Please join me as we take a trip back in time to the ’80s! 😀
Ryan is leaving on his bachelor party cruise tomorrow and instead of donning a spiffy suit on the cruise’s formal night, he and his buddies are dressing in formal ’80s attire.
Please help him choose his ensemble:
Option One:
Option One
Option Two:
Option Two
Option Three:
Option Three
To encourage participation in this serious dilemma, Ryan wants to offer one random commenter a prize: A personal thank you email from him. Isn’t he generous? 😉
Q & A: Round 5 Billion
It’s that time again! I’m catching up with questions you guys have submitted through my Q & A page or through the anonymous form. I’m almost all caught up! Woop, woop! 🙂
If I didn’t answer your question below, please check my Q & A page. I also may have answered it in a previous Ask Me Anything post and didn’t want to bore people with the same questions and answers every time.
Aaaand we’re off!!!
Do you ever experience the “afternoon slump” at work? If so, what do you do to get some energy?
Oh lord, yes. One day at work I said I had the “3 o’clock itch” which my coworkers found humorous for some reason. Now we all talk about having “the itch.” 🙂 To combat an afternoon slump, I always pack a snack to enjoy between 3 and 4 p.m. I find that eating something wakes me up a bit! I will also often make a cup of tea (mainly because it’s so darn cold in my office), which also helps me feel rejuvenated.
I have a hard time coming up with healthy snacks. Can you provide some suggestions?
- String cheese microwaved on a whole wheat tortilla folded (a microwavable quesadilla!)
- Cinnamon peanut butter chickpeas
- Greek yogurt with nuts and fruit
- Yogurt pudding
- Apple or pear with peanut butter
- Homemade trail mix (nuts, whole-grain cereal, peanut butter/butterscotch/chocolate chips)
- Cherry tomatoes with goat cheese
- Edamame
- Popcorn sprinkled with protein powder
- Sandwich thin with peanut butter
- Healthy homemade chips and dip
Do you color your hair?
Nope. Never have.
Did you ever feel pressure to become engaged with you and Ryan were dating? If so, how did you deal with it?
No, I didn’t. Ryan never pressured me and my parents are all about taking your time and waiting until you’re 100 percent ready.
What is your favorite brand of peanut butter?
Though I love all the delicious gourmet peanut butters out there, I am a little partial to Skippy Natural peanut butter because it tastes exactly like the peanut butter we all grew up loving.
Have you ever modeled?
No. I was in a commercial when I was like 5 years old, but it was for the credit union my dad worked for and was only shown on local stations. I’m famous!!! 😀
Do your parents and Ryan’s parents get along?
Yes! Thankfully everyone gets along really well! My mom and Ryan’s mom actually got together for lunch a month or so ago without us. It makes me happy!
It looks like you’re pretty into reading labels and only eating things you can pronounce (awesome!) but then you use stuff like Splenda and sugar-free syrup which aren’t natural at all. Why not just use real sugar?
I wish I had some fantastic answer to this question, but my answer is simply because I like Splenda and I like sugar-free syrup. I like the fact that I only need a half a packet of Splenda to make my coffee taste as sweet as a lot of sugar since it’s sweeter than regular sugar. I also like that sugar-free syrup is typically runnier than regular syrup, which I find too thick and sticky and I don’t like how it doesn’t disperse over my pancakes as easily. I know Splenda is basically shunned in the healthy-living blogging world, but I like it and stand by my Splenda! I am a cautious eater for the most part, so I think a half of a packet of Splenda or some sugar-free syrup every now and then is a-okay… but that’s just me! You may make the decision that’s right for you. Splenda haters, feel free to ostracize me.
What time do you typically go to bed?
We try to be in bed by 10 p.m. every night.
Have you ever tried spinning?
Yes. I love spinning! I haven’t taken a spinning class recently though because my cardio workouts have been limited to running since I’ve been training for a half marathon. I’m excited to incorporate more spinning into my workout routine now that the half marathon is overrrr.
Does Sadie sleep in a kennel at night or is she free to sleep wherever she pleases?
For the most part, Sadie is free to sleep wherever she pleases, which is usually in bed with us. We’ll kick her out on occasion though and she’ll usually sleep on the couch or in our guest room.
Have you ever considered becoming a vegetarian/vegan due to animal rights or any other reason?
Yes, I have. I do, however, believe that we can make educated decisions about our meat and select meat products that come from farms (or the wild!) where animals are treated humanely. I have reduced the amount of meat in my diet significantly in the past year, but don’t want to put a label on myself. Sometimes I’ll go several days without eating meat without even realizing it. If I want to eat meat once a week or once a year, that’s fine with me, but I hesitate to fully declare myself a vegetarian because I believe I can still fuel my body with meat that comes from a good place that treats animals humanely.
What is your advice for someone looking to break into the public relations or writing field?
I get this question a lot! As far as finding a job in the public relations or writing field, I would highly recommend checking out websites for professional organizations such as the Public Relations Society of America (Florida folks can check out FPRA, too!) because many companies will post jobs there to avoid receiving applications from all different types of people that they may get by posting on craigslist.com or through CareerBuilder.com.
As far as writing jobs are concerned, when we’re looking to hire new writers at my company, I always look for quality writing samples (examples from class are great, too) because it’s very easy for someone to SAY they can write, but it can be a lot harder to actually find decent writers (it’s actually VERY hard). I strongly encourage anyone interested in writing to have some quality samples handy for this very reason! If you’re a student, try to write for your college newspaper or get something published in a local magazine so you have something tangible to bring to an interview. Also, if you’re familiar with certain writing styles (like AP), list this as a skill on your resume to alert potential employers of your solid base in a certain professional writing style.
***
I’m off to spend the rest of the night hangin’ with Ryan since I’m gonna miss him when he’s gone!
See ya in the mornin’!
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ummmm 3 definitely!! I love the 80s!
#3…definitely!!!
Outfit twoooo!
#1!!!
I pick outfit 3! although, preferably with shoes 🙂
hahha
have a good night!!
Definitely option #3!!! It’s way more vintage 80’s vibe instead of 2010 wanting to be 80’s. Rock it out Ryan and have fun!…err, not TOO much fun though!
Outfit 3# for sure!!! Great option! He will have a Great time!!!
#3!
#1 screams 80’s the most…I really like 3 but I think that’s more 70’s no?
I’m glad you answered about why you eat certain stuff and it’s because you *like* it..kudos to that!
This is a tough one…I love #2 because of the tie, but I’m going to have to go with #3 because it looks more comfortable (and fabulously 80’s :P)
#2 all the. Who can beat the snazzy cruise-y looking tie, blue jacket, and pink shirt? Pretty sure my dad donned something quite similar to this when I was born in 1985…perfection 🙂
#3!!!
Can I just say that Ryan is the only guy I’ve ever seen rock pleated white pants (in jest, I know, but still! ) and actually look good? Obvi, you have a keeper. 🙂
All the outfits are pretty great..but #3 is the best! Fun Q&As.
#1 is the best.
I’m going with outfit #3. I think that jacket’s awesome and so unique so it’s sure to stand out… In a good way 🙂
I think #3 is a winner! Very “sheek”;)
I can’t pick an outfit for Ryan…I find it hilarious that he has that many to choose from! You guys are so fun, I love it!
Do you normally eat snacks during the day? You only post your main meals, and I guess I never realized that you were eating in between. That makes me feel a lot more “normal”!
Oh Lord yes! I only post the meals I eat at breakfsat, lunch & dinner time, but I typically snack 2 – 3 times a day.
Absolutely number 3!! It makes him “stand out” as he should as the groom-to-be! Have fun Ryan 🙂
#3!
Hey!
I totally reckon the SOUL t-shirt in number one partnered with the jacket from #3 and the white pants.I dont think you can go any other way. Try it on. trust me. let me know what you think.
Of course do not forget the white shades 8)
LOVE number 2, that is awesome! Great to hear your snack ideas – I have some new ideas now as I always snack between 3-4pm as well!
Definitely #3. That jacket is amazing.
Alright, let us discuss. Option 1= Crockett meets club scene circa 1983 Miami Vice club scene. Option 2+ Crockett in 1989, settling into modified, adult “coolness”. Option 3 screams cheesy, 80’s, lounge, hipster. Definitely 3- with glasses, without shoes!!!
How FUNNY is he?!?! Definitely #3!!
I love outfit 3! Hope he has a great time on his cruise!
Option 1!
Definitely the 3rd outfit!
I like #3! But think it may give off a little 70’s vibe too?
Thanks for answering all those questions – including mine! 🙂 I’m a recently new reader and already hooked. I love your simple but delicious recipes that my family has happily started to get a taste of haha. Being a Chicago native with friends in FL brings it all together for me too.
Thanks again!
3! ps i love your blog. i wanna start one of my own but don’t know where to begin!
#2!!! How can you go wrong with a hot pink shirt and matching bright blue tie and jacket!?!
i love number 3! the outfit is very wacky and veryyy 80s!
I love your whole hearted answers 😀
i say go all out and go with #3!
You look malnourished… You work out way too much for the little calories you consume. I fear you have a mental illness because you say you hate your lower body when in reality you don’t have any curves just bones jutting out everywhere :/. You should up your calories AND stop over exercising. You look sick and I fear for your health…
What is the point of this comment? You’re comment screams jealousy, negativity, and is completely passive. If you are truly concerne with Julie’s health your comment would come from a much more supportive place. Julie had more then enough friends and family who
love her dearly and if there were any concerns, WE would be the ones to rightfully bring it to her attention. Julie is healthier then anyone I know, she takes care of herself the way people dhould which is why so many of her readers are
constantly inspired by her healthy way of living. I encourage you to spend time following her blog so you can form a more educated opinion of Julie’s admirable balance of health, fitness, and lust for life. Best wishes to you.
If you were truly concerned and fearful for Julie’s health then you could have e-mailed Julie personally and expressed you concern not make false and ridiculous statement for all of her readers to see.
#2 all the way!!!
Also, the commenter above me is obviously just crazy and/or trying to bother you. You are beautiful and healthy!
it’s a tough call between #2 or 3 for me but i think i am voting for 2 because of the colour!
I see a lot of 2’s and 3’s! I say 1, for sure. 1 actually looks damn good -vintagey, but not over doing it. In my opinion, the other two are a bit much.
As for the comment above. That is clearly coming from someone who is jealous of you. You look absolutely amazing. You eat the way humans are supposed to eat, exercise the way humans were made to exercise, and your body represents a perfect harmony of that. I started following this blog about a month ago, and you continue to be an inspiration to me everyday. I have read other blogs that claim to eat a shit-ton and look frightfully thin. This is not the case here…what bones is this person talking about anyway? I see muscles and healthy curves. Get with it anonymous.
The first one! 🙂
#3!!!!!
#1!!! 🙂
I’m definitely going with outfit 1!!
Definitely outfit 1!
I like outfit #1 🙂
Hope he has a great Bachelor party!!!!
And I TOTALLY agree with you about SF syrup- I actually like it better too.
Number 3 all the way!
My vote is for #1!!!!
You are gorgeous ignore silly comments!
I was wondering did you eat anything before your half marathon? Do you usually eat before a run and how long do you usually wait to run after you eat ?
I ate a Luna bar & then I made sure to drink Cytomax (it’s like Gatorade) at every water station. I also ate 1/2 of a goo around mile 9. 🙂 I will often not eat before a run b/c I typically run first thing in the morning & get really crampy if I don’t give myself at least an hr. to digest any food that I eat. I will usually eat within 30 minutes of finishing a run.
#1
definitely outfit 2. the blue blazer is totally 80s.
Outfit #2’s rockin! and I was in a commercial when I was really young, too! Except for a Catholic school. Yay for childhood bank and school stars 😉
DEFINITELY outfit #1.