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I'm sure someone at the store told you this but make sure you try re-steeping your teas! It's a great way to make sure you're really getting your money's worth! ~A Teavana employee

Thank you 😉

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Met Gala 2017 Favorites 🖤

This year’s theme is a tribute to Rei Kawakubo, designer of Comme des Garçons.

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The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.

 Alan Wilson Watts (via purplebuddhaproject)

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Teavana Perfectea Maker & Purify Tea Review

This week, while sauntering around the mall, I stopped and sampled a few teas at Teavana. I was drawn by the different tastes and shortly decided to purchase the Perfectea Maker starter kit. The kit comes with the maker itself (16 oz capacity), a canister for loose tea, and a bag of all natural beet sugar, packaged together for $30.

I broke out my starter kit last night to make a cup and was so impressed. The maker is easy to use, only requiring you to drop in the tea, add hot water, and wait for it to steep before placing the maker on top of your mug and allowing it to drain from the bottom. Teavana conveniently provides a guide for recommended measurements and water temperature.

At the store, it took me a while to decide on one tea to take home, but after trying a cup, I finally chose the Purify tea from their wellness line. Purify is a white tea blend with florals and citrus, beneficial for skin hydration. It smells amazing and tastes even better!

Generally, compared to boxed tea, loose tea is much more sapid and fresh. After my experience this week, I want to throw all my boxes teas away! 5 stars for the Perfectea Maker (ease of use, quality), 5 stars for the Purify Tea (flavor, freshness)

I will update on new flavors as I try them! xo

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3 Month Vegiversary Update!

Hey guys, April 17th was my 3 month vegiversary! ❤️ I have to say it’s been a journey so far. I’m learning what food choices work best for me and trying to come up with new, creative ideas each day! I work to maintain a balanced diet loaded with fruits and vegetables - apples, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, spinach, kale, carrots, corn, and avocado are often my go-tos, whether by themselves or as part of my meals. I still eat eggs, cheese, and yogurt, but plan to eventually phase these foods out to sustain a regimen completely free of animal products.

Diet coupled with exercise have helped me lose 3 pounds so far. I’m still working in that area, hoping to lose about 10 more before the year ends. My biggest challenge over these last 3 months has been trying to avoid sweets such as pastries, cakes, and chocolate. I work hard to limit these and substitute healthier options (e.g. fruits) instead. I’m also implementing one day per week without bread and pasta in an effort to break the habit and take control of my desire for these foods.

On lazy days when I haven’t prepped anything, sweetgreen and Chipotle have been my BFFs. This photo is of today’s lunch - the sweetgreen Spring Caesar salad - with romaine, arugula, radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, lemon squeeze, house made hot sauce and Caesar dressing… Talk about delicious!

I’ll be working to share more recipes, ideas and updates as they come. If you’re a transitioning vegan/vegetarian, congratulations! It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. I believe in you! Let’s press forward and continue to motivate others… xo

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Here are my 2017 Oscars Best Dressed… These ladies were flawless on the red carpet ❤️

Darby Stanchfield in Georges Chakra Couture 

Janelle Monáe in Elie Saab 

Taraji P. Henson in Alberta Ferretti

Viola Davis in Armani 

Hailee Steinfeld in Ralph and Russo

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My First Vegetarian Restaurant Experience

My boyfriend and I went to one of our FAVORITE restaurants last night, Mike’s American Grill. Before starting a veg diet, I always ordered the crab dip appetizer and chicken breast or a seafood dish for the main. I knew I was in for a struggle this time; I braced myself going in. It took me a stressful 20 minutes to get through the menu and find something I thought I would truly enjoy. (I would say the hardest part about this lifestyle is that many restaurants don’t cater to it. I’ve found that less than 10% of each menu I’ve seen over the last month contains solid options for people who have vegan and vegetarian diets.)  I finally found a winner. Between a Veggie Wrap and the Penne Primavera, I ordered the Penne Primavera, which is made with broccolini, mushrooms, asparagus, tomatoes, baby greens, basil, garlic, olive oil and Reggiano Parmesan. It. Was. Amazing. And seemed even better when I reheated the leftovers for brunch! I wanted to share with you all as I will be trying this at home. Have a great weekend ❤️

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These ladies owned the carpet last night! My selections for the GRAMMYs 2017 Best Dressed:

Chrissy Teigen in Roberto Cavalli

Jennifer Lopez in Ralph & Russo

Maren Morris in Michael Costello

Rihanna in Armani Prive

Solange in Gucci

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Vegan Pancakes

I started my week off right at the gym this morning, completing one hour of fasted cardio. After my workout, I was super hungry! I've been wanting to make vegan pancakes so I decided today was the day! This was my first attempt... So delicious!

Ingredients:

Coconut oil or cooking spray

1 Cup of Self-Rising Flour

1/4 Cup of Sparkling Water

3/4 Cup of Soy Milk

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, sparkling water, and soy milk in a bowl until there are minimal lumps.

2. Heat a pan on your stovetop using medium-low heat, and lightly coat the pan with coconut oil or cooking spray.

3. When the pan is thoroughly heated, gently pour a thin layer of your mixture into the pan. Once the bottom side of the pancake becomes firm (after about 2-3 minutes), flip the pancake using a spatula. Allow the other side to cook until complete (another 2-3 minutes).

4. Repeat Step 3 until your mixture runs out. You may need to add more coconut oil/cooking spray before you add each new pancake.

The portion size of this recipe yielded me 5 pancakes, each about 6 inches in diameter as pictured. I used 100% maple syrup and organic strawberries from Trader Joe's to top it off. This is a great tasting and super simple main dish for breakfast/brunch at home. Enjoy!

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Kelly Rowland in Christian Siriano, Spring 2017.

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I Decided to Go Vegetarian!

I ended up adopting a vegetarian diet by complete accident! Shortly after this year began, I considered doing the Daniel Fast for 21 days. (The only foods/beverages I could consume during the fast would be fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, natural seasonings, & plain water.) I found myself unprepared for the fast, as I’d just gone grocery shopping & didn’t want my items to go to waste. Not to mention I’d been eating pork, seafood, & beef the weekend before I was scheduled to start. I had my mind set on the fast for spiritual reasons going into the year, so I was disappointed in myself for not having started.

Around the same period of time, I randomly came across singer Mya’s Instagram page (@myaplanet9) where she has tons of vegan posts. One in particular detailed her intent to go completely raw vegan within one year. She would do this by eating a raw vegan diet one week per month for the first quarter of the year, two weeks per month for the second quarter of the year, & so on, until she reached four weeks in the final quarter of the year. What a smart way to implement this transition! I decided I would go for it, starting slowly by eliminating meats only for one week per month during quarter one. Well, one week turned into three, & now I’m at 26 days without meat.

Through researching, I’ve discovered many health benefits associated with the intake of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, & spices including the reversal of diseases, lower risk for chronic illnesses, higher energy, & good mental health. On a personal note, my skin has been clearer, I’ve lost a little weight, & I’ve felt happier & more energized.

There are a TON of meal possibilities for vegetarians & vegans. God knows I’m a foodie & I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t feel fulfilled by it. I’m looking forward to sharing my favorite recipes with you!

Feel free to reach out with any questions.

xo.

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Happiness does not depend on what you have or who you are. It solely relies on what you think.

Buddah  (via purplebuddhaproject)

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- Shonda Rhimes

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Solange has been giving me the vibe of 70s Donna Summer lately with her hair & wardrobe! She is first pictured wearing a metallic maxi dress at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards ceremony (06.03.14). Second, Solange is shown wearing an orange blouse and cream trousers at Gucci's Chime for Change one-year anniversary party (06.04.14).

Pictured last, Donna Summer is shown rocking a live performance in the 1970s.

These are two talented, timeless beauties.

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Beyoncé for The New York Times Style Magazine, "The Woman on Top of the World" | Photographed by Juergen Teller

(Full Article + Wardrobe Details here.)