Hey everyone!

Everybody knows that dogs are great companions to have around. I mean, there’s a reason why dogs are known as the most loyal friend ever. A dog would never betray you, or go behind your back. Not only are dogs the perfect best friend you could ever ask for, but also they can help and benefit your life in other ways as well.

Unfortunately for me, I don’t have a dog. Or any pet for that matter. I only got some plants, namely my aloe vera plant I’ve dubbed Bella. I’m thinking of getting a mint plant to grow too, and maybe even a eucalyptus plant too just because.

But that’s all besides the point.

I may not personally have a dog, but I can definitely speak for how beneficial they can be for our overall health.

I remember one day I was feeling quite down. I was in the worst mood ever, and I can’t recall exactly why, but it was just one of those days where I literally felt like crap. Every bad thing from weeks prior accumulated, and weighed me down with a heavy pit in my stomach. I didn’t want to talk to my friends because I knew that my bad mood would mean a lack of filter in what I say. However, out of the blue, one of my friends sent me a photo of his puppy, Snickers, and it literally made me feel ten times better. Keep in mind, I didn’t actually tell my friends I was feeling like crap that day. I led them to think I was busy. Although I do wonder if they could sense my bad mood through the very vague short phrases I sent in response to their messages that day. Regardless, that one photo of my friend’s overwhelmingly adorable puppy did manage to cheer me up.

My friend's insanely cute Instagram-worthy puppy Snickers. I am so obsessed with Snickers its borderline crazy.

Just look at Snickers' face!! How can you not love him? I wish he were mine.

But here’s the thing. It wasn’t just Snickers’ adorable face that cheered me up. It wasn’t simply because of appearances. No. Rather, the sight of such a pure, joyful face is what helped to bring me out of that crap mood just a bit. A face that’s full of innocence and joy, caught up in the moment and not dragged down by life’s ups and downs. A puppy who clearly lives in the moment, and ready to see the world for its beauty and charm, rather than the scratches and dents we ourselves tend to focus on.

You might argue that a baby could provide that same happiness too. Which is true. To some extent. When I see an innocent, adorable baby sure that may warm my heart a bit. But then I start to view that untarnished, pure soul in a vaguely maternal perspective. The thought of that kid growing up in the world we now live in starts to drag me down yet again. In a way, I start to view that baby as if he/she is the younger version of myself, and all of that drives my mind to run wild with crazy thoughts that brings back the crap mood. Can any of you guys relate to that?

On the contrary, it differs when I see a dog. Dogs can truly improve our health in more ways that I would have thought. In honor of National Dog Day coming up this Saturday, I wanted to share with you all the benefits of having a dog.


I was kinda able to put two and two together and understand how dogs can benefit our physical health in terms of exercise. Dogs obviously need to be walked, and having a dog in your life requires you to be more active than simply a life as a couch potato engaged in a demanding relationship with Netflix. Having a dog forces you to get up, and move your limbs more than reaching into that bowl of popcorn.

Of course, you can say you have a FitBit and a workout buddy to keep you on track. But honestly, how many times have you called and canceled on your workout buddy? How many times have you dragged your lazy ass out of bed to go to the gym, and painfully went through those repetitive movements praying for the workout to be over with? Everyone knows that the gym CANNOT compare to real life exercise. I’m talking about moving your body with exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise. That’s something having a dog could provide.

However, I wouldn’t have thought of how beneficial dogs are for our mental health. Until I reflected on my own experiences, that wouldn’t have been my first thought. Dogs are known as man’s best friend (and woman’s because we are living in the 21st century and equality is a thing) for a reason. I mean, you can probably argue that if you got a human best friend you can confide in them all your life’s troubles. Sure. But, it’s entirely different when you have a dog. That simplicity in affection and unconditional love from dogs are never put to question, unlike what could be said in terms of human best friends. Just read my post on Toxic Friends. That would never have happened if it were a puppy best friend.

I also remember reading somewhere before that dogs are used when helping those with autism and social behavioral disorders. (Disorders? Issues? Problems? I have no idea what the correct term is so apologies if that’s the wrong choice of word, don’t get offended) Dogs can bring people out of their shells, and provide a means of social interaction in a more wholesome way.

Something that I also didn’t know of was how dogs could be trained to do so much more. Dogs have the ability to gain many skills, such as detecting allergens in foods, or identifying when one is experiencing a seizure, and other crazy things that make me wonder if dogs are actually the superior species.

My friend Monique with her adorable puppy Kai. Kai loved the water at first and wanted to get in, but then got super freaked out after actually getting into the pool we filled up one hot summer day.

We often look down on dogs, and do not give them as much credit as they deserve. Dogs aren’t usually seen as the smartest or brightest, but honestly I think we just aren’t as aware of their capabilities. We are just narcissists living in a human-centered world, unaware of the ongoings of other species around us. Harsh, but true.

I thought I'd share with you all a few videos of my friend Monique's adorable dogs, Kai and Kahlua. I am especially obsessed with Kai, because he's still a small little puppy who loves kisses, cuddles, and attention. Every single time I hangout with Monique, I love visiting Kai and Kahlua as well. Their energy just fills the room with a positive vibe. There are times when my friends and I get together, and we start having intense, emotional conversations to catch up on everything that had happened in our lives. Having the dogs around definitely help to lighten the mood when we get emotional.

They are also super fun to have around in general. This past Fourth of July, we got together at one of my friend's backyard and filled up a little kiddie pool with warm water and added a bath bomb. Yes, I know. We used a bath bomb outdoors in a kiddie pool under the hot sun. We are weird, it's an established fact. Anyways, her dog Kai ran over to join us, and kept vacillating between wanting to get into the water with us and making an escape for dry land. It was so adorable and hilarious.

The fact that my close friends have dogs makes me like them more. Yeah I only stay friends with them for their dogs. Sorry, the truth is out guys! Haha just kidding.

The videos I've added in were from Snapchat, when my friends and I were hanging out and playing with her dogs. Apologies for my squeals and such because we were clearly a bit hyper and giggly that day.


As clearly mentioned above, I do not own a dog. Or any pets. Sadly I have to rely on mooching off of my friends’ pets to reap the benefits. I currently live at home with my parents and my sister, and both my mom and sister are allergic. The struggle is real guys. #FirstWorldProblems.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t go scrolling through Instagram stalking every single account with an adorable doggo. If you wanna stalk cute puppies too, check out PuppySpot, a site that helps puppies find happy, loving homes to go to. When you check out their page with all the puppies to choose from, you will literally spend hours on this page scrolling through all the eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. I hate to admit that I’ve actually given some of them personalized nicknames, as I feel like I have truly connected and bonded with them through the hours I’ve spent staring at their photo like a freak.

Obviously all the photos my friend sent me of Snickers I’ve saved on my phone for easy access when I need a mood booster. (I am fully aware of how odd I sound, like some kind of puppy-obsessed stalker haha but I KNOW I’m NOT the only one!) But, I gotta have my options. I gotta be able to dream of the day when I will own my own doggo.

If you own a dog, I am super jealous of you. Also, can we be friends? It’s not just so I can hang out with your dog, and not you… maybe. Am I that transparent?

Are you a dog or cat person? What are some of your favorite stories regarding a special puppy in your life? Do you agree with any of the points I brought up, or any of the info mentioned in the graphic? Comment down below! I really would love to hear any stories you’ve got!

Thanks for reading, and I wish you all have a lovely weekend!


Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

I’ve mentioned this many times before, but I love food. Food is literally life. What makes this relationship between me and food imperfect is my food intolerances. Dairy and gluten. This can be a hassle at times when eating on the go. While it is easy to find things that are gluten and dairy free, they may not be the best choice in terms of price or food option. Sure you can bring an apple or banana with you, but fruit can get bruised easily. Plus, you need protein to really keep full. Protein bars are a good option for most, but aren’t always made with good ingredients. Do you really want to eat something that is chock full of chemicals and artificial ingredients you don’t even know of?

I have been trying to fit in more workouts into my daily life, as the summer is quickly approaching us. I definitely slacked off a bit on my workouts during this past winter because of school, work, and an overall busy schedule. While I haven’t neglected my diet, I do want to get back into better shape.

One thing I like to do to maintain a healthy diet easily is to meal prep. It’s the easiest, most convenient thing that saves you so much time. People say it over and over again, and you probably have read or heard about this tip many times before. But, if you aren’t doing it already, clearly you haven’t heard it enough times yet.

One of my favorite breakfasts to make when I got a more relaxed schedule. Poached eggs with mashed avocado on toast. So filling and delicious! It's super easy to make too. I am still learning how to cook (as I really know more about baking), and this isn't too difficult to put together. Yet still tastes AMAZING

I personally like to wake up with enough time in the mornings to eat breakfast before heading off to wherever I have to go, whether that be school or work. One, it saves money to eat at home instead of heading out with a growling stomach. Two, you can guarantee you are eating something that will be good for you, rather than some random breakfast sandwich you bought at a fast-food place. Three, it feels so damn good to start your morning this way because then you feel more accomplished. It’s definitely a great way to make you feel like you started your morning on the right foot. (Or the left if you are left dominant. Dumb joke? My apologies)

I love these single serving size packets of Justin's nut butters because they make it way easier to add into oatmeal or as a dip with apples or something. The chocolate one is my favorite!

Every Sunday, I find the time to cook a huge batch of oatmeal that would last me throughout the entire week. I generally like to have oatmeal for breakfasts on weekdays because it is really comforting and filling. It’s so easy to jazz up with fruit, nuts, nut butters, seeds, whatever you so please. I like to top mine with sliced bananas, mixed berries, walnuts, and a splash of almond milk. When I’m feeling fancy I use chocolate almond milk because it adds a touch of sweetness and flavor without being overly so.

I generally cook my oatmeal with water, then add in a dash of almond milk when I heat it up again to make creamier. I find that overnight oats is not my thing because I like my oats when cooked. The texture is way better. Plus, it really absorbs the liquids way better, which means they can actually fill you up without you having to eat a huge portion. Adding in chia seeds is another way to really make oatmeal filling, and fiber and omega-3 fatty acid rich, which all helps you overall. As I’ve mentioned in the past, soaking chia seeds beforehand to allow it to absorb the liquids help to make them ten times more filling with a better texture than just eating them sprinkled on top.

As mentioned previously, I have been trying to workout more often in order to get back in shape. I used to workout every other day, with the days between spent doing stretches and core strengthening. Due to my busy schedule these last several months (as you all probably are aware of because of my decreased frequency of posts), I have only managed to squeeze in one workout a week or at most two. I like to workout in the afternoons because it helps wake me up a bit more to continue on at night doing homework or studying or working on projects or all of the above. Some people like to workout in the mornings, but for me I need that energy boost more in the afternoon. Or else I probably will collapse on the couch and nap instead.

Working out can definitely leave you incredibly energetic, glowing, and high… and also HUNGRY AF. After chugging water like I just crawled through the Sahara Desert, I like to think about what foods I want to eat. It’s not just important to have a good post-workout meal, but to also keep in mind to fuel your body with good foods as a pre-workout meal too. All of that taken into consideration along with wanting to fill your body up with nutritious, organic, whole foods can be a lot to remember.

Veggies is always a great option for snacks. Plus the complementary colors are so gorgeous.

Trail mix is something I always like to have on hand to snack on when I need to. But I try to have something with it as well because they are good for a quick pick-me-up but don't necessarily last long.

Prior to workouts, I like to eat a light snack to make sure I actually have energy. I like to have a cup of coffee and some kind of fruit to get me going. The coffee gives me a kick of caffeine, which I definitely need because I also workout in the afternoons as that’s the only time I got free. Fruit has the carbs needed to give me a boost of energy as well. I like to add in some protein too because just straight up carbs would not keep me full for long!

Lately been OBSESSED with poke bowls! They are like a deconstructed sushi Hawaiian style. Sooo good and soooo filling. I love raw fish, aside from the whole potential parasite fear.

After I workout, it’s usually around dinner time by then. My pre and post workout meals are not that exciting. They just help to get the job done. Dinner can vary from night to night, but they always are centered around a type of protein, veggies, and a side of rice or other carbs. I try to keep my carb intake lighter at night, and to up my intake of veggies and proteins. Carbs are generally best eaten earlier in the day, hence why I focus more on proteins and veggies. Protein helps to build muscle, which I’m sure you guys already know. Muscle equals protein.

When people say things like “Oh I’m so full”, and all they have eaten was like a handful of trail mix, I want to punch them. It’s such an obvious lie! I mean, sure trail mix can be filling, but not THAT filling! You gotta pair it with something! I’m more of someone who needs food that adds volume to bulks things up. Something like a huge pile of carrots and hummus is better than a small little packet of trail mix. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some trail mix. That’s one of my go-tos that I always got in my purse or backpack for emergencies. But, I need foods that actually take up space in my stomach to fill me up. Foods of real substance. Which is why, unlike most people’s post-workout meals, I don’t reach for a protein shake. I don’t like to drink my calories because they never really do much for me. I like to chew and eat real food. Like a baby who is teething, I gotta have something to gnaw on. Okay maybe not that extreme.

One thing that has caught my attention as of late are GoMacro protein bars. They are gluten free, organic, and vegan. It’s hard to find foods like that these days. Foods that are fair trade, organic, and good for you. For people who have dietary issues like me, gluten and dairy if you got short-term memory loss and forgot what it was in the span of reading this post, these bars would be a great choice for you. Not a lot of companies actually have gluten-free, vegan, and organic protein bars. They usually have some sort of dairy or gluten product in them that makes them not a great match for those who avoid ingredients as such. Protein bars, such as the GoMacro ones, are such a convenient option to throw in your bag before you head out the door. They work as an easy snack to have before your hangry self strikes. Plus, they won’t throw you off track in attaining your beach bod.

I generally like to eat three real meals a day, with a couple snacks when needed. As my mornings start pretty early and my days end quite late, eating every 3-4 hours helps me function and keeps me going. I’m one of those people who likes to eat at specific routine times every day. Having that kind of routine down helps me to remember to eat, and not go past the point of hunger where you just become hangry and want to eat everything in site without considering what you are actually eating.

I've recently been getting into drinking kombucha. I'm still trying out different brands, but I really like the light, fizzy flavor of these fermented teas.

Comment down below if you like drinking kombucha! It's so tasty, and a great way to get in some probiotics.

This summer one of my goals is to try to go on a sugar detox for a month. I read about that before, how the effects left people feeling way more energized and more aware of the ingredients in their foods. Obviously I won’t be cutting out natural sugars like apples and oranges, but added sugars even honey would be cut. I am really curious how that would help me. Not just to get in shape, but to feel better in general. I have a MAJOR sweet tooth, so let’s see how this will go. Have you ever tried going on a sugar detox? 

I cannot wait for summer! The weather has warmed up considerably, and I’ve already gotten to wear shorts and sandals several times these past couple weeks. I love when the sun is shining, and the skies above are blue. Granted, I will still be taking summer quarter classes, there is still a completely different feel in the air when it is summer.

Thanks for reading! I hope you all enjoyed my recount of how I eat. It almost ended up being more like a What I Eat in A Day post, except less specific. Lemme know in the comments below some of your tricks to getting in shape for the summer, and to eat healthier! What is your go-to healthy food hack?

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!


Til next time,
~A

Finding the Perfect Skincare Products: 5 Things You Should Consider

Determine your skin type 

Mind the seasonal change

Ingredients and potential allergies

Beauty habits and your age

Ethical aspects

Hey everyone!

Chia Seeds

Goji Berries

Apples

Tea

Walnuts

A handy little chart from Nuts.com about common superfoods

As always, thank you all for stopping by! I wish you all a wonderful weekend!!


Til next time,

Image Credit: The Upside Sport

Hey everyone!

Leggings are a huge trend nowadays. No matter where you go, you are bound to run into someone sporting a pair of leggings. I know I wear my fair share of them, like here and here and here. Okay, enough with the "here". You get my drift.

You can incorporate them in so many ways into your outfit and wardrobe. The only thing I gotta warn you is to just make sure you actually wear them in a way that doesn't make you look like you aren't wearing pants! That's a huge drawback to these comfy articles of clothing. Today I have a guest post sharing a few ways to dress up your favorite leggings!

This guest post is by Jae Rustia. She's had a guest post in the past here before. She has great tips to share with you all! I hope you enjoy.

Add leather

Off the shoulder

Put on a blouse

Go for asymmetry

Mesh it up

Go for lingerie

Image Credit: The Upside Sport Instagram

Find the right shoes

I hope you enjoyed reading this and got some useful tips! Lemme know in the comments below  what you thought! Thank you, and I wish you all a great day!


Til next time,
~A