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!

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.

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.  

Now or Never

I've had a thought. More of a realization. I am a total freaking dreamer. When I was just a tween, hiding behind under-eyeliner, I dreamt of the eiffel tower & ivy grown cottages in the hills. After abandoning my skinny jeans for sweats, sweats, and more sweats, it was simply to escape my small town. After reading Eat, Pray, Love, it was Bali (that dream has not faded). But now I am focusing on realistics, or trying to. On vacation I befriended/fell in love with a family from Santa Barbara who mentioned it only takes approximately a year to get residency in California. There was a lump in my throat and a sudden pulse in my heart. I kind of knew California would make an appearance somewhere in my future, but this sudden knowledge, right when I am on the verge of another transfer-- I just knew.

I plan to see it all: the large expanses of desert sand and cluttered cacti, national parks filled with trees of every species and the cleanest air you could find.

Listening to Angus & Julia Stone's new album, burning incense, and contemplating new adventures.

Travel is an experience that books just can not offer.

Viva la Vida Loca

Growing up exploring the local markets of Jamaica, the native sea creatures of Cozamel, and the true Mexican cuisine of Cabo, I never truly understood how blessed I was. After a long week and a whole Sunday comprised of baggage claims, customs, and immigration, I am finally back in New Jersey curled up with my puppies. The following is a compilation of photos taken on my trip to Los Cabos.

(outfit:: dress FreePeople, sandals Birkenstocks)

Sometimes a quick escape is the perfect solution after your days begin to float past you. Thats when abandoning your phone and watch are the only way to truly be present. Although this was a family trip, we were able to uncover the local secrets such as taking the rundown bus with all the locals that only costed 1$ (as opposed to a 20$ taxi). The highlight of the trip, in my opinion, was an organic 'farm to table' restaurant known as Flora Farms. All the food that ended up on your plate including the walnut olive bread and fresh seasonal salad, are comprised of vegetables and fruits currently growing feet away. They served citrus sangria in mason jars. A band of local boys called Los Shamanes played classic rock tunes that left me speechless trying to take in my surroundings.

As we get older, we are able to appreciate these types of experiences more and more. I can only conclude that this trip, and all the beautiful souls I was able to meet, left me in earnest anticipation for all the exciting things yet to come.

live free or die trying

There always seems to be a part of me that can not leave behind the constant scrutiny of my own criticism. After reading almost half of the spiritual novel The Power of Now (I kind of gave up), I realized I am a prisoner and my thoughts are the police. Not only am I being held down, but there is no escape. But according to the author, there is. My interpretation of living freely does not necessarily coincide with Eckhart Tolle's. Instead, I believe living freely comes after one abandons all judgement. When an individual can live in the moment without thinking of their plans days from now. When we can appreciate the small things in life.

To live freely is to ~ not judge those who do not meet the 'cultural norm'. take your time creating a beautiful meal. not to think about anytime but the present. dress for yourself. take risks. appreciate the grass under your toes, the sun on your face, and the trees keeping you cool.

All you have is this very moment.

hats off to ya'

(outfit on the right:: shorts urbanoutfitters, shirt unknown, kimono borrowed, fringe bag urbanoutfitters, hat urbanoutfitters, sunglasses vintage)

As I have grown older, my style has increasingly simplified from far-out patterns to plain t-shirts and small details. Instead of opting for your classic aztec pattern that can not seem to be repeated without public scrutiny, there is more appreciation for accessories that can give an outfit a bit of a twist. Hats have never been out of style; however, now there are men and women who strive to design hats that truly accentuate their customers style. They are affordable, provide protection from the sun (just a bonus), and can immediately make a simple outfit more chic.

My advice: hats should definitely be tried on prior to purchasing. Some hats will work better than others for your facial features..

If you are looking for a cheap hat to purchase try asos, Urban Outfitters, but I strongly suggest thrift stores!