Bangs! {& Homemade 'Vitality' Bowl Recipe}

Guys, I went for it! I got my hair trimmed yesterday and got bangs. And so far, I love them!!

My hairstylist did an amazing job and got exactly what I wanted - I am so happy with it! She thinned out the bottom of my hair, too, which is really nice because it always gets super thick and at the ends it kind of explodes if you know what I mean. 

I haven't had bangs since I was a lot younger but I'm glad I took the risk and decided to try something other than the same haircut I've had for years. :) 

In other news, I went to this place called Vitality Bowls yesterday that I've been meaning to try out. They make a bunch of acai smoothie bowls and top each with a different combo of fruit, granola, nuts, goji berries, and honey. 

I got their original bowl which was acai, banana, strawberries, flaxseed, soy milk, and apple juice, and then it was topped with banana slices, strawberry slices, granola, goji berries, and honey. It was so good!! I never thought to top a smoothie with even more fruit - but I loved it! Definitely worth the $8 it cost. 

I loved the bowl so much I considered going this morning and getting one for breakfast - when I realized that I could probably make a bowl that was almost as good (and one that had more protein) at home! 

Here's what I came up with:

Banana Pineapple "Vitality" Bowl

by Julianna Foster

Prep Time: 5 min

Ingredients (1 bowl)

for the smoothie base:

• 1 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/2 frozen banana
• handful fresh blueberries (optional)
• 1 1/2 scoops vanilla protein powder
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/3 cup milk (add more/less to desired consistency)

for topping:

• 1/4 cup granola or other cereal
• 1 cup fresh fruit (I used blueberries and raspberries, but any fruit will work)
• drizzle of honey or coconut butter (optional)

Instructions

blend ingredients for the smoothie base until desired consistency is reached. since it's a smoothie bowl, the thicker, the better!

top with granola, sliced fresh fruit, and any other desired toppings.

enjoy!

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This bowl was really filling and I love how customizeable it is! You could use basically any other frozen fruit in the smoothie, top it with any combo of fresh fruit and cereal, and there's so many other topping options. Shredded coconut, raisins, almond meal, coconut butter, chocolate shavings - you get the idea!

I would've added spinach to the smoothie base (which I would highly recommend! easy way to get your veggies in early in the day!) but I ran out of spinach since I've been using so much for my 7-day Green Smoothie Challenge. This bowl's going to have to count for today since I don't have time to run to the store - but tomorrow I'm probably going to make another bowl like this for breakfast and I'll make sure to include spinach!

what's the biggest risk you've taken with your hair?
ever topped a smoothie bowl with fresh fruit?

Centered.

The past couple of days have been really, really good. There's a few things in life that make me feel..well, me! And recently I hadn't been doing too many of those things. Some of which include:

• a super hard sweaty workout
• yoga
• reading my Bible and writing in my prayer journal
• feeding my body nutritious food that makes me feel good

For the most part, I'm really good about working out hard and eating well. But more often than not I forget to slow down and practice yoga or read my Bible.

I didn't quite realize that I hadn't been spending quality time with my Bible and my journal until I stumbled upon #SheReadsTruth the other day. I'd been seeing it all over the place on Instagram and Twitter and whatnot, but never bothered to actually check out what it was about. And as soon as I started reading about it, I realized how much I'd been missing out on.

Doing a Bible study with other women, hearing encouraging words, and reading what they have to say about that day's scripture was just what I needed. As soon as I realized how much I'd been missing out on, I dove right in. I started on Proverbs day 1 (it's currently day 26) and right now I'm on Proverbs 7. Slowly catching up and enjoying every minute of it.

this morning's quiet time.

I already feel so much more... centered. happy. ready to take on whatever comes next.

I also went to a yoga class for the first time in over a month yesterday. I think I don't go as often as I should because it's hard! A lot harder than you'd think. But I am so grateful that I went. I had an amazing practice and during some of the hip openers the teacher was having us go through I found tears falling on my mat. Releasing your hips tends to release your emotions - and when my teacher said to just let it all out, I was surprised to feel myself doing so. But it felt so, so good.

I finally realized what I've been missing - and I feel like me again.

what keeps you centered in your life?

Vlog #2! {Sweat Pink + WIAW}

hey guys! i made my second vlog today (here's a link to the first!) and it made me realize how much i LOVE to vlog! i used to be afraid of it but now i've gotten over that - i love it so much because i think that it kinda gives you guys a behind the scenes of the ol' bloggy in a way.

anyway, i made the vlog before i realized what day it was! tuesday = WIAW posting night! silly me. but i talked about a few of my meals in the vlog so i figured i'd share photos of them at the end of the post. best of both worlds, right?!

super exciting news in my vlog, too, so if you have the time i'd love it if you watched! (pssttt.. hint! check out that sidebar over there-->)

onto the WIAW photos! 

this morning i made this amazing coffee i scored at target the other day - anything coconut and i'm in heaven. i also had some almond butter toast and forgot to snap a pic! 

and my lunch at the little cafe:

nonfat latte that i added a truvia packet to (because i'm that crazy weirdo that carrys truvia packets in my purse.. and my wallet.. and my car...), a open face creamy mushroom & chicken sandwich, and a side salad. all of it was absolutely delicious! 

afternoon snackage was a little too much peanut butter cookie dough.. it's so freakin good!

and dinner is going to be a tofu stir fry exactly like this one i made awhile back:

and dessert is going to be a green smoothie since i haven't had one yet today and we're on day 2 of the green smoothie challenge!

what was the best thing you ate today?

any suggestions for my hair dilemma (i explained in the vlog)?