my recent obsessions/favs!

jan 4, 2026

2026! wow! happy Lord's day!

today has been so simple & peaceful. i am blessed to enjoy another day with my family, glorifying the Lord & fellowshipping with other believers! i hope you all had the best sunday.

let's get started, shall we? i haven't been in a posting mood recently, so i just thought i'd give this a go. just a simple, small post of my recent obsessions & things i've been loving! similar to a happy list, but a bit different. i’ve been in such a phase of being obsessed with the little things lately, so i wanted to write them all down in one place. nothing crazy—just the things i’ve been loving and reaching for over and over again. let’s start with food and drinks!

1. pb protein oat balls

these are so yummy and genuinely one of my most favorite things to make. they’re perfect for a quick snack for when you’re on the go and pre or post workout, getting a little kick of protein in. they’re simple, filling, and actually taste good, which matters.

my recipe:

• 1 cup oats

• 1/4 cup protein powder

• 1/2 cup peanut butter (or almond butter or tahini. i use tahini sometimes)

• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup (i use maple syrup because i don’t want to waste the precious honey :) )

• 1 tbsp flax seed (optional)

• 1/3 cup chocolate chips (a must!! or today i used 100% cocoa baking chocolate)

can add 1–2 tbsp milk if texture is too dry. roll into 1.5 inch balls and store in the fridge. truly amazing & my family adores them (they're gone in seconds!)

2. my sardine bowl!

i have been in love with this bowl i created. it starts with a can of sardines. most people are haters, but sardines are truly delicious. they are packed with protein, omega-3s, vitamin d, rich in calcium, vitamin b12, iron, selenium (an essential trace mineral vital for thyroid function, dna synthesis, reproduction, and protecting the body from oxidative damage and infection), and potassium, supporting heart, brain, and bone health. they are also so good for inflammation! highly recommended sardines!! i have had eczema for most of my childhood and have recently noticed that ever since i’ve eaten more sardines, my eczema flare-ups have gone down majorly due to the healthy fats and oils. i try to eat at least one can every day. consider what brand you get. my dad preorders packages through amazon. be sure to check labels, as added salt can vary, and i prefer the sardines packed in olive oil. overall, canned sardines are a powerful, affordable superfood.

the bowl:

• sardines

• good culture cottage cheese

• my homemade spicy cucumber salad

• a dash of salt

• a drizzle of mike’s hot honey

  
  

and you’re set. boom. rich in protein, delicious, fresh meal in a cute bowl.

3. homemade whole milk yogurt

another obsession of mine would be my sister’s homemade whole milk yogurt. plain, yes. but with a handful of pistachios and dark chocolate chips… wow. oh so addicting.

4. coffee!!

this should’ve been first on the list. my family has a nespresso machine that is life-changing and helps us not go broke with going to too many cafes. haha, noooo… but yes.

my favorite way to make a latte:

• a single shot nespresso (sometimes double)

• a sprinkle of maple syrup at the bottom of my cup

• a dash of salt

• half n half all the way in the milk frother

• sometimes a drop of peppermint if i’m feeling the christmas/winter season

and wa-la. the perfect consistent latte. <3

5. cucumber water

i have been lovinggggg putting slices of cucumbers in my water for natural electrolytes. it gives the water a fresh, cucumbery taste which i love.

it truly helps due to the potassium and magnesium, along with other minerals like calcium, sodium, and phosphorus, replenishing essential salts lost through sweating.

6. blue light glasses

i have been loving my blue light glasses my dad gifted to my siblings and i a while ago. livhia?? not sure what brand they are, but they are life changing, especially how much i am on the computer for online classes and school.

definitely recommend if you’re on a computer quite a bit.

7. crocheted everything

i have been adoring crocheted anything. though i haven’t quite learned and am definitely not a pro just yet, i love it all. my sister worked so hard to make a crocheted tote bag for me that i love so so much. i take it everywhere. before my next trip, i’d love to get a little cute crocheted turtle made.

i am loving the cottage core vibes and a bit of a granny chic look (gold, wood, old looks), but also modern farmhouse and seaside cottagecore. i’ve been on the lookout for frames, old seaside sketches, and anything that feels warm and timeless.

8. natural grocers

natural grocers has become one of my happy places. walking in there just feels peaceful. i love how intentional everything feels, from the supplements to the produce. it’s the kind of store where you actually want to read labels and slow down instead of rushing through.

9. baby calves

this might be random, but baby calves. they are the sweetest things on this earth. watching them hop around, run awkwardly, or just stand there being tiny cows brings me an unreasonable amount of joy. god really outdid himself with those.

10. the book of psalms

i have been spending more time in the book of psalms lately, and it has been such a comfort! i was blessed with time alone (with my coffee) in psalms 43 today & it was such a rich psalm.

"Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." ~ Psalm 43:3-5

11. shows we’ve been loving

my family and i have been hooked on the anime series kaiju no. 8 on prime. so hilarious and clean. definitely worth the watch. it’s been much harder to find a decent movie or show nowadays and so difficult to shield your hearts and minds from the evil soaking through everything. i am completely and utterly disappointed and hate the stranger things series after what they did to it. even in the first to second series and then on, there was certain dialogue and references to gay characters, etc. awful series. which is why we canceled our netflix subscription all together. they don’t deserve our support if that tv series is their highest grossing series of all time. and they are very lgbtq supporting. thank you, but i’ll pass. so, prime it is! we have also been loving the house of david series on prime. so good.

that's all i have for today. until next post. i'm wishing you all the best start to your second semester! Enjoy life at it's fullest! drink lots of coffee, take lots of photos, pray without ceasing, & dive deep into the Word.

many blessings,

bylilyjohanna