2020 Spring Favorites

The spring semester ended for me a little over a week ago, and it went my quickly. When I was trying to think of what to write for this post, I realized that I was great about trying new things without going crazy and spending tons of money. My focus has been on staying healthy by minimizing injury from running as well as making new good. This comes through in what I have loved using this past spring. 

Lululemon Swiftly Long Sleeve: This whole spring until just last week was so cold. I was really thankful for my Lulu long sleeve during my morning runs, as it is the perfect shirt for the windy 40 degree mornings we have been having.

Garmin Vivoactive 4s: I bought my Garmin right around Christmas last year as a reward for finishing PT for my hip surgery, but go figure I hurt my hamstring almost right away. Part of attempting to fix my hamstring has involved slowing my pace down a lot. This watch has been really helpful with tracking my pace, and on a less important note, I have had a lot of fun tracking my water as well. 

Foam Roller: I used to use this kind of foam roller in high school when I worked out at a gym, but since then I haven't. With getting back into running, my legs have been very sore so I decided to invest in a nice roller. Now, even when I don't feel like running, I go on a run just to use the foam roller. It always feels so good. 

Champion Wisconsin Hoodie: I am not one to spend money on an oversized hoodie, but when I happened to find one at my school bookstore for  50% off, I did not hesitate. I had planned on wearing during finals this spring, but instead it turned into my quarantine hoodie for the days I did not want to deal with looking good. Talk about a great impulse buy. 

Patagonia Jacket: As I mentioned above, the weather was not great this spring. Because of this, I found myself wearing this Patagonia jacket all of the time when running errands or taking walks. Since my winter parka is really heavy, this jacket was perfect for anything between 32-50 degrees.

Nutritional Yeast: I had mentioned previously in this 52 in 52 blogpost that I tried nutritional yeast for the first time this winter. Since being home, I have also gotten my mom hooked on it, so we have been using it in all sorts of recipes. My favorite recipe so far was a nutritional yeast dressing from Eating Bird Food that we used for kale salad.

Body Love Every Day: I picked up this book from my public library right before it closed. I have really been loving some of these smoothies. I have tried several, and all of them were great. My favorite smoothie was the cookies and cream smoothie that has chocolate protein powder, flaxseeds, almond butter, blueberries and spinach. You can find that recipe and several others from Kelly LeVeque's book on her website (here). 

Prophecy Sauvignon Blanc: Once the weather starts to get warmer, I really like to have a glass of white wine in the evenings. This sauvignon blanc I picked up from my grocery store and loved it. This wine has a crisp taste, which is exactly what I am looking for after a long day outside in the sun. I highly recommend trying it out. 

8" Cast Iron Skillet: I have had this skillet for a while, but never used it a lot. Now I have been obsessed with making socca so it is used several times a week. Socca is a crispy chickpea pancake popular in southern France. Making a good socca requires a cast iron skillet, and this. 8 inch size allows me to make the perfect size socca for one. 

The Rise & Conquer Podcast: I like to listen to a podcast during my afternoon walks and after listening to several, this podcast is by far and away my favorite. Georgie Stevenson is so fun to listen to, and I love that she can really make you think. The topics very which keeps it interesting, ranging from lessons learned in business to manifesting your life to breaking up with diet culture. The episodes never fail to entertain me on my long walks. 

What have you been enjoying this spring? 

xoxo, 

Maddie 

Spring Favorites 2019

I can't believe it is already June. Time has absolutely flown by between finishing up school and starting my summer job. I was so overwhelmed with things to do over the first half of the month, that I have been really enjoying being able to relax a little bit more during the second half of the month. One of the fun things about this month was that I was able to try more new things. Of the new and the old this spring, here were my favorites.

Green Juice: I have been having so much fun trying new juices. I have been trying different juice brands and also making my own juices. My favorite juice that I have bought is by Juiced! Kay Dee Power and my favorite recipe that I have made is just kale, lemon, lime and ginger. Juices have been so fun to add to breakfasts and snacks as a way to add some extra nutrients in my day and just to have another tasty treat.

Fage Greek Yogurt: I ate so much of this yogurt earlier this May that I need to take a breather from eating yogurt. At school I had some for breakfast almost daily. Yogurt is such an easy way to make sure that you get protein in your day. My favorite ways to eat yogurt are with fruit or jam for something sweet, or with EBTB seasoning for a savory snack.

Sunglasses: Nothing makes me happier than when it is finally sunny in Wisconsin. Pulling out the sunglasses means that spring is here, and that soon the weather will be warm. I really love these sunglasses in particular because they look like a pair of Ray Bans that I like, but instead they are only $20 from Amazon so I don't have to worry about losing them. I bought them last year and it might be my favorite purchase of last summer.

Kombucha:I have always wanted to like Kombucha, but every time I had tried it I disliked it and ended up giving it to my sister. Finally I found a couple flavors that I really like! The lemon raspberry flavor from Kevita was the first one I liked. I also really like blueberry basil. I know I will have fun trying different flavors this summer as Kombucha gives a great alternative for when you are sick of drinking water and want to change it up.

Bhu Keto Protein Bars: It tried these bars for the first time at my work, and I was surprised by how much I liked them, particularly the refrigerated Keto bars. They remind me a lot of Perfect Bars, but with more dessert like flavors. I have tried almost all of the flavors, both refrigerated and not, and I think my favorite one is the peanut butter cookie dough bar. I would fully recommend  trying these.

Avocado Mug: My sister bought me this mug for my birthday and I have been loving it. It was so sweet that she remembered how over winter break the two of us had been looking at the mug, and I was saying how much I loved it.

Eating Well Magazine: I love cooking magazines and cook books so much. I read a ton in the summer, and one of my favorite ways to change up what I am reading is to read cookbooks instead of novels. Eating Well is one of my favorites because it is more seasonal than the other magazines, and it also can have a lot of fun health information.

What have you liked this past May?

xoxo,

Maddie 

3- Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pancakes (GF)

I have been making these pancakes on repeat. I first made the recipe on day one of winter break, and ever since then these have been my go-to pancake recipe. I love this recipes because no one else in my family needs to eat gluten free, so I can just make these for myself when everyone else makes regular pancakes. Another reason I love the pancakes is that it has a lot of protein in it which helps me stay full throughout the morning. One serving has about 15 grams of protein, and you can add even more by topping your pancakes with nut butters or even more cottage cheese. This pancakes have a creamy, delicious texture that are so easy to make that there is no reason to not try them. 

3 Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pancakes 

modified from The Kitchn

for one (three small pancakes)*

Ingredients

1/4 c Oats (gluten free if need be) 

1/4 c Cottage Cheese 

1 egg 

1/8 tsp baking powder 

cinnamon (optional) 

1/2 tsp ground flax seed (optional) 

Topping Ideas: 

Berry Compote

Maple Syrup

Peanut/Almond Butter 

Nuts 

Warmed apples 

Instructions

Add oats into a blender and grind into oat flour. Add the remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth. Either heat a griddle or pan on the stove on medium-low heat. If using a pan, grease so the pancakes don't stick. Pour a 1/4c of batter onto the pan. Cook on one side until edges begin to firm and pancakes can be flipped. (time will depend on temp. of cooking surface) Cook on second side until cooked through, only about a minute or so. Add your desired toppings and enjoy! 

Tip: Pancakes may be hard to flip so make sure to pour them in 1/4c size or smaller. 

*This recipe is easily multiplied for more servings, just multiply by the number of pancakes you wish to make. 

Let me know if you like the recipe! 

xoxo,

Maddie

2018 Favorites

I can't believe that 2018 is pretty much over. So much has happened that has made this year fly by. I figured out I need to be gluten free (kind of a big change). I got more involved with my sorority, and have gotten so much closer with the other girls. I completely changed one of my majors, and now my life plan is looking a little different. All of these changes have had a big impact on my life, but mainly for the better. 2018 was a hard year for me, but it taught me a lot and I am pleased with the results. 

| Cottage Cheese | I mentioned this on the blog earlier, but I have been loving cottage cheese. I randomly decided to try it one day, and ever since I eat it almost daily. Daisy is my favorite brand. The texture is perfect and there are no gums or thickeners added. My favorite ways to eat cottage cheese is either plain with pepper, or topped with chia, flax and hemp seeds. 

| Kale | I have no idea where my love for kale came from. One day I hated it, and then suddenly all I want to eat is a kale salad. Kale was a staple for me this summer, and continues to be the first thing I ask for when I come home for breaks. I love the versatility of a simple kale salad, so that it can be eaten for any meal of the day. 

| Booties | I got these shoes for Amazon Prime Day over the summer for a great deal. I wasn't 100% sure I wanted them, but now I wear them quite often at school that I know I made a good purchase. They make any outfit look a little nicer. It is also nice that these shoes are comfortable enough that I ca walk in them all day and my feet don't hurt. 

| Agenda | I have always loved my agendas and this year is no different. My agenda is used everyday and I can't imagine what a mess I would be without it. I love how it has hour by hour lines so I can plan out my time, and the to-do list is long enough to actually fit everything I need to accomplish. It helps that this agenda is absolutely gorgeous and the sight of it sitting on my desk is so pretty. 

| Adidas Shoes |  I have never really had a pair of sneakers that I have liked before, but seeing everyone walking around campus wearing them has made me intrigued. I found this pair for $30 on sale, so I decided it would be a perfect way to try out the trend. I have ended up liking these shoes way more than I thought I would. They are so comfortable with such a good color.

| Perfect Bars |  I tried Perfect Bars when I was training for my marathon as a way to get enough calories during the day without having to put too much thought into it. I have never found a protein bar that I actually liked, but turns out these are so good. My favorite flavor is the coconut peanut butter or the pumpkin pie, but they all taste good, somewhat like cookie dough. Even though I am done with my marathon, I still like to enjoy one every once in a while. 

| Madewell Sweater | My dad and I got a red version of this sweater for my mom earlier this fall, and since then I have been eyeing the sweater so you know it was a great surprise to get it for Christmas. It is so warm and soft I never want to take it off. The color is also so nice and different from anything else I own that it is a great addition to my closet. I know I will be wearing this a ton this winter. 

| Gold Earrings | I have had these gold earring for a couple years but only recently have I started wearing them again. I used to consider myself more of a silver person. I typically wear a silver colored necklace, pearl earrings and a watch with silver lining, but recently gold has starting being appealing to me. I would really like a small gold necklace, but in the meantime I loved wearing these earrings. 

| Books | I haven't read a lot during the school year, but during every break I have loved being able to snuggle up and read some good books. Plenty was one of my favorites. It is about a couple that decides to live on a 100 mile diet. It is every interesting, especially someone who loves local eating. Make sure to check back later on as I will make a post about what I have read recently. 

What are your favorite things of 2018?

xoxo,

Maddie 

Madison Marathon in Review

      I have officially finished with my 4 months of marathon training! (Well, I finished it a couple weeks ago, but better late than never) I had previously posted (here) my game plan for training along with possible set backs I might comes across, and of course my goals. Training started off really well, but didn't continue that way. My training pretty much had two phases, marked by everything going well and then getting hurt. 

      To start, everything was going perfectly. I had no problem making long run routes and finishing them fairly quickly. No matter how far I was running, my pace was typically around an 8:30 mile. I easily found gels that I liked for mid-run fuel, which are Stinger. Fun enough, the first brand I tried was GU since that is was is given during most races and I couldn't stand it. I actually had to spit it out in the middle of a park (oops). Now the idea of those gels makes me nauseous but the Stinger Gels did the trick. I was really enjoying my runs and not having any problems with motivation. This was all happening through my 16 mile long run... and then I raced a half marathon. 

     The week before the half, my hip had been starting to bother me so I took a day or two off to see if that helped. I was feeling alright for the half marathon, so I decided to go for it. My mom and I had been planning on running it together, but since my pace was getting faster, we decided to do it separately. Within a couple miles my hip flared up again, but being the super competitive person that I am, I kept running. I ended up doing really well with a PR of 8 minutes and finishing second in my age group. 

      After the half my hip kept getting worse and worse, until it came to the point where I couldn't finish my long runs, let alone the short ones. I went to a physical therapist through my school to see if I could figure out what was wrong, but nothing seemed to be an exact problem. I was told by the doctor that I shouldn't continue training for the marathon, and that instead I need to take a month off of running. Well, I am not the person who is going to give up on a goal, especially one that I have been looking forward to for almost a year. I ended up taking a little over a week off, stretching a lot and resuming hip exercises. The problem never went away, but it was minimized enough I could handle running.  

     The week before the marathon I was a mess. I was so nervous that there were moments I would be getting nothing done as I scoured the Internet for advice on marathon recovery, what to wear and almost anything you could think of. Let's just say I am sure Runner's World saw a massive spike in viewership. What got me through the week was how so many people kept telling me how excited they were for me and were wishing me luck. I couldn't have gotten through the last four months without the amazing support system that I have.

      The marathon itself was hard, there is no better way to put it. My knee and hips flared up by mile 6 and got worse as the run progressed. By the end of the run, I could barely lift up my right leg which made going up hills difficult. This proved to be a large annoyance as the second half of the race primarily consisted of hills. Throughout the run I just kept reminding myself of how hard I trained and how long I have wanted to do this. I made sure to enjoy the pretty views and take in the fact that I was finally running a marathon. I was able to finish the marathon, get third place in my age group, and even though it involved walking, I am so happy that I was able to complete it.
      Now after the marathon, I have my 26.2 sticker on my laptop, my medal hanging on my wall and am going to end up taking a long break from running for my hip. It will be weird not running all of the time after running almost everyday for several months, but I am hoping to find fun, new ways to workout and have my hip heal quickly so I can get back to running. 

Summer Favorites

Summer has officially ended for me since I am now back at school. Classes haven't started yet, but I am spending all of my time getting ready for sorority recruitment. This summer was one of my favorites. Between having a job I really liked, traveling a little bit and baking all of the time, I was able to really enjoy myself. Here are some of my favorite things that I have used, worn or eaten this summer! 

Peaches 

Since the peach truck first came this summer, I have eaten a peach every morning. Peaches have become one of my favorite foods. I love plain peaches in the morning, peaches on salads and grilled peaches with ice cream for dessert. The Peach Truck is now my favorite part of summer because it brings me my peaches. 

J. Crew Bikini Top 

I got this bikini top for this summer and it might just be my all time favorite. It is fantastic for girls with a smaller chest since it can fit flat on the chest. The quality of the suit is really nice, much better than anything you could get at Target. This suit is currently on sale so I recommend grabbing a swim suit for next summer! 

A Man Called Ove

If you've read this blog for the course of the summer, you will have known that I read a lot. Out of all of the books I've read, A Man Called Ove has been my favorite. I was hesitant about it at first, but Frederick Backman is such a fantastic author that I want to read all of his books. 

Madewell Tank Top

I got this tank early in the summer and it has been worn on repeat. I wear it at least once a week because it fits me so well. It is light enough for the super hot days so that I can still be comfortable. I already have another coming in the mail. This top will also be so nice during the fall and winter layered with sweaters. 

Secret Deodorant 

I have a major problem with standard deodorant because I always end up with white splotches all over my clothes. I tried this deodorant since it is a clear gel, and I have to say I'm impressed. I no longer worry about messing up all of my outfits due to white streaks! 

Lilly Pulitzer Skort

I needed to buy a white skirt for sorority recruitment and I was just planning on getting something cheap that I could wear once, but when I was in Florida I found this skort and fell in love with it. I have worn it several times this summer and it is turning me into a skirt/skort person. It looks so cute with a striped shirt or the tank mentioned above that I am so glad I bought it. 

Icelandic Provisions

I have always talked about how much I love Siggi's Skyr but now I'm converted. Icelandic provisions is creamier, less tart and has stronger flavors. I have tried all of the flavors this summer and I would recommend any of them. My favorites are coconut (with actual coconut flakes in it!), raspberry and cherry. 

Sunglasses

For the past year I have debated about getting Ray Bans, but never wanted to spend the money. I ended up finding this pair on Amazon and decided to go for it. They have become my summer staple this year and go with me everywhere. I love that they're polarized and came with a hard case. It is such a great deal for only $20. 

Grace and Frankie 

My mom and I wanted to start a new TV show together and we decided on Grace and Frankie. We aren't big TV watchers but we love sitting down at the end of the night to watch an episode before bed. It is such a funny and cute show that I would recommend that everyone should give it a shot. 

ATK How Can It Be Gluten-Free Cookbook

Finding out I needed to be gluten free was the hardest part about this summer. I couldn't eat most of my favorite foods or eat treats at the farmers market every week. Thankfully we bought this book early on and it has helped me so much. Only one or two recipes haven't worked out for me, but everything else has been great. I have made a lot of my favorite foods that help me adjust to eating gluten free. 

L'oreal Shampoo

I have always struggled with hair that got greasy really quickly after showering, but this new shampoo (at least new for me) has allowed me to be able to be able to avoid showering on days I don't workout. I am so glad I tried this shampoo since it just give me better looking hair for even a little longer. 

Purely Elizabeth Granola 

I want to find a new granola for me to eat since I couldn't eat my old favorites due to non-gluten free oats. I tried Purely Elizabeth Original since it is chunky and a basic flavor. I really hate granola that is just a couple flakes as opposed to chunks so this is what makes Purely Elizabeth amazing, you know, that and the flavor. 

What were some of your summer favorites? 

xoxo,

Maddie 

Marathon Training Plan

I have been mentioning that I have started training for a marathon, so I figured I would explain more about what I am doing and all that jazz. I have already run two half marathons and a 20k, so I am really excited to start training for something farther. I decided last fall that I was going to run the Madison Marathon this upcoming November. I signed up for it right away and since then I have been looking forward to starting training!

The Game Plan

     Two weeks ago I started the Hal Higdon training program. I run four days a week, with one long run occurring on Fridays. The way my class schedule works out for school makes it so that I will run after all of my classes are done on Fridays, and before class on the other days. I like the late night Friday runs because it allows me to eat enough before I run, and get a little warm up in before I leave (ie walking back to my sorority house from class). I also get to sleep in on the weekends, so I'm not complaining.

The Challenges 

     One thing that I will have to figure out is getting the proper nutrition and hydration during my workouts. I am already planning on trying the GU gels and honey stinger gels as a fuel during training. I also want to experiment with some natural foods, but being gluten free does limit some of my options. I think I have hydration figured out, but I have yet to actually put my plan into action. I bought a belt that holds two water bottles. My plan is to have one holding water, with the other holding an electrolyte drink. I've done a combination of these drinks during my half marathons and it has worked well. The final element to my nutrition challenges is the fact that I will be living in a sorority house, so I don't have a lot of choices in my dinners and lunches. This will really only be a problem after long runs, but all I need to do is guarantee I get enough protein and carbs to allow my body to recover.

     The second main challenge that I see coming is injury prevention. I tend to get a lot of shin splits and some random knee pain. During my freshman year of high school, the knee pain was so had I went to physical therapy for it. My game plan includes using the same therapy exercises to strengthen my hips. I also will include some strengthening workout I learned from running cross county over the years. Finally the last thing I am going to do is to make sure to listen to my body. I just want to make sure something like a injury doesn't derail me.

The Goals

      So originally I was hoping for just racing in under 4 hours, which is still the main goal, but now I feel like I am getting a little crazy and am hoping to finish in under 3:40 min. This goal is a massive long shot, especially considering that I have already hurt myself, but if I ran this, then I could qualify for the Chicago Marathon. Running it in under four hours is something that I think I could definitely do as long as I don't get hurt and can figure out the proper racing nutrition to fuel myself correctly. Even with these time goals in mind, I really want to finish the race and enjoy myself throughout the process.

Wish me luck!

xoxo,

Maddie

Summer Wish List + Style Question

I have hit the point where I am not really sure what my style is these days. As much as a I look for clothes online,  I can never seem to find anything I like. There is a growing list of clothes I need, but but a shrinking list of brands I actually like. Please let me know if you know of any websites you like to find cute summer clothes! 

| Wedges | Sunglasses | White Jeans | Tank | Monogram Necklace | Knot Earrings |

     There have been some cute things around. I really want a new pair of white jeans (my old ones just got, well, old looking) and I think that GAP has some great pants. I have a pair in black which fit really well so I might just need a white version. I also would love to find some cute gold jewelry. I have earring that are legit, but I actually want a fake pair that I could wear around all the time. 

     Other items that I am searching for are nude wedges, cute summer shirts (love the basic tanks but would like others too) and a gold necklace. I really just need a lot of random clothes, but for now, this is a decent start. 

What kind of clothes do you like for the summer?

xoxo,

Maddie 

What I Eat in a Day- Low FODMAP

I love reading about what people eat, or reading anything about food. I decided to share what I eat in a day since even though I have tons of restrictions I still mange to eat well. Being on the low FODMAP diet means eating in the dining hall is pretty much impossible. No dairy, gluten, beans, garlic/onion seasoning and specific produce means that there is never anything I can eat. Schools are supposed to help you, but I got no help after contacting the dining services. Thankfully I have been making my own food for most of the year so I was already used to it. I have had to be more creative with my meals, but that part has been fun. 

| Breakfast |

My favorite breakfast has always been a parfait, so I have made a low FODMAP version. These days I have lactose free yogurt, 10 strawberries and a 1/4-1/3 cup of peanut butter granola. I love this breakfast because I can get some fruit which isn't always easy on this diet. All fruit servings are limited and I can only eat one type at a time to limit fructose intake. This breakfast is also great for the protein. It gets me through to lunch or my morning snack. 

| Lunch |
I meal prep a lunch every week to make getting ready in the morning easier. This week was a kale quinoa salad with a lemon olive oil dressing. I added almonds (10) and a clementine to make it more filling, and again, add some fruit. I typically make some kind of kale salad because it keeps me full depending on what I put in it, and it makes for a bigger size lunch.

| Snack(s) |
I typically have a snack in the morning and the afternoon. Since one of the symptoms I had of IBS is losing weight, and I was training for a 20K, I needed to make sure I was getting enough calories to at least keep my weight stable. My favorite snack is rice cakes with nut butter and 1/2 a banana. I also like to have corn chips with a homemade salsa or popcorn. I always have to make sure my backpack is full of snacks because there is almost nothing around campus that I can eat if I get hungry.

| Dinner |
This dinner was gluten free pasta with a homemade tomato sauce and spinach. The tomato sauce I made with tomato paste, water, carrots for sweetness, and Italian seasoning. It was a little runnier than a typical sauce but it was still really good. For this week, I pretty much ate this every day since I made so much sauce. Sometimes for a dessert I will have a small amount of dark chocolate, but normally my eating ends with dinner.

I might have a really restricted diet, but I am pleased that I was able to maintain my level of eating. Being placed on this diet was really intimidating because it seemed like all I was able to eat was plain meat and rice. Although that has been dinner some days, I have found that a little experimenting has allowed me to eat well, ultimately eating my way to being healthy.

What is your favorite snack?

xoxo,

Maddie 

Why My Mind was Elsewhere

  

     I haven't been able to focus on blogging a lot recently because I just couldn't focus on it. My life was taken over by school and my health. For most of this year I have been having stomach problems, and February and March is where it peaked.
     Starting in early October, I would find myself randomly bloating and having days where my stomach would just feel sick all of the time. I thought this was just stress related or something similar so I just tried to keep going. My symptoms kept getting worse until I decided (after a lot of persuasion from my parents) to visit my doctor over Thanksgiving. I chatted with her, and after having a negative Celiac Test, we decided I should visit a GI specialist in Madison. Throughout this time, I was never really sure how I would feel. Somedays were completely normal and other days meant I was curled up in bed with a massively bloated stomach after barely eating all day. The idea of eating had become scary, because I never knew how I would react. Winter break was weird because I went a full week feeling fine, but then every other week I would have a different set of symptoms.
       It was after break that everything started to go downhill. I began losing weight quickly, bloating abnormally everyday and after almost every meal, burping all of time (it made the library a place to avoid), and I began getting headaches almost daily. The bloating was getting so bad and common that I pretty much started only wearing leggings because jeans would hurt. On top of this, there were a couple occasions where my stomach would be in so much pain I could barely walk.
       This began to effect my social life because I would feel sick every night and not want to hang out with people, let alone go to a party. It felt like each moment I wasn't doing homework was consumed by trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I spent hours on the internet looking for causes, went to numerous appointments and test, and if nothing else, the constant bloating made sure it was never far from my mind.
      At my next appointment with my GI doctor, it was decided that I would go see a nutritionist and also get a CT scan to see what could be done. Thankfully the CT scan was normal, but that still meant I didn't know what was wrong and continued to feel sick almost all of the time. It was decided that I probably have IBS, which can only be determined through the elimination of other health issues. There is no test for it, it is just having all other tests come back normal. It was at the nutritionist that it was decided I would start the low FODMAP diet, while emphasizing eating a lot in order to at least regain some weight.
     Since starting the low FODMAP diet at the end of March, I have been feeling a lot better. The goal was to be 50-80% and I am definitely in that range. Of course, there have still been some days where I bloat like crazy or have these weird burps but it is no longer a daily occurrence.

What is the low FODMAP diet?
    FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharide and polyols. If you want to know more about it, check out this blog by Kate Scarlata. My dietician has worked with her so a lot of this information is exactly what I have been told. The goal of the diet is to remove FODMAPs consumed as they are typically malabsorbed. The easy way to describe it is that it is Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free, with no onions, garlic and a lot of fruits and vegetables with the fruits I can have being limited in portions.
     This has made cooking for myself a lot harder. I struggle with making big enough meal as you can't "layer" FODMAPs because then it will make a high FODMAP meal. I have had to be creative in my meals and I also need to eat a lot more often because even with the small meals, I still need to gain back the weight I lost. You should see my backpack when I leave for classes, it is always filled with snacks because I can't eat anything sold around campus.
     This is a temporary diet so soon I will be starting to add foods back in order to see what I react to. This will then structure how I eat in order to be healthy and feel my best.

   For now, this is where I am. I spend a lot of my time planning what I eat. keeping up with homework and trying to still enjoy myself. Feeling better has allowed me to focus more on other things in my life such a blogging. I am hoping I can get back into the swing of things and post more often. Of course, that being said we are headed into the time when finals are starting soon and projects are due so we'll see how this goes!

Have you heard of the low FODMAP diet before?

xoxo,

Maddie

10 Healthy Snacks for the Busy College Student

It is inevitable that around 4pm I need a snack. I like to wait until 8ish to eat dinner, so I can't go the whole afternoon without eating. For some reason I start to feel sick if I get hungry. That being said, I always feel worse if I eat something unhealthy. Over the year I have learned about some healthy snacks that are portable and easy for anyone in college to have on hand.

| Celery and Peanut Butter |
This brings back childhood memories on ants on a log... and also of yesterdays snack. You can either make to go by adding the peanut butter on the celery right away, and putting a container in your backpack or you can buy individual serving peanut butter packets. Really anything can be paired with peanut butter: apples, bananas, crackers or dark chocolate.

| Clementines |
Clementines are easy portable fruit. You don't need a container for them and they are hearty enough not to burst during transportation. Really any fruit or veggie is a good idea for a snack. My favorites are blueberries, apples, bananas and carrots.

| Greek Yogurt | 
You will want a way to keep this cold if you are going to be out and about, but no matter way it is a great filling snack for a busy day. Make sure to pick yogurts that don't have too much sugar, but do have a lot of protein. I really like Siggi's yogurt which isn't greek but still really good.

| Veggies and Hummus |
Another filling snack. There are so many different options for portable hummus that there is no reason that this couldn't be a snack. There is also a lot of variation involved because you can pick any type of hummus and veggie to eat. Pita chips or pretzels would also be a great addition.

| Health Warriors Bar |
I love health warrior bars because they don't have so many calories that they become another meal, but they are still filling and good for you. I love their chia bars, especially the chocolate peanut butter flavor. Again, any bar would be a good snack, just make sure it is lower in added sugar and artificial additives because who needs that?

| Popcorn |
Boom Chicka Pop is my favorite popcorn. I just fill a little plastic baggie, and I am good to go. Popcorn is great because it has fiber which will help keep you fuller, but not so much so that you spoil your next meal. With so many different flavors to choose from, and the possibility of making your own flavors, this snack won't get boring too soon.

| Trail Mix |
I love making trail mix because I can control what goes in it, but any type is a good idea for a snack. The nuts help keep you full and add protein, the dried fruit gives you a little extra fruit in your day and of course chocolate is needed. The mixture of sweet and salty creates the perfect snack for anytime of day.

| Pretzels |
I really like pretzels thins because I think they taste better, but really any pretzel is a great snack. They can be combined with dip (like peanut butter or hummus) or just eaten alone. You easily stash some in your backpack for unexpected moments of hunger and not have to worry about them going bad.

| Cheese |
String cheese, cheese slices, cheese curds, cheese cubes... you name it. Cheese is a great snack as it has a fair amount of protein which will help power you through one last lecture or chapter of reading. With cheese, there are so many flavors and combinations with other foods that this snack is limitless in its possibilities.

| Applesauce | 
I always seem to forget how much I like applesauce even though it is a great snack. I recommend buying unsweetened applesauce since the apples already add their own sweetness. Also, adding cinnamon is a fantastic idea; it gives plain applesauce a little boost in taste.

The most important thing to remember when deciding what to eat is to consider how you will feel. If something makes you feel bad, then don't eat it. I know this is easier said than done (I am looking at you, brownies) but in the long run you will feel so much better. All of these snacks are great options whether for in your dorm room or to bring to the library. Nothing is crazy expensive and all are easy to change up so you don't get bored.

What do you like to eat for snack?

xoxo,

Maddie

My Fall Fashion Essentials

The school year in now in full swing which means that we have unofficially started fall. Even though the actual season may be summer, the changing leaves, apples at markets and falling temperatures are telling us otherwise. Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons for fashion because nothing is better than looking cute while feeling cozy.

| Vest | Jeans | Riding Boots | Flannel | Sweater | Bean Boots | Thick Socks | Hat |

For me, fall means cozy and cute outfits. Being warm starts to become a necessity this time of year, but thankfully the winter parkas aren't quite yet. Take advantage of being able to show off your cute outfit around campus and in the halls, but wearing cute outwear such as vests that can be a fashionable part of the outfit. One of my favorite combinations is leggings, flannel, a vest and boots for a comfortable outfit. Another one I love is jeans, a pullover sweater and either a button down or flannel peeking out.

What do you like to wear in the fall?

xoxo,

Maddie

Little Things that Make Me Happy

| Reading on my Hammock |

There is nothing quite like swaying on my hammock and reading a good book. I love lying under the trees and watching the breeze ruffle the leaves. In the summer, this is how I love to spend my time. A good book plus a hammock is the best way to spend the summer. 

| Walks |

I adore going on walks. I go with my parents most of the time, but if no one can come along then I take my dog. I love being outside and enjoying the nice weather. I'll walk almost any day, in any weather. Walking is so refreshing and its a great way to get a little exercise in without too much work. 

| Sunshine |

Feeling the sunshine on you is an indescribable feeling. Living in a place where the sun doesn't shine for almost 2-3 months, you come to realize how amazing it is. The warm that spreads over you when being in the sun is one of my favorite feelings. 

| Flowers |

I used to take all of the flowers that are around my house for granted, but these days I just love seeing them pop up. Seeing flowers planted or in bouquets never fails to bring a smile on my face. I wish that I could always fill my house with fresh flowers. 

| Getting the Mail | 

I know that this is pretty weird, but I love getting the mail. Of course, it is always the best when I actually get something. Even when nothing is for me, I still enjoy it. I think it is because it requires me to go outside and move around, but I don't really know why I love getting the mail.

| Farmer's Markets | 

If you read anything I posted last summer, you will have gotten a pretty good idea of how much I love farmer's markets. I love walking around looking at all of the bright colored foods, eating various foods and people watching. This is by far and away my favorite part of the week.

What makes you happy?

xoxo,

Maddie

Senior Prom

This first time I ever thought about Prom was when I was in around 12 and saw my neighbor taking pictures for her prom. Since then I have been looking forward to my chance to go to Prom. The time has gone so fast and now I can't believe that Prom is over! Here are the pictures from this weekend. 

| Dress | Shoes |

Prom was this past weekend! I was a little unsure whether I would have fun or not, mainly because I don't love to dance. Though, I do always enjoy dressing up, taking pictures and going out to dinner. I was really happy that I had a ton of fun. I loved hanging out with my friends and it was so nice to see everyone all dressed up. There was one disappointment for the night, that is that almost none of my pictures turned out. My parents forgot to check that the camera was on auto focus, so I only have around 10 photos. As such as I wish I had more, I am so thankful that this was the only disappointing for the entire evening. Overall, prom was a smashing success. 

xoxo,

Maddie

Lush Cup O' Coffee Face Mask: The Review

*via

What is it? 

I have always bought my sister things from Lush, but rarely have I gotten anything for myself. Last time I was there, I decided to pick up the Cop O' Coffee Face Mask. I had never used any sort of face mask before, but this smelled so good that I had to try it. 

How was it?

    First of all, when it says coffee, it means coffee. Opening the container smells just like a fresh cup of coffee. Throughout the paste there are coffee grounds. These grounds make it so there is some exfoliation when you rub it off. Right away, it is safe to say that if you don't like coffee, then this isn't the mask for you.

     I was sure if anything would happen once the mask was on. What did occur, what that I felt it harden on my face which was a surprising good feeling. There was definitely some tingling happening, but it wasn't anything uncomfortable. Taking off the mask proved to be harder than I thought, mainly because the coffee grounds were sticking to my face. This did result in some exfoliated skin. (not a bad thing)

     The end result was surprisingly nice. I was skeptical that anything would happen. I don't think that my skin was more awake, but it wasn't tired to begin with since I had been awake for three hours. What did happen was my skin tightened up and it was smoother. I also feel like the smaller acne on my face diminished, but that could just be wishful thinking. 

    Overall, I would recommend this face mask. It worked a lot better than I was expecting it to. I also really liked the coffee smell that surrounded me when I wore it. It seemed to do the job and the addition of the coffee grounds made it extra special. 

Have you ever used a face mask? Which one?

xoxo,

Maddie

This review was written on my own accord and is in no way sponsored by Lush.