A SMOOTHIE FOR EMOTIONAL STRENGTH


Alright, folks: life can be really freaking rough sometimes. This post is gonna be dark for a sec but I promise the ending is hopeful.

CHOCOLATE CHUNK CRANBERRY COOKIES


Music recommendation of the daaaay: Jamie xx's new-ish album "In Colour". Check out this song to get into it. Music is saaaaving me and getting my through this heartbreak. Seriously, don't know what I'd do without it. On that note, a tragedy has struck (besides Jack baaasically dumping me and me having anxiety attacks every morning): MY 160GB IPOD HAS DIED. It was well well weeeell loved so it doesn't come as a shock. But I need to find another one soon, and since they don't make them anymore, it's to Craiglist I venture with tentative hope. Plus I don't like buying new stuff anyways. It's good that Apple is on board with LGBTQ+ justice but their labour practices are not ok. Capitalism.... *uncomfortable moan*. 

JUICY ELIXIR with PINEAPPLE, MINT, RASPBERRY + BEET


First off: listen to this song. UNGH YES. Moving on: this recipe has a secret superfood ingredient: apple cider vinegar. I know the smell of it makes some folks wanna puke (i.e. my whole family) but its health benefits are so REAL so I wanna show ya'll a way to add it into your diet in a super yummy way. Lez go.

BAKED YAMS with SAUTÉED VEG + TOFU


Hey, all. Hope we are doing ok today. I'm getting by. My heart will be broken for a long time, but I need to focus on moving on, being strong, learning lessons and growing as a human; without a particular person who I thought would always be by my side. I want more than ANYTHING IN THE WORLD for them to call me so we can be together again, taking care of each other in this strange universe. But they don't love me anymore, not like they used to. They have found a new life, a new lover, and don't need me like I need them. I never realized how deep my love for them was: they were my lifeline, my rock, my world, my best friend and life partner. I took that for granted. I think of them constantly: everything from dogs to farmers markets to music is a trigger. I let myself daydream that one day they will call, but it's an unhealthy habit because it's probably false hope. They really seem to be totally fine without me. That is one part of this that hurts the most. But thank GOODNESS time just keeps passing by: each day gets easier. And out of the woodwork have come all these amazing, inspiring, kind persons who want me to know they are here for me if I need to talk, need a hug, need to cry on a shoulder. For all the hundreds of comments from you, my cyber family, I thank you. You've given me heartfelt fuel to go on, have confidence in myself and remember that this pain will pass and once I am on the other end of this horrific journey I will be a better version of myself. Thank you, everyone.

DIY VEGAN FACE MASKS + FACE MASK GIVEAWAY!

This is the fourth post in a self-care and body-care series I am doing in collaboration with Luminance Skin Care, an organic vegan skincare company that I love. This post also includes a face mask GIVEAWAY! Enter below by commenting on this blog post: comment with a question you might have about Luminance, skin care, face masks or whatever! The Luminance team will answer all your queries. Also, you can get a free enzyme mask if you buy something from Luminance's online shop and mention my blog's name at checkout!

FREEZER FUDGE BITES IN 10 MINUTES YESSSS


I got this idea from my friend, Maizy. She is the cutest QT I've ever met and her passion for life and love is inspiring. Check out her IG here for photos of delish vegan food, flowers and trees, feminist messages and gorgeous selfies. This recipe is SUPER basic, ya just throw nut butter into dates and stick 'em in the freezer for a few minutes. But the result is fabulous. They are gooey, cold, creamy, salty (if you sprinkle on a lil salt... do it), sweet and decadent. They're also made of foods that are good for you. These fudge bites are duel-functioning: they are a rich treat/dessert but also an energy snack. Eat as many as you want, whenever you want.

HELLO, BLACKBERRY WALNUT SMOOTHIE


Delish. Quick. Purple. This recipe tastes good and gives your body what it needs to keep going. I've got a mini island adventure to go on and I'm already late so I'm gonna leave this here for you to try out! I've been going through some SERIOUS shit in the past month. Jack and I broke up. I am utterly heart-broken. I am just starting the long, rugged journey of treating my mental illness. I feel ok sometimes, and hopeless sometimes. But the support and love I receive from all of YOU is helping me get through this and I know I'll come out stronger at the other end. Much love. Try the smoothie.

CHOCOLATE MACAROONS (SUPER QUICK + EASY)


Yesterday, my friends, was one of those days you remember fondly forever, and these macaroons were part of it. Ironically the morning started with me going to the dentist. I had cavities to be filled. But after that is when the good stuff got going. The short, PG version: my best friend and I had a beach day, went on a long walk, saw all the sights, talked about all the things, ate all the veggie foods and finished the night with a heart-breaking/heart-mending doc about pandrogyny, love, and industrial music while munching these macaroons [that I improvised and whipped up in an exhausted stupor in about 15 minutes at 10:30pm].

FROSTY MINT SMOOTHIE with CHOCOLATE


This was probably subconsciously inspired by a recipe I saw on Instagram from @sobeautifullyraw (Sam). Their pics are way better than mine because the lighting was AWFUL this afternoon. Like, I was actually angry at the weather. Angry. But I'm trying to keep goin with this regular posting thing so we'll all just have to deal with these crappy photos. Please forgive me and keep reading my blog.

GOOD OATS with ALMONDS, COCONUT SUGAR + VANILLA


First of all: download the 1997 album Supa Dupa Fly by QUEEN Missy Elliot. It's absolutely amazing. Power to women around the wooooorld. I'm endlessly impressed with her talent to subvert power relations while maintaining an unprecedented level of fabulousness.

COCONUT TWIX BARS


This recipe is 100% inspired by and adapted from The Coconut Goddess. I saw their raw vegan Twix bars on Pinterest or somewhere a few days ago and my heart was like: "Hey we need to make these today, mkay??" So I did, with my own tweaks. They are soooo decadent and delish. I have been eating them as energy snacks on bike rides and after the gym, etc. They are mainly made up of nuts and dates: first we've got a cookie layer followed by caramel, finally all coated in dark chocolate. YOU CAN'T GO WRONG. Make a bunch and keep 'em in the freezer for a quick, sweet snack whenever ya feel like it. Probably a great choice if you're trying to move your kids' treats in a healthier direction too. Or any human's treats.

RAW VEGAN SALTED CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES


I am callin these truffles, but loosely. They could also be called nut- and oat-based energy balls coated in chocolate but it's not as catchy or enticing. In my opinion. What you need to know is that they are delicious, quick to make, satisfying and good for ya bod. They're great on their own, on ice cream, as an energy pick-me-up, pre- or post-workout bite, whatever you like. I am going to be eating several today because a) I am in Study Mode for final exams so I cannot be bothered to make anything fancy to fill my tummy, b) I haven't had much of an appetite lately anyways (very strange for me), and c) They're effin YUMMY.