Vegan lifestyle by Jessica Goodenough

Live your best plant-based life!

  • Vegan food
  • Vegan home
  • Vegan style
  • Free mini vegan capsule wardrobe

Explore

  • Vegan food
  • Vegan home
  • Vegan style
  • Free mini vegan capsule wardrobe

Learn more

  • About me
  • Recommended vegan resources
  • The Spring 2023 Vegan Capsule Wardrobe
  • My Etsy store

Connect

  • About me
  • Recommended vegan resources
  • The Spring 2023 Vegan Capsule Wardrobe
  • My Etsy store

Vegan family · 2 January 2018

Our proposal story + November & December recap

Hi friends! It’s been a little while since I posted here, but by combining a lot of determination with a bit of accountability, you’ll be hearing from me more often from now on. Anyhoo… What’s happened since my last recap? We got engaged for a start! Rob proposed in early November and it was a complete surprise! I thought I would share our proposal story, along with my usual monthly recaps for November and December combined. 

(Note: this post contains Amazon affiliate links. I only recommend products that I like and either currently use or would use. If you make a purchase, you support this blog: I earn a commission at no cost to you.)

Rob and I have been together for more than two years now and I am glad to announce that we have been engaged since the 10th of November! On that day, I was supposed to have a phone meeting about a problem with my research assistant salary, as well as send off a piece of work to my PhD supervisors. I was in a bit of a fluster about the salary issue, so when my parents suggested going for a walk in Oxford, I chose that as a better alternative. At the time, I thought I was just going to the new shopping centre and to Christ Church Meadow. I would then feel relaxed and be able to finish my work in the evening.

Cold date in Oxford. #christchurchmeadows #noodles #date #robikins #imaluckygirl❤️

A post shared by Jessica Goodenough (@jlgoodenough) on Dec 9, 2017 at 11:10am PST

Little did I know that my parents suggesting the walk was all part of Rob’s (evil?) plan! Rob, my parents, my brother and I took the bus into Oxford and walked around the new Westgate shopping centre. At that point I was feeling quite hungry and suggested having lunch. While we were waiting to be seated, Rob’s parents and brother randomly (!) walked by. I did find it a bit strange that they were all off work on a Friday, but they joined us for lunch and I didn’t think much else of it. Similarly I didn’t clock on when our two brothers decided to disappear off to a bar rather than joining us on our walk.

Everyone else thought I must have known what was going on, as I had asked them all to not upload photos on social media, considering that I should probably have been working. Also, I pointed out a jewellery shop – where Rob had bought the ring – jokingly telling my mum that it was Rob’s family’s shop (the name of the shop resembles their surname). I however still had no idea what was going on.

Both sets of parents, Rob and I walked in Christ Church Meadow a bit until we reached a bridge over the River Cherwell. As a side note, if you’re in Oxford, do have a walk round Christ Church Meadow, it’s a relaxing pocket of green in the city. (The photo above is on a very cold winter’s day.) Anyhoo, when we got to the bridge, I believe the plan was that my parents were to suggest we take a photo on the bridge – the Titanic pose has been known to be used in those kind of settings. What actually happened is Rob improvised and it was even better. He picked up two sticks and he didn’t even have to do any encouraging. I exclaimed “Poohsticks!” and was up on the bridge waiting to compete.

We dropped our sticks in the water and I rushed to the other side to see who was going to win. When Rob didn’t appear at my side, I turned round and there he was on one knee with a beautiful ring! He said some lovely and touching things – this is the one aspect of our proposal story that we are keeping to ourselves – while I half-suffocated him hugging his head.

So, Goodenough-Beaver or Beaver-Goodenough? 😊😉🍾💑💍

A post shared by Jessica Goodenough (@jlgoodenough) on Nov 12, 2017 at 8:39am PST

Our parents (as well as a couple in a boat below I believe) witnessed the whole thing. They filmed it and took photos, for which I am very grateful. (You can click through a few of them above.) One of the best touches was Rob’s dad producing a bottle of bubbly and some sparkly cups from his jacket for us all to celebrate! We then headed to All Bar One, where Rob and I had our first date. The two brothers had found us a table and arranged for more bubbly.

On the next day, we told my sister (who arrived late in the evening the day Rob proposed), my granny and her “chap”, and Rob’s granny in person. In the evening, my dad made an announcement at my granny’s annual party, and we shared the news on social media the day after that.

We’ve been engaged for a month and a half now, and it’s been good. Knowing how committed Rob is to our future has made us stronger than we were before. We’ve given ourselves time to enjoy our engagement and we’ll slowly start figuring out our wedding plans during the year. Other than that, I have been busy with PhD work, I had a bit of a sad birthday (on my own for most of the day) and we’ve had a week entirely off for Christmas at my parents’ in France. Read on for more details of what I’ve been up to in November and December, along with some action points for you!

We’re on holiday! #offtoFrance #coachselfie #goingoffline #Christmasholidays #GoodenoughChristmas

A post shared by Jessica Goodenough (@jlgoodenough) on Dec 20, 2017 at 4:11am PST

Blog posts written

  • Looking forward to November: energy, birthday and parties!
    I went over my personal goals for the month, what I was hoping to publish on the blog and I listed some action points for you to take forward in November.
  • A guide to making the most out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: what to do and what to see
    In part one I went over how to prepare your trip to Rio de Janeiro.  In this post I talk about what to see and what to do once you’re there! Click through for the things you should do to best experience Rio.
  • Becoming a blogger: creating an editorial calendar, or what and when to write
    This is part three of the Becoming a blogger series, in which I cover how to decide what and when to write on your blog. Once you have brainstormed ideas, you can then commit to when you will work on those blog posts. Click through for the general principles of creating an editorial calendar, then apply the three action points at the end for a kickstart to your blogging success!
  • I’m 27! So here’s my birthday bucket list
    Between the realisation of getting older and often unmet expectations, birthdays can be quite bittersweet. That is why I’m putting a positive spin on this new chapter with a birthday bucket list! Click through for the 27 things I am going to do while I’m 27!

Goals for November and December

November:

  • Do first official parkrun – done in the rain 11/10/17
  • Do concept-mapping for second literature review – not done: I’m currently reworking my first literature review about citizen science in the global South
  • Share nine blog posts – 3 out of 9…

December:

  • Send off introduction to the second draft of my citizen science literature review – done 19/12/17
  • Tick off two items from my birthday bucket list – 1 out of 2 if I count buying Portuguese and German phrasebooks
  • Buy everyone in my immediate family a Christmas present – done 17/12/17

My goal setting process is changing in the new year, with big goals and a system to organise action steps, so stay tuned for more information on that!

Wins & accomplishments

November:

  • Rob and I got engaged!
  • I got accepted into a “Science meets Practice” Winter School in Switzerland
  • I took part in my first parkrun!

December:

  • I sent off the structure for the second draft of a citizen science literature review
  • My affirmations encouraged me to exercise regularly
  • I’ve had a relaxing festive season

We’re stuck at the airport so here’s a photo from a lovely day last week. We went into Bordeaux, watched Murder on the Orient Express and enjoyed mulled wine with friends at the Christmas market. (My little elf was tying my boots for me.) 🙂 #stuckatairport #easyjet #latergram #Christmasmarket #teamGoodenoughBeaver #phototakenbyMaya

A post shared by Jessica Goodenough (@jlgoodenough) on Dec 27, 2017 at 5:05am PST

Possible improvements

November:

  • Being consistent with blogging: focusing on one post a week
  • Following my ideal day routine
  • Eating healthier foods – incorporating two of the “[amazon_textlink asin=’1609613848′ text=’Abs Diet’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’jlgoo-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’1e67b04b-efcf-11e7-ac4b-b9ec7155918c’]” foods [or my vegan adaptations] in each meal and snack

December:

  • Heading to bed when I’m sleepy and at the latest when my reminder goes off
  • Focusing on applying the “pick two” principle
  • Focusing on working towards my three big goals at the start of the day

What I read

In November I borrowed a book for the first time from our local library… And managed to drop it in the mud while on my way to read it on a bench along the river. Mud notwithstanding, [amazon_textlink asin=’0755374045′ text=’A Discovery of Witches’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’jlgoo-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’a5c921c8-efcf-11e7-a0a7-9115e659e4d6′] was a bewitching book (sorry)! It’s about 700 pages long but I got completely engrossed with the story of witches and vampires in Oxford (very close to home) and beyond (no spoilers here). It might be because I studied literature or because things are often more about image than actual enjoyment, but this was the first time in a long time that I chose a “lighter” read… And I loved it! I’m looking forward to reading the two sequels in 2018!

Two of the more “self-helpy” books I read in November were [amazon_textlink asin=’1291270167′ text=’How To Tame Your PhD’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’jlgoo-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’b572881a-efcf-11e7-928b-4503fc8fa32f’] by Inger Mewburn and [amazon_textlink asin=’1683502701′ text=’One Small Yes: Small Decisions that Lead to Big Results’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’jlgoo-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’bebaef72-efcf-11e7-842d-9356d79afc1c’] by Misty Lown. Neither of them were life-changing, but they might be right for you if you need a quick bolt of motivation!

In December I finished re-reading [amazon_textlink asin=’1609613848′ text=’the Abs Diet’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’jlgoo-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’d33f9e45-efcf-11e7-a0a8-059440a5307a’] for a bit of a kick in the pants, and I was mostly stopping-and-starting with books. I have loads of books lined up for January though (as well as a bit more structure), so check back in a month’s time for some further recommendations!

[amazon_link asins=’0755374045,1609613848,B06VXYPZY3,1291270167,1743211813,174321443X’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’jlgoo-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’6e694ceb-efd0-11e7-aea0-c17eb3b169a1′]

Some of the things I’m grateful for

Every day (or almost) I write down things I am grateful for ahead of doing my “morning pages” in my journal. Here’s a quick snapshot, as this post is already quite long because of our proposal story!

  • Rob cleaning a lot of the flat
  • The positive comment I got on my blogging habits post
  • Reading [amazon_textlink asin=’0755374045′ text=’A Discovery of Witches’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’jlgoo-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’e4a05137-efcf-11e7-aff0-63a5558b4824′] – very enjoyable
  • ReadyBike sorting out my membership very quickly
  • Being a PhD student: being able to organise my own time and do research for a living
  • Giving myself the time to read by waking up early
  • Going for a walk today [little did I know at the time of writing that it was to be a more important walk than I had planned!]
  • Rob proposing – in a lovely setting with a lovely ring
  • Real coffee
  • The beautiful colours of the trees through the train windows
  • The international food market on campus
  • Having PhD supervisors who are available to meet and discuss things

Some of the things I’m proud of

I’ve started listing things I’m proud of, as well as the things I’m grateful for, to give myself a bit more pep. We’re often so caught up with “what next” that we forget to pause and give ourselves a little pat on the back.

  • Typing up my [October] recap post
  • Diving back into my literature review
  • Drafting the introduction to my literature review
  • Being gentle with myself when I wasn’t feeling well and afterwards (watching [amazon_textlink asin=’B00FYO4S46′ text=’Flushed Away’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’jlgoo-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’cb87ccc9-efd0-11e7-bd07-dfaa9c166791′] with Rob)
  • Going to campus
  • Buying presents and a card for my granny
  • Reading a chapter of [amazon_textlink asin=’0241301114′ text=’Pedagogy of the Oppressed’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’jlgoo-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’d465b2aa-efd0-11e7-8b46-99bcfa06c15f’]
  • Being as driven as I am
  • This flat that I found and that we pay for
  • Sending my first literature review off for feedback
  • Being brave enough to make a style statement with my beret
  • Making the time to Skype with my friend Many yesterday
  • Being a volunteer at youth club
  • Going for a walk yesterday

This is my happy place. 🌳🌳🌳 What do you do when you want to feel peaceful? 😊 #questiontime #happyplace #ockvalleywalk #abingdon #trees #foresttherapy #peaceofmind #beret #photobyrob #instagramhusband 😉

A post shared by Jessica Goodenough (@jlgoodenough) on Nov 23, 2017 at 9:37am PST

Goals for January

  • Take two action steps towards fitness goal
  • Take two action steps towards research goal
  • Take two action steps towards income goal
  • Read three books
  • Tick one item off 27 in 27 bucket list

I’ll share more information about my big goals and action steps for 2018, as well as the goal-setting process, in a blog post at the end of the week!

Your action points

  1. Tell someone that you love them! It doesn’t need to involve a ring, but do share the love and make an effort to show a friend / partner / relative how you feel about them. It might make their day!
  2. Reflect on what you have experienced and accomplished in the past month, then link to your own recap in the comments!
  3. Have you organised a wedding before? If so, please share your advice in the comments below! If you’re in the same boat as us, subscribe to this blog (on the right side panel) for insights into the wedding planning process. This isn’t going to become a wedding blog though, check back soon for all the usual good stuff!

I hope you enjoyed our proposal story and this rather long blog post – I look forward to seeing you in the new year! By the way, did you get any snow in December? We did, and it was amazing!

xxx

Jessica

A quick look back at 2017 via my most liked photos on Instagram: four selfies, three photos of Robikins, two rivers and a proposal! #2017bestnine #Robikins #Paris #kiss #river #proposal #wereengaged #stillcantbelieveit #trees #selfies #onthetrain #Torbay #Abingdon #cycling #blogpost #onto2018🎉

A post shared by Jessica Goodenough (@jlgoodenough) on Jan 1, 2018 at 7:14am PST

Posted By: Jessica Goodenough · In: Vegan family

I’m 27! So here’s my birthday bucket list
Setting goals for the year ahead: my blueprint so you can too!

About Jessica Goodenough

I'm not a regular mum, I'm a vegan mum 😉
Helping you live your best plant-based life 🌱
All welcome - no vegan police here! 💚
Learn more about me here.

Related posts

In this episode of the Living the Goodenough Life podcast, I interview Nasreen about how we can make time for our personal goals. This includes her personal development journey and what her non-negotiables are!How to make time for your personal goal(s) with Nasreen
Are you struggling to follow through with your plans and show up for your goals? In this episode, I get specific about the reasons why you're feeling discouraged or unmotivated, and what you can do about it! What I cover in this episode: Not having a compelling "why"; Feeling overwhelmed; Being afraid of judgement; Experiencing imposter syndrome; Going through the dip; Upper-limiting; Not having enough energy; Your homework, including this week's journaling prompt! Find the show notes at jessicagoodenough.com/episode10The 7 reasons you’re feeling unmotivated
Are you feeling overwhelmed with all the competing options for your time? Do you know you have a lot of potential, but you're frustrated at your lack of results to show for it? Then maybe what you need is to improve the way you set and go after goals, which is what we're talking about today on the Living the Goodenough Life podcast!How to choose your next goal
About Photo
Hi I'm Jessica! Welcome to my blog, where you can find vegan lifestyle inspiration to help you live your best plant-based life!

Don’t miss

Vegan furniture UK

Where to find vegan furniture in the UK (and beyond!)

Hearty plant-based meals

4 hearty plant-based meals to keep you warm and satisfied

Festive home office decor ideas

3 festive home office decor ideas for Christmas and beyond

Affiliate disclosure

I earn commission for purchases or clicks made through links on this website, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!

Get on the List

In a rush, but don't want to be hungry by 10:30? H In a rush, but don't want to be hungry by 10:30? Here's the solution! ✨

🔗 Follow the link in my bio for 3 more breakfast ideas (including easy-to-follow videos) and some cute containers to take them on the go! 😊

#BreakfastOnTheGo #DailyDozen #VeganBreakfastIdeas #PlantBasedMeals #VeganBreakfast
I've been experimenting with smoothies for a while I've been experimenting with smoothies for a while and I've finally found the magic formula... 👇

So here it is:
🫘 Half a can of butter beans, drained and rinsed (trust me you can't taste them, but they're oh so good for you)
🫐 Half a cup of frozen berries (doesn't matter what type, but choose organic if you can)
🍌 A ripe banana
🥬 A good handful of leafy greens (spinach, etc.)
🥄 A tablespoon of ground flaxseed
(🥜 Optional: a tablespoon of peanut butter - if you want it creamier or are trying to get more calories in)
🫗 A cup of water (about 250 mL) - feel free to experiment with this last one until you get the consistency you like

I came up with this because I couldn't find a protein powder that I liked and that didn't make the texture go all wrong... 🤢

Also because I believe whole foods are the way to go! 🌱 ... Well about 80% of the time. 😉

I make mine two at a time in my @nutribullet as it comes with two cups - that way tomorrow's breakfast is covered! 💡

If you've read this far, make sure you follow me for more quick plant-based breakfast ideas (coming tomorrow)! And have a lovely day. 😘

#VeganSmoothie #Nutribullet #DailyDozen #VeganBreakfastIdeas #WhatIEatInADay
Just my 2 cents after 7 years of doing this. 🌱✨😘 Resources 👇

✅ You can find the Daily Dozen app both on Android and iPhone - it's a super easy way of ensuring you're eating nutritious foods, without counting calories or any other faffy way of tracking food (it's all evidence-based, by the team behind @nutrition_facts_org). 📲

✅ The @plantbasedmorningshow is the perfect balance of common-sense vegan living advice and nonsense banter to remind you to not take it all too seriously! 😅

✅ My blog jessicagoodenough.com is the place to go if you're wanting to:
🥗 learn the basics of eating plant-based 
💃 take vegan living beyond the kitchen and get vegan fashion and home recommendations!

#GoingVegan #VeganReels #PlantBasedLiving #VeganLiving #GoVegan
Which one's your favourite? 🌹 For context: "In Which one's your favourite? 🌹

For context: "International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality."

I.e. let's celebrate how far we've come but also keep pushing forward! ✊🏿✊🏼✊🏽

#InternationalWomensDay #InternationalWomensDay2023 #IWD #IWD2023 #ConsciousLiving #EmbraceEquity
How's beating yourself up been working for you? 🤔 Here's an alternative. 👇

Focus on what you already have and who you already are. Because:
1️⃣ It simply feels better than focusing on our shortcomings or how "we're not there yet".
2️⃣ It will help you attract more good things. Just like people who complain all the time keep attracting "bad luck", people who focus on gratitude find more opportunities.
3️⃣ Your glowing gratitude will attract people to you that will help you move towards your best life.

I know I have a tendency to always focus on the next goal and the next and the next... But sometimes you need to slow down (and smell the roses 🌹) to speed up. ✨

#GlowAndGrow #TakeItSlow #StayInspired #GratefulHeart #SlowDown
"How to ruin a surprise"... 🤦🏼‍♀️😅 "How to ruin a surprise"... 🤦🏼‍♀️😅

If you'd like to see outfits featuring these @donlonco earrings, drop your favourite flower emoji in the comments! 😘

(Reposting as there was a glitch that cut the actual opening off... 🙄)

#ConsciousFashionBlogger #FlowerEarrings #CapsuleWardrobe #FashionInspo #Gifted
Something exciting is coming! ✨ Get notified 👇

🔗 Follow the link in my bio and click "Grab your free mini vegan capsule wardrobe" to be on the list to be notified when the 🌷 spring 2023 vegan capsule wardrobe 🌷 is available (+ get a free mini starter vegan capsule wardrobe as a bonus)! 😘

#VeganCapsuleWardrobe #ResponsibleFashion #CapsuleWardrobe #MindfulFashion #SustainableClothing
Happy Valentines Day from my new hair and me to yo Happy Valentines Day from my new hair and me to you! 😘👇 Quick intro if you're new here:

💃🏼 My name's Jessica and I'm 32 (how do I start this without sounding awkward? 😅)

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 I have two little boys and I work as a green spaces development officer in Oxford in the UK.

🌱 I've been vegan for more than 7 years now, so I'm using Instagram and my blog (jessicagoodenough.com) to share vegan food, home and fashion tips.

💖 I do my best to be welcoming to people no matter how un-vegan (that's a word? 🤷🏼‍♀️😅) they are, because no one likes an angry vegan. 😉

📝 I'm also into personal development, mindset and all that jazz (well not actually jazz, I'm more into country haha 🤠). 

🤔 I'm a questioner and like researching and planning things (go to @gretchenrubin's website, do her four tendencies quiz and come back here to tell me which one you are!). 🤓

Back to you! Tell me:
A. Where you're based right now (obviously don't share your full address)!
B. The last TV series you loved
C. And/or the last book you couldn't put down
... And then I'll share mine! 😊

#VeganLifestyle #VeganLiving #PersonalDevelopment #VeganBlogger
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Get in touch

Copyright © 2023 Vegan lifestyle by Jessica Goodenough · Theme by 17th Avenue