I’m getting more cynical as I age. And I hate that. I hate pessimistic people and I always try my best to not be anything like them. I like to make jokes and I may seem pessimistic at times, but I’m really a super happy person. But as I get older, as I see more people’s true colors, as I get more negative emails and comments on my blog and on social media…I can’t help but feel negative towards the world. We live in such a hateful world now and people are constantly saying we need to come together…but even this political race is pulling people even further apart.
So I’ve been searching for ways to find the positive and find the light when it feels like so much darkness. And believe me, there is A LOT of light. I get so many amazing emails and comments and feedback, but I can’t help but drown sometimes in the negativity. It’s weird how we are like that as human. So I think I need something stuff…
- To go on a vacation with no cell reception. That may happen with Lake Powell. Fingers crossed because LP is probably one of my favorite places on earth. And it makes me feel like all is right in the world. But I also have little girls trips coming up this month that will hopefully bring me back to happy JuJu.
- I think I need to listen to fun podcasts that make me laugh. I pretty much have the TV on ALL day just on the food network or cooking channel in hopes of food inspiration, but it doesn’t make me laugh much. I need to laugh more often and be reminded of the happy, bubbly people out there, all while not watching crap TV. Except for the Bachelorette…that’s a must…obviously.
- I need to do yoga. I need to get in tune with my zen side. My friend even sent me 2 free weeks of yoga! Now…I just need a yoga mat to make it official and pull the trigger.
- I don’t know what else. That’s where I need you to come in! What do you do to destress and stay positive when there are things dragging you down? How do you continue to conquer on?!
In case you haven’t seen my Pacific Foods inspired recipes yet, I’ve shared Shrimp & Zucchini Pad Thai, Simple Summer Squash Soup, and Coconut Thai Iced Tea all inspired by products from Pacific Foods!
Today I’m using their unsweetened almond milk to make this delicious and simple strawberry milk! The almond milk is slight sweet and nutty with no unnecessary sugar! If you are new to non-dairy milk, it is high in vitamin E but low in protein. I use their almond milks and other alternative milks in smoothies, blended coffees and protein drinks! You can find the other non-dairy drinks that Pacific Foods has to offer at your local grocery shop or here!
Strawberry Almond Milk
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced strawberries
- 1/2 cup maple sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups Pacific Foods Original Unsweetened Almond Milk, chilled
Instructions
- Place strawberries, maple sugar and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over medium heat and mix until the sugar begins to melt and the strawberries begin to break down, about 10 minutes.
- Add mixture to a blender and blend until smooth then run through a sieve to strain out the seeds.
- Place in fridge to cool completely.
- Mix strawberry syrup with almond milk and serve!
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Check out “Anna Faris is Unqualified” for a fun podcast. She gives not-so-great relationship advice and has celebrity guests help her. I feel like I’m sitting with my best friend when I listen to her. I also enjoy “That’s so Retrograde.” I’m not big into astrology, etc. but they have a great podcast. They’ll talk anything from green juice to palm readings. Highly recommend the episode with Sophia Bush. Major girl crush. There is also a Bachelorette podcast that was recommend to me but I haven’t listened yet, “Will you accept this rose?” Might be worth checking out!
Let us know if you find any podcasts you like!!
Thanks, Stacy. I’m going to try these out too! I love listening to podcasts while working out.
For me it’s praying, spending time with God, and being around the people ( my kids and husband) that make me feel happy. The great thing about having your own family and home whether it be you and your husband or your husband and kids or just you and your home is that you have an evironment where you can protect what comes in and out. Spending time with God gives me clarity and helps me to focus on the bigger picture, reflect on what is true and not, he is my calm.
That was my exact response! Prayer!
I could not agree more Camisha! I was thinking the same thing: God. I can tell a complete difference when I am not looking at Him for a positive attitude, despite the crap that I may have to face on a daily basis. He provides complete joy even when I or the world around me may not feel joyful.
Well, when I need a laugh, I read your blog, but I guess that won’t really help you lol
I find that people are hateful because they are often envious. It’s annoying… Some people just suck and get a high from being negative to others. They are the ones who need to do yoga and listen to uplifting pod casts. You do amazing work and inspire thousands of people. For every negative e-mail/comment/tweet you get just stop and think of all the positive ones you’ve received. Continue to do what makes you happy 🙂 Thank you for all you’ve done!
I can relate to you when it comes to negative and positive feelings. I am also naturally a very positive happy person but negative people around me can make me feel far away from the happy part of myself and frankly less like myself. I am not a religious or very spiritual person but I have found meditation really helps me. Even 10 minutes a day makes me feel like I’ve been brought back to center and like my complete self. I would describe the feeling afterwards as similar to the happiness boost I get from working out but with the added benefit of a clear head. I definitely don’t feel as good on days I don’t do it! It sometimes its a little hard or awkward to get started but if you stick with it it’s totally worth it, and now there are even free apps like headspace to guide you through it. I think meditation is perfect for anyone who wants to feel like the best verisom of themselves.
What I don’t understand is why someone would intentionally send hateful, negative emails. People who do that have serious problems. They must live with some type of emotional pain.
I enjoy reading your blog for inspiration. When it comes to health and fitness, you know how to motivate and say things for how they are; with wit and humor thrown in. Try not to let people drag you down; it takes strength to keep up the work that your doing without being pulled down by hostile-like readers (and if these people hate your blog, WHY are they still reading it?!)
A few podcasts I love listening to are Ted Radio Hour and Freakonomics. These seriously will change your life 🙂
Try keeping a gratitude journal. Just the practice of focusing on happy/positive things makes me a more positive person. I like The Five Minute Journal for my practice.
Juli,
I’m so sorry that people are being so negative to you and aren’t appreciative enough of what you do. You spend your days doing things for your readers and don’t make us pay a dime, the only things we can’t get on the blog we can get from a free newsletter. If people don’t like what you do or who you are it’s not right for them to put you down. Something that I find that helps is to step back and look at the situation as a whole. Like others have said, if people are negative to you it probably means they are unhappy themselves and want to bring more negativity to the world, and like it’s said, misery loves company. Although we can’t fix everything for you right now, don’t let those poo heads take away what you’ve done. You’ve helped more people than you probably know become healthier and stronger. You make us all laugh and smile and our bellies happy and you give females a positive role model that is an honest and strong woman. You have a husband that loves you, the worlds cutest dog, and thousands and thousands and thousands of people that love and support you. And maybe we need to give more back to you.
I always try to remember~~hurting people hurt people.
I find you hilarious on Snapchat, you’re real, you aren’t just giving us the cookie cutter PC version of yourself and I love that. Keep doing you, because if you turn into a sweet Stepford Snap chatter then we will have to have an intervention for you!
Keep up the fucking awesomness!
<3 Cassie