I switched up my morning protein shake for the first time in years.... here's what I thought about it....

I LOVED IT! I'm such a creature of habit.  I like what i like.  I've tried so many types of protein mix: whey, pea, soy isolate (yikes).  What I've never really played with is the ingredients.

I came across an interesting smoothie recipe, and thanks to one of my coworkers, I was able to tweak the ingredients as to avoid a potentially gnarly tasting shake.  And the unexpected happened.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS NEW SHAKE.

Here it is (and I'll explain the benefits after)

Ocean Smoothie:

• Coconut or unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• Kefir (I make my own, yogurt will do too) (see previous blog for recipe)
• frozen banana
• frozen blueberries
• vanilla pea protein mix
• honey (to taste, maybe 1/2 teaspoon, and local raw is best)
• teaspoon or less of Spirulina
• tablespoon collagen

Mix it together! It's beautiful! And soooooooooo good.

Now here are the ingredient benefits:

Non dairy milk- lower in calories, easier to digest for many, vitamin fortified
Kefir - essentially liquid yogurt, and PACKED with live cultures and enzymes (helps go potty)
Frozen banana - potassium (maintains electrolyte balance), low glycemic, supports healthy hair, nails and collagen, and as a complex carb it helps promote serotonin production
Blueberries - vitamins C & E, helps skin elasticity, anti-aging
Pea protein - I get Natureade which is loaded with amino acids, GREAT TASTING, and I've tried them all.  LITERALLY.  And 20g of protein per serving.  (Try to avoid Soy Protein Isolate)
Local, raw honey: natural sweetener, helps aid in allergy symptoms
Spirulina- (City Market, bulk)  OMG too many benefits (see picture below), very earthy tasting, can be funky for some people, add 1/2 tsp at first and gradually increase as you get used to it
Collagen- some say this is still up for debate, but i swear by it, also see pic below for more



I feel like it's been forever since I've blogged.  Trying my best to get on here a few times a week, if just for a simple recipe. :)

Love you all!  Happy Thursday, and may wellness be with you today. 🙏💛

Laurie

Juicing for eye health and homemade kefir....

Hey all!!
So here's a juice for eye health... I don't think I posted this before...

It's incredible, especially in the morning!!

A red beet, carrots, 3 apples, a little ginger and voila!!

Instant eye health!!!

Try it in your juicer, or come over and I'll make you some!

ALSO, homemade kefir is so easy and so much cheaper and LITERALLY full of probiotics which are SO good for digestive health.  In the nutrition field, we say that YOUR GUT IS YOUR SECOND BRAIN.  Treat it kindly.  

To make homemade Kefir, you just need milk, a big mason jar, and a starter pack.  If you're a Vermonter, you can get a kefir starter box at City Market; you have to ask for it though, they keep them upstairs.  Directions are on the box, the website (www.yogourmet.com), or message me and I can type them out for you.  You can also order this from Amazon (cheaper at City Market), and you can substitute soy milk, coconut milk, almond milk, etc.! 

Love you guys...  💗💞💝

Room Sprays

Hey all!

I'll be cooking the next few days, but right now I'm focusing on school work.  Speaking of focusing, here's an essential oil blend that you can make into a room-spray to promote concentration.

10 drops of peppermint essential oil
8 drops of rosemary essential oil
Add a sprinkle Himalayan salts to the bottle (for good measure)
Fill with purified or spring water.

Voila!

OMG I've missed you!! Homemade eye cream is here!!

Hey all!!

Gosh, it's been so long, and I've been meaning to write more.  I've got SOOOOOOOO much to share with you guys.  Like SO much.  But I'm going to be realistic - I'm a busy girl.  One post at a time.  LOL.  I want to do so much more though, because there is just so much goodness I've learned and created that I think you guys will love and benefit from, as well.  So, here is the first installment.

As some of you know, I've long had eye issues.  Namely, it always looks like I'm stoned when I'm definitely not ever.  LOL.  So, after many vain attempts at whitening eye drops and whatnot, I've come to the conclusion that I'm over eye-dropping my poor, pretty blues.  So I've come up with a night cream for your eyelids.  And if it happens to leak into your mouth, its still pleasing! :)

So, what you do is juice a few carrots.  Then add a little of the pulp to the juice and mix.  Tonight when you go to bed, rub some of the potion over your eyes, even under.  Just please don't get it in your eyes. :)

The vitamin A will literally topically improve your eye health instantly!!

If you don't have a juicer, just use a blender.

Up next will be recipes for a complexion soup (it's amazing!) and the most delish homemade veggie burgers you will ever have - made from juicing compost!!

Love you guys!

Until next time, stay well and spread peace.  XOXOX

Laurie

Healthy vegetarian Rueben, tomato/goat cheese salad, and juices galore...

Hey babes!!

Miss you guys!  I've been so bleh the past few days.  Allergies are the worst; I don't know about you, but they really drain me.  Stay tuned for allergy blogs as I am going to soon embark on a journey to relieve allergy symptoms holistically.

Since I got my juicer last week, I've been a human juicing machine.  3 people asked me if I was pregnant on Sunday!!!  (it's the glow from the juices!)  I just told Natalie - I've never bought so many veggies and fruits as I have in the last few weeks, mostly in the past week.  It's incredible.  And I can see my skin clearing rapidly.  And my eyes are getting whiter.  Though allergies will prevent them from being Kardashian-white.  *rolls eyes*

On to the food!!

Tomato/Goat cheese salad:
Anyway, Little Miss Hailey: for you - chop a bunch of tomatoes (Roma or cherry), add cubed goat cheese (we have a good local brand here in Vermont), do a swirling round of balsamic vinegar, and a few short drips of EVOO.  Add a little sea salt and pepper and even some diced fresh organic basil.

The benefits of tomatoes are high: they are anti-inflammatory, they are high in potassium (keeps your electrolytes balanced and promotes good circulation), they have lycopene (great against UV damage), and they contain Vitamin E which helps maintain healthy, moisturized skin and scalp.  Goat cheese, compared to something like Cheddar, has less calories and half the sodium.

Vegetarian Rueben's with an added kick:
Okay, this is my new fave meal.  I don't always have much of an appetite for solid food and this is one that I can almost always eat.  What you'll need:

-Veggie burgers (my fave is Morningstar Garden Veggie)
-Mayo, ketchup, relish, tumeric, and pepper (for the 1,000 island dressing)
-rye bread or gluten free bread (Vermont Bread Company or Udi's)
-swiss cheese
-kimchi (we have a good local brand here in VT)

First, pre-bake your patties, but not all the way.  Usually takes about 5-7 minutes.

Second, make your 1,000 Island dressing.  In a small mason jar (or whatever) mix up your desired amounts of mayo and ketchup (2/3 mayo, 1/3 ketchup maybe).  Then add a tablespoon or more of relish, a few rounds of pepper, and a 1/2 teaspoon of tumeric.  Shake it like a money maker.  (Try to get ketchup that is free of high fructose corn syrup.)

Third, mayo one side of each slice of bread, then put the mayo side down on a cutting board or plate.  Put the veggie patty on one side, then add two thin layers of 1,000 Island in between your swiss cheese and a healthy dose of kimchi.  Load on your second slice, mayo side out, and cook it as you would a grilled cheese.  THIS IS AMAZING.  I also like to dip into extra 1,000 Island.

This sandwich is a great balance of good grains, protein, and fat (from the dressing).  The added benefit of Kimchi is remarkable (vs. sauerkraut).  Kimchi is loaded with Vitamins A and C.  It also, is an excellent source of probiotics which help support healthy gut flora (boosts immunity and helps assimilate nutrients that nourish skin, hair, and nails).  Kimchi aids in digestive function, which relieves gas and bloating (phew!).  And it encourages better elimination, taking a significant burden off of your skin.  Tumeric adds pretty color is is anti-inflammatory.

Okay, that's all the time I have now.  Stay tuned for the juice recipes and their benefits... you'll love them!!  I love you guys!  And let me leave you with a little bit of advice.

Before you worry too much about Secondary Foods (foods that you eat), take a look at your Primary Foods (relationships, career, love, spirituality, exercise, etc.).  You can be the healthiest eater in the world, but if your Primary Food count is in disarray or is being neglected, well no amount of vitamins will be able to feed your soul the way human connection, spirituality, and exercise can.  

Wellness, my loves, is not about just food.  It's about feeding ALL OF YOU.  Feed your soul.  Then nourish your body.  You'll be amazed at the results.  

XOXOXO
Laurie

The best spaghetti squash yet!

OMG, you guys.  I can't even.

So, I'm at home for a few hours to cook up some veggies that I bought recently and to get some school work done.  And as I learn more about wellness and eating, I'm starting to play a little more with different add-ins.  And today's experiment is RIDICULOUSLY DELICIOUS.

Take your cooked spaghetti squash, scoop out the insides, and spoon or fork out the spaghetti part.  Put in an old, retro 70's bowl (okay, that's interchangeable).  Add maybe 1 tbsp of butter (cubed), 2 spoonfuls of creme fraiche (my roommates BF came home with some and I *had* to find use for it), and a sprinkle or two of pecorino romano. If avaialable, chop up some fresh, organic basil and throw that in there too (just 2-3 leaves).

Mix around and VOILA! Pure bliss.  This stuff is good, even for a veggie-nay-sayer!!!

More recipes will be coming.  My schedule is opening up now....  YAY!!!

Love you guys!!

And remember, EVERYONE benefits from more water, more sleep, more human connection, and more fruits & veggies.

Spaghetti Squash and a word or two

Hey all!  Sorry for the delay - without any further ado...!

Spaghetti squash is fairly easy to make.  You can look up instructions.  The other night I used a particularly big SS so my cooking time was longer.  For a medium sized one, you will want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Using a pairing knife, prick the squash all over.  Then place in a baking dish and bake for 60 or so minutes - until soft.  I like to put a little water in the bottom of the pan personally.  I don't remember where I picked that up but I do it.  When it's done cooking, take out and cut in half, long way.  Scoop out and toss the seeds and junk, then, using a fork, scrape the inside of the squash - top of each half to the bottom.  You'll see that what comes out, via the fork, is spaghetti looking!!  Just keep doing it, you'll get lots of spaghetti!

While the squash is baking, grab yourself two organic zucchinis (zucchini season is wrapping up so use it while you can!).  In a frying pan, over medium heat, add a tablespoon of coconut oil and a tablespoon of butter to the pan - let it heat.  Cut the ends off the zucchinis, then cut long way.  Then cut long way again.  Then dice.  You're essentially cubing the zucchinis.  Add to pan along with a teaspoon or tablespoon of organic minced garlic.  Saute till soft and lightly browned (maybe 15ish minutes).

When you have the spaghetti squash carved out, add the zucchinis, some salt and pepper, and a few fun dashes of parmigiano reggiano.  Enjoy! For the meatless meatballs, follow directions on bag, cooking them in vegetable pasta sauce, serving them on the side of the spaghetti. 

FUN FACTS-
Coconut oil: supports metabolism and helps burn stored fat.  It's main component, lauric acid, is a powerful anti-microbial fat that kills bacteria, viruses and yeast.
Zucchini: calms nervous function, has anti-aging vitamins C and A, and has nutrients B6 and folate which is good for healthy hair.
Spaghetti squash: low cal, filling fiber, and vitamin A (cell renewal and protective to computer strained eyes) and potassium (supports healthy muscle and nerve function, balances electrolytes, and helps maintain PH balance in the body)

HAPPY EATING! 



So wellness is certainly about eating for nutrition and exercising for mental and physical health, but its also about having a spiritual type of path.  This can be found through things like yoga and meditation, for me, it's reaching a calmness... but its also about a self awareness: my role in the world, but also my role in the events that take place around me.  I have long since functioned from a place of needed perfection and so any criticism at all was crippling.  But now I've reached a place in my development in which I can identify my role in situations, hear the words of those around me, and alter my reactions and/or what I bring into similar situations.  It's a relief to learn to not take life personally.  Life and people don't have to dictate my mood and my happiness.  That's MY job.  I choose to feel serene over stress.  What's YOUR choice?

Love you and Happy Friday!! XOXOXOX

Beauty Elixer (that green juice)

Hey guys!!

Okay here are the recipes from yesterday.  So given my Italian nature, I don't typically measure things, its more of a SOUL feeling.  Funny, when I used to cook with my mommom, I was always like "Mommom, but how MUCH am I putting in?!"  Her answer was always, like, a dash, or a pinch.

Now I get it.

So first up, that green juice.  This was actually something I found in a magazine, long ago.  It is allegedly Kerry Washington's Beauty Elixer.  And, well, she's gorgeous, so I was game.

BEAUTY ELIXER:

In a blender or a NutriBullet...

-1/4 cupish of purified water
-few leaves of organic romaine (protects computer stressed eyes)
-few stalks of organic celery (good for skin hydration and elasticity)
-healthy handful of organic spinach (cell turnover, regulates sleep, mood, appetite and calms nervous function among many other things!)
-healthy handful of organic parsley (flushes excess water retention)

Mix together then add...

-organic banana (regulates sleep, mood and appetite and important for electrolyte balance)
-organic apple (see below)
-organic pear (great fiber and anti-inflammatory)
-half organic lemon (helps maintain a flat belly and natural detoxifier)

Congratulations!!  You now have a beauty elixer!! :)

*Apples really do keep the doctor away.  They reduce allergies, they detox the body, they are loaded with antioxidants and they areanti-inflammatory.  They balance bacteria in the large intestine which aids digestion and is good for the skin.  They are anti-cancerous, and they help fight wrinkles!

Spaghetti squash meal recipe shall follow!!! Happy nutrition! :)

It's time for a wellness revolution

Hey all.

My goodness, I can't believe it was 3 years ago that I started this blog.  It was such a great tool, then, but it wasn't enough.  You see, I was going through some serious shit, as I have for the past 4 years.  And the blog as a tool was great, but what I didn't know then, was that my toolbox needed to be overflowing.  I have been blessed with a lot of great characteristics, but coping skills is historically not one of those.  And through several years of pain, lessons, and shifts, I now begin (or pick back up) what I like to refer to as THE WELLNESS MOVEMENT.

What I never realized is that everybody has their shit.  I always assumed I was the only one born without directions; the world was happening to ME.  *shakes head*  Well, that is definitely not the case.  The world is happening alright, but it's not to me.  I am but a factor.  I can choose to be a great factor, or I can choose to live as a victim.  For my own serenety, peace and happiness, I whole-heartedly choose to be a factor - a brick in the wall of greatness and strength - a tide in a beautiful, blue ocean - a beam in the warming sunshine (you get the idea).

And what does it take to play such a role in today's world?  A firm foundation in wellness and health.  You see, to me, wellness isn't nutrition or eating vegetarian.  It's an approach to relationships, to fitness, to nutrition, to spirituality, and to love and happiness.  It embodies so many things that are at our fingertips if we choose to explore and learn.

So what's this new blog about?  It's going to be my take on all the aforementioned branches of wellness, coupled with the new information I will be soaking up through my education via IIN.  And what does this mean to you?  FREE ADVICE!!

LOL.

So read the blogs or not.  Heed the suggestions or not.  Identify and laugh or not.  It's totally up to you.  I have no desire to change anyone but myself.  Though if my experiences can help any of you, then that will satisfy my soul.  Ultimately, I want to make a difference in this world.  So, I'll start with myself.  Happy blogging.  I love you guys.  (And soon, hopefully a video blog!!)

Stay tuned for yesterday's recipes....  XOXO

Yin and Yang

As you can all probably presume, yesterday I felt hurt by the actions of a few people in my life.  These aren't people that I'm close to, but their intent towards me is hurtful nonetheless.  And so I dwelled on it last night; I couldn't help it.

But you know what I realized today, after talking to a good friend?  If not for these icky deceptive people, I would never have met two people that have recently grown to be very near and dear to my heart.  And so I present the ever so apparent cliche of the Yin and Yang.

We've all been hurt.  We've all experienced a time afterwards that has made us feel like we might lose our faith in goodness and in balance.  And I'll be the first person to admit, when I encounter such experiences, I can never remember that (in almost all cases) a balance will emerge and in very little time, something will happen that will remind me of why I do choose to be the way I am.

There really is goodness out there.  And there really does exist a collection of people around us that remain near to us because they are who they are: wonderful, supportive, honest, and pure.  So here's to the bad people: go suck on a lemon!  For those of us who are real and true will always prevail, and we will always be better than you.

And to those who are just like me, including my two most recent allies, thank you for being exactly who you are.  And thank you for being in my life: for many reasons.

Love always...

"Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." Ryunosuke Satoro

Shocks me every time...

I have some very redeeming qualities that make me who I am, and which also contribute to the fact that people tend to take to me very easily and quickly.  I make friends quite easily, and I can strike up conversation with almost anyone.  To be this kind of person, you must trust easily, have empathy, often give people the benefit of the doubt, have faith in the goodness of others, and believe in the best.

This is the kind of person I am.  That being said, when you're this kind of person, you unfortunately get hurt very easily, as I often am.  Years ago, while discussing more heartache imposed by an ex-boyfriend, I told my mother that part of me wished I had been more like him: untrusting, cynical, and guarded to all.  It seemed at the time that he rarely felt hurt and/or let-down or hurt by the sneaky and back-stabbing actions of those around him.  Therefore, he never really experienced the disappointment in people, because he never had much faith in anyone.

That day my mom said something like, "no, no.  I'd rather be more like you.  Being like him would mean that you were closed off, negative, and unhappy.  I'd rather be trusting."

And true, I get what she was saying... but still.  When you're like me, you feel let down too often.  And when I'm faced with a situation in which someone is dishonest, sneaky, and intentionally hurtful - no matter how many times it's happened (a lot) - I am hurt fully all over again.  And every time, when faced with this realization, I feel completely shocked.  I guess because I'm not wired that way, and so I may never understand how and why people feel the need to be so horrible and malicious.  

Sometimes it's hard to keep a positive attitude and keep faith in the goodness of the world as a whole.  Right now I'm having a hard time doing this.  Alas, I've maintained this hope and faith for this long so I reckon I will continue to be able to do so.

"You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination."  -Ralph Marston

Beside myself

So... in the past (less than) a week, I have secured a teaching job, a tutoring job, had dinner with my parents, got my car fixed and am about to Zumba for the first time.

After too many months of struggles and trials and tribulations, life seems to be coming together.  I have officially reconnected with my two most wonderfulest girlfriends to boot.  I guess over the past many months I have easily felt consistently down, primarily because it felt like life's obstacles were neverending.... but, as always, they have ceased to control me.  I now have my whole family back into good graces (which is an amazing blessing) and I have developed a control of my life and weaknesses that I haven't had in quite some time.  I feel amazing today.

We've all been here:  in a spot that makes us feel like things are so very far from coming together... and where life feels like it has all control and things are out of reach.  But I will tell you, after feeling it myself, I can assure you that if you feel this way now - well, it won't be forever.  Getting healthy, making the right changes, and making sure that you do what you need to do to ensure your support network maintains confidence in your ability to get better... well, that's when things will turn around.

But it's also not that simple.  Climbing out of a rut is not going to be a successful endeavor unless YOU do what YOU need to do; whether it's learning to be a positive thinker again, give up bad habits, regain faith, or learn to accept personal accountability... and it could be several or all of these things... regardless, it's in our power to do so.  And I want to take a second to give a shout out to my support group: my roommate, my boyfriend, my sisters, my family, my girlfriends, and everyone else who has acted as one or the pair of crutches that I've needed over the past year.  I love you guys.  I will forever be grateful for the support and the love that you've provided me with.  Yes, I would eventually have done it on my own, but I'm eternally grateful to have had your help along the way to speed up the process.  And in thanks, I shall continue to give you my unconditional love and admiration, as well as my pledge to do all in my power to further promote a healthy and successful growth, professionally and personally.

After all, without love from those who are most important to you, what do we really have?  DO NOT TAKE THOSE WHO LOVE YOU FOR GRANTED FOR THEY ARE THE ONES WHO WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH THE WATERS WHEN YOU CANNOT WALK THROUGH IT YOURSELF.

I love you all.  For this and for many, many reasons: thank you - incessantly.

Best love always,
LLM

Astonished

You know, I continue to be shocked by people in life.  And not always for good reasons.  I often am floored by the lack of compassion and sympathy that so many people possess.  And then I see a story like I saw today, and it completely blows my mind in another way.

On The View today was a very practical family from Missouri.  They are a fairly young religious couple with a 19 year old and a 3 year old.  And though money would be a tricky thing, when they got an email from a friend in an orphanage in Peru about 5 children whose parents had died, they couldn't shake a feeling about some connection.  A year and a half later, all five children (to avoid being broken up as a family) were adopted by the couple.  There are language barriers across the board, but they said as soon as they walked into the orphanage in Peru, all 5 children (some of them 50 feet away) came running into their arms.  It is such a beautiful thing.  And I wish the news would tell us more about this kind of thing... because I think it would honestly restore a lot of lost faith that we sometimes can't help but fall into.

Additionally, Proctor and Gamble (who I dont' like because they test on animals constantly) provided the couple with a years worth of groceries.  But more than that, Avila University present the family with a total of half a million dollars in scholarship money for the kids to use for college AND invited them all to Avila's summer sports camps and home sports games.

As discouraged as I may get at times,  I have to admit, I do believe in humanity and that goodness does prevail.

XO

Interviews

So I went on my second interview today for a school that I really like.  The past year and few months has been quite a roller coaster, to say the least.  And I've hit hard times, within the time, over and over again.  I feel like I might actually be close to getting on my feet, not just professionally but also personally.  Hard times seem to make you develop bad habits, not like addictions (but that's possible), but just a self-deprivation and self-doubt kind of thing.  I won't lie, I've struggled with it a lot lately... but I honestly think that I may finally be overcoming it.

I find it hard, often, to see things in increments instead of the grand picture.  And I think I get overwhelmed because of it... and then I kind of give up in a way.  It's a hard cycle to break but it's possible to do so.  I think the hardest thing to do is to admit when you've lost control and when you need to ask for help, even if it's just in terms of gaining your mental strength back.

I'm really hoping this interview turns into a job, but you know what?  If it doesn't, I think I'll be okay.  I'll keep prevailing.  I can do this.  YOU can do this.  We all have our battles.  And quite frankly, if it weren't for friends and family, I don't know how I'd get through these things.  Which leads me to instantly acknowledge the fact that because I have the network I have, I can pretty much get through anything.  And the same goes for you.

May we all find strength when we need it.  And if we can't find it in ourselves, may we have the gift of briefly relying on our friends and family.  Though I will say this as a final statement:  I think today... I have finally learned that it comes from within.  And I've sought after it through every other outlet until now.  But we all have the power.  XOXO

I'm basically just blogging to myself and I'm actually totally okay with that.  It's like having a virtual diary but without putting anything personal on here.  It helps me get my extreme talkativeness out. :)

Day 2 of my new and improved blogging self.  Still a little confused about how to work this thing but regardless... I think I'm going to have fun with it. :)

I have no idea what i'm doing with this....