Friday Link Lovin’ [#8]

 

Hey fraaands. How have I not done a Friday Link Lovin’ post since mid January!? Possibly because I just got so excited creating new recipes and whatnot for you all that I couldn’t help but share them when and where I could! Seriously there are not enough days in the week to feed my obsession that has become this blog 😉

If you’re new around here, Friday Link Lovin’ posts are all about sharing some love by linking to other blogs, plus the occasional random findings on Buzzfeed, YouTube, Greatist, etc. that I find note-worthy.

But before we begin, I’m just going to throw it out there and say that I’ve been pretty damn stressed these past couple weeks. Probably more like a month at this point. I’ve had to take a little break from my regular posting schedule this week (typically 3x a week) just to maintain my mental well-being, that if gone unnoticed would probably eventually turn into my physical well-being. Ha, it who am I kidding, it already has… the knots in my shoulders are evidence of that. Melodramatic much, Ashley? Possibly… And I’m quite aware that I’ll look back not even a year from now and realize how silly I was being. But my stress and anxiety are currently getting the best of me. I’m sorry this is all so vague, but I can’t disclose too much quite yet. Big changes are coming, and it has been a lot harder for me to deal than I originally thought it would be… I’m literally on the verge of tears every few hours once I start thinking about things too much. I feel CRAZY (and NO, I’m not pregnant so PLEASE DON’T ASK) :-p

Anyways, I’M FINE. All will BE FINE. Annddd let’s move on to some links 😀

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FITNESS LINK LOVIN’ ::

Why Following a Training Plan May be a Good Idea for You >> Looveeee this little list of reasons from Giselle of Diary of an Ex Sloth. If you’re considering a fitness plan, working with a personal trainer, or joining some group fitness classes, read this!

Exercise Quality over Quantity >> Sam at Pancake Warriors shares with us an in-depth, and amazing post on why QUALITY of exercise is better than QUANTITY. I could have used this information a few years ago. May not have listened right away, but at least it would have been tucked away in the back of my brain 😉 If you’re still in the mindset where you feel you have to workout 6-7 days a week, please read!

3 Super Effective Leg Exercises >> Beverley from Born to Sweat (previously known as Sweaty & Fit) gives us three killer leg moves. All of which I LOVE including in my leg workouts. The goblet squats are killlleerrrr, and one of my favorite moves 😀

Barre Booty Home Workout >> Chrissa at Physical Kitchness is the queen of at-home barre workouts like this, definitely check this one out!

 

WELLNESS LINK LOVIN’ ::

Space Between Unhealthy & Too Healthy >> Margaret from Young and Rungry shares some thoughts …“There’s a balance in promoting balance. We live in a culture that feels the need to take one extreme stance or the other, but in realm of healthy there’s a HUGE middle ground.”

DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner >> Simple Medicine’s concoction for cleaning your yoga mat looks too easy. Even though I’m not a yogi (yet?) this looks awesome.

Lessons Learned in Year One of Marriage >> Emily Ruth Weir shares a little insight on what she has learned in her first year of marriage. As Drew and I are coming up on our first year of marriage, I can totally relate! Couldn’t agree more with this : “Sure, we had our share of challenges, but we faced them with the understanding that we’d be confronting them as a team, which I think helped us to easily handle all of the hurdles that came our way.”

Simple Self-Care Tips + Healthy Habits Printable >> love this fun list from Love Me Feed Me! Some ideas you wouldn’t think of at first.

Why It’s Okay to Have Nothing Figure Out (and how to deal) >> Christina does it again and helps us realize you don’t have to have your shit together. Just keep on keepin’ on.

Whole30 Conclusion: Likes, Dislikes, + What’s Next >> My Healthyish Life gives us a recap on her Whole30 journey. Something I have considered doing but not quite sure I’m there yet! (For several reasons…)

A Love Letter to My Body and the Benefits of Positive Self-Talk >> Can’t even describe how much I LOVE this post by Katie from Honestly Nourished. PLEASE READ.

BQs to Bottoming Out: What I’ve Learned from Injury and Triumph >> Suzlyfe shares what she’s learned from a year of “inspiration and injury”. Even though I don’t share the same passion for running as Susie does, I can still definitely relate to “…I cannot live happily without physical activity”.

 

RECIPE LINK LOVIN’ ::

Roasted Banana Split Breakfast Bowl >> Athletic Avocado is making us dessert for breakfast (per the usual) 😉

Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies >> Strength & Sunshine. This recipe looks like a lovely healthy spin on a classic! You can never have too many chocolate chip cookie recipes.

Chocolate Covered Chickpea Protein Balls >> Emilie Eats takes balls to the next level by making them with chickpeas!

Snacks to take hiking: 20 Bar & Ball Recipes >> Prepare for Adventure. Tons of hiking snack options here!

Easy Mashed Cauliflower with Kale and Chickpeas >> Fooduzzi is using purple cauliflower in this recipe and I’m obsessed!

Flourless Chocolate Skillet Cake >> A Traveling Wife gives us a chocolaty dessert that I could use about 3 of right about now…

Vegan Five Spice Molasses Cookies >> Vermilion Roots makes these molasses cookies extra spicey and vegan!

How to Home Brew Kombucha >> Talk Less Say More shares a video on making your own kombucha at home! I can’t wait to try 🙂

Buffalo Cauliflower Quinoa Bites >> The Almond Eater always making me hungry.

Sweet Potato Protein Cookies >> The Lean Green Bean gives us a protein packed cookie, but no extra protein powder required!

Wild Blueberry Ginger Kombucha >> Food, Pleasure, and Health is combining some of my favorite things in this packed drink!

Chipotle Sweet Potato Tacos with Avocado Cream >> Making Thyme for Health shares a delicious meatless Mexican meal. Anything sweet potatoes + avocado, count me in.

Creamy Polenta with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables & Garlic Chickpeas >> Pumpkin and Peanut Butter. Seriously drooling over this dish. Can you believe I’ve never had polenta?! What is wrong with me?

 

BLOGGING LINK LOVIN’ ::

A Blogger’s Guide to Working with Brands >> Super helpful tips for reaching out to brands from Patty at Reach your Peak! If you’re a blogger looking to work with brands, check this post out.

Blog Branding 101 >> From choosing colors and fonts to adding creative images, Amanda from ALB Designs (also Diary of a Semi-Health Nut) gives us the basics of branding your blog.

Just Be Yourself with Jessica Merchant (A Blissful Bites Podcast) >> To say that I’ve been loving Nicole Culver’s podcast lately is an understatement. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. She is interviewing some of the BEST lady boss entrepreneur women that kick some major arse. If you’re an inspiring entrepreneur, or food blogger, I can’t recommend this podcast enough. Oh, and Jessica from How Sweet It Is, is officially the sweetest <3

How to Grow a Vibrant and Engaging Community on Instagram >> My  girls Georgie and Christina have just recently launched the BGB Community website (Bloggers Gonna Blog) and I could not be more excited for them! This post by Georgie is legit if you’re looking into growing your Instagram account, with an emphasis on COMMUNITY.

 

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So that’s that for the links friends!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend. I’m taking some time this weekend to visit some of my BGB ladies in NYC, as well as catch up with one of my close friends from high school! I could definitely use the girl time, and hopefully it will take my mind off of some things and I can relax a little bit!

I’ll be back next week… I think 😉 XX

 

 

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