• Life,  Recipes

    What I Ate During My First Week as a Vegan

    I never thought I would go vegan, simply because I love seafood and cheese too much to give them up for the rest of my life. But I also love animals and the environment with a deep passion, so I decided to go vegan for the month of April in celebration of Earth Month (Earth Day is April 22ndthis year). Before I dive into what I ate during my first week as a vegan, let me give you a little background on my eating habits so you know how I went into this new diet. (Veganism is not simply a diet, but the food aspect is all Iโ€™m going to…

  • Life

    DIY Orange Vinegar All-Purpose Cleaner

    I don’t know about you, but I am in full-on spring cleaning mode. I spent March decluttering (let’s be honest, though…I’m still decluttering (eye roll)) and now I’m ready to do the actual down-and-dirty work of cleaning my house. Winter can make a space feel stuffy and I personally LOVE a clean, organized, and fresh smelling environment. Last fall, I started experimenting with making my own cleaning products in an attempt to decrease my plastic consumption. Not only am I finding that I actually really like what I’ve made, but the recipes are affordable, easy, and fun to make! Plus, they are ALL-NATURAL and NON-TOXIC. Can I get an amen?!…

  • Life,  Recipes

    Homemade Spiced Chai Mix

    There’s nothing more cozy than sitting by the fire with a hot cup of chai on a cold day. Or walking though the snow with a hot mug full of the creamy, spiced drink. Mmm I can see the steam rising as I type this. YUM! I have been making this chai mix recipe as long as I can remember. It is delicious and perfectly warming for those cold winter days. It also makes a great gift! Just put the mix in a jar and add a homemade label on a pretty ribbon. Without further ado, here is the recipe for my favorite winter drink! Spiced Chai Mix Ingredients: 3…

  • Life,  Recipes

    Superfood Protein Salad

    Are you looking for a delicious plant-based, high protein meal full of nutrients? If so, then this salad recipe is for you! It has 20 grams of protein per serving that keep you full for hours, plus loads of flavor. AND it’s pretty quick and easy, too!   The Recipe: Total Time: 15-20 minutes Servings: 3 entree salads Nutrition: 334 calories and 20g protein per serving   Ingredients: Chili-Roasted Almonds 1 cup raw almonds About 1-2 tsp olive oil 1/2 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/2 tsp sea salt Salad 4 large handfuls mixed greens 1 cup cooked, chilled quinoa 1/2 cup cooked, shelled edamame 1/2 cup kidney beans…

  • Life,  Recipes

    Coffee Smoothie

    First of all, who doesn’t like coffee? Especially in Seattle…during autumn! Even if you don’t drink regular coffee, you might still sip on some decaf from time to time. After all, studies have shown that coffee-drinkers live longer than those who don’t consume the caffeinated beverage. And it doesn’t matter what kind of coffee you drink – you can still reap the longevity benefits and make this delicious and healthy breakfast smoothie! I love it because it only has five ingredients, kind of tastes like a chocolate shake (even though there’s no chocolate in it), and is under 300 calories! You can even make it the night before a busy…