Boom. One month of 2015 in.the.bag.
How are we feeling about this? Personally, I’m not quite sure. I mean… it’s a little hard to believe that it’s already the end of January, but at the same time Christmas feels like it was for.ev.er ago, so… I’m undecided. How about I get back to you on that one? In the meantime, what do you say we take a little look back at the past month?
I know I usually put up a monthly favourites post to close off each month, but after doing it for over 2 years, I think I’d like to try something new for a little while. I enjoyed sharing my favourites with you guys, but I always felt like I was trying to cram way too many things into one post, so instead I’m going to split things up and do a little blog/life recap at the end of each month and then insert some random favourites posts whenever I feel like I have some favourites to share.
I have to admit that part of my desire to switch things up has to do with the fact that I’ve fallen into the habit of reflecting on my days and noting the things that stuck out… and I wanted to start doing that for Spoons as well. That One Line A Day book I mentioned a while back? You can blame that. But I’ve actually really enjoyed taking the time to make a note of what happens — it makes time slow down a little so it doesn’t feel like the days and weeks are flying by without me noticing. So without further ado, January at a glance.
Strawberry Coconut Overnight Oat Parfait
Apple Oat Greek Yogurt Muffins
Sweet Brown Rice Breakfast Bowl
Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Oatmeal Cookies
For Savory Style:
Spinach and Feta Mini Frittatas
. – . – . – .
- After a semi-slow December, Spoons got some pretty sweet features in January!
- SHAPE Magazine featured my Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Bake in their “Healthy Breakfast Ideas for New Yearβs Day.”
- Huffington Post featured my No-Bake Almond Fudge Protein Bars in their “15 Clean-Eating No Bake Snacks and my Banana Oat Greek Yogurt Muffins in their “18 Healthy Breakfast Ideas.”
- Teen Vogue featured my Banana Bread Mug Cake in their “9 Things You Absolutely Need to Know to Survive Dorm Life.”
- And Fitness Magazine featured my Flourless Gingerbread Muffins in their “9 Gluten-Free Muffins You Can Make at Home.”
- You guys keep rocking my socks off with all your Thinking Out Loud posts! January saw the linkup’s highest number of entries yet (at 96), and here’s hoping we can hit over 100 in the next few months!
- And thanks so much for helping Spoons hit over 7k on Facebook. You guys really are sock rockers.
. – . – . – .
- I’m pretty sure the biggest event of January was the fact that I turned 30 years young. It didn’t end up going over quite as I had expected, but being almost a month into it, I have to admit that 30 doesn’t feel any different from 29. Or 28. Or 27. And if the past month is any indication of how the next decade is going to go, then I have a feeling it’s going to be a good one.
- Abnormally gorgeous weather in January meant not one, but two snowboarding trips up to the mountains. Cravings almost satisfied.
- I discovered my newest obsession this month, and was pretty darn stoked to see so many of you treat yourselves to it as well. If you ever need anyone to talk planner-related things to, then hit me up because I’m obsessed with all things planner, sticker, washi, post-it, and marker related. And yes, it’s a real thing — Google it.
- I started putting a little more effort into my running [again] by following the Couch to 5K program. I haven’t been as consistent with it as I would have liked because of needing some recovery time after boarding, but overall it’s going really well! I think I’ll squash my goal of being able to comfortably run 5k by the end of the year.
- Studying, studying, and more studying. I’m currently working on getting my Registered Holistic Nutritionist degree through the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, so every spare moment goes into my studies. Is it weird that I actually look forward to it?
. – . – . – .
- More recipes! February means Valentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day means chocolate! Lots of sweets and treats coming up next month.
- Online health coaching! I’ve been meaning to introduce my services online for what feels like forever now, but the perfectionist in me wants to have all the details nailed out before I do. It’s coming!
Tell me at least one awesome thing that happened in January!
What’s in the books for February?
More places to find me!
E-mail — [email protected]
Twitter — runwithspoons
Facebook — runningwithspoons
Pinterest — runwithspoons
Instagram — runwithspoons
Bloglovin — runningwithspoons
Phoebe Adrienne
Congratulations I hope you get more recognition. I love your site π
AmberLynn Pappas
Just curious, since I love your site, but what are the rules for online health coaching in Canada?
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Hi AmberLynn! I’m honestly not aware of any special “rules” for online coaching in Canada. You can’t call yourself a nutritionist or dietician, and you need to be clear in your disclaimers and terms of agreement, but that’s pretty much it! It’s all about being honest and upfront with your clients while not trying to take on issues that are beyond the scope of your practice.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I loved reading about your well deserved accolades. In fact, I just shared some with the Hubby and he is suitably impressed. Maybe even a little star struck.
So there’s a race in October….I’m gonna need you to up that mileage a click. Go get ’em. No pressure or anything though. π
Cassie
I don’t know if anything fab happened in January… but looking forward to Angela and my boyfriend visiting this month!!
Kim
Hooray for lots of Valentine’s Day sweets and treats!
lucie
I bought a planner too!! I LOVE it. It’s not as detailed and professional as yours, but it’s sooo cute.
And I ‘d like to move in in order to be your personal taste tester. Ok?
Brittany
I can’t BELIEVE January is over. It flewwww by. What a legit month you had! LOVEEEE.
Jess @hellotofit
That’s amazing that your posts were featured in those magazines!! I can’t believe January is basically over, either…excited for Febrauary, though! Looking forward to your blog posts next month!
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen
I like the new format of this post! And congrats on all the features – man you are killing it!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance
Congrats on so many amazing features! I love seeing my favorite blogs given the recognition they deserve.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Aww! Thanks so much, girl!
Aja
Congrats on the awesome month! I can’t believe January is over already.
She Rocks Fitness
I agree…no clue where this month went and I don’t think things are going to slow down either…CONGRATS on all the features this month. Very awesome and well deserved…Enjoy the remaining days of January friend! π
EVA
Just look at this post: your 2015 is going to be KILLER! 30 days into the year and you’ve already done more than I’ve accomplished in my 19 years of life. I hope that SHAPE mag issue is still making the rounds as I need to go to Target and witness your fame for myself! AHHHH I’m just so proud! Keep up the awesome work, and make us some rad desserts for the incoming month! My new year’s resolution is to GAIN weight, so give a sista a hand!
Awesome January happening: SO MANY THINGS! But making the gig poster for the band I work with was awesome! And just being able to work in general is something I am so grateful for.
Coming up for February: Getting all my shit together for my study abroad trip! It’s the first time I’ll be leaving the country (passport time!); hell, it’s the first time I’ll even be going on a plane!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I remember you mentioning that job — freaking awesome! And that’s way too cool about studying abroad. It’s something I wish I did when I was in school too. Where ya headed?
EVA
Ah, I’m so sorry! I mention that dang job way too much. But thank you! You are quite fortunate though; you have no idea how much I’d give to be able to see the mountains as often as you do. Screw beaches, right?! And I’m undecided between Japan and Italy….for the Japan trip you have to apply and be accepted as you go as an ambassador for the school, so maybe it’ll be Italy automatically haha!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
Congrats on a great month and turning 30. You’re so right that it doesn’t feel much different than what came before. Also I’ve noticed that being over 30 makes you lose track of how old you are exactly π
Bridget
Congrats on being featured in so many magazines! You deserve it!!!
Ellie
January was a beautiful month! The weather only started getting bad yesterday so I am not one to complain. My goals for February are to keep enjoying the winter and not fall into the dreary depression that seems to plague anyone in cold weather. I want to maintain my peppy attitude till Spring!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Definitely an awesome goal to have! I’ve noticed that taking a vitamin D supplement really helps, as does making sure to get some fresh air every day… even if you have to bundle up and it’s just for a quick walk.
Arman @ thebigmansworld
Congrats budddddddy. We all know what the real highlight is…well consistent highlight π
Um…I just realised I can’t eat ANY of your recipes Monday-Friday! Argh!
Jessica @ kiwiyogirunner
It’s so great that you look forward to studying! I feel the same way about my MA! I absolutely geek out over it which is a great feeling compared to hating my undergrad π
So exciting about your couch to 5k! Go you!
One awesome thing about January was spending New Years ice fishing with my man after doing long distance <3
And in February I'm super excited to be going home to my family in New Zealand before going back to my studies in Australia! Lots to look forward to π
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
That’s definitely some awesome stuff to look forward to! I’ve never been to New Zealand or Australia, but both are on my travel bucket list π
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth
Awesome month! I missed a load of recipes since I stayed away from the computer when I was sick, so I’ll be catching up on those soon π
Congrats on all the features this month! And of course I’m always looking out for more chocolate recipes so Feb needs to hurry up haha
Runwright
Awesome thing that happened today: I got featured on the Valentine RD blog http://www.thevalentinerd.com/fridays-featured-female-karen-wrightrunwright/
lindsay
You amaze me! that is all! Keep doing whatcha doing! <3 you for being real and making us drool
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
<3 you right back :)
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
Wow! It sounds like you had a rockstar month, Amanda! π Congrats!
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness
Well it looks like this has been a wonderful month! All those features are amazing!!! Your banana bread mugcake is one of my favorites! This year is becoming a planner year for me too! I am perfecting my inexistent artisitic skills by decorating my plannerS! π
Miss Polkadot
January has definitely passed in the blink of an eye. Looks like 2014 got fierce competition in the fastest-year-ever category … I’m not sure if I like it.
Congrats on all of those features! Hard work pays off and you really put a lot of it into Spoons so it was well deserved. I still don’t know how you do it all when I struggle to balance full-time work and blogging but I guess it’s some secret ‘manda magic. (:
February is going to be … interesting around these parts. Hopefully in a good way.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
“Interesting?” Well now I’m just super curious! And I don’t really manage to do it all… i.e. I still owe you an e-mail π³
Hollie
I cannot believe how fast the month has gone. It feels like January just started! Anyways I’m with you that I can’t believe you turned 30…and how big your thinking out loud posts have gotten. It’s truly awesome.
CakeSpy
Looks like it’s been a delicious month. I am SO all about those banana bread vegan cookies!
Christina @ The Athletarian
It’s been such a great month for you so far – congrats! So many great accomplishments. I’m pumped for you and this RUNNING goal. Sooo when are we going to do a race together??? π
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
When you come to Edmonton? π
Cat
Sounds like a great month! Jan isn’t my favourite (is it anyones!?) but I actually had a really great month… will be writing my own little round up this weekend! I weirdly got some rice pudding cravings in the last week so I’ll be checking out that rice pud breakfast bowl for sure! Ultimate comfort food π
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I feel like I -should- say that January is my favourite since it has my birthday and all, but… it really isn’t π
taylor @ greens & chocolate
I agree – it’s hard to believe January is almost over but Christmas feels like forever ago! Looks like you had a mighty delicious month….I can’t wait to try the Strawberry Coconut Overnight Oats!
meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles
I barely remember the holiday season too and it wasn’t all that long ago. I feel like I was in Disney months ago and it was really a matter of weeks! This month is a total blur, I honestly don’t know where it went or what I did.
Suzy
SO awesome about all those publications. I feel so proud of my fellow Canadian writer! Great about the Couch to 5k, exciting about your new studies. I’d say your January has been pretty productive. π Nice job. Looking forward to the chocolate-fest next month! Woohooo!
Casey @ Casey the College Celiac
Sounds like a solid January! Mines been full of class, food, friends and fun! (Plus loooooads of school work). Overall, though, January turned out pretty well. Especially since I tried zoodles for the first time!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Zoodles. Can.not say that with a straight face π
Liv @ Healthy Liv
Woo, congrats on all the awesome places your work was featured this month! That’s so awesome!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
Congrats on all of the amazing accomplishments this month! You are seriously rockin it girl! I’m sure it feels so good to see all of your hard work pay off. Here’s to an even better February!
Erin @ The Almond Eater
What a great month you’ve had! Congrats on the features and 7k, and hooray for turning 30! I mean, I already knew that happened, but you’re right–30 is much bigger/better than, say, 29 π
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Thanks, lady! I seriously need to write myself a Post-It note to remember, because I keep forgetting π
Sam @ Grapefruit & Granola
Congratulations on all the features your blog has received. That’s awesome! I am a fellow Erin Condren lover…. I understand the obsession π
Jen@jpabstfitness
Love all of your recipes, each one that I have tried has been incredible! Here’s to a fabulous February π
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
You sold me! I ordered my Erin Condren planner last night. Thanks so much for the referral link – it was great to save a little bit. π Have a wonderful weekend and congrats on all those great features!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Thanks so much, Lauren! And you’re seriously going to LOVE your new planner π