Thursday, January 29, 2015

coping with the winter blues


oh, the winter. it is notorious for making me feel a bit blue. i need a little sunshine in my life. and as much as i love to snuggle up by the fire, winter has never been my favorite season. i'm more of a fall kind of gal. i'm probably scarred from that time i went out to play in the snow as a child, only to realize my boots had a hole in them when i was a few miles away from home. my toes went completely numb, and well, i don't think i've ever fully recovered from that incident ;). but really, winter can be a tough season for us all, so i've compiled a little list for beating those winter blues!


1 | put on some lipstick - "look good, feel good..." so put on some lipstick and get dressed up. it makes all the difference in the world.


2 | visit your local humane society or animal shelter - or, just adopt a puppy! atleast that's what we did ;). don't worry, it was definitely pre-meditated. above is petey, the little pup we babysat, but i can't wait to introduce our new puppy, sage, here on the blog! seeing a puppy literally releases dopamine in your brain and puts you on a 'puppy high.' i mean, how can you see such a face and not feel just completely, perfectly, and incandescently happy!?


3 | keep fresh flowers in the house - fresh flowers instantly brighten up a surrounding and make it more inviting. having a cozy home can help you relax and stay in a calm state of mind.


4 | exercise - you know that absolutely fantastic feeling you have after a workout [not to be confused with the feelings before a workout...]? all it takes is 30 minutes of light to moderate exercise to really get those endorphins flowing. not to mention, it's a great way to clear your mind and get some alone time.


5 | journal - i can't tell you how many times i have been feeling down or upset, and all it takes is a little journal session to turn it all around. i'm much more prone to internal emotional chaos in the winter, so i've found that keeping up with my journal is key. keeps me sane, you know...


6 | sip a warm drink - if it's gonna be cold outside, at least have a warm drink in your hand :). its your only chance to cozy up on the couch with a blanket and a cup of coffee .. my favorite way to spend the morning.


7 | eat your veggies - when i know i am taking care of myself, i immediately feel better. not to mention, getting in the kitchen and cooking can be so therapeutic.


8 | deep clean - forget spring cleaning ... i'm all about winter cleaning. a cluttered, dirty space can keep you from relaxing and cause feelings of anxiety. if you're going to be stuck inside during the bitter cold months, it's very important to make your space clean and inviting. then, when spring comes around, your deep cleaning has been done and you can spend more time in the lovely weather outdoors!


9 | get out of the house - you can so easily go stir crazy by spending too much time at home. bundle up, and get out there! there's little i enjoy more than grabbing my hubby and going out for brunch or dinner. it doesn't have to be anything fancy, just get out and explore. :)

what are your tips for staying upbeat and positive during the coldest months of the year!?

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all photos from instagram. follow along, here!

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

around town || grill marks


my husband's absolute favorite meal is a good ol' burger. part of that is probably because he is deprived of them at home, considering i'm a [partial] vegetarian and all. so you better believe he's had us scouting out the best burger joints in town. grill marks is definitely one of our favorites. i love that they have vegetarian options .... and pimento cheese french fries ;). and scofield loves their endless burger options. if you're ever in greenville, this restaurant is a must-visit.

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grill marks
209 south main street
greenville, sc 29601

Friday, January 23, 2015

10 healthy recipes to help you reach your new year's goals

1 | vegetarian chili is so perfect this time of year. it's pretty much all i crave when it's cold outside. a warm cup of coffee in the morning, and a warm cup of chili at night. it's packed full of vegetables, giving you loads of fiber to help you stay full all evening long and prevent that late night snacking.
2 | fruit and yogurt bowl is perfect for breakfast. if you want to meet your health goals, then eat breakfast. i cannot say this enough. you're body has basically been "fasting" for 8 hours and needs breakfast to wake up your metabolism and get it going. not to mention, it keeps you from being so hungry throughout the day that you end up opting for unhealthy options.
3 | buttternut squash and brussels sprouts frittata is a family favorite. have eggs? have veggies? then you have a filling, healthy meal right on hand!
4 | baked beet chips are great for satisfying that snack craving. rather than eating potato chips, whip up a batch of these baked beet chips and store them in an airtight container for the week. when you get the afternoon munchies, you have a low calorie, nutrient dense snack at your fingertips!
5 | caprese avocado salad is a great side to pair with grilled fish or chicken at dinner time. it contains vegetables and healthy fats, packing in that nutrition and keeping you full and satisfied.
6 | parmesan and celery cauliflower rice is a great alternative to grains at supper. while i love whole grains and have no problem with them, i especially love vegetables and think we all need more of them. i love to serve this with roasted brussels sprouts, grilled salmon, and a tall glass of wine ;)
7 | gluten free banana bread is my all-time favorite bread recipe. i have to limit how much i make it because i could seriously eat the whole loaf. i love to toast it and have it for breakfast in the morning, or make a peanut butter sandwich out of it in the afternoon. not only is it made from healthy whole grains, but it provides a full serving of fruit and some healthy fats. double whammy, you know.
8 | kale and cauliflower soup is a great way to get more vegetables into your diet. kale honestly isn't my favorite, but i can down loads of it when it's added to this soup.
9 | butternut squash and pomegranate seed salad is a great, light side to any lunch or dinner.
10 | green power smoothie gets you going and fills you with energy in the morning. i think good decisions lead to more good decisions, and there's no better decision than filling your body with fruits and veggies first thing in the morning.

happy cooking, and here's to a healthy 2015!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

our week with a puppy

you might have seen on instagram, here, that we've been babysitting a sweet little pup. we had to give him back earlier this week, and we are so heartbroken! we were immediately attached and fell so in love with his puppy snuggles, puppy breath, and puppy tummy. we were seriously considering how to fake his death so we could keep him forever. my first federal offense [kiiiiiidding...].

anywho, for now we are missing our new little buddy, and searching for a sweet puppy child of our own. wish us luck!

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