Hi.
I hope you all had a great weekend. Oh, & happy August! Can you believe Fall officially starts in 49 days? I’m excited for the cooler months, but I’d be content if time would slow down a bit. I didn’t have a recap post last week, and this week isn’t much of a recap either, but it’s been kind of nice taking some time off from capturing every little detail of my days. I have had a lot of things happening behind the scenes (that I will share with you soon!) so this hiatus isn’t for nothing.
But, I do not like feeling disconnected, and without my recaps, the blog feels cold. Today, I’m going to share a few things I’ve been up to the past few weeks, and maybe in a month or so, I’ll be able to talk about all the things going on in my life. 😊 I hate when people say “I have news” and then make me wait, but I promise it’s worth it. It’ll involve a lot of different content in the near future 😉
Anyways, here’s a few things I’ve been up to (in no particular order!)For starters, I got my roots touched up and a trim! It’s insane how fast my hair is growing. It had about an inch of growing out in three weeks, which is pretty fast for me. I plan to keep the blonde thing going for a while, while also growing my hair out. The regular trims are a must, but I always like having long hair in the winter.
One of my favorite things I’ve been doing the past few weeks is cleaning out my closet and trying to organize it better. After my California trip, my clothes found themselves hanging in weird spots, and it’s been stressful navigating it.
I’ve been making more trips to Trader Joe’s, which always makes me happy. Since switching my diet to more whole food focussed meals (blogging about that soon), I’ve loved going in there and buying my vegetables and proteins. My meals are flavored with Tessemae’s Habenero Ranch, or Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Seasoning. I haven’t gotten sick of it yet!
Something I’ve loved lately is cornhole! Kyle and I have been having a fun little competition for the past two weeks. Every night after dinner, we set up the boards and play. I’m currently in the lead! Instead of watching T.V., or playing on our phones, we go outside for a little friendly competition. I purchased the cornhole bags on Etsy, and they turned out perfect with the colors I painted the boards.
Almost everyone close to me has a birthday around this time!
My best friend, Becca, celebrated her birthday this past weekend. We went out to lunch at Cajun Yard Dog, and then spent the afternoon planning her flowers for her wedding (which happening so soon!!!)
I also celebrated Caitlin’s Birthday last week. A group of us had dinner at Waterman’s Seafood in Southend. I was excited to try that place out. I ordered their shrimp cocktail and a side salad.
Spinach juice…
Sounds good, right? I’ve been blending about ten cups of spinach with 1/2 cup of frozen mango and water together every morning. It’s refreshing, hydrating, and I call it my magic potion because it’s been helping me so much with my skin. Spinach has a ton of iron, magnesium, and it’s a great way to kickstart my day. I’ve been going through about three large bags of spinach a week.
Lemonade stands have been popping up all over the neighborhood. I love this part of summer, and it brings back all of the memories from when I was a kid. While Kyle was out walking the dogs, he promised the kids we’d stop again and buy lemonade, so we made sure to do so before heading out to my parents for an afternoon.
I’ve been making so many three-ingredient energy balls the past few weeks. We LOVE having these for dessert. This one is by far my favorite because it tasted just like a brownie. This one had almonds, dates, dark unsweetened cocoa powder, and water! It tastes like fudgy brownie batter, and I’m all about it. I’m going to record it for a video on my IG stories this afternoon. I look forward to having one of these treats in the afternoon with my coffee!
There’s nothing better than pool time with the pups! 💜 Lots of this going on.
I’ll never say no to a Chipotle date.
A few weekends ago, Becca and I had a shopping date (basically mall walking because it was too hot to walk the trail), and then we ended the day with Chipotle! I had their salad bowl with carnitas (it’s the only meat they make without added sugars), fajita vegetables, pico, medium salsa, and guacamole! I’ve been avoiding added sugars and sugar substitutes for the past two weeks, and I’m feeling good so far! I’ll be doing an update post on some changes I’ve made to my diet and why soon.
A few things I’ve added to my house lately are these new flowers! I wish you could see the front of my house right now, my flowers are thriving! I can’t get over how well they are doing compared to a month ago.
I found this mirror at Hobby Lobby and thought it would be perfect in the corner of my bedroom. I always love that their stuff is usually 50% off.
I’ve been playing so much tennis, and it never gets old. I’m mostly excited about playing with the group from Hawaii in November! 😊
As for running? I’ve now cut back to running 2 times a week for about 30-40 minutes. I’m trying to keep up with my endurance, but staying on a plateau until it’s cooler outside. The heat makes my cortisol levels go unbelievably high, so I’m running earlier in the morning, and fewer times a week.
No more late nights.
I’m already a morning person, but I’ve taken it to a whole new level. Kyle and I have been having dinner around 5 pm, playing a game of cornhole outside afterward, and then getting ready for bed around 7:45 pm. We’ll usually watch a show and fall asleep around 9 or 9:30 pm. Our goal is to start the day at 5 am, and it’s amazing how more productive I am earlier in the morning. I’ll walk the dogs, make coffee, and sit on my computer for a few hours before making breakfast. We used to fall asleep by midnight and get up later in the morning, and I always felt exhausted. I’ve really enjoyed this new routine, and I’ll make sure to film an updated “day in the life” routine for Youtube!
So…
I hope you enjoyed this little random update, and I know it’s not a tradition recap post, but I’ll be back to those next week! I’m not changing the blog or anything but had to take a little break. You guys are amazing and I know you’ll understand. I’ve been working hard at editing the California video as well as writing the latest travel blogs. Those will be live later this week! Make sure to check out my latest California blog & enter the giveaway!! xo xo
Questions for you!
- What kind of content do you want to see from me this fall?
- What time do you normally go to bed and wake up?
- Do you have any fun plans for August?
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I’d love to see more travel content – if you’re travelling, that is! 🙂 As for my bed and wake up time, I used to be notoriously bad – sleeping at 4am and waking at 10am. It’s gotten better now, I go to bed at 2am… still working on sleeping earlier! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Charmaine! Yes, lots of traveling happening for sure!!
If you go to bed 30 minutes earlier each week, it helps!
Danielle says
1. I love any and all fall content…it’s my favorite season and you always have such great recipes and ideas! I’ve made your pumpkin bars so many times and they’re amazing.
2. I normally go to bed around midnight and get up at 7 or 8, but I’m going to have to change that since I now have to get up at 5am.
3. I begin student teaching in a few days and I am super excited!
As usual your blog is great and thank you for all that you do 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Danielle!!!
It’s hard to change sleeping patterns, but worth it!
I can’t wait to hear about your student teaching. Congrats!!
Megan Hayes says
Hey Taralynn!
I’ve been following you for 9 years now, and even just started my own blog back in February. You’re such an inspiration!
You and Kyle sound just like my husband Adam and I. We play corn hole literally almost every night in the summer! We get so competitive! But it’s super fun.
I would love to see your Whole Foods diet you’re working on. Can’t wait to hear about it!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Megan!
Wow, nine years? Thanks for being apart of the blog for this long!! & congrats on starting your own blog. It’s a lot of fun!
I love that you and your husband also play games of cornhole! It’s so much fun 😆
I’ve been writing each day about the diet changes and plan to post it in a few weeks!
Megan says
I can’t wait to see them! 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
♥️
Courtney Moore says
1. I’ve really enjoyed following your blog since you’ve eliminated dairy out of your diet, because I recently found out dairy doesn’t agree with me and I’m trying to adjust to the dairy-free diet. I love your dairy-free recipes and now that you mentioned your avoiding added sugars, I’d love to see content on all of that!
2. I work 7-4 Monday through Friday so I’m usually in bed around 8 or 9 and up at 5. I feel so much better than when I would stay up late and sleep in late. I feel like you get to enjoy the day more, too.
3. I’m going camping on the beach in Ludington, MI with my boyfriend and his family in less than two weeks! 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Courtney!
You’re going to find that the dairy-free lifestyle is very easy, especially with all the amazing alternatives out there!
You’re so right about being able to enjoy more of the day!
That sounds like the perfect trip!!
Madison says
Missed your recaps!
1. I’m excited for some fall recipes! And how you stay active.
2. I get up at 5 every day, so I always try to be lights out by 9! on the weekend, I do 10-6.
3. My “fun plans” for August is pretty much just training for my ironman in september! And visiting my boyfriend’s family in texas.
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Madison! ♥️
I’m already working on the fall recipes!!
Lights out by nine is my new fave! 😃
Can’t wait to hear about the ironman!!
Jennifer says
I love your fall content because it’s obvious that it’s one of your favorite seasons lol but I love seeing fashion, decorations, and apple recipes 🤤🤤
Since my current work schedule is 10:30 – 7, I typically go to bed around 10:30 and wake up around 7! I’m an 8 hours a night sleeper otherwise I’m not too functional.
Nothing too terribly exciting for August for me! I’m excited to hear your news, hoping it had to do with a new house 😏😏 your house projects are so fun to see too!
Taralynn McNitt says
Ahhhh yes! ♥️ 🍁
8 + same!!
I’m excited to share the news!
Jessica Giggengrove says
H there! Do you happen to have a recipe for those energy balls? I know you posted the ingredients, but I was also looking for the amounts. They sound delicious!
Have a lovely day!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Jessica!
In a food processor, I chopped 1 cup of almonds (sometimes ill do half almonds and half cashews.) When they’re chopped up finely, I add 7-8 pitted dates with a couple of tablespoons of water! When the ingredients are combined, I pour everything into a mixing bowl and mix in 1/3 cup of unsweetened dark cocoa powder! Then, roll into balls!
Lauren says
I cannot wait to hear your news! Is it something big/life changing? When can we find out?! You are so right – it’s so hard waiting after someone says I have news lol
Taralynn McNitt says
haha! in a few weeks 🙂
Lina says
I’d love more content about your journey to recovery and what are things you’ve done in the past to help you get to the amazing point you are at now. I think you’ve mentioned in the past you were working on something like this before. I have moments of lapse in recovery and have seen your journey inspiring.
I make myself be asleep by 11pm and wake at 7am. if i dont get 8 hrs i’m a full zombie.
Taralynn McNitt says
I think when it comes to those types of posts, I like the idea of sharing, and then I also love the idea of not letting that be my identity. I hope that makes sense. I’ve talked a lot about recovery over the past years. Because it’s a mental illness, everyone’s recovery story is different. What worked for me may not work for someone else, and I’m always afraid of sharing the wrong information. I think the best thing I ever did was recovery with professionals and continue to see a therapist years after. My issue was really never with food, but it was with what I was dealing with mentally at the time, and that is what had to be handled first. I am so lucky to be where I’m at now with my relationship with food/mind, but there are also days where I’m extremely hard on myself and have really bad body image. It’s those days that I make sure to give my therapist a call and take some time to reset. ❤️ If you ever want to email me and talk about it more, I’m always open to that! xo
Susie says
I love Trader Joe’s too and would love to see your own haul. I’m always that nosy person at the checkout line eyeing stranger’s grocery carts, lol. I just like to see what people eat (is that weird?). I think you’re an interesting, well-grounded and lovely person and any content from you is enjoyable, but have you considered cooking tutorials? Or even how you think to throw ingredients together to create a balanced meal. You always have such wonderfully creative salads.
I normally go to bed around 11 pm and wake up at 5:30. I know I need more sleep and I’m working on that, but in the meantime there’s coffee!
I’m taking a cruise to the Mexican Riviera next week – woo hoo!
Taralynn McNitt says
Haha! I always forget to film or record hauls!
& not that’s not weird at all. I love seeing what people eat and getting ideas from them.
hahaha, ALWAYS COFFEE!
Have so much fun on the cruise! & I hope you come back and tell me all about it!
Nicole K says
I love your fall posts in general! The leaves, decor, photos of the city. I love it all!
I work from 8-4:30 so I usually go to bed around 9-9:30 and get up around 5:30-6. I need my sleep, lol!
No special plans for August except for the Iowa state fair! My husband has lived in Iowa all his life and never been, so I’m happy to be the one to take him 💛🖤
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Nicole!
I feel ya! I love & need my sleep as well!
I’m so jealous! I miss doing the Iowa State fair with my family!!!
Dana says
I love your Fall photos, they really say “October” to me for some reason. I also like your recipes a lot since you really balance super healthy with a lot flavor.
I usually get into bed at about 9:30 and fall asleep between 10:30 & 11 and get up around 6:30 ish.
My fun August activities are packing and dontating stuff to move to Charlotte! I’m beyond excited about it. I’ll get there at the end of September.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Dana! 😊
You’re going to absolutely love Charlotte! So excited for you! & if you need help with navigating anything, let me know!
Dana says
Your blog has been very helpful for navigating already. 😃
Taralynn McNitt says
♥️
Harriet Adlam says
might not be the normal, but still a great recap!, travel content for sure, loving the California blogs, or another diy blog would be awesome. I am a morning person, up at 5am on week days for CrossFit and walking my dogs, the weekends are for sleep ins, bedtime is normally 9-9:30pm, getting up early in the mornings make my day way more productive. I didn’t have any plans for august, but my boss told me last Friday, that I have to take a break as have over two months vacation time accumulated, so I am heading to Australia next week to an art gallery opening and to see my family. hope you have fantastic week!!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Harriet!
I always love hearing how active your days are! Truly inspiring 😃
Omg, you’re going to have so much fun in Australia!! I can’t wait to hear all about it.
Viv says
I can tell from reading your blog posts that you have pretty bad anxiety. I’m just mentioning it because I’m curious as to what you do to treat it, because I have debilitating anxiety every single day and I’m always looking for new ways to treat it. I hope you don’t mind that I said this. I’m a big fan of your blog and have been a reader for years.❤️
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Viv.
I actually don’t have bad anxiety anymore.
I used to have it bad back in the day when I was struggling with an E.D. but these past few years I’ve rarely seen it. And when I do have an episode of anxiety, it’s not the same as it used to be. I’ll usually go for a long walk, and I feel better right away. The only time I find that I get anxiety is if I’m behind on something, or I’m procrastinating.
The best thing I ever did to treat it was seeing a therapist. ♥️
Patricia says
Hi Taralynn!
So excited to see what the news/updates are!
For Fall content I’d love some healthy Fall dessert recipes (that you could bring for Halloween, Thanksgiving etc get togethers ) and Fall home decor ideas.
I usually go to bed at 12 and wake up at 7 for work, but I’ve been debating getting up earlier….I have zero energy after work and it would be so nice to workout first thing in the morning and feel so accomplished. We’ll see if it actually happens though lol.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Patricia!
Love that idea 😊
Early mornings always make the day seem longer! You can always give it a go!
Lauren says
1. I love your Fall decor every year! Whether it’s DIY, autumn recipes, or just new decorations that really made a home cozy in the Fall. Those are some of my favorite posts.
2. I’m such a morning person! I try to go to bed by 9:30pm or 10pm but it’s harder in the summer when there’s so much to do!
3. Off to Portugal next week for a fun girls trip!
Taralynn McNitt says
I’ll definitely do some Fall decor post!!
I’m sure it’s harder with the lighter nights as well. It’s weird to be in bed before the sun goes down, but I kind of like it!
OMG SO FUN!
Ashton says
No big August plans, for us maybe a Disneyland trip or two and some more beach days. I’m a night owl, but can usually rally in the morning with coffee, I work 12 hour shifts at my job so I really only need maybe 5-6 hours of sleep. I LOVE FALL! It is my favorite time of the year, my husband proposed in September and I told him we’d have to wait a year to get married because I wanted a fall wedding. I hope you’ll do another Fallerizing post, and cook with lots of pumpkins & apples!
Taralynn McNitt says
That sounds like a blast. You can never go wrong with a trip to Disney!
Awwwww! That is adorable. Love that you’re getting married during your favorite season!
You know I will! xo
Brooklyn says
I love reading about random updates!
Playing cornhole sounds so fun.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, B! 😊
Leann says
Pumpkin anything and you do it so well girl. I’m a night owl so I need to work on that for sure. So looking forward to cooler weather here in the Savannah area. It’s been one hot summer.
Taralynn McNitt says
Ohhhh man that Savannah heat is tough!
Vanessa Naidoo says
Try one drop of lemon essential oil from young living for your green smoothie , it elevates it truly.
Using essential oils truly helps me with my anxiety, mood and energy
Taralynn McNitt says
Glad that works for you! 👍
Maureen says
Hi Tara!
I can’t believe it’s August, either. I’ve always loved how calm it is in the late summer. I agree with you that it’s a great time for planning and reflection. So happy to see that you’re taking time for yourself!
Right now I’m prepping for the school year and trying to sneak in as many campfires, day trips, and kayaking sessions as possible! I’m also planning one more quick road trip with my mom before we both start back at work. This fall I’d love to see decoration ideas, fall recipes (I’m on team pumpkin spice), and continued running updates.
I like to get up early, too. Right now I’m on a break from work but I still get up around 5 while my husband gets ready for work. Staying on this work schedule is more productive in the summer (it’s amazing what we can do before 9AM!) and it will ease the transition back to work when the school year starts up again.
Thanks for the update! Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Lauren B says
1.) I just love your Fall content in general, I always look forward to it. You just seem like a “Fall” person to me if that makes sense lol. I would love to see a Vlog about your house decor in Fall like you did for Christmas…I got so many ideas from you during Vlogmas (which i hope you do again!!).
2.) I usually go to bed around 9:30-10pm and wake up around 6am. Everyone makes fun of me because I could literally fall asleep by 8pm but i force myself to stay awake until 9:30pm at least.
3.) Nothing too exciting in August, I have a wedding at the end of the month in Michigan and that is about it.
I am really looking forward to your news – I hope it is good news!
Jenni says
I love your recipes content! I go to bed between 8:30-9:30. Wake up between 4:30-5:30. This August we have our Illinois state fair, girls weekend in Chicago and a couple
Of waterparks with my Grand daughter!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Jenni!!
Sounds like you have a ton of fun things planned!!
Brittany says
Ahhh I honestly love seeing anything fall related 🙂 I am so ready for fall! My birthday just so happens to be in the fall.. which might also be why I think fall is the best season.. who knows! Anywho, I always love reading your recap posts and seeing fun recipes and DIY that you always post.
As for bedtime routines I have been working on this one with my fiance a lot recently haha. We used to go to bed around 11-12 every night and get up for work at 7 am always feeling groggy. By the time we would get home from work we would be too tired to workout, so we have been trying to shift our routine to working out in the morning before work. It has definitely been a transition.. and some days are more difficult than others. Sometimes it’s just difficult for me to stop finding things to do at night and just go to bed! Anyway, love your post and always look forward to reading about what you are up to 🙂
Jacklyn says
I LOVE day in the life and morning routine videos on youtube. They are my weakness. lol.
I need to start trying to wake up earlier so I can not look like the hot mess express at work, but I have a 15 month old daughter who has been a little unpredictable with her sleep schedule while she is teething.
Taralynn McNitt says
I love those too!
I’m sure that’s super tough! Hopefully everything settles down soon.