Amanda Whitworth aka @_SawdustandSoul

Whats your name? Amanda Leigh Whitworth (I just like saying my full name ;) 
 
Any nickname or one you wish you had? Anyone I met before the age of about 15 calls me Mandy. As a baby, Yoda. No joke! At one point, someone called me Hot Pocket and I always answer to Ms. Sassy Pants. 

Where do you live? Encinitas, CA

But where are you really from? Seattle, WA 

Who or What inspired you to begin your healthy lifestyle/ or have you always been healthy? I was honestly one of those people who always love to eat healthily. I was very drawn to that world. It's the Virgo in me. I definitely had my moments of eating foods that weren't the best for me but really started to take more responsibility when I was diagnosed with cancer last year. I think eating and living a conscious and healthy lifestyle is part of my journey to really, truly loving myself though so I embrace it with so much love and delight!

What are your favorite places to eat? My home ;) Or Cafe Gratitude. 

Drink of choice? Matcha latte! Or tea. I love herbal teas and usually have something brewing next to me at my desk while I work. And when I'm feeling saucy, I love Bourbon and Boochcraft. 


Foods you eat on a daily basis? (ie. Breakfast/Lunch/DInner): Breakfast is usually oatmeal with coconut butter and blueberries. Lunch, leftovers, dinner, something warming and light. I always have cashew cheese sauce on hand. I'll roast up veggies and drizzle...okay, smoother it on top. It's so delicious! 


Snack/Treat: I'm not a big snacker but I usually have nutballs made and ready if I need a pick me up. 


Shy or outgoing? Oh gosh. Total introvert with an all over the place extroverted side. Honestly, I've made this interesting correlation to it being connected to my cycle. My introversion and extroversion totally depend on where I am at. However, I need an adequate amount of time alone to recharge. 


Hobbies /Other interests? I'm a woodworker/artist by hobby. I'm trying to figure out what this means to me at the moment but I'm extremely creative in multiple areas. Trying not to attach myself to one particular thing. You can find my stuff at _sawdustandsoul


Disneyland or Universal Studios? Honestly, neither. Haha. You can find me nestled in the mountains far away from the crowds. 


Favorite Movie? Anything with Meg Ryan or Julia Roberts. I also really love epic movies. Like Braveheart, Last of the Mohicans, the Portrait.  

Favorite TV show? Grey's Anatomy, This is Us, Scandal, Nashville. I have a love for ABC shows. :) 

Favorite Color? Any shade of blue. 

What is your favorite season? Oh man, all of them for different reasons! But I think I love spring most because everything comes to life again. It's such a special time where you truly see the cyclical nature of life. 


Favorite vegetable? Broccoli!


Favorite place to visit? My dad in Thailand. And I LOVE the Hawaiian Islands. Although, I'm about to go to Costa Rica to be continued. 


What has been your best vacation to date? Hmmm...honestly, I think the one I'm about to go on!


Favorite Singer or Band? Way too many but Dallas Green from City and Colour. His voice and lyrics touch a part of my soul that not much else can access. 

Favorite Song (or songs- cause this is a ridiculous question)? I honestly can't think of one I have too many!


Favorite recipe you make? Cashew cheese sauce  (I always change it up. It's honestly never the same!)

1 cup raw cashews soaked in water for a few hours up to overnight
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
dash sea salt
1 tsp garlic powder or 2-3 cloves real garlic
1 tsp smoked paprika
dash of cayenne pepper
Enough water to make creamy
Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy!


Favorite Food? Did I mention my cashew cheese sauce? It was avocados but my taste buds are changing again and they are not my fav at the moment. I just love a big pile of roasted veggies with sea salt and pepper. 


Sweet or Savory? Savory. It used to be sweet but I'm losing that too! I read your taste buds change every seven years. They must be doing their thing!


What do you like to do for exercise? Lower impact strength training, hiking, walks outdoors, yoga and pilates. 


Any particular skin care regimen? I turned 37 this year and realized I should have started this a long time ago but it's never to late! I wash my face day and night with a mild, organic, nontoxic wash. I exfoliate a few times a week too. I still break out so bad. I use Frankincense and Geranium essential oils on my face mixed in with my daytime lotion or my nighttime cream. 

Night Owl or Early Bird? Early bird. 5 am! That means I'm typically in bed by 8:30 though. 

Any advice you’d like to give someone who thinks it’s hard or expensive to eat healthy? If you are really mindful of how you spend your money, it truly isn't. I spend about $400 a month of all organic foods. I realize that to many, that seems like a lot but when you add up how much you spend on going out to eat, coffees, shopping, etc, it's really not. I don't really do much of those. I decided to spend my money of upgrading my healthy lifestyle which works for me. Honestly, you have to just do what is best for you and get really honest with yourself where you can make necessary changes. 


Favorite quote? So many! Right now, "If the train doesn't stop at your station it's not your train."


Who or what motivates you? I've been really diving into my spirituality lately and have been listening to a lot of Marianne Williamson. This woman is powerful. I also love Gabby Bernstein.


Any natural remedies you swear by? I'm a big believer in essential oils but truth be told, I think finding balance in both natural and conventional medicine is smart. If it wasn't for conventional medicine, I'd be dead. However, I incorporate a lot of holistic practices to keep boosting my immune system so I don't need the conventional stuff too often. 


Whats one of your favorite things about life? All the lesson that keeps me growing into the best version of myself. Even the really painful ones. How my inner compass, who just so happens to be God for me, is always guiding me and shaking me up so I wake up so to speak. Life is full of so many incredible surprises if we let go of what we think we need and open ourselves up to what is right before us. It gives me goosebumps!

Proudest moment? I've had a few accomplishments that really lit me up. I finished 4th place in my age group in a triathlon in San Diego two years ago and then climbed Mt.Whitney a few months later. Both of those brought incredible confidence into my life.  But I'd say I'm most proud of how I handle being diagnosed with cancer and moving through that journey over the last year. It was excruciating at times but I always held onto the belief that eventually, it's purpose in my life would surface...and it is. 

Any final words you'd like to share? I think if we can all just focus on letting go of what we think is right and being open to shifting our perspectives, just a tiny bit, our lives can change in magnificent ways. I'm learning to let go and get God. You don't have to believe in God so to speak. The universe, source, energy, collective whole. When we let go and let it take the lead and slow down to listen, our lives change and we can serve our purpose here. A little heavy, yes. But I believe it's the truth. 

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