Firstly of all-ly (just go with it), thank you guys so much for all of your amazing feedback on my last post about dealing with fat days. Not only did you guys share some great tips on how you deal with them yourselves, but simply admitting that you do in fact experience them was comfort in and of itself. It’s easy to feel like we’re the only ones that struggle with something, so being able to see that we’re not alone is definitely therapeutic. If you find yourself in need of a body image boost, go check out the comments.
Secondly (of all-ly), how do you like my sweet swirly pumpkin!? I saw the little guy at the farmers’ market yesterday and just couldn’t resist. I’m pretty sure that I’m going to leave him as-is, since he’s all sorts of perfect, but I’m also incredibly tempted to paint him up like Jack from The Nightmare Before Christmas. We shall see.
Thirdly (_____), it’s Sunday and that means two very simple things… One, it’s time to share some links that I’ve been loving over the past week; and two, it’s time for me [and my stretchy pants] to go stuff myself silly on Thanksgiving dinner! Even though Canadian Thanksgiving is technically tomorrow, my family always celebrates on the Sunday before…. So… turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, roasted veggies, and my secret [for now] dessert…. here.I.come
Assuming I don’t fall into a food coma, I’ll see you guys tomorrow! 😀
In my head…
Blog SEO: How to Use Keywords via Jennifer Grayeb.
SEO is confusing, but good knowledge of it can increase your traffic. Jennifer gives a great breakdown.
6 Myths About Greek Yogurt via Fox News.
With so many different brands out there, it’s important to know what you’re buying.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep via Real Simple.
Sleep is one of the best things we can do for our health. Great tips on how to improve your night.
ED Specialists Not Immune to Weight Bias via Fox News.
Some practitioners have a prejudice against the obese, and this can affect their interaction with patients.
7 Ways to Stop Fearing What Everyone Thinks of You via Marc and Angel Hack Life.
” Constant approval-seeking forces you to miss out on the beauty of simply being yourself”
How Being Selfless Can Impact Your Mental Health via EmpowHER.
Doing things for others not only benefits them, but makes us happier as well.
Simple Things You Should Be Doing Every Morning via Huffington Post.
Best.advice.ever –> “If the first thing you do in the morning isn’t 100 percent for you, selfishly, then the rest of your day will be spent not doing anything for you”
Skewed Perceptions via Better With Sprinkles.
Great read about the influences of media and comparison on our self-perception.
Wonder Woman via Olives ‘n Wine.
Great post about the reality of life — it’s not perfect.
5 Things Successful People do Before 8 AM via Huffington Post.
How you start the day determines how it plays out. Great tips to get on the right track.
Self-Like via Snack Therapy.
We all know we deserve to be loved, but can you honestly say you like the person that you are?
Low-Calorie Diets Can Be Dangerous via Slim Sanity.
Weight loss isn’t the only side effect of severe caloric restriction… Don’t do it!
12 Reasons to Stop Multitasking Now via Health.com
Decreased productivity, stress, mistakes… Multitasking does more harm than good.
5 Strength Training Truths Every Woman Should Know via Huffington Post.
To achieve maximal health, you need to get stronger. Get under some real weights and lift.
For my belly…
Pumpkin Chia Almond Butter via Eating Bird Food.
AB infused with fall-inspired flavours of pumpkin, maple syrup, and cinnamon? Sign me up!
Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Chickpeas via Sally’s Baking Addiction.
A great snack option! Everyone knows there’s nothing better than cinnamon and sugar.
Recipe Roundup: Fall Favourites via Kiss My Broccoli.
I can’t even handle the yum in this post. Eat ALL the fall foods!
Skinny Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Walnut Streusel via Apple of my Eye.
This girl can seriously do no wrong in the kitchen. These pumpkin gems look amazing.
Spaghetti Squash Mac and Cheese via Popsugar.
Because sometimes we need a lightened up version of a classic favourite.
Healthy Applesauce Bread via Hungry Healthy Girl.
Getting tired of all the pumpkin? Switch things up with this delicious applesauce bread.
. – . – . – .
Help me out with the holiday spirit! What’s your favourite thing to eat on Thanksgiving?
Two things you’ll be doing (or you did) today. Go:
As always, I’m totally digging all the links…especially the one from that broccoli girl! 😉 Thanks, love! I got a little excited about the “better night’s sleep” one, but unfortunately, I’m already doing almost everything they suggest! I think the only thing I have left is to dig out my lavender oil and shove the bottle up my nose! Ha!
And thank you for finally helping me understand what the heck SEO is! It seems to be a popular buzzword all over blog world lately and I’ve felt like the only one in the dark! Although now, I think I’m feeling some pressure…especially when I think back to all my “creative” post titles that have absolutely nothing to do with the recipe I posted! Umm, whoops? 🙁
At Thanksgiving I always look forward to mashed potato and stuffing but oddly enough my most favorite thing is my grandmother’s cole slaw. Kind of out there for a Thanksgiving dinner, but I specifically request it since I only get to have it at holiday dinners because that’s generally when I usually see them. I’m a tad bit spoiled! 😉
Okay I really want to make those cinnamon sugar roasted chickpeas. I’m addicted to The Good Bean cinnamon chickpeas, so I would love to be able to make them myself! Also I loved that Greek yogurt article – it really goes to show you need to know what you’re buying rather than just mindlessly following a trend.
My favourite Thanksgiving dish is pumpkin pie! 😀
Whoa. I just saw 30 minutes of my life disappear right before my eyes. Plain Greek Yogurt, only 1 or 2 ingredients seems to be the way to go. Slim Sanity and Snack Therapy’s posts were so timely and true!
I haven’t even made a dent in those food posts yet. First and foremost I have some business homework to get to and then maybe…. 😉
Wow, SUCH a great list of links… I just spent the past 30 minutes looking at almost all of them! Thanks for sharing 🙂
That is the cutest pumpkin. I took my son to a pumpkin patch on Friday and picked up a couple great ones! Thanks for the links; I can’t wait to try the spaghetti squash mac and cheese!
Love LOVE these posts 🙂 Thanksgiving is all about pumpkin for me! It is definitely my favorite. My sister in law makes an amazing vegetarian quiche, too. Ah, so much deliciousness. Haha
As always – great link up. I know I can make the pumpkin chia almond butter myself, but I totally wish I could just snap my fingers & it’d appear right this second. I’m not quite sure I can wait the 30 minutes it probably takes.
So many great links, as usual. I actually stopped and chilled out for a minute this a.m. after reading the one about taking time for yourself first thing in the morning and how it impacts the rest of your day. I’m usually rushing to finish my blog posts in the a.m. before getting to my real job (ya know the one where I earn a paycheck), and I really need to take a few minutes to meditate, stretch or do something completely selfish. It’ll probably make finishing the blog post easier.
Thanks for spaghetti squash link as well. Mine is still hanging out and since this recipe involves some cheese, I’d say it’s a winner.
Oh and how very selfish of me…
Happy Thanksgiving.
First of al-ly, great links as per usual- I am pretty much considering knocking off each of Heathers fall recipes one dish at a time- she can do no wrong (even in her X rated state)
Second of al-ly, I still reckon that pumpkin be made into a ball gown.
Third of al-ly, I am actually excited to see this recipe creation your tempted us on insta with tomorrow- I’m trying to work out what it is but fail whale-ing.
Fourth of al-ly, please eat turkey for me. lots of it.
I’m not sure about a gown, but can we settle on a carriage? I’m pretty sure that’s how Cinderella did it, so there’ve gotta be specs for it somewhere. And I just finished Thanksgiving dinner and may need to be rolled out of here… eat ALL the foods!
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! Eat some yummy food for me 😉
Always enjoy your link love post 🙂
Amanda, I hope this doesn’t come off strange, but I just want to thank you so much for your blog. Your blog has taught me so many things about myself and about health, especially that you don’t have to workout everyday or eat veggies for every meal to be healthy. It makes me so happy that there’s a blogger out there (you!) who is okay with eating breakfast all day and sitting in for a change. You are such an inspiration, coming from where you did to where you are now, and I hope someday soon that I can be as comfortable with my eating and exercise habits as you! Once again, thanks for being such an awesome blogger and for inspiring me to keep up with a REAL healthy life, instead of the obsessive-healthy-living that so many blogs are about. I usually don’t even comment on the blogs I frequent because I’m a bit shy, but I was having a tough time today and your blog really picked up my mood! 🙂
Awwr thank you so much for leaving such a sweet comment, Julianne — you totally just made my night and I hope your day picked up as well <3
Great reads, especially about the Greek yogurt. I think a lot of people don;t realize that the fruit greek yogurts often have far more sugar then normal yogurts. I came to that conclusion because I’m diabetic but I’ll add fruit in all the time.
Yeah, the amount of sugar in some of those yogurts is kind of crazy — they have as much as things like ice cream and pudding. Fruits are perfect, though — just the right amount of sweetness.
Thanks for the fabulous links- can’t wait to check them out. I love the ones by Huffington Post too! I could get lost on that site:) HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! WE WANT TO SEE PICTURES OF ALL YOUR LOVELY EATS DEAR!!:)
What great links… I can’t wait to check them all out! Have a great and very yummy Thanksgiving! Thanks for sharing the Applesauce Bread!
Thanks for sharing! 🙂 My favorite Thanksgiving dish is a scalloped corn my Mom makes. I made it myself a couple years ago and it turned out really good! Oh – and pumpkin pie. Can’t go without it!!
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! You can come down to my house in a month to celebrate twice! 😀 My favorite thing on Thanksgiving it my mom’s homemade stuffing. I can’t get enough. We tried freezing corn on the cob this year so we’ll see how it comes out on the big day. Hopefully it’s not an epic fail.
Two things I’m going to do today: Get Chipotle (I think) and help my mom in the kitchen in about five minutes. Catch ya later 😉
Thanks for the link love lady! Annd as per usual, I just opened like 8 new tabs on my internets 😉 Keeping me entertained on Sunday mornings!
Today I did go to a spin class, and then I will be going to the MIL’s and taking over her laundry room. And then being jealous of your Thanksgiving meal, because my holiday is going to be spent doing laundry :-p
If it makes you feel any better, I was folding laundry at 5 AM this morning because I left my house a disaster zone last night… whoops.
Happy early Canadian Thanksgiving. We still have 6.5 weeks until ours, so I’m pretty jealous of the delicious meal that awaits you. Thanks for sharing, lady <3. Can't wait to check some of these out!
Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for the links- perfect Sunday morning reading.
I’m planning on going for a 10 mile run this morning and working on my blog this afternoon… and hopefully eating an extra-yummy breakfast after my run!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for the links Amanda – Kiss my Broccoli’s fall line up was AMAHZING!!! and while I don’t harbor an aversion to strength training, running-for me- helps save my sanity specially on “yuck days” more than lifting – fav turkey day thing to eat is pumpkin pie 🙂 So far I have only managed to drink coffee and chat with a friend 🙂
Happy early Thanksgiving to you and your family! What’s on yalls dessert table ?
Drinking coffee and chatting with friends always makes for a good day 😀 And the dessert is secret for now… buuuut I can tell you that it involves pumpkin and chocolate, and I’ll be sharing the recipe soon.
Happy Thanksgiving! I think I should start planning a trip to Canada around this time of year just so I can get my favorite holiday in twice a year lol. I always did love Canada. I hope you have yummy stuffing and sweet potatoes and all of the good stuff and enjoy every bite!
Love the collection of links! Now I have some reading to do 🙂 Happy Sunday Amanda!
Two things I’ll be doing today: First off, meeting up with Laura from HLS for coffee (!!!) and secondly, spending today celebrating six years with my boyfriend. =)
Awwwr! Happy Anniversary to you and the boy, Kelsey!
All these links look so interesting! I’ll need to sit down and read basically every single one when I have the time today. For now though, I’m off to teach Sunday school and then drive to Maryland for a college visit with my mom!
Happy early Canadian Thanksgiving! My family used to live in Canada (before I was born), and I have a Canadian dual citizenship, so we celebrated last night by going out to dinner. Really just an excuse to go out 😉 But my favorite real Thanksgiving food would have to be stuffing!
Great roundup, as per us! I really like that ‘5 Things’ article. I definitely need to make my days more top heavy. Lately I have been struggling to get my daily to-do list totally accomplished. I think this would help.
Happy Thanksgiving!! I’m missing warm pumpkin pie this year!
I have to admit that I love waking up early and knocking a good handful of things off my to-do list before most people even wake up… even if that means that I do end up being a zombie around 10 PM 😉
Love your links 🙂