Alas, there was no snow on Thanksgiving Day in Florida this year. However, the weather did drop to a chilling 60 degrees – which is cold enough to bring out the boots and long sleeves. The cool weather created a perfect day where the sun was shining without a cloud in sight and the breeze was enough to keep you cool while the sun warmed your body. It was truly a day to be thankful for. Continue reading “Photo Diary: Thanksgiving Day Thankfulness”
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Tips For Combating Stress
As school exams and the holidays quickly approach, stress becomes more prevalent. Trying to balance social time with visiting friends and family while trying to studying for final exams can be overwhelming, to say the least. Everyone experiences stress in varying levels but how we react to stress differs. We can let stress consume our thoughts, emotions,and actions, or we can take control of the stress. Below are a few tips I use when I notice how stressed I have been. These tips may or may not work exactly like how they did for me, but they can be worth a shot if you find yourself overloaded with stress. Continue reading “Tips For Combating Stress”
Student on a Budget: Quick Two-Ingredient Cookies
When you can’t afford to bake foods that require multiple ingredients and when you want a more nutritious and satisfying snack, try some of these cookies that only require two ingredients! yes- just two! Bananas and oats…what a great combo with endless possibilities. This recipe makes about four cookies, so if you want more to have during the week as a post-workout food or just a snack to bring to class, than I would recommend doubling the ingredients.
Continue reading “Student on a Budget: Quick Two-Ingredient Cookies”
Travel Hungry: Knowing When to Say No
If you are like me, then you jump at the nearest mention of traveling. From flyers in the mail from travel agencies or emails from your university to study abroad, you grasp any opportunity to pack your suitcase and go on the next adventure. But when do you say no to an opportunity that seems beyond perfect? How do you resist the urge to go everywhere you are offered? Continue reading “Travel Hungry: Knowing When to Say No”
Photo Diary: Beauty in the Wild
This past summer was a time of many “firsts” for myself and my family. I made it to Africa (where I have wanted to go since I was in 5th grade…I’ll talk more about this trip soon!) and my older sister Asha got married. We spent a few weeks in Upstate New York and the views were beyond gorgeous. I’m always captivated by the abundance of wild flowers by houses, fields, and even along the highway when I travel around the country (especially up in the northern states). There is something so “freeing” at looking at these flowers that grow where ever the wind blows them- without restraint and without concern. My all-time favorite flowers would be the daisy and sunflower. Though more simplistic in design than other flowers (such as hydrangeas, passion vines, dahlias, etc.), I think they really embody the “free spirit” life. Continue reading “Photo Diary: Beauty in the Wild”
Healthy Spin on Halloween Treats
As Halloween festivities take place tonight and this weekend, I thought I would share some adorable, yummy, and HEALTHY treats I recently saw. Though you may not be able to make these tonight, let the pictures inspire you for upcoming holidays, or to make anytime of the year. These treats are such a healthy alternative to the heavy influx of sugars and processed treats that are so prevalent during Halloween. I think these treats would be so fun to make and decorate specifically for Thanksgiving or Christmas parties. I’m sure people would be surprised at the fact that these treats are mostly made of fruits and veggies! (All pictures/recipes from Kayla Itsines website)
Yummy Pumpkin Cookies (That Actually Melt In Your Mouth)
So my food photos are usually somewhat lacking, especially compared to those who have blogs dedicated solely to posting delicious desserts or meals. I have to admit, I’m so eager to eat the food I make that I usually don’t have the patience to arrange the food nicely on a plate or make sure the amount of almonds or sprinkles or berries look picturesque for a photo. Or, I decide to do some late night cooking or baking or smoothie-making and I’ve lost the great natural sunlight and have to settle for my somewhat depressing, overly yellow-tinged kitchen light. However, I decided to dedicate some nice photos (with the setting sun to illuminate the cookies) to the following recipe because these are some of my all time FAVORITE cookies ever. And the title of the recipe doesn’t lie- these cookies actually melt in your mouth! Seriously, if you haven’t had any pumpkin yet this fall season (shame on you!) than you must make these. Or if you think you have had way to much pumpkin already, you need to re-evaluate and try this recipe because it is so so so good- I promise!
Continue reading “Yummy Pumpkin Cookies (That Actually Melt In Your Mouth)”
How to Survive in a Material Society: No Materials Needed
Last month I decided to partake in my own challenge where I did not allow myself to purchase any clothes or shoes or basically anything during the month of September. This didn’t seem like much a challenge to me because I don’t buy clothes every month, especially since I’m learning to save more money for traveling or other activities instead of “things.” However, in middle school, I had a horrible habit of shopping. I had recently started earning money from babysitting or house cleaning jobs and so my parents told me that since I was making my own money I could purchase items that I “wanted” (and not necessarily needed). This resulted in me spending way more money than I needed to on things I really didn’t need or realize I didn’t actually want. Maybe it was the “thrill” of buying something new for myself that inspired me. Whatever it was, the habit was not healthy. Continue reading “How to Survive in a Material Society: No Materials Needed”
3 Ingredient Protein Shake
If you are looking for a quick and filling after-workout, after-work, or after-school shake, then this is the recipe for you. With only three ingredients ( I didn’t include ice as an ingredient but it is needed!) you can whip this tasty drink up in no time. I also find this drink especially tasty at breakfast before classes.
Dreams List
If there’s one thing I like doing, that would be dreaming. Almost every morning I can remember my dreams from the previous night. Now these dreams are usually just silly “stories” based off of events that I experienced in real life or have been thinking a lot about, but they are quite entertaining, especially when I share them with friends. But I’m not going to be focusing on those dreams right now. I want to discuss dreams made when we are wide awake (or even dozing in class or at work). Dreams that reach our inner core and fill our passions. Dreams that cause us to want to make a change in our life or a difference in someone else’s life.
The Bohemian Mermaid 