Friday Faves!!

Because I missed my Tuesday link-up post, I figured there’s no better time than the present.

I’m enjoying Taylor Swifts new song and apparently these guys are too.

Did you download IOS8 yet? So far i’m enjoying some of the changes (minus the draining battery). There seems to be lots of new features that may not be so obvious!

If you feel like baking this weekend, make this bread. I did and it was delicious.

This is going to be my next baking adventure.

*Updated to add: it’s delicious.

Influenster recently sent me the Venus Embrace Sensitive Razor* to try and review. If you’re like me and cut yourself every time you shave, this is the razor for you. Honestly, my legs have never felt so smooth. The handle is light and the size of the razor really allows you to hit all the curves of your legs. The only negative thing I could say about it is that it takes a little more than a quick shove under the shower head to clean the blade between strokes but the quality of the razor more than makes up for it. Also, the little hook that comes with the razor works better than any other one I’ve had. I don’t know what it is, but usually I get back to my shower to find the blade and handle separated on the ground because it fell. Not anymore.

Have a great weekend!

*This razor was sent to me free of charge by Influenster in order for me to provide an honest review. All opinions regarding this product are my own.

Happy Valentines Day! I hope your Valentines Day was lovely and filled with chocolate.

If you were missing childhood Valentines cards or the 90’s today, this post from Buzzfeed has you covered. Both merged together in hilarious harmony.

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I’m mildly obsessed with the song “Let it Go” from Frozen. It started out just another song to add to my collection of Idina Menzel’s songs (…in my top 3 favorite singers…) but it’s insanely  catchy and I actually really like it. If you haven’t seen the movie, GO. It’s cute. I will watch it again. While Idina’s voice makes the song, all of the covers on YouTube are actually really great. Like this one (found via College Prepster) and this one.

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Have you been watching the Olympics? I pretty much only watch the ice skating portion. I was in love with the pairs this year! Such talent! While watching, I couldn’t help but think about whether each pair dates each other or whether they just have ice chemistry. Luckily, Shape was wondering the same thing.

I’ve been baking and experimenting with a lot of different breads but none of them have turned out right unfortunately. Instead of coming up with my own new recipe tomorrow, I might just have to make this Peanut Butter Banana and Honey Bread. I can’t think of any bread combo that sounds more delicious.

 

 

Have a nice night!

 

Friday Finds and Faves

Buzzfeed kills me. I can’t even go on everyday because I spend too much time sifting through hilarious articles. I saw this “What Emoji Are You” quiz posted on The College Prepster and just had to take it. I got the sarcastic side eye which is pretty spot on.

I found a new food blog yesterday called Foodie Crush where I spent a good 20 minutes gawking over her beautiful photos and recipes. Such as this pink spicy chocolate bark. Yum.

Apparently the conditions in Sochi aren’t as similar to those American journalists are used to. Check out #SochiProblems on Twitter or see some of the tweets in this article. At least they get to watch the Olympics, right?

I missed the John Stamos/Full House men reunion during the Super Bowl last week so I had to watch the commercial the other day. HILARIOUS. Definitely one of my favorites.

I’m making this DIY face mask tonight.

What are you up to this weekend?

The Biggest Loser Controversy

 

I don’t watch The Biggest Loser. I think it’s my own experience that pushes me away from the uncomfortable feelings that all the people on the show have. I understand the pain while running on the treadmill and the heart racing that occurs when you step on a scale in front of other people. I get that at that moment the biggest concern is losing the weight and nothing, nothing, seems too be “too much.”

Despite my avoidance of the TV show, I stumbled upon all the controversy surrounding this seasons winner Rachel Frederickson and her new 105 pound body. In the last few days I have seen countless articles and Tweets surrounding her weight loss. She’s too thin, she lost too much weight, what did they make her do? Her BMI lists her as underweight, etc.

The only thing I haven’t seen is “how has this affected her health?”

Weight is a measurement. Unlike most other ways of quantification, the number on the scale often dictates how people live their lives. The number becomes the sole focus in a plethora of so many things that are more important.

People forget that muscle is denser than fat, that women retain water at different times during the month, that BMI is often not an indicator of how much you exercise or how many vegetables you put in your mouth.

While I would agree that Frederickson might be a little small for her height, I am way less concerned about that finishing number–I’m concerned for her health.

Going from 260 pounds to 105 in the season of The Biggest Loser is unhealthy. It’s a radical change: it’s great she was able to accomplish such a big feat but the body is not meant to undergo that type of stress.

The people on that show exercise for 4 hours a day according to an article from Time Magazine in 2009. Jillian Michaels even says “Not only is it not possible, it’s not safe” when the journalist says it’s not realistic for normal people to do that.

I don’t know what the people on the show eat but I’m positive they do not eat enough to sustain all that exercise in order to lose so much weight so fast.

The point is The Biggest Loser may help people shed weight but it ultimately takes unhealthy people (or maybe not even…maybe just overweight) and subjects them to an unhealthy environment where they learn tricks of the trade that are impossible to incorporate into real life.

I wish Frederickson the best with her new body and hope that she can continue to feel happy with herself but I fear for her health, as well as her teammates, as they venture back into a world away from the Biggest Loser ranch and attempt to live.

Where I’m At

Lindsay posted this article “Highly Educated, Highly Indebted […]” from The Atlantic in her Bean Bytes today.

If you have a moment, I suggest checking it out.

For those that don’t have a moment, the article is a series of graphs that show the living situations of 27 year olds. They include loans, how many have degrees, whether they live at home, etc. All the important stuff that plagues younger people today.

Seeing this today made me feel it was the perfect time to unveil some news to you-I have officially taken a leave from graduate school for the time being.

I spent my first semester miserable. I wasn’t enjoying anything about school from the location to the people to the things I was studying. I continually told myself that if I could get through that semester, I would be set for the rest of the program. Through my winter break, I felt anxious about the upcoming semester. I didn’t want to go back, but I knew I should. The day before classes began, I looked at refund policies out of desperation and spent the next hour making the toughest decision I’ve made thus far.

After sending the appropriate e-mails and filling out the paperwork, I felt relieved. For the first time since the summer, I had no anxiety. It literally melted away. I was calm, collected and instantly happy. Obviously, my choice was the right one.

Right now, I’m enjoying what time I have left where I have nothing to do. I’ve been applying to all sorts of jobs in different places hoping to find something.

Hopefully my little hiatus will give me some more kitchen creativity 🙂

I’m also going to use it as an opportunity to spend a little more time here, working on this space.

I’m highly considering posting my workouts (even though I’m not a trainer–they’ve worked for me) and some more fitness posts, as well as more about health in general and lifestyle things–basically, a little more than food.

I’m excited to see where life takes me right now–for the first time in my life I literally have nothing to do. It’s a little refreshing, exciting, and scary but everything happens for a reason and this is just one stop in my road.

Thanks for standing by me!

What would you be interested in seeing on this blog?

 

If You Met Me Today…

When Myspace was a thing, I was always into posting surveys about myself. My favorites were the A-Z list of random facts. 

I see people do “10 Things About Me” or “Random Facts” posts all the time which got me thinking about something I never really thought about. 

As we get older, the things people know about us gets to be less and less. Think about it. When you talk to someone, you connect on or tell them what you’re doing now. All the important things of before get left behind.

So, I’m starting a new thought process meme: If You Met Me Today, You’d Never Know–Five things about yourself that people in your past might know, but no one you met today would. 

If you met me today, you’d never know, 

1. I play(ed) the violin.
2. I have a degree in journalism (and did a minor in music). 
3. Half of my schooling was spent at art schools.
4. I used to be overweight.
5. I’m in a sorority. 

 

Your turn! 

Sharing Saturday

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I’m loving being home with my family and enjoying leftovers. I haven’t had pie for breakfast yet but it’s due to happen soon.

Some Thing’s I’m Loving:

These brownies . No words. They need to happen in my kitchen.

J.Crew is has 30% off. I might have to justify buying myself a present.

I made this bread last week and I’m dying to try it again. So easy and so good.

I recently found Tiny Buddah and I’m loving having it in my blog feed. A little inspiration every day.

How do you make friends in real life?

Have a good rest of your holiday weekend!

Happy Halloween!

Tuesday Thoughts and Things

I had a midterm today so my writing capabilities are gone with my brain for the day. 

I like to give myself five ten minute breaks every half hour  twenty minutes or so when I’m studying to keep my mind fresh, my eyes clear and my focus time distraction free. In all honesty, I don’t have to take a break every twenty minutes but I do take them fairly often, even to just stand up and walk around for a second.

During these breaks, I found a few good things this week to share:

All of a sudden, I’m loving candy corn. I used to HATE these little candies. They were always gross to me. One day a few weeks ago I had a piece and decided I like them. I now have a bowl on my table which was a bad idea. Apparently I’m not the only one that hated this Halloween staple though.

This article from Buzzfeed is me. I’m not even sorry about it.

I love when people do funny stuff with babies and these dad/baby daughter selfies are no exception.

and when babies do cute things, like this one who has the most emotional reaction when her mom sings to her. Precious.

How to take good food photos on Instagram

 

Have a good night!

Thanks AMRAP Nutrition and Taylor

I know I already posted today but this is well deserved.

A few weeks ago, I won a giveaway of AMRAP bars on one of my favorite paleo sites, Taylor Made it Paleo.

I had never heard of AMRAP bars before entering, but their refuel bars are made up of only good ingredients, have a ton of protein and seem like the perfect snack or meal for after a workout or when you just need something quick.

Of course, I had to pull one out of the box right away and try it.

Usually, if I’m going to eat any kind of bar it better be something with a flavor or chocolate. Usually both. As in “Chocolate Cream Pie” or “S’mores” or “Double Chocolate Chip”.

I was very pleasantly surprised when I bit into this bar that does not have chocolate /chocolate chips or any other little crunch or special flavor and enjoyed it. These things are good!

I will definitely be throwing one in my bag for school, my walk home from Crossfit and just times when I need something to eat.

Thank you AMRAP Nutrition and Taylor!

Want to get your own?

 

*I received these bars for free as a giveaway recipient on another site. Neither site asked me to write a review or talk about the product. I chose to because I liked what I received.*