Fun and Creative Ways to Learn New Things (Without Going Back to School!)

My mom is the best (hey mom!). She texted me the other day and asked if I liked my Audible subscription. Of course, I LOVE my audible subscription and asked her why she was even asking. She told me that she decided that she needed to learn more and that audiobooks was the way she was going to be starting.

Her initiative got me thinking: what are some ways to learn without going back to school? I’ve spent my whole life in school, and now that I’m a teacher, I’m still really there! As a teacher though, I believe in lifelong learning and inspiring others to do the same. So, with that in mind, I decided to come up with a list of creative ways to learn without going back to school. The world is full of things to learn and all sorts of opportunities! Take them!

This post contains affiliate links.

Listen to a podcast - there are so many podcasts out there on all different things! Explore to find one you love!

Take an online course or certificate - There are tons of courses and certificates you can take online. You could go the informal route and pick a creative online course from a place like Skill Share (try it for two months free using this link!), or even get your first aid/CPR training from Red Cross.

Sign up for a webinar - There are so many webinars on so many different topics! I’ve taken webinars on a wide variety of subjects. It’s fun to sit in front of the computer with a notebook to take notes on the new things you’re learning!

Embrace Audible - I love audible. It’s helped me “read” more since I have a long daily commute. If you're not sure about it, you can try it for 30 days free! (Use this link to try Audible for free and get TWO free audiobooks!) 

Learn a new language - Must I say any more? There are tons of free podcasts and apps (like duolingo) to brush up on or learn a new language. If you want to pull out the big bucks, I hear Rosetta Stone is pretty amazing!

Volunteer - find a new place to volunteer and learn new skills while at it! Think soup kitchens or animal shelters, or anywhere, really!

Take a class - many local spots offer classes for the community. Check the community college for a list! Try out your community centres and churches for classes as well - sometimes they will offer them for free!

Read the news - make an effort to read the news! A great resource I use is theSkimm - it’s a short daily email (it comes every morning) that gives you the days headlines in an easy-to-understand way! It has seriously helped me keep up with what is going on and people are impressed when you are informed ;-)

Travel the World - and don’t just stick to tourist areas. Do your research about the customs and language and history of the places you are going to! Connect with locals, try their food, and learn some phrases! You will love it.

Watch documentaries - skip the mind-numbing entertainment and watch a documentary. I like to watch a wide variety of topics. A few of my favourites are: Tapped, Minimalism, What the Health, Planet Earth, and Blackfish. 

Follow NASA on Instagram - Seriously, go do it. You’ll learn something new when you scroll through your feed! While you're at it, follow me too ;-)

Watch National Geographic on Snapchat - I’ll be the first to admit that I am horrible at Snapchat. I’m too old for it I think. But if you are on there, National Geographic has an awesome snap story each day! You can learn about unique animals and such!

Talk to People You Meet - I meet fun people all of the time! And listening to their stories teaches me a lot! I usually have the best conversations in coffee shops and hear the best life stories.

Join Facebook Groups - there are a ton of Facebook groups out there that act as a fun forum. Pick a topic you are interested in learning more about and learn from a ton of people!

Watch a Ted Talk - Skip Netflix. Watch a Ted Talk instead. Be inspired to do something new and learn something new as well.

Read Something You Wouldn’t Naturally go to - I’ve branched out and read books on all different topics in the last few years. From the keto diet to theology books, I’ve been consuming books on topics I wouldn’t naturally choose to read. And I’ve been loving it. It expands your brain and opens the world to you! Here's a list of my favourites!

Take up a new hobby - We started painting recently. Nothing fancy, since we aren’t artists, but watching tutorials and learning new techniques has been really fun. I’d love to try pottery next!

Listen to NPR - Switch on NPR in the car from time to time and learn some new facts!

Start a new exercise program - shake up your exercise program by trying something new! Add a spin class to your weight training, or amp up your strength training by adding a pilates class! Meet new people and learn new ways of moving!

Subscribe to an Educational Magazine - National Geographic or Time are good ones to start with. I subscribe to The Magnolia Journal and learn something new and inspiring every quarter.

Look Up the Back Stories to Songs - Look up some background info on certain songs or songwriters and blow your friends minds with the trivia. Fun fact: on some Spotify songs, you automatically see the lyrics and back stories!

Spend time with someone who knows something you don’t - Take a friend out and over lunch, listen all about their expertise. Or, just talk to a random person and listen to their stories. You’d be amazed at what you learn!

Try a new recipe - or two or three. Buy some exotic ingredients and experience your world widen through your tastebuds!

---

What are some ways and resources you use to keep learning?

---

Finding the Time

Question: How do you find time to be a wife, teacher and blogger? Is that even possible? Can we have a glimpse into a day in the life of Amanda?

Honestly, I ask myself this question all of the time, so it is no wonder that it is the most common question I get! I wish I could say that I teach during the day and blog at night, but it really is not that simple. Teaching and blogging both require so much behind-the-scenes work and sometimes I wonder if I can manage it all! 

Learning how to say no has been the one thing that has helped me accomplish so much in these areas of my life. Choosing my priorities carefully has been important, as has to accept that both teaching and blogging are passions of mine.

We actually have more time than we think. A lot can be accomplished in 24 hours (including getting 7-8 hours of sleep!) when the time is used carefully and intentionally without distractions.

Blogging tasks are usually done over the weekend, and sometimes in the evening if I have some spare time. Long weekends and breaks are also used productively for those tasks (for example, this last summer, I queued 4 months worth of content). During periods that I have less time for blogging, I like to repurpose or update content so that I’m still keeping things fresh and up-to-date. Sometimes I’ll perfect a recipe. All of that being said, my teaching tasks always come first. Thankfully, I’ve got a knack for being productive and motivated most of the time. We all have days.

As for being a wife, it is sometimes hard to be intentional about that. Last year, my husband and I struggled to find enough time to even just sit down and talk (both for fun and for important things like the budget). The pastor/teacher duo is not always the best since his work starts getting even busier once I get home. There are always constantly meetings in the evenings between the two of us, and I try to go to bed early most nights to ensure I have enough energy for the next day. Also to ensure my immune system stays functioning.

We have started setting aside one evening a week for a “date night,” which really just means we spend the evening together. It could be playing board games, cooking together, or going out to eat, but we make sure to connect deeper than just a passing “hey!” We used to joke every Sunday, “see you next week!” We would literally not see each other for more than a few minutes a day depending on the week, so I hope to not have that as a reality this next year. I should also mention that my husband is fantastic at sharing chores around the house, which makes keeping things tidy much easier!

Finding time for personal and spiritual and professional growth is most important for me on top of all of the other things I do. One way I make sure to meet all of these needs is getting up extra early by 4:30 am to ensure I have time to pray and read my Bible. Another thing I like to do is to use my 40-minute driving commute to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. Sometimes on my way home, I'll call friends or family.

Exercising is another thing I try to find time for. Since exercising at ridiculous times in the morning is not for me, I have in the past chosen  to do it after I come home. There has never been a time where it hasn't perked me up and made me feel good - even if it's a short 30-minute walk around the neighbourhood, even if the motivation is hard to find after a long day sometimes.

It's all about using time wisely. I take one day per week to rest and recuperate and to focus on my relationship with God and others - one day where I do not do any work at all! It sounds counterproductive, but it truly is our original design and is a blessing!

If you struggle with making time for the things that matter for you, I highly recommend printing off or buying a weekly timetable and marking off all of the things you have to be at or do - including sleeping and eating! You may be surprised at the time you have left off, and the things you can fill those slots in with! Or with what you can shift to make a manageable timetable!

---

What are some of the ways you manage your time with tasks?

---

If you have a question, feel free to leave one below for a future segment of "Ask Amanda!"

3 Healthy & Energizing Smoothie Recipes

Smoothies are a quick and easy way to get a tasty fruit fix, and I make them as often as possible. I love to start my day with one, and when I have friends over they’re the perfect alternative to coffee on a sunny day. My family loves them too, and I find that smoothies are one of the best ways to get kids the vitamins and antioxidants that they need.

I’m always looking for new recipes that are vegan-friendly, healthy and delicious, and the three recipes in this post tick all those boxes. They’re also great energy-boosters, thanks to the matcha green tea powder.

If you haven’t already heard about matcha tea, let me tell you why I love it. It’s known to increase energy levels and improve concentration, so it’s great for getting me through a busy day. It’s also full of antioxidants which help to boost the immune system and protect against diseases. It can even give your metabolism a boost which helps with weight loss too.

Matcha is the perfect smoothie ingredient and I love the long-lasting boost that it gives me - especially when I have a busy day ahead. Make sure you get high-quality matcha though as this ensures it's got the maximum health benefits and non-bitter taste. I recommend Evergreen Matcha, as they source their premium grade matcha from sustainable farms in Japan so it's packed with the maximum goodness.

For the following recipes, simply add all the ingredients to your blender, whizz up, and enjoy.

Energy-boosting strawberry, banana, and matcha smoothie

This smoothie is perfect for breakfast at the start of a busy day. The fruits not only taste delicious but are also packed with mood-improving vitamins and nutrients, and the matcha tea will give you all the energy you need to take on anything.

What you need:

●      2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen, but if frozen thaw them first)

●      1 banana

●      1 kiwi, peeled

●      2 scoops vanilla protein powder

●      ½ cup plain low-fat yogurt or ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

●      2 tsp matcha

Boost Your Immune System with this Ginger Matcha Smoothie

This smoothie is packed full of tasty goodness. The matcha is an incredible source of antioxidants, and the ginger and fresh orange gives your body some vitamins and a kick to help fight off any this drink a lovely warming finish which helps boost your immune system.

What you need:

●      1 tsp matcha

●      1 lime, juiced

●      1 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed

●      1 tbsp chia seeds

●      2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

Note: if you don’t like the spiciness of the ginger, simply leave it out!

Antioxidant-rich cacao and matcha smoothie

Did you know that raw, organic cacao is full of antioxidants? It’s a true superfood, and it has all of the calcium, iron, and magnesium that your body needs. It also has over 40x the antioxidants found in blueberries, so cacao and matcha are a health-boosting dream team.

This smoothie is delicious as an afternoon pick-me-up and is perfect if you need an energy boost. And, drinking this smoothie regularly can promote weight loss and will help protect against diseases.

What you need:

●      1 ½ cups almond milk

●      1 tbsp cacao powder

●      ½ tbsp matcha

●      2 tsp maca powder

Note: if you want to increase the iron content of this smoothie you can add a handful of spinach. Or, if you want to even out the strong cacao taste with some extra sweetness, blend in ½ tablespoon of maple syrup.

---

Erin Young is a health writer, tea expert and owner of two tea brands: Evergreen Matcha in the USA and Zen Green Tea Matcha in Australia. She partners with sustainable tea farms based in Kyoto (Japan) to ensure the best possible quality matcha green tea powder.

Zen Green Tea: Facebook & Instagram

---

Creamy Roasted Garlic & Tomato Pasta (nut free)

I suppose everyone has a staple that is always in their pantry. When I was growing up, we always had rice. I would eat rice for every meal and I had no qualms about it. Now, it's all about pasta.

We love pasta in this house. It's quick, it's easy, and it's delicious. There are all different varieties - the kind made from black beans or rice or gorbonzo beans. They can be red or green or brown. Pasta is just so much fun! I know many people who would agree with me.

So because of my love for pasta, and becuase of my love for creamy sauces that contain no yucky ingredients, I bring to you: creamy roasted garlic and tomato pasta! It's nut free, but still creamy!

This post contains affiliate links

This dish is the perfect main if you're expecting last-minute company. Seriously. It takes 30 minutes to whip up, but still looks good and impressive on a table. It's perfect and light and tasty! Plus, if there is a nut allergy, no need to look any further!

I love making a full batch of this just for the two of us and packing it up for lunches the next day too. Leftovers are the bomb dot com!

It's all about the sauce! You can use any kind of pasta with it and add any kind of additional vegetables! The tomato and spinach by themselves is fabulous too. Obviously, you can add less pasta if you want a higher sauce to pasta ratio too. I'm super hungry just thinking about it. 

The roasted garlic adds that extra kick of flavour it needs!

I love enjoying this on a warm summer evening out on the deck. Yes! Don't tell me I'm the only one who loves eating outside!

Enjoy!

Creamy Roasted Garlic & Tomato Pasta

Makes about 8 servings

what you need:

• 1 bulb (yes the whole bulb!) garlic

• 1 large onion, sliced

• 16 ounces (1 lb) pasta of your choice

• Olive oil

• 2 tsp sea salt

• Pinch sea salt

• 3 TBSP arrowroot powder

• 3 TBSP nutritional yeast flakes

• 2 ½ cups unsweetened plain non-dairy milk

• 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved

• 4 cups fresh spinach

what to do:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Clean the outside layer of the garlic bulb, keeping the whole thing intact. Cut the top off the bulb, and brush the exposed garlic with olive oil. Roast entire bulb for 30 minutes.

3. Wash and halve the tomatoes and place them on a baking tray. Toss with a bit of olive oil and a pinch of salt and add them to the oven to roast for 20 minutes.

4. While the garlic and tomatoes are roasting, cook pasta and set aside.

5. Once the garlic and tomatoes are finished, set aside.

6. Prepare the sauce by adding onions to a large saucepan on low-medium heat. Begin cooking the onions, adding a pinch of salt. Cook until soft.

7. Add onions, roasted garlic, almond milk, 2 tsp sea salt, arrowroot powder, and nutritional yeast flakes to a high speed blender.

8. Blend until smooth.

9. Add mixture back to saucepan and slowly bring it to a simmer.

10. Add the spinach to the mixture, cooking until wilted. Then add the pasta. To finish, stir in the roasted tomatoes.

11. Serve right away. Keep leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days - though it won’t likely last that long!

---

So You Want to be More Minimalistic

Minimalism is something I’ve been working at for a few years now. I feel that I’ve always had some kind of craving to have less and to be surrounded and burdened by less. Even when I was much younger, I enjoyed throwing things out and organizing things, but it got to the point where I would get rid of things, but then accumulate more. It got harder and harder to let go of things. As I’ve mentioned in other posts before, it took going abroad for me to realize that I really don’t need stuff. I was perfectly content and well cared for with only 2 suitcases worth of things, and even then I didn’t use every item. Just over a year ago, I finished reading the life-changing magic of tidying up - and it was truly life-changing (I talked about it here). It got me re-energized to declutter and reclaim a full life - which was ironically not full of things!

It came down to choosing what brought me joy. I’ve had several requests to talk about some minimalist living tips, and so I’m sharing the steps that helped me!

Envision Your Minimalist Life

Why do you want to live a more minimalistic life? What does your minimalist lifestyle look for you? What do you want to do in your everyday life? Write it down and consider it your “why.” Here are some ideas:

• I will come home to a tidy home so that I have time to relax after work and pursue creative hobbies.

• I will enjoy a bubble bath in the middle of the week just because.

• I won't trip over things on the floor anymore.

• I won't spend hours each weekend cleaning.

• I will have a clear mind that is a result of a clear living space.

• I will not be tied to materialistic things.

Write your list. Remember these things as you go through your next steps:

Say Goodbye to Your Unnecessary Things

My ultimate decluttering guide will help you best with this. I will direct you there rather than write it all out again. It’s important to let go of stuff that is just stuff. Keep what really brings you joy. The guide goes through all the areas of your house and just helps you get an idea of what you really should simplify. Find it here.

Quality over Quantity

Even though we are finished (for now) with school, my husband and I still have this poor student mentality. At the beginning, we would always choose what we perceived to be more affordable, just to find that later it would fall apart, or we just really didn’t like it. Seriously, never buy a bookshelf from Walmart. Haha. In the end, it was cheaper to choose the quality items we enjoyed right off the bat. It eliminated buying multiples as well. Quality will last and is worth the initial higher cost.

“Choose to keep items that bring you joy!”

TWEET IT!!

Realize the fragility of Life

I know this sounds extremely morbid, but you will probably die someday. Do you really want to spend your days unhappy and surrounded by things that bring your life no joy? I sure don’t. I also don’t want to leave my junk for my children to clean up. I would rather leave a legacy of time they spent with me rather than the things I had.

Don’t Try to Do it All At Once

Step-by-step, friends! The decluttering process alone can take up to 6 months. You’ll get there if you keep at your convictions and chip away bit by bit.

Be Mindful

Think about the value that each of your curated items brings to you. This goes for everything from the physical things you can touch, to the apps on your phone and the emails you sscribe to. Everything should have a purpose and add to your experience. in some capacity. Of course, there will be things you have to keep that aren't necessarily too exciting, but reduce what you can.

Some Other Things to Consider Simplifying:

• Your finances

• Your eating habits

• Your email inbox/physical mailbox

• Your chores

---

What are some of the ways you embrace a more minimalistic lifestyle?

---