Category Archives: Every day life

Quick + Easy Meal Plan for One on a Budget (Vegan)

Every day life, Food, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , ,

If you didn’t already know, my sister Katie wrote a musical! I know, right?! *Badass alert* She recently found out that Full the Musical was accepted to The New York City International Fringe Festival this August. So, on top of her full time job she’s also running around like a mad woman doing all the million and one things that need to happen to get a production ready for the bright lights of the big city. (Including, but not limited to; rehearsing, costuming, hustling, and coordinating travel from FL->NYC.) I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

full the musical

She mentioned to me that in the midst of all that madness she felt it was still important to throw down on some food prepared in her own kitchen. And I totally agree. Healthy fuel and a happy wallet are key components to this season of her life. But the perfect meal plan needed to be easy and non-brain-draining. (As well as reserve a few meals for eating out. Ya gotta be realistic, people!)

I told Katie, “Leave it to me, sistah!” You see, I LOVE creating meal plans. It feels like putting together a really satisfying puzzle. In case you have a similarly hectic week coming up, I thought I’d share what I put together for her.

And if you don’t? Thank your lucky stars. Cook elaborate meals. Revel in your free time. And then dig in your pockets to help out this amazing show. (Please and thanks!) 

Shopping List –

Oats

2 containers of coconut (or any non-dairy) yogurt

Almond milk

Bananas

Fruit of choice that is on sale/in season

1 onion

1 potato

1 sweet potato

1 (14 oz) can of coconut milk

1 loaf of bakery bread (freeze whatever you won’t be using this week)

Earth Balance

Red lentils

Basmati rice

Garlic

Avocados

Peanut butter

Hummus

Pita Chips (and/or crunchy dipping veg like bell peppers or baby carrots)

Tofu

A couple of on sale/in season veggie choices for sauteeing (think: peppers, zucchini, etc)

1 frozen meal option (think: pizza, Indian food, gnocchi, etc)

1 dessert option (like Joe Joe’s from Trader Joe’s!!!)

(Note: I didn’t include spices or cooking oil on this list so check the recipes to make sure you have all items on hand.)

Meal Plan –

Monday

Breakfast –

Overnight oats (prepare 4 jars on Sunday night. In each jar goes ½ cup of oats, ½ cup of almond milk, and ½ of one yogurt container + whatever extras you want to add – cinnamon, cocoa powder, mashed banana, nuts. In the morning you can top with fruit and a spoonful of nut butter, if you like.)

Lunch –

Out.

Dinner –

Sweet Potato Curry Soup

(Saute chopped onions in a little cooking spray in a large pot over high heat. Add a pinch of salt. Once onions are translucent, add chopped potato, chopped sweet potato, 1 Tbsp curry powder, 1 cup water, and 1 can coconut milk. • Bring mixture to a boil, turn down heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes, until potatoes are tender. • Blend or mash mixture to desired consistency.)

Serve with a slice of toasted bakery bread with lots of Earth Balance!

Tuesday

Breakfast –

Overnight oats

Lunch –

Leftover sweet potato curry soup with another slice of bread and a serving of fruit.

vegan meal plan 2

Dinner –

Lentils and Rice

(Ingredients:

1 ½ cups red lentils, 7 cups water, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp cinnamon, 2 cups basmati rice , 1 tsp salt + avocado on top per serving

Recipe:

Add lentils, water, garlic and spices to a pot over medium high heat. Cook for 25 minutes, until lentils are soft. Add rice and salt. • Return to a boil, turn heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes. • Top with avocado!)

Wednesday

Breakfast –

Overnight oats

Lunch –

Leftover Lentils and Rice w/ a serving of fruit.

Dinner –

Out.

Thursday

Breakfast –

Overnight oats

vegan meal plan 1.0

Lunch –

Peanut butter and banana sandwich with pita chips and fruit.

Dinner –

Leftover Lentils and Rice

vegan meal plan 3

Friday

Breakfast –

Avocado toast

avotoast

Lunch –

Out.

Dinner –

Brekky for dinner: Tofu scramble, toast w/ nut butter, and fruit salad (your fruit selection for the week and banana…drizzle with honey if you like!)

Saturday

Breakfast –

Pancakes

(Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats, 1 ripe banana, 2/3 cup non-dairy milk, + peanut butter for topping

Recipe:

Blend together oats, banana and water. • Add batter to a skillet preheated to medium high heat. • Cook as you would normal pancakes, flipping when bubbles start to form on the side. • Top with peanut butter!)

Lunch –

Out.

Dinner –

Saute vegetables and tofu in a pan with soy sauce. Serve with rice and sriracha.

Sunday

Breakfast –

Pancakes

Lunch –

Leftover stir-fry.

Dinner –

Frozen meal.

SNACKS FOR THE WEEK:

Pita chips and crunchy veggie of choice with hummus.

DESSERTS FOR THE WEEK:

Dessert option and banana soft serve.

And there you have it! What do you think? Would this meal plan work for you? Do you have any tips + tricks for eating well when you’re balls deep in busy? Ya girl is all ears. 

P.S. No but for real, you should DONATE to Katie’s show. Those set pieces aren’t gonna haul THEMSELVES to The Fringe Festival. Thank you!

P.P.S. Love meal plans? Here’s another one that’s super budget friendly and here are 7 easy steps for beginner meal planners!

Review: Vitafive Vitamin Subscription

Every day life, , , , , , ,

review

Here’s the deal. I KNOW I feel better when I take vitamins. Remembering to take them consistently is something I always promise myself I’ll be better at. But the thing is, for YEARS, as hard as I tried I just couldn’t fall into the routine. Some brands gave me a stomach ache unless I swallowed them just the right time after eating a meal. I would miss the window once, twice, and then never pick them back up. Others I remembered to take for weeks…and then forgot to re-purchase once I hit the end of the bottle. I sorta resigned myself to this pattern.

But then I found out about vitafive. Holy smokes! Why didn’t someone think of this sooner? As you may know, I’m all about eliminating decision fatigue and automating aspects of life to use that brain space for more important things. I’ve found ways to do this with my money, my clothes, even my snacks! Why not my vitamins, too?

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So, here’s how this genius system works! For about $1 per day vitafive will ship you a 4 week supply of gummy vitamin packs. You can either choose from one of their pre-formulated packs or create your own custom pack. I opted for the Essentials Pack which includes a multivitamin, Vitamin D3, and Omega 3. Other pre-formulated options include:

Beauty Pack – Biotin, Vitamin C, Omega 3

Active Pack – Vitamin D3, Calcium, CoQ10

Brain Pack – Omega 3, Vitamin D3

Heart Pack – Vitamin C, Omega 3, CoQ10

Sleep Pack – Multivitamin, Melatonin, Vitamin D3

Immune Pack – Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Omega 3

(There are also packs for kids!)

health without hassle

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I love the convenience factor! Your daily vitamins are pre-packaged together for each day of the week so they’re all in one place and ready to go. This is absolutely perfect for tucking in your purse as you head out the door or packing in your lunchbox along with your food. And signing up for the subscription service means you don’t have to think about re-purchasing a bunch of different bottles at different times as you run out. You’ll simply receive a package with your next month’s supply!

yum

vitafive beach

And look how cute these little gum drop vitamins are! There’s something to be said about the convenience of a gummy, too. I’m not embarrassed to say that, even as an adult, swallowing pills isn’t all that fun. If there’s a way around it I’m all about it. It certainly helps that this particular option tastes delicious. So, they’re fun to take post-meal or as a little mid-morning “snack”. They’re also all gluten free and vegetarian (some are vegan, too!).

I definitely wouldn’t want to swallow a huge horse pill on the beach. A delicious dose of gummy vitamins? Yes, please!

I would recommend vitafive to ANYONE looking to live a little healthier, searching for consistency when it comes to taking vitamins, or seeking an easy and fun vitamin option!

And great news! Vitafive is offering Finding Delight readers 30% off their first box with the coupon code beth30 (all lowercase). Just enter in this code at check out. No commitment necessary. You can cancel any time. So check it out! And let me know if you do. I’d love to hear if you like these little brain space savers as much as I do!!!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

My Top 10 Skin Care Staples

Every day life, , , , ,

skincare1

Today I thought I’d give you a peek at the products that have currently taken up residence on the side of sink. While my skin care routine is fairly minimal, I’ve found a groove that works for me. And I’ve come a long ways since my college days when I would regularly dive into bed after a debate tournament with a face full of makeup and wake up the next morning armed with a bar of hotel soap and a rough washcloth. My skin thanks me for each small step I’ve taken away from that nightmare, trust me. So, here’s a look at the goo and gloop that I slather on my epidermis, why I love it, and when I use it…

skincare cerave

1. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser I switched to this cleanser about 6 months ago and I think it would take something extra special for me to fall out of love with it. I use it to wash my face morning and night. It is so gentle, doesn’t dry out the skin, and leaves my face feeling super clean.

 

 

 

skincare alba scrub

2. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Facial Scrub I mentioned this scrub in a monthly favorites and for good reason. Alba Botanica is one of my favorite skin care brands and this scrub doesn’t disappoint! It contains gentle buffing granules to refine pores and leave skin feeling all a-glow. I feel like a lot of folks get a little addicted to scrubs. They just make your skin feel so soft as soon as you step away from the sink. But over-using can cause your skin to produce excess oils, having the adverse effect that you intended. So I only use this guy once a week.

skincare mask

 

3. Dead Sea Minerals Anti-Stress Clay Facial Mask Similar to scrubs, I like to do a mask about once a week. I don’t actually recommend the mask pictured here (I’m just too stubborn to let a product that’s just okay go to waste). I bought it when I popped into CVS for a treat yo’self one-use mask. This full-size version was only two dollars more than the mini so I figured, “What the hey?” In reality, not my favorite. (And now I know…masks = worth investing in. Don’t waste your money on the cheapy-cheaps!) I would recommend this one or this one instead. But the point is, indulging in a face mask once in a while is awesome and my skin loves it!

skincare wipes4. Up & Up Sensitive Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes Sometimes I get a little lazy and need to swipe off some mascara with out turning on a tap, ya feel me? Because I take my laziness very seriously, I’ve tried a whole bunch of these genius little wipes. And these are hands down my favorite. Check ’em out if you suffer from occasional bouts of laziness as well.

 

 

skincare vichy

 

5. Vichy Lifactive Supreme As I mentioned in this post, this stuff is kind of amazing. I dab a bit of this cream on fine lines day or night as needed.  It soaks right into the skin, without feeling wet or tacky, and has instant results. It smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while brightening and firming the skin. I don’t have a whole lot of experience with anti-aging products, but I’d totally recommend this one!

skincare cetaphil

 

6. Cetaphil Mouisturizing Cream Since moving to South Florida, dry skin hasn’t been so much of a concern. (No winters!) But keeping a good drug-store moisturizer on deck for those days when my skin has endured a long day of sun and salt-water is generally a good idea. I used to swear by the drug-store dupes for Aveeno, but since receiving Cetaphil in an Influenster box, I’m a convert. I just pick up a sample size at Target so it can easily travel with me to colder climates.

skincare toner7. Alaffia Coconut Water Face Toner In lieu of a cream, like the one above, for everyday moisture, I love this coconut water face toner. It feels so nice to just mist it on, especially in this heat, and it smells good too! Bonus: It’s made from certified Fair Trade ingredients. Woohoo!

 

 

 

skincare body oil

8. Wellness of Eden Lavender Body Oil For moisturizing my body, I love using oils because they soak right into the skin. To me, lotions tend to feel like they’re hovering on top of the skin and can feel greasy. I specifically like to use lavender because I shower at night, and nothing will transport you to sleepytime like a little post-shower lavender aromatherapy.

 

skincare sunscreen

 

 

9. Alba Botanica Very Emollient Sunscreen SPF 30 More Alba Botanica! I’m a half German, half Irish girl living in a very tropical world. Daily sunscreen is a must. While I tend to use a more sport-oriented sunscreen when we go to the beach or pool, I use this one on my face and shoulders for day-to-day adventures out into the great outdoors…like walking through my parking lot to get to the car.

skincare tinted moisturizer10. Organic Wear Tinted Moisturizer For a touch of color correction and concealing this little tube has been my go-to the last few months. It has a very light formula that’s great for sensitive skin while still providing enough coverage to even out skin tone. I’ll definitely repeat purchase this brand!

 

 

 

my top 10 skin care staples

What skin care staples do YOU swear by? Have you tried any of the products listed above? Any you’d like to add to your repertoire? 

My Top 4 Healthy Lifestyle Intentions

Every day life, How to's, , , , ,

my top 4

This post was inspired by BetterHelp.com which provides online therapy with licensed therapists.

I for one don’t feel like I need a new year to set new intentions, goals, or dreams. In fact, I kinda think summer is a great time re-commit to healthy living. The weather is warm and ready for outdoor exercise. The fruits and vegetables are fresh and plentiful. The daylight hours stretch for maximum productivity. The world feels full of possibilities…. making changes to your life feel possible.

With that in mind, I thought I’d share my top 4 intentions for healthy living, as well as how I’ve been applying these intentions in my every day life. If summer has you itching to set some new Healthy Lifestyle Intentions, then this post is FOR YOU! 

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1. Make time for dedicated outdoor play every day.  I’m not talking about those moments of fresh air between house and car, car and work. I’m talking a dedicated half hour to soak up some Vitamin D. No need to reinvent the wheel. Just go for a walk or plant things in the dirt. Kick around a soccer ball or splash in the pool. If it’s raining, grab an umbrella and go for a stroll anyways. Or do some yoga under an awning. If it’s snowing, throw on your coat and boots and go for it. Just get outside!

My current favorite way of doubling down on this intention is taking all my phone calls outside. Phone rings…I head outside. But for my dedicated 30 minutes of play time, I’m a long-time lover of a casual walk or a quick dip in the pool. My living situation/climate makes both options super easy (year round!) and for that I am thankful. 

Pictured above: A trail through Biscayne Bay National Park, the perfect place for an afternoon stroll. 

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2. Keep healthy hacks on hand for the unhealthy foods you most often crave. I for one think that, if you love burgers/ice cream/pizza/burrito bowls/brownies, you can have your cake and eat it too. Just be honest with yourself about the things you love and LEAN IN. Prepare for those inevitable days when you’re feeling a Papa John’s delivery by always keeping a crust and some topping options in your kitchen. In doing so, you’ve just made it RUHL easy for yourself to get a pizza in the oven and in your belly. No phone dialing necessary. Once you’ve figured out the craving hacks that work for you, give the necessary ingredients a permanent place of honor on your weekly food shop list.

Lately, I’ve been loving banana soft serve as a replacement for my frequent need for fro-yo. I portion and freeze bananas so that I can pop them right into my food processor (usually with a scoop of frozen blueberries or some peanut butter) and have a delicious evening dessert in seconds. 

Pictured above: My “fried” pickles, a hack for my very favorite restaurant appetizer. 

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3. Take consistent breaks throughout your work day. Your work is a marathon not a sprint. There will always be another project, another email to answer, another meeting, another goal to cast your eyes upon. As this is the case, what’s the use in pounding the pavement so hard on one task that you’re too exhausted to give your all to the next? Give your brain space to breathe. Get your legs out from the confines of the underside of your desk and STRETCH. It may seem counter-intuitive at first but your productivity levels will thank you.

My approach to this intention is ever changing and has evolved and shifted along with my professional life. Currently, it centers around choosing priorities for the day and working to complete those top priorities first. This allows for larger breaks later in the day (a perk of working from home!). I also try to break those priorities down into 45 min – 1 hour long tasks and break for 10 – 15 minutes in between each task. 

Pictured above: Cool drinks on my balcony, a great place for a break when you work from home. 

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4. Schedule outings with friends and partners that are fun-focused, not food-focused. Yes, grabbing brunch is a great way to spend some quality time with your bestie. Dinner and drinks is a classic recipe for a great date with your boo. But they aren’t the only options. They’re the easy, no thought needed options. Why not plan a trip to the art museum with your gal pals or a bookstore adventure with your boyfriend? I’m not saying you should eliminate food-focused outings all together, just that switching it up can go a long way in getting you out of an eating-out holding pattern. Oh, and huge bonus points if you can plan something active and/or outdoors! Summer is the perfect time to make this switch.

Since moving to Miami, Chet and I instituted #AdventureSaturday. We check out new-to-us parks, head to the ocean, or just stroll around some shops. It’s a great way to spend time together and, because we are having experiences instead of meals, we make lasting memories.  

Pictured above: Playing a video game at the arcade, one of our favorite outings. 

Have you set any new intentions lately? What were they? Do you have any tips for tackling the ones listed above? Share below! xoxo

Planner Tip: Prioritize Your Passions

Every day life, How to's, , , , , , ,

planner

I’m totally obsessed with my Target Dollar Spot planner. While I keep a daily To-Do list, planning in this adorable binder has become more of a hobby (I can decorate it with washi and stickers! Weeee!) and a way to plan out my personal, less work-focused time. I plan on doing a more in-depth post about this planner in the future, but today I thought I’d share a little tip I’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of! Here goes…

So, here’s the deal! If left to my own devices, I can waste a LOT of time on my computer. I love to read blogs, watch YouTube videos, and scroll endlessly through Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. When a pocket of free-time opens up I can have the best of intentions and then find myself, 2 hours later, still sitting with my laptop open. This habit is especially frustrating if you sit at a computer all day for work!

Recently, I did a little soul searching about ways I could encourage myself to turn off the screen and prioritize my passions instead. I came up with three areas of focus…

  • I’m passionate about exercising my mind through books.
  • I’m passionate about exercising my body through yoga.
  • I’m passionate about exercising my creativity through paper crafts.

Next, I took a look at my typical day. When was I getting unnecessarily sucked into the internet? When would it be easy to indulge in a little self-care instead? For me, it was occurring between dinner and later in the evening when Chet and I spend time together (usually watching TV, unwinding, etc).

So I started scheduling my “me-time” activities in my planner! I write in “Read” or “Yoga” or some sort of craft or planner spread….

planner inside

It may sound simple…but it works for me! Instead of staring at a screen into the night (when I’ve already stared at it for so long during the day), I pick up a book or make a pocket letter. I roll out my mat or I decorate my planner. Sometimes I might throw in a long walk with a podcast or a class of some sort.

Do I HAVE to stick to the schedule? Absolutely not. But I’ve found that, when mapping out my week to come, if I give my “future self” a little nudge in the right direction I’m less likely to take the easy way out. (You also may recall that I’m all about eliminating decision fatigue! Why not make the decision about how to spend your “me-time” ONCE A WEEK instead of every single day.)

Wanna implement this TIP? Here are some easy steps: 

  1. Reflect on your daily life and identify a common “time suck” activity that you’d like to eliminate.
  2. Brainstorm 2-4 passions or areas of your life you’d like to grow. Really dig deep about what makes you happy. Do you wish you spent more time outdoors? Maybe you would benefit from a weekly bike ride. Are you looking to grow your writing? Perhaps you need to set aside time for daily journaling.
  3. Next, figure out where your “me time” best fits into your schedule. This could be different each day or the same time throughout the week. I’ve found the best way to identify when you have the time is to look to Step #1. Is there a pocket of time when you typically sit staring at your phone for 30 minutes straight double tapping random IG pics? Or do you find yourself waking up early just to end up channel surfing for an hour?
  4. When you do your weekly planning, PRIORITIZE YOUR PASSIONS! Plan for those moments of free-time with a little ME-TIME!

What do you think? Do you keep a planner? Would you consider scheduling specific activities for your free-time? Or do you prefer a more free flowing approach? I’d love to know your thoughts! xoxo 

Santa Monica

Review: Sprout VoxBox

Every day life, , , , , , , ,

sprout voxbox

Every once in a while the mail-box gods shine upon me and I find myself tearing into a new treat from Influenster. The Sprout VoxBox showed up on my doorstep a few days ago and I was so excited to see what was inside. Look at all the goodies!

Orgain Organic Protein Powder in Vanilla Bean – While I’m not a regular protein powder consumer, or smoothie drinker, every once in a while I like to try one out. This sample made for a great evening snack/treat mixed with a little almond milk. I love that this is a plant-based protein powder (some that contain dairy upset my tummy) that’s organic and soy free! I would recommend it to all the vegans in my life, especially considering the price tag. This one comes in at around 20 bucks a pound.

http://www.facebook.com/DrinkOrgain

http://www.instagram.com/DrinkOrgain

http://www.twitter.com/DrinkOrgain

Ecos Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent – I received this sample of laundry detergent in the Ecos signature scent Magnolia & Lily. It’s made with gentle, plant-derived ingredients and a built-in fabric softener so I don’t have to worry about any weird chemicals giving me skin irritation. Plus, it smells fantastic!

http://www.facebook.com/ECOSLaundry

http://www.instagram.com/ECOSLaundry

http://www.twitter.com/EFPClean

Hair Food Shampoo and Conditioner – This duo is part of Hair Food’s Moisture Collection, designed to soothe dry hair by adding hydration and shine. How do they do this? Honey essences. Sound weird? A little. Basically, the brand was inspired by the way honey soothes and revitalizes your body and decided to inject the same principle into their hair care. And it totally works! My hair felt and looked way healthier after a little Hair Food love.

http://www.twitter.com/HairFoodSamples

Eatsmart Tortilla Chips – I received a full size bag of the Eatsmart Three Bean Tortilla Chips and WOW! I was impressed before I even tore into the bag just by the nutrition info and the ingredients. The chips are made with pinto, navy, and black beans with 14g of whole grain, 2g of fiber and a recognizable ingredient list. And the taste didn’t disappoint either. I got the Garlic Hummus flavor…I love BOTH those things! A match made in heaven.

http://www.facebook.com/eatsmartsnacks

http://www.twitter.com/eatsmartsnacks 

Curate Bar – I LOVE bars, like Lara and Kind, that focus on real ingredients and interesting flavor combinations. The Curate bar I found in my box definitely took a page from my old favorites’ book. The flavor, Balsamic Fig & Hazelnut, is a part of Curate’s Dark & Tempting collection, just the sort of savory meets sweet snack my taste buds are always after. The bar is made of balsamic vinegar, mission figs, orange, hazelnuts, sunflower kernels, and quinoa and makes a delicious snack to tuck into your purse for when you’re on the go and hunger strikes.

http://facebook.com/CurateSnacks

http://instagram.com/CurateSnacks

http://twitter.com/CurateSnacks

Vichy LifActiv Serum and LifActiv Supreme – And these Vichy products are the pièce de résistance! I can not tell you how sold I am on this brand after just a few days of using these products. Admittedly, I’ve never used a dedicated anti-aging product before so I really have nothing to compare it to, but the LifActiv Supreme day cream is literally blowing my mind. I really only got into skin care in the last few years, coupled with the fact that I’ve turned 30 (eeks!) and like, it was probably time to try and reverse the damage of not taking great care of my face for so long while simultaneously preparing to, you know, keep getting older. So this product couldn’t have come at a better time. It soaks right into the skin, without feeling wet or tacky, and (I can’t tell if I’m making this up or not but I don’t think I am) has instant results. What sort of results? It smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while brightening and firming the skin. All FINE with me!

http://facebook.com/VichyUSA

http://instagram.com/VichyUSA

http://twitter.com/VichyUSA

Overall this was a very fun box and I truly enjoyed all the contents! If you love trying new products and posting reviews, check out Influenster. It’s totally FREE to sign up! And who knows…the mail-box gods may choose to shine down on YOU next!

NOTE: I received all of these products complimentary for testing purposes. All opinions are my own.

April favorites.

Books, Brainpower, Every day life, Food, How to's, Move, , , , , , , , , , , ,

April Favorites collage

With the turning of the calendar page from April to May, it’s time to bundle together the best products, places, media and everything in between from the last month. Here are 9 things I found myself loving in April…

1. Pocket Letters

If you follow me on Instagram, then you’ll know I’ve been going a little Pocket Letter crazy this month. I just can’t get enough. For those curious, Pocket Letters are a genius way to send someone (pen pal, friend, stranger, etc.) a little mailbox surprise! Essentially, you take a 3×3 baseball card holder, decorate it to your heart’s content, tuck in some stationery goodies for your pal, and mail it off. Here’s a TUTORIAL if you’d like to learn more. I’ve been making these for a little while now, but I only recently hopped on PocketLetterPals.com to start arranging swaps with peeps from across the country. The resulting deliveries have made mail time a giddy experience. (If you’re interested in swapping leave a comment below!) 

2. Ballet

While I’m hopelessly devoted to my yoga practice, the month of April saw me dusting off my ballet shoes for a bit of barre work. I turned to YouTube (of course!) and was able to rustle up a few videos of actual ballet classes. I then got to work and have been trying to incorporate ballet into my workout routine on a weekly basis. For me no other exercise ever seems as effective yet effortless as ballet. I can have sweat dripping down my neck all with a smile on my face. Maybe because it has been a part of my life for so long? *cue that scene in Center Stage where Juliette Simone/Julie Simon talks about the barre being home.*

3. Graze snacks

If you wanna up your snacking game, you GOTTA check out Graze. Graze is a snack subscription service that sends you 4 or 8 individually packaged snacks weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. I’ve gotten two boxes so far and I gotta tell ya…I am HOOKED. Each snack I’ve tried has been delicious and perfectly portioned. And you can’t beat the convenience! My favorite snack so far has gotta go to the Honeycomb Flapjack which Graze describes as a “rustic rolled oat flapjack with honeycomb and chocolate drizzle.” It’s legit better than a candy bar. YUM!

4. Homestead Town Hall Museum

On a recent #AdventureSaturday, Chet and I decided to explore Historic Downtown Homestead. Normally when we spend a Saturday in Homestead it’s at the beach. But this time around we decided to stay on dry land and see what else the city had to offer. Downtown Homestead is definitely a blink and you’ll miss it stretch of road but it does offer some quaint places — an old theater with a retro marquis, a park with an amphitheater, and the Homestead Town Hall Museum. After chowing down on some amazing Cuban food at a little hole-in-the-wall attached to the local bus station, we headed to the museum. Admission is free and was totally time well spent just for the eccentric docent who showed us around. (Although she did try to convince us to sit down in a couple of folding chairs to watch an HOUR long documentary about Homestead on a rinky-dink TV. Not gonna happen, lady.)

5. Free printables

One of the joys of wedding planning on a budget has been scouring the internet for ways to cut corners. My favorite way so far? Free printables. They are so fun to tinker around with. Pictured above is one I found for a Thumbprint Guestbook. It is so simple and fun! I love the idea of having it out at our reception with some ink pads and asking guests to create the leaves. Wouldn’t it be lovely to frame that as a keepsake? What a beautiful reminder of all our “people” and the special family tree we’ve created for ourselves, both with our actual family and the folks who’ve become our family.

6. Washi tape

I LOVE washi tape. This month I’ve been using it a ton to decorate pocket letters (see above) and my planner (see below). Last week we stumbled upon an office supply store that was going out of business and I stocked up. My other favorite places to find washi? Target, Dollar Tree, and Ikea. Ikea sells packs of four for FIFTY CENTS. Hello!?! Need I say more.

7. Target Dollar Spot planner

I started using my Target Dollar Spot planner on April 1st and the obsession is still going strong. In case you’re wondering, I call it the Target Dollar Spot planner because it was created from 3 components purchased at Target in the $1-$3 section. A mini binder, dividers/weekly inserts, and folders/monthly inserts. Each of these “kits” was $3. While I utilize this planner for weekly and monthly planning, I’ve also been trying my hand at planner decorating. (Inspired by CheapCraftyGirl on YouTube.) It’s a fun activity to sit down on a Sunday night and decorate the next week’s spread! And it’s also a cool way to use some of the stationery goodies I receive in my pocket letters. Paper crafting for the win!

8. The Brain Candy Podcast

Confession: I’m a LONG time viewer of The Real World, Road Rules, and The Challenge. I have never “out grown” these shows and continue to enjoy, especially The Challenge, to this day. The advent of social media has taken my interest in reality TV in a different direction. I love keeping up with cast members on Twitter and Instagram because seeing what D-List celebs do in their day to day is just as interesting (if not more) to me than watching them on a show. Anyways, that’s all to say, I follow the two ladies responsible for this podcast on social media. So when they started promoting this endeavor I was totally into it. It’s hosted by Susie Meister (RR: Down Under) and Sarah Rice (RW: Brooklyn) and is billed as “candy for your left brain and your right brain.” While some episodes are about The Challenge (both Susie and Sarah have competed multiple times on the show), many are not. They cover everything from cults to travel to DIY. It is super easy listening…kind of like you’re eavesdropping on two intelligent girlfriends having a chat. Oh, and usually wine is involved!

9. Uncovered by Leah Lax

If women and religion, and how the two intersect, is of interest to you, then this memoir is a must-read. I love learning about different religions and recently realized I didn’t know too much about the lives of Hasidic Jews. I picked up this memoir at my local library and couldn’t put it down. It tells the story of Leah Lax who left her liberal, secular home as a teenager for a life as a Hasidic Jew. Lax recounts her experiences with arranged marriage, fundamentalist faith, and motherhood during her time with the Hasidim, and exposes how her creative, sexual, and spiritual longings existed beneath the surface throughout her time there. This book taught me a lot about this particular faith through the eyes of a woman who lived it and then left it.

 

My Notebook System

Career, Every day life, Personal, , , , , ,

notebook system

Do you have a system to keep track of all your to-do’s for the day? It may seem like a no-brainer to some folks out there, but once I developed a set-up that worked for me it was a game changer.

As you can see above, I devote a full page to each day. I borrow elements from the bullet journal system, but it’s a WAY scaled down version. Each of my tasks are given a tick box that I check off as it gets completed. If I didn’t complete the task it gets an arrow so that I know to migrate it onto my list of to-do’s for the following day. If an item no longer needs completing for whatever reason I give it a strike-through.

In the middle of the page are my notes. These are items I encounter through out the day that I want to return to and investigate further when I have more time. This little section is instrumental in keeping me focused on the task at hand. And I don’t forget about things that may be useful or interest me later. Sorta like leaving myself little breadcrumbs in the form of bullet points!

And finally, something I started in 2016, a MANTRA! I kicked off the new year with Yoga with Adriene’s Yoga Camp. The challenge included 30 yoga videos to be done every day for 30 days and each one came with their own mantra. I found these daily affirmations wildly helpful and inspirational in January so I figured, why stop here!? When I sit down with my list at the beginning of each day I find a phrase, quote, or affirmation that I can focus my thoughts towards in the coming hours.

I also borrow The Monthly Log or Calendar Page from the Bullet Journal method. That’s where the Bullet Journal similarities end. For me, keeping an index (a key Bullet Journaling component) just feels too cluttered. The full Bullet Journal system, though I tried and enjoyed it for awhile, just isn’t for me. And ya gotta find what works for you. I love my system and love that it’s adapted over time to keep me productive and my brain-space uncluttered.

OH! And for forward-planning (ie. weekly and monthly planning as opposed to daily to-do’s) I use a mini-binder planner from the Target Dollar Spot. I just started it at the beginning of April and have been trying my hand at planner decorating…..totally something I never thought I would get into but I’m absolutely loving it. Perhaps I’ll post some pictures at some point if y’all are into it.

How do you stay on top of your daily to-do list? Do you keep paper lists or are you totally digital? Have you ever tried keeping a bullet journal? Into planner decorating? Tell me everything!!! 

The 5 things that turned me into a shower lover.

Every day life, How to's, , , ,

towels

In the interest of honesty I’m going to admit something to you. It has taken me a good many years to become someone who enjoys showers. Really, my conversion only occurred in the last year or so…

Is that gross? TMI?

Well, perhaps I’m not alone. This little ditty, The 5 Reasons Girls Hate Showering, sums things up nicely. It’s not that, until recently, I enjoyed a dirty, smelly, sweaty existence. More like the time investment of washing my long locks, coupled with freezing my buns off once it was all said in done, seemed an annoyance rather than a necessity or even *gasp* an enjoyable experience.

Here’s how I managed to flip the script…

1. I shower at night.

I fought this switch for YEARS and hated every second of it. Chet will tell you that I love a good faff in the morning. Meaning, I’d rather wake up early to dink around on the internet and eat breakfast in bed than to wash and blow-dry my hair. I need time to wake up. Showering does the complete opposite for me. It makes me want to get back in bed. Which is exactly what I used to do when forcing myself into morning showers. I would towel-turban my hair, climb back in the covers, and fall back asleep. Whoops! The switch to the PM means I can cozy up in pj’s and quilts to my heart’s content and make a natural transition to slumber, rather than one that sets my day back a few steps.

2. I wash my hair less.

The more you wash your hair the more you need to wash your hair, ya know? Like the article linked above alludes to, hair washing tags on a ton more time to the shower process. You gotta wash and condition and rinse, sure. But then you gotta tug through all the tangles and maybe even blow-dry and straighten or curl, too. Exhausting. But the opposite is also true! The less you wash your hair the less you need to wash it. Now I happily get by on two times a week. And because I shower at night, I just let it air dry.

3. I bought a white shower curtain.

Another thing that bummed me out about showers? They could get a little dreary. Now, a lot of that can be chalked up to poor lighting and tiny bathroom lay-outs in all the crappy rentals I’ve had over the last decade. But, I found that an easy and affordable way to brighten things up a pinch is with a white shower curtain. My current curtain is from Ikea and it was only $12.99. Kicking myself for all those years I suffered with drab showers due to dark colors and an opaque curtain liner. Lord.

4. I know when to commit and when to switch it up.

I love impulse purchasing products as much as the next gal. But, I’ve learned to commit to the type of shampoo/conditioner that works for my hair. It may be a bit more expensive than I sometimes enjoy, which is why I would try out random one-offs that didn’t get the job done, but in the end going for the gold is worth it. Plus, I wash my hair less so it lasts an amazingly long time. As for other bath products, I like to switch it up! Artisinal goat’s milk soap from a craft fair? Sure, I’ll buy a bar. Anything lavender scented? Yes, please!

5. I keep it clean.

While I like to try different soaps and smell-good fun, that doesn’t mean I keep all the products lining the shower. I’m not down for a bunch of clutter. I keep products to a minimum (ie. just the ones I want to use that day) at any given time. Sorta random, and not for everyone, but that works for me. Oh and, the Kaboom Foaming Bathroom Cleaner is a lifesaver if you’re super lazy like me but still want those tiles blinging.

And there you have it!

*High fives self for turning a chore into something awesome.*

 

How to Eliminate Decision Fatigue and Get More Done

Every day life, How to's, , , , , , , , ,

how to eliminate decision fatigue

As I mentioned in this post, I’m not very decisive. While I’m great at split-second decision making (think: barking orders during emergency situations or finding the best course of action when work events go awry), life’s more mundane questions, like what to eat for lunch or wear to a friend’s wedding, can leave me perplexed.

While I may consider myself an extreme case, I have a feeling I’m not alone. You may notice a few signs of decision fatigue in your own life as well. Perhaps you come home from a long day of work feeling completely exhausted. You can’t quite decide what to do so you sit on the couch watching TV instead of going to the gym. You have no idea what you want for dinner so you go get takeout instead of cooking. That’s decision fatigue! Whether sick of choosing or just overcome with options, your brain defaults to the easiest decision possible.

Over the years, I’ve figured out a few ways to cope with decision fatigue. I have found that organizing my life in a way that eliminates decisions is tantamount to increasing my productivity. You may find you’re the same…

decision fatigue food

When it comes to deciding what to eat, I’ve found that making these decisions “in bulk” is the best way to not succumb to restaurants in the 5 o’clock but no idea what to eat for dinner madness. Set aside time to make a meal plan each week. If you’re feeling extra on top of things then do a bit of meal prepping, too. You could go all out and package up 21 meals into neatly organized tupperwares or simply take a bit of time to get ahead. Wash and chop up produce. Cook a grain. Boil some eggs.

Check out this post to learn more about sticking to a certain theme for dinner each night of the week. This way, even when you slip, and find yourself with out a plan or anything prepped, you’ll at least know “It’s Thursday so we’re having stir-fry.” (Or whatever you selected.) Another approach you could try if that feels a bit too limiting is the 14-day dinner menu.

decision fatigue clothes

Another decision I must make on the daily (sometimes multiple times a day…UGH!) is what to wear. Ever notice how super successful folk tend to wear the same things all the time? They might be on to something! While I don’t plan on rocking jeans and a black turtleneck every day a la Steve Jobs, developing a capsule wardrobe is a great way to limit the scope of my options. Do a little closet experimentation and see if you can come up with a capsule that suits your lifestyle.

Another possibility is to organize your clothes based on when you would wear them. Dedicate a drawer to workout wear, a section of your closet to office apparel, another for running errands and weekends at home, and a dedicated place for more formal attire. Identify what you’ll be doing and then head to the corresponding area to grab your outfit.

If buying and trying lots of clothes and keeping up with fashion trends is something that’s important to you, consider coming up with some outfit equations or cheat sheets that may work to speed up your getting dressed process. Then you can put together different combos like skirt + cardigan + tights + boots + boho earrings + scarf lickety-split!

Conversely, if choosing which items of clothing to add to your wardrobe is contributing to your decision fatigue, consider looking into services like Stitch Fix. I LOVE Stitch Fix because I don’t have to stand in a store and ruffle through racks trying to decide what to buy! They simply send me 5 items of clothing they think I’ll love, based on my style surveys and Pinterest boards, and then I either keep them or I don’t. I’ve also eased my clothes decisions by choosing to focus on building this 50 piece capsule wardrobe.

decision fatigue planning

If you suffer from decision fatigue I HIGHLY recommend you start keeping some sort of a notebook or planner system. Spend some time with this little guy every night before you go to bed. Write down all the things you’d like to accomplish the next day. Before I found a notebook system that worked for me I would start each day with my mind SO FULL of all the things that needed to get done. I would repeat them over and over and re-order them in terms of importance and then repeat them again. Basically, struggling to decide when to do what. Take it from me, just write it down. I can still work out the order the next day, and migrate things that don’t get done, but having that rough sketch the night before saves me so much brain space.

decision fatigue finances

This one may seem pretty obvious but I think it’s worth mentioning. Set up direct deposit so you don’t have to decide a good time to take your paycheck to the bank. Work out an amount you feel comfortable allocating for savings and schedule automated transfers from your checking account to a savings account. This way you won’t have to decide (as often) when and how much to set aside. Switch things like utilities, internet, and cell phone bills over to autopay so you don’t have to decide when to pay what bill and whether to mail a check or pay online. Easy peasy!

decision fatigue schedule 2

Instead of saying, “I’d like to explore my city more” or “I need to exercise” or “I want to spend time with my friends” and having to DECIDE when in your busy life you’re going to do these things…make COMMITMENTS. Set your priorities and then schedule your priorities. Learning to do this was a HUGE first step for me in investing in myself. Set up a recurring movie night each week with your friends. Declare #adventuresaturday and explore something new with your sweetheart (See picture above!). Set Monday, Wednesday, Friday as your workout days. Invest in your hobbies for an hour each day after dinner. Wanna grow your side hustle? Head to a coffee shop every Sunday, put your phone on airplane mode, and dig in.

Keep up a routine for long enough and it will soon develop into a habit. And you know what that means? It no longer took any thought. No decisions, no fatigue, no brain space.

Just life lived.

Do you suffer from decision fatigue? Have you made any lifestyle changes to limit the amount of decisions you have to make? I want to hear about them!