Sometimes, on a Monday, you just need something pretty to look at.
Sometimes, on a Monday, you don’t feel like reading about nutrition, goals for the week, or food with a face.
You might just want to lean back in your desk chair and bask in the warm pink glow of vanilla cream cheese frosting.
Just sometimes.
On a Monday.
We’re going to call today, Pay it Forward Friday.
As many of you know, I first started blogging last year. I didn’t simply wake up one morning with the desire to begin to blindly navigate the wonderful world of self-taught, run, shot, and written blogging. A lot of thought and planning took place, not to mention researching and reading. I spent months reading other food/ healthy living blogs before I finally committed to starting It’s Been Real.
I want to take a minute today to share some of my favorite blogs and recipes with you. Wander over and visit them, see where I spend some of my time, and if you find something fabulous, share it with me!
Let’s pay it forward.
Oh She Glows, Angela Liddon’s blog. Oh She Glows, was one of the first blogs I ever read on a consistent basis. It’s super positive, honest, and insightful. My favorite Oh She Glows recipe is most definitely the Layered Eggplant and Zucchini Casserole. Just so freaking good really. Thanks, Angela!
Peas and Thank You, Sarah Matheny’s blog. Peas and Thank You is definitely one of my favorite blogs to read. Sarah is genuine and hilarious and the stories about her two adorable daughters can really serve to cure any bad mood Monday at your desk. Sarah wrote a cookbook this past year and I recommend it without reservation. Remember Fire Roasted Salsa in a Cinch? Thanks, Mama Pea!
How about one of my all time favorite recipes, Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers from The Edible Perspective? This post is still one of my top hits.
Incidentally, this was my first What I Ate Wednesday post for Peas and Crayons. Thanks, Jenn!
Chocolate Covered Katie is a fabulous resource for healthy desserts. Katie is the creator of Genius Blondies and that recipe is enough to make this listen Her blog also offers a hilariously delicious line of “Single Lady” desserts. In other words, recipes for one cupcake or muffin. Come on, you know you’ve at least wondered how you could possibly whip up just one cupcake for yourself. Maybe two… Thanks, Katie!
Other noteworthy blogs that I like to peruse:
While I haven’t had too much time for reading lately, I recently had a smily Amazon box delivered to my doorstep. What’s inside, you ask?
I adore Kim Barnouin and Rory Freeman and their writing style, in fact, Skinny Bitch was the first book I read that promoted veganism. This book was single-handedly responsible for my quitting soda and coffee. The Skinny Bitch cookbook is fabulous too, so I have high hopes for the Book of Vegan Swaps. And of course, I’ll share its genius with you. That’s what we call paying it forward, friends.
And while we’re on the topic of reading, I promised a friend I’d read some book he recommended, but to be honest, for the life of me I can’t remember what it’s called! I’ll have to get back to you on that one. In the meantime, Happy Friday!
Pay it forward.