Welcome to the weekly Running with Spoons Thinking Out Loud link party, where stream-of-consciousness is the name of the game! Thanks to Amanda for hosting!

Let’s get right down to some Thursday randomness, shall we?

1.) 8 Essential Strength-Training Exercises form FitSugar. When I was in my early 20’s, I was all about cardio, but an injury when I was 24 woke me up to the fact that strength is really important for pretty much all the things in life—especially in preventing injuries!  I laughed when I saw this list because I integrate all these into my week in some way, shape, or form. I often feel outside the “fitness” loop because I don’t write or even talk much about it, but it was nice to feel like I’m on a good track.

2.)  I have an article about hemp seeds in the newest edition of Food & Nutrition magazine. I was thrilled they did not edit out my use of “crunchy-granola” and that they left certain lines that other publications would probably deem a bit too “quirky.” For example, they even used “hemp seeds join the super-food cool-kids table” as the headline on the digital version. Sweet. As a writer, you get used to the notion that what actually gets published can sometimes be very far from what you turn in, so it’s always a nice surprise when you get to sound like yourself in print.

3.) I’m re-obsessed with No Doubt’s Return of Saturn lately. I’m glad Gwen Stefani did this whole turning 29 thing first and sang about it so I don’t feel so crazy for the things in my brain. It weirds me out to think that some of my readers and a lot of other food bloggers out there were still in diapers when this came out.

4.) Hint Water recently sent me some samples. So far the Peach flavor has been my favorite.

5.) Is anyone else reading this a fan of NPR’s Car Talk? I was so sad to hear of host Tom Magliozzi’s passing earlier this week. That show was one of my favorite things about Saturday morning, regardless of the fact that I have not had a car since, like, 2004.

6.) All these recipes for tasty, healthy side dishes makes me wish I was had festive Thanksgiving/friendsgiving plans.