Touchdown Nutrition in Milford Scores Big

In the last few months, I have been really getting into drinking protein shakes, and teas. For me, they have become a great addition to my diet to help make sure that I stay hydrated during my intense workouts.

On Monday, I was in Milford getting my car serviced and decided to make a stop into Touchdown Nutrition. It is located on the Boston Post Road, and is just a few minutes away from the Downtown Milford area and the Milford connector.

Their menu is very typical of a shake and tea cafe, offering protein shakes and teas. However, what sets them apart is their variety. They have a larger variety of shakes than I’ve ever seen before, from fruity to chocolate. I had the birthday cake one, and I absolutely loved it.

But, what I really love about this place is their options for tea. They give you the choice of how much caffeine you want in it, which is something that I really enjoyed. I have a lower caffeine tolerance than I used to, so this allows me to stick to having as little as possible.

That said, what I really enjoy about their tea menu is their options for pre- and post workout teas. I often get very dehydrated from working out, and these teas have helped me boost my electrolytes and get rehydrated very quickly. I highly recommend trying those out if you work out a lot, or even on warmer days when it’s harder than usual to stay hydrated.

What I also like about them is their pricing. It is $8 for a 16 ounce protein shakes, and teas are about $5. If you do a shake and tea combo, they do take a dollar off as well.

Furthermore, what I really like about this place is their transparency. They were very up front about the ingredients, and the woman who made my drinks asked me what I needed the teas for. I really thought that this was a nice touch, because it showed that they wanted to make sure that their customers were happy with the product, and that what they were drinking was good for their needs.

Top Left to Right: Chocolate Cake Shake, Birthday Cake Shake Bottom Left to Right: Peanut Butter Oreo, Strawberry Lemonade Tea

Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Touchdown Nutrition, and I definitely will be making a visit again soon. If you’re interested in checking them out, please visit their Instagram page to stay posted on all of their weekly specials.

Friday Faves: August 13, 2021

TGIF everyone! Today is the last day before my vacation and I am really excited for it. I have a few fun things planned, but for the most part, I have plans to relax, and get some housework and deep cleaning done. I hope to also get a head start on my fitness game as well.

Anyways, here are my favorites for this week: 

Girls Gotta Eat: This is a podcast that I have been wanting to listen to for a while. It stars Ashley Hesseltine and Rayna Greenberg, and discusses dating in your twenties. I listened to two episodes, and I really enjoyed them so I want to definitely continue listening to them.

Love is Blind – After the Alter: I binged Love is Blind for the majority of quarantine, and I am so happy that there were more episodes about the cast. The three episodes discusses what life is like for the couples now, and of course, has a lot of drama going on. If you watched the original series, then you’ll love this.

Paramount Plus: I downloaded Paramount Plus last week, and I have been watching all of the reality shows/cartoons from my childhood/teen years that I was once obsessed with. I no longer have cable, so I subscribed to have some additional options for TV to watch.

Movies That Made Us: I discovered this show while listening to Girls Gotta Eat, and I watched the Dirty Dancing one. Basically, it’s a documentary series that goes behind the scenes of your favorite movies. Other than Dirty Dancing, they have Home Alone, Forrest Gump, and Pretty Woman – just to name a few. I highly recommend checking this out if you’re looking for something new to watch.

SV Decker Cancer Necklace: The zodiac trend has been real with me. I picked this necklace up on Sunday when I went to her store for the earrings listed below, and I have been obsessed ever since. It is silver and has the cancer charm on a disc. I love this necklace because it’s cute to wear on its own or stacked.

SV Decker Cancer Earrings: I bought these earrings this past week, and I have been obsessed with them ever since as well. They are small enough to wear on my second holes as well as my first. I got the silver ones, and I can tell that they are going to become a staple in my jewelry wardrobe. Both these and the necklace are no longer available on her site, so shoot Steffi a message on her Instagram page.

Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies: Yes They Are Really Out of this World

Back in college, Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies was my ultimate place of comfort. I discovered their sweet cookies at their original location on Dixwell Avenue and have been hooked on it ever since.

Six years later, they are now at their new location on 2518 Whitney Avenue and still making the cookies that are truly “out of this world.”

Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies was origininally started by Cynthia Rae, aka Mama Moon Rocks back in 2015. The Moon Rocks website goes into complete detail on her full story on how she create a “cookie that tasted the way she wanted to.” You can read the full story here.

The menu has a huge variety of treats. Their cookie menu has some of the classic flavors, such as chocolate chip, and sugar. However, they have some unique flavors, such as Ugly Salted Carmel, S’mores, Tuxedo, and Key Lime. In addition, to their cookies, you can also get a cookie/cupcake combo and a cookie/brownie combination. Yes, you heard me. You can get a cookie on top of a cupcake – the ultimate treat for those with a sweet tooth. Furthermore, they also offer gluten free and vegan options as well.

And, their cookies are truly delicious, and stand by their slogan of being out of this world. One bite and the cookie literally melt in your mouth. The ingredients are so fresh, and you can tell as you devour the cookie. My personal favorite combination is the vanilla cupcake with an Ugly Salted Carmel Cookie on top. In addition to cookies, their new location offers a variety of coffee and tea as well. 

Now, let’s talk about the location itself. I have finally made my way over there a few days ago, and I was blown away. Anyone was has been following the bakery knows that they have gotten their start at their Dixwell Avenue location, and opened a second location on York Street in New Haven. Those locations have since been closed, and they now have moved into Whitney Avenue one. This location is extremely spacious and offers a better parking arrangement than their previous. Cookies are reasonably priced, and service was pretty quick.

In addition to serving cookies on site, Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies is also available on delivery sites such as GrubHub, and has a food truck that serves some of the store’s favorites. What is also unique is that Moon Rocks also offers “cookie baskets” to send to people all across the country. This is such a great idea for those who are looking for “thinking of you” gifts, or college care packages.

Therefore, I can honestly say that their slogan is true – Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies offer cookies that are truly out of this world.

Marissa D’Angelo’s Chasing Time is a Beautiful And True Story Worth the Read

I am going to be completely honest here. I don’t read as many memoirs as I should, although I do anticipate on reading a few on audiobook before the end of the year.

Recently, I picked up Chasing Time by Marissa D’Angelo. D’Angelo is a friend of mine, and has self-published a few books on Amazon, including last year’s fantasy, Presence. Chasing Time is her first memoir and is definitely way more personal and raw than her previous efforts.

Chasing Time is the story of D’Angelo’s life. It tells the story of her going to therapy, and being given a journal in which she writes about her experiences in her childhood and early twenties. At the beginning of the novel, it features warm and light hearted memories of her with her grandparents and her father. Towards the end of the book, the story changes. It begins to dive into her traumas with grief, abuse, and bullying.

While the topics remain heavy, D’Angelo’s voice shines through the 152 pages. Since I know her personally, I can definitely tell that is her telling the story. That is something that I really enjoy when reading memoirs, as it feels like they are using an open dialogue to tell their own story.

That said, I also really enjoyed how hard hitting and personal these stories were because it brings some discussion of certain topics to the table that previously were hard to talk about. I think that many of these stories are things that people can relate to, and by reading this book, it definitely is a way of showing them that they are not alone. For example, there is a story about Marissa in high school going through alienation and bullying with someone who she thought was her friend. That is something that many of us can relate to.  Furthermore, it does bring to light many of other topics that are not as frequently discussed. Therefore, I think it’s also important to mention that while this was a quick read, this was an important one as well.

In addition, I also really enjoyed the ending and how D’Angelo ended it in a way that tied up these stories with a positive outlook to her future. I don’t want to give too much away, but I wanted to note that this was a really nice touch.

However, I would like to bring to light one thing about the story that I wished I saw more. There were a lot of time lapses and things that she briefly touched upon, but never went into further detail about, such as her college relationship, and how her current one is now. She had written about a few experiences with her current boyfriend, but I would have liked to see what is going on in present day. While they really weren’t crucial, as a reader I was left wondering about it.

Furthermore, I also would have liked to know more about D’Angelo’s current status with therapy. At the end of the book, especially since it was a crucial part of the story, I was actually left wondering is she still attended sessions, especially since she discussed the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overall, I highly recommend checking out Chasing Time. It is available on Amazon and Kindle, and is such a quick and incredible resource to both teenagers and young adults. On Goodreads, I gave it 4 out of 5 stars and that is the rating that I will also give here due to its interesting stories, and the authentic way the author discussed her traumas and experiences. That said, I hope to see more stories in this format from her as this premise was such a great format that isn’t done that much – well at least in my reading experience.

Please note, if you are interested in reading Chasing Time, please note that there are several trigger warnings, including: lose of a parent, rape, abuse, drug abuse, cutting, and bullying.

Ways I Generate Blog Post Ideas

I have had a blog that for over ten years. While the content that I write has evolved and changed over the years, I still have one problem – writer’s block. Writer’s block happens from time to time. I think almost every blogger or writer can agree that it’s a problem that is far too common. That said, I sometimes have trouble with coming up with ideas for a blog post. So, I decided to take a moment (ironically while I have writer’s block), to talk about all the ways that I come with ideas for blog posts when I just can’t think of anything.

Reviews: Reviews are super easy. Whether it’s a TV show, a purse or even a book, reviews are a great way to not only get great content, but also promote a great product. What is also great about reviews is that you can even use the name of the product in your keywords, which promotes some traffic. Definitely a win-win.

Pinterest: I love Pinterest! Pinterest is a great resource for bloggers, and is one that I do not use enough. Pinterest is a great place to promote a blog post, but also is a great place to get some ideas. There are so many different lists that have different blog post ideas for the season, type of blog that you have, etc. This is a great resource to use especially during Blogtober and Blogmas, where you write a post nearly every day of the week.

Social Media: My blog talks a lot about different places to eat, shop and events. Therefore, social media is something that is super helpful because I can learn about different places through the people that I follow.

Keep a List: I have the Goodnotes app, and I use it a lot to write a list of blog post ideas. I keep an idea bank if I run into the situation where I can’t think of any posts to write, I can reference it. This is especially helpful when you work towards maintaining consistency when writing posts. Bloggers, what do you do when you are r

Friday Faves: August 7, 2021

TGIF everyone! This Friday is a personal day for me, and I have my cousin’s wedding tomorrow night. That said, I also have purchased a new tech item, which I will definitely be sharing in the coming weeks.

This week’s favorites are all over the place. Some of them are repeats, while others are newer. I am working on “shopping my closet” more versus buying items all of the time, which has helped me rediscover newer favorites. That said, here are this week’s favorites:

Louis Vuitton Agenda: Okay, this is super boujee of me, so hear me out. I found this as a steal on Fashionphile, and decided to take the plunge and grab this. I am so glad that I did. I got the smallest size, which I love because I can fit it in all of my smaller purses. I wanted an agenda because I wanted a place to put reminders for appointments and other various things in. I am currently working on a digital planner, but I love this one because it’s more portable. I got the inserts for this from an Etsy shop called Paper Calling, and so far I am really loving it.

Apple Watch Bands: I bought these on Amazon a while ago, and used them for a while, but then forgot all about it. I have three colors in this band, and have been wearing them to work when I am not working out. I love it that it’s super comfortable on the wrist, and that it goes with everything. Oh yeah, and it’s pretty affordable as well. If you have an Apple Watch, this is a great band option.

Procreate: I downloaded Procreate a while ago, only to use it for a while and haven’t used it again until recently. I finally learned how to draw digital pictures, so I’ve been doing that while watching TV at night. I have found it super relaxing as well.

Thriller Novels: I am on my third thriller of the week. The two that I finished were The Stranger In the Mirror by Liv Constantine and The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins. As many of you know, I love thrillers, but often go through phases where I read many at once. I could not put down either of those, as well as my current read, The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda. All of these were amazing to read, and I am sure I am going to pick up a few that I’ve been dying to get to on my TBR.

Cheating: When Love Lies Podcast: I love this podcast so much because it’s downright entertaining. Basically, it’s an interview-style podcast that has the point of view from those who cheated or those who have been cheated on. Yes, it’s a weird topic. However, I have found it so interesting because I like to hear the point of view of those who have been cheated on, as well as it’s just entertaining.

I Journaled Every Day in the Month of July: Here’s What Happened

On the first day of July, I watched a video from Morgan Yates about how she journaled every day for an entire month. I, someone who uses their journal mainly for lists, got inspired and decided that it was time for me to take the challenge. 

What does that mean? Well, from July 1-31, I would have to write at least one journal entry about my day, how I’m feeling that day, or recording a memory such as my birthday. I would typically journal in the morning right before I go to work, and then occasionally, I would go and write another journal entry at night. 

Surprisingly, I did not find it stressful for me to make time to write my posts. I already use my Five Minute Journal in the morning, and all this did was add an extra five to ten minutes to my routine. 

What I did not expect was how much I enjoyed it and how much this has now become a habit. I am a writer at heart, so it was a great way to practice making writing a larger part of my daily routine. But, what I did not expect was the fact that my journal became my safe space. Whenever I was having a bad day or feeling a certain way, I would journal and I would instantly feel better. When I was stressed out, I would write out why I was stressed out and I would feel significantly less stressed out post-journaling. 

And, there are so many scientific benefits to journaling, according to an article on Positive Psychology entitled 83 Benefits of Journaling for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress. Some of them include: boost your mood/affect, enhance your sense of well-being, reduce symptoms of depression before an important event, and improve your working memory. The article goes onto say that it can do many other things, such as giving us the ability to put things in perspective, shift a mindset from the negative to a positive one, and help us become aware of unhealthy patterns. Journaling also has some benefits to your physical health as well. The article states that journaling lowers blood pressure, strengthen immune system, and helps with sleeping habits. 

Over the month, I managed to fill out an entire notebook and a half. As I mentioned early, I have noticed that my stress levels have gone down, and I have just been in a better mood overall.  

Now, that the month is over, I do see myself continuing this a habit since it’s already become so ingrained into my morning routine. I hope to work on getting more detailed in my journal entries by using some prompts throughout the month of August. 

If you’re struggling to get into journaling, I highly recommend doing this challenge because it keeps you accountable. I found that it made it easy to get motivated to do, and then overtime, it became a habit that I didn’t even have to think about.

Friday Faves: July 30, 2021

Happy Friday everyone! It has been such a long week for me, so I am really looking forward to the weekend. I am not sure what I am doing yet, but I am looking forward to getting some relaxing in.

That said, I do have a few favorites that I would like to share with you, so without further a due, here they are:

Schitt’s Creek: Yes, I finally have started watching this show, and I am borderline obsessed. My boyfriend and I have binge watched most of season one already, and it’s safe to say that we get the hype.

SV Decker Snake Chain: I’ve had this for a while, and for the past few days, this have become one of my favorite necklaces to wear. I have both the 16 and the 18 inch one, and I am absolutely obsessed with them. I have been layering it with her good luck necklace, which is no longer available. You can layer it with many other necklaces, and I have a few of them in my collection. It’s such a versatile jewelry piece, and I am so happy I’m getting back into using it.

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Harris: I finished this book in three days and I have been so obsessed with it. It tells the story of our main character Nella, who has been the only Black girl at Wagner publishing. That is, until Hazel comes into the picture. Soon, Nella gets a mysterious note telling her to leave Wagner now. Was that from Hazel? This book was a thriller version of The Devil Wears Prada, and I loved it.

Julia K Crist videos: I’m purchasing a new iPad soon and I have been obsessed with her videos because she shows you what you can do with the iPad. Because of her videos, I am leaning towards the pro, but have learned so much about how to use so many different apps. If you’re looking to get a new iPad, I highly recommend checking out her videos.

July Amazon Favorites

July is my birthday month, and I was fortunate enough to receive some Amazon gift cards to spend, as well as found a few great items to treat myself to.

Hairbrush/Hairband holder: I have a lot of scrunchies and hair ties as I wear my hair up all of the time. After a while, my hairties seemed to have taken over the bathroom sink. I purchased this, and ever since I set it up, I have not only cleared up so much counter space, but have also been able to find my hair ties so much easier. If you are looking for a way to organize your hair ties, then this is a great option. 

Water Bottle: This was featured in one of my Friday Faves, and it is still one of my favorites. I love this water bottle because it fits in my car cup holder, and it motivates me to drink water. Since buying this, I have about two of those a day, which equals 32 ounces of water. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking to drink much more water, but has no idea where to begin. 

Laptop Stand: I have been using this a lot during my meetings and daily laptop use, and I am really enjoying it. The stand helps me stand straight, which has been helping me with my posture and reduces back pain when I’m using my laptop for longer periods of time. 

Ring Fit Adventure: I purchased this game with a giftcard, and I am obsessed. This is a fitness game, and I love this because it helps me get my steps in in a way that is more fun. The game has a bunch of different exercises, including crunches and squats. I do this unwind after work a few times a week, and I can already feel myself getting stronger. 

Cordless Jump Rope: I do a lot of Sydney Cummings workouts, and I love using this. Not only is it a great way to burn calories, but it makes it possible for me to do them indoors. 

And those are this month’s Amazon favorites. I hope to do another one in August with the remainder of the items that I didn’t have a chance to use.

Eating My Way Around CT: Tea With Tracy — the Perfect Brunch Spot

Tea parties is something that is often associated with childhood, however Tea With Tracey has made it possible for adults to join into the fun. With two locations in Seymour and Oxford, it is the perfect place to go with your girls, take your mom and grandma out to lunch, and so much more. Plus, it’s a great place that is aesthically pleasing for the perfect Instagram shot.

I recently went to the Oxford location for the first time, and I was blown away. They have a tea menu that is two pages, ranging in seasonal flavors to traditional. Furthermore, they also have a selection of teas that were inspired by authors. When you get your tea, it is served in a little tea pot, which has enough for two or three cups if you choose the smaller option. The tea is already seeped, so it is ready to drink as soon as you get it. 

Not only is their tea menu extensive – their food menu has so many different options to choose from as well. Breakfast is served at their Oxford location only, which includes eggs, French Toast, waffles and pancakes. Lunch is served at both of their Seymour and their Oxford locations, and have a ton of sandwich, soup and salad options. They also offer desserts, and scones as well – all of which are perfect to pair with a cup of tea.

What I love about Tea With Tracey is the aesthetic and the overall vibe. A pot of tea will last you a while, which is great to sit with someone and just catch up. While it may be a fancier place, it is still a great go-to place for brunch, celebrations, and more. It is also a great place to just go to, because it’s so unique and definitely worth the trip. 

Interested in Tea With Tracey? Check out their website here. And if you do end up going, I would definitely make a reservation as the tea room fills up quickly.