happiness versus joy

Found here via here

I listened to a sermon once that described the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness - the word comes from "hap", as in "happenings" --- and so, happiness comes from what is happening around you - the circumstances that you have no control over. So, if you're pursuing happiness, great. But you don't really have a lot of control over it.

Joy on the other hand --- joy comes from within. Joy comes from a place within yourself where you decide to enjoy the little things that happen today, regardless whether they spontaneously cause happiness or not. Choosing joy has nothing to do with what is going on around you. It can be a completely horrible day, and you can still be a joyous person.

Haven't you met people like that? People who project joy at all times? They can seem annoying at times, principally when you have decided that the day has gone to crap and nothing can be done to help it. And here this person comes, with their joy and hope - ugh.  But then again, you always kind of want to be them too.

So, choose joy. Do it. I dare you.

Blog Love

I've mentioned I love a good blog. Recently, I have been paring down my blog reading. Not on purpose, but there's only so many hours in a day. I have been the avoiding pretentious and negative, obvs. But also those who don't seem real. I have found myself clicking "unfollow" a lot.

But, but, but --- as soon as I read something genuine, I try to click follow immediately. And Joy over at 3 Chairs is completely genuine. And you instantly want to be her friend. Go see, she is the jam.

Some favorites:

She recently told me to make this and I did and it was fantastic.

And she taught me to be more productive.

Found here via here. 

*** End note: can you just blog crush on someone and write about it without feeling weird and kind of like a stalker? If so, please write immediately and tell me how.

Like Yourself

Truth of the day:

Be rebellious today. 

Found here, source here. 

Lauren and Twitch My Chick Bad SYTYCD Season 6

So, confession: I love So You Think You Can Dance. Don't compare it to Dancing with the Stars, because gross. The other week they celebrated 10 years! And they looked back over their favorite dances --- so I thought I would share my own favorites...



All time favorite: Lauren & Twitch from Season 7...







Honorable mention: Jakob & Kathryn from Season 6



Other SYTYCD thoughts --- why wasn't Mary Murphy at the 10 year special?! I also would have appreciated some Adam Shankman.



Ok, nerd dance moment over.

on Mottos

This is for sure a motto, but certainly not an inclination I have often. My mind is always wandering towards the next. I have been trying to focus on the here, the now. It's damn difficult. But I'd hate to wake up later on, and realize this was the best time of my life and have spent it thinking about what's coming next.

Picture found here.

Don't Grow Up

Found here, via here

I had this very same thought this morning. Only about getting up. As I rolled over and glared at my blaring alarm, I had a very clear thought ---

Don't get up, it's a trap.

YOLO (feat. Adam Levine & Kendrick Lamar)

My first thought was --- they spelled Yolo wrong. Who am I?

From here via here

But while we're on the subject, this was one of my favorite SNL Digital Shorts:





Have a yolo-filled Monday!

Weekend Motto

This is my weekend motto:

Weekends are often a balancing act. I find myself wanting to get every single thing on my to-do list done, and I can easily spend the weekend doing things - and wind up wanting a weekend to recover from my weekend. Lately, I have tried to let myself rest on the weekend, even if that means squeezing a few more things into my weekday.

To rest --- is a beautiful thing. (even when/especially when --- it is not your inclination)

Happy Weekend to You.

Madewell

So Madewell had a sale a couple of weeks ago, 30% off, and I took on the sale section in an intense way. I couldn't have been more pleased. I love every. single. thing. I think my husband is getting tired of seeing the same clothes over and over but ooops. So I thought I would share.

The perfect striped t-shirt with the perfect surprise in the back.

The perfect date night dress. I am aware this is also striped with an open back, I think I have a problem. That I do not plan on changing.

And the perfect scarf to wear at work, because despite it being 115 degrees outside it is a freezer in my office. 

In conclusion, I love me some Madewell.

Favorite Snacks

Oh shoot, remember how I am a dietitian? I forget sometimes. My husband was talking about what he ate the other day, and I almost said, like a good wife --- I am tired of hearing about food all day! But I didn't. But seriously, talking about food all day can get old. However, eating all day is somehow less tiring.

Most the dietitians I know are avid snackers. Surprised?! You shouldn't be. Snacking is a great way to get in nutrients and avoid making poor food choices. Overly hungry me makes some pretty questionable food choices. So, here are my favorite snack foods that you should not be surprised if I pull them out of my lunch box at work ---

Have you tried these indulgent choices from Chobani? They are bananas! (This flavor, literally, but all of them figuratively! Bad joke, I know) Delicious and nutritious, a fave combo. The mint and dark chocolate is another favorite combo of mine.

Kind bars - sea salt and dark chocolate. The best one, hands down.

Via here

Trader Joe's 3 Layer Hummus. I bring this to every pool party I go to with cut up pita and veggies and no one complains it is "too healthy" or even that I bring it EVERY SINGLE TIME. It's that good.

I always add to my snacking stash lots of fresh fruits and veggies as well (You know, to assist shoveling in the delish hummus above...). Trying to pick what is in season is always a plus nutrition wise and for my wallet as well.

So, snack on - your dietitian said it was ok.

anna kendrick

I have a love/hate relationship with Anna Kendrick. Instinctively, how can you not love her? But my husband feels the same way, sooooo, I need to dislike her out of principle. But then I saw this, and damnit, I like her again.

Found here, source here. 

body image

A good friend emailed me this talk the other day and I took the time to watch it this morning. I find Kathryn Budig so authentic and loved her feelings on this topic. Body image and a negative relationship with one's body is something I confront a lot in my work with clients with eating disorders --- but what she says on being someone who eats kale and lentils but who isn't afraid of a cookie (in my case, a hamburger or nachos!); being someone who is hydrated but isn't afraid of a glass of wine; being someone who works their body hard daily but who isn't afraid of lounging and relaxing also --- this is something that I believe and live out daily in my own life. This is where my "healthy" lies.

She talks about changing what she normally did for a photo shoot in order to look "healthy" - only eating 5 foods to prep --- I am struck that when people do that they are choosing an unhealthy lifestyle to look healthy on camera! How backwards!

But I encourage you to watch the video, it is well worth it. Find Kathryn on twitter here, and instagram here for more inspiration.

Vote with your Dollar

This is a belief that I regularly try to translate to my daily life. Vote with my dollar. Support the brands that I believe in. Don't like what certain companies are doing? Don't buy their products.

Sometimes I get cynical about large corporations - what will my buying a different brand matter to them? Why am I driving more out of my way to go to a different store that aligns with my values? Well, first of all, it is good for my soul. Secondly, let's talk about trans fats. What?! (Trust me, it will make sense). Science has shown they are B-A-D, bad for you. I'm not going to bore you with why, but trust me here. There was never any legislation that made food companies stop using trans fats. However, a large chunk of the informed public stopped buying foods that had them in it, and companies did it without being made to. Are trans fats gone from our diet? No. But companies reacted. They tend to react when people stop buying from them.

Ok, tangent over? Kind of.

A brand where I love their product, but also their values ---- Everlane. Well made clothing, made responsibly. I recently made my first (and second) purchases and plan to continue to shop. I love the product AND the mission. Think you maybe don't need to be worried about where your clothes come from? Here is some enlightment via John Oliver.




*I was not asked to promote this company and receive no compensation for writing this. I simply like to share products that I use and believe in.

Monday Motto

What about a lot of both?

Inspiration from here via here 

File under: art that imitates life

Real talk: no yoga today. In favor of couch time, drinking way too much coffee, and other things that are not as exciting (name changes are a bummer, but also another B word). To recharge before another week is a beautiful thing.

You do you.

If this is your motto also, you can wear it proud via this tshirt on Etsy.



(graphic was a link from pinterest that linked to the aerie website... sooo)

Ira Glass on the Creative Process (www.getoutthebox.org)

This is the truth. And it made me think of this silly blog. I wanted to start a blog forever, and then I did and I didn't love it the way I loved other blogs - but it was mine! It had MY thoughts in it, why didn't I like it. I just commented on a blog less than 5 minutes ago and there's that space for "website" - and I was embarrassed! So I skipped it. But then Ira comes along - bless Ira, and says this is normal. Oh snap. And that I should keep doing it anyway. Because there are still things I want to share.



Like how I am soaking up this current moment I am in. On the porch, on the couch (nevermind, we have a couch on our porch, it's white trash and I am never giving it up), with a cup of coffee in a blanket. It's 56 out! And I'm getting married in less than 72 hours. Wow.



Random, I know. But listen to Ira --- and keep doing, keep creating, it's good for you. And for others! Amen.





Oh and thanks so much for posting this and the inspiration, Ancora-Imparo.