The weekend is here! The weekend is here! 😀
Okay, I’ll admit that it feels a bit strange to get excited over the weekend because it’s not exactly like I have some sort of schedule to follow during the week, since classes have ended and I’ve yet to start working for the summer. But still. I’m always looking for reasons to be happy, and it being Friday is as good a reason as any. Mwee! Some other reasons to feel good?
Feel Good #1: Getting a good night’s sleep (unlike last night).
Feel Good #2: Breakfast! The best meal of the day.
Eggy steel cut/Scottish oats with carob, banana, and roasted almond butter.
Feel Good #3: A great workout. You know those days where you just can’t wait to get up and get moving? Mmm hmm. Today was one of ’em for me, and my workout flew by without me noticing and left me feeling energetic for the rest of the day. Here’s a breakdown of what I did; it’s kind of a random lower body circuit that I went through twice – so 30 minutes total.
- 10 minutes on the treadmill; 4% incline, 6mph
- 1 minute walking lunges
- 1 minute burpees (these kick. my. butt)
- 1 minute squats
- 1 minute full effort jumping rope
- 1 minute plank
I was definitely starting to feel it by the time those 30 minutes were up, and after cooling down with some stretching, I couldn’t wait to dig into…
Feel Good #4: Post-workout feasting! Grec = Greek and Fraise = strawberry, for all the non French and/or Canadian’s out there. As an aside, I probably learned half of the French I know just by reading cereal boxes and other bilingual product labels while I was growing up. But I digress. This was a cookie dough ball (ugh… addiction) and strawberry Greek yogurt eaten straight from the tub.
And no, I didn’t eat the whole thing… although I may or may not have briefly considered it…
Classy, I know. But I didn’t want to be stuck in the kitchen doing dishes when I could be…
Feel Good #5: Relaxing in the sun with a dear friend.
Our deck needs some love. Eesh.
Kaiah (my little pooch) is my tanning buddy. She chooses to lay in the sun when she could very well pick a nice spot in the shade. Nothing like being out in the sun with a fur coat on, right? 😯
Feel Good #6: Using Christmas dishes in the middle of May.
Yes, that’s Rudolph under my toast. Yes, I’m aware that Christmas was five months ago.
Feel Good #7: Blogging. I can’t believe how happy I’ve been with my decision to start blogging again. I love writing and being able to connect with people, and a huge smile spreads across my face any time I see a new comment on one of my posts, or a new face that I haven’t seen before. The other day, the lovely lady over at Czech Vegan even hit me up with an award, which definitely put a smile on my face. See?
I’m a shy smiler… and please excuse the glare/laptop quality photo – I’m still a bit too lazy to set up self-timed shots on the DSLR. Anywho. Along with the award came a few rules. Hey, nothing in life is free 😉
- Smile
- Write 3 things you like about your looks
- Write 3 things you appreciate about your personality
- Write about something you find beautiful in other people.
- Award as many others as you like, and let them know!
. – . – . – .
- Smile? I’m already smiling! (see above ^^)
- Looks? My eyes, my light dusting of freckles, and the fact that I look a lot younger than I actually am (which I’ll probably appreciate even more when I’m older and not getting ID’d all the time 🙄)
- Personality wise? I love that I’m kind-hearted and non-judgmental towards others, and that I regularly take the time to stop and reflect on the world around me.
- Others? I think those who respect others and aren’t afraid to be themselves are beautiful.
- … I refuse to do this one; there are just too many! So, if you’re reading this, consider yourself awarded and take some time to think about the things that you love about yourself 😀
Feel Good #8: Chick-lit.
Guilty pleasures. Admit it. Sometimes there’s just nothing like it…
Feel Good #9: Taking the time to stop and smell the flowers…
. – . – . – .
So that was my Feel Good Friday. Nothing extraordinary – just a bunch of little things that added up. I used to think that happiness only came with something big; that I would only be happy when [insert any event here]. And, sure, it would happen and I’d be happy – at least for a little while. But the happiness usually faded and I’d be left waiting for that next big thing to happen so that I could be happy again.
These days, I try and pay more attention to the simpler pleasures in life. Sure, a delicious bowl of oatmeal or a good book don’t compare to, say, winning the lottery, but they have their value, all the same. In the end, it’s not what happens, but the attitude you approach it with that makes all the difference.
. – . – . – .
What made you feel good today?
Any fun plans this weekend?
I had a lot of harvest after seeing this post of yours! Before, I used to play games, this is a fun game for entertainment, but now I will follow you, read your articles will have more knowledge.
I loved Shopaholic! My favorite chick lit of all time! My mom call them ”brain washing litterature”, because they supposedly make you ”stupid”, lol.
You’re a Canadian too? I didn’t know! I recently saw Liberte new greek yogurt: Mango Orange! There’s Date & Fig and Wild blueberries too 🙂
I try to find the bright side in any situation, drift hunters and the fact that it’s Friday is an excellent excuse to do so. Mwee! Why not find even more cause for joy?
I may, or may not also crack out the Christmas crockery midway through Spring…
Seasonal (/ downright garish) kitchen-wear is kind of a guilty pleasure. You ought to see the stash of mugs I’ve got. It’s a little embarrassing.
& I don’t get dogs’ love of sun, despite the hefty coat. We’ve got a random cat & a couple birds that lay in the grass for hours just chilling in the sun. It’s actually really cute, cos they look like they couldn’t be doing anything other than just kicking back! x
Sometime in the middle of Spring, I might even get out the Christmas dishes… Buying trendy (or ostentatious) cookware is a flagle pleasure we sometimes indulge in. You wouldn’t believe how many cups I have. It’s humiliating, to put it mildly.
wow it’s such a nice thing to feel good about things. I’m going to have to try your workout minus the treadmill because we don’t have one…need that energy!!
I totally use unseasonal dinner ware as well. and I relish it!
I’m feeling good that I mowed the lawn today and helped my parents out. AND made strawberry froyo and had it in a shake.
this weekend is sunny- another thing that makes me feelin’ good 🙂
great feel good things; love them all!
Great Post!
I love the sunny weather, summer is finally coming!
What a great list, I loved it! Made me smile for sure! 🙂 And I’m relaxing this weekend, finally!
Finishing my race made me feel goooooood. By the way, burpees rock, don’t they? They’re rough, but they get the job done!
What made me feel good today was getting rid of the scale 🙂
Your gorgeous!! and you must always have the best breakfasts!
YOU ARE SO PRETTY!! gorgeous!! seriously!!
and awesome workout and YAY for the weekend!
What a lovely post, my beautiful Amanda 🙂
I agree with you, happiness is found in the little things. If we don’t find joy in them but wait for something extraordinary, we risk never finding joy at all.
Haha, you read chick- lit? 😀 Cool. I do too at times, when my mind needs a break. It’s not exactly chick-lit, but the books by Kate Morton are terrific.
My day has just begun, but it has been beautiful so far. Waking up to sunshine and hearing the birds sing, being filled with love and gratitude, enjoying a nourishing breakfast free from any disorded thoughts, hugging my dog . . . Life is wonderful.
<3
Blogging has definetely made me a happier person too! I had no idea anything like this even existed until a few months ago, so I’m still new to it all I guess. After reading a couple of your posts, I’m thinking about switching back to steel cut oats. I used to have them all the time a couple years ago, but was too lazy to continue making them when I could just zap some quaker oats in the microwave. It made me feel good to watch a movie I’ve been wanting to see called ‘running across the sahara.’ I loved it!
Steel cut oats are AH-mazing. I honestly don’t think I could ever go back… I’ll even wake up earlier to make sure I have enough time to make them 😀
You have some pretty fabulous reasons to feel good 🙂 We have only 7 a.m. here, so not a lot of thing have been going on yet, but my staple feel good reason is breakfast, and some others for today would be: shopping trip planned with my roommate, visiting the botanical garden and going for a party in the evening…yay, I am having an amazing Saturday 🙂
I am so glad you posted your answers on the award-questions, because all you have sad is so nice and thoughtful!! Have a great weekend girl!
This is such a cute post, I’m so happy to have found your blog, you’re such an uplifting person. I love your spirit and charisma 🙂
I’m so glad you are back to blogging!
I loved this post, it was so uplifting. 🙂 And those workouts that you go into feeling tired only to leave feeling energized are my all time favorite. Glad you had a great one!
Taking a wonderful 2 mile walk was my feel good for the day 🙂
I love the Shopaholic Books! Becky Bloomwood is a riot 🙂
What made me feel good today? The rare and amazing sunshine and getting to frolic around and have some self-time under it!
Weekend plans: Dinner dates with friends, a jaunt to the farmer’s market, and just relaxing and taking care of some biznazz
You have a gorgeous smile by the way 🙂
Your breakfasts always look so yummy! And there’s nothing wrong with using Christmas plates in the middle of the year. After all, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be merry 😛
xxx
Kaiah!!!!
I missed her and I am glad you are blogging again, too.
I used to be a chik-lit snob until I relented and disovered that some are much more intelligent than I thought. My faves are
Jennifer Weiner, Emily Giffin (the new movie something borrowed is gonna ruin it I think), and Jen Lanaster (though I don’t think she counts as chick lit she just counts as awesome chick)
I’m not feeling the best lately. Not at all.
So this post was lovely to read.
And your eats….I wish, …I wish…
“mini shopaholic” is an enjoyable book for needed distraction.
u might also like some Emily Giffin (“Heart of the matter” was nice.
I really enjoyed the book “Water for Elephants” …odd since that is typically not my thing.
The Hunger Games trilogy are amazing.
I could go on and on and on and on.
When one is in sleep or sit all day literally …one is of need to find something to do i guess.
My dog loves lying on the sunny parts of the porch too! It’s our favourite way to pass time together sitting in the sun and reading chick lit (me, the dog can’t read) 🙂
I used to be that girl too…who used to always wait until the next thing that could make me happy…never stopping to smell the flowers or live in the moment because I was always too busy trying too hard to make things perfect.
Today I stopped to eat at a fish grill with the BF 🙂
Have a wonderful wknd girl!
I love being able to appreciate the little things, too 🙂 And you have no idea how happy I still am that you started blogging again!
Kaiah is such a cutie and she has a wonderful name, too 😉
making it to the gas station before running out of gas made me feel good today 😛 i was playing with fire and trying to see if “E” really means “EMPTY!!!” on the new Jeep, haha. (It doesn’t.)
mmm love this!!! i needed this because ive not been feeling so hot today physically – got some weird stomach bug! but i did feel good having lunch with my sister and going to see Something Borrowed with her! =) i also love that youre BLOGGING again!!!!!! that makes ME happy!
Awwr <3 So sweet, girl. Feel better soon!
What a great post! I am thrilled you are back to blogging – this post just made me smile. especially the part about taking time o stop and smell the flowers!
Your posts are siesta so uplifting and positive! Have a great relaxing weekend and enjoy the sunshine! -aimee
Iv read all Sophie Kinsella’s books- LOVE!
I am psyched you started blogging again. Some people just seem made to blog & I def think youare one of them, the pics , the food, the words= awesome/amazing/beautiful!
Having tried cottage cheese mixed with nooch ( after seeing it on your blog)and your cookie dough balls, I can confirm you are a genious- ill be right on that crazy lunch combo from yesterday.
Xxx
Haha! Thanks girl! Both for the blogging compliments and trusting my somewhat strange culinary judgements 😀
Happy weekend love!! You are just amazing! I love your outlook on life and I love how sweet you are! I am gladnyou are blogging again, because I love your blog! Your pup is adorable!! Sunbather : ) so sweet!!!
Love this post!! Happy Friday!!
Xoxo
How could you go wrong with a breakfast like that? 🙂 I’m in the same boat as you — school is over and I haven’t started working so Friday should just feel like another day but it’s exciting knowing everyone else who do have jobs and such are about to be free too.
P.S. I have freckles and get told I look younger than I actually am too!
What could possibly go wrong with such a breakfast? Since school is ended and I haven’t begun working, Friday should seem like any other day. However, it’s wonderful to know that everyone else who does have jobs and other obligations will soon be free. People often comment on my freckles and say I appear younger than I am.
Aww what a lovely post 🙂 I love fridays because I know I can stay up and have a lie in in the morning (although a lie in for me isn’t for a lot of people haha!) Today I had a great workout this morning and I got a compliment from a friend who said I look ‘healthy and glowing’ these days 🙂
I wish I could recommend some books to you but I’m afraid my easy read tends to be magazines!
The healthy and glowing compliment is one of my favorites 😀 I’ve been getting it quite a bit lately, too.
I can never recommend Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl enough for reading (yes, they are young adult sometimes kiddish reads– but so amusing and good!).
Today, watching Julia Child’s cooking show made me happy 🙂