Happy Friday! I hope it’s not too cold where you live. This is my winter promise to you that I will not complain about the cold in Florida…at least this week.
I’ve been slowly getting into a routine at home after the graduation/holiday/vacation festivities. It’s been a mix of structure and free-time, which I love because I can’t sway too much to either side. I do have some exciting things ahead (for the blog and for me in general) to keep me busy. I’m still confident about not rushing into the workforce post-graduation, but that’s not to say I haven’t been casually looking online to see if something peeks my interest (nothing yet).
As for today, let’s play a little catch-up…Friday Favorites style.
Friday Favorites
The BGB Instagram challenge
One of my (loose) goals for the new year is to Instagram more. Kind of a weird goal when it seems like everyone is trying to use social media less, huh? Anyway, the Blogger’s Gonna Blog (BGB) Instagram challenge has been a fun way to force me into Instagram. We have two more days of prompts so we’ll see if I keep it up on my own.
Iron Girl Clearwater Half Marathon + 5k
I’m so excited to be an ambassador for the Iron Girl Clearwater Half + 5k in April. We had the kick-off event and group run this past Tuesday at Fit2Run in Tampa. It was a short (and chilly) run so it was great for me as I’m recovering from injury. If you are in the Tampa area here’s a discount code to sign up.
Jimmy Fallon’s #IfIWonPowerball
When I woke up on Thursday morning and saw that one of the winning tickets was sold in Florida I *might* have gasped a little. The ticket was sold on the other side of the state, so no billionaire here. I loved reading people’s (sarcastic) tweets of how they would spend the money. I linked to the article above but here are a few funny ones…
Shutterfly photo books
Kind of random, but have you guys made photo books on Shutterfly (or a similar website)? If not, I highly recommend making one as a special gift for someone. They are relatively cheap and always have sales. My family has been making them for years…for birthdays, vacation-recaps, holidays, etc.
For my mom’s 50th last week I made her a book filled with pictures and notes from family and friends. I reached out to her friends from high school, college and all the places we’ve lived and asked them to share a memory and photo of my mom. I got a great response (and awesome throwback pictures). Seeing her read the book was definitely a highlight of my week.
Homemade almond milk
Because I’m experimenting with foods (and I guess drinks now) during Whole30, I made almond milk yesterday to use for chia pudding and coffee “creamer” for my mom. I can do a little tutorial if anyone is interested but it was really simple. Soak the almonds overnight —> drain that water —> blend almonds in mixer with new water for 2 minutes —> strain with cheese cloth (or strainer) to separate almond meal from almond milk —> add cinnamon (or vanilla if not on Whole30) and blend on low —> pour into container and refrigerate.
Next time I need to strain it better/more because it was still a little nutty-looking, as you can tell. It tastes so good though! I’ll do a taste comparison to store-bought almond milk post-Whole30. I (think) it was relatively cheap too…$2.50 for one cup of almonds yielded more than 4 cups of almond milk. I bought the almonds in the bulk bin at Whole Foods.
That’s it from me…I hope you have an awesome weekend filled with football (if you like it) and relaxation.
Oh loved this post Emily! Homemade almond milk is on my list of things to do before the end of this month!
And if I won powerball, I would probably open up my own fitness studio/wellness center/bakery cafe ;-)
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen recently posted…Friday Link Lovin’ [#7]
Okay wow you just made making your own almond milk seem 100% less scary than I thought it was! I might have to do it now! I’m loving the instachallenge too. I don’t know how to say this, but I literally didn’t understand or like instagram (as a marketing tool) until this month! I’ve never been a natural photographer with an eye for things like that so it was so hard for me, but now I feel like somethings clicked even though it’s still not perfect! I love your instagram by the way!!
Margaret @ youngandrungry recently posted…Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie (Paleo & Whole30)
Omg those tweets about winning the powerball….too funny. I really need to try making my own homemade almond milk – it sounds a lot easier than I originally imagined! I have been trying to post more on instagram lately too! Hopefully i can keep it up after the bob challenge is over!
Kerri Mcgrail recently posted…Health Documentaries You Should Be Watching
Good for you for experimenting with almond milk! I’m a little too impatient but should give it a whirl. I have no clue what I would do with the lottery but would want to travel and give back in some form. Also loving the BGB insta challenge!
Kaitlin recently posted…Find Your Tribe
I try to post on Instagram 1-2 times a day, depending on how busy I am…Like you I am working hard on growing my IG page. It’s my favorite social media channel for sure! Congrats on being an ambassador! XOXO
I’m also trying to utilize social media more. I have been having a lot more fun with my blog lately and so making things into a cohesive unit and using my Instagram to drive people to my blog is a useful resource. Still working on it, but it’s fun! Congratulations on becoming an ambassador for the half and 5k race. That will be really fun! What types of things do you have to do?
Ellie recently posted…Five Things Friday [Team Impi]
Congrats on being a race ambassador, that is so exciting! I have been loving all of your BGB Insta Challenge posts and hope you keep it up after the challenge is over :)
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Currently: January
I’ve loved the BGB Insta challenge! I’m not very ‘good’ at Instagram or photography, but getting better at that and posting more consistently is also one of my goals this year, so it has been good practice!
LOVE those tweets. I’m dying. Some of the random things my husband was saying he would do were hilarious. Also, Shutterfly picture books! I love those. I’m always getting the free coupons, and even though if you want more pages (I usually do, oops) you have to pay more/pay shipping, it’s such a good deal!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood recently posted…Friday Favorites #36
Wow that homemade almond milk looks perfect!!! YUMM!! :) And the BGB instagram challenge has been so fun. I haven’t been able to do every challenge, but the ones I have done have been wonderful!
Emily recently posted…Peanut Butter Sweet Tooth Round-Up
I’m also a huge fan of Shutterfly books! They look so professional and like they took forever to make, when really you can make them under an hour haha. I’m a huge fan of your Instagram, I love it!
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…Thoughts on my Fitbit (spoiler: I love it)
I’m so happy I did the insta challenge! I’m really surprised I’ve lasted :P Hahaha! I Think it has to do with being banned on FB, so I needed a new outlet!
And congrats on being an ambassador! Fun!!
Andddd I don’t make it often, but homemade nut milk is fun…but so much easier to buy ;)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Friday Finisher 1/15/16
Your insta photos are always SO good. I loved all the Mexico ones. Also that’s exciting that you’ll be an ambassador! I make a shutterfly book for my mom (or something like a book- a collage, a puzzle, etc.) every Christmas. She looks forward to it but I never thought to go back in time! That’s such a good idea!
Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted…A Health Rant
Ahh those tweets are hilarious! Love that. First thing I would do is buy a house, since I’m currently house hunting and it’s stressing me out! Excited for you to start running again! Hope you’re all better now!
Gretchen recently posted…Top Five Friday #39
I try to post on Instagram daily but I have been slacking the last month or so.
Your homemade almond milk looks delicious.
Have a great weekend,
Elizabeth
Happy Friday + glad I was able to find you through the link-up. Super impressed by your homemade almond milk. I might have to try it!
Been trying to Instagram more too! I’ve never tried making homemade almond milk but it doesn’t look to complicated so maybe I’ll give it a try! Have a great weekend girl!
I love making those photo books! I am needing to make one this weekend as a gift for a friend. Congrats on being chosen as an IronGirl ambassador! It’s so cool that you’re already getting to meet up with other ambassadors to run. Have a great weekend, Emily!
Sam @ See Sam Run recently posted…January Favorites (Friday 5)
I was thinking of running the Iron Girl! That’s so cool that you’re an ambassador.
sarah recently posted…Thinking out Loud #1
Your Powerball sounds like our Lotto- if I won, I would buy my parents a house a few streets away from where I am living now so we can see eachother more frequently (ie. I can go round for dinner everyday…). With the rest, I would save some, give some away and continue to be my freebie hunting self :)
Congratulations on your ambassador position and I love the photobook you made for your mom! Personalised gifts are always extra special and I hope she enjoyed looking through it.
Have a lovely weekend.
xx
Charlotte recently posted…TOL…Take two minutes to remember
Making almond milk seems far less intimidating then I imagined. Holy moly, thanks for sharing!
Getting an ambassador position is always really exciting so congrats on that!
I didn’t realize it was so easy to make almond milk! Probably tastes more delicious than store bought too. Totally feel ya on not rushing into a job post-grad…if you can chill for a while DO IT. You have your whole life for a career haha
Hayley Blake recently posted…Five Books That Helped Me Change My Life
So many good things in this post! Love Shutterfly books! I’m so glad I found your blog through the link-up! Can’t wait to read more!