1. How the heck is it June already? I feel like Memorial Day weekend happened in the blink of an eye. I suppose it would feel like that though since we were moving into our new place then. We’ll have been here for just about two weeks now, and let’s just say the whole unpacking thing is probably going to continue happening throughout the entire summer… possibly longer.
2. I know I’ve said this before, but our kitchen is so much smaller and it is making my messes feel 10x bigger. People with small kitchens, come help me organize and get my shit together.
3. Speaking of kitchens, major baking fail yesterday. I was trying to make a quick bread and it didn’t even set… like, what?! That’s what I get for trying to make it flourless -__- But because I hate wasting things, I thought “Well I’m sure it still tastes good. I’ll just spread it out and freeze it for ice cream toppings or something…” But good lawd even that was horrible! I took a picture for you as evidence… you’re welcome.
So, I fail. And when that happens, I go to…
4. Whole Foods. Okay, just this time I did because I had some coupons for products that I couldn’t get at Meijer. And I was good and grabbed a basket! … But then the basket got really heavy because I found all of the kombucha flavors I can’t find at Target or Meijer. But overall I was being very mindful of my purchases and only bought one (okay fine, like three) things I maybe didn’t actually need. The kombucha doesn’t count…
One more thing about Whole Foods… I could barely reach the top of the shelf while trying to get the canned coconut milk. I literally thought I was going to knock several cans straight onto my face. So that’s cool. Thanks for thinking of the short people WF.
5. Because we now live in such close proximity to so many things (i.e. the mall, Target, grocery stores, etc.) I feel like I’ve been to the grocery store at least three times this week. Annndddd now it is about to be four because I just realized I forgot dishwasher liquid. I literally have forgotten that the past two times I’ve been now.
6. Being home this whole week for the first time, I am trying to get myself on a schedule. However I’m finding it a little tough. The transition for me is still hard, actually really hard. I guess I am only in my true, first full week of being in a new setting again. You’d think my stress levels would have gone down by now but apparently my skin is telling me otherwise… You see, psoriasis runs in my family, and I’ve dealt with it before, but mostly just on my scalp. I have recognized that it comes in times of stress. In college it was after I had hip surgery, and probably during my finals. But now for the first time I’ve got small patches showing up on my arms and legs, making me realize I need to get it under control before it gets worse. Of course thinking about it too much is probably causing me even more stress.
So what am I going to do? Well obviously drink all of the kombucha 😉 I have read about cutting out gluten to help reduce inflammation but I already don’t eat a ton of gluten so I am not 100% sure that would help. I haven’t been as good about drinking my ACV every day, so I will definitely be starting that back up. Also, I just read about tea tree oil helping, which thankfully I just got some from NOW, and will be giving that a go as well. If anyone has had success with any natural remedies to help with psoriasis, I’m all ears. I should probably start doing yoga again too…
7. Starting next week I’ll be a regular contributor on The Big Man’s World! I’ve actually followed Arman’s blog well before I started my own, and instantly had a connection with him being from Australia, and I studying abroad there. If you’re familiar with Pinterest, you’re bound to see his recipes while scrolling through your feed. He is the master of no-bake recipes and protein-packed desserts- paleo, gluten-free, you name it!. He is seriously a hoot and I am so excited to start sharing some recipes over there.
8. Annddd I suppose that’s that! What can you tell me about your life lately?
thanks to Amanda for letting me think out loud
Aya Tsintziras says
I can totally relate! I’ve tried making coconut flour chocolate cakes so many times and can’t figure out the egg ratio. I always say that when you battle coconut flour, it’s probably going to win haha. Sometimes the failures still taste good though. Whenever I’ve lived in a place with a super small kitchen I end up not even wanting to cook at all, but sometimes getting an extra surface to cut stuff on (IKEA has a lot of wooden tables that are kind of like mini-counters) can help.
Ashley says
Coconut flour is so rough! And yes, IKEA is great for serving the small kitchen dilemma. Thanks Aya!
Pal says
Theo Chocolate is THE BEST and if you come visit we can do the tour in Seattle. Also, stop buying kombuchaaaaa!!!!! 🙂
Ashley says
DUDE I forgot to get the scoby again!!!
And yes to chocolate tours, always. <3
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says
Congrats on working w Arman! I met him a couple months ago and it was glorious (as was his granola). Also, I buy kombucha by the case from WF and then walk it home and collapse on the ground. Totally worth it though.
Ashley says
Hahahaha upper body workout brought to you by WF, sponsored by GT’s.
Alysia at Slim Sanity says
I can hardly ever go to the grocery without a cart. In for one thing, remember like 10 things lol
Ashley says
haha right?!
Megan says
I so feel your pain on the small kitchen thing. It stresses me out too! If I ever build a house one day, the main priority is def going to be my kitchen!
Ashley says
My husband jokes with me that when we buy our first house, we’ll end up renovating it to make the kitchen take up the entire house, leaving only room for 1 bedroom, and then it will have no resale value… He is probably not far off 😉
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Duuuude my kitchen is so small we don’t/can’t eat at the kitchen table because there’s just dishwater all over it. Luckily Miguel is more than happy to just eat in front of the TV, but still. And yeah I probably go to the grocery store 4-5x/week,, and I only ever remember to get blog stuff not “real life stuff” like shampoo haha
Ashley says
lol I was definitely using my kitchen table for prepping yesterday! It’s rough. –still haven’t bought dish soap yet 😀
Emilie @ Emilie Eats says
Thanks for keeping it real with us, gfran!! I love how you tried to save your baked goods? #nofoodleftbehind
I really believe that the best de-stresser is going to Whole Foods and buying a couple things you really don’t need…right? We all have those days.
Ashley says
that ## hahah <3
Yes, WF and good grocery stores are great for de-stressing. I'd rather grocery shop de-stress than clothing shop de-stress any day!
Christine @ thyme & toast says
I LOVE that you are keeping it real… and that baking fail picture is too much! Cracking up! I’ve definitely been there. That little cookie dough ball, however… I cannot wait to make those! Been drooling over your pictures all week!
Ashley says
Lol it is what it is. I was a little over ambitious with that recipe I suppose 😉 Just want to share that we all mess up and that is life!
But thank you Christine! I hope you make the cookies, they truly are a favorite 😀
Cassie says
I totally relate to baking FAILS. Anyhow, I’ve really been trying to get on a schedule as well. Not gonna lie, I do want to get into a tighter regimen too, especially with sleeping! Anyways, I’m totally excited to see you on The Big Man’s World! Arman is a good friend of mine and I know he only features the bloggers he thinks puts out the best content–and of course you have to be one of them!
Ashley says
Thanks so much Cassie 🙂 I hope you get on a schedule that works for you!
Stella @ Stellicious Life says
Hi Ashley! A friend of mine who had psoriasis had success treating it with eating healthy (no processed foods -> you’re good there :-), not using synthetic washing powder/liquid, etc, so that anything that touched her skin was not full of chemicals (she used oils and shea butter instead of the usual chemical-ladden body lotions,, soap nuts for laundry, etc.), and trying to rediuce stress by walks, yoga, meditations, etc. Good luck and breathe!
Stella @ Stellicious Life says
ps. Congrats on becoming a regular contributor on Arman’s blog!
Ashley says
That is awesome to hear, Stella! Thank you for letting me know about the lotions and detergent… that I something I could get better about. 🙂
Stella @ Stellicious Life says
You’re welcome Ashley, I really hope it will get better! My sister has had dermatitis (eczema) since her childhood, so I know the pain 🙁 Chemicals play a significant role (which hasn’t been spoken much of by doctors and specialists until recently). Courage!