We're getting into the busy season of life, my garbanzo grazers!
Breakfast: smoothie with frozen wild blueberries, spinach, and cauliflower, spirulina, cacao, hemp seeds, vanilla protein powder, cinnamon, and molasses + brown rice cake with garlic hummus. Smoothie packs to the rescue! (Check out my Shop page for all the products I use.)
Coming back from Italy was like a big fat WOAH. Even though I planned ahead, I hadn't taken that much time away from my computer in a looooong time. Now work is quite literally the craziest it has ever been, with the restaurant industry throwing me curveballs of every sort on the daily. Sometimes I laugh (ok fine, I always laugh) when I get emails from readers saying they're envious of this job I speak of. Trust me--it is not AN EIGHTH as pretty or glamorous or effortless as it probably looks at times.
Do I love it? Yes.
Does it keep me up at night? Of course.
Are there times when I need to hide in the bathroom and cry about it? Absofreakinglutely. Don't we all?
Lunch: new curried sweet potato cauliflower buddha bowl recipe (based off this and this) coming soon with quinoa coming + organic pink lady apple + carrots and hummus
Lately I feel like I just drank ten cups of coffee when I haven't had any cups of coffee. It's like a constant anxious million-miles-a-minute kind of buzz.
Snack: a couple Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies (recycled pic because I ate them too fast)
I truly believe that life has a funny way of keeping you grounded. There's highs and there's lows and there always will be. With all of the excitement, inspiration, and fun comes stress, anxiety, and fear. Fueling myself with healthy food that makes me feel my absolute best physically helps lessen the mental blow because let's face it, despite what the internet says, you can't cure stress with coconut oil.
Dinner: veggie tacos + chips and salsa for National Taco Day!
Snack: leftover Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Dip with chips...couldn't resist!
I hope this post didn't come off too mopey or negative---I just want you all to rest assured that life isn't always a bowl of chocolate for anyone. Now go light my fave lavender candle and eat some chocolate! You deserve it.
Kalle says
You have no idea how much it helps to read this! I own an organic, health food cafe in Columbia, MO and we just opened in June. We are lucky and grateful to be busy but man that anxiety you speak of is intense at times. I have a 2 year old and fantasize about reading a book when he naps rather than ordering compostable to go containers , creating product labels or trying to figure out Quickbooks. I love your style, humor and honesty and it really helps to hear someone living the same type of life.
Kalle says
You have no idea how much it helps to read this! I own an organic, health food cafe in Columbia, MO and we just opened in June. We are lucky and grateful to be busy but man that anxiety you speak of is intense at times. I have a 2 year old and fantasize about reading a book when he naps rather than ordering compostable to go containers , creating product labels or trying to figure out Quickbooks. I love your style, humor and honesty and it really helps to hear someone living the same type of life.
ACKTIVE LIFE says
Mopey...Are you kidding me? PREACH woman...Deep breaths and just keep trucking! I am so happy that you experienced Italy and disconnected and enjoyed life. We need to do it more often. Yes we are in a industry where we need to be on 24/7 and it is hard. It is stressful. It is just flat out A LOT. But we do it because we love it. So take some deep breaths and know we are always here for you! XOXO
Alexis says
You ALWAYS have ALL the right things to say. Italy was such an amazing way to disconnect and I couldn't be more thrilled that I had that time. It's not sustainable to be "on" all the time! XO
ACKTIVE LIFE says
Mopey...Are you kidding me? PREACH woman...Deep breaths and just keep trucking! I am so happy that you experienced Italy and disconnected and enjoyed life. We need to do it more often. Yes we are in a industry where we need to be on 24/7 and it is hard. It is stressful. It is just flat out A LOT. But we do it because we love it. So take some deep breaths and know we are always here for you! XOXO
Alexis says
You ALWAYS have ALL the right things to say. Italy was such an amazing way to disconnect and I couldn't be more thrilled that I had that time. It's not sustainable to be "on" all the time! XO
Kelly @ Eat the Gains says
First, that pic of you is the absolute cutest! I was one of those people when I first found your blog being like OMG your job is the best, I'm so jealous. I still looks amazing, but you can see how much work you put into it and how much of your time it takes. You have such a powerful impact on people though so I hope you know how much of a difference you are making !
Alexis says
Hahaha thanks, Kelly! I know that people often think that, that's why I'm always sure to be really, really honest. It's always greener on the other side!
Kelly @ Eat the Gains says
First, that pic of you is the absolute cutest! I was one of those people when I first found your blog being like OMG your job is the best, I'm so jealous. I still looks amazing, but you can see how much work you put into it and how much of your time it takes. You have such a powerful impact on people though so I hope you know how much of a difference you are making !
Alexis says
Hahaha thanks, Kelly! I know that people often think that, that's why I'm always sure to be really, really honest. It's always greener on the other side!
Victoria says
You can't cure stress with coconut oil...love it! So, so true. As difficult as I am sure it is, it is still inspiring to see you killing it! I am opening a private practice soon and while I know that stress level with be SO much more than my current 8-5 job, I know that it will be so, so worth it! Keep killing it girl 🙂
Alexis says
Thanks so much for always reading! You are such an inspiring, kick-ass lady yu're going to kill it.
Alexis says
You're going to do amazing, lady! Xx
Victoria says
You can't cure stress with coconut oil...love it! So, so true. As difficult as I am sure it is, it is still inspiring to see you killing it! I am opening a private practice soon and while I know that stress level with be SO much more than my current 8-5 job, I know that it will be so, so worth it! Keep killing it girl 🙂
Alexis says
Thanks so much for always reading! You are such an inspiring, kick-ass lady yu're going to kill it.
Alexis says
You're going to do amazing, lady! Xx
Alli O says
Yes Yes so much Yes to this!! I also (along with my sister) own 1 year round juice bar/3 seasonal juice bars, and 2 bakeries. Our lives spin completely out of control in the summer, and this one was a particularly bad one (i.e. so many employee issues, and people are just plain getting mean!) A lot of my friends look at me and envy me while I'm over here jealous of their 9-5, leave work and go home and not have to worry about work anymore. It always keeps me up at night and there was more than one crying in the bathroom moment for me this year. I completely understand where you are coming from-it's the hardest job I've ever done, but also the most rewarding. No one else can take credit for all the hard work, because it's all yours! Keep on trucking through, it's always worth it in the end!! <3
Alexis says
OMG how do you sleep at night?! That is insane. And I thought I was busy!! I can't imagine a 9-5...that sounds like something from another planet. Glad to hear I'm not alone 🙂 Xo
Alli O says
Yes Yes so much Yes to this!! I also (along with my sister) own 1 year round juice bar/3 seasonal juice bars, and 2 bakeries. Our lives spin completely out of control in the summer, and this one was a particularly bad one (i.e. so many employee issues, and people are just plain getting mean!) A lot of my friends look at me and envy me while I'm over here jealous of their 9-5, leave work and go home and not have to worry about work anymore. It always keeps me up at night and there was more than one crying in the bathroom moment for me this year. I completely understand where you are coming from-it's the hardest job I've ever done, but also the most rewarding. No one else can take credit for all the hard work, because it's all yours! Keep on trucking through, it's always worth it in the end!! <3
Alexis says
OMG how do you sleep at night?! That is insane. And I thought I was busy!! I can't imagine a 9-5...that sounds like something from another planet. Glad to hear I'm not alone 🙂 Xo