Saturday, October 11, 2014

Ⓥ Healthy, Easy Vegan Chocolates! Ⓥ


I looooove chocolate! I mean, who Doesn't love chocolate? Well, my only problem with chocolate is the sugar content. Even the healthy dark chocolate that I love still contains cane sugar, and the few times I have found chocolate sweetened with something else (not stuff I can usually find readily locally) seems to disappear off the shelves so I can't restock. Not to mention that dark healthy chocolate tends to be on the more expensive side--which I don't mind as a treat, but when you love chocolate as much as I do you want it to be a little more affordable. ;) Enter recipe time! 
This recipe is amazing because it makes chocolate even healthier than anything you could buy in stores--because raw cacao or cocoa have tons of health benefits, which is super awesome if you love chocolate and don't want to feel guilty about eating it. The other part of this recipe that makes it super awesome is Coconut oil--which, again, has tons of health benefits! 
Lastly, this recipe is awesome because it is super easy to make, takes no time at all, and takes very few ingredients! You can also choose to sweeten with whatever sweetener of your choice--and my choice is the healthiest of all the sweeteners: stevia! Chocolate lovers rejoice! 

Some of the benefits of Cacao: 
  • High in antioxidants, which: Protect your cells from damaging molecules and free radicals--therefore reducing risk of heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Anti-aging agents. And improve cardio-vascular health, enhance blood flow, healthy cholesterol levels, and in some cases, reducing blood pressure. 
  • Increases serotonin and other neurotransmitters, therefore enhancing mood and decreasing depression.
  • Rich in minerals like magnesium (deficiencies linked to heart disease, diabetes and joint problems), sulfur (a beauty mineral- helps detoxify your system and promotes healthy skin!), calcium, iron, copper, manganese and potassium.

Some benefits of Coconut Oil:
  • While it is composed mostly of saturated fats, much of the fatty acids come from lauric acid, which is a medium chain fatty acid that combats both viruses and bacteria.
  • Lauric acid also helps prevent heart problems like high cholesterol and blood pressure through it’s promotion of “good” cholesterol (HDL) and reduction of “bad” cholesterol (LDL). Also reduces injury to arteries!
  • Promotes weight loss by increasing metabolism- the fatty acids are super easily absorbed so can be burned instead of being stored. Also supports our organs, such as the pancreas allowing us to burn more energy.
  • Improves digestion and helps with digestive related problems. Also improves absorption of vitamins and minerals! 


Now, on to the recipe! ;)


vegan / gluten free/ sugar-free/ 

Healthy Vegan Chocolates

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
6 heaping Tbs of Raw Cacao powder
Pinch of Salt 
Hazelnut Stevia to sweeten (or other sweetener of your choice)

In a double boiler, melt the coconut oil. Once melted, add the cacao powder, salt, and sweetener and stir until smooth and creamy and well mixed. Sweeten to your desired liking--I haven't measured and it really depends on your personal sweet-tooth, so add it slowly and then you can always add more! 
To keep it Raw, don't overheat or overcook, you just need enough heat to melt the coconut oil after all. 
Once you have the mixture to your desired sweetness, pour into chocolate moulds or miniature ice-cube trays--or whatever else you feel creative with. 
Freeze for at least 15 minutes, or until sets. 

Store in the fridge until ready to use.   
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Friday, October 10, 2014

{this moment} - and the weekly {Smile-Up}

. . . . . . . . . . 
"There are no ordinary moments." ~Way of the Peaceful Warrior

{no ordinary moments} - Photos capturing moments from the week. Simple, special, extraordinary moments.
 -  using Daily Gratitude to see the world as anything but ordinary. -

Served with the weekly {Smile-Up} - gratitude practices to love and appreciate your life. 

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' and 'smile up' in the comments to share with the world.
. . . . . . . . . . 

{no ordinary moments} 

{my week of photos - 365 Grateful Project}


{Smile Up}:

Having my twin flame back home again
Jumping into my boyfriend's arms after two weeks of being apart  
Phone calls with my bestie ^_^  
Being productive! 
Hiking! New hikes! Finally doing the Kokanee Glacier hike!
How everything is so perfect and romantic with the boyfriend ♥ 
Catching pretty sunsets up mountains   
Exercise and getting super duper healthy!    
More planning for the fun coastal trip with le boyfriend! ^_^
Gratitude Lists    
Getting outside in this pretty fall weather 
Drawing on my cintiq 
All my amazing customers and readers, and the super sweet messages I get    
Sewing and creating!
Mini trips across the border 
Fall drives -- and staring at my boyfriend instead of the scenery haha  


Loving: Fall • Steampunk Sunglasses • Fun Fall Layers • My New Boots • Braids • Fall drives • Cintiq • Kitty Drives • Trip Planning • Lunalight Vegan Ring •

Interests for the week:
Reading: too busy for reading this week! :o 
✯  Current Anime/Manga: Hiiro no Kakera (anime)
✯  TV Shows/Movies:  none
Music Playlist: Norma Jean, Deftones, Manson, In Flames
Food Faves: Homemade Chocolate Layered Smoothie Bowls Sourdough Grilled Cheese   New Smoothie Recipes Daiya Cream Cheese Roasted Potatoes


Lessons of the week: 
 Keep Smiling. Deal with issues as they arise--Immediately! Start figuring it out, writing it out, and feeling good about life again so you can move forwards. Always focus on Self Worth; you Are Worthy, you Are Awesome!   Practice Actively Participating in Your Own Happiness! Do it, do it!! Stick up for yourself, standing in the shadows of life gets you nowhere! ☀ 


Wishing you all an amazing day and plenty of magical moments! 
So much Love and Hugs! 



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Thursday, October 9, 2014

☺ Video Blogs: Actively Participating in Your Own Happiness--and what it brought me ☺

Today I thought I would share with you the last few video blogs I posted up on my channel. In one I speak more of Actively Participating in Your Own Happiness, as well as how this helped me to step into this new life chapter I'm in now. It was important to me to share my story, to share the fears and anxieties I experienced before being able to make such bold and huge life changes--to let others know that what they are going through may be normal and that you are not alone. I also wanted to share these things because seeing how much my life has changed and how happy I am now I hope would provide some inspiration and courage in your own lives. Sharing bits and pieces of my life and my story are always fun to me for these reasons; if I can change someone else's life, spark up a fire back in your own soul, or help you in any way then I feel like my work serves a greater purpose--and therefore my own story serves a greater purpose, which it does in each of us. Never underestimate the power of your own life and your own story. It is magical, it is gifted, and you gift the world by being in it. 

Anyway, please enjoy my rambling video blogs for now. ;)  




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Wednesday, October 8, 2014

♥ LunaLight: Vegan and Earthstone Rings ♥



"Welcome to Lunalight, a collection of beautiful pieces inspired by the beauty of this earth. "

There are so many reasons that I instantly fell in love with Lunalight, but a what had originally caught my attention were the lovely unique "vegan" rings. But I will get to those, first I am going to indulge a little more into the wondrous other awesomeness I discovered after my initial find about this wonderful little company. 
Lunalight is run by Charlotte, a lovely vegan herself who holds a love for animals and the natural world, both of which truly come out in her beautifully handcrafted work. She is also a warm-hearted and kind individual that is very pleasant and easy to deal with--which is always an important factor in my opinion. In all her works, she tries to use as much recycled and recyclable products as possible and uses as little chemical as possible during her creative process. In keeping with eco-consciousness, she also uses as little as possible electric tools and tries to keep it to handcrafted where ever she can.
Lunalight also is amazing in her dedication to animals, in that she donates $2 from every purchase to Farm Animal Rescue in Australia. How super sweet! ^_^


Lunalight was born from the simple idea and design of the Vegan Ring--which I briefly mentioned earlier--and continued to Blossom from there. All Lunalight creations are personally handcrafted in a small spare room in Charlotte's home in Brisbane Australia. 
All of Lunalight's work is truly breathtaking, and you can see this in any of her work and products. The gemstones are just beautiful and the craftsmanship is notably from the heart. Now, I shall get to my love of the Vegan Ring. Several reasons I love these rings: they are handcrafted and support a handmade independent designer, they promote a great message, you get to carry compassion wherever you go, and you have the option of having the date you went vegan hand stamped on the inside of the ring! How cool is that?! There are also several "Vegan" designs to choose from, all beautifully handcrafted and hand stamped with love and care. Because they are handmade with unique materials and hand stamped, they have perfect imperfections and a lovely natural feel, all details which make each ring completely unique and individualistic. 


I absolutely love love love my ring, and I feel, as a vegan, it is a must for any vegan collection and pride accessory that is both beautiful and carries a lovely positive message. The little box and packaging and care bag the rings come in are also super pretty and adorable. From everything I have seen in Lunalight's work, there is a great deal of care and love into each piece. I am very very much beyond satisfied with her amazing work. 


"A little piece of Moonlight to carry with you wherever you ago, as a constant reminder to appreciate the beauty around you. "

Find Lunalight:

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Sunday, October 5, 2014

Ⓥ Blueberry Cheesecake Smoothie -- Loaded with Greens! Ⓥ



What's better than vegan cheesecake? Cheesecake in smoothie form loaded with so much healthy goodness that you'll want seconds! Yup, that's exactly what this smoothie is! Blueberry and cheesecake coming together with the added benefit of a ton of healthy greens--and, what do you know? You'd never even know there was this much greenery in this lovely dessert/breakfast/snack! ;)


vegan / gluten free/ sugar-free/ 

Blueberry Cheesecake Smoothie

1/4 cup Frozen Blueberries
1/4 an Avocado
4 large leaves of Swiss Chard or Collards (or any combination of your favourite greens)
1 scoop Vanilla Vega One Protein
2 Tbsp Daiya Cream Cheese
2 Tbsp Hemp Seeds 
1 Tbsp Flax Seeds
1 1/2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
¼ cup water (or for added flavour, chilled chai tea^)
Hazelnut Stevia to sweeten (or other sweetener of your choice)

Add all the ingredients together in a blender and blend until smooth. Add less or more liquid to get your desired consistency, and less or more sweetener to your desired sweetness. 
I like making this smoothie as a thicker "nogurt" snack, but feel free to add more liquid to make it a full smoothie. 
Makes 1 serving. Enjoy! 

^I often brew chai tea overnight so that I can add it to smoothies! Always nice to have some handy and you can make large batches at a time.

*I make my smoothies in either a Blendtec Blender or my Nutribullet -- both are amazing blenders that make smoothies super smooth and creamy!* 


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Wednesday, October 1, 2014

♥ New One of a Kind Collection at Alter-Eco Clothing! ♥



Lots of new One of a Kind lovely items listed in the Alter-Eco Clothing etsy shop! As well as listed several jewelry items left over from the old Enstasy Designs shop (who remembers that one?! ;)). 
Please help support what I do! If you love my work, please help me to keep doing it! ;) Discounts considered on multiple item purchases--just message me prior to purchasing! ;) 




So much love to you all! And thank you for 7 years of support! ^_^

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