☺ Inspirational; Under Stress; Stay Calm, Stay Positive!☺

Every day trials are one thing when it comes to maintaining a Positive Mental Attitude, but it is when those un-ignorable ordeals of mass-proportion come along that really become a test of our attitudes. These are, unfortunately, the times we usually let our worlds completely crumble at our feet. We forget all about staying positive and upbeat, and all about the lessons we have worked so long and hard on. Being self-aware and catching yourself in these moments is important, for if we are aware then we can take charge and work extra hard on all those lessons that we know. Even more, we are given the opportunity to test ourselves and prove our strength. Remember; there is always a lesson in any trial and there is also always an opportunity for growth. Stay calm and keep focussed. 

If you need a little breakdown, let it out, but don't stay mopey and, whatever you do, don't play the "poor me" card--this will only enforce pessimism and negativity. Scream, attack a punching bag, cry, let yourself have a breakdown, get it out of your system, and move forwards (just never take it out on another person, verbally or physically). Part of being courageous and strong is accepting what you need to do to stay sane. That breakdown is not a sign of weakness, it is accepting that you need to let out some emotions so that you can move forwards. Don't bottle it up! Breakdown and then brush it off, and stand back tall, strong, and confident. After you give yourself that little emotional moment, get right back to staying Positive and Optimistic. 

It is also important to stay in the moment; in the Here & Now. We tend to let our imaginations run wild in moments of deep stress, creating worst-case scenarios and getting all worried over things that have not yet happened and may never happen. The future is uncertain. Keep that in mind and that there is no point or benefit in stressing. Take things as they come, one moment at a time so not to let your Mind run wild. We also have a habit of dwelling on things that we have no control over. This is just one more thing that will give you, or those around you, no benefit at all. Let it go and instead focus on what you can do and control. Your Attitude is a good place to start. 

Everything happens for a reason. There is a lesson and positive light in any situation. Have faith in these principles; they will help your journey ahead no matter how bumpy. 

Lastly, remember that Love is the answer to everything. Keep love in your heart at all times. Remember that Everyone is going through something; everyone has their own trials. If you can see that and carry Love then you can rise up and be the bigger person. 

So, keep a steady-head, stay grounded and collected, carry love in your heart at all times, be receptive (to both yourself, emotions, and those around you), go with the flow, don't stress out, stay in the moment, and always always stay Optimistic, Positive, and Open. 

Stay Calm and Stay Positive. 

Love wins all. 

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✌ Vegan Kitchen: Veggie Peanut "Stew" ✌

This is a new recipe that I discovered and have absolutely fallen in love with. It's based off of a recipe in "La Dolce Vegan" cookbook but with my own changes as I often like to do ;). It's an absolute new favorite in our home!

Veggie Peanut Stew:

Touch of Olive Oil (or other oil)

3 tsp Garlic Powder

3 Medium-Large Carrots, chopped.

1 Large Sweet Potato, chopped

1/2 tsp Groung Ginger

1 tsp Salt

3 tsp Chili Powder

1/8 tsp Black Pepper

2 cups Vegetable Stock

3/4 cup Peanut Butter

1 14oz can Crushed Tomatoes

Other Optional Add-ins...

Brocolli, Cauliflower, Spinach, Chickpeas (chickpeas are awesome in this!!)

In a large pot, add the carrots, garlic, ginger, chili, salt, and black pepper, saute for approx. 5 minutes in a little bit of oil (I use an eco non-stick pot, so use more oil if you need it). Add the sweet potatoes, any other add-ins, and the vegetable stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover with lid and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until veggies are tender. Stir in the peanut butter and crushed tomato, stir in and cook for another few minutes. 

Makes 4 large or 6 small servings.

*I have also made this with Almond Butter instead of Peanut Butter and it was equally amazing! :)*

Goes great on a bed of Quinoa or Brown Rice. 

Enjoy!

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☺ Inspirational; Ease Up!☺

Ease up, dude! Why so serious? Why the frown? Why that sulky face and off mood? 

I have noticed a lot lately (and even more so from having been in the big city again for two weeks) that people are far too up-tight and serious. People get wound up over anything. They somehow turn nothing into a big deal and then get into a fussy, foul, and just plain mopey mood. Does it really matter? Is it worth getting upset over? 

Of course it's not! I've said it before; we cannot control or predict everything that happens to us. 

Lesson for the day...

Life Happens. Quit being so wound up all the time. Ease up and go with the flow. 

It is so beneficial and easier to enjoy life when you can learn to enjoy the road, even if it does get a little bumpy at times. Stressing out over nothing does not help. Dwelling on small matters serves no purpose. Carrying a frown on your face all day is not the way you should be living life and is certainly no means of enjoying life. 

There will always be bumps on the road. There will always be unfavorable circumstances. So get into the habit of embracing those unpredictable moments and the sudden twists and turns that life throws your way. Things not go how you planned? Let go of those expectations and just go with it. Keep smiling and stop being so fussy. Learn to see the Positive, to enjoy every moment, and to explore the full potential of every situation. Turn that frown upside down. Stop being so dramatic. Obsessing over that one little thing and dwelling on it won't improve your situation--but your Attitude can! When life throws a whirlwind your way, you have a choice... 

...get frustrated, stomp your feet, dwell and pout about it, and let it ruin your day. Or...

...brush it off and realize that it's not so important. That worrying about it won't change things. And instead just go with it and smile and laugh instead.

I don't know about you, but option number two sounds much more appealing and makes much more sense. 

Seriously, stop taking life so seriously. ~_^ 

Whatever you're frowning over, it isn't important. Do you know what IS important? Enjoying Life! And enjoying the people around you. There is no point in getting all worked up and in a bad mood over nothing. And those around you will certainly not enjoy the company of a grump. Drop the drama-queen attitude. No more sulking. No more negativity. Life is Beautiful, choose to embrace it and see the bright side

We all need to get over this whole attitude complex; this complex of turning insignificant trivial every-day occurences into something to get worked up and pouty over. Your plans fell through; you missed your bus; someone was late; you are late; you have to do something you're not all that enthused about; all these little things are not worth getting stressed about. Just ease up. To be blunt; stop being such a baby. Stop the attitude complex. Stop with the drama. 

Enjoy the flow of life, this fun roller-coaster we're all on. Be generous. Be kind. Be understanding. Ease up and stop taking things so seriously. 

Peace & Love

xo

~Bianca 

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☺ Inspirational: Taking Responsibilty of your Life ☺

Your situation, environment, or circumstances are Not the reason for your unHappiness.

I want that thought to really settle in for you. Most people's immediate reaction is to oppose this and to defend against it. But stop, and consider this before you allow that immediate reaction and resentment to settle in...

We are each born in different circumstances, have different situations to face, and different people to have an influence in each of our lives. People far too often place the blame for the way their life is on all of these things and on anything and everything they can think of. In reality, You are responsible for your Life; for its victories and its defeats. It is a great responsibility, one that sounds intimidating and even disbelieving for some. But imagine the power that is in your hands, such power to do great things; for Yourself, for others, for your Life, if you choose to accept and take on that Responsibility.

If you accept your decisions, take the responsibility over your actions, your "mistakes" or faults, then it also gives you the power to change your life and direct it. If you are responsible for your actions then you are also responsible for making it better instead of worse. If you do not accept responsibility then you are not taking charge of your life, playing the "poor me" card and maintaining a negative attitude that will not help you. You are not accepting that you can do anything to change your situation. No one goes through life without falling down, making "mistakes", going through ordeals, experiencing unfavourable circumstances, and just plain having "lows." But it is how we decide to react, accept, and take charge of those things that will shape our lives into a beautiful learning experience full of positivity. We possess the power within us to overcome such challenges. We each possess the courage and moral strength to do so.

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the strength to overcome it."

Stop blaming the world and circumstances outside yourself for your "failures."

Take that Responsibility and you give yourself the Power for Positive Change.

Look inwards, look at your Attitude, and then look at your life. Chances are your attitude directly reflects your life; ie, if you have a miserable attitude your life is also miserable. It is not the other way around; ie if your life is miserable then your attitude is miserable. Your Attitude Does directly affect your life. Your Attitude will decide whether it is fun or not, therefore You can decide whether your Life is miserable or immensely Happy.

Too often, people prefer to reject this concept and to simply pass the blame. We don't want to take responsibility over our lives and our attitudes, to admit we have control. Why? Because it seems easier not to. And because there is also this silly notion in society that we can't show weakness or "failure" or fault. It is so much easier to simply pass the blame and wipe your hands of it. But it is these such incidents that linger, subconsciously or consciously, and manifest into a continuing road to ruin. As already said, everyone makes "mistakes" in life. Everyone falls down and has to climb back up. But it is your choice whether you are going to climb back up and become a stronger person because of it, or if you are going to allow it to hold you down and keep you from enjoying life.

Accepting that You are responsible for your failures means you are also responsible for your Victories, which is a positive light. And no one achieves victory without first experiencing some failures, some trial and error, and some growth. Embrace every aspect of your life and take charge; of its experiences; of its decisions; stand by the choices that you make. There are no "mistakes" in our journeys, only experiences to learn and grow from. Reject and Regret nothing.

You are the Master of your own life.

Taking Responsibility of your life opens the door to a great many wondrous things. It allows you to grow and learn faster instead of feeling low about life and dwelling on those Negativities. Let it go. You have control. You can choose.

It's not a Blame game. It's not about being Negative. It's about giving yourself that allowance to grow.

Take Responsibility and the Potential in yourself and in your life becomes infinite.

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Ⓥ Vegan Kitchen: Nature's Path Cereal Ⓥ

I love cereal. I am a total teenager with it. I will eat it for breakfast, for lunch, for supper, as a snack, any time of the day. Granola in particular, just love the stuff! So, it only seems natural that I should do this Wednesday Favorites post dedicated to my favorite yummy Vegan Cereals. ;)

Who do I turn to for vegan and gluten-free options? Nature's Path.

They have the most amazing Cereals around (in my personal opinion) and you can even get most of them in bulk at tons of health food stores. They are a wonderful company that use Organic and healthy ingredients. All of their products are vegetarian with most being vegan as well (the exceptions they nicely and easily list on their website), mostly free of wheat with lots of completely gluten-free options, and did I mention their products are ridiculously yummmmy?! ;) Most of their producst do contain cane sugar but it is organic cane at least ;) and there is the Agave Plus Granola option if you can't have the stuff.

Other reasons to love Nature's Path? They are an independent company with no intention of "selling out". They have wonderful morals that I can easily stand by, have a great attitude, and believe in humanity and the sustainability of our planet. They've minimized their packaging (and again, is often available in bulk), use soy based inks, use "green certificates" for a portion of their energy, compost, and their EnviroKidz brand has raised nearly one million dollars towards endangered species and enivronment causes. They are also a Canadian-based company, yay! ;)

While you can't really go wrong with any of them, here are a couple personal favorites...

Their Granola...


Love Crunch: Definitely a new favorite! I just discovered this while on my trip and am totally loving it! Crunchy Granola with a coconutty-flavor and chunks of dark chocolate?! Can you say yummmm!!! ;)

Peanut Butter : I'm a huge peanut butter fan and these cereal definitely doesn't disappoint.

Acai Apple: Yay for anti-oxidants and more yummy granola. The apple is a lovely flavor!

Their Cold Cereal...

 

Crunchy Vanilla Sunrise: Such a delicious mix of flavors and it's totally Gluten-free!

Leapin Lemurs: Peanut Butter and Chocolate lovers beware! As a treat I adore this cereal. I feel like a little kid when I eat it (and that probably has something to do with "EnivroKidz" on the box) but that kind of adds to the fun of it ;). It's another gluten-free option that is oh so goooood!

I love this company for so many reasons, and I know that you will too ;).

Peace & Love,

xo

~Bianca

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☺ Inspirational: Be Ridiculously Happy! ☺

A couple thoughts and inspirational mantras to get you through the day, week, month, or whenever you need a little poke or reminder to bring that smile back to your pretty face and feel ridiculously Happy for no other reason than remembering Life Rocks! ;)...

☺ Life is Beautiful; just look at the wonders around you and really appreciate them.

☺ You are freakin' Amazing & Wonderful! Love Yourself and enjoy Who you are. Be who you want to Be. The choice is yours. 

☺ Smile! Always, at Everyone! People may wonder what's up--this should make you smile even more. ;) 

☺ Hug people like you mean it! And do it all the time. Spread the love and joy! Everyone needs more love in their lives.

☺ Love Unconditionally! And love everyone and everything. Open your heart and watch it transform every aspect of your life. Remember; "What would Love do now?"

☺ Be Shameless! Bust out dance moves in the middle of the grocery store! Sing at the top of your lungs in public. Let go and be freeeee! Stop caring what others think and just go for it. 

☺ You are super attractive, You! Confidence in yourself will draw people to you like a moth to the flame. And your own self-love  will make you feel aaammmaaaazing! 

☺ Go with the flow; and live in the Here & Now. Cherish every second, remember; "There are no Ordinary Moments!" 

☺ Keep that Positive Mental Attitude! Go go PMA! Don't waste another second of your time  on negativities--blah yuck! Focus on the Positive, be Optimistic about everything! Always find the light in any situation. 

☺ And of course...Dance your ass off! In your undies, with a smile stretched from ear to ear! There's no other pick-me-up quite like busting out ridiculous dance moves at home in your underwear! ;) 

Hope you're all having a fabulous week!

Peace & Love,

xo

~Bianca  

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