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beating the SADs, my happy pills, and a WTF (ToL #165)

January 14, 2016 by Amanda @ .running with spoons. 121 Comments

Happy #thinkingoutloud Thursday! No idea what I’m going on about? Click here!

Thinking-Out-Loud

1. I re-busted my thumb! ? I managed to get it to close up (sorry!) so nicely, and then it split open again (sorry x2!!) while I was taking shots of those blender brownies I posted the other day. This is what I get for being too lazy to set up my tripod and trying to hold up a cumbersome DSLR with a janky, busted up finger. Lesson learnt. And the worst part is that I don’t even have any brownies left to drown my sorrows in. Whatever. So totally worth it (<– love you guys who sent me messages and pics letting me know you tried them and loved them!)

Brownie Teaser

 2. And speaking of janky and busted up… can we please talk about what is going on with my bandaid right now?..

Janky Bandaid

Or, more importantly, what I’ve been doing with my thumb to get it to look like that?!?! Seriously. The fabric bandaids are nice and comfortable, but those suckers do NOT wear well. I haven’t even had this one for very long!

 3. But let’s switch gears and talk about something that’s a little less… err… gruesome –> makeup. I still haven’t managed to get my butt into a Sephora to pick up my free birthday gift (can you tell I love shopping??), but I have a feeling it’ll happen either today or tomorrow because there are a few items on my wish list that I want to check out as well, with the most most notable one being this Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Palette…

Kat Von D Eye Palette

[source]

How perfectly wearable do all those shades look for an everyday eye?!? I have (and love) her Shade + Light Contour Palette, so I’ve got high hopes for this one. I’ll let you know how I like it! Maybe it’ll even make it into this month’s favourites post. And yes — I still plan on testing out some falsies. I just have to find a decent drugstore kind so that I’m not experimenting (and potentially wrecking) the more expensive kind.

4. Speaking of favourites, I’ve GOT to tell you guys about the most random thing that I’ve been loving lately — these FriXion pens from Pilot. Why? Because they’re ERASABLE. And not the crappy kind of “erasable” from back in the day where you’d have to use an actual eraser that’d do nothing but smear the ink all over your page. These erase by friction, and it legit gets rid of every trace of ink…

Frixion Pens

I’ve been using them in my planner in case I have to change something around or I don’t like the way I wrote something. And yes, I’m that person…

 5. I’m also that person who seems to kill plants like it’s her job, so that orchid I got for my birthday? I don’t have high hopes for it lasting overly long… Especially since I’ve already killed a couple of those guys in my time, and they’re supposed to be one of the harder plants to take care of.

Birthday Orchids

6. My cupcake balloon, on the other hand, is still going strong… ish ?

Surviving Balloont

7. Can we talk about the SADs for a second? The Seasonal Affective Disorder (with an ‘s’ because I thought it sounded better) that comes out to make people… err… SAD… around this time of the year? I used to get hit by it pretty hard around mid-January, and while I may not be quite as energetic and peppy as I am in the summer, I’ve found a few things that help make the shift in mood/energy barely noticeable. First? Getting outside every.single.day…

Walk In The Snow

… and I don’t mean just running from your door to the car or walking to a different building between classes. I mean something like going for a walk, run, bike ride (I see it all the time!!), snowboard trip (??), or anything where the main goal is to spend some time moving around in the fresh air. I’ve made it a point to get outside for at least 20 minutes a day no matter how cold it is, and I can’t even tell you how big of a difference it’s made in keeping the SADs at bay.

8. Second? A few choice supplements. Now keep in mind that this is what works for me based on my own personal experience, but I have noticed energy/mood improvements [that hopefully aren’t placebo effects] since I started supplementing with these two vitamins… 

Winter Vitamins

Vitamin D and a sublingual vitamin B12. Deficiencies in either can have a huge impact on energy and mood, and vitamin D is especially important in the winter when we’re not getting as much sunshine. These are literally my happy pills.

9. Aaaaand that’s it for me today! I’ll see your friendly faces again on Saturday with a new oat-based recipe for this week’s Sweet & Savory Saturday theme! Have the best Thursday and Friday!

Thinking-Out-Loud2

An InLinkz Link-up


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No questions… just tell me whatever comes to your mind! πŸ˜€

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Filed Under: Thinking Out Loud Tagged With: bandaids, brownies, FriXion pen, Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Palette, SAD, thinking out loud, vitamins

Previous Post: « healthy chocolate lover’s blender brownies
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Arman @ thebigmansworld

    January 22, 2016 at 8:52 am

    ahhh the thumb!!!! I was so cautious when I made my blender brownies the other day because the blade was insane…like, even cleaning it.

    It’s freezing now so I have the SADS

    Reply
  2. cori

    January 20, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    I second/third/eighteenth the super glue recommendation. I used to row in school and the oars twisting and turning in your hands would just rip them apart. Super glue worked so well and the team ran through it like water. Now that I work as a butcher (I’m a young small blonde butcher and man do I hear about it) I’m constantly washing my hands and they split in the dry colorado weather. Do the super glue thing, REALLY.

    Reply
  3. Erin @ Erin's Inside Job

    January 17, 2016 at 1:48 pm

    That palette looks magical. I had someone do my makeup this weekend for a party and I was so sad to wash it off bc it was magical. I need to step up my makeup game again…

    Reply
  4. Sheryl Rose

    January 17, 2016 at 8:57 am

    Love your tips Amanda. The one about fresh air I absolutely agree with. I have known homeless people in my time and yes, the filled up grocery pushing hobo type. Never ever did I see the one’s I personally knew ever sick. Always walking in the fresh air.
    Me? I’d rather sit in the basket and roll it downhill lol

    Reply
  5. Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets

    January 16, 2016 at 6:16 am

    I used to consume vitamin D like it’s my job, 5,000 units a day, but my gyno cut me back to a 1,00o and even made me boot my C altogether. Pfft, she doesn’t know about my lemon water consumption though so there. I showed her.

    Clearly I’m delusional. I’ve been up since 6ish so maybe that’s why. I see a nap in my future.

    I’m fascinated by this idea of erasable pens. I had no idea such a thing existed.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 16, 2016 at 11:03 am

      Always a rebel πŸ˜‰ And I actually had no idea they existed either before I got into planning. But the ECLP is so pretty that I didn’t want to mess it up, so I went searching for ways to avoid doing that πŸ˜†

      Reply
  6. Runwright

    January 15, 2016 at 6:47 pm

    I love that FriXion pen. I have to check it out. I almost never need to erase but I might make a few mistakes just in order to test out the features. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  7. Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health

    January 15, 2016 at 2:46 pm

    I’m that person too! Sometimes I’ll rewrite my grocery list because it looks too sloppy, lol! Yeah, I need that pen in my life. πŸ˜‰

    I love your tip to get outside and take a few supplements to help with SAD. It’s been rainy and cold here and I can definitely feel it starting to get to me. I just started taking B12 but I could probably use some vitamin D too. Thanks for the reminder!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 16, 2016 at 10:57 am

      Confession: I’ve actually rewritten entire pages of notes in college because I didn’t like the way they looked… But at least I was getting some extra studying in? πŸ˜†

      Reply
  8. Hayley Blake

    January 15, 2016 at 9:58 am

    I want that pen!!! The only thing I hate about having a paper planner is crossing things out when plans (inevitably) change.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 16, 2016 at 10:54 am

      I’m the same way! These pens have definitely bee na godsend in that regard.

      Reply
  9. Kaila@HealthyHelperBlog

    January 14, 2016 at 7:58 pm

    SADs? I feel ya. EVERY DANG YEAR. Part of why NEED to move somewhere warm all year round. Also, those pens?! I NEED them. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 15, 2016 at 12:54 pm

      Think Hawaii would take all of us? πŸ˜†

      Reply
  10. Jen @ Chase the Red Grape

    January 14, 2016 at 7:48 pm

    Orchids… So beautiful yet I kill every one I get πŸ™ so I stopped buying them, even if they look so pretty!
    Growing herbs at the moment and its half and half between death and surviving…. And I say surviving because these things sure ain’t thriving! In my defence it’s so hot here right now they just shrivel up :-S

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 15, 2016 at 12:53 pm

      I tried to grow herbs once and the same thing happened to me — they ended up as -dried- herbs πŸ˜†

      Reply
  11. Jade

    January 14, 2016 at 5:37 pm

    Fabric bandaids are useless unfortunately. Those erasable pens sound awesome! And, I definitely noticed an improvement in my mood when I started supplementing with B12 and D. My BC made me super depressed and that helped, but since then I’ve just kept it up because it’s good to supplement those things, especially on a vegan diet in the Pacific Northwest.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 15, 2016 at 12:39 pm

      The Pacific Northwest! Such a beautiful place. I’ve road tripped through there a handful of times, and I’ve always said that if I were to live in the States, it would be somewhere in that area.

      Reply
  12. lucie

    January 14, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    You won’t believe it, but despite getting a superhot summer in here in Sydney, I am craving snow – or more sunny slopes in the Alps and my snowboard. I can not wait to be back and hit it!
    As for the vitamins – I take these too and am convinced they help with the moods. Being outside is a must for me, ESPECIALLY in winter and on rainy days. It’s so nice to get back to the warm living room after a little outdoor movement πŸ˜‰

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 15, 2016 at 11:47 am

      Oh I believe it! By the end of summer, all I want is snow and my snowboard. One day I’ll make it out to the Alps..

      Reply
  13. sarah

    January 14, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    I can’t wait to read the linkup Saturday! And I need to learn how to do makeup better lol, I see all these girls rocking it and I just have no idea where to even begin!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 15, 2016 at 11:46 am

      Have you checked out any tutorials on YouTube? I swear that’s where I learned most of what I know πŸ˜†

      Reply
  14. Suzy

    January 14, 2016 at 11:46 am

    Being outside really does help SAD even if it’s dark and rainy. I usually play music and that helps too, especially music I listened to in the summer (Summer Time by Vybz Kartel).

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 14, 2016 at 2:51 pm

      Ooo! Good call on the summer music! Hard to feel down when you just wanna dance around your house πŸ˜†

      Reply
  15. Jess @ Keeping It Real Food

    January 14, 2016 at 11:41 am

    I hear you on the SAD. I’ve found that making a point of getting outside of the building helps me a lot on days I work at the hospital and start to feel despair in the afternoon.
    Your orchid photo reminds me that flowers are another great pick-me-up I need to revist.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 14, 2016 at 12:51 pm

      It’s pretty amazing how much nature can brighten up our moods. Fresh flowers do so much for a room… even if they’re just simple wildflowers.

      Reply
  16. Jen @ pretty little grub

    January 14, 2016 at 11:29 am

    Red Cherry lashes are the best!! You can get them from ebay for cheap and they’re real hair and come in lots of different shapes. That’s always what I use on my makeup clients.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 14, 2016 at 12:48 pm

      Noted! Thanks Jen! I actually picked up some Ardell lashes from the drugstore since they were pretty cheap and I heard they made a good beginner lash. Fingers crossed.

      Reply
  17. Shashi at RunninSrilankan

    January 14, 2016 at 11:07 am

    An erasable pen???? Whaaaat???? Clearly I need to look for those
    UGH -am so not a fan of the cold – but you are right – just getting outside for a bit does seem to help – even though I hate admitting it!
    On a side note – my daughter still has her birthday balloons from early December still going strong!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 14, 2016 at 12:46 pm

      I found mine in both Walmart and Target, Shashi, so they shouldn’t be too tough to come across! And I’m hoping my cupcake makes it to the end of February. Fingers crossed!

      Reply
  18. jess @ Run Pink Jess

    January 14, 2016 at 10:21 am

    oh my word. yes. Those bandaids are the worst especially if you work with your hands a lot! Thank you for sacrificing your thumb. lol πŸ˜‰ I kill plants too. It’s okay. My kid is still breathing so I have my priorities straight. Have a happy Thursday!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 14, 2016 at 12:45 pm

      πŸ˜† Omg that seriously made me laugh out loud. I don’t have any kids, but my dog is still alive so I’ll take it πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  19. Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves

    January 14, 2016 at 9:48 am

    I don’t think I have SAD, but I still think that getting outside (despite the frigid temps) would do wonders for my mood for the rest of the day. So I think I’m going to take a walk today!
    And gahhh sorry to hear about your thumb. Take care, Amanda!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 14, 2016 at 12:44 pm

      Enjoy your walk, lady! Make it a photo one πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  20. Shannon

    January 14, 2016 at 9:11 am

    I would never be able to survive in cold weather cities! I get SAD living in southern California, and it is only gray like maybe 10 days a year! ? Getting outside everyday definitely helps keep me sane though even when it isn’t cold and dreary outside!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 14, 2016 at 12:43 pm

      Ohhh to live in SoCal. I bet you guys enjoy the rare rainy day THAT much more.

      Reply
  21. Joyce

    January 14, 2016 at 8:59 am

    Definitely know about the SADs. The combination of the cold and the short days and the post-holiday malaise. This time of year I always think of the song “February” by Dar Williams.
    I like the idea of making sure to be out in the sun. I’ve also been trying to make sure to get exercise. I forget how much better it helps me feel, even if it’s indoors.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 14, 2016 at 12:42 pm

      SO true about exercise. I find I’m so much more sluggish and unmotivated on days where I don’t get any physical activity in. That natural endorphin high is a godsend πŸ˜€

      Reply
  22. Jo @ Living Mint Green

    January 14, 2016 at 8:46 am

    I feel you on the SADs. It’s why tanning beds used in extreme moderation can be beneficial for us poor Canadians. I literally haven’t encountered more than a few seconds of sun to skin contact in weeks. πŸ™

    I bought this eyeliner sampler from Sephora that contains a Kat Von D liquid eyeliner and it’s AWESOME! I actually find it impossible to make a mess of my face with it because it’s so precise and doesn’t run.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 14, 2016 at 12:40 pm

      I’ve heard that about tanning beds, but I’m still a wimp. I know there are light therapy lamps you can buy for your office/bedroom though — they’re supposed to work wonders. And I’ll have to look into that eyeliner. I use one from Stila that I adore, but I’m always up for trying new things when it comes to makeup πŸ˜‰

      Reply
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Amanda

I'm Amanda - health coach, cookbook author, recipe developer, photographer, makeup junkie, and the blogger behind Running with Spoons - a blog dedicated to proving that healthy snacking doesn't have to be tasteless or boring, one delicious recipe at a time. More about Amanda β†’

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