Dairy & Gluten Free Loves

Keeping up with a restrictive diet when you're busy or stressed can be extremely difficult. I find myself constantly craving indulgent foods to bring me comfort. (Hello tub of ice cream) And since I have very little time to prep meals these days I have been struggling daily to stay on track, but there are a few items that have made things a little bit easier. I'm sharing those with you today and how I enjoy them!

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oats

I love a good bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon and pecans, but what I love even more are banana & oatmeal waffles. I make these at least once a week! They are super easy and fast to make. I recently picked up a mini waffle iron so I'm able to make them perfectly sized for me which strangely makes me super excited. Let me know if you've like that recipe. But I digress. When I went gluten free I knew I had to find a quality oatmeal that didn't sacrifice flavor or texture in my waffles. I found this one and have been using it ever since!

I Heart Keenwah Quinoa Puffs

This is one that is going to either be a hit or miss for you. To me they tasted like puff chips for a baby with very little flavor and a lot left to be desired. My boyfriend, however, who is more picky than I am especially with healthy foods, actually really enjoyed these. So don't immediately write these off just because I told you so 😜

Spearmint Tea
I  have been drinking fresh spearmint tea since I was a kid to help ease the stomach aches I've always been plagued with. I also just drink it because I love the minty flavor in the morning. For some reason though it is nearly impossible to find plain spearmint tea at the grocery stores. People are really missing out on a good thing. Spearmint is fantastic for easing upset stomachs and nausea. More stores really need to put this on their shelves! If I had a green thumb I would grow a spearmint plant so I could make it fresh like my mom used to, but alas I can't get a thing to grow. I finally managed to find it on Amazon so I order it in bulk now so I never run out. Spearmint tea is a MUST in my home. Maybe one day I'll learn to grow it, but lets not hold our breaths for now

Dandelion Tea 
I tried this one by chance. One of my Republic Of Tea catalogs had this as a bonus sample and I actually put off trying it for a little while. Nothing about dandelions sounds the least bit appetizing to me. Eventually I did try it though and my tastebuds had quite the surprise. It had an almost caramel like flavor that I LOVE. Definitely my kind of comforting tea

Balsamic Glaze
I love this in a caprese salad (without the cheese waaaah) or on sautéed mushrooms. It makes simple dishes super delicious

Eat Smart Cook Book
I realize this is a book and not actually food, but it was just released in the US and I've been very excited about it. Although this is a vegan cookbook and not gluten free, it is easy to switch out products for those free of gluten. Niomi Smart is a Youtuber I have been watching for close to a year  and I enjoy tuning in to her videos mainly because of the way she eats. Is that weird? She is Vegan and very health conscious, but she is able to make delicious and filling meals to fit her lifestyle. This is a great cookbook to create lots of recipes that are not only delicious (and obviously dairy free), but really easy to make as well. Score!

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Friday Lust List

So I've been a little abnsent from the online world for the past couple of weeks because of family issues. If you follow me on Instagram and watched my stories last week then you might have seen me  give a little explanation. If you didn't catch it then what are you doing with your life? I kid. My father has been ill for quite some time and he was just released a couple weeks ago for in home hospice care so I've been a busy little helper.

Because it's been such a weird and difficult time I've definitely fallen behind in life. Everything from work to just general self care has suffered, but I'm committed to changing that. It's easy to forget to also take care of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally in the face of a difficult situation, but it is a huge mistake. It's taken its toll on me and now I need to make a change. Baby steps, but I'll get there.

My first step is to give myself some "me" time. For me that includes self care, reading, and yummy treats (dairy free for me. waaaaah) So I've compiled a list of items that I'm currently lusting over to help me treat myself a little bit and get my mind right

Ugg Slipper

I love a comfy slipper! But I am so picky when it comes to the style. I'm not a huge fan of the regular slide style and prefer a boot style to keep my entire foot nice and toasty. I have been eyeing a pair of Ugg slippers for years and I say it's time to finally treat myself to them!

Nespresso Citiz Espresso Maker

Busy times call for some quality coffee. I've been using a Keurig for years, but i have desperately been wanting an espresso machine. Not only is this chrome Nespresso an absolute beauty, but the lattes you can make at home are better than any you could pick up at your local Starbucks

Pyrite Headphones

OH. MY. GOD. These are so beautiful I want to scream. My tired cheapie headphones need to take a hike to the bin. These pretty pyrite headphones have visually rocked my world and I can never go back to plain, boring versions.

Prosecco Rose Candle

Scents are so calming for me. No night of relaxation is complete without something burning in the background. They have the ability to take me from wound up to relaxed in record time. While I'm not always the biggest fan of floral scents, this combination with prosecco is heavenly.

Doterra Essential Oils

If you haven't tried essential oils yet then you are missing out. They have changed my life. When I get migraines I pop out my peppermint oil and I get a little bit of relief. They are awesome and worth every penny. I want every scent ever made.

Nike Sneaker

I've been living in sneakers. I need a lot of foot support when I'm going to be on my feet a lot or I start to have knee and back issues, so comfort is super important in these times. I'm currently loving the nude sneaker trend and have my eye on these beauties

Josie Maran Mud Mask

Stress makes my skin go CRAY-Z! My regular skin routine just doesn't cut it in these times so I like to add intense masks to calm my skin. This one seems so luxurious and effective.

Serene House Diffuser

I set up my diffuser next to my moms recliner so she can get some much needed relaxation time in as well so I'm in need of a new one for myself. How gorgeous is this one? *add to cart*

Star Stud Earrings

Gold Star Earrings

I haven't been able to spend as much time getting ready as usual so simple pieces that require little thought have become my go to. These earrings are gold so they won't irritate my sensitive ears and they have rounded screw on backs so they won't get lost and I can even sleep in them. Easy peasy style!

Summer Beach Stay in Cambria

Oh my gosh what a wonderful and relaxing time we had in Cambria! It was a spur of the moment decision to take a little trip to the coast after a very stressful month of work. I needed to peace and relaxation and immediately knew where I wanted stay. For years I would pass by a cute little town off Highway 1 on the way to Hearst Castle and I always told myself that one day we would plan a stay there, but time passed and there were always other places I wanted to go so it kept getting put off. Finally we decided to do it!

The town of Cambria is on the central coast of California where it is usually overcast, and exactly my kind of beach. It has the cutest look and the friendliest residents and I am so glad that that is where we decided to go. We escaped the world, work, and our phones and enjoyed time doing simple things we usually never make time for. We collected sea glass, rocks, and driftwood and just sat and enjoyed time from our hotel patio, it was magical!

           We stayed at the Pelican Inn & Suites which was wonderful! We booked the room with a patio view of the beach and it will now be the room we book every stay. The doors opened up to a small patio with two chairs and a table and the most beautiful succulent garden. We sat for hours on the patio just listening to the sound of the waves.

One of the highlights of the trip was an amazing little health food market called Soto's True Earth Market that had the most delicious offerings in the deli in the back. I feel like the word sandwich doesn't do justice for how good these little slices of heaven were. I got the chicken curry chicken salad sandwich and it was heavenly. I highly recommend it.

We stopped at Elephant Seal Beach down the road where hundreds of Elephant Seals waddle out of the water and lay out on the beach. It was wonderful to watch. If you're ever in the area you definitely need to make a quick stop here

Directly across from the hotel was the Moonstone Beach boardwalk with the most gorgeous views of the beach and littered with wildflowers and plant life all along the way. We even ran into several wild rabbits running in and out of bushes and shrubs. It's a relaxing way to enjoy the beach in the evening without having to step onto the cold sand

August Book Release Reading List

I always share what I'll be reading throughout the month so here's what's on my list for August! Read along with me and stay tuned for the rest of my reviews!

The Address

Two stories from two completely different times are interwoven into this novel. Sara Smythe is working in a highly regarded London hotel in 1884 and is working her way up the ranks when a nearly catastrophic situation leads to the offer of a lifetime. Theodore Camden, an architect of a newly finished New York apartment house, offers Sara passage to the United States and a position in the new building as head housekeeper.

Bailey Camden is living in 1985. Fresh out of rehab she tries to piece her life back together after being let go from the interior design firm she was working at after humiliating herself and the company in her last drunken stupor before entering the program. With no prospects, she is thrilled when her "cousin" Melinda Camden offers Bailey a job renovating The Dakota, the apartment building her great-grandfather built. Bailey's grandfather was a ward of Theodore Camden and therefore has no genetic link to claim the inheritance he left behind so she is at the mercy of her cousin when she decides she want to strip the building of all its history and character.

I was drawn to this book because of my love of historical fiction and it did not disappoint. This is the first one I have read by Fiona Davis and I will definitely be adding more to my list. She did a beautiful job describing intricate details that transport you straight back in time and leave you feeling like you witnessed exactly what she described. The story itself was somewhat predictable, but had enough little twists to keep it interesting. The two main characters were likable and added to the story in their own way without distracting from the other. The Address by Fiona Davis is a solid book for lovers of historical fiction and an even bigger treat for those that enjoy architecture and its preservation

Emma in the Night

Emma and her sister Cass go missing without a trace one night and for years everybody is left scratching their heads wondering what really happened until 3 years later when one returns. Cass comes home with a story that surprises everybody and leads them on the hunt of finding Emma with whatever clues she can remember. This story sends you, and the detectives, on a complete emotional rollercoaster. Who are the perpetrators? Who are the victims? What is the truth? Wendy Walker did a great job creating a psychological thriller that delves into the minds of narcissists and their effects on their families.

A Mother Like Mine

This is a story about healing and forgiveness between a mother and daughter who barely had any type of relationship in over 20 years. The two come together out of tragedy and necesity and learn to trust and love in this beautiful story by Kate Hewitt. While at times a little bit slow, Kate did a wonderful job creating a narrative that made the two women relatable in their insecurities and hurt feelings that can at times make two fully grown adults act immaturely. This book creates hope of fixing broken relationships and hurt from the past

House of Shadows

The House of Shadows is a story connecting 3 women from 3 completely different times through an antique mirror. The Winter Queen in 1662, Lavinia in the 19th century and Holly in the present day all have something in common and Holly seeks to find what it is in order to try to find her brother Ben who disappeared doing exactly that. She seeks to find the truth at Ashdown House in Oxfordshire that was passed down through her family and finds the diary of Lavinia that she hopes will help shed some light on what strange happenings have caused her brother to disappear. 

Nicola Cornick has written a compelling story and brought such realism and detail to every character and time period we visit throughout the book. The House of Shadows is a wonderfully written historical fiction novel weaving three very different women into one story in the most seamless and page turning way. No wonder this woman is an international best seller!

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