SEXY CARAMEL SLICE (RAW, VEGAN, XO)


I wanted something decadent and sweet today so I made a pan of caramel slices. The base is mostly oats and almonds, the caramel is a mix of dates and cashews, and the layer on top is simply raw dark chocolate sprinkled with some flaked salt. The result of all these glorious whole foods coming together is a luscious, rich treat that is at once nourishing and orgasmic: food for the soul and the body.

COCONUT SHAKE


This was 100% inspired by a drink I had the pleasure of slurping a week ago with some friends at Chau Veggiexpress. Their coconut shake came highly recommended and it hit the spot on the hot beach day we were having. Chau has some of the freshest, yummiest vegan food in Vancouver and I need to go back ASAP for their pecan caramel bar.

VITAMIN-PACKED POWER SMOOTHIE


Another day where it was challenging to get out of bed. I got more tattoos last night and it was much more painful than I was prepared for. Jack has been on my mind a lot, I miss him terribly and I know he doesn't miss me at all. And my depression and anxiety are rearing their un-sexy heads more than usual this month. It's tough, I'm not going to lie. But I continue to get through each day. And that's enough for now. I'm gonna talk a little more about mental health and self care in this post, and shout out a product that helps my mood, plus that's also simply part of a more general food philosophy that benefits my mental state. 

VEGAN EDIBLES: NUTELLA MACAROONS


I have been eating so many of these in the past two days and I have ZERO regrets. They help me feel relaxed, less anxious and more fun. They also taste amazing. The recipe is quite similar to one I posted a some weeks ago, but the coconut oil in this version is infused with herbal goodness. It's optional, of course. Do what works for you. I dig it. Another adaption is that I used hazelnut butter instead of peanut butter here, so they taste a bit like Nutella. (Yesssss.) I highly recommend Prana Bio's hazelnut butter, it's the best I've ever had by far. Your mind will be blown.

SUPERFOOD DOUBLE CHOCOLATE POPSICLES


Today has been a whirlwind but also super chill. I had a bunch of social plans - beach day with comfy inspiring friends, late afternoon tea with a wise lady bud, and then a date with a new person - but I woke up feeling anxious and decided to stay in my house all day. Sometimes I just need to do my hermit mode. I would confidently say it's worked out though. I got some work done (i.e. this recipe), painted more of my room white, listened to a bunch of great albums and podcasts, and I think this evening I will do some yoga and have a bath. I just had a cyber "chat" with my ex partner and it didn't totally petrify me so that's progress too. One foot in front of the other, right? I have been trying to take it easy this week because I have my new tattoos that are healing, so I can't really sweat or be in the sun. For those of you who know me even a little bit: you know that sweating and sunbathing are all I really do in the summer. So I have been actively trying to stay cool and in the shade. I miss the gym and biking, but it's nearly been a week so I can get back to 'em soon. I'm not good at sitting still.

Enough of me, though. On to popsicles.

GINGER BLUEBERRY SMOOTHIE with SECRET INGREDIENT


I had an amazing weekend. On Friday I went to a live show for one of my fave podcasts with my best friend. It's called Throwing Shade and it. is. hilarious. The hosts - Bryan and Erin - pretty much just make fun of sexists, homophobes and other bigots in ways that always make my abs sore (because... I'm laughing so hard). On Saturday I got NEW TATTOOS, BABY! Check 'em out here on Instagram. Nicer pics to come. I had them done by Ciara at Studio Nest, and the whole experience was so enjoyable and satisfying. 

BOUNTIFUL BANANA BOWLS with STRAWBERRY SAUCE + MINT


Hey, Gorgeous! HOW YA BEEN? Here I am, trying to keep up regular posting. This is a SUPER simple recipe that is inspired by an oldie. It's easy and delicious, like any decent meal/snack should be (imo). The recipe takes two seconds to make and is bursting with colour and flavour. I'd suggest adding dried berries and some crunchy granola or nuts if you like. Not to steal the limelight away from this bowl, but I need to give a(nother) shout out to my last recipe, 3-ingredient fudge. I made it again today (third time in a row) and my mind was blown yet again. It's foolproof and ADDICTIVE. Get yerself some brown syrup immediately... IMMEDIATELY... make the fudge recipe and change your world forever, for the better. 

THREE-INGREDIENT VEGAN FUDGE


Folks: I've figured it out. The secret is using brown rice syrup, it is very thick at room temperature so it gets gooey when refrigerated and makes the perfect sweetener for easy vegan fudge. The ingredients, amounts and instructions here are like my chocolate recipes, but the brown rice syrup makes the final product chewy - fudge! - instead of totally solid. 

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THE ONLY 3 BEAUTY PRODUCTS I NEED


It's the last night of a big road trip I've gone on with my mother across the States and back to Vancouver, Canada. (Mom says hi.) I could not feel more satisfied with all that has happened and how much I have grown in the exact ways I was hoping to. I am WHOLE again! I am ME again! Out of the 30 days we spent on the road, 9 were camping and the rest were staying with friends and family in various gorgeous houses and homes around the country. I was sweating the ENTIRE trip because we unknowingly decided to follow the midwest's record heat wave of the summer, and I am not used to humid weather ANYWAY. It became an auto response when stepping outside to exclaim: "Oh GAWD it's hot!?!?!"

VEG-TASTIC SMOOTHIE (IT'S NOT GROSS!)


I eat a lot of fruit. Or to be more specific: I DRINK a lot of fruit, in the form of smoothies and juices. I love sugar. I sip maple syrup from the can. I eat dessert all day. And I consume copious amounts of bananas, coconut sugar, berries, tropical fruits and dried dates. I feel great, my body loves it, but there is one thing missing: THE VEG. For a vegan who lives for whole fresh foods, I do not eat enough vegetables. It's so easy to forget to add greens to my smoothies, and I generally don't dig salad. I can effortlessly go through a day inhaling nothing but sweet fruits and rice while leaving behind veggies, non-sweet fruits and leafy greens. But veggies are rad. They are as rad as fruit, without as much sugar. Broccoli, beets, bell peppers, carrots, dark leafy greens: they have all been shown to be health super stars that can increase our life span and protect against serious illness and disease. I need MORE OF 'EM.