Saturday, June 30, 2012

☺ The Balance to a Truly Healthy Happy Life ☺



Along the path to happiness, and manifesting (using the Law of Attraction) we often stumble and find it hard to maintain that positive level all the time. But there are some key points that many of us forget about, and that is that for happiness to truly flow freely and easily then you have to Feel Good. While choosing to be happy is indeed a choice that you do need to make in order to actually be happy, there are many things that will help your happy journey. Remember that everything in life is connected, and so if you want a truly happy life then everything within that life requires balance and love and attention. The key aspects of our lives that we should check on are our state of mind, our health (including diet and exercise), and general all-around balance in our active lives. 

Choose It!
Happiness is in your head, and it is certainly the biggest step you need to take to change your life. You always have a choice and that will be the key to unlocking all other aspects of your life. 
I'm not going to focus too much on this topic in this particular article because I have so many others that go into more in-depth details into tricks and ways to make your life happy and finding that within yourself. So go and explore my "Inspirational" posts for more tips there. ;)


Eat Well!
You have a choice to be happy and you have a choice to be healthy, but we often pay attention to one and forget the other yet they are both so closely connected. Being happy all the time is much harder when you are eating crappy foods. Remember a happy body is a happy mind. Food is fuel for your body and if you are giving your body junk food that it can't get proper energy or nutrients from then you are living your life running on empty all the time. And that is not a happy body. Your body and your brain cannot properly (or happily) function on junk food. If you are starving your body of what it needs then you are also starving your brain of what it needs. When you make healthy food choices then your body will feel wonderful, nourished, energetic, and alive! So how do you suppose your brain responds? It will also feel wonderful, nourished, energetic and alive! So many of our health problems today are a combination of too much stress and a poor diet. Making simple healthy changes can clear your mind and make you feel new again. If you want to be happy--which I assume you do--stop kidding yourself and get healthy! It's simple as that! 
Remember that everyone's body is different, especially when it comes to food. Allergy tests are a great idea, but they are not always completely accurate as well. My suggestion is to cut out junk food, cut out common allergens (wheat & dairy), and seriously cut back on (or eliminate completely) sugar and refined foods. Some people can't tolerate grains well, others can't tolerate beans or starch well. Cut out the common problem areas and then slowly reintroduce them to see your body's reaction. If you don't think food affects you at all, please stop denying it, food affects everyone, we just aren't often very in-tune with our body's reactions and needs. If this sounds like a lot of work, take it one step at a time. Just remember that if you want to be happy then this really isn't as hard as you think.  


Exercise!
Being healthy also means being active. Exercise can do wonders for depression and your energy levels. All the amazing health benefits of exercise (read about them here!) will transform your life onto another level of bliss. Happy will flow much easier because you are giving your body more of what it needs--health! 


People & Surroundings!
Health is great, but what about your surroundings? What about the people you interact with on a regular basis? People can be just as toxic as food, negativity can completely overwhelm our minds and good energy. Bad vibes are bad vibes. If someone is negative all the time then chances are they are going to rub off on you. Don't put yourself through that. I'm not talking about people who need to do a little venting, most of us are guilty for needing a little venting, I'm talking about the people that literally have nothing good to say ever and complain constantly. Being in that person's negative cloud regularly is damaging to your own mental health and can drain you dry and leave you feeling just plain blah. People certainly can change, but there is no reason to primarily surround yourself with those types of people. If you have those negative people in your life but you don't want to end the relationship then make sure you have plenty of super positive people in your life to make up for it and try only to see the negative people on an occasional basis. Place yourself in a positive environment and surround yourself with positive people! It really helps--and it helps when dealing with those negative people as well.


Balance!
Maybe you've got all those topics covered, in which case good for you! But maybe happiness still isn't coming so easily. So how's the balance in your day to day life? Are you a workaholic? Do you have an active social life? Too much social life? Do you take time for yourself? Time for reflection and self work? We live in a very busy society that teaches us to be on the go all the time, but if we are always on the go then our minds can't keep up. Work should not be your whole life. Making money to buy things you don't need shouldn't be your life. Your life should contain the perfect balance for your time. Make time for work, for play, for people and social interaction, and for down-time (meaning You time). Every day you should also take time for self-reflection and positive affirmations to keep you on track. Balance is key.  

Unresolved Problems!
The last major issue that might be getting in your way to unreasonable happiness is any unresolved issues. It is hard to be happy when you have something nagging at your subconscious all the time with issues that have not yet been dealt with. Don't carry around extra baggage when you don't need to. When stress arises, deal with it. When problems arise, solve them. Work through things! And don't kid yourself, if you need help then get it! We are not meant to go through this world alone, so seek out others who can help you. 

  
Again I will say that balance is everything. Your body being in harmony and healthy is everything. If you are struggling to find happiness then be sure to check what it is you are eating, how active you are, if there are unresolved issues, and how your day to day life is. 
Happiness is within everyone's grasp, so long as we are attentive and kind to our individual needs.


Photobucket

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

Friday, June 29, 2012

☆ Fatal Attraction: Chemicals and Cosmetics ☆

Okay, so I've written before about the "Dirty Dozen (Chemicals to avoid in Cosmetics)" and the two part "Dying to be Beautiful" & "Don't Want to Die to be Beautiful," but you can always use more information on the chemical industry of cosmetics... and because, quite frankly, people still don't know what they're actually putting on their skin. 
So, today I am sharing another informative infographic (yup, we're on a role with these things) thanks to cosmetologyschool.org




Photobucket

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

♥ MarketFest June 29th! ♥


Be sure to come find ReLove Plan.et at MarketFest here in Nelson B.C. tomorrow (Friday) from 6pm-10:30pm! 
I'll have a ton of shirts, art prints, cards, necklaces, earrings, magnets, and brand new tote bags! :) Plus there will be live music, entertainment and tons of other amazing vendors and food! 
I'll be located next to the Royal. Hope to see you there! 



Photobucket

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

♥ New Tees! ♥


Five new designs were recently added to the Etsy Shop, so get ready for some ridiculous cuteness overload! ;) Click Here to grab one


[whoooaaa, I'm so good at doing the exact same pose! ;P]

Also, because many of you missed it (and because I didn't make the listing stand out enough), don't forget that you can get any of my adorable prints on a cute Custom Tunic Dress (in your size and colour choice). :) Listing Click Here!

Lastly, this is also a heads up that as market season is well on it's way here in town, I will be focussing largely on getting stock for that. I will always be taking orders online though because I love you guys. But I'm unsure how long I will have the custom options available as the colours keep changing where I buy my eco-friendly fabrics from and it's a lot for me to be ordering fabric as well as pre-made shirts. Nothing is for certain though! I'll be seeing how things go this next month and keep you all updated. ;) 

Hope you're all having a beautiful spectacular day! 

Photobucket

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

Monday, June 25, 2012

☺ Motivational Mondays! ☺



We're taking back Mondays!!!
"Motivational Mondays" are fabulous tips to get you excited and pumped for the week! 
Feeling low? Moody? Down on life? Well, that's what these posts are for! Time to feel awesome again and get some Positivity rolling! Just because it's Monday doesn't mean you can't have fun, smile, and enjoy Today! Apply these tips to your week and try to tell me that you don't start to see an improvement in your life! ;)
It's all about You! Change your perception, change your attitude, love your life! xo

Tralalalala… 

We, Our Relationships, and life change… We all grow and we all change, it's the natural cycle of life. We will always be continually evolving within ourselves. When we grow, our frequencies change. When people end a relationship it is the result of no longer being on the same frequency as each other. In non-Law of Attraction terms, it's as simple as people becoming different people with different interests and values. This is growth, it is progression. So always remember that this change is a good thing, a sign of your continually evolving soul. Growth is Life and Life is Good!  
Dance dance dance! Because I haven't told you to in a while (and because I haven't been as much lately) I thought a lovely little nudge would be good for us all. ;) Dance as much as possible this week, make your life like a musical number! Dance at home, at work, in the grocery store. Blast your favourite tunes or dance to the songs in your head. Guaranteed to be a mood lifter!  
Give up Complaining. I say it again and again but I simply feel like I can't say it enough; complaining leads you nowhere. Every time you're about to complain about something, try to catch yourself and instead list off things you are grateful for. 
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff! There is a time when it is appropriate to pay mind to something and work through it, there are others when it is a total waste of your energy and time. Learn not to sweat the small stuff. Remind yourself that, chances are, whatever it is, it doesn't really matter. Ask yourself if it's worth getting upset over. If it's something that truly needs working through, work through it. If it's not, wipe your hands of the matter and move on. Pay attention though, usually when little things get our stress levels going it's the product of a bigger unresolved problem--so pay attention and resolve if needed!  
And Stretch… The benefits and importance of stretching are phenomenal! Especially if you're a pretty active person, or even if you're on your feet for a lot of the day. Get into the habit of doing a good long stretch session every single day. Hold your stretches for as long as you can, really feel your muscles and body. If you're exercising be sure to stretch both before and after and make sure it's an extra long stretch session. You'll feel better in every way possible! Plus you'll improve your flexibility, which is good for your body. :)
I can and I will! Pick up an "I Can and I Will!" Attitude this week! Whatever problems that might arise, whatever bumps, whatever opportunities, whatever challenges, say "I Can and I Will!" And watch that positive attitude transform your week and bring about some miraculous gifts! :) 
Watch your Mind, Actions, Thoughts…  In Lao Tzu's words: "Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; They become actions. Watch your actions; They become habits. Watch your habits; They become character. Watch your character; It becomes your destiny."   


Have a beautiful day, week, life! Much Love from me to you! 
Create a Nice Day! xo


Photobucket

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Ⓥ Vegan Kitchen: Perfect Kale Chips! Ⓥ



These are by far the most amazing things ever created! Not to mention they're healthy! But, seriously, my husband and I cannot get enough of them! We've made made several batches in the past couple weeks--and they never last long because we gobble them up in no time. ;) 
Anyway, these kale chips are perfect and crispy, packed with tantalizing flavour, and… did I mention they're healthy?!! ;) 

We make these in our dehydrator, but I've included general baking instructions to bake these in the oven as well--I just haven't personally made them in the oven, so keep an eye on them and let me know how they turn out. ;)  

Perfect Kale Chips
*2 bunches of Kale, chopped up (larger stems removed)
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
3 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Garlic Powder
*we don't really measure the kale, we generally buy one or two bunches from the farmer's market or co-op grocery store and chop it up so that it fills a large bowl as pictured. ;) 

Chop up your kale into larger "chip"-sized pieces--don't go too small as they will shrink up a lot--and remove the larger stems. 
Toss your kale into a large mixing bowl with the rest of the ingredients and mix well so that all the kale is coated. 


In the dehydrator:
Line up your kale in your dehydrator trays and dehydrate for approximately 3-4 hours, until the chips are nice and crispy. 
Why I love the dehydrator method? Because you're keeping them (mostly) raw (depending on your ingredients) and therefor packed full of all their beneficial nutrients. :)


In the Oven:
Spread the kale evenly on a large cooking sheet. Now, there are two ways of doing them in the oven…
One, is the attempt to keep more of the nutrients by cooking at a lower temperature: Preheat oven to 200 and bake for 2-3 hours. 
Two, is if you're impatient but you'll kill a large portion of the nutrient value: Preheat oven to 350 and bake for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Either way, cook until the kale chips are crispy and the edges are lightly browned--not burnt! 


Enjoy! ;) 


Photobucket

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☺ Being Me, Being Ageless! ☺




Okay, so this is really a super short post, but I began writing this out on tumblr as a little expression of gratitude that I had to get out, but then, as I continued to write, I realized that I wanted to share this on the blog after all. ;)

So, my expression of deep Gratitude today…

I just have to say that I love being ageless! And being the lovely person that I am today--accepting all parts of myself!

I can be an adult. I can be totally down to earth, intelligent, "wise", and full of life experiences that I've learned ridiculous amounts from. And I can continue to grow and learn from all the bumps along the road.

I can still be a child; playing, drawing, watching cartoons, rolling down grassy fields, loving cute stuffed animals and throwing pictures all over my walls. 

I can be silly and ridiculous; laughing and dancing in the pouring rain, running through sprinklers, be open to the moment, go on adventures. And I can poke fun at myself.   

I can sit and meditate... and do yoga. ;) And take peaceful walks or sit by the lake in silence, listening to the sounds of nature and reflecting. 

I am the healthiest I've ever been in my life and have way more energy than when I was younger! And I am the happiest I have ever been! 

I love music; from Machine Head and Slipknot, to Flyleaf, to Dub FX, to A Perfect Circle, to P!nk, to Die Mannequin, and everything in between!
I'm a dork, and I love that I'm writing and drawing again! And I love that I'm back to watching anime shows. ;) Like I said, accepting all parts of myself instead of shying away from them.  

Life is just beautiful, and I am so grateful to have accepted all the quirky and lovely parts of who I am that I denied for years. I hope everyone can do the same thing that I have, because life truly opens up when you do. ;) 


Much Love and Gratitude! xo


Photobucket

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

Friday, June 22, 2012

☆ "The Declaration for Change" ☆



Democracy and people's way of life is being challenged all over the globe. Economies are crashing into a debt system that simply doesn't work--and technically isn't even Real! Convenience is getting higher but people are having to work harder and longer hours than ever before. The environment is going to hell while oil companies are still receiving subsidies and taps on the wrist for massive oil spills that will leave the waters and land in ruins for generations. Debt of all sorts is increasing, the education system is lacking, and so many other important parts of our lives are being neglected and slashed. 

Here in Canada, true Democracy is being challenged more than ever with Harper's increasingly shameful government. Especially with the new Bill C-38, it's an even bigger reason for Canadians to start taking action and demanding a true democracy that actually appreciates our values, wants, and needs for a better future and quality of life. 
There are so many ways to get involved, to use our voices and to start caring about what goes on in our government. We Can change the world! 

One non-profit organization I'd like to take some words from is Leadnow.ca, that is trying to change our government for the better and I encourage you to sign their "Declaration for Change:" 


We, the undersigned, call for political cooperation to build a stronger democracy 
that protects our environment, creates economic opportunity while increasing equality, 
and guarantees that everyone receives the care they need.

I also encourage you check out their website and to participate in any way that you can and donate to the cause if you'd like, as they have some good projects and goals they are trying to reach. 
My point is that there are lots of organizations looking to do good in the world that are great for being people-powered and listening and having our voices heard--which, to me, is an important aspect to any organization looking for change. 
While this next bit is also taken from Leadnow's campaign, I think regardless of where you are, these priorites are sound and I think truly reflect what is most important to the people of the world and what needs the biggest changes. So, from Leadnow.ca…
Across geographies and generations, in local communities and online, thousands of Canadians are coming together to create a new kind of politics. This is our agenda for the new Parliament.
We call for political cooperation to build a stronger democracy that protects our environment, creates economic opportunity while increasing equality, and guarantees that everyone receives the care they need.
We commit to support action on the following key priorities and vote for the politicians who will best:
Democracy
  • Create an open government plan to increase transparency and accountability
  • Initiate a citizen-led process for a referendum on electoral reform
  • Make it easier for people to participate directly in government decision-making
Economic Opportunity and Equality
  • Establish a plan with clear targets to reduce poverty and provide affordable housing
  • Improve access to high quality post-secondary education and reduce student debt
  • Ensure access to affordable quality child care and early childhood education
Environment
  • Establish climate legislation to meet international and science-based targets
  • Invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency and home retrofits
  • End subsidies to fossil fuel companies
Health
  • Ensure universal access to high quality and publicly administered health care
  • Invest in programs that prevent illness and promote wellness
  • Create a national strategy to increase mental health support
Where there is overlap with provincial jurisdiction, we call for action to be defined in collaboration with the provinces and implemented according to jurisdiction.


These are changes I think that every government should be run by. And listening to the People's voices instead of ignoring clear shouts and signs from us all. 
So, I can't say enough; Get Involved! Support organizations doing good--like Leadnow, and the David Suzuki Foundation, WWF, and so many more! And go way beyond that! Get involved in your democracies, whether you are in Canada or on the other side of the world. Get involved in any and all ways available to you. Now is the time to "wake up" instead of the continuation of brainwashing.  Read up on the truth, stay "in the loop," and try to follow matters going on in your country. Sign petitions, share information through the internet and through word of mouth. Watch documentaries, follow conspiracies (because there is often a lot of truth to them), learn, explore, and care about the place you live.
We live here, so let's make it great for everyone--not just the 1%. ;)

Photobucket

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

☺ Tips for making Relationships Work ☺



Everyone has ups and downs in relationships, whether it's a significant other, friend, parent, sibling, or what-have-you. If you don't then I bow down to you! But, as I often like to say; that's okay! Ups and downs are part of life, helps to keep things balanced and so that we grow and learn from one another and through those tough experiences. It keeps us on our feet. 
But there are plenty of things you can do to make sure your relationships are mutually respectful and loving and beneficial. When it comes to problems you may face within a relationship, there are some key things that I'd like you to remember and keep in mind before getting huffy puffy and judgemental, or accidentally hurt by taking things too personally…
First, remember; Everyone is going through something! You may not always know or understand what it is, and you don't have to. Your job is to be understanding and supportive and to not let another person's problems affect you negatively. Also keep in mind that any personal attacks directed at you are usually not a problem with You, but a problem with themselves. People have a destructive way of deflecting onto other people, so don't take things too personally. Try to always keep in mind; everyone is going through something
Most relationship bumps come down to one simple issue; Communication Problems, whether it's a general lack of communication or a miscommunication. Probably the single greatest piece of advice I can give in any relationship is this; Communicate, Communicate, Communicate! And to always do so in a respectful and receptive manner. Most problems can be solved simply by talking to one another, instead of dodging a problem and keeping quiet. Don't leave anything up to mind-reading, as people (usually) are not mind-readers. So speak up and say what you feel. I know, I know, so many of us hate confrontation which keeps us from speaking up when we do have a problem, but just because you need to talk about something doesn't mean it has to be done in a mean or condescending manner. Communicating shouldn't be intimidating and the more you practice talking respectfully and calmly, the easier it will get. Speak nicely, on a level of mutual respect. If the other person (or yourself) starts to get angry or yelling, simply walk away from the argument, cool off, and try again later. When I say communicate I do mean TALK, not argue. Yes, conversations can get heated, but that still doesn't meant that people need to raise their voices and start a yelling match. Listen, really take in what they have to say, and think before you speak. If you don't think it's possible to do this then try writing your thoughts out first and then talking about whatever the problem is. Be the bigger person and always stay calm and collected. Verbal abuse is still abuse so just plain don't do it. Communicate with openness, love, and respect. Always. And remember that practice makes perfect. You will learn so much about each other and work through things much easier when you remember to communicate at all times.  


Remember to Listen and Be Understanding to the other person before you jump to quick conclusions and criticism as well. Have you been in their shoes before? No? Then don't judge them for the things that they do. Remember that no one is perfect. People are not always going to act the way that you want them to. If they did then they would be you… well, actually, half the time we don't even act in the way that we see best by the ideals in our minds, but we are usually more focussed on deflecting onto others instead of facing our own flaws. Which is another point to keep in mind; is it really the other person you have a problem with? Or is it with yourself? Pay attention to this as it is often your own issues deflected onto another. 
Another thing to remember is that They are not You. There are always going to be differences of opinions. Stop trying to make others always agree with you. Everyone is allowed their own opinion, even if you may not agree with it. The point is to allow them to have their opinion and decide whether that opinion will be a major conflicting reoccurrence in the relationship. If it is, you may want to reevaluate the value of the relationship. If it isn't, then let it be and accept those differences may always be there or that you may some day be at the same level. 
Know when enough is enough. We seldom leave a relationship when we should. And we seldom see the benefits of having left that relationship until we have--and then the startling revelation kicks in of "wow!" because you realize how much better off you are. Romantic relationships can end and you can still be friends with the other person. Other times you are just on complete opposite sides of everything and you are no longer compatible. With any kind of relationship, people change, you are changing, the people around you are changing. When you are no longer compatible with another person it is simply a reflection of growth in one of you or both of you--and the two of you no longer being on the same frequency. Stop viewing this as a bad thing and accept the beautiful ever-changing cycles of life. 


Be Supportive. Again, coming back to love and respect, you should always be supportive of each other and there for each other through the highs and lows of any relationship. Be understanding and encouraging. Stand beside each other. And if you're not seeing eye-to-eye on something then get back to that communication and come to an amicable decision.  
At the end of it all, sometimes relationships are just meant to run their course and move on to something else. I'm sure most people have been there, crying and heart-broken over a lost relationship. Most of you have probably moved on to other relationships, better ones at that. The truth is that some things are just not meant to be. And if that is the case then why would you want to keep the relationship anyway? You are growing and constantly improving yourself (or at least I am assuming so if you are reading this post) and therefor your relationships are going to change as well. Don't get hung up on this as people leave your life to leave it open for others to enter it.  
Relationships should always be mutual and respectful in all aspects. You should both want to be with the other person, spend time with the other person, be kind, loving, understanding, respectful, and be willing to grow and work together, change together, and evolve together. And this is the case in any kind of relationship. 
For any relationship to survive these things must be present: Gratitude, Respect, Communication, and Love. Follow these rules and you'll transform all of your relationships into mutually beneficial, loving, and wonderful experiences. 


Photobucket

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

♥ New in the Shop! ♥



Just listed a couple of new ArtPrints in the Etsy Shop. :) www.reloveplanet.etsy.com


Also don't forget that necklaces and magnets have been marked down. And be sure to check out the new greeting cards and all the fun new prints on shirts! ;) 



Photobucket



If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

☆ Bill C-38 ☆




The Conservative government has passed Bill C-38, proving, once again, that Adolf Harper is ignoring the tens of thousands of Canadians who spoke up against it and that our government does not give a damn about the supposed "Democracy" of our country. The truth is, our voices are not being listened to, even though they are being shouted loud and clear, and the Conservative Government continues to do what they please without Canadian citizen's consent. 

Okay, so what is Bill C-38? 
Bill C-38 is the Budget implementation bill in response to Harper's 2012 Economic Action Plan. This implementation bill is numbered C-38 and is wrongly titled by the government "The Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act." What a joke! The opposition put forward hundreds of practical amendments to stand up for the things we care about most, but all of it was ignored. 
This budget is a whopping 452 pages! If the Conservatives truly believed their changes were good for Canada, then why did they hide them in a 425-page budget bill?
And they are hoping Canadians wouldn't notice. 

Hiding in this bill are:

Changes to the Old Age Security Act by raising the retirement age to 67, making it harder for seniors to retire in dignity and security.

Employment Insurance made more difficult for hard-working Canadians to access when they need it most.

A $31 billion cut in health transfers, chipping away at the health care system. They have also weakened food and drug regulations, risking everyones safety and health. 

Nearly 300, 000 immigration applications are being dumped, so that the government can start off with a "clean slate," robbing those 300, 000 people of all the hope and time they've put into trying to get into Canada. 

Canada’s environmental protections have been gutted! The bill cuts back the environmental assessment of development projects, easing the way for industrial developments (such as pipelines) that could put the future of our land, water and climate at risk. 
There have also been 776 job cuts to Environment Canada. 

Attempts to silence voices of dissent against such developments by making it more difficult for environmental charities and agencies to participate in the public policy process
The budget will shut down agencies such as: National Council of Welfare, the Public Appointments Commission, Rights and Democracy, the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy, the Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal and Assisted Human Reproduction Canada.

It also changes the rules about acceptable donations to charities, by reducing the amount of money people can donate to charities that are considered too politically active and allowing the minister to withhold tax receipts from a charity if he or she feels the money is being used for political campaigns.

Meanwhile, while our environment is being slashed, the bill gave oil and gas insiders more authority to go ahead with big pipeline projects
(As you read this, a major cleanup operation is underway near Red Deer Alberta. More than 3000 barrels of oil leaked into the river, one of 600 leaks in the last year.)


Stand Up!
Aside from this bill being horrendous and a sneaky 452 pages long, the other problem is that, as well as the opposition, Canadians DID speak out against this bill in numerous ways. The massive "Black Out Speak Out" campaign formed the largest coalition of organizations ever assembled to demonstrate clearly Canadians do NOT support Bill C-38 and that Canadians do Not want it. There were also several petitions and demonstrations with thousands of voices. Parliament heard and they ignored those tens of thousands of voices. 

Canadians are not happy, and if you're not mad about these changes to our beautiful green country yet then you should be. Because this bill affects you and it will affect your children. That is unless something is done about it. Just because this bill has passed does not mean it's over. On the contrary, this is the time to speak out and get involved like never before. Environment charities and organizations are certainly not staying silent and they will be speaking out as well, so let's stand beside them and let the Harper government hear our voices roar!  
Let's help Canada get back on track! Open your eyes, speak up and speak out! Spread the word! Spread the message! Get involved in anyway that you can.  

"They want us to fail. We will not."



Photobucket

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

Monday, June 18, 2012

☺ Motivational Mondays! ☺


We're taking back Mondays!!!
"Motivational Mondays" are fabulous tips to get you excited and pumped for the week! 
Feeling low? Moody? Down on life? Well, that's what these posts are for! Time to feel awesome again and get some Positivity rolling! Just because it's Monday doesn't mean you can't have fun, smile, and enjoy Today! 
Apply these tips to your week and try to tell me that you don't start to see an improvement in your life! ;)
It's all about You! Change your perception, change your attitude, love your life! xo



Life is Beautiful and Fun… NOT inherently evil. For some reason the idea is sneaking into people's minds that life is suffering, difficult, and arduous. Who on earth decided this? If you decide it to be then it will be. But life is truly amazing when we open up our hearts to the beauty that can exist. When we stop seeing the world as an evil place, the world changes around us. All the darkness becomes light. The highs become constant and the lows become lessons to learn and grow from. We begin to enjoy the ride. Life is beautiful, only your perception is evil. You choose your reality! 
Just Go For It!!! Stop second guessing yourself and talking yourself out of things! I don't know about you but I do this a lot, going back and forth in my mind about something over and over to the point where it just gets silly. Either commit or don't, it's not as hard as we think. Truthfully, I always feel so much better when I just Go For It! So this week, choose to just Go For It and skip the ping-pong match in your mind over the decision. 
Give out Free High-fives! Every where you go this week, give out as many high-fives as possible! Every time you see a friend, high-five them! Something awesome happen? High-five! Meet a stranger? High-Five! Walking down the street? Hiiiiiigh Fiiiiiive!!! 
Focus on what you Do Have! When using the law of attraction to manifest your dreams, it's easy to get caught up on the why and how, as well as noticing when you Don't have something. Try not to let your mind notice when you Don't have something because your thoughts will attract more of not having that thing. Keep your mind on similar things that you do have. For example, say you're trying to manifest a certain amount of money; focus on the money you Do have rather than the lack of the amount you are trying to manifest. Keep your mind and thoughts on what you Do Have. 
You are not your Job!  I remember some time last year we had this amazing conversation about the question that so often comes up when you meet someone "so what do you do?" Most of us reply with our actual job, as if it defines who we are. It doesn't. In many cases it has absolutely noting to do with who we are, in others it is a huge part of us. But your job does not define you, You define you. All your hobbies, interests, and, most importantly, your shining personality are what define you. So make your title who you are, not your job title. ;)   
Tell People you Love them! Love makes the world go round! Plus, it's always nice to hear someone tell you they love you. It's also always nice to be appreciated and nice to appreciate others. Keep the love going around for everyone! And say it like you mean it! 
"Breakdowns can create breakthroughs. Things fall apart so things can fall together." ~ Unknown I love this quote because it is absolutely true. Life can be a bumpy journey but that doesn't mean that those bumps have nothing to teach us, in fact those are the time when we learn the most. When our minds "breakdown" it gives us a chance to rebuild it the way that we want and choose. :)


Have a beautiful day, week, life! Much Love from me to you! 
Create a Nice Day! xo


Photobucket

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Ⓥ Vegan Kitchen: Vegan Nutella! Ⓥ


I'm going to have to put a disclaimer at the start of this post… Warning! Upon making this delicious Vegan Nutella you are likely to consume the entire jar in a few days… maybe a few hours… you have been warned! ;) 
Seriously, this stuff is amazing! I haven't had real Nutella since… well, I really can't remember, but I do know that I used to love it and that I love this recipe more. My life will never be the same, because this recipe is amazing. The texture is perfect, nice and creamy and chocolatey and hazelnutty. I've tried making something similar before but it really didn't work out well and got kind of hard in the fridge :p This on the other hand is, well, a dream come true! Plus this is wayyyy healthier than the "real" thing! Score!  
So enough yapping from me, the recipe you've all been waiting for...


Vegan Nutella
1 250g jar of Hazelnut Butter (or 1 cup of home-made Hazelnut Butter--which is about 2 cups of raw Hazelnuts)
(just over) 1/2 cup unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Stevia
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 cup Almond Milk
1/2 cup Agave

In a food processor, combine all the ingredients and process until smooth. You may need to add a little bit more liquid, just make sure you process it long enough and you'll be able to tell how creamy you want it. You can also add a little more agave or sweetener if you want it a little sweeter--but I thought this was quite perfect. ;) And that's it! Simple, easy, delicious! 
If you're using your own homemade hazelnut butter you may want to add a little bit of oil, but I haven't tried it yet so you may be just fine without it. 
Store in the refrigerator for about a week--although you'll probably eat it all before then anyways. ;) It will thicken up very slightly in the fridge but will still stay dreamy creamy smooth! Spread over toast, rice cakes, fruit, or eat it off the spoon! Enjoy!



Photobucket

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger... Save $100 on Blendtec Factory Recertified Blenders + Free Shipping