Live Consciously

A couple weeks ago, I blogged about the Conscious Box and featured photos of the company’s December treats. Today, I’m showcasing the January Conscious Box in all its glory:

Just like Christmas all over again!

I enjoyed this bar from ThinkThin, but it was a bit sweeter than I expected it to be.

Some tasty raw treats. My only criticism was the nonexistent nutritional info (aside from ingredients, of course).

Clean Well is a great company--I've used their products before.

I'm super excited to use the vegan parmesan there! Just waiting for the perfect recipe . . .

Thanks to another offer from Organic Soul, I’m expecting my February Conscious Box any day now . . . sooooooooo excited!

‘Cause You’re So Smooth

Anyone get my title reference?

1970’s rockstars aside, I’m here today to share a couple smoothie recipes (hence, the connection to the song, smooth, smooth-ie . . . yeah). Despite the frigid weather, I’ve been on a smoothie kick lately, some green, some not. Today’s are, in fact, bright, cheery pink, perfect for combating the winter blues. Of course, feel free to toss in a handful of leafy greens if you’d like!

Coffee-Cocoa Fruit Smoothie

Serves 1

Ingredients

1 cup milk alternative of choice or water

½ ripe banana

½ cup frozen strawberries

1 tsp. instant coffee granules or 1 scoop Caféceps from Madre Labs*

1-2 Tbs. cocoa powder

½ tsp. vanilla extract

Sweetener, to taste (optional)

*I recently received a couple sample packets of Caféceps, and even as someone who doesn’t drink coffee, I love the flavour of coffee. Madre Labs’ product was delicious—plus, it’s nutritional analysis is very impressive. You can order a free sample (just pay shipping & handling) here.

Directions

Simply blend everything together and serve!

Smoothies for Peace! Or as Kris Carr would say, "Make Smoothies, Not War!"

Cleansing Cranberry-Citrus Smoothie

This tart smoothie is a detox powerhouse—the cranberries clean the kidneys and bladder; the acids in the citrus improve liver function; the ginger soothes the tummy and aids digestion; and the kombucha’s probiotics nurture the balance of healthy intestinal bacteria. What more could you ask for?

Serves 1

Ingredients

1 cup store-bought or homemade kombucha*

½ orange, peeled

½ cup fresh cranberries

2 tsp. lemon juice

1-2 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro

1 1-inch knob of fresh ginger

Sweetener, to taste (optional)

*Of course, I used some of my homemade brew, whose chai flavour perfectly complemented the other ingredients.

Ingredients

Again, just blend, blend, blend!

What I Ate Wednesday (21): Snack Attack!

In January, I experimented with eating 3 square meals a day, with perhaps one small snack if necessary. For a while, this worked well . . . but sometimes, especially later in the month, I found myself consistently getting rather peckish in between meals. At first, I attempted to ignore these hunger pangs and just wait for my next meal; however, this caused me to a) eat much larger quantities of food in one sitting than my tummy can handle, thus resulting in bloating, and to b) shove the food into my mouth with such haste and gusto that it really didn’t satisfy me on that necessary psychological level. Or, I didn’t snack all day, which caused me to be super-hangry at night, which led to consuming most of my calories in the evening, which led to a rumbling tummy and poor digestion throughout the night, which led to . . . you get the picture.

So, I’ve decided to at least temporarily re-introduce snacking into my diet—100- to 200-calorie noshes that will appease my appetite between meals, especially during my long afternoons. Some days, my schedule requires me to eat an early lunch at 11, so in order to survive until dinner at 6 or 7, it’s an absolute MUST that I re-fuel, or else I’m one crabby lady, complete with headaches, stomach cramps, and an inability to concentrate on my studies.

So, today, on this beautiful Wednesday, I snacked, and it was glorious. A quick thanks to Jenn for being such a stellar WIAW hostess!

Breakfast & Morning Tea

Oatmeal with homemade almond milk, 1/2 apple, raisins, flaxseed, and PB on top.

I must admit, I’m looking forward to Spring and Summer—not only for the sunshine, warmth, butterflies, and blossoming flowers, but also for a larger variety of seasonal fruits to garnish my breakfasts with! I miss fresh strawberries, raspberries, plums, and especially peaches.

My ever-growing yearning for Spring inspired my choice of tea this morning, too: Spring Cherry Green Tea from The Republic of Tea.

 

[Source]

Mid-Morning Snack

A bright PINK smoothie--recipe to come on Friday!

About an hour & a half before lunch, my tummy felt quite empty, so I had a smoothie and . . . surprise! A couple homemade crackers, my newest culinary endeavor! Since I’ve started making my own almond milk, I have a lot of leftover pulp that I’m creatively re-using, for crackers, stirred into oatmeal, added to smoothies, you name it!

Lemon-Herb Almond Pulp Crackers

A couple quick notes about these crackers. First, don’t expect super crunchy crackers. These are crisp, but also a bit crumbly, too. I’m guessing it’s because I baked them in the oven rather than using a dehydrator—so if you have dehydrator, you’ll probably have better luck!

Makes as many crackers as you so desire!

Inspired by this recipe

Ingredients

2 Tbs. ground flaxseed + 6 Tbs. water

2 cups packed almond pulp*

2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh parsley

2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh basil

2-3 garlic cloves, finely mined

2 tsp. lemon zest

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. sea salt

1 tsp. cracked black pepper

*I’m not a raw food purist—I do roast the almonds I use to make almond milk because I think the flavour is better. Therefore, my pulp isn’t raw as well, so I can’t attest as to how raw pulp crackers will taste.

Directions

1. Whisk flaxseed and water in a small bowl, and put it in the fridge for at least 15—this is your flax “egg”.
2. Preheat oven to 300° F. In a bowl, combine pulp, herbs, garlic, lemon zest and juice, and salt & pepper, mixing together well. Add flax “egg”, and stir until a dough forms.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and transfer the dough. Take a second piece of parchment paper, cover it, and using either a rolling pin or your hands, flatten the dough evenly on the sheet. Brush crackers with a little olive oil.
4. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes, watching very carefully and rotating the baking sheet every once in a while. When the crackers start turning a golden brown, turn off the oven and just let them sit inside until cool.

Sort of like pita chips . . .

Lunch

I wanted something other than a salad today, so I threw together a stir-fry in less than 10 minutes.

Lots of colour, lots of flavour! Recipe coming soon!

Post lunch: half an orange, 1 dried fig, some 77% dark chocolate from Chocolove.

Afternoon Snack

As a normal student, I rely on quick and easily-portable snacks that I can throw into my backpack without worrying about a potential mess. As an unconventional student, I make everything from scratch. Simultaneous solution: homemade protein granola bars. Recipe to come on Friday!

Dinner

Since I didn't have a salad for lunch, I decided to have a side salad with dinner--mixed greens, celery, Bragg's Seasoning + extra dill, Liquid Aminos, lemon juice, mustard, and cashews.

Brown basmati + Indian Aloo-Gobi, with a secret twist . . . recipe coming soon!

~~~

So, what did I think about snacking again? Well, to be honest, I’m torn. Part of me prefers not eating in between meals because it’s something of a chore and sometimes inconvenient; another part of me still believes that snacking has its place, but you can overdo it, too. I need opinions please!

Question: What do you think? Do you snack, or do you prefer 3 square meals a day?

An Offer You Cannot Refuse

I’m the sort of girl who loves sampling different products, so when I received an offer from Organic Soul to receive a box of goodies, I jumped at the opportunity. This wasn’t just any box of goodies, however.

This, my friends, was a Conscious Box.

The Conscious Box is a monthly subscription service whose focuses include sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. Each month, a box of assorted products will arrive at your doorstep, and you can pretend it’s Christmas all over again as you untie the bow and sift through the cute miniature samples inside. The products are all natural, organic, vegan, ethically-sourced, and economically-mindful, featuring both small, locally-owned businesses and larger corporations. Everything about the packaging itself is 100% recycled, made with wind, and BPA-free. The company uses veggie inks and belongs to 1% for the Planet. Seriously, what more could an environmentally-savvy chick ask for?

If you can afford subscribing, it’s well worth your money. In both December and January, I opted to receive just one box at a discounted rate (I’ve received two boxes total) . . . but perhaps eventually, my wallet will allow a monthly subscription. Either way, I’m still working my way through all the products I’ve received. Today, I’m featuring December’s Conscious Box in all its glory:

The presentation is perfect--so loving, so heartwarming.

You open the box and learn more about the Conscious Box.

And now for the goodies!

I stirred the Maple-Almond Butter into oatmeal one morning, and it was quite tasty indeed!

The bar was very good . . . and the peanut butter-ginger chews were TO DIE FOR, as I've mentioned before.

The Cinnamon Air Freshener is delightful! I use it nearly everyday.

Stay tuned for a sometime-in-the-not-too-distant-future post featuring January’s Conscious Box!

Vegan Lifestyle: Beautiful YOU!

Veganism is more than just diet—it encompasses an entire way of life beyond what’s on (or not on) your plate. One of my goals for Vegan on the Go-Go this year was to periodically incorporate posts about the vegan lifestyle itself, including such topics as fashion, activism, travel, etc.

Today, I’m here to discuss vegan hygiene. Why? Because, just like your dietary choice, the lotion you buy can either promote or protest animal cruelty. Sadly, many conventional hygiene products are still tested on animals, such as rabbits, dogs, guinea pigs, and monkeys, in laboratories. If you’re interested (and brave), I recommend Googling “cosmetic testing on animals” and reading some articles—as heartbreaking as the information may be, knowledge is power!

Fortunately for us animal lovers, there are many companies that manufacture products that are certified vegan and cruelty-free. Two excellent resources I’ve used for several years now are Cruelty-Free Face and Leaping Bunny: these are must-have websites for die-hard vegans.

Nevertheless, even with all this information, it took me quite a while to discover which companies suited me best, and after shelling out quite a bit of cash on products that, unfortunately, disappointed me, I can now say that my bathroom cabinet is sort of like a treasure trove, sans the dragon, of course!

And now, for the recommendations! Just remember: these are the products that have worked well for me. You might have similar success, or you may find yourself unsatisfied—but never fear! There are sooooooooo many options out there now (and constantly emerging, too), that you WILL inevitably discover your favourite products, too.

Best Shampoo & Conditioner

Awapuhi Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner [Nature’s Gate]

Best Body Wash

Papaya Velvet Moisture Body Wash [Nature’s Gate]

Best Bar Soap

Pure Olive Oil Bar Soap [Kiss My Face]

Best Shaving Cream

Key Lime Moisture Shave [Kiss My Face]

Best Bubble Bath

Grapefruit-Bergamot Bubble Bath [deep steep]

Best Body Scrub

Cool Mint Lemonade Salt Scrub [Giovanni Cosmetics]

Best Face Wash

Thoroughly Clean Face Wash—Original [Desert Essence]

Best Face Care Products

5,000 IU Vitamin E Pure Beauty Oil [JĀSÖN]

Ultra-C Eye Lift [JĀSÖN]

12-1/2% Plus Oil-Free Gel New Cell Therapy Alpha Hydroxy Acids [JĀSÖN]

Natural Hawaiian Oil-Free Moisturizer [Alba Botanical]

Best Tinted Moisturizer

Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer [Physicians Formula Organic Wear]

(NOTE: I’m very low maintenance when it comes to cosmetics. I don’t use concealer, foundation, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, lipstick, or any of that jazz; however, for those of you who do use makeup regularly, I recommend Ecco Bella or Dr. Hauschka)

Best Mascara

FlowerColor Natural Mascara [Ecco Bella]

Best Eyeliner

Soft Eyeliner Pencils [Ecco Bella]

Best Lip Balm

Egyptian Fennel, Grapefruit, & Sweet Orange Lip Balm [Pangea Organics]

Best Makeup Remover

Quick Clean Makeup Remover [JĀSÖN]

Best Hairbrush

Olivewood Large Oval Wooden Bristle Brush [Widu]

(NOTE: These brushes are, yes, quite expensive; however, I’ve had mine since I was a little girl (at least 10 years now, I think), so they are truly of the highest quality!)

Best Deodorant

Unscented Naturally Fresh for Women [JĀSÖN]

Best Sunscreen

Family Natural Sunblock SPF 45 [JĀSÖN]

Best Toothpaste

PowerSmile Vanilla Mint Toothpaste [JĀSÖN]

Best Mouthwash

Spearmint Breath Blast Mouthwash [Kiss My Face]

Best Floss

Cranberry Floss [Radius]

Best Body Lotions

Yes To Cucumbers Cooling Body Butter [Yes to Carrots]

Best Body Spray

Rosemary-Mint Zum Mist [Indigo Wild]

~~~

Well, that was fun and refreshing! On a similar note, I’d like to invite all of you to visit my newest project, Paisley & Pearls—a fashion blog I’m co-authoring with a good friend/fellow fashionista. It’s literally brand spanking new (created today, in fact), so there’s no content as of yet, but stay tuned!

Me attempting to replicate steampunk Victorian + Clockwork Orange, circa January 2009. I've always been an eccentric fashionista--my grandma took me thrifting as a little girl, and I always bought the weirdest, wildest, wackiest stuff I could find (and still do!)

What I Ate Wednesday (17): Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun!

Today, I’m posting an extra special WIAW, featuring not only Wednesday’s eats, but also Tuesday’s! Why? Just ‘cause. My meals have been quite fun as of late!

And before I begin, much thanks to Jenn, as per usual.

Breakfast

Tuesday: butternut squash-bosc pear oatmeal with coconut, raisins, chia seeds, and pecans--recipe to come soon!

Wednesday: oatmeal with apple juice, banana, clementine, almond extract, chia seeds, almonds, and pistachios--recipe to come soon!

Lunch

I’ve rediscovered the joys of salad beasts! Huzzah!

Tuesday: spinach, celery, carrot, plain tofu, pretzels, craisins, pine nuts, olive oil, mustard, Bragg's seasoning & liquid aminos, and sweet relish. Great combination!

If you haven’t tried Newman’s Own Organics pretzels, you are in store for a tasty surprise–and a far more nutritious alternative to plain ol’ white flour pretzels. I like the Spelt & High Protein varieties especially.

Tuesday's lunch was followed by a grapefruit and some 77% dark chocolate.

Today's salad was a MONSTER: spinach, carrots, seaweed, soba noodles, toasted sesame oil, tamari, brown rice vinegar, sunflower seeds, goji berries, gomashio, and braised daikon radish on the side.

Followed by an itsy-bitsy apple and some more 77% dark chocolate.

Afternoon Snack

Snacks have their place in any healthy diet, but I’ve found I now prefer bigger meals rather than daylong grazing. So, I’ve rethought the definition of “snack”—only if absolutely necessary (as in, I feel the hanger coming on), and it must be 150 calories or less. Tuesday didn’t require a snack between lunch and dinner, but today, I found myself needing a little pick-me-up sustenance.

Kombucha, o' course. BEST. BEVERAGE. EVER.

Pre-Yoga practice, I ate two Medjool dates--obviously, I almost forgot to snap a photo . . .

Dinner

Tuesday: whole grain pasta with Sweet Potato-Salsa "Bolognese" sauce--recipe to come soon!

Tuesday's dinner was followed by an apple, plus two Peanut Butter Ginger Chews.

Tonight, I ate the same “sauce” alongside the BEST corn chips I’ve ever had: Unbeatable Blues sprouted blue corn chips from Way Better Snacks.

More Sweet Potato-Salsa Bolognese sauce, plus kalamta olives & not one, but 2 servings of delicious chips!

I needed a little something more, so I had some applesauce with cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, and pecans for dessert. I was so proud of myself when I resisted having a bowl of ricemilk ice cream and chose this instead.

Bedtime Munchies

Again with regards to snacking, I’m weaning myself from nighttime eating to promote optimal and effective digestion. On the other hand, sometimes, if I don’t nosh a little before bed, I awake at much, much too early (it can be as early as midnight!) to a growling tummy I cannot ignore no matter how hard I try. And sleeping soundly is, in my opinion, most important of all!

Some chamomile tea alongside a Dr. Kracker seedy flatbread with 1 Tbs. of peanut butter.

The Game of Life

Well, I’m back . . . finally. Sorry for my absence, dear readers! Extreme busyness (which will be explained more fully shortly) and faulty/altogether nonexistent internet connections are to blame.

So, where do I begin?

Well, last Thursday, I experienced my first colonic—and all I can say is, I’m hooked! As far as I can gather, healthfoodie bloggers usually don’t shy away from the subject of poop, so I’ll share a few details for those who are interested. The hydrotherapist was SO nice and, of course, professional, and she guided me through the process very gently, explaining every step carefully and sharing naturopathic wisdom along the way. The most uncomfortable moment is, yes, when the tube is inserted, but that lasts only a couple seconds, and then, you hardly notice it.

She irrigated my colon 4 or 5 times, and each time, I could feel my stomach swell. I did get a little nauseous, but she assured me that this was normal, as the process stimulates the liver and helps release toxic bile—hence, the upset tummy. But upon each drain, the nausea subsided, and here’s the best part: you get to watch the contents of your colon drain through a clear tube. It’s truly fascinating! Listening to your body is important, too. Occasionally, whilst water was still flooding me, I would suddenly feel like I desperately needed to evacuate, at which point the hydrotherapist reversed the flow and large quantities of waste were discarded thereof. She was rather impressed by the results of my first session, attributing the treatment’s efficacy largely to my high-fiber, plant-based diet.

After the final draining, she removed the tube, and I relocated from the table to the bathroom connected to the room, where I released even more waste. And afterward—wow! I felt light and clean and rejuvenated, and I have noticed an improvement in both my digestion and my elimination, too.

So, there you have it—colonics 101. I scheduled another appointment for the 20^th, and I must say, I’m greatly looking forward to it. If you live in/near Omaha, schedule a session with Linda Mokos at Essential Body Therapies. You won’t regret it!

Feeling great after my colonic!

Afterward, I went to Whole Foods for an afternoon snack. From the salad bar, some beets, seaweed, and teriyaki tofu, accompanied by a whole wheat seedy roll (with millet, poppy seeds, and other goodies. 'Twas amazing!).

I also tried a KeVita probiotic drink (the Strawberry Açai Coconut flavour) to replenish the good bacteria in my colon after my session. It was okay, but not as good as kombucha, I must say.

That evening, my dearest soul-sister and I dined at McFoster’s Natural Kind Café, which was delicious as per usual!

I started with a bowl of miso soup with assorted veggies. It wasn't traditional Japanese--it was thicker, but it was just as tasty!

I enjoyed 1/2 an order of the Blackened Tempeh Dinner: organic tempeh marinated in sesame oil, tamari, ginger and garlic, then dusted with Cajun seasoning. Served with organic basmati rice, sautéed veggies and a blend of Herb Balsamic dressing and Bragg’s Liquid Aminos.

Both of us were very pleased with our meals! Laura, on the left, had never tried McFoster's before, and I was so pleased to introduce all its delicious glory to her.

And then, well, I have an exciting piece of news. On Friday, I got married! Yes, you read that correctly: my boyfriend of 2 years (and we’ve known each other for 3) and I tied the knot in a small, private ceremony at the local courthouse, surrounded with immediate family and close friends. It was such a happy event after all the tragedy of 2011.

Afterward, we enjoyed an Indian feast at Ayaan Indian Cuisine, which I’ve featured here a couple times before. I forgot to snap a photo of my meal—I was too excited and engulfed in conversation—but I enjoyed a plate of chana saag, bhindi masala, and, most importantly, fresh roti straight from the tandoor oven!

Since Friday, I’ve majorly cleaned my closet and my kitchen cabinets, rearranged the feng shui in our bedroom, and returned to university for my last semester as an undergrad! Where has the time gone, seriously? No matter—I’ve so many plans for my future, which, of course, includes Vegan on the Go-Go. So stay tuned, my foodie friends, I’ve a lot in store for you. And don’t worry, I promise I’ll start posting more recipes soon!

See you again tomorrow for WIAW!

What I Ate Wednesday (16)

Yay! It’s everybody’s favourite day—and time for another round of WIAW, courtesy of Jenn.

Breakfast

One of my 2012 goals/intentions is to vary my breakfast a little more. I love me my oatmeal, don’t get me wrong, but variety is also nice . . . especially when there are some Ezekiel sprouted grain English muffins from Food for Life in the freezer!

Sprouted English muffin with 2 Tbsp. peanut butter on one half, some fig & apple butter on the other, and half an apple.

Morning Tea + Snack

It was quite chilly and windy yesterday, so post-breakfast, as I prepared for my day, I enjoyed a mug of what I consider one of The Republic of Tea’s best flavours: Hot Apple Cider.

Just before lunch, I also had a couple clementines.

Lunch

I’m cleaning out the pantry and using up cans of veggies that have sat idle for who knows how long—hence, this bean-and-grain salad, which was surprisingly tasty despite the overall lack of freshness.

A mix of wheatberries, white beans, spinach, celery, tomatoes, Italian-spiced olive oil + extra spices, lemon juice, and pine nuts.

An apple for dessert.

Afternoon Snack

Kamut puffs, soymilk, pecans, chopped dried figs, and a dash of cinnamon. Sorry for the blurriness as of late--my camera and I are, well, fighting the poor lighting, you could say.

I must admit: as convenient and affordable as Arrowhead Mills Puffed Kamut Cereal is, it doesn’t stick with me at all, even when I have a GINORMOUS bowl. So, I returned to the kitchen for some Sunja’s Kimchi and a hunk of unpictured butternut squash.

Kimchi rocks my world! Even more so than sauerkraut . . .

Dinner

I made a quick chili last night, again using up stuff from the pantry. Eaten alongside blue corn chips, one of my weaknesses. I went back for seconds of both.

Dessert consisted of a couple squares of Green & Black’s Espresso Dark Chocolate and a Peanut Butter Ginger Chew from Chimes. Oh. My. Goodness. These chews are absolutely incredible! If you haven’t tried one yet, run (don’t walk!) to your nearest health food store and prepare to have your mind and tastebuds blown away with delight!

[Source]

What I Ate Wednesday (15)

Well, it’s that time of week again, though this WIAW is a little different for me because, from now on, I’ve decided to chronicle what I eat on Tuesday (so, one day prior) rather than on Wednesdays themselves—otherwise, I too often find myself rushed to put together a post in the late evening hours. This will help balance the time commitment a bit, I’m sure, so I don’t have to forego participating in Jenn’s weekly roundup due to lack of time or what have you, as was the case last week. That being said, let’s dive right in, shall we?

Breakfast

1/4 cup each barley & rye flakes cooked in soymilk, 1/2 puréed ripe banana, 1/2 cup frozen/thawed blueberries, chia seeds, & roasted walnuts

Morning Tea

In keeping with the lingering holiday spirit, I sipped at a piping cup of Sugar Plum Spice tea from Celestial Seasonings. Unfortunately, I let it steep too long, so the flavour was very, very strong—and don’t get me wrong, I like my tea black, but I almost couldn’t drink this. Next time, I’ll only steep the teabag for a couple of minutes maximum.

Lunch

Pesto pasta salad with peppers, green beans, & tofu; pimento-stuffed green olives; quinoa tabbouleh; roasted squash; hummus & carrots

Afternoon Snack & Tea

I was a bit peckish in the late afternoon, so I had some more pesto pasta salad + an extra hunk of unpictured proteinacious tofu whilst pleasure-reading!

Christmas!

‘Tis the season for drinking hot tea! This mug featured Yogi’s Chai Green flavour—very enjoyable, as per usual. Yogi never disappoints!

Dinner

[Source]

Right before dinner, my tummy was feeling a bit off, so I drank some Ginger Root Beer from Zevia—an all-natural, no-calorie soda alternative that uses stevia as its sweetener. It was quite tasty and mimicked its commercial counterpart perfectly.

Homemade whole-wheat crust pizza with pesto, olives, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes; a quasi-salad beast topped with tamari-roasted pumpkin seeds.

After dinner, I indulged in a serving of So Delicious Purely Decadent Chocolate coconut milk ice cream. Wow! I’d heard good things about the SoDelicious brand, and now, I can confirm them. What I particularly liked about it was a) it uses agave nectar as its sweetener; and b) 1 150-calorie serving boasts a whole 6 grams of fiber! Wow! Two thumbs up from this health-food freak!

Happy Holidays to All!

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah and Kwanzaa! Yuletide Blessings! Whatever you celebrate, I hope you are enjoying the company of friends, family, animal companions, and even yourself—because you are a special, sacred, living, breathing blessing.

This year, I celebrated Christmas with my boyfriend’s family. They know I’m quite the foodie, so I received a package of goodies:

Mixed nuts & seeds

GoNaturally Pomegranate Organic Hard Candies from Hillside Candy

Dried Turkish apricots

Organic Medjool Dates from Del Real

Original Ginger Chews from The Ginger People

Carob Spirulina Chunks of Energy from Chunks of Energy

Almonds & Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Bars from Chocolove

My boyfriend’s family is so understanding of my dietary preferences, and they always cook delicious, vegan fare for us. Tonight’s feast featured a wonderful, super-filling curry with coconut milk, cauliflower, yams, and beans alongside brown basmati.

And for dessert, we enjoyed a vegan blackberry pie from a local bakery.

I was quite impressed. So much so that, well, I went back for seconds, not gonna lie. I felt a little guilty, but hey, what’s one day? And besides, as I will be discussing in the near future, I’m embarking on another, potentially even deeper than usual detox tomorrow. For whatever reason, my digestive system is really struggling at the moment and needs some TLC. Hopefully, the next few days will sort it out, but today was a holiday, and I wanted to enjoy it to the fullest!