Saturday, September 27, 2014

A Voice Among Thousands

Just a few months ago, I was approached by an increasing number of people proclaiming that I was a "hippy". Funny story being I used to think everybody in Vermont was a hippy but myself. I guess that's what happens when you begin to care about more than yourself and the little sliver of the world that surrounds you. 

I chose to go to the Climate March in New York City about 36 hours before it began. Spur of the moment on Saturday night I drove with a friend (who's apartment I stayed at) right after I got out of work to her house in Brookelyn. People I am the cruise down Vermont's one-lane highways type; I am no city driver. The next morning after visiting the cutest boutique cafe, we embarked on the world's most packed subway with our fellow climate marchers.

Simply the energy is enough to attend. Each person was able to chose a category that may have influenced their participation or how they label themselves, and then march among these peers. I however, felt like I didn't have one single reason. I was there for Sandy victims, for vegans, for Vermont, I have a solution, etc. etc. I was there to empower change and add a small voice to our ongoing revolution for climate justice. My life has changed dramatically since that day.

(Lazy Ibis: Brookelyn, NY -- best iced coffee w/ almond milk)
 (I swear we were butt-to-butt)
(March of Silence @ 12:58)

We are all connected in more ways than we know. Even if it is simply changing to a reusable water bottle, creating a compost, or walking to the store.. it's a difference that counts.

" I am the dust in the sunlight, I am the ball of the sun. I am the mist of morning, the breath of evening. I am the spark in the stone, the gleam of gold in the metal, the rose and the nightingale drunk with its fragrance. I am the chain of being. "

Saturday, September 20, 2014

education or experience?

Can you imagine being a woman in a time period where education was not an option? Times have changed. Our society has changed. Yet now, American culture requires an individual to receive a college education in order to qualify for a job. It has even gone beyond that requesting an applicant have "experience". To be honest I think it's horse-shit. 

Throughout high school, I longingly anticipated the day when I was able to decorate a dorm room, say peace out to my parents, and meet awesome people just like me. I tried this for a bit too. Last year, I was all set at the University of Vermont, a college that I thought I would never want to leave. But something happened and it didn't end up working out. I was past the partying, past the disgusting dining hall food, and past the hook up culture of my generation. I transfered to Monmouth University (a college 20 mins. from my house) in the winter of 2013 and have been there since, working & commuting. 
There have been several instances where I have wanted to drop it all and run. 

Our society has created such high expectations for young adults regarding their education, yet they can't seem to trust us with anything else. We are hardly even seen as adults at 18 and are frowned upon for even drinking a glass of wine before 21. How is it that we can't have a sip of wine, but we can plan our whole life and career out before reaching our twenties? In my opinion, travel should be encouraged. We should all know what it is like to be poor, to be lonely, to be independent, and we should all know what it is like to work our asses off for minimum wage. 

How can a person live in the real world, when they don't even know what the real world consists of?

Thursday, September 11, 2014

so long summer

The time has come to say goodbye to expensive beach passes & bennies, and take advantage of the quiet lull our towns face after all the kids head back to college. In between my endless work schedule this summer I managed to get a few amazing days. To all the laughs, the trips to the city, and outdoor concerts, you will be greatly missed.

(jacket: vintage)

 (top: unknown, bottoms: urban outfitters, sweater: urban outfitters, shoes: vans, choker: northern dash)

(dress: urban outfitters, vest: buffalo exchange, sunglasses: vintage, bag: vintage, sandals: vegan birkenstocks)

(Back To Human -- 'restaurant' in NYC)

(top: brandy melville, pants: billabong, bag: urban outfitters)

(top: urban outfitters, kimono: unknown, shorts: urban outfitters, sunglasses: vintage, sandals: vegan birkenstocks)

(Flora Farms Restaurant -- Mexico)

Next post will be my fall essentials & inspiration so stay tuned! 

Monday, September 8, 2014

Blueberrie Pie Smoothie

Some people say 'fruit makes you fat'. Or some people say 'hi I'll have a 5 banana smoothie'. Personally, I'll choose the second and take my chances. Ever since I began improving my vegan diet to consist of mainly nature-based foods, fruit smoothies became a staple breakfast. This one particularly was thought of in roughly two minutes.

Vegan Blueberry Pie Smoothie 

serves: one


Ingredients:

~ 1 frozen banana, 1 unfrozen ripe banana (please do not eat green or bright yellow bananas)
~ 1 cup frozen blueberries (freezing them increases their nutritional content!)
~ 1/2-1 tsp blackstrap molasses (great for stabilizing iron deficiencies)
~ 1.5 cups coconut water (try buying from a brand such as Harvest Bay as other brands tend to pasteurize the thedrink which ultimately strips it of its nutrients)
~ 3 medjool dates
~ dash of: cinnamon, nutmeg, & allspice
~ 1 tsp of diatomaceous earth


Enjoy the rest of this beautiful day!

Friday, September 5, 2014

We're All Mad Here


If you’re living in the Western Hemisphere like me, then you are reaching the end of long summer nights, the heat of a blazing sun, and the freedom of a full day ahead. This month is the perfect time to take advantage of the weather and bring together your friends for a chance to create beautiful food and enjoy each other’s company. When I say throw a garden party—- I am referring to a fairy tale version of Alice’s tea party. Make it a wonderland.


Decor:

Garden Parties entail fresh cut flowers, lace tableclothes, fabric napkins, and twinkling lights. Primarily, set up a table in the grass (personally I would go for a floor table so everyone could sit on cushions), or a wooden table with wooden chairs. Choose a simple tablecloth free of bright colors and patterns. You could even create your own by sewing together different lace fabric pieces.

Next line the table with porcelain plates (mixing and matching looks great). As opposed to your ordinary paper napkin, choose a subtle cloth napkin. Not only is it classier, but you will also be benefiting the environment by using less paper. Place the utensils in the cloth and then wrap a piece of twine around.

It is always fun to create a seating chart & even more entertaining creating name place cards! I advise purchasing tiny succulent plants and placing a name card in each one. It will act as a gift to take home, as well as tie together the garden theme.

For center pieces I would put multiple vases and fill them with flowers such as hydrangeas. Play around and place crystals, pinecones, or any other earthy material in the center as well in order to accent the flowers. Lastly, do not neglect to decorate the surrounding areas! Wrap your trees in christmas lights, hang flowers on string, wrap the chairs in floral fabric, place tea candles and sand in mason jars, be creative!



Food:

Beverages~ The night before, cut up fresh fruit and place it in a pitcher with water & maybe some tonic water to create your own infused water! Try not to bring labeled soda cans or bottles to the table, but instead keep everything natural and fresh.

Meal Plan~ *try to think of light, natural foods* the following are all free of dairy products and meat.

     +APPS: platter of fresh veggies & homemade hummus, a large salad with spinach/apples/walnuts/tomatoes & a strawberry balsamic, gazpacho, maple roasted carrots

     +ENTREES: cauliflower rice with a vegetable stir-fry, corn (or spiralized zucchini) pasta with fresh tomato sauce/sauteed spinach/zucchini, marinated portobello burger with russian dressing & homemade french fries

     +DESSERT: coconut milk/fruit/chia popsicles, peanut butter cups, chocolate mousse with rasberry compote, watermelon cake



Playlist:


dreams of cannibalism- typhoon
open road- roo panes
difference maker- needtobreathe
please forgive my heart -bahamas
hide- little may
1904- the tallest man on earth
go mama go-michael bernard fitzgerald
I will wait for you- Lowing


Enjoy the planning, the creativity, and the amazing memories you will be making! Be sure to tell me all about your beautiful creations my loves.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

this land is both yours & mine


"When I say I want to travel, I don't mean I want to stay at resorts & go on tours with tour guides or buy keychains from souvenir shops. I don't want to be a tourist. When I say I want to travel, I mean I want to explore another country & become part of it. I want to discover small coffee shops in Germany, Italy, & France. I want to walk on beaches in Australia & browse the book stores of England. I want to hike the Great Wall of China & go cliff diving in Hawaii. I want to meet people who are not like me, but who I can like all the same. I want to take pictures of things & places & the people I meet. I want my mind to be in constant awe of life on earth. I want to see things with new eyes. I want to look at a map & be able to remember how I was transformed by the places I've been to, the things I've seen, & the people I've met. I want to come home & realize that I have not come home whole, but have left a piece of my heart in each place I've been. This I think is what is at the heart of adventure & this is why I plan on making my life one."

Why can't this be my life? Why does the process of life and the progression of age have to be so cut & dry? Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, first jobs, College, Career, death. Why is it that taking a spur of the moment road trip is not an option? Why can't all my money go toward taking a few trips to life altering destinations? The reason I chose to study journalism (as well as nutrition), was to be able to write what I see, and what most can't see. People all the way in Thailand, Pakistan, and Sweden should know what it is like to walk down the trails in Central Park (New York) in the midst of fall, or explore the quirky stores of New Hope, Pennsylvania. They should be able to feel the snowflakes resting on their eyelashes as a blizzard creeps through the desolate Vermont mountain tops. 
It is important to know what this world looks like and experience a sense of adventure while we are still on this earth. Together.