Happy #thinkingoutloud Thursday! No idea what I’m going on about? Click here!
1. Omigosh. Omigosh! I’m in a magazine!
So, a few months ago, a health magazine we have up here in Canada called Alive reached out and asked me if I wanted to create a dessert recipe for them as part of a fall potluck roundup they were doing with 4 other Canadian bloggers. I was like… uhm, hell yes?!? My mom actually read Alive all the time when I was little, so it felt pretty crazy to see my recipe (and face 😬) among the pages after all these years. It’s the September issue, if any of my Canadian peeps want to check it out!
2. And because I know everyone wants to know who won the Luxe planners from last week’s Erin Condren giveaway, I won’t drag it out and make you wait ’till the end of the post. The winners are…
Congrats, guys! If you’re not sure if someone is you, I’ll be sending out e-mails for shipping info and layout/colour preferences, so be on the lookout for that appearing in your inboxes soon. And thanks so much to everyone who entered! If you didn’t win (I’m sorry! I wish everyone could!) but still want a planner, you can still use my referral link to get $10 off your first order.
3. So today’s the first day of September (what?!?!), and because I don’t think I’ll manage to get a monthly favourites post up for August, do you mind if I just share some favourites here? There’s only a couple big ones, with the first one being… my FitBit Charge HR.
[source]
Okay, so I really didn’t expect to start liking this thing as much as I did. It’s made SUCH a huge difference in how many steps I get in a day, which in turn has made SUCH a huge difference in both my energy levels and digestion. Like… I didn’t even realize how big of a toll so much sitting was taking on me until I realized how much better I felt when I stopped doing it. I used to really struggle to even break 4k, and I knew I was being a little too sedentary, but “knowing” it and actually seeing that you’re coming in so far below your goal is a little different. Since really committing to the Bit, though? I’ve been getting 10k+ (usually around 12-15) daily, and it feels pretty darn awesome… partially because seeing those stars or checkmarks or bubbles being filled on the dashboard is strangely satisfying 😂 And besides the steps, I really love the sleep and heart rate tracker too. There’s an option to track your food and water, but that just feels a little too much like work to me.
4. And if you’re wondering what I did to almost triple my steps, the only real change I made was that I started slowly walking on the treadmill while I worked on my laptop. And when I say slowly, I mean slowly. Like… 2.5-3mph max. I’ll prop my laptop on the little ledge on my treadmill and type away while I stroll. It’s awesome because not only does it keep me from sitting for really prolonged periods of time, but it also gets the blood flowing and I feel like the words and ideas flow better too. That and it really helps prevent the dreaded afternoon slump.
5. Favourite #2 is Tailwind. I feel like I need an entire post devoted to this one, but I’ve used a handful of different Pinterest schedulers before, and Tailwind is by far my favourite. Not only does it analyze your data and pick optimal times for you to post, but I love that you can visually see what your schedule will look like and drag the pins around if you want to change something. It’s not fully set-and-forget, in that you actually have to set time aside to fill up your pin schedule, but I do that once or twice a week and then I don’t have to worry about it anymore. Seriously a godsend. Let me know if you want a more in-depth review!
6. You know something I don’t love, though? Or at least that my face doesn’t? Too many cleansing products. In my head, I feel like the more complicated face routines are supposed to give better results because you’re using all these fancy exfoliators, serums, and elixirs, but in reality? Doing that always makes my skin look horrible. I seem to get the best results when I just wash with warm water in the morning, use my Purity cleanser at night to take off my makeup, and finish with a super simple cream made for sensitive skin. I guess I should be thankful. Fancy skincare products are crazy expensive.
7. Alright, friendly faces, I gotta go. I’m leaving for BC tomorrow morning, and I’m in full-blown OMG frantic, frazzled, scatterbrained, overwhelmed panic mode. Like… I obviously haven’t packed, and there are still things I need to go out and buy. Not to mention getting posts drafted and pictures edited… One day I’ll get better at not procrastinating. Today is not that day. But I love you! And I’ll still be popping in while I’m gone. I’ll do my best to post regularly to Instagram [stories] and Snapchat (runningspoons)… which shouldn’t be too hard since it’s seriously beautiful over there. Ok. I gotta go. Bye!
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Today is my BIRTHDAY!!
Congrats on the magazine . That is cool. Great idea about the steps.
OMGEEEEOWWWSSSHHH – CONGRATS Amanda!!! Wow!!!! So frakin Awesome to see your recipe in a magazine and oooh – just think soon you will have a WHOLE BOOK of your recipes – gowsh girl, can’t wait!
I need so much help with Pinterest, and adore Tailwind too – but I sometimes forget to schedule – that’s where Boardbooster helps me out!
I’m super bummed I didn’t win the planner. Hopefully it will pass. I am happy for the lucky 4 though.
And congrats on being featured in Alive mag. That’s awesome! Enjoy the celebrity status! 😀
Congratulations on being in Alive! I loved hearing your experience with FitBit charge too
Congratulations on the magazine! Good for you!!!
Congrats! That is so exciting about being in a magazine and your book coming out, you’re on fire! I would love to see a post on Tailwind, everything that I’ve seen never really tells you HOW they do it, just yea you add in all your pins, blah blah, and then they say they add 3000+ a month and you’re like woah, how do they do that? Where do all those pins go? How do you do that?! Thanks! Enjoy your trip to BC.
I like to keep it simple with skincare because my face can start to freak out with too much going on as well. I have a cream cleanser in the morning and I use a NYX honey serum for moisture and then I use a gel cleanser in the evening to wash off all the grime. I haven’t found a good evening moisturizer yet…
Congratulations on being featured in Alive! I can’t think of anyone better suited for it!
Ummmmm, how flipping COOL that you’re in a magazine!!
I really enjoyed Tailwind, but I’m not certain I can justify the cost.
Have a great time in BC!
Congrats on the magazine, you definitely deserve it!
I don’t have a fitbit but I have a garmin version of one and you are right it changed everything for me. I thought I was “pretty active” but boy was I wrong. I also feel so much better when I make that effort to get 10K steps.
Have you seen the new fitbits that just came out? I need one! I’ve been upping my steps too and loving it. I realized I can literally put on a Netflix episode on my lunch break and jog in place around my office and I’ll get up to where I need to be. I also have recruited co-workers to taking step breaks with me throughout the day.
Congrats girl!! That’s so awesome!
I also love Tailwind. I’ve had a post draft about but haven’t actually written it up yet. It’s just so magical!
That is super cool that you are in a magazine; I love seeing my favorite foodie bloggers get published all over the place! 🙂 And I’m with you on the cleansing products; Maybe this is kind of weird of but I only wash my face about 3 times a week because if I do it more than that it seems to strip my face of all its oils and make it really dry.
I need to really put more time into Tailwind. I totally did not know that it was that amazing; thank you for sharing that.
I love standing at my desk, but that’s cool that you are walking and typing on your laptop at the same time. That was a really genius idea. Does the treadmill have a flat enough console for you to put your laptop? What kind of a laptop do you have?
Can I ask what cream you use on your face? I have very sensitive skin and everything I have tried has been either too heavy or made for acne prone skin, which I don’t have.
I’ve really simplified my skincare routine too. Purity cleanser is magic.
Congrats! That is awesome just like you!
Congrats on the magazine- so exciting! I love seeing my name in print so I’m sure you were psyched as well 🙂
Congrats on the magazine feature!! I remember when I was blessed to be in a magazine a few years back. Unfortunetly the magazine didn’t make it, but it was still a really awesome experience! Here’s to hoping this is the first of many for you!! <3
Congratulations on being published, as a fellow Canadian and Blogger I also enjoy reading Alive . Must also say that I love your blog and have fun sharing your recipes/links with my network and on social media via The F-word Paradox (Fashion, fitness, food, family fun etc) Safe travels!
I’m obsessed with Tailwind–seriously, it makes life so much simpler. Congrats on the magazine feature lady! Very cool.
Congratulations on your recipie being featured in a magazine! That’s awesome!
That’s awesome, congrats!!! If I see that mag out this way I’ll definitely pick it up! I love my Fitbit, and really love the features coming on the new one so I might need to get it!
So much awesomeness here! Congrats on the magazine and great idea to walk on the treadmill. I get so tired sitting working at my laptop.
I use tailwind too– it’s pretty easy!
Congratulations on the magazine–soooo excited for you!! I do the same thing with skin care routines–I need to stick to basics! What’s your current favorite moisturizer for sensitive skin?
I need to get Tailwind! Everyone sings its praises!
Congrats on the feature! That is very cool. I couldn’t agree with you more on Thailwind. I’ve been using for over a year now and would not use anything else!
Yay! Congrats! Your recipes are so beautiful and actually approachable—awesome to see that in a magazine : )
opportunities like the magazine are so fun!!!! congrats you make beautiful recipes and deserve the recognition!
Congrats on being in a magazine, that’s really exciting! And I like my FitBit HR Charger too, I increase steps by randomly getting up from my desk and taking a lap around the building I work at or run a random errand, I didn’t do that before wearing it
Congrats on being featured in a huge magazine! What a great accomplishment! Also good job on getting more steps in!
How awesome you’re in Alive!! That’s incredible. Congrats. 😀😀😀
I bet it feels SO cool to be in PRINT!!!! The internet has made it easy for anyone to be “published” but seeing your work or creation in print just feels so awesome. Congratulations!!
I am so frustrated with pedometers because some days I walk all over like crazy for work, and other days I literally am at a desk for 4 hours straight. It sucks. Even running doesn’t make up for it, and then I feel lazy. I think my obsessive nature isn’t made for wearing pedometers. There is one on my Apple watch that automatically tracks steps but as long as I don’t open the app I’m not concerned with it. It would be cool if I could get a walking desk at work!
AHHH! So jealous of everyone that won a planner. I love my Erin Condren and I was hoping to win LOL.
I also like the Fitbit Charge. It doesn’t “motivate me” to workout more but I like knowing stats that can benefit me!
So many congratulations on the magazine! I totally knew you when 😀 But seriously, it is about damn time! I’m surprised this is the first time you’ve been in one. I really need to consider tailwind, but I don’t know if it would be more of a food blogger thing. Or a straight up fitness blogger thing. I’m still considering it, and I’ve heard it go both ways (YES or nahhhhh). Thoughts?
I’d freak if I saw something of mine in a magazine – so cool! The sitting for me is pretty bad although with the kids around they make sure I get some steps in since I can’t work for long stretches. Still, I wind up feeling stiff late in the day. I never know what affects my skin but more products is never the right answer. Still looking for one really good cream though.
so exciting about the magazine! I was looking at the new fitbit, I don’t know for sure that I want one after having one a few years ago but I like the look of the new one! I am a several step face product person. when I run out of a few products (like right now) I go back to just washing and a moisturizer but I like those extra serums for sure. I think when they make things seem worse, there’s something in the product that we are allergic to so maybe that’s it.
so exciting about the magazine! I was looking at the new fitbit, I don’t know for sure that I want one after having one a few years ago but I like the look of the new one! I am a several step face product person. when I run out of a few products (like right now) I go back to just washing and a moisturizer but I like those extra serums for sure. I think when they make things seem worse, there’s something in the product that we are allergic to so maybe that’s it.
Congrats on the magazine!! That’s amazing!
Congratulations on making it into a magazine! That is super exciting– and you definitely deserve it! 🙂
Congratulations on all your successes!I hope to be as successful as you one day 🙂