Top Five Friday #45
Hi everyone! Did you all have a good week? I had a really busy and stressful one, but hopefully it will all be worth it! I'll share more of what's going on lately in my "What's New With You" link-up on Thursday- make sure you join Kristen and me! For now, I'm going to share my favorites from the week. I hope you all have a great weekend and I'll see ya on Monday!
If you're at all into the minimal trend, then you've definitely heard of this blog. This is such a great resource for getting started, and has lots of informative worksheets and books.
Most people jumped in on the capsule wardrobe idea thanks to Caroline's blog. After a cross country move, and a family emergency that forced her to move back home, I'm excited to see that Caroline is back posting on her blog. Her focus has slightly changed, along with a new site design. I really like her writing style and her philosophy on life, so I'll follow her no matter what direction her website goes!
Emma has become one of my blogging friends after connecting with her blog last year. I was sad to see her move away from posting, but now she's teamed up with her best friend to make an incredible blog. I love the wide variety of posts they share - from DIY projects to Whole30 tips and everything in between!
- Water. We have an amazing ice and water machine at work, that has the perfect size ice and cold, fresh water (yes, I get excited about ice machines at work). Sipping on ice water helps to refresh me and make me feel more awake.
- Tazo Refresh Mint Tea. Even though this is caffeine free, the invigorating mint flavor really helps to wake me up. I absolutely love how refreshing this flavor is, and I'll make either hot or iced- either way it's great!
- Peak Energy Tabs. I was sent these tabs to review by Zipp Foods, and I absolutely love them. There are two in a pack, but I only have one at a time and find it gives the perfect amount of energy. These are mint flavored, which is really refreshing and delicious! I like the fact that I can just grab one of these when I'm heading to a meeting and don't have to worry about lugging some kind of beverage.
- Barrisimo Hazelnut Coffee. We have a Keurig at work, so I like to have coffee occasionally in the afternoon. I try not to drink too much because if I'm in meetings, I don't want to have bad breath or stained teeth. If I have nothing planned in the afternoon, I'll brew a mug and enjoy the amazing flavor of this K-Cup! This was an Aldi's find so it was a really reasonable price, and I can't wait to try more flavors!
- Amazing Grass Green Superfood Energy. I have a few products from Amazing Grass, and this might be my favorite. I love how this comes in a single serving packet, and the taste is amazing! Just mix this in with water, and you'll get a delicious watermelon drink that is alkalizing and energizing. The best part is that it's vegan, gluten free and raw!
My two favorite recipes that I tried were chicken with mustard cream sauce (I subbed coconut cream for the heavy cream and chicken stock for brandy) and shrimp scampi (subbing chicken stock for wine and adding coconut cream at the end). If you follow me on Snapchat (gretchxo), you might have seen me cooking the scampi. No lie- it was probably the best thing that I've eaten all year, and it seriously took 15 minutes to make (and about 15 seconds to devour).
I also welcome any kind of criticism or suggestions you all have for how I can improve. I'm always wanting to better myself in any way, so if you have any feedback that you'd like to submit in private, I set up an anonymous form, where you can tell me whatever's on your mind! You can find that HERE!
You're also always welcome to email me any feedback (positive or negative) if you'd like to talk directly to me! Thank you all for your support throughout the past year, and don't forget to enter my giveaway as a way for me to say THANK YOU!
Have a great weekend!
Post contains affiliate links. This is not a sponsored post, but I did receive a free sample of Peak Energy Tabs to review. I was not compensated for my review, and all thoughts are my own! Thank you for your support!
as well as Heather,Momfessionals, Happy Fit Mama
Blog Relaunches
It seems like this month was the month of blog relaunches. There have been a lot of blogs come and go throughout the past few years, and I was so excited when I saw three of my favorites come back recently.
If you're at all into the minimal trend, then you've definitely heard of this blog. This is such a great resource for getting started, and has lots of informative worksheets and books.
Most people jumped in on the capsule wardrobe idea thanks to Caroline's blog. After a cross country move, and a family emergency that forced her to move back home, I'm excited to see that Caroline is back posting on her blog. Her focus has slightly changed, along with a new site design. I really like her writing style and her philosophy on life, so I'll follow her no matter what direction her website goes!
Emma has become one of my blogging friends after connecting with her blog last year. I was sad to see her move away from posting, but now she's teamed up with her best friend to make an incredible blog. I love the wide variety of posts they share - from DIY projects to Whole30 tips and everything in between!
Beating the 2:00 Slump
I'm hoping that you can all relate to that 2:00 feeling at work. It's after lunch, you still have a few more hours of work to go, and you just hit a slump. It's an awful feeling, and you just need a small pick-me-up to get through the work day. I already shared what products are in my desk drawers at work, so today I wanted to share what I have to beat that slump!
- Water. We have an amazing ice and water machine at work, that has the perfect size ice and cold, fresh water (yes, I get excited about ice machines at work). Sipping on ice water helps to refresh me and make me feel more awake.
- Tazo Refresh Mint Tea. Even though this is caffeine free, the invigorating mint flavor really helps to wake me up. I absolutely love how refreshing this flavor is, and I'll make either hot or iced- either way it's great!
- Peak Energy Tabs. I was sent these tabs to review by Zipp Foods, and I absolutely love them. There are two in a pack, but I only have one at a time and find it gives the perfect amount of energy. These are mint flavored, which is really refreshing and delicious! I like the fact that I can just grab one of these when I'm heading to a meeting and don't have to worry about lugging some kind of beverage.
- Barrisimo Hazelnut Coffee. We have a Keurig at work, so I like to have coffee occasionally in the afternoon. I try not to drink too much because if I'm in meetings, I don't want to have bad breath or stained teeth. If I have nothing planned in the afternoon, I'll brew a mug and enjoy the amazing flavor of this K-Cup! This was an Aldi's find so it was a really reasonable price, and I can't wait to try more flavors!
- Amazing Grass Green Superfood Energy. I have a few products from Amazing Grass, and this might be my favorite. I love how this comes in a single serving packet, and the taste is amazing! Just mix this in with water, and you'll get a delicious watermelon drink that is alkalizing and energizing. The best part is that it's vegan, gluten free and raw!
The Pioneer Woman
I mentioned a few months ago that I picked up Ree Drummond's cookbook , and this week I tried out a few recipes. I'm not sure what magic ingredients she includes (might be all the butter) but everything that I made was incredible. The recipes were all super easy to follow and I seriously couldn't believe how great everything tasted!My two favorite recipes that I tried were chicken with mustard cream sauce (I subbed coconut cream for the heavy cream and chicken stock for brandy) and shrimp scampi (subbing chicken stock for wine and adding coconut cream at the end). If you follow me on Snapchat (gretchxo), you might have seen me cooking the scampi. No lie- it was probably the best thing that I've eaten all year, and it seriously took 15 minutes to make (and about 15 seconds to devour).
Blogiversary Post Comments
One of the highlights of my week was reading all of the sweet comments on my 1 Year Anniversary post. I started this blog as a way to stay accountable in my half marathon, training, and I never expected this kind of response, or for people to actually visit every day and leave comments! It's really encouraging to hear so much great feedback, and I really do appreciate it.I also welcome any kind of criticism or suggestions you all have for how I can improve. I'm always wanting to better myself in any way, so if you have any feedback that you'd like to submit in private, I set up an anonymous form, where you can tell me whatever's on your mind! You can find that HERE!
You're also always welcome to email me any feedback (positive or negative) if you'd like to talk directly to me! Thank you all for your support throughout the past year, and don't forget to enter my giveaway as a way for me to say THANK YOU!
Have a great weekend!
Post contains affiliate links. This is not a sponsored post, but I did receive a free sample of Peak Energy Tabs to review. I was not compensated for my review, and all thoughts are my own! Thank you for your support!
OMG you ate the fish in the aquarium? Ha ha ha... okay well I'm sorry to hear your week was so stressful. This weekend better shape up for my good friend Gretch. Happy Friday! xo
ReplyDeleteThis weekend was great! Thanks Suzy :)
DeleteI think all of the the business and stress is going to pay off, but I'm also wishing you a peaceful and relaxing weekend! So much (good) has been going on in your life, but of my goodness you also deserve some rest! I love these blog relaunches- it just shows that there's a bigger picture and nothing is the end of the world or the blog!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope so :) Thanks for always being there Margaret!
DeleteGretch! We are so so honored to be featured as part of your Friday Favorites! Can't tell you how much that means. I'm so glad you're following along with Emma and JW's Best Day Ever. :) Also, the 2pm slump is too real. Can't wait to try some of these suggestions!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't leave you out of course! You're my girls!
DeleteYour blog is amazing, Gretchen. You combine info on a variety of interesting subjects. I can't wait to try shrimp scampi. Don will love it. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mama Peggy!!
DeleteI just had shrimp scampi last night for dinner. That dish is delicious! I wish I drank more water at work. But my work is kind of in the country and the water there is yucky. My boss even has to bring jugs of water in from home to make the coffee in the morning. She does bring in plenty cases of water. But I always feel bad drinking hers when my water bottle is empty that I bring in.
ReplyDeleteSOO good :) Sorry to hear about your water..that's a bummer!
DeleteWhat's wrong withyou is that we are closer. But since you just bought a house I guess I should be the one to fix that.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Move to the burgh!
DeleteSeriously, Pioneer Woman can do no wrong in my mind. I've never eated something of hers and been like, ehhh no thanks.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!! Obsessed with her cookbook.
DeleteI LOVE The Pioneer Woman! I recently added her cookbook to my Amazon wishlist because I always find myself printing her recipes off from the website! I like that most of her recipes are easy to make - they're delicious, but don't require a lot of technical culinary skill (which I lack haha).
ReplyDeleteI've started planning for a blog relaunch. I've learned so much that I want to incorporate and change. the relaunch is still definitely a few months away, but I'm excited!
You need to get it! It's the best cookbook I've used. I love how she has a picture for each step too..so helpful!
DeleteRee Drummond's cookbooks are AMAZING. :) I completely agree that this has seemed like the month of blog relaunches.
ReplyDeleteI love it!!
DeleteI'm going to have to check out some of those blogs! Mmmmm and shrimp scampi is one of my favorite meals ever. Basically anything with shrimp :) Have an awesome weekend Gretchen!
ReplyDeleteSeriously so good..and yes shrimp is da bomb.
DeleteI'm a fan of all Tazo tea. You just can't go wrong! And the mint definitely has a ZIP to wake you up even if it's not full of caffeine. Thanks for linking up to High 5 Friday!
ReplyDeleteIt's so amazing :) Thanks for hosting!
DeleteOoo so many new blogs for me to check out! Thank you for sharing all of those. Hope you have a wonderful weekend :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Julia! You too! :)
Deleteoooh, I'm boiling water for tea as we speak and have a box of Tazo Refresh Mint in the cupboard - that's the winner tonight!
ReplyDeleteMint for the win!
DeleteI take my Camelbak everywhere! I took it to San Fran for the weekend and filled it up in the airport after security. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's what I do as well! Best travel hack ever.
DeleteOh shoot! I'm sorry I missed your one year anniversary post!! That's what happens when I do an extra post in a given week...I get behind on everyone else. CONGRATS on making it one year! It's kind of a big deal! I really need to look into those Peak Energy tabs! I often want an energy boost in the afternoon (when I'm hauling my kids all over town and stuff) but don't want to have to carry a coffee cup around or have a full bladder at an inconvenient time! LOL! Love your Friday recap as always! Will have to check out some of your re-launched fave blogs!
ReplyDeleteGina || On the Daily Express
Haha that threw off your entire week! The energy tabs are seriously so great..I love how they're minty and fresh but give you a bit of a pep in your step ;)
Deleteoh yay for unfancy! that's awesome that she is bag. congrats on your one year blog anniversary, that is awesome. i laughed pretty hard at the 2:00 slump because it is 2 right now and i am really wanting a nap. shrimp scampi is one of my favourite meals ever, and that chicken sounds delish - i'll have to check out her cookbook!
ReplyDeleteThe PW is my FAVORITE Food Network cook. I want to be her bestie.
ReplyDelete