Sunday, September 30, 2012

Ⓥ Vegan Kitchen: Peanut Butter Pumpkin "Cheesecake"! Ⓥ



I found this recipe on Pinterest, from the Damy Health, and had to replicate it and through my own little twist on it. My friend, Tam, who has been my awesome cooking partner lately, made this with me in my new kitchen--it was a fun and delicious evening! :)
I am a sucker for anything peanut butter and chocolate! This recipe also has pumpkin in it which adds some awesome health benefits and gives it a fluffy cheesecake-like texture. This recipe is also no bake, vegan, gluten free, sugar-free, and super easy to prepare! You could easily make this raw as well if you had your own pumpkin. 


Peanut Butter Pumpkin "Cheesecake"
Crust Ingredients:
1 Cup Raw Peanuts
1 Cup Raw Almonds
1 Cup Pitted Dates
4 Tbsp Cocoa
1/4 Cup Water

Peanut Butter Filling Ingredients:
1 Cup Pumpkin Puree
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
1/3 Cup Pitted Dates, soaked at least 10 mintures--I like to soak them longer so they blend easier
1 Tbsp Stevia

Chocolate Topping Ingredients:
1 Cup Coconut Oil
1 Tbsp Stevia
1/2 Cup Cocoa

Just a note, I am used to stevia, I love the taste! For some it takes a while to get used to the flavour, but my hubby loved this recipe too and he's not overly fond of stevia. You could also half the amount of stevia and add a little sweetener of your choice, but we wanted to keep this sugar-free and uber healthy! ;)


Separately blend each layer listed above in a food processor. The crust should be dough-like, the peanut butter filling should be smooth, and the top should be liquidy.
If you so choose, grease an 8-inch spring form pie plate with a healthy oil. I tend to skip this step--half the time because I forget, the other half because I've never had any issues with my desserts coming out of their dishes. ;)
First, press down the crust into the bottom of the pie plate. Next, layer and smooth out the peanut butter filling. And finish by pouring your chocolate topping over the top. 
Chill for a few hours in the freezer until the top solidifies. 


Remove, cut into pieces and enjoy! 
I think we're going to play around with this recipe a bit as well so that the top isn't quite as hard. It tastes amazing but when you cut into it it kind of smushes everything else since the chocolate top is hard. ;p I'll update this with any changes we make the next time we make this wonderful recipe. ;)
Makes 1 8-inch cake. Try not to devour it all in one go. ;)

And for your entertainment; how silly we are when making this... 



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Friday, September 28, 2012

☺ Write your Own Story! ☺


The biggest message I can share with you and the most important thing for you to know is that You are the creator of your life. You have all the power within You to create your life the way You want, dream, and choose. Nothing is impossible by the Law of Attraction (read up about the Law of Attraction here: http://www.reloveplanet.com/2011/09/inspirational-law-of-attraction.html).
Your life is a beautiful book waiting for you to fill the pages with all the wonders of your imagination. You can choose to develop or change your character. You can experience the things that you want to experience. The choice is yours. The pages are blank and it is only You that can write your own story. Like any story, there will be bumps and radical elements, but, as the author of your story, you get to choose how your character (that would be You) will react and go along with those elements. There is always a choice. And you can choose to write a happy fantastic story. You can choose for your story to be full of fun and adventure and experiences, or you can choose for your life to be boring. 
Let's take a look at your character… Are you going to choose to be an optimistic character? Or a pessimistic one? Is your character going to have a hella' kick-ass positive joyful attitude? You decide. Are you going to choose to be an adventurous character ready to embrace life's challenges and joys and experience life to its fullest? Or are you going to simply allow it all to pass you by with a not-so-great "poor me" outlook? Are you going to choose to Take Part in your own story? Your answer should immediately be yes! 
So, you guessed it, you get to choose how you are going to take part in your story. And your story is a very unique one like no other! You get to live the story that no one else gets to live. You get to live the story of your own unique life! If you want your life to be a magnificent and exciting story then start by realizing that You are the author and that every day you get to write a new page. You get a second chance every single day because every single day you get to turn a new page, to decide how this next page is going to be written. Now let's take that one step further; You get to decide every moment of every day who you are, what you believe in, and how your story goes! You get a second chance every second!


Release any inhibitions you feel about life or about your self. Release the limitations that have constrained your life. Maybe until now you never thought about the fact that you are the Author of your life. If so, get ready to embrace a whole new life and give yourself the power of belief, of love, of passion, of the "I Can" attitude. Your life can be a beautiful story, no matter what the pages of your past may have held. Mistakes, bumps, tribulations, they all serve you, they all build your life and build your character. You can choose to use those parts of your past to inspire a brighter future and to be the person that you want to be. Grow from those troubles, but don't carry the darkness on your shoulders. Release it! If your story is clouded by the pages of your past, erase anything that does not serve you, be grateful that it brought you to where you are now, and write a new beginning. You can start over, always remember that. At any moment. 
Likewise, if you haven't particularly liked your life in the past, or if you don't particularly like where it is right now, then change it! At any given moment you have the power to decide that this is not how the story is going to end. Like writing a book, at any point in time you can choose to change the direction your story is going. If you don't like something, then you can change it. If you don't like your relationships, you can change them. If you don't like any circumstance in your life then you can change where they are leading you. You alone have the ability to choose the path your story is going. You alone have the power to change. Remember that, while there have already been pages written, the ones ahead, the ones right now, are blank and you get to fill them in the way that you desire. The only limitations are the ones that you place on yourself or place on your ability to believe

"Erase everything from the past that does not serve you, and be grateful it brought you to this place now, and to a new beginning. 
You have a clean slate, and you can start over- right here, right now. Find your joy and live it." ~The Secret. 


It may sound a bit overwhelming, the responsibility of being the author of your own story. But it truly is magical and gives you all the power to live the life you want. If you are overwhelmed then start with the smaller stories, like who you are, what you believe, and any labels that you may have picked up along the way that don't serve you. If you've spent your life under the label that you're "not creative" or "not athletic" or not good at fill-in-blank, you can change those by changing your attitude and by changing your story. A good way to start taking charge of your life is also by actually writing out your story; meaning writing down Who you want to Be, your Goals, Wants, Dreams, and how you want your story to go in general. Writing things down makes them 70% more likely to happen! Wow! And you are writing your own book after all, so why not? ;) Also learn to step out of your comfort zone and feel free to actually Be who you want and Do what you want. Surprise yourself, be adventurous. 


Remember, the moment that you take responsibility for everything in your life is the moment you can change anything in your life. 

You get to fill the pages of your life with whatever you want. It is a blank canvas for your dreams, imagination and whatever you want and choose. And no one else can live your life for you. No one else can feel what you feel, think what you think, see what you see, or live what you live. So stop looking for others for approval or permission. Yes, you can find inspiration and guidance by observing others and from all walks of life, but that doesn't mean that you should try to live someone else's life. The pen is still in your hand and your story is still waiting to be written. Your life is Your life. And if you want it to be fabulous then make it so! Write a beautiful story. You decide. 


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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

♥ Rock Candy Life: Eco Shower Curtain! ♥



"life is sweet. make every day just as sweet."
~Rock Candy Life 

Okay, so to be excited over a shower curtain is certainly not beyond me, but when you see the awesomeness that Rock Candy Life creates then you'll join me over this excitement. I remember seeing this shop several months ago, maybe even longer and I've been eyeing up these beautiful shower-curtains ever since. I mean, they are beautiful Aaannnd they are eco-friendly! What's not to love? But I waited, only because my last home was pretty mediocre and it seemed no decorating would make it look better. Anyways, awesome new home means awesome new home decor, means awesome new shower curtain! 


So, let me tell you a bit about Rock Candy Life…  
Hearing founder Annie Jones' story reminds me of that of most of us eco-fiends, seeking out eco-friendly products but having to compromise on design. Sigh. But, her love for modern-vintage design and everything mid-century combined with that eco-love created Rock Candy Life!  

"The idea for Rock Candy Life came about by a desire to create shower curtains for design conscious consumers that weren’t willing to go green if it compromised their love of design." 

And what a marvellous job they've done! Their curtains are environmentally safe and are splendid to look at, beautifully designed and wonderfully modern! Not to mention the prices are absolutely affordable which is another problem us eco-heads have when seeking out eco-friendly shower curtains.
So what makes them green? Rock Candy Life shower curtains are biodegradable, 100% recyclable, chlorine- and PVC-free! Also, you don't need a liner with their curtains so you're also eliminating waste. 
I was blown away when I opened the packaging to find no terrible PVC, plastic-y or clorine-y smell! No off-gassing! No harmful chemicals being breathed into your lungs! How amazing is that? In case you weren't aware, most shower curtains are made of PVC and off-gas like crazy. Think tiny little particles in the air getting trapped in your lungs never to leave. Seriously. With that knowledge, why wouldn't you choose an amazing shower curtain by Rock Candy Life? I know I did! ;)


They have two designs to choose from for their shower curtains, and they also have beautiful shower hooks that are lead-free and made from partially recycled aluminium. I chose the "Morocan Luxe" because I love damask print and this one really reminds me of that. It brightens up my bathroom and gives it a lovely modern touch, so that I actually want to spend time in my bathroom now. Really, it's perfect for any bathroom imaginable and the colour scheme goes nicely with, again, just about anything.
If you haven't yet, hop over to their site and find out what they're all about and be ready to fall in love with Rock Candy Life! 


(me excited about my new shower curtain ;))


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Monday, September 24, 2012

☺ Motivational Mondays! ☺


We're taking back Mondays!!!
"Motivational Mondays" are fabulous tips to get you excited and pumped for the week! 
Feeling low? Moody? Down on life? Well, that's what these posts are for! Time to feel awesome again and get some Positivity rolling! Just because it's Monday doesn't mean you can't have fun, smile, and enjoy Today! Apply these tips to your week and try to tell me that you don't start to see an improvement in your life! ;)
It's all about You! Change your perception, change your attitude, love your life! xo



Take a Day Off! Truly what I want to get across here is to realize the importance and Productivity of taking a day off! If you want to be productive and if you want things to go smoothly, then take a day off for just plain pure fun and relaxation. If you don't then not only are you running on empty but you are also denying simple Law of Attraction principles; Feeling Good attracts Good Things! If you want your work week to run smoothly, make time for Joy and Feeling Good!   
Feel Good about Yourself! Treat yourself with love and kindness. Always always. Remember that you are deserving of happiness, of love, and all good things! You are beautiful, you are amazing, you are a freakin star!! Love yourself. And if you are having troubles doing so then find out why so that you can move forwards. Insecurities come from society's bad attitude, but they also come from our deflections of personal issues in our lives onto our Selves. Work through your problems, your past issues, so that you can Love Yourself Now. Because you deserve it! 
Make Your World Positive! This week you are going to try an experiment--hell yes you will obey Motivational Mondays, why else are you reading this?? ;) That experiment is to make your world Only Positive. If you listen to "angry" or "dark" music, this week you're not allowed. No sad movies or T.V. shows. No sad or dark books or readings. Replace all of those with strictly upbeat happy-lyriced (yes I made up a word) music, happy funny movies, and positive reads. Now, remember, this is an experiment, but I want you to tell me next week (or on ReLove's Facebook wall) the difference You Feel this week compared to the last. But this is only an experiment. ;)
Put your best foot forward!  Be the best version of yourself! Be the happy enthusiastic soul, the one that lifts others up! Be the kind, no-questions-asked, helper! Do good, see good, be good. 
Read "The Tao of Pooh"!  This book is brilliant!!! It's such a fast and easy and fabulous read! I decided to pick it up two days and am over halfway done. It's amazing! All of life's most valuable lessons put simply and easy to absorb--and what better way than through Winnie the Pooh characters? Brilliant!  
No matter what happens, Be Positive! How easy it is to forget this. If something goes wrong, allow the sulking and moping and frustration to pass by, don't get attached. Brush it off and look at the positive. Focus only on the positive and don't allow yourself to feel anything else. Try your darndest to fill your mind with only positive thoughts. (tip number 3 should help with that this week. ;)) 
“Each moment of the year has its own beauty . . . a picture which was never before and shall never be seen again.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson. Appreciate every single moment because you will never experience, see, or feel another moment exactly like it. How incredibly amazing is that? There is unique beauty in every single moment of every single day! Magical!  

[photo credit: Something Monumental]

Lastly, I'd like to add a little note of; actually Do the Motivational Mondays practices! Reading them is one thing, practicing them will transform your life! If you want to be happy then put thought into action! Now go have a kick-ass freakin week! 
Much Love from me to you! 
Create a Nice Day! xo

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Sunday, September 23, 2012

Ⓥ Vegan Kitchen: Pumpkin PB Bliss Smoothie! Ⓥ


It's that lovely fall time of year when the leaves start to turn and pumpkin is all we can think about. Yum! It's in season, it's healthy, it's versatile, it's fabulous! 
So! A week ago my friend, Tam, and I made the most epic Peanut Butter "Cheesecake" ever! Don't worry, I'll be sharing that recipe soon as well. ;) There was pumpkin in it and it was sublime! But I had leftover pumpkin so I decided to experiment and sort of replicate the filling part of last night's dessert, but into a morning smoothie. I am so in love with this that I opened up a new can of pumpkin puree just so that I could remake it again the next day… and the next day… and yesterday… and today... to say I'm a little obsessed with this might be an understatement. ;) But it tastes like dessert and is healthy goodness to start your day! What's not to love?

This recipe is; vegan (as always), sugar-free, and gluten-free! 

Okay, without further ado, awesome Smoothie time! 


Pumpkin PB Bliss Smoothie

1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree (unsweetened, just pumpkin)
1- 1 1/2 Frozen Bananas
1 Tbsp Peanut Butter
1tsp Stevia
1 cup Coconut Milk Beverage
dash of Cinnamon 

Add all of your ingredients together in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy! Add less or more "milk" to get your desired consistency. 
I feel that for the texture the bananas being frozen is essential, so make sure you have some handy in the freezer--they're the best way to have in smoothies anyways. ;) You could easily add more pumpkin pie spice as well for more of a, well, pumpkin pie flavour, but I love it the way I make it. ;) 
Makes 1 serving. Enjoy! 


If you're using pumpkin from a can then make sure you store any leftovers in another container as opposed to the can. I get about 3 smoothies per can (I never measure the pumpkin, I just ballpark it ;)). And, just in case you've never frozen banana before, be sure to remove the peal and then store in a ziplock bag or container before putting int he freezer. ;)  


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Friday, September 21, 2012

☆ Witty Responses to the "Too Bad" you're Vegan remarks ☆


I feel like this article has been a long time coming and you'll have to excuse my extreme sarcasm here, but, after all, what is life without some humour? ;)

When people go vegan or vegetarian, I've noticed (and remember going through the same thing myself) people have the most close-minded ignorant attitudes possible. 
Now, I'm trying to imagine why people do this… is it from guilt that they still eat meat and/or dairy? Is it a self-defence mechanism? Usually when people attack others it is from insecurity so I am leaning towards these theories. Perhaps the most obvious reason; their beliefs are being challenged and no one likes to have their beliefs challenged… which can then lead to those ignorant and/or close-minded remarks. *Sigh*

Let's take a look at the most common:
Oh, sorry to hear that… I feel sorry for you… Too bad. 
It's unhealthy. 
But what about your protein and your calcium and and…
… I love meat and dairy too much…
We're meant to eat meat. 

Generally, a lot of shitty vibes. So, what's a veg gal or guy to do? Get feisty! 
I mean this in the best possible way and generally I am all for the most positive, kind, and loving attitude in any negative situation, however, when push comes to shove, there comes a time when you have to shut the ignorance up, which brought me to writing this post…  
Time to debunk and slap across the face those ignorant bastards! ;) Just joking, well about the "bastards" part, but I would like to give you fellow vegans and veg-heads something to turn to when the battle gets rough out there. Hell, you can even just direct them right to this article. *Waves* Hi meat-eaters! ;)

*disclaimer: I don't have anything against meat-eaters. My husband still eats meat from time to time and I have friends that do too. The following snarky remarks are aimed at those that push and shove and really get under them veg nerves in terms of close-minded ignorant remarks. Okay… I think that's all I needed to say, let's get on with it… 

The response to…

The "Too Bad" mentality
Oh nooooo! God forbid should I have to eat something this amazing:


 Or This amazing! 



Or all of this other amazzzzzing food!


Wow, you'd better feel super sorry for me! I don't know how I will go on without animal cruelty-filled products anymore. 
If you think for one second that being vegan means I am deprived of amazing food then think again. I Love food, my friends love everything I make, I love vegan restaurants. I love vegan food!!! It tastes damn good and even my non-veg friends love the food I make. So stop being so… what's the word I'm looking for? Stupid? Okay!
Now drool all over all this other amazing vegan food: http://veganfeast.tumblr.com/archivehttp://www.findingvegan.com/archive

"It's Unhealthy"
Are you f*#king kidding me? Do you honestly have ANY IDEA what in the world you're talking about? Oh, yeah, please don't let me become unhealthy on a vegan diet, I might end up looking like this at 70 years old! 


The truth is that most people eat like crap. Most vegetarians and vegans are generally also moving towards a healthy lifestyle so choose better food choices as well as the pure healthy goodness of a non-animal product diet. But tell me, how many meat-eaters do you know actually eat enough fruit and vegetables? How many of them eat junk food? How many of them actually enjoy their food or do they thoughtlessly wolf it down? How many of them actually have energy for that matter?
Going vegan can clear up your skin, give you more energy, and make you feel fabulous in every way possible. So yeah, please don't worry where I'm getting my protein or calcium. But them meat-eaters might want to start watching how much protein they are eating since there are actual health problems related to consuming too much (which most North Americans do!) and not too little. 
Just about any dietitian or research you can find will also tell you that there is a strong link between the consumption of meat and diseases.
As for the dairy argument. Well, this short article better explains all of that: 9 Reasons Why Milk Sucks! http://www.reloveplanet.com/2012/04/9-reasons-why-milk-sucks.html


If you want to be Buff you have to eat meat!
You sure about that? I introduce to you... Germany's strongest man! Yes, he's vegan, and there are many more that are body builders and athletes. Now can we please stop having to argue the whole muscle debate?


"I love meat and dairy too much." 
Hmmm. K, I'm going to be super duper blunt here, forgive me…
Are you that self-absorbed? Do you have that little will-power? Or are you that content to turn a blind eye? Do you have ANY idea what goes on in factory farms? Do you have any idea the years of torture that animal went through for that ten to twenty minutes of your taste-bud pleasure? Do you have any idea what kind of crap is added to most meat and dairy before it even reaches you? How about that morphine in your cheese? Yum…


Do you have any idea how amazing vegan food actually is? Of course not because it's not widely available in most restaurants and stores. But it's damn amazing and if the world was vegan, if vegan was the "norm" instead of the SAD North American diet, then I tell you no one would miss meat or dairy. No One. 

"Mmm, bacon." 

enough said.


"If you were stuck on a dessert island... "



"We're meant to eat meat."
Actually we're not. Our bodies don't produce the correct enzymes to properly digest meat so it ends up rotting away in your intestines for years. Our intestines are too long, cholesterol affects us, and we don't have claws or teeth. No, our canines do NOT make us worthy of ripping our teeth into animal flesh, have you taken a real look at the canines of carnivores? Cuz you wouldn't still point out your canines if you did.



To elaborate and dive into greater details, Dr. Milton R. Mills. wrote a paper called, "The Comparative Anatomy of Eating," which breaks down our body organ by organ and shows why the body of humans is better equipped for a vegetarian diet (some points I briefly mentioned above). He compares our organs to Carnivores, Herbivores, and Omnivores and shows us which we are most like. For those curious here it is: http://www.scribd.com/doc/94656/The-Comparative-Anatomy-of-Eating
Also, meat is no longer a necessity. There may have been a time when us scavenging humans lived in caves and ate meat, but we absolutely do not need to eat meat anymore. So why would we subject animals to needless horrid suffering when we don't have to? 

"It doesn't make a difference"
Hell ya it does! One of the biggest ways people show their support is with their money. Choosing not to buy animal products means I'm not Funding it! Plus vegans save nearly 200 animals per year. So yeah… 


It's so wrong to eat Horse Meat...
I get tired of hearing people say that it's wrong to eat a horse but not a cow. Or that it's wrong to eat a dog but not a pig. They're all animals. They're all the same living creatures with emotions and beating hearts and souls.
Or the people that say hunting is wrong, but they still eat meat. What, so because you yourself didn't physically Kill the animal then it makes it okay? As if this somehow removes meat-eaters from the responsibility of taking that animal's life? You are still killing animals if you are eating them, at least hunters aren't raising animals in suffering just to brutally kill them.
**I'm not for hunting either, but if you're going to eat meat then you'd better be able to kill the animal yourself--it's better than factory farms**


The "Animals don't have souls" remark.
Really? For real? You can consume meat from a factory where animals experience unimaginable cruelty and pretend that it doesn't happen, completely disassociate that it even was an animal… you can watch "Earthlings" and still eat meat and dairy… or maybe you refuse to even look into what actually goes on on factory farms… and you're telling me Animals are the ones without a soul? … Okayyyy?…
Did you know that cows cry when their babies are ripped away from them? Did you know that animals heading for slaughter know what is about to happen to them and freak out?! Did you know pigs are smarter than your three-year-old child and your dog? Have you ever watched an animal ever in your life? Ever?! 



"Oh, you're vegan, so you CAN'T have that"
Actually, I CAN, I'm just CHOOSING not to. Myself and other vegans are making an Ethical Choice not to consume dairy, eggs, meat, and other animals products, it has nothing to do with not being able to.
We are not deprived and we are not sad about this choice.
I like the response of "I'm choosing not to" versus telling people you "can't eat that because I'm vegan" wording, because it really is a choice and telling people you are Choosing versus Can't shows others that you are not deprived or unhappy about your decision. On the contrary, you are making an ethical choice to be vegan that you Feel Good and are confident about!

We're at the top of the food chain. 
What exactly makes us at the top of the food chain? Put just about any modern man in the middle of the wilderness and he is royally f#%ked! Put man back into the wilderness and we scavenge and though we may hunt, we also become the hunted. How is that the top of the food chain again? Oh, wait, what, because we evolved? We consciously destroy our environment, our home, you know the place we have to live. We still haven't figured out that we're not cows or goats yet. We poison ourselves, and know it, daily. And…  animals never had a war… (all I can picture is the Futurama moment, so enjoy below... ;))


And, hey, while we're here, what about your dog or cat? Do they have no souls either? Would you eat them? Would you drink their milk?

Argument closed. 

If you're a meat-eater, I hope perhaps your mind is a little more open. If you're a vegan or vegetarian, I hope that you are armed to face those ignorant remarks with truth and savvy. 
Have a lovely day! ;)



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Thursday, September 20, 2012

☺ The Starfish Thrower ☺



An old man had a habit of early morning walks on the beach. One day, after a storm, he saw a human figure in the distance moving like a dancer. As he came closer he saw that it was a young woman and she was not dancing but was reaching down to the sand, picking up a starfish and very gently throwing them into the ocean.
"Young lady," he asked, "Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?"
"The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I do not throw them in they will die."
"But young lady, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it? You cannot possibly make a difference."
The young woman listened politely, paused and then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves,
saying, "It made a difference for that one."

This story has been adapted many different times from the original "The Star Thrower" (or "starfish story") by Loren Eiseley and will always carry a meaningful message.

I've mentioned this before, but every action we take, no matter how small makes a difference. It makes a difference to someone or something. Accumulatively our actions can make an even bigger difference. Inspiring others to make a difference adds to that power and keeps the momentum going. I am constantly inspired by all the victory stories that come from petitions and protests. Over at the Care2 Petition Site I hear stories of victory all the time. So why not take a little time to sign a petition, to spread the word about something, and to do good. 

Likewise, in your inner life small steps can equal the betterment of your self, your world, and those around you. No action is too small. Ever. We have all been gifted with an incredible ability to make a difference. So do good and never get discouraged by doing so. And always remember the Starfish Thrower story. 

Hope you're all having a splendid week filled of great action and deeds. 
Create a nice day! 



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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

♥ Graphic Spaces: Cute Wooden Decor! ♥


"It's a cute world after all"


I love cute things, I think most people do, but Graphic Spaces takes that to a whole new level of awesome. Graphic Spaces is an adorable etsy shop packed full of the most beautiful and cute handcrafted wooden animal bookends, bamboo clocks & nursery decor with whimsical woodland and ocean themes. 
Okay, so I have no child and I'm not technically a "kid," but you certainly don't have to be to enjoy this lovely shop. I instantly fell in love with their cute octopus and I am overly thrilled to have my adorable new wooden clock hanging in my workspace to enjoy every day. Does it appeal to my inner child? Most certainly. But I think the beautiful craftsmanship of Graphic Spaces' work also gives it that modern touch that any home could enjoy.


Graphic Spaces is a family collective of four people working together in various levels of the production of their beautiful work. "Happy Tree Book Shelf" is their signature piece that they recommend as the perfect family heirloom to pass down to generations, which I think is a fantastic idea. They stand behind their work, which I must say has the most superb quality and attention to detail. The pieces feel sturdy and like they'll last forever, perfection in every aspect. Absolutely fabulous! 


So what else can you find in their shop? Wooden animals, bookends, clocks, light-switch plates, wall decor, coasters, jewelry pieces, zipper pulls, magnets, charms, and, of course, the amazing "Happy Tree Bookshelf." This shop is so full of talent and amazing products that will have you squealing for joy and umming in adoration. They even have a wall decal sister shop for further cuteness! 
I hope you're ready to spend some good quality time falling in love with Graphic Spaces. So what are you waiting for? Go check out their beautiful etsy shop! ;)



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Monday, September 17, 2012

☺ Motivational Mondays! ☺



We're taking back Mondays!!!
"Motivational Mondays" are fabulous tips to get you excited and pumped for the week! 
Feeling low? Moody? Down on life? Well, that's what these posts are for! Time to feel awesome again and get some Positivity rolling! Just because it's Monday doesn't mean you can't have fun, smile, and enjoy Today! Apply these tips to your week and try to tell me that you don't start to see an improvement in your life! ;)
It's all about You! Change your perception, change your attitude, love your life! xo


Get as Clear as Possible! You know how you've always been told you can't have exactly what you want? That you can't ask for your perfect partner, job, or life? Well, it's not true!! In fact, the Universe will bring to you what you want, all you have to do is ask! Even better, the more specific and clear you can be about what it is you want, the easier the Universe will be able to bring it to you! Because the Universe will know what to bring to you. Don't waiver, choose and stick to it instead of second guessing yourself, that will only confuse the Universe into what it should be bringing you and therefor you'll get mixed results. This is the part in your life where you get to be super specific and have to be honest with yourself. So get clear! ;)
Doodle away! Apparently it's been proven that drawing during a presentation, while talking on the phone or doing almost any cognitive task can stimulate creativity, help the brain focus better and aid in solving problems. So, hurrah! Doodle away! 
See the Humour! Humour gets you so much further in life than a bad uptight attitude. Learn to ease up, have a good laugh and stop taking yourself and life so seriously.
Walk away from Anything that doesn't Serve You! Yes, you Are allowed! If something is causing you pain, whether it's a person or situation, then learn when to walk away. If something doesn't give you happiness, growth, or serves you in any way, then walk away. It's about respecting yourself, because you are deserving of all good things. There is no point in placing yourself in negative situations, it doesn't help you and it doesn't help others. Remember to place your happiness above, because when you truly do this then it will serve others as well as yourself. Respect and love yourself and give yourself what you truly deserve! 
Get Outside!  Summers not over and we're in for a beautiful fall, so get outside as much as possible and embrace the day! Seize the day! Go for a walk, play in the grass, go to the beach, swim in the waters, go for a hike! Go Outsideeeee! 
Send Love to Others! To everyone you see or even pass in a day, pass on some good energy. Whether it's a quick little conscious sprinkle of love, or if you have a longer moment then really focus on sending some positive loving energy to another person. You don't even have to see the person to send them positive vibes, just hold an image of them in your mind. But try to do this with everyone you encounter this week. Spread love, be love!
"I think perfect thoughts. I see only perfection. I am only perfection." Repeat this to yourself and stay on that positive frequency. Illness, disease, unhappiness all come from imperfect thoughts. Know that you are in harmony with everything around you and that perfection is yours.


Have a beautiful day, week, life! Much Love from me to you! 
Create a Nice Day! xo


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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Ⓥ Quinoa Kale Salad Ⓥ



Mmm, is there anything better than kale? Our garden had a huge abundance of kale this year so we got pretty creative. As well as making many batches of Kale Chips, we also made several Quinoa Kale Salads. I know summer is dwindling down but it's still a lovely light salad packed full of nutrition and the perfect side to any dish. This is also perfect for leftover quinoa you might have from the day before. ;)

Quinoa Kale Salad
1 large bunch of Kale, shredded
3/4 cup Quinoa, cooked
1 small bunch Parsley, shredded
1-2 Carrots, grated or thinly sliced
1 Red Pepper, chopped
1/8 cup oil
1/8 cup lemon juice
1 tbsp vinegar
tsp salt
Optional add ins: chickpeas, peas. Nutritional Yeast, black pepper. 

Cook Quinoa as normal and allow to cool or sit in the fridge until cool. 
Chop up your kale and parsley into nice shreds (I like to use my food processor's grater but I realize not everyone has one). Grate or slice your carrots, chop your red pepper. 
Prepare the dressing in a large bowl, adding the oil, lemon juice, vinegar, and salt and whisking or stirring until well-combined. Add in your quinoa and veggies, mix again, and voila! Super easy super delicious healthy salad! 
We make the dressing super light, if you want a more powerful flavour feel free to add a bit more of the dressing ingredients. You can also play around with it, I like to add a little black pepper and nutritional yeast to mine.
Enjoy!  

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