I don’t know why, but it feels like forever since I lasted posted. Which is weird because I posted on Friday. I didn’t even take a holiday blog break last week. Well, that just gives me more to ramble about as I sit here at 7am eating a delicious perfect mango 🙂 You know, where the skin isn’t to bitter so you can just bite in and eat the whole thing…so good! Really breakfast is the greatest meal of the day…the best! I have looked forward to eating something new every single morning this week. Gone are the days where I would just eat cereal every.single.morning and be scared to have anything else. Really, what was up with that?! But I also had an affair this morning…I am so sorry Quinoa Flakes, but I just found the next best thing…Stone-Ground Creamy Buckwheat Cereal! I am still working on finding the perfect cooking time for the microwave, but they still tasted so good! I used to hate “hot cereals” (I still hate that word) but now I am in love with them 🙂 Besides all these hot cereals, I have been making numerous new pancakes recipes and planning an oat bake! O breakfast…the most important and delicious meal of the day, your possibilities are endless.
Want to see something fun I forgot to blog about last week? Well our kitchen faucet started leaking the weekend before Christmas and then my dad came home and said when he went to look at it, it completely corroded off…
Ya. I have no idea. And this this was pretty new, only about 3ish years old. So I have been living with with the past week and it is not fun when you are always in the kitchen cooking and washing. We just use the faucet broken and have the water flow out like a waterfall from the still attached part. It sort of works, but water gets EVERYWHERE! I am soaked by the time I am done. Hopefully a new one will be put in soon…(ahem, dad!).
And when you have new fun appliances to clean and use it is a pain, but it would not delay me in breaking in my Ninja Ultima and new Spiralizer. So far I have made a smoothie (with tons of ice!), vegan meatballs and spiralized zucchini noodles (recipe later!), and…nut butter! Instead of spending like $12 on a jar of organic raw cashew butter I decided to make my own and I can tell you it tasted exactly the same…if not totally better and cheaper!
Raw Cashew Butter
Ingredients:
+ 3 Cups Raw Unsalted Cashews
+ 1 TB Water
Directions:
+ Pour the cashews into a high-power blender and blend! This takes patience but keep blending at 20 second intervals, scrap the sides and repeat. I also transferred the whole mixture to a small bowl, worked it with my hands, then added it bake in. Once you have done this a few times and the mixture begins to become more soft and doughy, add the water. Blend again and then transfer to a bowl and really knead it with your hands. Add it to the blender one last time and it should be done. The butter won’t be drippy (unless you had oil), but I like think nut butters and cashew butter is better this way! It is sweet and creamy delicious.
+ Place in a jar and refrigerate! This made about 15 or 16oz.
So now the main part of my post! 2014 is just around the corner (2 days!) and I know we all are being bombarded with resolutions and how to make the next years great. Well I am not a resolution or goal maker by any means, but I do think it is important to write down some direction you want to go in in the new year. Not resolutions, but “purposes”. Purposes to guide you toward happiness and love. Something to help you get through the unmotivated patches we all come across. So I made a list of some of things I would like to help give me a guiding purpose over the next year. Things that will keep me going and motivation to not give up when the going gets tough (which I know it will).
+ Get into my #1 school and attend in the Fall!
I just have two more applications to send out and then I am done…then the waiting game begins. I wish it didn’t take so long, I just want to know so I can start the dreaded deciding process! But it all comes down to money as well and just applying is putting a massive strain on us.
+ Get my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification (for Vinyasa/Power Yoga) through Yoga Alliance.
I had contacted a studio near me a few weeks ago but never got an email back. Then I called, but had to leave a message and forgot to leave my number…fail. I will have to try again, but this is on the top of my 2014 motivation list for sure!
+ Run a 5k.
Sounds simple, yet I have still not started running at all. I kept saying it all summer, but it never happened. Maybe it is because I just really don’t like it? But I can’t say that considering I have not run in over like 7 years. But I want to give it a try and if I enjoy it I want to run a 5k!
+ Continue to break down any lasting “food/eating fears”.
I have been doing so well with this and want to keep it up! I can not tell you how much fun eating, cooking, and shopping for food has been over the last few months. I have totally revitalized my love and passion. For so long I had missed out on so many amazing things and I do not want that any longer. There is so much to try and experience!
+ Continue buying at least 1 new thing at the grocery every week.
This goes along with the food thing above. I started doing this a few weeks ago and maybe you have noticed. But things like quinoa flakes, buckwheat cereal, all purpose flour, various snacks, nuts, nut butters, and even sardines would never have been in my diet as of a year ago. (Like, I actually finished an entire bag of all-purpose flour by myself!…I blame pancakes!). So by adding and trying all these new foods, whether they be produce, grains, snacks, proteins, whatever they have all furthers my recipe creation and forced me to start eating amazing things like i.e. pancakes and “pizza” again. Plus it has helped this here blog because I am able to make new recipes all the time. So to go along with this “guiding purpose” I want to continue creating at least one new recipe every week as well. It keeps things exciting and keeps me from falling into a horrible depriving food routine. (I want to write more about all this food fear stuff soon, because I have so much to say, so stay tuned!).
+ Take a Crossfit class!
First I need to find a box (which are seriously lacking in my area. Like really, my area sucks for all things food, fitness, and healthy living. No TJs, no Crossfit, maybe 2 yoga studios…ugh!). I think it would be so fun to finally experience the hype and see exactly what Crossfit is all about so I can finally decide if I am for it or it is not for me.
+ Keep track of my max weights at the gym.
I belong to a YMCA, but I only go for Group Power and occasionally spin. I used to use the gym, but then I got all the equipment I need at home and love strength training at home so much better. however at home I am unable to do max weighted reps and I would love to find out if I am becoming stronger and just how much my body can handle.
+ Get my gut health fully under control.
This is another thing I want to dedicate a whole post to, but for now I can say I have been able to cut back on my daily prescription reflux medication, I have started taking two new natural supplements, but I as still nowhere near perfect. However I have also been eating all the foods you shouldn’t when you have severe reflux, but I have been doing mostly okay with it so I think that is a good sign!
+ Switch this here blog of to self-hosting!
This is going to be a lot of work I know with maintenance and the whole switching process, but I want this little blog to grow and that is what I fully intend to happen!
+ Get my Trich back under control and kick it to the curb!
So I relapsed as you all know. 179 true days of being trich free came to an end a few weeks ago. But since Friday I have not pulled out any eyebrows or eyelashes. I hate how I look right now and I can’t even wear eye liner on the bottom lid because it just slips right off. Plus I have to color in the eyebrows again (not as bad as before though). It sucks, but I know with this disease relapse is extremely high. but I know I can get it under control again just like I did during the summer. And I am on my way right now! 🙂
+ Attend a blogger conference!
I am going to sign up for one and I am hoping to go to Blend 2014! I would love to meet some of you amazing and inspiring individuals for real! There is so much we can learn from each other and I think it would just help this blog grow and make new blends 🙂 See you there 😉
+ Graduate!
Well this is a no-brainer, but I still have to get through about 5 1/2 more months of high school…ugh! When I wake-up on June 13th, I am going to be the happiest person alive I am telling you!
I am probably forgetting something, but these are my guiding purposes for now. So for this Power Monday I challenge you to not make goals, but purposes to guide you and motivate you through 2014! Let’s make it a wonderful year together with strength, love, kindness, and care 🙂 O, and lots of sunshine!
So tell me:
What will your guiding purposes be?
Have you ever made your own nut butter? I totally brutalized my hands with the blender (4 big deep cuts…my hands hurt). But I guess that’s what happens when you work with a blender for the whole day! it was worth it though 😉
*Shared on Ricki Heller’s Wellness Weekend*
Kierston
I’ve always wanted to try making my own nut butter. So simple! wow.
strengthandsunshine
It is! It took some patience but it came out so yummy 😉
fruitaliniyogi
By the way I thought I might share this other blog with you where I write about yoga and try to support new and upcoming yoga teachers in the lifestyle aspects of yoga and soon on teaching as a career itself(that series will start in february). http://fruitaliniyogi.wordpress.com
strengthandsunshine
Thanks! I will check it out now 🙂
fruitaliniyogi
Wow you’re in high school! I can’t imagine being in school AND making my own cashew butter. I think my extra-curricular activities included only things I had to do and journaling while listening to music. I’m so inspired. Was it actually cheaper to make your own cashew butter though? Good luck with all your goals. I love spiralizing! I didn’t make any 2014 goals right out, I have a 10 year plan I’m working on that I started last year. Don’t really care when it all happens as long as I get a significant portion completely regularly. Good luck on the reflux too, I’ve been able to heal completely from it. One of the things I’d love to do this year though is to get my 500 level yoga certification (kundalini yoga). I just watched a movie called Yoga Is last night that I’d recommend. It’s just nice.
Nice to meet you (found you on Sitssharefest).
strengthandsunshine
It is soooo much cheaper! I got over a pound of raw cashew for about $7. When a pre-made jar of raw cashew butter is $11-12…I am pretty sure I made the frugal choice and it tastes even better! That is good that you have a rough plan! Any type of guide is always good, just some sort of direction. And I will have to check out that movie 😉 Good luck on you 500 hours! That is awesome 🙂
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves
I used to make peanut butter at home all the time! But now I just buy TJs pb, because it costs about the same as buying the peanuts anyway. I’ve made cashew butter before too, and it’s delicious!
These look like some awesome goals for 2014! I’ve been thinking of a lot of the same guiding purposes actually— a Crossfit class, switching to self-hosted, going heavier with weights, and attending a blogger conference— but there are some things that I just want to see pan out before I jump into those things particularly. I DO want to graduate and go to a great college though!
I also hope to go through this year with a greater awareness of the little things. I’m often trying to rush through everything and get to a destination ASAP, but I want to take time to appreciate each moment and opportunity God gives me.
strengthandsunshine
I totally agree with the brushing through everything! I need to learn to appreciate life and all its moments. I need to breathe and slow down…calm down!
Heather @ The Soulful Spoon
I’m SO proud of you!!:) Funny thing- I want to be a yoga teacher too! I’ve decided to do the same thing and talked to a studio near me a couple months ago:) I’d love to move somewhere bigger and teach yoga, so this is a must-do for me too:)
PS- I think that is AWESOME about you trying new foods. Isn’t it fun? It can be scary, but I tell myself- baby steps, baby steps, baby steps. That takes down my fear walls, as I call them, and allows me to take small steps when I can. I feel like as long as I don’t go backwards, taking small steps, or enjoying where I’m at is a good thing:) Oatmeal was a huge step for me this year, and believe it or not, I’m in love!
I have never told anyone else this, but since you’re so open about it, why not? I used to pull my hair on my head out when I was a little girl. When I stopped doing it at age 13, I realized it was an actual health issue. I think your honesty about Trich is a great thing. Plus, did you know it’s tied to people with disordered eating? I realize now it was a sign for me. Always a need to find control and a release somehow. That’s what it was for me, just like my disorder.
Thanks for being such a great, honest blogger!:) We need more out there like you!:) HAPPY 2014!!!!! Can’t wait to see what awesome things you do this year<3
strengthandsunshine
You are the absolute sweetest Heather!
Yoga have become so special for me and I want to be able to share it with EVERYONE! I can never say enough good things about it.
Changing up my breakfast foods basically every day now was a huge step for me! I am eating so many awesome things and have a huge back up of recipes I need to share on the blog!
Trich is definitely linked to disordered eating and OCD which I have of both. It is a way of release and just feels so good once I start it is so so so difficult to stop, but I know I can so I just have to keep working at it.
Thank you for being you Heather, you are a beautiful blogger and I can’t wait to see what YOU have to say this year 😉 <3
GiGi Eats Celebrities
OMG YOUR FAUCET IS UNREAL!!! What on earth!! That’s creepy. And the fact that you were drinking water out of that creeps me out too!
Blogger conferences and meet ups ROCK! I am obsessed with them and plan on trying to go to LOTS this year!!! 😀 So far, I think I am going to two for sure! YAY! I have to look into BLEND. I really want to go to BlogHer!
strengthandsunshine
O we don’t drink our water haha! Bottled water for us! (Killing the environment even though we have a well!)
BlogHer sounds awesome too, but I can only maybe get enough money for one so I have to choose wisely 😉
kristenk
I love those goals! I think they are all doable for sure! And I may need to try that nut butter recipe because buying it at the store is soooo expensive!
strengthandsunshine
Thanks Kristen! Yes, I know, nut butter can be crazy expensive, especially when it is raw and organic. But now that I know how easy it is (and I have a blender that will work with nuts) I can cut down on costs, yay!
Kaitlin
I think attending a blogger conference would be SO much fun! I’ll have to keep those on the lookout 🙂 Great goals!
strengthandsunshine
Thanks Kaitlin! Yea, it would be so cool to finally meet everyone, haha! We read about each others lives every day but most of us have never gotten the chance to really meet!