Wow, it's Friday again already! This week flew by for me. Maybe because I only posted twice this week? I can tell you that did feel weird taking Tuesday off, but not in a bad way either. I'll be back to your regularly scheduled program next week. I know you're just dying for those 4 posts per week instead of 3 😛 I used to post 5 times a week. That seems like so much now. 4 is my happy place and since Friday is always the Finisher, it's really just 3 posts. And at least now I can post 2 recipes a week if I want and not have to worry about "running out", which was the biggest fear I had all during the school year. Now I have so much back-up in the recipe department...(I know I tell you this all the time, but it's real!) Now I'll have summer recipes still to post in the winter. Maybe I should cook flip-flop of the seasons. Winter in the summer and summer in the winter and then posting would be easier? Maybe? No. Winter produce isn't accessible right now! Haha!
The "Summer Slump" as they call it in the blogging world is real though. Which is a good thing. People are out and having fun, not glued to the screen. People are posting less, interacting less, which they should be! So soak up that sun, fun, and love! Breathe in the fresh summer air! Then when you're winding down for the night, come back here and read a few blogs. Maybe even scan this week's Friday Finisher? 😉
Monday: Dorm Organization For Food Allergies
Wednesday: Tuna Thai Red Curry
Blog Posts and Links I loved this week:
Life, Mind, Body, Spirit:
Can you follow the rules?
+ Stop Telling Me To Cherish Every Moment
This made me feel so much better!
+ A Four-Step Plan To Figuring Out What To Do With Your Life
This may actually be helpful!
I was always the second best.
+ A 3-Step Plan To Find Your Tribe
The key is surrender!
+ The Facebook Feed Of The Mind
This is the greatest, most true, analogy!
I'm a believe in less is more and minimalist living for sure!
This couldn't be more true!
Really. It's not sincere most of the time you use it.
+ Letting Go Of Past Wounds: The Missing Piece
You have the powder. Only you.
+ 6 Tips For Dealing With Your Internal Critic
These are great things to implement into you life!
Fitness:
+ 12 Simple Ways To Modify Your Yoga Practice
It's okay if you need to make some modifications to be safe!
+ 20-Minute Workout For Better Posture (Upper Back & Shoulders)
Love these moves! Great workout!
+ Stretching Versus Yoga: How Our Intention Guides Us
Another article reaffirming what I said.
+ 3 Steps To The Perfect Kettlebell Swing
I think this is the best written guide I've ever read on the swing!
+ Pride In Ability vs. Pride In Appearance: Why Sports & Fitness Matter
This is a great topic of discussion!
+ Disordered Eating And The Rise Of The Competitive Fitness Model
Very valid points raised for discussion!
Food:
+ Recipes To Get You Started On Making Vegan Cheese
Never buy the processed scary "shreds" and "blocks of sadness" 😉
First of all, Keurig coffee is disgusting anyway!
+ Healthy Food Blogger's 50 How-Tos You Can't Live Without
You may learn something new with these great 50 tips!
+ Top 9 Foods To Help Manage Inflammation Post-Workout
All my favorites!!! Never had Saviseeds though!
A very comprehensive guide! Bookmark it!
+ Daiya Introducing Greek-Style Dairy-Free Yogurt
I can't wait! Soy and gluten-free too! I hope they make an unsweetened variety available!
+ Guide To Growing Your Own Herbs + How To Dry Them
I can dry them, I just can't grow them!
Health:
+ Mental Health / How Modeling Helped My Trichotillomania
A fellow warrior!
+ Lessons Learned In Dietetics
These are all wonderful and very true!
+ Green Is The New Black: The Rise Of The Healthy-Eating Guru
The unregulated "gurus" or the "healthy living" world...
When you live life with your disease in the background, not the foreground.
If you haven't read/seen this (you must be under a social media rock), but it has many valid points!
+ The Media's Assault On The Gluten-Free Movement
But then you read this response and realize this is a much better response to the above.
+ 7 Reasons You're Exhausted All The Time
And they have nothing to do with diet!
Blogging, Social Media, Tech & Photography:
+ I'm Tired Of All The Noise On The Internet
Same. I am too!
+ This Is Why I Unfollowed You On Instagram (And Why You Shouldn't Care)
Exactly! Funny story about #5. Crazy Richards (the PB brand) photo bombs all the time! So I asked why they did so many photos (like 20) in the span of 5 minutes and they blocked me! Whoever does their social media needs to be fired! Haha! Wow! (I guess their PB makes up for it though...somewhat 😉 )
+ 6 Things I've Discovered About Blogging So Far...
#4 is so true it hurts!
+ How To Conquer Inspiration Overload
Sometimes we just have too many ideas!
+ The One Where I Teach You How To Annoy Your Facebook Friends In 9 Simple Steps
If you need a little chuckle 😉
+ There's Actually A Way To See Who Has Unfriended You On Facebook
Have you tried it? I haven't...yet.
+ What Is The Ideal Length Of Everything Online?
You may find this helpful, but I still think it depends on audience as well!
+ How To Add A Meta Tag To Your WordPress Blog
A must if you don't already!
+ Why I Unpublished 200+ Posts (And Why I Think You Should, Too)
I've read arguments for both sides. Not sure what I would do though...
+ 3 Keys For Handling Rejection Online
These are really great to keep in mind!
+ Social Media & Digital Advice From The Trenches
Great things to remember as you're growing your social media.
Other:
+ The 10 Essentials Of A Perfect Weekend Staycation
My whole summer is a staycation!
+ 10 Baby Animals Who Know How To Grocery Shop
Hahahahahaha! You WILL smile 😉
+ Here's 240 Years Of United States Army Uniforms In Two Minutes
So cool! Funny story. I HATE (can not stand) the Civil War Era hats they wore. I can't even handle it. Just ask anyone who knows me in real life. I cringe!
+ "F*ck That", A Guided Meditation For The Realities Of Today's World
I'm sure you've seen this one in your Facebook feed too 😉 Funny stuff!
Favorite Pins:
(Follow me on Pinterest – RebeccaGF666)
Sneaky Spicy Thai Chicken. More Thai obsession this week!
Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Kabobs + Cayenne Tahini Sauce. That sauce! Yes, please!
Cauliflower and Chocolate Lollies with Pistachio Dust. Just when you thought cauliflower couldn't get any cooler 😉
Blueberry Honey Glazed Salmon. Who wants purple salmon!? Me!
Vegan Chocolate Cherry Milkshakes. Okay...even I (Miss. Non-Smoothie-er) want this!
Soba Noodles with Stir-Fried Vegetables. A few tweaks and this will be perfect
Grilled Summer Vegetable Sandwiches with Pesto. Look at that veggie goodness <3 A lunch must!
A few things I loved about my week or am grateful for:
+ Twining's cold brew tea bags! I forgot how much I loved this stuff last summer and now I'm addicted again! Just steep the tea bag in cold water for 5 minutes, add some ice if you want, and bam! Perfect iced tea <3 I love the green tea mint and peach tea ones!
+ I finished a book, started another, and got an audio-book! If I like podcasts, why not play an audio-book and get further in my book list that way? Perfect solution! Even though I've always been against them. I need the satisfaction of actually saying I READ the book, I don't really care at this point! Haha!
So tell me:
+ Are you easing up on your technology time this summer?
+ Do you ever listen to audio-books?
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Melissa
Love your Friday finisher. Audio books are great for long car rides...I like to use them instead of having the kids watch shows.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! And it's just another great way to start chipping away at my HUGE to-read list!
Chelc | Inside the Fox Den
Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday, hope to see you again next week!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge)
Thanks for including my chocolate cherry smoothie! Wow- some great links here! Perfect for my just brewed cup of tea to settle into Monday afternoon with 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The smoothie looks incredible! And that sounds like a lovely idea 😉
Kimberly/TheLittlePlantation
Thanks for the great link suggestions
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sure!
Tess
I don't know which thing I like best. I wish I could let up during the summer but it's my living, so can't . lol
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Living is letting up!
Talent Hounds
Love your commentary! Stopping by from the Inpsire Me Monday hop, come say hi!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Cathy Kennedy
Summer time is usually a time for all bloggers to get off track a bit and that's ok. We need to make time to enjoy life beyond our computers. So, have fun! Now, you certainly have a whole lot of yum going on here. 😀 Have a tunetastic week!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks, you too!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen
Summer Slump is for REAL. Ugh. Even being new to blogging, I have to remind myself to STEP BACK. And live the real life 😉 But I love all the recipe links! I am working on meal prep Sunday so I can get to the grocery store and have some solid meals this week! 🙂 I'm thinking I need to try that creamy tahini dressing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's life telling us so STOP and BREATHE and LIVE!
Tahini should be in every meal prep/plan 😉 Haha!
Harriet Emily
This week has definitely flown by for me!! So glad I'm not the only one feeling the blogging slump (feeling better now that I know it's an actual thing!!! Hope you're having a great weekend Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's all good! I think we all need to just live this summer to the fullest and not worry about blogging (which is hard) but, for the best!
Farrah
Looking forward to checking out these links! :] I'm in the summer slump as well, but unfortunately not because I'm out enjoying life. (Yay for boards-studying...) On the plus side, it's been super rainy/thunderstorm-y every day anyway, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on much! 😛
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The summer slump isn't a bad thing and it doesn't mean your out of ideas, it means numbers are down and people are just online less! (It's not you!)
O well that's a plus and minus 😛
Linda @ Veganosity
Awesome links, Rebecca. I especially liked the gluten-free links. So true!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Linda!
Marly
Wow! What a great post of awesomeness from the week! Thanks so much for including my post too. I'm honored. :).
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Welcome!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
Aw, thanks for including me! And I so agree with you on how Keurig cups are gross. And that piece on unfollowing someone on Instagram- oh my gosh, 95% of the photos a high school friend of mine posts are selfies, and I just can't take it. It happens on an almost daily basis and... you know, she looks the same in all the photos, haha! I don't listen to audio books, but I do listen to lots of podcasts. A current favourite is Anything Ghost, which is a podcast compiling true ghost stories. I can't watch scary movies but I do love listening to people share their real life experiences! Have a fabulous weekend girl! xo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The Keurig my mom and brother use, at home...doesn't even fill a mug! It's like 6oz of coffee, maybe and it tastes so bad! Haha! I have my own real coffee brewing pot and beans!
I just can't stand instagram and how people act on it....so fake. I'll never say I "love" instagram as a social media platform...ever!
Listen to Jamie Ivey!! Seriously, I'm obsessed with her podcasts!
Jessica @ Moxie and Mischief
The summer slump is real! I am for sure easing up on technology time. I live in NJ, we have limited months where weather is appealing to me, so I try to take advantage of it as much as possible!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well I'm in NJ too 😉
Dietitian Jess
I'm deep into my summer slacking on blogging- but definitely took the time to browse through these awesome reads before shutting the screen down for the weekend! Have a good one!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The summer is a time to rejuvenate!!! No shame!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
I saw those twix bars too and freaked, they look so good! 5 times a week really is a lot. Can't believe I used to do 6! I think for higher quality posts the frequency just has to give at some point. Going to read those 50 tips first 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know!!! Really fabulous recipe! Those are the gems that just keep inspiring!
6! Holy Moly! no way!! I think when you blog more like "lifestyle" and aren't a content blogger (like me) it's easier to post everyday and even multiple times a day! Just a different form of blogging!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus
What a round up! This is the first I'm hearing of Daiya Greek Yogurt! EEK!! So excited!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know!!!! The wait is killing me now!
Catherine
Dear Rebecca, I always love Friday Finisher. Another group of great links and articles to peruse through this weekend.
This week certainly flew by quickly. I hope you are enjoying your summer dear. xo, Catherine
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much love!
I hope you summer has been going stellar as well! XOXO
Debbie
Ever since I won my Blendtec I've been saying I will make vegan cheese. Thanks for a little push.
I used to hate the idea of audiobooks, thinking I needed the real feel of a book. I joined Audible about 10 years ago and I never looked back. Love audiobooks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's always such a great satisfaction to make homemade!
Yea! I actually do think it's great for that fact that I can read a book and listen to a book. Since they're in two different mediums, the stories don't get jumbled in my head 😛
Annmarie
I think it's always weird when you get off schedule...I feel all out of sorts if I don't post 5 times a week but you're right, it's a bit much. I think once I get back from Blogfest and get all my already scheduled posts out of the way, I am going to readjust my schedule so that I can promote the quality content instead of just promoting quantity.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! Quality is a lot better than quantity, but if you're a "blogger" who posts like once a month.....that's no good either. That's not blogging, haha!
Annmarie
Hahaha, I totally agree! I think 3 or 4 times a week is the perfect amount! 🙂
Emily @ My Healthyish Life
Carly's link "It's Okay...But Only If" was my favorite post this week. Glad to see it here 🙂 I feel like I've been in a summer slump with blogging. I just want to spend my free time doing outdoor things! I've only listened to audio books when I'm in the car for a long trip. I loved Amy Poehler's "Yes, Please."
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I wish there was a summer ban on technology....everyone be forced to be out and about!
lindsay Cotter
um ---> THANK YOU THANK YOU For the vegan cheese link. I am working on that. I need to learn more. YAY! and YUM!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes!!! Girl, vegan cheese (homemade) is the way to go ALWAYS!