We have had a busy couple days in our household, hence my absence from blogging. Thursday’s Jury Duty was a NO GO, simply because not enough people reported to jury duty. The judge told us that out of 1200 requests that were send out for Tuesday only 147 reported and therefore they had to assign us to multiple cases and even then some people didn’t return for the 2nd day. I can completely understand things coming up and we are all busy but do you think a citizen of this great country we should take our civic duty a bit more serious?
I also spent most of the last couple days deep cleaning our house, which means moving around and rearranging furniture. I also went through our filling cabinet and had to go through last couple years of collected paper statements and shredding and reorganizing. I still need to go through our closet and our cloths, since I have a lot of stuff that no longer fit me (way too big to wear).
How do you balance your daily life and blogging everyday? Do you ever feel the need that you need to take a couple days off to catch up with everything else?
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Cleanse Update:
I feel like a million bucks… have tons of energy and am loving everything I am eating. One thing that I have noticed my belly is completely FLAT. I am assuming that it is due to lack of gluten and dairy in my meals. It would be interesting to see if it is as flat once I start adding them back to my diet. These past couple days I ate tons of salad, quinoa and lightly steamed veggies.
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Saturday was our first official training for MS150. There were 1000 riders who showed up for the first training and there were two route options… 24 or 37 miles. Raymond and I both chose 37 miles and had a very good ride. The weather was just perfect, 65° and overcast. The last 9-10 miles we had a 10 mph headwind which slowed us quit a bit. To prep for the ride the night before I had steamed veggies topped with quinoa and homemade tomato sauce.
After the ride we spent the afternoon catching up with our long list of “things to do” and was able to knock that down, which means a nice relaxing Saturday before a crazy work week.
Today is PANCAKE Sunday, and since I can’t have any while on the cleanse I made Raymond a batch, this photo bar far is my favorite pancake photo that I have taken so far. 
This morning I had my very first Green Monster. In my mix;
- 2 handfuls of spinach
- 1 frozen banana
- 7 strawberries
- 1 cup hemp milk
- 1 tbsp hemp seed
Personally I really enjoy my Green Juice in the AM, but I wanted to shake things up a bit this morning and give Green Monster a try. I am thinking this is definitel a great alternative to my green juice while traveling.
I am off to take care of a few things and hopefully spend the rest of my day catching up with some reading.
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Set yourself ONE GOAL this week and try to achieve it… What would it be?
My goal this week is to find a better balance between my day to day happening and blogging.
Have a wonderful Sunday.
It’s funny that you mention “blogging stress”. I was once that blogger who felt that she had to comment on EVERYONE’s blogs, everyday. I started realizing that blogging was no longer fun for me, as it was more like a chore than a hobby. Now I just relax and go with the flow. I comment when I want, I read blogs I want to read, and I post when I feel like it. It’s less stressful and I enjoy blogging again!
As for your comment, I think you would like this pasta. It may be better mixed with another pasta (like quinoa pasta or something) to add to the calories and nutrition. The Pasta Slim is meant for weight loss, which is why it’s so low in calories. It’s also really low in protein though, which is a nice thing about real pasta. I am just now getting into quinoa and I just made some yesterday. I love it.
I have to agree with The Candid RD, I don’t get caught up in blogging stress anymore. I write my blog for me and that is it. I comment when I want, read the blogs I want no matter who everyone else likes and I write what I want on my blog when I want to write it. I have been blogging for over two years now and really only find pleasure in it when I go this route. Otherwise, I get caught up in feeling like I have to comment and read blogs I don’t actually like and write posts that don’t really mean anything to me. Staying authentic is the purpose of my blog and though my blog is not one of the popular ones with tons of comments each day, my readers get me and are supportive no matter what. That is what I want and being true to myself is the only way to get it.
Delicious looking pancakes!!
Blogging takes up quite a bit of time. I’m still trying to figure it all out. With working, blogging, and taking care of my baby… it’s a lot of work!
When I feel overwhelmed, I always take a step back to remember why I started my blog to begin with… My blog is my outlet, a place for me to relax do what i love the most
Happy Sunday!
Blogging and balancing real life has been difficult for me! I do love blogging though, so I’ve been trying to make it work. I’m trying to not place pressure on myself to post every day. I’ve also decided that I will rarely post on the weekend. I gotta wonder how people can post three times a day. Maybe we’ll learn to write faster?!
balancing has been tough for me because of school/classes getting harder! i love blogging tho-i need to find a good middle ground. your pancakes look GREAT!
I love blogging but agree it can be hard to leave a comment on every blog. So I just do the best I can!
I also noticed after I did the Fat Flush Plan that my stomach was completely flat for the first time in a long time! As soon as I added gluten and wheat back in things started to return to normal so I realized I had to cut them out for good. I thought I was allergic but never had confirmation until after the cleanse. I don’t miss bread as much as I thought I would but sometimes I just want some!!
Sometimes it can get a little stressful to post and comment on all of the blogs you want to get to, but taking a few days off is never frowned upon! I’m glad to hear your riding is going so well!
All of these pictures are GORGEOUS. They look professionally food-styled
I definitely take breaks from blogging – but I don’t blog about everything I eat which makes it easy
Love the pancakes! I’ve been getting more into blogging recently, and I agree, it’s really hard to find the balance between what you want to do and what you feel like you have to do. I feel bad when someone leaves me a comment and I don’t comment back! I guess it’s kind of lucky that my blog is still small…it’s still manageable
My stomach is also way flatter when I eat a vegan diet. It’s kind of funny to me how now an ice cream treat is instantly noticeable to me, even though I haven’t gained weight or changed the amount of calories I’m eating!
that is awesome that your tummy is flat! maybe i need to try it!
First off, I just have to say how amazing your food looks! Yummy!! You’re doing an awesome job on your cleanse.
And, as far as being able to juggle everything… it is hard and there are many days when I can’t do it all. For the first year of blogging, I was super diligent about posting every day, but now it is almost impossible to post all the time. We all understand your struggles, so don’t feel bad if you need to take a couple days off every once in a while. We’ll all still be here when you get back!
Oh-M-Gee! Your pancake photo is UH-MAZING! I would be very proud of it too! Yaya, for Green Monsters. I’m addicted now. Enjoy your Sunday!
P.S. What cleanse did you do?
When I first started blogging, I had to blog everyday, but that got so old. My content suffered as well, b/c I was kinda forcing it. Now, I just post when I want, and more people are reading my blog b/c of it! Never feel bad about having to take some time off.
That is awesome that your ride went so well! I’m so jealous. I’m stuck inside training b/c the weather is so horrible and the roads are too icy to ride my road bike on.
all of your eats look great! and honestly, i take breaks from blogging whenever i feel too stressed/busy. I don’t want it to be an obligation- but rather a hobby that I really enjoy!
My goal is to really work on ignoring the negative self talk i have been having with my weight gain..it sucks!!
have a great week
xoxo
shelley
Those pancakes look fantastic! Awesome bike ride. I think blogging can get stressful and taking breaks is essential!
<3 jess
I made green juice this morning for the first time– haha, it was ROUGH!! I think next time I need to add an apple like you do with yours!
I totally know what you mean about blog stress…sometimes I just have to clear out my google reader and start over from scratch…keeping up with so many blogs can really start to wear you out!
I’m glad to hear the cleanse is going well! It looks like you are eating some great healthy foods. I only blog when I feel like it. I aim for 4 posts a week but if I don’t feel like blogging some night then I simply wont. I don’t want it to feel like a chore!! I hope a few days off was helpful for you and take time whenever you need
Oh wow those pancakes looks amazing! Wow! Wow!
The pancake photo is beautiful!
Sometimes blogging is a little stressful for me but I try not to let it bother me. Blogging is supposed to be FUN and have NOTHING to do with stress. Whenever I feel like it’s getting to me, I take a little break and just relax.
Yay for how AWESOME the cleanse seems to be making you feel! It sounds really great.
My one goal for this week is to keep up with my exercise, even if it’s just a walk.
You know, I haven’t been blogging too terribly long. I do find that I am spending a fair amount of my evenings blogging (and catching up on blogs). I guess it’s better than watching tv, but I do feel like I should be spending my time more wisely. Of course, I really enjoy it, so why not (for now). It’s always so hard to find the right balance for me in anything. I’m an all or nothing kinda person. I know that’s really not any help for you of course. I think that you should just blog when you feel inspired. Don’t feel like you have to every single day. Maybe that’ll help?
I took the w/e off from posting.. honestly, we all NEED it sometimes!! When it becomes a chore, then you know you need a break!!
Your meals always look amazing.. how do you “mold” your quinoa so nicely??
Just found your blog and I LOVE it! Way to go on the detox. I have been wanting to do one for a while now. I would agree, that pancake photo is a beauty
I am curious to try hemp seeds, you like? Goal this week would be to get more reading in and to get to bed earlier.
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed trying to “keep up” with blogging, but a break is necessary every once in a while!
Your pancakes look great! I just read your comment on Kris’ blog about going GF…well, I just made Vegan GF pancakes!
Yes i feel that computer/blog/commenting time cuts into LIFE. I struggle desparately w/ balancing my real life w/ online life. It’s hard!
Do you make your own hemp milk from the seeds? What brand of seeds/source? You can leave me a comment if you remember otherwise i may not see your answer.
xoox
Yes, I definitely have to take days off from blogging. There is no way I could do it everyday, let alone 3 times a day like some bloggers are able to do. I feel strongly that blogging shculd be enjoyable and if you find yourself stressing over trying to keep up, then you know it’s time to take a couple days or however long you need off. We’ll all still be here when you get back!
Your quinoa looks so perfect!! I love the idea of eating it with tomato sauce on top.
I definitely don’t blog when I don’t feel like I have the time for it. Like everyone else said, it should be an enjoyable activity, not a chore. Everyone will still be there when you do blog!
Your pictures are always so gorgeous. What kind of camera do you use?
Amazing pancakes, mmmmm! I can only blog when I feel like writing, not on an off or overly stressful day.
interesting about your tummy! today was pancake sunday for me too
. but i didn’t share with anyone haha. i know you can accomplish your goal for the week, mine is to not get stressed out over little things about school!
Blogging stress haha. Love it. Those pancakes are so beautiful. They almost look too good to eat!
SO much deliciousness in this post rigth ehre I dont know where to begin!! that quinoa ball looks so perfect and delicious esp atop the tomato sauce! what a great combo…and the pancakes? I have no words.
Since cutting gluten out of my diet, I’ve noticed my stomach is much less bloated. I’m glad to hear you’re feeling so good!
I love quinoa. I’m making some soup today and plan to use quinoa instead of rice.
So happy the cleanse is working well for you!!!
such beautiful pancakes! i’m loving the quinoa at the moment too, so thanks for the idea
a bientot!
The Paris Food Blague
Those pancakes look like they jumped right out of a cookbook!
I took the weekend off from blogging because I wanted to spend my time with my boyfriend. I think it’s important to set priorities even though I also like blogging of course.
I am so glad to hear the cleanse is going well! Energy and a flat belly – double score! I couldn’t agree with you more on finding a better balance between my day to day happening and blogging. I am really struggling with this. I’ve cut back on blogging to just about 4-5x a week (okay, 5…), and I’ve drastically cut back on the number of blogs I read each day. I know this affects my traffic and “getting out there”, but I’m okay with it. If people want to read what I have to say, they’ll read regardless. I read a ton of blogs that I don’t hear back from the readers…and that’s okay! My husband has been feeling a bit jealous of my laptop at times, so I do plan to spend some quality evening time with him this week, for sure.
Your food looks amazing! I can’t believe 1000 people showed up for the ride! It’s hard trying to find blogging and real life balance. I feel like I’m always neglecting one or the other.
Wow – those pancakes look amazing.
How did you like the green monster? I am addicted to mine! I have to admit that I am still finding my groove with blogging and real life. I have abstained from weekend blogging just because I am usually so busy. I love blogging though. It’s time for me to reflect. So I look at is as me time.
Your pictures ALWAYS make me hungry!!
I just stumbled onto your blog and am really enjoying it. I’ve thought about doing a short cleanse but need to research it more before starting, obviously. Your site has a lot of great info.
wow your pictures from this week are GORGEOUS!!! i totally need that time away from blogging from time to time to make sure i get everything else done! my goal this week is to eat veggies at every meal, and eat at home
I love blogging and reading blogs, but I am only able to keep up when I get my 2.5 hours of train time every day. If I didn’t have that, I wouldn’t be able to blog. I am really far behind still, because I was away for 5 days. Oh well!