Friday! Technically we could say it's "Thursday" depending on how you see things. And hey, it's June! The best month of the year, it's summer, and we can do what we want! Days have no names and everything just seems to flow into each other. I must say, it felt oddly beautiful, freeing, but also weird to not post on a Monday this week. To totally disconnect over the long weekend. I hadn't done that since Christmas :O Even though it was just one day, it left me feeling like I could have gone the rest of the week without posting. It caused me to lose the autopilot "post, promote, repeat" mentality. Β I think it gave me some perspective on how robotic and a chore my business can become. There will be a little more awareness to how I, myself, feel. When you work for yourself, you don't get "days off" unless you choose to do so and feel okay letting go a bit.
(***Update: This is currently the situation on Facebook..again..no lies***)
(My next sentence couldn't be more true, as you'll read below.)
Spending time with my family and experiencing life is so much more important and the free time this summer is going to go by way to quick, so I'm going to embrace it! Are you with me? If you find yourself sitting in a car on the way to the beach or need a little nighttime reading, here's this week's Friday Finisher for you! Easy reading and browsing that's not demanding or a chore! Have a beautiful weekend in every way and go outside and soak up this CRAZY heat!
Tuesday: Freedom Feature: Heather Resler "Cook It Up Paleo"
Wednesday: Dark Chocolate Walnut Doughnuts
Recently Updated Post: Coconut Peanut Quinoa Flakes
Blog Posts and Links I loved this week:
Life, Mind, Body, Spirit:
Perfect post to start this Finisher with!
And this one too!
+ 10 Ways To Make It Through The Day After A Terrible Night's Sleep
You know those days.
+ Snap
On not taking thingsΒ so personally!
A beautiful piece on redefining yourself!
+ 4 Signs Someone Is Your Person
I know who mine is!
+ 10 Things No One Told Me About Growing Up
O, yes, yes, yes!
+ Excuse Me While I Lather My Child In This Toxic Death Cream
I can see why this post was viral! <3
+ 10 Odd Emotions You May Have Experienced
Yes to #7 #8 #9!
+ The Misguided Desire Of Wanting Our Kids To Be Happy
Let them have emotions!
Fitness:
+ Everything You're Doing Wrong In Your Indoor Cycling Class
Let's keep it safe and effective!
+ The Holistic Benefits Of Yoga Handstand
I do them every day and could stay there forever! So calming to me!
+ It's Time To Stop Judging Our Health Agaisnt People Who Work Out For A Living
This is just....everything!
+ Why You Should Never Take Health Advice From Instagram Celebs
Bahahaha! Yes! They have NO authority!
Food:
+ The UnofficialΒ Mustard Feild Guide
I <3 mustard!
+ Everything I Know About Cooking I Learned From A Cast Iron Pan
The only thing you need!
+ How To Make Meatballs Every Which Way
I've had this odd craving for some beanballs lately...
+ Every Important Italian Noodle, Illustrated
My favorite is orecchiette <3
Health,Β Celiac Disease, & Food Allergies:
+ My Family's Cool New Gluten-Free Diet
We are not all following the trend.
+ Gluten-Free Shaming Is Not OK
It's now bullying those with celiac.
+ Why Professors Should AccommodateΒ Students With Mental & Physical Health Issues
For the most part, yes.
+ Why A Formal Diagnosis Of Celiac Disease Is So Important
AMEN!
+ Graduating With A Diploma In Food Allergy Life
But the college struggle has just begun...
Blogging, Social Media, Tech & Photography:
+ 5 Key Lessons To Help Boost The Performance Of Your Facebook Posts
Little and easy, actionable tips.
+ 7 Simple Ideas For Mailing List Opt-Ins
Have you gotten mine yet?
+ The Power Of The Mid-Tier Blogger
Great read! #MidTierLife
+ Emotional Combinations That Make Stories Go Viral
You already must see how this is true.
+ Why Facebook Groups Won't Help You Grow Your Blog
It all depends on the type of group, but many groups are time-wasters.
Some writing ideas.
+ Writing Submission Opportunities Directory
If you want to write and submit content (some paid!), here you go!
+ 101 Reasons Your Recipe Will Never Go Viral
Hahaha! Love this!
+ 30 Days Of Writing Prompts For June
The obligatory SITS list!
+ SEO For Food Bloggers Deconstructed With Casey Markee
Some fabulous advice!
+ 37 Blogging Experts Share How To Increase Engagement & Social Shares
Some trusted advice?
Career & Business:
+ Are You Giving Yourself Permission To Evolve?
Are you? You need to.
+ Swap Your To-Do List For A "Break List" To Get More Done
Genious!
I see it happening.
+ The One Word Responsible For My And Your Success
O, so, so good!
+ 15 Steps I Took To Successfully Reinvent Myself After Losing Everything
When it all ends, what do you do?
+ 17 Of My Not-So-Pretty Imperfect Boss Moments
Hahaha! So true!
Other:
+ Why Some People Find Crowded Cities Relaxing And Others Don't
NOT relaxing! (That's why NYC and I don't get along!)
+ Why You Will Marry The Wrong Person
There's your answer!
+ The Two-Week Sleep Experiment
Sleep. It's important!
Favorite Pins:
(Follow me on Pinterest β RebeccaGF666)
Candied Peanut Sesame Granola + Brown Sugar Bourbon Coconut Ice Cream. It's just beautiful!
Banana Split Energy Balls. They are so colorful!
Baked Falafel with Spicy Moroccan Sauce. That sauce just looks perfect!
No-Bake Vegan Lemon Slice. I really do love lemon desserts!
Caribbean Citrus Habanero Chicken Skewers. Loving that spicy and sweet...and grilled!
Loaded Chimichurri Cauliflower Hummus. Have you noticed yet that I'm obsessed?
Copycat Vegan Hidden Vally Ranch. I used to eat A LOT of ranch as a kiddo!
Pineapple Chicken Teriyaki Boats. This will be my birthday dinner!
A few things I loved about my week or am grateful for:
+ Last weekend was lovely, this week ended up being a bit crummy at the end, but I have high hopes for a good weekend...but you know how I always say my birthday ends up being super bad...but that's Mondays so...fingers crossed. This weekend I will be totally unplugging (except maybe a post or 2 on Instagram) otherwise, I'll see you 6/6!
So tell me:
+ What's the longest you've gone "unplugged"? It's hard Β toΒ do that when your job is...virtual. I've never "fully" been unplugged.
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Stay connected: Facebook: Strength and Sunshine Twitter: @RebeccaGF666 Instagram: rebeccagf666 Pinterest: RebeccaGF666 Bloglovinβ: Strength and Sunshine
Bianca - ElephantasticVegan
I love your new easy breezy approach! I've found myself to stress over social media followers, which is just crazy, because social media is always changing and nothing will last forever, so I try to be more relaxed about it. The facebook ban sucks but it helps to realize what's really important, doesn't it?
My boyfriend and I started doing an electronics & internet-free half day a week. It's just for a couple of hours, but it really gives us time to enjoy some quality time together. Most of the times we're doing household chores, going shopping or eating out. It feels nice not to be always available π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, well it's not the numbers that I'm caring about π When you can't even comment on threads...it gets tricking :/ At least it's over now! (fingers crossed!)
That's perfect! And when you do it intentionally with someone else, it becomes really valuable!
Harriet Emily
Happy weekend Rebecca! I'm glad you decided to take a day off - they are so important! I know how you feel though about realising how robotic blog promotion etc. can feel sometimes! It really helps me appreciate time off when I get some! Lovely links this week as always! <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, yes! Don't you just wish we would all take a collective blogging holiday? π
Sandi (@sandigtweets)
Gosh, unplugged? Not only is blogging on the computer, but so is my day job. Sad to see you are dealing with FB issues again, they so don't get it. Will go share a few of your posts around π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I really hate technology....the only reason I'm on any of it is for my blog π
Thank you dear! xoxo
Kristy @ Southern In Law
Gr to the Facebook block - but at least it's a short one!
The last time I unplugged? I tend to make an effort to unplug for at least a couple of hours each weekend/day off and focus on spending time with friends/family but as for officially unplugging for an extended period of time? In New Zealand when we were glamping/didn't have internet we'd just turn our phones off and use that as an excuse to completely unplug and it was sooooooo good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fingers crossed :/
I think I need to take a trip to a deserted island...no wifi...no tech!
Casey Markee
Hi Rebecca, thanks for featuring my Cucumbertown SEO Interview.
If you or your readers have any questions don't hesitate to reach out to me on Twitter @MediaWyse.
Best of luck with your blog.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Casey!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
I'm unplugged... when I'm on an International flight... LOL! It's sad, I know.
Also, I need vats of that ice cream. WHOA.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know :/ But it always feels good when we can actually do it!
Haha! Yes!
Linda @ Veganosity
Great links! I learned a lot from the SEO for Food Blogs, and I LOVED the I'm Your Person link. So good. π
I couldn't agree more, family and down time are so important.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is!! Carla always knows!
Mhmm and I'm forcing myself to really soak it up!
lacey@fairytalesandfitness
All that food looks so tasty. Sometimes it's funny to go unplugged. Enjoy your wkend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It can feel amazing once you get over that initial "withdrawal"!
Farrah
I'm so sorry that you're in fb jail. :[ double you tee eff, man!! I hope you get out of it soon!
Definitely going to be all up in the "Life, Mind, Body, Spirit" posts you're sharing this week! <3 (and I want those banana split energy balls!)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think I need to reread a bunch of them too π
Xoxoxo
Kristina @ Ms.Modify
All that food looks amazing! I want to make that Southwestern Hummus.. yum!! Enjoy your weekend! π xo, Kristina
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right? It looks SO good!
rachel @ Athletic Avocado
enjoy your mini break and have a great birthday dear! That mustard guide is fabulous <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you <3
Hahaha mustard life!
Dana
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks so much for including my Sheknows article in your post.
I've been in the industry for several years now and I've noticed a few unhealthy trends - comparing ourselves to models (and anyone else) being one of the most detrimental things we can do to ourselves and others.
It's easy to repeat what so many others say and do, especially in the health and fitness industry. But to be true to yourself and just make well-being the goal in and of itself, it provides not only a "better" body, but a sense of inner peace I know we all long for.
Great to meet you π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah, yes! You've said it exactly, my friend! xoxo
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table
So glad you enjoyed the long weekend and gave yourself a mini-break! SO important to recharge and stay focused π Loving so many of these articles and happy to have my weekend readying all planned out for me π Thanks for featuring my southwestern hummus - it's definitely all about those toppings! Have a wonderful weekend girl!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It looks amazing <3 I think that would make a fantastic weekend MEAL π
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
The blogging articles look very relevant for me to read right now so thanks for those! And I had no clue you could get Facebook group restricted, good to know.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes you did! Haha! This is the same thing that happened in January to me π
Izzy Bruning
Lovely update!
π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The weekly essential!