I thought it would be fun to look back on some of these trips and what made each one so special. Keep reading to take a virtual trip around the world with me!

The One That Started It: Spain

This was my first long and international trip as an adult. Three friends and I traveled to Spain for a whirlwind two-week trip visiting nine cities. We saw so much history, indulged in all the food, and had adventures every day. It was a packed trip but an unforgettable one that solidified friendships and sparked wanderlust. One day I hope to go back to a finished Sagrada Familia!

Read more about Spain in these posts.

The Stars at Night are Big and Bright: Terlingua, Texas

When I think about being surrounded by stars in the middle of nowhere, I go back to that quiet night in West Texas. A big storm had just passed through, we were staying in a teepee, and the clouds cleared so we could sit among stars touching the mountain tops. Seeing a sky full of stars in the middle of nowhere reminds me how small I am, just a speck in the world. 

Read more about that Terlingua experience in this post.

History Came Alive: Luxor, Egypt

Luxor is an indescribable place. I’ve tried my best to show and tell about it on the blog because it’s been the most incredible trip I’ve ever taken. It’s a place I think everyone should see for themselves. The architecture and history behind the architecture are awe-inspiring. Every turn would lead you towards something new to see. Egypt is definitely a bucket list trip!

Read more about Egypt in these posts.

When Diving Opened My Eyes: Thailand

Becoming a scuba diver has changed my priorities for travel destinations but that wasn’t always the case. I was very apprehensive about diving when I took my first trip. In fact, as you learned from this post commemorating 100 dives, diving scared me because I had a rough time through my certification dives in a murky lake and I was the worst diver in Thailand. But diving in the ocean also opened my eyes to how magical diving could be. I can’t wait to go back and dive in Thailand again one day.

Read more about Thailand in these posts.

This is How Chocolate Starts: Belize

A few years ago, I started learning about chocolate and how it is created. As with most food, it’s a special process when you learn about the people who grow and process it to become what you see in a grocery store. What luck that I was able to take this passion and tour a cacao orchard in Belize. We even made chocolate!

Read more about Belize in these posts.

The Biggest Wildlife Encounter: Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Diving with manta rays is an out-of-body experience. You’re not only in an unfamiliar environment underwater, but you’re near these massive creatures that are 12 feet from one fin to the other. It was an awe-inspiring experience and one of my favorite things I’ve seen while diving. I’m so glad we got to dive in Indonesia and hope to return someday.

As a runner-up, getting up close and personal with elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand was also an incredible experience! These gentle giants were rescued and live at a sanctuary where people can visit and learn about their journey.

The Best Food Trip: Thailand

I love Thai food and eating Thai food in Thailand for two weeks was a dream! Noodles, coconut desserts, curries, and spices, Thai food is vibrant and exciting. This was also one of my favorite places to go on a food tour. It had to do with racing tuk-tuks!

Read all about the food in Thailand in this post.

Best Long Weekend Trip: Mexico City

Mexico City is a perfect weekend trip, though you could easily spend more time there. The city is filled with delicious food, from street tacos to some of the best restaurants in the world, like Pujol and Quintonil. It also has plenty of places to experience culture and history, like Museo Frida Kahlo.

Read more about Mexico City in these posts.

I’m so glad I have a blog to keep track of all my travels! It’s a great way to share tips and recommendations and to reminisce on adventures.

What’s your most inspiring trip and why?

P.S. If you’re looking for more travel stories, I wrote about my favorite six memories from my Thailand trip in this post.

P.P.S. When I travel, it’s usually for diving! Here are 10 reasons why you should dive on your next trip.

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The post Most Inspiring Travel Experiences in the Last Decade of Adventures appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

So many good reads and light bulb moments this month! I’m continuously curious about how to improve my life and this month was a jackpot. I learned more about depression, owning my feelings, empathy, and my rules of living. Here are the stories that captivated me this month.

11 Habits of Healthy Couples
My curiosity in what makes a successful romantic relationship continues, and this article gives some great insight on 11 things that will help.

Better Ways to Measure Your Life
How do you measure your life? The amount in your bank account? The number of friends you have? The number of vacations you’ve taken? Your definition of success will look different from the next person’s. Here are five “better” and ongoing ways you can measure your life that won’t leave you deflated.

Lola’s Story – A Family’s Slave
This story in The Atlantic is heart-wrenching and riveting. It’s about a Filipino family who brought a woman when they immigrated to the U.S. that was essentially their slave. Give this story a read!

How Much is in Your Savings Account?
Studies show 69% of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings account and 34% don’t have a savings account. Whaaaaaat? Those percentages are about the same for millennials 18-34. Financial experts recommend having three to six months of living expenses in an emergency fund.

Watched: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2
Who watched the new Guardians of the Galaxy movie this month? It definitely lived up to my expectations. Baby Groot was my favorite!

Women and Health Services
What happens to Planned Parenthood health centers affects millions of women nationwide. This eye-opening video gives a glimpse of how.

Watched: Master of None
Aloooora, I finished the new second season of Master of None on Netflix! Now all I want is pasta! I loved seeing the beautiful parts of Italy and getting another inside look of the lauded restaurant in Modena. (It was featured in season one of Chef’s Table.) I’m not sure how I feel about the finale but I’m ready for season three!

Differences of Italian and American Dating
Speaking of Master of None, I enjoyed this article (that contains spoilers!) referencing the new season and showing the differences of dating in Italy and the U.S. Even after reading the article, I don’t believe this kind of dating actually exists in Italy. If it does, Americans are missing out or being very efficient. What do you think?

Depression
Unexpectedly, I read a book about depression and another mentioning depression this month. Both books gave eye-opening insight into what depression feels like and how people can help people who are depressed. Mental health needs to be taken seriously on all levels, from friend-to-friend to government policies to scientific research. It starts with learning and understanding what depression is. Every person should read Reasons to Stay Alive. The other book, Hyperbole and a Half, is not specifically about depression but has a great description in the book. You can see part of it here. Also, here’s a good post from Momastery encouraging others to help.

More is Not Better
I found this article and it was a relieving light bulb moment. My whole life has been a ladder of improvements, goals, and “the next level.” The article is a reminder that daily gratitude might change your life and maybe “self-improvement is a glorified hobby.” Give it a read and let me know what you think! (This article definitely ties in with the “Better Ways to Measure Your Life” article linked above.

Rising Strong
I finally read Brene Brown’s book Rising Strong this month. Just as her previous book Daring Greatly challenged my thoughts, so did this one. It talks about the rise after falling, something we don’t like talking about because who likes to talk about the hard and dark places where they can’t see light and hope. We talk about the success when we get to the mountaintop, but the journey there is what makes us better people. It’s a great read! Along the same lines, I enjoyed this short post by Glennon Doyle Melton about hitting rock bottom.

“Look for the Helpers”
Love this quote from Mister Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.“ See the video here:

What’s captivating you lately?
I always enjoy reading your opinions about any of the ideas and links I post. Tell me your thoughts in a comment below!

Keep up with me elsewhere! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Captivations v.35: Rising Strong and Success appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

How Friendships Change
You can’t stop it – friendships change. This article about friendship in The Atlantic gives interesting insight and research in how friendships shift, especially in today’s digital age. I think the article gives excuses to why we take friendships for granted. Friendships aren’t a commitment like work or kids. Facebook makes it easy to think friendships are closer than they appear. But the article does emphasize the fact that face-to-face interaction is best!

Filling Space
“Just because you have an empty space doesn’t mean you have to fill it.” – The Minimalists. Advertising and social norms have made us afraid of empty space. I’m not only talking about walls and bookshelves but of time. Instead of filling our spaces and time with junk, why don’t we fill them with things we love and that bring joy? Have you watched the Minimalism film on Netflix yet?

When Your Husband Dies
I think I’ve said this before, but I’m fascinated by death and the process of mourning by loved ones. It’s like the love has intensified times a million. It seems like you feel everything and nothing. And for us watching, it gives a perspective of how we should be living – not taking things for granted and loving deeper. That’s why I enjoyed this article on The Everygirl, as heart-breaking as it is. Some people feel the fire of love through romance novels. I feel the depth of love through stories about mourning. It reminds me that I want to love and be loved like that. Isn’t that the deepest wish most people have?

Girls of the Wild
I saw this the other day and wanted to share. It’s by Nikita Gill.

Traveling: Roatan and Big Bend National Park
This month I took two long-weekend trips. It definitely satisfied my wanderlust. First came scuba diving in Roatan and then a long road trip to West Texas to visit Marfa and (finally!) Big Bend National Park. I stayed in a teepee! Check out those blog posts and let me know what you think!

THIS VIDEO
I’ve been following Ruthie Lindsey on Instagram for a while. This beautiful soul released a touching video this month that is so full of hope. It will definitely lift your spirits!

Good Relationships = Life of Fulfillment
Isn’t it silly how with all the research and stories, we still have trouble focusing on what will fulfill our lives? I know I struggle with it off and on. This 75-year research study proved that good relationships make people happier and healthier. (Psst…not the number of likes on Instagram! BUT I don’t think Instagram was around during this study so…)

In Praise of Ugly Food
Food bloggers will enjoy this article. It talks about the struggles of how photos make or break your popularity. Sometimes food, usually comfort food, is ugly. Why can’t it get more love? I want to hear what you think about this.

Let’s Entertain More
Speaking of food and life fulfillment, in this study, people were asked what their biggest home regrets were and the consistent answer was not entertaining more. Challenge accepted! Who’s coming over for dinner?

Sweating it Out at SoulCycle
I was excited to share my love of spin classes with my friends by organizing a class at SoulCycle. The ladies rocked the very sweaty, hour-long class!

Who Makes Your Clothes?
An organization called The People Label is challenging us to think about the clothes we buy. Is it the best quality? Was it made ethically? Check out the website to explore more!

Marriage Advice From Divorced People
This post has some insightful advice about how to care for your relationships!

Watching: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
My friend Abbie introduced me to the show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend earlier this year and I love it! Seasons 1 and 2 of this CW show are on Netflix now. If you like musicals and comedy, you may like it!

Don’t Be a Crehater
This article was a hard and refreshing read. On one hand, I want to send it to all the crehaters out there who aren’t as collaborative as I expect them to be. (Hello, managing expectations!) We’re all working so hard, and it takes a village to get to success. On the other hand, it’s an embarrassing reminder about how supportive I could be. I think being a crehater has to do with jealousy and fear. Fear is at the root of jealousy. When we see others succeed (via social media highlights), we’re afraid that we might not ever experience that success. So, here’s a reminder to myself and you to keep encouraging those around you!

What’s captivating you lately?

Keep up with me elsewhere! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Captivations v.34: Change, Advice, Growth appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Walking among elephants (Chiang Mai)
I walked next to an elephant! I touched an elephant! The average size of a male Asian elephant is 12,000 lbs and a female is 6,000 lbs. These creatures could easily squish me! Yet, they were calm and majestic. The ones I met had suffered a lot from abuse, and I’m glad I got to learn more about their stories. [Check out my post about our visit to Elephant Nature Park here.]

First moment going underwater when scuba diving (Similan Islands)
My first time scuba diving in the OCEAN was in Thailand. After five days of classes in a murky lake in Austin, TX, I put my head underwater in Thailand and all I could see was everything. (Haha, that’s not dramatic AT ALL!) That’s when the joy of scuba clicked for me. I wasn’t sure I liked scuba diving until then. It was like I had blurry eyesight and put on glasses for the first time. From right at the surface I could see the ocean floor. Later on, I saw a variety of sea creatures and huge wall formations. There is an unbelievable underwater world full of things to see and discover. It can be scary and dangerous if you let it, but it’s worth it! [Check out my post about our Scuba Diving Liveaboard here.]

Standing on the bridge, looking up to see the many lanterns floating up (Yee Peng Lantern Festival, Chiang Mai)
We saw lights floating up as we were eating dinner and realized that there were still celebrations going on. (We thought they were the day before and we had missed it.) So we followed the lights and people after dinner until we were on the bridge where people were lighting them up and letting them go. Seeing the lights float away along with (symbolically) all the negative vibes and frustrations of life brought peace with how things are and appreciation for the opportunity to be there and celebrate joy with strangers. [Check out my post about our Yee Peng Lantern Festival experience here.]

Zipping through the streets at night on a tuk tuk (Bangkok)
We didn’t take many tuk tuks in Thailand, but I’m glad because we had an unforgettable tuk tuk experience. The transportation for our food tour in Bangkok was by tuk tuk, so we looked like a colorful parade of six tuk tuks zipping from one restaurant to the next. There wasn’t much traffic, so we sped through the street, feeling the wind in our hair and the adrenaline of exploring Bangkok at night and discovering all its best food spots. [Check out my post about Bangkok, including the food tour we went on, here.]

Sitting at a table on a sidewalk, inches away from the street, eating the best pad Thai ever (Bangkok)
Speaking of the food tour in Bangkok… We had eaten so much on our food tour that we were holding our stomachs, but there we were at one last place. This restaurant had been there for over 50 years! The seating spilled out from the restaurant onto the sidewalk with metal tables and chairs. There were cars whizzing by. There we were, our food tour group, enjoying the best pad Thai I’ve ever had. [Check out my post about Bangkok, including the food tour we went on, here.]

Being drawn into a bar on Bang-La by a Thai cover band singing Zombie by The Cranberries (Phuket)
I know it sounds strange, especially given how crazy I thought Phuket was. We wanted to see what Patong and Bang-La was all about, so we ventured out from our hotel after almost deciding we would go to bed instead. There was loud music, bright lights, and promoters asking for our attention for their show or drink special. Shortly after we arrived to the start of Bang-La, we heard some familiar lyrics and music coming from a bar. It was Zombie by The Cranberries covered by a Thai band and they were rocking out. We grabbed a seat, amazed by how enthusiastic the band was and surprised to hear this familiar song on the other side of the world. The covers didn’t end there. They played more songs and so did the next band. After all the (frustrating) craziness we’d experienced in Thailand so far, we sat back and relaxed, taking in a familiarity of home. [Check out my post about Phuket here.]

The beautiful thing about travel is that there are always new adventures. Even if you travel with someone, what you feel during your trip and what sticks with you is your own. Chances are, the memories you keep are moments unplanned or unexpected. You never know when something amazing is about to happen. Take note of the things that happen (that’s why I travel with a journal!) and reflect on the memories that make you smile. I hope you have many of those experiences in your travels this year!

What’s one of your favorite, unique travel moments you’ll always remember?

P.S. The Thailand fun doesn’t stop here! Check out all my Thailand posts here. Planning your Thailand trip? Check out the ULTIMATE guide here.

Keep up with me elsewhere! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post My Top 6 Memories in Thailand appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Happy New Year! I know we say this every year, but 2016 flew by! To quote Charles Dickens – “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” We lost some wonderful celebrities, and we watched our world react to the refugee crisis, the election, and too many careless deaths. But 2016 also gave us the popularity of Hamilton, something about Lemonade, many babies born and announced among my friends, and countless other accomplishments.

For me, there were lots of good things in 2016. (The photo above shows my nine most popular Instagram posts of the year. You all really liked my Thailand trip!) I strived to be connected, inspired, and grateful, and accomplished 10 out of 15 of my 2016 goals. Here are some of the things that made 2016 shine for me:

• Read 12 books.
• Hosted 12 parties, including a baby shower, Shellfishapalooza, and a holiday brunch.
• Traveled to Costa Rica, Fredericksburg, Charleston, San Antonio, Houston, and Thailand.
• Completed a Whole30 Challenge.
• Went to the R3 Summit and learned all about how to improve my health.
• Partnered with Dove, Ozarka, Austin’s Pizza, and HEB for blog and social media content.
• Completed all the coursework for my Advanced Open Water Scuba Diving Certification. Only two more dives before officially getting it.
• Signed my first self-procured social media client.
• Created new videos for my YouTube channel: Spain and Greece.
• Tried virtual reality games – it was so cool!
• Stayed in 13 hotels.
• Drank lots of beer, including hosting our own brewery crawl.
• Survived a weekend at the Austin City Limits Festival and saw Mumford and Sons and Willie Nelson, among others.
• Saw Ellie Goulding, Randy Rogers Band, and Turnpike Troubadours in concert.
• Sparked my exercise routine by visiting many workout studios around town. Tried aerial silks, boxing, Crossfit, and rowing.
• Took creative classes, including watercoloring, Make It Sweet, and shibori.
• Endured the tough UT football season but loved football season overall.
• Co-hosted two ATXBloggerMixer events with my friend Jesse.
• Celebrated the graduation of my Little Sister of Big Brothers Big Sisters. (We’ve been matched for 5 years!)
• Completed a 12 item cooking/baking list (things I’ve never made before) – many during my Whole30 Challenge.
• Visited 12 new restaurants/coffee shops – This goal was too easy. I definitely exceeded it!
• Indulged at many amazing restaurants, including Barley Swine, Nahm, Oxheart, Mixtli, Husk, FIG, Emmer & Rye, Launderette, Dee Dee, L’Oca d’Oro, and VOX Table.
• Ran 8K, 10-mile, and half-marathon races.
• Met and got to know so many wonderful bloggers in Austin!
• Published 98 blog posts on Fearless Captivations.

The post Happy 2017! + New Year Goals appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Thank you for reading this year! Enjoy looking back at some of the top and my favorite posts of 2016!

FOOD

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/02/28/2016-city-guide-best-north-austin-restaurants/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/08/24/favorite-easy-whole30-challenge-recipes/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/06/11/favorite-austin-eats-detroit-style-pizza-at-via313/

CELEBRATIONS

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/02/18/tips-for-an-austin-bachelorette-party-or-girls-weekend/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/04/12/top-5-party-themes-im-obsessing/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/05/17/foodie-simple-baby-shower/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/07/21/craft-brewery-crawl-austin/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/02/08/dumpling-party-for-lunar-new-year/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/08/29/pattern-play-diy-macrame-party/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/02/05/tips-for-planning-a-bachelorette-party/

LIFE

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/01/07/how-to-be-more-adventurous-wherever-you-are/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/07/28/12-awesome-workout-studios-austin/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/01/18/how-to-be-more-creative-15-creative-ideas/

TRAVEL

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/07/14/best-restaurants-san-antonio/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/01/19/travel-guide-tamarindo-costa-rica/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/03/09/travel-guide-fredericksburg-texas/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/03/16/best-things-charleston-south-carolina/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/10/04/10-secrets-for-the-best-hotel-booking-and-stay/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/06/07/travel-world-like-foodie/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/09/06/wanderlust-for-cape-town-south-africa/

https://fearlesscaptivations.com/2016/12/20/best-things-eat-drink-Thailand/

The post Top and Favorite Posts on Fearless Captivations in 2016 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

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I did it! Thirty days of the Whole30 Challenge! I survived a month of no added sugar and grains and cake! It got rough in the middle of the month and I almost quit but the finisher in me said not today! I took notes before, during and after the program and would love to share all the details with you.

Please note: this post is all about my personal experience doing Whole30. Whole30 is not for everyone and I recommend you doing your own research and/or consulting your doctor/nutritionist to know if it will benefit you.

What is the Whole30 Program?

The Whole30 Program focuses on changing your relationship with food.

• You focus on eating whole, non-processed meats, fruits and vegetables and removing added sugar (in any form, including honey), alcohol, grains, dairy, soy and legumes from your diet.
• People who participate have found it helps with gut issues, hormonal imbalance, and inflammation, offering better skin, improved metabolism and more energy. Of course, results vary.
• Also, recreating recipes using approved ingredients is not recommended because it doesn’t change the way you think about food. You can read more about that here.
• Compared to other eating programs (paleo, keto, etc.), Whole30 is meant to be a short-term reset.

My Diet Before Whole30

My diet was relatively mindful before doing Whole30. Meals with my boyfriend usually involved home-cooked meat (usually lamb and beef) and vegetables, very little processed foods, and usually no gluten products like pasta and bread. Lunch is my weakness because our work cafeteria has plenty of hearty, carb-heavy foods, and desserts. This is where I get a lot of my pasta and cake, though I do try to stay away.

Why did I do Whole30?

The big reason we did Whole30 was to experiment. I saw a few people in my network had recently finished the Whole30 program, so I did some research about what it involved and the benefits. Talking with my boyfriend, we agreed it seemed “easy” enough to adjust our diet, so we jumped in. I’ve never had specific food restrictions (diet) before, I don’t have food allergies or health issues and I’m ok with my weight.

I specifically did Whole30:

• To analyze my mental relationship with food. Am I eating to eat or because I’m hungry? Can I maintain my self-control? How much do I crave dessert and how much of it is mental?
• To analyze my physical relationship with food. Does my body work more efficiently if I don’t eat particular foods? Will my skin have a different appearance by eliminating certain foods? Will I have sugar and carb cravings?
• For the sake of curiosity. Will I feel more energized? Will I lose weight?
• To cleanse my body. Not consuming any processed foods and added sugar will mix up the systems in my body.
• To gain a greater appreciation for the abundance of options for food I have in my life and for my healthy body to be able to enjoy and process that abundance. I eat whatever I want and don’t have any food allergies. That can’t be said of people with a different level of wealth, limited access to ingredients, or with food allergies or health issues.

What Did I Eat/Drink During Whole30?

We aimed for everything to be organic, grass-fed, and natural. We ate a handful of the same meals (like steak, roasted vegetables, and salad) but also tried Whole30 recipes we found. Overall, I did not go hungry and there were plenty of recipes and ingredients we could eat. Check out this post for all my favorite Whole30 recipes and more info on what we ate.

Lessons Learned and Observations During Whole30

• No surprise, the food I missed and craved the most was cake. Runner-ups included cookies, breakfast tacos, beer, and cheese. The cravings were very mental. Telling myself I couldn’t have it made me want it more. By week three, the cravings weren’t so bad.
• You really need to pay attention! This is where I tell you that on day 7, I absent-mindedly ate a spring roll with rice noodles in it and had to start all over the next day.
• My work has a buffet every day and most of the options are not Whole30-approved. Seeing these carb- (pasta, sandwiches) and sugar-filled (desserts) options daily was a struggle! Some days after lunch, the sugar cravings were mind-boggling. There were many, many days I craved cake. By week three I was doing a lot better with the cravings.
• I stopped eating out. Knowing that variations of sugar and non-compliant ingredients are added to most dishes and sauces made me wary of eating out. I didn’t want to be that customer questioning every ingredient in a dish. I also didn’t want to be tempted or feel sad about menu items I couldn’t enjoy.
• In exploring what I could and couldn’t have, I read more labels than usual. It’s interesting to see ingredients I couldn’t pronounce or don’t think belonged on a label. Sugar is in most products! While some were not necessarily “bad,” I wonder how eating more products that are as natural and organic as possible could be life-changing. Plus, sugar adds calories! For example, in the photo below, there is a sea of pasta sauces at the grocery store, and only two kinds were compliant. All the other ones had added sugar.

• Eating out is what I like to do with friends, so I wasn’t very social during Whole30. There were also a handful of events I had to say no to because they were centered around trying food or drinks. You bet I have a long list of new restaurants to go try!
• Meal prep takes time. We were taking breakfast, lunch, and snacks to work every day. We cooked every meal from scratch. We usually make dinner every night but we also had to do it on the weekends. Thankfully, the slow cooker helped lessen the prep but the addition of preparing extra meals was time-consuming. We also had to continuously find new recipes to mix it up.
• I felt weak and tired during my workouts and some days after work. During workouts, my body got tired quickly and while I could do the workout, I didn’t feel like I had full energy. After the workout, I felt completely exhausted. My strength improved by weeks three and four.
• I felt more energized overall. Getting out of bed wasn’t as much of a struggle, despite bad sleep. I felt alert throughout the day and didn’t feel an afternoon slump after lunch.
• My metabolism and digestion system were superbly efficient. So efficient that my bladder woke me up in the middle of the night every night the first two weeks. Not cool. But faster digestion meant I never felt bloated, except when we ate mashed potatoes one meal. I think the efficiency allowed my face to be blemish-free throughout the 30 days.
• I had been working out for two months, three to four workouts a week, prior to starting Whole30 and I saw no change in my weight. (Yay, muscle?) I kept the same number of workouts and after Whole30, I had lost six lbs. and gained more muscle.
• If you do Whole30, expect weeks one and two to be awful. You’ll feel physical and mentally rough (ranging from tired, antsy, and maybe actual pain) and you won’t be enthused about your food options. By weeks three and four, you’ll hopefully feel better and excited about the home stretch.

I was nervous to eat out but in the last weekend I found Freebirds’ list of ingredients on their website and got a compliant salad!

Conclusion

Overall, I didn’t see life-changing, earth-shattering results from doing Whole30, possibly because my eating habits weren’t out-of-hand before and it’s hard to judge results in only 30 days. I could very well take back that statement when I start adding in foods I haven’t been eating!

The big thing I took from doing Whole30 is that there are many options for food and some are better for you than others. Fresh, organic produce is always better. Organic fruit tastes a million times better. A lot about eating and cravings is mental. Eat things you love. Moderation is key. Educate yourself. Make better choices.

Did I enjoy doing Whole30? Kind of. Was it hard? At times. Would I do it again? Yes/Maybe. Was it a worthwhile experiment? Yes! Is this really what I ate the morning after Whole30 ended? Yes.

If you have any questions about my Whole30 experience, please leave me a comment below!
Have you done Whole30? Tell me about your experience!

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Have you ever been let down by not managing expectations? Maybe as a blogger, you expected to publish a certain amount of blog posts a month. Or as a parent, you expected your kid to behave at the store.  As an employee, you expected to finish a project on time. Maybe as a friend, you expected support and encouragement from others in a time of need.

I think the majority of my stresses come from not managing my expectations. I usually have high expectations for myself, others, and experiences. It’s easy to expect the best outcome or the outcome I’ve imagined in my head. We build up outcomes in our head all the time, with the help of movies, observations, and past experiences. In an ideal situation, people cater to your needs and can read your mind, you’ll be given a “yes” instead of a “no” every time, and traffic jams doesn’t exist.

Managing expectations happens in relationships, work life, daily tasks, and goals. Here are some examples from my life:

• Situation: Romantic comedies show me guys who are SOOOO thoughtful, waiting on hand and foot, giving perfect surprises, and planning swoon-worthy dates all the time.
• Reality/Outcome: Consistent quality time and meaningful connection matter more than what they show in blockbuster movies. Does this picture-perfect guy exist?

• Situation: A part of my day job includes responding to online reviews for our hotel. One review explained that everything worked but commented that she gave an average rating because nothing was “special.”
• Reality/Outcome: What is special?

• Situation: EVERYONE has been talking about this buzz-worthy restaurant in town. It’s won awards and gained a lot of new fans who can’t stop talking about it.
• Reality/Outcome: I eat there and it’s lackluster.

• Situation: I have 20 items on my blog to-do list this weekend and I’m definitely going to accomplish all of them!
• Reality/Outcome: I don’t.

• Situation: I’m excited to try a new yoga studio.
• Reality/Outcome: It wasn’t the workout I was expecting and I couldn’t concentrate during the whole class.

But remember how you feel when things DO meet your expectations, or even better, EXCEEDS them? Like when you discover a gem restaurant in your neighborhood, receive an unexpected gift or feel satisfied after watching the movie adaptation of your favorite book. It’s so delightful and it tends to make your day!

With a lot of thought and trial and error, here are some solutions I’ve found that can help manage your expectations.

1. Communicate!

Listen closely. Be transparent and honest. Talk about what you’re thinking and feeling because people can’t actually read your mind. If all the information is put out there and understood by all parties, there’s less of a chance for confusion or mistakes.

2. Get rid of assumptions and preconceptions.

If we weren’t such “know-it-alls” we would be more open to what we hear and experience. We make situations and others’ actions all about ourselves. Don’t assume something that isn’t communicated. It doesn’t hurt to ask to make sure. Don’t assume someone else’s feelings or motives. Remember someone’s opinion is their own, created by their unique background and experiences.

3. Set realistic goals and make plans.

When all parties are on the same page, you’ll know where you’re going and who’s responsible for what. Be realistic about what you can accomplish. You have a limited amount of energy, time, and resources. Instead of setting the goal (official or in your head) of the most amazing result ever, keep an open mind. The best party ever turns into taking meaningful quality time with at least one friend. The best dinner ever turns into discovering one new ingredient you like.

4. Check-in and report.

Reel it in. Go back to communicate and check-in. How’s the progress? Are you still on the same page?

It’s good to have expectations. It’s a standard you can work towards and hold accountable to, but we also need to remember to be realistic about the results to avoid disappointment and save our sanity!

So, what do I do?! Do I expect the worst out of every situation and person and get excited when it turns out better than I thought? Do I stop psyching myself up for experiences? Do I dial back my excitement, waiting for the not-so-pleasant backfire? It’s definitely a hard balance.

How do you manage your expectations?

Photo from Death to The Stock Photo

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Watching: Chef’s Table on Netflix
After hearing many recommendations for this Netflix original documentary show (see season 1 trailer here), I started watching Chef’s Table. It’s a lot of decadent and brilliant food shots, beautiful stories about chefs and restaurants and a look inside the brains of some of the world’s best chefs. There are two seasons with six episodes each and each episode is focused on a different chef. Five episodes in, they’ve featured chefs in Italy, New York, Argentina, Los Angeles and Australia. Seeing the different culture, style, journey and personality of each chef is fascinating and the show helps you understand the human relationship with food and the creative process of chefs. Have you watched it? Which is your favorite episode?

On Creativity
One of my favorite lines from Chef’s Table came in episode five from Ben Shewry, head chef at Attica in Melbourne, Australia: “There’s a romantic story that says people are just creative because that’s what they like to do, and they just go around all the time creating. Which is just kind of ridiculous in a way. Sometimes people have to create out of pure necessity. If I didn’t create stuff that was inspiring to people and that people didn’t like, we were going to go broke.”

Trying Clothes with Le Tote
I am not fashionable and definitely do not keep up with trends (hello closet of black and grey and white), but I like pretty and new clothes. My friend MJ sent me a free Le Tote box to try. I picked three clothing items and two accessories to borrow for the month. I have the choice to buy the things if I really love them or send them back for new items. Le Tote is a good option for those who like new and name brand clothing and accessories and have a budget of $50 a month to spend. A monthly habit is out of my budget but it’s fun to try on occasion. How awesome is the print of this off-shoulder dress and this popsicle clutch from my trial box!

What Podcasts Are You Listening To?
In true late bloomer form, I have finally discovered the joy of podcasts. I’ve listened to This American Life during road trips, but sitting down and paying attention to a podcast has been my crutch. I’m hoping to make it a habit when I’m getting ready in the morning and on my work commute. I’ve recently listed to a few episodes from some popular podcasts, including Real Talk Radio, The Jess Lively Show, and The Minimalists. What are your favorite podcasts?

Elena and Achim’s Love Story
I don’t think I’ve shared this before but if I have, here it is again! I follow Elena on Instagram and she started this love story illustration project last September. Daily posts show how she and her love came to be and as she writes in the story, this project was a way for her to evaluate and perhaps heal who they are now. Not only are the stories and illustrations so captivating but the thoughts in the story hit me deep.

How to Eat Clean
While I’ve never restricted myself to a certain diet, I’ve been trying to eat as clean as possible the last few years. From this article by A Sweet Pea Chef, “eating clean involves choosing whole foods, avoiding processed foods, and creating a healthy, conscientious approach to what foods you eat.” This means stepping away from packaged chips, frozen dinners, canned soups, etc. and stepping towards home-cooked, fresh vegetables and meat. My diet’s not perfect – I do enjoy fries and doughnuts occasionally – but I make a conscious effort to know what I’m putting into my body. Here are eight different things you can do to eat clean.

Gift Money Through Tendr
I found out about Tendr and it’s the classy and elegant money-receiving and money-giving tool you’ve been waiting for. If you’d rather receive money instead of physical gifts to celebrate your wedding, birthday or whatever occasion, you can set up a personalized occasion page on Tendr for free. If you’d like to give a monetary gift, you can choose a card and give your gift for $3. This would be great for a honeymoon fund if you don’t have a gift registry, baby fund for your second child, or alternative option if you’re a minimalist.

On the Blog This Month
Here are some of my favorite posts on the blog this month:

• One of my favorite Austin restaurants: Detroit-Style Pizza at Via313
• What I’ve learned about spending money on home entertaining: 10 Ways to Save
• An important Life Lesson reminder I got this month: You Belong Here

What have you been captivated by lately? Any cool articles, videos or products you want to share in the comments below?

Keep up with me elsewhere! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, or Snapchat (@wanderlustanita). You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

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