Birthday thoughts

I am 25 years old today, and I could not ask for more. I am better today than I was yesterday, and I am happier than ever. I am right where I am supposed to be and I lack nothing, I am complete in this moment. I am not waiting for my life to start. Not waiting to be married off; to be someone's wife or mother. I am not waiting to find my purpose, I am living my purpose--today, right now, everyday. This moment is my purpose. Above all I am responsible for me; to love, nourish, and appreciate myself and I must be me, without apology. I do not know what my future holds and I do not know if the future holds me. I must live now, that is all I have. 
 

Take some time to go on a mini adventure-- run, laugh, sing, dance, live with passion. Pursue life to the fullest, don't hold back, and live in the moment! Do something to remind yourself you are alive. Do something crazy and fun. Dream big and live intentionally and effortlessly.

♥♥♥

Easter Candy-- Jesus wants you to shop fair trade this year.

Easter is just around the corner so I decided to put together some sites that sell fair trade Easter candy!
I will add to it as I find more! Enjoy : )

Every Bunny Loves Fair Trade
Pink Easter Bunny Box
Fair Trade Easter Candy
Handmade Stuffed Cotton Bunnies
Equal Exchange

Bizza's favorites

Theo Salted Almond Dark Chocolate
Yes to Cucumbers Face Towelettes
Theo Classic Dark Chocolate with Toasted Coconut
Yes to Carrots Face Cleanser
Yes to Grapefruit Face Scrub

To be fair, stay aware

Fair trade is not just about coffee and chocolate, it is an issue that overflows into every facet of our consumer driven world. I have been on a constant and ever-expanding journey to fair trade my life. It is not easy, it is time consuming, and I usually end up spending more money to ensure the products I purchase are ethically produced and traded.

I understand the effort it takes to identify what is and is not fairly traded, so I have taken some time to put together a list of companies that offer the most common fair trade products. This will be an ever-developing and growing list.

Fitness

Merrell Outdoor Footwear & Clothing
Gaiam- Yoga, fitness, healthy living, and eco-friendly products
Prana

Clothing

American Apparel
Monkee Genes
Fair Indigo
People Tree

Style with Heart is a great resource to find fair trade clothing

Lingerie
Luva Huva


Home Decor & Miscellaneous Items

Ten Thousand Villages
Greenheart
Global Goods Partners

Food

I have found the following fair trade items at Wholefoods: bananas, bell peppers, and pineapple, chocolate, coffee, and tea.

Larabar
Pure Bars
PROBAR

Tea

Tea Forté
Mighty Leaf
Zhena's Tea
Numi Organic Tea
The Republic of Tea (Fair Trade Certified Section)

*Many of these teas are available at local grocery stores. The Wild Harvest section of Shaws has a great selection of fair trade tea!

Coffee- Direct Trade

Holy Schmidt Coffee
Coffee by Design - Maine
Intelligentsia Coffee

Chocolate- Direct Trade

Nova Chocolate
Fearless Chocolate
Taza Chocolate- Boston based

Chocolate- Fair Trade

Theo Chocolate -Available at Wholefoods
Divine Chocolate -Available at Wholefoods
Equal Exchange - Available at Wholefoods
Green & Blacks - Available at Wholegoods, and many other grocery stores
Endagered Species Chocolate  - Available at Wholefoods
Newmans Own Organics  - Available at Wholefoods and many other grocery stores

 Also check out this article for more on fair and direct trade chocolate!
 
Health Care Products/Cosmetics/Etc.

LUSH Cosmetics
The Body Shop
Yes To -available at Target, Walmart, CVS/pharmacy, Walgreens, and many other local stores.
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps -available at Target, Wholefoods, and others.
Toms of Maine - Oral & Health Care Products  -available at Target, Walmart, Trader Joes, Wholefoods, and many other local stores.


Please comment and let me know what was helpful, products you liked, and things you would like me to look into. Also any products you have found that I have not listed would be welcomed!

What's in Shakeology?

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Paleo Pizza

I believe cooking and baking is a form of art; from the way you present it, the freedom you have to stray from a recipe, to the opportunity to create your own recipe. I like to add my own twist to everything to make it my own. However, I usually always refer to another recipe to get me started, and I will always give credit to those I copy. With that said, I hardly ever follow an exact recipe, I take bits and pieces to get going and then I go off on my own.  More recently I have been challenging myself by creating my own recipes.

Cauliflower Crust

I had no idea how to make pizza using cauliflower but I knew it was possible, I followed a recipe from another paleo blogger. It came out great, I do recommend opting for a thick crust when you lay it out; and making sure you cook it long enough before applying the toppings. By "long enough," I mean, make sure the crust is firm in the center (and throughout all the crust). Recipe adapted from The Fit Dish

Pesto Sauce

I decided to go with a pesto sauce for the base of my pizza, choose what you like best or try something new! Recipe adapted from Amazing Paleo.

Toppings

For the toppings I went off on my own, this can be as simple or extravagant as you want. What do you like? Throw it on the pizza!

Toppings

• Steamed brussel sprouts
• Sliced tomatoes
• Grilled chicken (I seasoned mine with salt, pepper, thyme, and some of the pesto sauce)
• Cilantro
• Red sauce for dipping

Process

•  Follow recipe for crust
• Follow recipe for sauce, or create your own
• Apply toppings, and cook 5-7 minutes, or until toppings have blended. If you are using any leafy greens apply those after you remove the pizza from the oven. (Note: The oven will already be set at 425)

Voila! Delicious paleo friendly, low carb pizza! Enjoy!

Raspberry Mocha 'Frappe'

Being a barista for fours year in college created in me  a deep love and appreciation for coffee. I love the atmosphere of a good coffee shop, the sense of community, the opportunity to create and share with others your passion, not to mention the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Sometimes I say I miss college, but what I really mean is, I miss an excuse to go sit at a coffee shop for hours. My experience as a barista and the artist in me inspired today's Shakeology. The Raspberry Mocha was one of my favorite, and most popular, frappe's that we sold at the coffee shop I worked at, so I decided that was going to be my next experiment. I must say, it tasted pretty close to the real thing! Except THIS drink had all organic ingredients including fresh raspberries. I got my coffee fix and a delicious and nutritious breakfast all in one! Shakeology really is such a great product! It is so good for you and there are so many possibilities to keep it fresh!

Raspberry Mocha 'Frappe' 

1 scoop vegan chocolate shakeology

3/4 cup raspberries

1/2 banana

1 cup chilled coffee (I used 1/2 coffee 1/2 almond milk)

1/2 Tbs crunchy almond butter

1 tsp cacao nibs 

5-7 ice cubes 

Throw it all in the blender, if it's a little thick I usually add some water! Enjoy!

 Ask about Shakeology or check out Self Love- Health and Fitness to learn more!

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

1 scoop vegan chocolate Shakeology
1/2 cup pumpkin purée
1/2 banana
1 cup chilled coffee or almond milk (I used half of each)
1 tsp crunchy almond butter
1/2 tsp cacao nibs
1/8 tsp cinnamon
5-7 ice cubes

Throw it all in the blender, if it's a little thick I usually add some water! Ask me about Shakeology!

Shakeology: Peppermint mocha

Peppermint Mocha Recipe

1 scoop vegan shakeology
1/2 cup chilled coffee
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 banana
1 tbs crunchy almond butter
1/4 tsp pure peppermint extract
1/8 tsp cinnamon
5-7 ice cubes

Throw it all in the blender, if it's a little thick I usually add some water! Ask me about shakeology!

Paleo Egg Cupcakes

Ingredients

8 eggs (I only used 4 egg yolks)

8 stalks asparagus

6 slices turkey bacon, cut in half

Bell pepper of choice, finely chopped

1 finely chopped red onion

3 cups spinach, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro
2-3 roma tomatoes, sliced (12 slices)

5 cloves garlic, finely chopped, divided
1/2 tbs coconut oil

Cayenne pepper

Salt

Pepper
12 cup muffin tin, greased

 Proccess

1. Preheat oven to 350, 
2. Grease muffin tin and line with turkey bacon
3.  Combine eggs, 1/2 of the garlic, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, spinach, and cilantro and set aside. Season to your liking, I tend to not measure with salt and pepper.
4. In a frying pan heat coconut oil on medium-low heat, add remaining garlic and slowly add the veggies. Start with the veggies that will take longer to cook (asparagus, pepper, and then onion). Cook until desired tenderness, but remember they will also bake in the oven.
5. Combine cooked veggies with egg mixture, and whisk lightly.
6. Divide evenly among the 12 tins and top with tomato slice
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until firm

This recipe was adapted from paleo blogger Nom Nom Paleo

Shakeology: Raspberry-Coconut Razzmatazz

There is no better way to start the morning than with a delicious, nutritious, and fulfilling breakfast that will last you for hours. Shakeology is so convenient for a busy schedule and keeps you full and engergized! It's a meal replacement that works for any meal, although I recommend it for breakfast because it's a good way to start off your day if you are trying to eat healthy and maintain or lose weight. Here was today's recipe:

1 scoop vegan chooclate shakeology

3/4 cup raspberries

1/2 banana

1 tbs unsweetened shredded coconut

1 tsp cacao nibs

1 Tbs crunchy almond butter

1 cup almond milk

5 ice cubes

Throw it all in the blender, if it's a little thick I usually add some water.

Order your Shakeology now by clicking here

Paleo Cobb Salad

Clean eating may take time and effort; but it is not a burden, it is a blessing. I have never felt better, been happier, or enjoyed life more.

Today's lunch was so simple and delicious! Three slices bacon, two hard-boiled eggs, half an avocado, red bell pepper, and onion on a bed of spinach and red kale and topped with hemp seeds. Drizzle a little bit of balsamic vinegar and enjoy!

If you are short on time, here are a few ways to save time; at the beginning of each week:

•  Hard-boil a half dozen or so eggs
• Cook bacon ahead of time and store in the fridge
• Cut veggies in bulk and store in fridge

Prepping certain foods at the beginning of your week is a great way to save time and ensure healthy snack and meal options throughout your busy week!

Honey-Coconut Salmon

Ingredients

1 filet wild caught salmon
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp Coconut oil
2 tsp Raw honey
Salt
Pepper
1-2 tbs Shredded coconut (unsweetened)
Juice of 1 orange, lemon, or lime

1. Set oven to broil. In a baking pan liked with tin foil place salmon, add salt and pepper

2. In a small saucepan, on low heat combine coconut oil and honey, just until melted.

3. Pour honey glaze over salmon, followed by juice of orange/lime/lemon, sprinkle coconut on top.

4. Broil 5-7 minutes, or until desired doneness. Serve with veggies.

Afternoon tea

Make the most of every moment --enjoy it and savor it; when you appreciate the little things and learn to recognize the beauty and magic in every moment you will want for nothing. If you have food, water, and shelter you have all you need; everything else is a gift. Acknowledge it, love it, share it.

Food is art, make it beautiful

Veggie-loaded egg white omelet

Breakfast is my favorite, well not just breakfast, mornings in general. Anyone who knew me in middle school, high school, or college probably would not believe this. I was more likely to snooze my alarm clock until the last second and rush to get out the door, inevitably skipping breakfast. I always knew breakfast was the most important meal of the day, but it was not until the past two months that it actually became the most important meal of the day for me.

When I started working out consistently and I adapted the paleo diet my life was completely transformed. With more energy, positivity, and motivation I look forward to waking up every morning. I get to start a new day, and that is not something to be rushed. I try to wake up with at least 2-2 1/2 hours of time for myself. I take this time to enjoy simple things like morning yoga, hot tea, taking my time getting read, and cooking my breakfast. I use this time to get centered and prepared for the day ahead of me. It is also so good to not have the stress of immediately rushing out the door.

With that said I am going to share, a simple, yet healthy and delicious breakfast recipe. This is a simple go to option that is sure to satisfy. This recipe can be easily adapted to fit your taste. Find your favorite veggies and pile them on!

Ingredients:

4 organic egg whites
3 slices Applegate turkey bacon
5 stalks asparagus, chopped
1/2 cup broccoli
1/3 cup orange pepper, chopped
Red kale
1 small red onion
1 tablespoon Nutiva Hemp Seeds (optional)
3 cloves finely chopped garlic
Cayenne pepper
Salt
Pepper
1 teaspoon Trader Joes Organic Coconut Oil 


1. In a medium-sized frying pan heat coconut oil on low-medium heat.

2. Add asparagus and broccoli, allow it cook 5-7 minutes, add peppers and allow to cool 3-5 minutes, finally add onion and garlic. Allow to cook until asparagus is tender.

3. While the veggies are cooking start cooking the bacon on low-medium heat and prepare your eggs. Separate the egg whites into a bowl; season with salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, Nutiva hemp seeds, and any other seasoning you fancy. To cook the egg whites use a medium-large skillet, I used my wok, on low-medium heat with a little bit of coconut oil. Cook the egg whites until the bottom is firm, add half of the veggies to one side and fold the egg whites over the veggies.

 4. Voila! You have a veggie-packed, flavor-filled omelet!

5. Top the omelet with the remaining veggies, get your bacon, and enjoy!

 Tips to save time

• Prep ahead of time and in bulk,simplify your life in any way you can!