Friday Favorites

Wedding 4/14/14

Happy Friday! Are you guys as excited as I am that the weekend is finally here?

We’re getting ready to head out to Carmel tomorrow morning to celebrate our first wedding anniversary (it’s hard to believe it’s been a year already!) and I can hardly wait. Between being cooped up inside all winter and working as much as humanly possible, my husband and I are in major need of some downtime together. As you might imagine, that means I’ll be spending more time in the moment and less time on the computer but I’m sure I’ll be back before you guys even notice I’m gone. :)

In the meantime, I’ve found lots of goodies from around the web to share with you that I hope you enjoy. Have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see ya soon!

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Favorite Guide: A DIY Guide to Green Cleaning. Tis the season for cleaning! I’m always on the lookout for natural alternatives to chemical laden products and this chart lists a ton of great options that you can easily make yourself. I already use the baking soda vinegar combination to clean our shower, toilets and sinks, and making my own laundry detergent is next on the list. Have any of you tried it yet?

DIY Natural Cleaning Products

 

Favorite Appetizer: Mango Salsa. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of mango salsa so when I laid eyes on Heidi’s version with strawberries (!) and avocados (!!), I almost keeled over. Somebody pass me a chip!

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Favorite Carb: Easy Grilled Spelt Flatbreads. I’m currently working on a tofu kabob recipe to share when summertime approaches and I have a feeling these healthy spelt flatbreads would make a mighty fine addition. Mmm hmmm.

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Favorite Bowl of Green: Obsessively Good Avocado and Cucumber Salad.  If Deb says it’s obsessively good then you know it is. Plus it just sounds amazing. Must have for all the spring picnics!

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Favorite Low Carb Meal: 5 Delicious Low-Carb Recipes Starring Trader Joes Broccoli Slaw. Eating healthy doesn’t get much easier than this and the recipes look scrumptious too!

Low Carb Mac n Cheese

 

Favorite Wanderlust:  10 of the best places to hike in the United States. With warm weather just around the corner, I can feel myself getting the itch to start hiking again. I’ve heard Yosemite has some pretty awesome trails and I’m hoping we get a chance to make it there sometime this year.

Hiking Yosemite

 

Favorite Awwwww: 25 Wonderful Parenting Moments in the Animal World That Went Viral. There are no words, my friends. Just lots of warm, fuzzy feelings.

Animal Parents

 

Favorite Purse: Jessie Dark Brown Crossbody Bag from PUT ON LOVE.  I always try my best to avoid buying leather and other animal products so I was stoked when I found this super cute and affordable bag. I received it last week and I am so impressed with the quality! Plus the company donates 10% of their profits to helping women and children in need. <3

Vegan Crossbody Purse Brown

P.S. If you see something you like on their site, you can get 10% off by signing up for their email newsletter. <this is not sponsored, I just genuinely like the product.

Crossbody Vegan Purse Brown

 

Favorite Jewelry: Turquoise Spike Earrings. I’m ashamed to admit this but I went on a hunt for turquoise spike earrings after spotting Brit from The Bachelor wearing a pair that I really liked. I know, I’m pathetic. I found this pair on Etsy for less than $20 and the designer was kind enough to make the metal silver instead of gold for me. Score!

Etsy Turquoise Spike Earrings

 

Favorite Beauty Product: Ciaté Double Lines Eyeliner. I have a new rule that when I run out of a cosmetic or skincare product, I have to replace it with something more natural and my newest addition is this dual-tipped eyeliner. I usually use both liquid and pencil liner for my eyes so I love that this one combines them both in one. It’s formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates and the brand is cruelty-free.

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Favorite Book: Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I know I’m a little late to the party but I started reading this last week and it is CRAZY good. There are some parts that aren’t exactly fun to read but wow, she is such a talented writer. I can’t wait to finish it and see if the movie does it justice!

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Favorite Sandwich: Green Goddess Hummus Sandwich. If you guys aren’t already following this blog, you really need to check it out. Kate never fails to create recipes that are drool-worthy and 100% healthy, plus the pictures of her dog Cookie are incredibly cute. One of her most recent creations was this bad boy made with creamy green hummus and quick pickled veggies. It looks to-die-for!

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Favorite Salad: Mango Wheat Berry and Arugula Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing. Arugula, or Rocket, hasn’t always been my favorite green but I have to admit it’s growing on me. I think it sounds amazing in this salad and I love the addition of plant-powered protein from the hemp seeds in the creamy dressing!

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Favorite Dessert: Chewy Coconut Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. Oh man, what I wouldn’t give for one of these right now. They’re vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free and completely crave-worthy. My dream cookie…

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