They called me an 'addict'...

It took way too much money, drawers that won't close, several trips to the dollar tree for extra hangers, and pep talks from multiple people close to me to realize that I had a problem. "Shopping is an addiction". Yeah, it sounds stupid, until you've overcome one. This is still a very sensitive subject for me, so this is an extremely personal blog post. I hope that you can benefit from my mistakes, or help other people to do so. Anything can be an addiction, no matter how silly or extreme it seems. And the root of most addictions: unhappiness.

It was summer of 2014 and I was shopping in American Eagle, as usual, no big spending, just needed some jeans. They kept pushing the AE Credit Card, so I gave in, at least then they would just shut up. Worst choice of my life. It started with being able to buy lunches while on a work break, and extended into insanely large online purchases. It started monthly, then turned weekly, then daily. It sure doesn't feel like money when it's plastic. And little do they tell you at the checkout, they're going to take all they can get.

Summer school full time with over 30 hours a week, Jason and I not doing super well at the time...retail therapy became the norm. It became almost impossible not to click "place order now". The rush of getting a package in the mail made me happier than anything I felt on a daily basis. I shoved the receipts in a drawer and ignored them...just plastic, right? No. And every payment I made, 24% of my bill was interest money not even going towards paying off my balance.

Months in and packages later, Jason confronted me genuinely concerned and mentioned "the shopping addiction". I laughed, it sounds so silly, doesn't it? Well, it's real. After realizing how much I had spent, how much I owed, how much interest payments I had wasted on the credit card company, and how many clothes I had that I would never even wear, and realizing how genuinely unhappy I was that a click of a button could make me giddy, I cried, and cried. The feelings were shame, regret, guilt, and finally, understanding.

Even after the realization, it was hard to stop. It had become a routine, when I got bored or needed a study break, or when Jason and I were fighting. And the cravings grew stronger. The ads you see on TV, the coupons you see online, the catalogs you get in the mail, and the promotions they send to your email, all temptations. It became hard for me not to come home from work without stopping at my favorite store across the street.

An action plan was what I needed, as well as something to give me happiness - a different type of therapy - so that is what I did. It changed my life.

The steps:

1. Motivation

List out reasons you need to change. For me the reasons were: Jason won't want a wife who can't handle money, it is real money, you don't need any of this, think of all you could have saved by now.

2. Guidelines

When you're a shopper, you're a shopper for everything. It'll start with clothing, and then shoes, and next thing you know you're buying what you don't need at the grocery store too. It's all about money control. My guidelines included no lunch out at work; if I didn't bring a snack it was my fault and I could eat when I got home. NO SHOPPING. I allowed myself a little something every month just to start off, Birchbox for $10 a month, just so I didn't feel like I had nothing left, and after two months I didn't even need that anymore. A refined grocery list was another guideline. I made a list of exactly what the essentials were for every grocery trip. The last guideline was to save receipts and track everything, to stop hiding those receipts from myself.

3. Inspiration

Where you keep your receipts, financials, or checkbook, have a small chalkboard or bulletin board with things to remind you of why you need to do this, whether it be for yourself or others. I included quotes, reasons, and motivation on my board.

4. The Change

The head-start to change is letting go of the things that you crave. For me, this meant going through all my clothes and really thinking "what don't I need?", which ended up being half my wardrobe. Even it I loved it, if I knew I was never going to wear it, it had to go. I took it to a consignment shop and got a check for everything they took, and I donated the rest of it. The key with this step, is that all consignment shops offer more if you take store credit, don't. This will just encourage the shopping. Take the money and leave the rest behind. Use that money for groceries, savings, or something else more important.

5. Finding A Hobby

I can't stress enough how much finding a hobby can change things. Especially if you find, like I did, that the root of the problem is unhappiness. If it weren't for this blog, I wouldn't have overcome this. Seeing that one person recommended a post, or that someone repinned my post on Pinterest, and seeing where my views come from, even though I don't have many, inspired me and made me happier than any online shopping trip ever has. A hobby, no matter what it is, should be something that you can spend just 15 minutes a day on, and it makes your day that much better.

These are the steps that I used to overcome my shopping cravings. Now, when I see outfits on Pinterest, all I think is "how can I recreate this outfit using what I have?", and it leads me to occupy my time with sewing, DIY, and researching creative projects.

Overcoming this hasn't just made me happier, but it has made my relationship a million times better. Jason and I are so happy right now, and he couldn't be more proud of me.

This post isn't just for people who had it as bad as I did. I hope that no matter your situation, you can find these steps and my experience useful. I did hours of research at the time that I was trying to fix my problem, and I felt like buying a book on how to stop kind of defeated the purpose...so I read some people's personal experience and knowing that someone else went through what I did, and much worse than I did, gave me hope and inspiration that I could do the same. I hope this does the same for you, because I wouldnt' change my experience. Although I still feel incredibly ashamed and regretful, this was a learning experience more harsh than most, and I can guarantee I'll never make a mistake like this again. After going through this experience, my wallet is sealed shut, and paying for groceries is even painful for me, it has made me more frugal than I ever thought I would be. If I can do it, you can do it.

Remember: You aren't alone.

http://infographics.idlelist.com/my-shopping-addiction/

Do you know anyone or have you personally experienced any hardships like these? Any advice or personal experiences you would be willing to share with me? I would be so honored to hear your story. Feel free to email me if you want to share privately! Thank you for taking the time to read about my experience, I am very open to questions/comments regarding this personal story.

xoxo

Perfection, in Pancake Form

I know, fall is over and pumpkin is out. But I'm a pumpkin fiend. Give me anything pumpkin any time of the year and I'll eat it. Jason and I fell in love with Trader Joe's pumpkin pancake mix awhile back, and this year around November I went to stock up on boxes before the season was over and they were all out. I was too late. People snatch those boxes up like crazy. And we can't go a whole year without pumpkin pancakes...so I had to improvise. I looked and looked online for recipes that people raved about, but nothing seemed quite right. Everything called for ginger, so I just found a recipe and omitted it, and they turned out way better than the boxed ones!

What you'll need:

1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
pinch of ground cloves
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp sugar
1 1/4 cup flour
1 cup milk
6 tbsp canned pumpkin puree (I use Libby's)
2 tbsp melted butter
1 large egg
2 tsp baking powder

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk milk, melted butter, egg, and pumpkin puree.

3. In small increments, slowly fold pumpkin mixture into dry mixture, whisking as you pour.

4. Using a griddle or a pan, pour desired amount of batter on medium heat. Flip the pancake when you see bubbles coming up throughout the entire pancake (about 3 minutes per side).

5. Top with butter and syrup, and serve!

I served mine with oat nut toast, vanilla yogurt with frozen berries, orange juice, and maple brown sugar sausages. This was at midnight on a study night, Jason and I were having a craving!

I hope that you give this recipe a try and love it too! Do you have any breakfast favorites? xoxo

Peanut Butter Heaven

When I was growing up, my grandma made the absolute BEST peanut butter cookies. Then again, grandmas make the best everything, don't they? I love the idea of getting to experience those childhood favorites when I go back home, and keeping those recipes sacred. So instead of asking for her perfect peanut butter recipe, I thought I'd look around for one. And guess where I went? Averie Cooks of course.

I can't say enough good things about these cookies. First thing, they are BUTTERLESS! What? Yep. Not even a drop of butter. Julia Childs would be disappointed, but I promise they're worth it. The butter substitution is my number one favorite for everything in life: coconut oil. It gives the cookies a perfect, and I mean perfect, consistency. If you like fresh out of the oven ooey gooey cookies, these are the ones to try. And you might want to save about half of the dough just for eating with a spoon...they're that good.

Here is the link if you want to check out her awesome website: http://www.averiecooks.com/2013/03/soft-and-puffy-peanut-butter-coconut-oil-cookies.html

If not, I have a short and simple version below!

What you'll need:

*1/2 cup coconut oil
3/4 peanut butter (creamy, something standard like Jif)
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 tsp corn starch
1 tsp baking soda
1 tablespoon vanilla extra (yes, you did read that right)
1 cup flour

*If your coconut oil is really hard, try and microwave it for 5-15 seconds. You want it to be softened, but not runny!

Directions:

1. Grab a large mixing bowl. Throw in the coconut oil, peanut butter, sugar, and egg. Beat until creamy.

2. Add in vanilla extract and beat until combined.

3. Add in flour, corn starch, baking soda, and salt, and mix until combined. 

This is how your dough should look. If you press down on it, the batter will stick together, but it won't stick to your fingers.

4. Form your dough into balls and put on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Make sure your dough is shaped the way you want because this will be hard to change once they're chilled.

To form dough balls, take a tablespoon measure or cookie scoop, press it into the door and then scrape it up the side of the bowl.

Drop the heaping tablespoon of dough on your hand, and repeat this, placing the next dough ball directly on top of the one you are already holding. This gives you two heaping tablespoons of dough per cookie. 

Press this double tablespoon ball onto your baking sheet, and remove the tablespoon. You will have what looks like a little ice cream scoop of cookie dough.

Flatten the mound as desired.

5. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate your dough for a minimum of 2 hours.

6. After they're chilled the required time, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake 6-8 cookies per baking sheet for about 8 minutes.

7. Yum yum, eat 'em up! (If you've seen the Little Rascals as a kid you'll hopefully get that reference)

Yeah, that's my finger, I suck with technology.

This is probably my favorite cookie recipe so far. Jason said he didn't like peanut butter cookies and never has, but when I made him try one of these he completely took that back! And he's kind of a food stickler, when he says he doesn't like something there is usually no changing his mind. So that means these cookies are amazing! If you haven't tried any of the recipes I've posted so far, or have been hesitating on which one to try, I would definitely say to give these ones a go first thing. Like, now. Right now. I just found the recipe yesterday and I'm already on my second batch!

Let me know what you guys think! Any cookie recipes you rave about? I'd love to see them! xoxo

On-The-Go Protein

We all love grabbing granola bars when we're running out of the house, and protein bars are great when you're on a health kick, but protein bars can be really expensive, and processed foods aren't the best when you're trying to maintain a healthy diet. A couple years ago my dad found this awesome recipe for energy balls/bars I want to share with you. They're delicious, overall really healthy, and you won't feel guilty about snagging a couple when you're in a rush!

What you'll need:

1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup coconut flakes (personal favorite: sweetened shredded coconut from Trader Joe's)
*2/3 cup crunchy peanut butter (personal favorite: Adam's crunchy unsalted)
1/3 cup flax seed
1/2 cup crushed granola (personal favorite: Nature's Path, either hemp seed or pumpkin flax)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract

*Creamy peanut butter works too, it just makes the mixture harder to work with!

Directions:

1. Gather your ingredients and crush the granola. I put my measured granola in a ziploc and use the back of a spoon to crush it.

2. Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and combine.

3. Refrigerate the mixture for at least an hour. After refrigeration, form into 1-inch balls or small bars. Keep refrigerated!

I decided to make bars, so I pressed my mixture into an 8x8 metal pan to refrigerate.

I then cut mine into small bars and popped them back in the fridge on a plate. 2 days and they were gone!

My favorite part about this recipe is that the chocolate chips and honey cure a sweet tooth, but they're guilt-free because there are about 4 chocolate chips per ball/bar! These would be great with some added ingredients like dried cranberries or raisins too. 

Do you have any simple recipes to share? Or any adaptations you'd suggest for this one? I'd love to hear! xoxo

Girly Grunge

I'll admit, living in Seattle, the hipster vibe has slowly snuck into my wardrobe. I have class at 8am, so waking up at 7, I put on what is comfy, while trying not to look totally homeless...which isn't easy every day. 'Girly grunge' is my new favorite style. Flannels, loose fitting cuffed jeans, converse, messy buns, boyfriend clothes, it's all comfy and grungy, but a bracelet or a pair of flats, and the feminine style kicks in! It is the perfect way to look like you're trying without even really trying!

Every Monday night the Bachelor is on at 8pm. And if I'm working, I go to ALL lengths to get my shift covered. Jason and I have our favorite, Kaitlyn. She's funny, they have good chemistry, and her style! I fell in love with her lipstick this season, and I've been wearing it all the time lately. I love wearing it with my grungy outfits because it adds the feminine touch without needing any accessories! I'd love to find a lip color with as much pop as hers, but for now, I wear 'Rebel' by MAC. I love this color because you can blend in to make it lighter or use it with liner to make a deep, dramatic purple look.

I've also been looking at a lot of 'girly grunge'/'hipster fashion' boards on Pinterest, and have been inspired by some images...

                                                                          

After seeing all these images and loving the looks these beautiful girls had on, I was inspired to create some of my own!

Flannel Wrap Arounds

Putting a flannel around your waist works with jeans, jeggings, dresses, skirts, leggings...basically anything. And you can always slip it on if it gets chilly! 

My favorite look is wrapping Jason's flannel (shhh, he hasn't noticed yet!) around a simple low-back jersey dress. I wear it with studded booties to add a little edge, and a unique clock necklace that has a lot of sentimental value to me. The hat adds some femininity too!

 Dress: Forever 21       

Hat: Crossroads Trading Co.

Booties: American Eagle

Crop Tops

You can get these at American Apparel anyday, but they'll cost you about $30 too much...I buy mine from Forever 21 for $5 in a long sleeve, and cut the sleeves off. It looks edgier that way, and it works great for when the sleeveless ones are out of season! 

I love the look of crop tops, but am not brave enough to wear them in public. But, for fashion's sake I wanted to add them in here. They look really cute with high-waisted cuffed jeans, and a wrapped around button-down blue oxford hides the 'mile-long butt' that all the guys complain about when girls wear high-waisted pants...problem solved! The red bag, gold chain necklace, and leopard flats add a ton of girly to the outfit!

Jeans: American Eagle

Crop Top: Forever 21

Flats: Express

Button-Down: H&M

Necklace: H&M

Bag: Crossroads Trading Co.

Military Jackets

In Seattle, almost every girl has one, and I couldn't be left out of the bunch. The best part about them is that they cinch at the waist, so they give a flattering shape. I added a structured bag with gold accents. The booties add some more edge to the outfit, and the red glasses add a cute, feminine touch.

Jacket: H&M

Bag: Crossroads Trading Co.

Booties: H&M

Converse

Another Seattle trend I couldn't pass up on! But why spend $60 on a pair of shoes with absolutely no support for your foot? I got some look-alikes at Maurices for dirt cheap and love them! I love the burgundy color because they still go with everything, but they add color to my boring outfits. Here, I put a baggy white sweater over a simple, black pleated skirt, with a leopard clutch. These three items are girly, but the boxy shape of the sweater paired with the shoes gives a comfortable, effortless vibe.

Sweater: Kimchi Blue (from Urban Outfitters)

Skirt: Crossroads Trading Co.

Shoes: Maurices

Clutch: Style & Co.

Baggy Sweaters

My absolute favorite right now. They're comfy, they're warm, and they look effortlessly stylish. My favorite thing about the sweater in this look is that it has slits on both hips! The burgundy loafers and the floppy hat are the real style of this look. The baggy sweater and cuffed loose fitting jeans make it feel like you didn't even have to try in the morning!

Sweater: TOMS

Jeans: American Eagle

Loafers: Merona (from Target)

Floppy Hat: Crossroads Trading Co.

He's super helpful.

Messy Bun and Edgy Makeup

The messy bun is great for being on campus, and it's a mindless morning routine. A ponytail holder, a twist, and you look fantastic! If your 2nd-day hair isn't looking too hot, throw a baseball cap on and put your bun through the back and no one will know!

My new favorite edgy makeup routine is to line my eyes next to my lashes with a purple-brown lustre eye shadow. I like to do this starting thin, progressively getting thicket, and wing it out at the end. I also apply this shadow on the outer corners underneath my eye, connecting the wing. This works best with an angle brush. Next, I apply black liquid liner along the same area, but thinner so that the lustre eyeshadow just peeks out the top, and wing it out a little bit at the end. I then dab a pinkish sparkly shadow to the center of my eyelids and apply mascara to finish it off. I apply a strawberry colored blush to the center of my cheeks and use my 'Rebel' by MAC lipstick. If I'm heading to campus I'll grab my reading glasses before I head out! This routine takes about 5-10 minutes. I'd love to do a tutorial on the eye makeup if you are interested!

My OOTD

Today on campus I wore a plain black t-shirt, cuffed high-waisted skinny jeans, a flannel wrapped around my waist, and white Converse I got consignment for $20! I wore 'Rebel' by MAC for the girly addition.

Do you have any styles you are loving right now? I would love to see your style and inspirations! xoxo

Update 2/20: Was touched to receive this text today from my closest friend sporting her girly grunge look! Made my day. She has been the most supportive, loving friend a girl could ask for. The feedback is incredible. Doesn't she look beautiful?

To Cleanse or Not To Cleanse?

Detoxes and cleanses can be so tempting, but not all of them or healthy or necessarily right for you. For the past few months I've been feeling pretty icky and eating lots of crappy food. When I get home from school and work, the last thing I want to do is make food, so Jason and I have developed a Domino's problem, eek! My diet has been awful from what I've been eating to my consistency with meals. Dieting wasn't in my radar because I wasn't looking to lose weight, I needed something that was going to help me feel really healthy. My mom started the Advocare cleanse, and inspired me to try one as well. I stopped by Trader Joe's and tried the 14-day Complete Body Cleanse. When I was researching different types of cleanses, I found that people don't often post the details of their experiences, so I knew I wanted to share mine. It's kind of a long post because of everything I wanted to share with you, so bear with me!

Trader Joe's Complete Body Cleanse, $12.99

It was hard in the beginning for sure, after my first few days I was feeling drained, craving everything sweet, and struggling to drink as much water as I needed to stay hydrated, and the bathroom...not fun...(embarrassing, but honest!). I would say that the hardest parts for me were the pills (175 pills in two weeks!) and the restrictions. Here is a basic layout of the cleanse...

I found it most helpful to lay out my pill schedule on a note next to my bottles.

Pill Schedule:

Week 1 (AM): 4 fiber 

Week 1 (PM): 4 fiber, 3 digestive, 1 liver

Week 2 (AM): 4 fiber, 1 liver

Week 2 (PM): 4 fiber, 2 liver, 2 digestive

I also found it most helpful to stay away from everything that the cleanse suggested to reduce or avoid. My purpose in doing this was to completely eliminate my cravings for them. The cleanse suggests a reduction of intake of processed foods, simple carbs, beef, pork, dairy, wheat, and soy. It suggests that you avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugar, potatoes, saturated fats, trans fats, and artificial sweeteners. I allowed myself dairy twice during the two weeks, and that was just a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top of some noodles. I also allowed myself some white bread on Valentine's day along with a Shirley Temple (give me a break, I never get out!). I really suggest following the guidelines as closely as you can because it is the only way you'll see the results the cleanse can provide, and I've heard horror stories about people who have cheated with coffee and dairy, and ended up having to run to the restroom feeling sick.

There are a handful of things that I couldn't do without on this cleanse even if I tried. I would say my essentials would be almond milk, peanut butter, eggs, fruits and vegetables. The almond milk was a great substitute for dairy products. I put it in smoothies and drank it to replace my nightly glass of milk. Peanut butter is a great source of protein, I ate it plain and dipped apples and bananas in it (my favorite is Adam's natural crunchy PB). I also had an egg scramble every single morning for breakfast.

If you decide to do this cleanse, I would suggest your grocery list consist of the following...

-Produce: Apples, bananas, carrots, broccoli, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, spinach, peppers, basil, oranges, lemons.

-Protein: Chicken, fish, eggs.

-Condiments/Dips/Oils: Hummus, pesto, olive oil.

-Complex carbs: Whole grain pasta/couscous, whole grain bread, rice.

What I did with the ingredients...

I used peanut butter with apple/banana. I paired hummus with the broccoli, cucumber, and carrots for a lunch snack. Pesto, whole grain bread, spinach, and avocado made a simple lunch. Every morning I made a 4 egg scramble that usually consisted of spinach or basil with tomato or peppers. Dinners usually consisted of either a chicken parm pasta with whole grain noodles, or rosemary lemon garlic chicken with some whole grain bread on the side. I lived on chocolate banana peanut butter protein smoothies for a midday snack (http://believecreatesharerepeat.blogspot.com/2015/01/post-workout-protein-smoothie.html). One of my favorite dinners was jasmine rice, steamed broccoli, and Trader Joe's spicy peanut salad dressing all mixed together!

Some guidelines for how to cleanse...

-Drink plenty of water! Take your body weight and divide by two, this is the amount of ounces you should have every day.

-Don't push yourself to go to the gym. While it might seem like it will help, your energy levels are going to be low and your body is already going through a tough time, and this is one area where you really don't want to overdo it, so be careful and do not push your body past it's limits. As long as you eat right and follow the guidelines, you will see results.

-No cheat days! The cleanse won't work unless you follow the guidelines every day.

-Be aware that the first few days the pills may be hard on your stomach, and it is different for every single person. The digestive pills at night made me very nauseous the first few days, but my body adjusted and I felt like they helped a ton to get all the bad stuff out.

-Get plenty of sleep. Your energy will be low and even with 8+ hours you'll feel like you're dragging a bit in the first week.

-Stick it out! It won't be worth it if you don't go through the whole thing. If I can do it you can definitely do it too! 

-Eat lots of small, healthy meals, and do lots of snacking. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables and less protein, you'll be hungry more often. Raw almonds were my favorite snack!

One week through the cleanse I felt like there was absolutely no way that I'd be feeling good by the end, but I am glad I stayed on track. I was worried that on day 15 I would be craving candy and chocolate and everything I've been missing, but surprisingly, I'm not! I feel motivated to stay on track, and I even felt guilty eating a homemade energy bar because it had about 4 chocolate chips in it. Even though this isn't a weight loss cleanse, I took before and after pictures in a sports bra and spandex and noticed quite a bit of difference in what most women consider their 'problem' areas (thighs, lower back, hips). I also felt like my skin cleared up! I feel a million times healthier and can't wait to continue cutting out the bad stuff, stop popping pills, and get back to the gym! 

So, to cleanse or not to cleanse? This is the question I am still torn about. I do feel a million times better, but I feel like the diet regimen that the cleanse suggests would be good enough if you just want to feel healthy. But if you're looking to have a complete body cleanse, get all that crud out, and start fresh, I would definitely suggest this one. It was cheap, the ingredients of the pills are natural, which made me okay with the pill popping every day and night. Fiber is necessary for a full body cleanse because toxins hitch a ride out on fiber, so that part is definitely essentially if you want to detox. And make sure that if you do detox, you don't do it more than about 3-4 times a year!

I hope that you found this helpful! If you've ever done a cleanse I would absolutely love to hear about your experience or any suggestions you have for my future cleansing! xoxo

A Brainy Breakfast

Everyone always talks about how breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And no one wants to wake up an extra half hour before school starts to prepare themselves a full-on breakfast. So, usually breakfast consists of a banana or a granola bar to go. But preparing your breakfast the night before or taking ten minutes in the morning to make a small meal might be the best decision you can make during the day. Easier said than done, I know! So here is a simple, 5 minute, incredibly healthy breakfast you can even take to go.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it has to be healthy. A healthy breakfast provides more focus and concentration during the day, which is essential for students especially. It is also key for athletes because it increases strength and endurance. It lowers cholesterol levels too. All these benefits from such an easy and quick morning routine!

What you'll need:

1/2 cup prepared oats, any kind
1 banana
1/2 apple
3 tsp chia seed (or hemp seed)
1 tsp-2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp brown sugar
Sprinkle of coconut (optional)

Directions:

1. Slice your banana and cut your 1/2 apple.

2. Place your fruit, chia seed, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl with the oatmeal. Sprinkle coconut over the top.

This will take you under 5 minutes in the morning, and you can place it in a tupperware to go if you're in a rush! I'll admit, I hate oatmeal. I've always wanted to like it, but the texture and flavor just gives me the heeby jeebies for some reason. Me posting this recipe means it really is worth a try! I like it because the apple gives it the perfect crunch!

Oatmeal has several benefits. It reduces the likeliness of Type 2 Diabetes and high blood pressure because it is a whole grain. It lowers cholesterol and provides Vitamin B, Iron, and Magnesium.

Bananas are what is known as a 'resistant starch', meaning that they are a healthy carb that makes you feel full, holding your appetite for longer. The greener the banana the better! It also provides Potassium and helps with blood pressure and hypertension.

Apples are an immune system booster because of the Vitamin C they provide. They are a filling snack because of their decent amount of calories, and they help satisfy a sweet tooth too!

The biggest bonus to this healthy breakfast: chia seeds. They don't have flavor, so you can add them to anything, they're great in yogurt with granola! Even though they are expensive, they are worth it I promise! Chia seeds provide Omega-3 fatty acids, which most people don't get nearly enough of, and if they do it is in the form of a pill. They also provide protein. They'll keep you feeling full longer because they expand to a size much larger once they've been ingested. They've been shown to increase energy levels in the mornings, speeding up the metabolism, and lowering cholesterol. There's a reason it is known as the 'superseed'!

Let me know what you think if you get a chance to try this healthy and balanced breakfast! With a side of juice or almond milk, it is the perfect breakfast! Do you have any brainy breakfasts you'd be willing to share with me? I'm one of those breakfast-haters, so I'd love some ideas! xoxo

Valentine's Day

In this generation, Valentine's day might be about the flowers, the chocolates, and the greeting cards, but that isn't how it has always been. Of course, Valentine's Day is in honor of Saint Valentine. Feasts began in his honor, but the way the day was celebrated changed rapidly. In the time of Geoffrey Chaucer, Valentine's Day was a day to embrace romantic love. In this era, courtly love was tradition; chivalry and nobility. Today? Hallmark cards, fancy candy, stuffed animals, and gifts beyond measure.

I'll admit, I'm a sap for Valentine's Day. I'm that girl that says "I don't give a single crap about it", but am secretly not so nonchalant. I told Jason this year that I didn't want to do anything, then found out he was scheduled for work. I dropped hints for a week...and he got it right away. I told him I didn't want gifts or surprises, I just wanted a night with him. And I think that is what the day is supposed to be about.

There's always people that absolutely despise Valentine's Day. I get it. It increases Hallmark's sales, it makes single people feel crappy, etc. etc. BUT...there is a point to it. One thing has stayed the same throughout all these years: appreciation of a loved one whether that be shown with chivalry or 77% cocoa. Even though this appreciation should be shown every day of the year, it gives all loved ones (not JUST couples) a good excuse to be together for a night whether that means a romantic dinner out with a partner, a night in on the couch, or snuggles with the kids. It is just about showing love, in all forms.

After realizing this, I sat and thought about tonight for awhile, on the past 2 and a half years I've been with Jason. How many things he has given up for me, how many things I couldn't have gotten through without him, and all the amazing ways he has changed me. A night with him alone to remember and make more memories with him was all I needed. So, if you don't come home to flowers on the table or chocolates on the dresser, remember than a simple I love you means even more, and that is what Valentine's Day is all about.

Here's a glimpse into my night tonight, which I couldn't have asked for a better guy to spend it with. We wen't to a nice Italian restaurant, in light of the fact that we haven't been out to dinner in months together, and it was exactly what we needed.

We started out at Mama Stortini's with some bread and marinara.

A Shirley Temple is a necessity for me, everywhere!

This is my man. I can't say enough good things about him, and I can't wait to spend every future V-day with him.

Some chicken parmesan for the guy.

A delicious meatball marinara sandwich with a blue cheese crumble side salad for this girl.

We ended the night at the sold out showing of Kingsman. Our night was full of good food, and so much laughs and happiness. College, work, and a million other life choices can make life stressful and serious. Sometimes a night to get the mind off of things makes more of a difference than planned.

How did you spend your Valentine's Day? What are your thoughts? I'm hoping to slowly add some more personal posts in here so you can get to know me, because I want to get to know you! xoxo