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!
In Partnership With:
____________
You May Also Like:
______________
Click Here To Get All My PaleOMG Recipes Into Your Meal Planner With Real Plans!
If you have time to sit down for a half hour and are patient, I find knitting super relaxing. It forces me to focus on what I’m doing with my hands instead of what’s stressing me out/pissing me off. I rarely knit for myself, so all my friends that have had babies have gotten hand knitted baby blankets. Knitting isn’t just for old people, I’m 23!
Meditation helps, as does talk therapy! Download the “breathe” app. It’s great.
This American Life, Freakanomics Radio, Planet Money, Modern Love – all great! And if you haven’t listened to the first season of Serial yet, download it now!
Have you listened to Undisclosed yet?? I was obsessed with the first season of Serial and this one delves sooooo much further into it. Highly recommended if you got wrapped up in Adnan’s case!
It may not help with cynicism but with absolutely take your mind off everything (including the haters) — Undisclosed Podcast. You can’t really listen the the first season without listening to the Serial podcast first, but the second season has just started and is damn good.
First of all, I do not understand people who get so angry about a blog post that they feel the need to contact the author. I mean, even IRL when I get mad at someone about something that is not of earth shattering importance, I let it go. Which is not to say that your blog is not that important; it is super important! But like, you know, theft, murder, etc. These are important issues for addressing. You dropping the F bomb on Snap Chat? Um, just let it go people!
Also, yoga is awesome. There are so many different styles to choose from. My favorite to take (and teach!) is typically a strong vinyasa practice.
As for me, the only thing that gets my brain to shut up and chill out is a nice aerial silks class (like, acrobat stuff). 🙂
I was starting to dislike everyone around me and feel “over” the human race. I’m a people lover and a happy soul. I started volunteering. Ice cream party at the senior citizen center – they will make you laugh. Bring toys to a children’s hospital so they can distribute when kids celebrate their birthday in the hospital. Those little beans are rays of sunshine. Things like that. Also, reading laughing is okay, crying is cool too by Nora Purmort really puts life in perspective. She handles some big challenges in her early 30’s with husband having brain cancer and faces it with laughter, honestly and plenty of expletives. 🙂
Love your blog, snaps, and cook books. One of my favorite things to do to bring a little more positivity into the world is read “Buddhist Bootcamp”. This book is amazing. It gives a lot of great perspective on life and helps you realize “why the f*ck am I wasting energy on this?!”. Also, he doesn’t try to convince you to become a Buddhist. Just has some enlightening views on life things.
Play with Jackson! Dogs are the best! 🙂
Hot yoga!!!! I have always been terrible at “clearing my mind” in any situation. Th heat of hot yoga is so distracting. All I can think about is how hot I am- so it’s kind of like meditating. Plus sweating that much just make me feel so cleansed- physically and mentally. Last plus- it is my perfect balance for crossfit. When I skip yoga, I feel tighter, muscles stop working right, and I’m more prone to tweaking things.
Hi Juli! Been following you now for 5 years. You, believe this or not are my friend in a crazy way because you inspired me to start baking and cooking…and are an outfit inspiration. the only time I comment is when I need specifics on your outfits so I can then order what you have. Ahhhh thank you so much!!!But today I am compelled to respond…and I’m taking a leap here because so many people can be turned off to this …but I say PRAY! Check out flatirons church podcast you have no idea how amazing they are until you try!!!!! I love your posts, you’re always saying to try something new…so I say try it!!! Love all you do and people are jealous and that’s why they’re mean!!!!! Thank you girl!
Hiking always restores my sanity and positivity. Something about being in nature and moving my body as it was meant to move makes me a much happier person.