone is posting recipes with figs lately, and I am obsessed!
Blueberry and Grilled Corn Salsa. I soup dip, dunk, spread, spoon, pour, cover everything with this!
A few things I loved about my week or am grateful for:
+ I started reading my first fiction, for pleasure reading book in like a year! I picked up The Stolen Ones by Owen Laukkanen. Just the type of novel I love <3
+ I've been loving my night/dinner routine lately. I eat dinner while watching Breaking Bad (I'm almost done with season 5), and while also finish up blog/social media work. Total "multi-tasking" badness, but I find it pretty calming and blogging/social media is easier/less boring to do!
So tell me:
+ What are you currently reading or have recently read?
+ Any summer birthdays? Celebrations? Even vacations maybe? I have never taken a summer vacation, haha!
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Stay connected: Facebook: Strength and Sunshine Twitter: @RebeccaGF666 Instagram: rebeccagf666 Pinterest: RebeccaGF666 Bloglovinβ: Strength and Sunshine
kimmythevegan
Happy Belated Birthday Rebecca! Your birthday is the same day as my wedding anniversary - it's my favourite day ever =) I hope you had a fun day!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's such a good day π Happy Anniversary then to you and thank you!!!
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom
Wow...you have so many great posts here and these recipes look amazing as well!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home
I love all your links on Fridays! And now you've made me super hungry....
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I take that as a compliment π
Tess
Thanks for all the awesome links. I just can't believe it's already going to be June!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know right!? Crazy stuff!
Harriet Emily
Aaah I can't believe its the last weekend of May already - this year is going so fast! It sounds like you've definitely got a great month ahead!!!! So many exciting birthdays π Happy early birthday!! Can't wait to check out all of these links too π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you dear! I do just love June regardless of birthdays! It just always feels like such a happy month!
ReelCarina
I love the positivity you're spreading. I wish you a wonderfull summer, enjoy every minute of it!
xx Carina
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks! You too!
Sandra Laflamme
June is a great birthday month! Many of my family members celebrate in early June too! Love the looks of that Tart Cherry glazed salmon. May have to try that!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Woohoo!
Yea! That salmon looks delicious!
Jessica // Nourished by Nutrition
Rebecca, Thanks so much for including me! This is completely ironic because I had been bouncing around your site yesterday and was and really loving it! As a matter of fact I still have a couple of your pages open on my never-ending tabs... so I guess I can relate to that post!
Keep up all that your doing. I love it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, well thank YOU dear! We have a connection anyway since we're both granola lovers! XOXO
Casey @ Casey the College Celiac
Blueberry muffins were always a fave of mine too - when chocolate ones weren't available, of course! π As for reading, I dove into Wuthering Heights when I first got back from college.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think I'd still pick blueberry over chocolate! Is that crazy? <--- yes! Haha, keepin' with the classics π I've never read it!
Florian @ContentednessCooking
Fantastic recipes, thank you so much for including my tahini coconut orange shake. Also I love this cake from green kitchen stories, too.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That is one bom shake! <3
Ahahaha, I know you do π
Kerri Olkjer
YUM, need to go pin some of those recipes. We have birthdaypalooza in June. One son is June 1 and one is June 28. Then, Baby O and I are on the 25th.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! June birthdays are the best! WOOOT!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors
Man you got me hungry looking through these pins!! Love the yogi post - hope to go practice in the morning π Great friday - hope you can find a new food processor, I think mine is dying too ;((((((
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Saturday morning yoga is the best! I make it my longest practice of the week π
Omg! I'm dealing with customer service right now and they are not being cool....
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
I get so excited for these Friday posts since there's so many good things to read without fail! Happy birthday to your mom and to strength and sunshine!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks dear! Have a killer weekend!
pam (sidewalk shoes)
Thanks for sharing! I love your Friday posts!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad to hear that Pam!
Rachel
I'm really surprised that Cuyahoga Valley National Park made it on that list, it's a nice place (in my back yard essentially) but not nearly as majestic as some of the others, like Mt. Rainier National Park (which is a serious must see, you can combine with a trip to Olympic National Park.)
Have a happy birthday and enjoy your summer!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well I haven't been to any! haha! :O
Thank you dear! XOXO
Kaitlin
My goodness you have me drooling over those Pinterest pictures and recipes! Great links all around π have a wonderful weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks dear!
Ana Valentin
That name article was quite interesting! I adore the N'oats and corn with blueberry salsa really need to try those recipes out! Great Friday Finisher hope you're enjoying your summer off! P.S Jersey is truly amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You too!
Samantha
June is my favorite month, too! Because it's my birthday month of course. Hope you had a great May!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yay for June babies!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl
That is totally funny because I was just eating out with my friends last weekend and my friend said... wait, you can eat potatoes? I guess we don't think about what actually contains gluten until we decide that we need to pay attention to it! I loved that article!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It kills me when people are that stupid!
revealed
I've GOT to try that n'oatmeal. it looks incredible! great links!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It does!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
Love these posts. Pinning for later. Have a great weekend Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You too!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth
Thanks for including me Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
XOXO <3
Kimberly/TheLittlePlantation
Great list! I spotted that Green Kitchen cake too. It looks luscious π
Now off to reading cookbook tips π
Hope you have a great journey into June.
Hugs K
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's simply a stunning cake! I had to include it!
XOXO
Brittany Lesser
Thanks love! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You too!
Aysegul
What a great round up of links. So much deliciousness in one place. And THANK YOU SO MUCH for including a recipe of mine. Cheers!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's amazing dear <3
Dietitian Jess
Right now I'm about to start reading The Husbands Secret- i've heard great things so super excited! Where in Jersey are you?! I'll be swimming in the Medford Lakes area tomorrow morning π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm in Hunterdon County!
Γmilie
Winter was long and cold here in Canada and I'm so excited that summer is here. I'm loving sun dresses at the moment, I get excited when I wake up and realize that it's warm enough to wear one!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know! Me too! Really just waking up to the bright sun (well before the sun), but knowing it will be warm and bright is so great!
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness
OMG your pins this week are unbelievable. I think I will have the corn salsa as an appetizer, the cauliflower salad as a starter, the salmon as main course and the muffin as a dessert. I'm done. π Well looks like a wonderful summer, happy birthday to all!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahahaha we just need them all...a potluck!
Lora
I need to stop reading your posts when I'm hungry lol! Every time!!! Great list today, as always! π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, grab some breakfast!
leanne
Great post! So much yummy food too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O yes!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige
Congrats on being done with school!
this summer will entail lots of camping, Colorado-cations, concerts, and festivals π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Lol, I've been done for weeks π
Sounds great!
Emily @My Healthyish Life
That quinoa salad >>> Hope you can take even a mini-weekend trip this summer. Just a few days does the trick!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A NYC trip to do some meeting and greeting π
Samira
Finally worked out how to comment on WordPress! Just saying I always love reading the mindful and insightful articles you post on Fridays - I especially loved "I Am Not My Treatment", given I also suffer with chronic illness. And I'll have to try that N'Oatmeal bowl
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, welcome to the world of commenting!
That bowl of coconut produce goodness is calling me!
Bethany
yay thanks for another great link-up! can't wait to read all of those articles π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Happy reading!
lindsay
i saw that fluffer nut butter vegan sandwich on foodgawker..like whoa! how did they make that. So want to try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The magic of the chickpea liquid <3
Elle Spann
YUM! Happy Friday π
Elle
Southern Elle Style
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ok, you too!
Farrah
hahaha, I definitely always have wayyyy too many tabs open in my browser (and in real life)...definitely gonna have to check that one out! And yay for personal blogging! I'd like to think it's not dead either! :]
One day, I'll figure out the beachy waves thing too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The tabs post is a wonderfully written post!
I think my hair is just to thin and straight, but I don't even both using the flat iron anymore or anything, so maybe if I just sprayed it with stuff after a shower and let it dry.....