Healthy Habits: Cold Brew Oatmeal

I am always trying to find easy ways to have a healthier lifestyle. I will admit that I am not always the most conscious eater, and I don't love playing sports so I don't exercise often enough. That is why I have decided to tell you all about some fun, easy, and stress-free ways to keep up a healthier lifestyle.

A big part of being healthy is eating right. When I'm packing my lunch for school I can pay closer attention and have better control over what I eat throughout the day. Lately, I have been taking the same thing every day, and that is a cold brew oatmeal. What it is, is an oatmeal that doesn't need to be cooked -- it just sits in milk overnight and then by lunch time it is ready to eat, so this is perfect for school lunches. Then, along with the oatmeal you can add any fruit, nuts or just about anything that you like to eat with your oatmeal. 

So here is how I make my cold brew oatmeal.

Step #1

Put half a cup of oats in a jar

(it can be any amount you choose really, but don't fill the jar up to high or you won't have room for anything else)

Step #2

Put half a cup of the milk of your choice in the jar - I use almond milk 

(or just add the same amount you did for the oats)

Step #3

Add 1 teaspoon of chia seeds

Chia is like one of the healthiest things ever! click here for more details

Step #4

Add 1 teaspoon of flax seed (also super healthy)

What it looks like so far...

Step #5

Add some shredded coconut

Step #6

Add slivered almonds

Step #7

Add dried blueberries

Step #8

Add dried cranberries

Step #9

Add fresh strawberries 

Step #10

Let the oatmeal sit overnight... and then ENJOY!

Remember, what I add into my oatmeal is just my preference and is a suggestion, feel free to either follow the exact instructions or play around with the type of food you like. Anything goes.

xoxoxo

Nina

Song stuck in my head right now: Shake it off - Taylor Swift.

Music Cravings: Lewis Watson - The Morning

Lewis Watson is a British singer/songwriter. His newest album 'The Morning' was released in July this summer. This is his first album, beforehand he had only put out EPs. His voice is a mixture between Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles, but his music style is unique in his own way. 

His songs are mostly acoustic, and since he writes them himself they are about his life and his feelings. Lewis Watson started off by posting a video on YouTube, and soon enough was noticed by the music industry. 

Before his album, his music was bare-boned with just him and his guitar. On 'The Morning' Lewis uses more instruments and layers both the music, and the vocals with more background singers. His album consists of music from his old EPs and new songs. For example, 'Into the Wild' is the same version on the EP. Luckily, even though the production is a step up for the album, It doesn't interfere with Lewis's unique talent. Two of my favorite songs on the album, 'Stay' and 'Halo' are great examples of how Lewis's style has matured and how his talent has grown. 

I am a hug fan of Lewis Watson's, and am FINALLY going to his concert on October 30. I love everything about him. His voice, his music, his lyrics, and...he is pretty cute :)

I really recommend listening to him. He is great. 

Here is a link to Halo and Stay from the new album

xoxoxo

Nina

Song stuck in my head right now: Fall For You - Secondhand Serenade

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Look Book: Back to School OOTD

Summer break is officially over and school is back on track. So, it only makes sense for me to show you what I wore the first week of classes. Everyone knows that when summer ends, it means back to school shopping for supplies and the latest trends. For me, it's just all about making a good first impression. What I wear needs to make me feel confident and express my personality... and I also need to like it :) . 
These are the first week of school outfits that did just that. 
 If there is an outfit you especially like (or maybe don't like) let me know in a comment below. Also, if this is a type of post you like it would be really helpful if you let me know, or you can give me ideas for something you might rather see. 

Anyways, these are my back to school OOTDs. 

Day 1
Shirt - Zara
Pants - Anthropologie
Shoes - Zappos

Day 2
Shirt - Gap
Pants - DIY/thrift store
Socks - J-crew
Shoes (Brand) - Vans

Day 3

Shirt - SOWA Sundays (arts fair)

Pants - Urban Outfitters

Socks - J-crew

Shoes (brand) - Vans

Day 4

Shirt - Target

Pants - Anthropologie

Shoes - Target

 Day 5
Jacket - Urban Outfitters
Dress - Madewell
Shoes - Target

Hope you all loved going back to school!

xoxoxo

Nina

Song stuck in my head right now: Nina - Ed Sheeran 

Life Update: Camp and Growing Up

Hello again internet. Nice to finally see you after two whole months. Why have I avoided you for so long, might you ask? Well, if you had read my last post way back in June, you would know that I spent my summer at sleep away camp. This year had been my seventh year at camp, but unfortunately my last year as a camper (I can always go back to be a counselor) *tear*. 

Camp to me is a place where I get to learn about myself and experience parts of who I am that I may not get to see anywhere else.

This past week was my… 16th Birthday, and when school starts I will be going into my junior year of high school. What this means is that I have to start doing the dreaded. Taking the SATs, touring colleges, and worst of all…figuring out what I want to do with my life. For years, I thought I had my whole life figured out, but now that I really need to know, I have no idea. I know that I am interested in art, but I am not sure if I want to go to an art school or not. I also know that I like music but am not sure if I really want to study about that. I know that a lot of 16 year olds all go through this type of thing, but I just wish I could have it all figured out. 

Camp this summer, was the best possible experience I could have 

had leading into the year. I have learnt so much about myself through the friends I made and the connections I continued. We focused a lot on leadership skills, and figuring out our roles in groups. I don't exactly know what I want to do in college but I am a bit closer than I was before. 

Music is also something huge that I get to do a lot of at camp, and not so much at home. I have decided to post this video of me performing so that I can share another part of me on the blog. The video isn't best quality but I would just really appreciate it if even one person just took the time to listen to me.

Also (just because I always do) here are some pictures I took during the summer.

and, or course, a few polaroids with my friends

              

                        

So, I am back and actually 16

xoxoxo

Nina

Song stuck in my head right now: I know - Meaghan Smith

Life Update: Summer Break Plans

This summer so far has been, and is going to be, the busiest summer yet. After finishing my sophomore year of high school with a stressful week of finals, I didn't get any breaks. I moved straight into the next week (this past week) with more classes. Drivers-ed. Anyone that has taken drivers-ed before would understand when I say that it is the most annoying and boring thing ever. The class consists of long lectures, bad quality movies from the 80's, and a really awkward social environment. Luckily the classes only take up about half the day, so there is still sometime to enjoy the break. But this past week the weather has been unbearably hot and I spent most of my free time packing for camp.

That takes me to the main point of this post. On sunday, in 2 days, I will be going of to camp for 2 months. I have been going to the same camp for seven years now and I love every minute of it. I love my friends, the activities, the energy and just overall the whole experience. 

What this means though, is that since I will be away for so long, I won't be able to blog. Two months will go by until I can add anything to this website. But, what I will be doing is coming up with a ton of ideas and planning what the fall is going to look like for Sixteen Once. I will ask around for some feedback, and I will definitely take a ton of pictures at camp. The possibilities are endless!

By the time I get back it will already be the end of the summer which means that if I do any summer look book type of posts they won't be very relevant anymore. I might do one when I get back but I will try and figure something out that will be more interesting and current to read.

Now that you have read this far you are probably sick of me just going on and on about my life, so here are some photographs I took last summer. They will give you a look at what I do and where I go, and also probably will look very similar to what photos will look like this coming summer. Before you see them thought, keep in mind that they are really old and my photography style has changed and I look kinda different so don't judge :P

HAGS

(one day I might post a video of me singing if you want, so comment and tell me if that interests you)

Don't miss me too much

xoxoxo

Nina

Song stuck in my head right now: Love You Better Now - Ed Sheeren