Simple Sparks

My best friend is a brilliant photographer. Her photos are full of both colour and life.

She started a photo blog a while ago and recently began posting regularly. She matches each photo with lyrics and/or poetry, which in my mind, only enhances the beauty of each photograph.

You can view her photo blog at Bits, Pieces & Simple Sparks.

This is one of my favourites!

Work it out

I am going to be incredibly sore tomorrow...I can feel the pain settling in my glutes and hamstrings already. Yes, I exerted myself today...but I don't regret a single lunge or bicep curl. I braved the humidity, sweat buckets at the gym, ran home in the ran, and cooked a raw-vegan meal for my entire family. I suppose my day wasn't all sweat-run-sweat, I did indulge in a morning facial and post-workout acupuncture session with my naturopath.

I first sprung out of bed around 8 a.m. and walked to my facial appointment at Pure + Simple. Aside from the humidity, which left me feeling incredibly sticky-icky, I couldn't help but notice how peaceful Yonge street was on a Saturday morning. There were no rush-hour horns blaring, the sidewalks weren't flooded with people, and few stores were actually open; it was sheer bliss.

As always, my facial at P+S left me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I love seeing my facialist, she always puts a great big smile on my face. She's been doing my facials for almost a year now, so we've become quite close. She has a way of making me feel strong and beautiful, even on days when I feel tired and not-so-beautiful. I definitely felt off today - perhaps due to my poor sleep or stressful week - so I was incredibly thankful to see her.

Once I got home I made an energy packed green monster, then immediately ran to meet my trainer at the gym. Note: running + humidity = uncomfortable experience.  Let's just say, I was sweating before I even arrived at the gym.

...and then my exertion really began. In short, my trainer kicked my butt (as per usual). He created a new strength circuit program for me, which consisted of power plate push-ups, kettle-bell swings, and hip extensions (to name a few). We ran through my 25-minute circuit, three times! By the end some of my muscles were throbbing. But I felt great!

He stretched me for 20, I cracked open a Lara Bar, and then walked (again, in the damn humidity) to my naturopathic clinic, for 30 minutes of acupuncture. I didn't realize until I got there, but apparently acupuncture is more effective and more balancing when you avoid physical exertion! Um...oops? I made a mental note for next time.

After a busy day of workouts, I decided to make a protein-packed and vitamin-filled dinner for me and my parents. Lately both my parents have been criticizing my "diet" when I repeatedly tell them, "I am not dieting!" Unfortunately, sometimes they forget that a plant based diet is not just fruits and vegetables. They forget about brown rice, whole grains, lentils, beans, quinoa! Not to mention, I make a special protein smoothie each and every day. Alas, sometimes you just have to shut up and show people instead. And I did just that.

I started with my signature guacamole. Naturally, it was a hit. It was so good, that I was too slow to take a photo. Sorry guys, next time!

My guac consists of:

• 2 ripe organic avocados, mashed
• 1 organic tomato, chopped
• 1 handful of cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, squeezed
• 1-2 pinches of sea salt 
• a few grinds of black peppercorn pepper

Along side the guac I made a delicious quinoa salad, pilled high with veggies and herbs such as spinach, yellow pepper, cucumber, basil and cilantro. 

Veggie-packed Quinoa salad:

• 1-1.5 cups of white (or any colour) quinoa
• 1-2 handfulls of spinach
• 1 handfull of cilantro, chopped
• 3-5 basil leaves, chopped
• 1/2 - 1 yellow pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1/2  - 1 red pepper, cut into thin strips
• half a cucumber, cut into cubes 
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes 
• 1 cup carrots, shredded 
• 1/2 avocado, cut into cubes

Cook quinoa according to package directions. Toss all the veggies together and mix-in the quinoa once it's cool. 

YUM! 

This salad is not only incredibly tasty but easy to make too! You can play around with the veggies or even substitute quinoa for brown rice or chickpeas. 

For the dressing, I made my new favourite spicy-avocado dressing. 

And finally, for dessert I made mini no-bake glo cakes! They were nothing short of amazing. Once again, no photos because everyone gobbled them up in delight. My judgy-wudgy parents were satisfied ;)

And now, I am beat. I can barely keep my eyes open. It's been a long day, both physically and mentally. I have a lot on my mind, which I promise to share another day. 

* Sweet dreams * I'll see you in the morning.

xo Jess

Ch-ch-chia

I decided to experiment with my new found love for chia seeds. And ooo boy was I successful =) I was inspired by Gena's basic chia pudding recipe and decided to shake it up a little. 

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup of organic chia seeds
• 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk (approx)
• agave to taste
• dash of cinnamon

Mix the chia seeds and almond milk together. Stir consistently every 5 minutes or so. At first it will appear extremely liquidly, but after 15-30 minutes it will begin to plump up into a delightful rawlicious pudding! I was so excited to see how much my little chia seeds expanded. Once it appears nice and thick top it off with some cinnamon or carob powder. 

Extremely satisfying :) I'm going to add my leftovers to my morning smoothie, with banana and almond butter to boot. 

Sweet dreams my fellow health-nuts!

Distant Faces & Memorable Places

It's amazing, and often beautiful, how friendships, or any relationship for that matter, grow and evolve over time. Some relationships grow to be strong and life-long lasting, while others grow tired and tainted. Some relationships simply drift to an unbeaten path, which you don't care to walk or follow.

When I think about all the people in my life - past, present, future (to those I am soon to meet) - it reminds me of an intricate spider web, beautiful with its every connecting and disconnecting pattern. Connected by spinning energy, that glistens in the sunshine, yet disconnected for the web may appear different to everyone, depending how the sunlight hits it. Just like a spider, we too must weave our own lives. I believe we have guides and greater energies that help us along the way, but ultimately we must listen to our hearts and own intuition.

Almost five years ago, upon entering University, I remember feeling nervous and borderline scared that my best friend and I were going to separate universities, and on separate journeys. I was moving to London, Ontario to attend The University of Western Ontario and she was staying in the city to attend The University of Toronto, which would soon lead her to travel to Asia and then reside in New York. I felt pangs of fear and jitter; I was homesick, when I hadn't even left yet.

Funnily enough, once the school year commenced, I neither threw-up nor ran a fever. In fact, "frosh year" and my following university years were incredible. In time, I had adapted to my new surroundings, bonded with new friends, and felt "at home", even in a tiny dorm room. My best friend and I only grew closer, stronger with each and every day a part. Even throughout her travels, there was no ocean that could possibly come between us. Our friendship surpassed great heights and grew into an ocean-sized love. I'm incredibly blessed and forever grateful to have friends - and the best best friend - who are there for me, against all odds and time zone changes.

Over the years - particularly stemming from my university experience, till now - I've learned that you cannot squish or break someone to fit into your world and into your life. Each of us has our own path in life and if someone is able to walk it with you, then it's something to be cherished and treasured. Just like the transition from winter to spring, love has its own time, season, and reasons for coming and going.

We live in a world where it's hard to speak from the heart. From bustling streets, crossed mediums of communication, and to media bombarding us with what we're perceived to deem as beautiful...sometimes it's hard to just breathe and let it be.

I'm blessed to have a loving family, boyfriend, and group of friends. And although I've lost ties with friends, once dear to heart, I'm neither sad nor resentful. I look back at those relationships - jealous friend; hotheaded boyfriend; dishonest lover - and know that parting on separate journeys was meant to be in this life.

And so they remain...as distant faces and memorable places.

***

There's too many things that I haven't done yet

Too many sunsets I haven't seen



You can't waste the day wishing it'd slow down



I do what I can wherever I end up


To keep giving my good love



And spreading it around



Cause I've had my fair share of take care and goodbyes


I've learned how to cry



And I'm better for that

Veggie Galore

Ahhh Sunday, how I love thee.

I also love eggplant. It's incredibly tasty in salads, pasta, and on top of pizza. Eggplants are available throughout the year, but they're best from August through October. I don't eat much pasta anymore, but last night I was craving a veggie-packed pasta dish. I started off with some chopped sweet onion, and added some yellow peppers, zucchini, yellow pepper, and EGGPLANT.

[zucchini, yellow pepper, onion, eggplant]

Looks pretty good, eh?

My-my-mild organic tomato sauce

• 1 can of Eden organic tomato sauce
• lots of veggies!
• teaspoon of oregano
• 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• pepper to taste

I added the sauce to a few cups of cooked wholewheat fusilli pasta. Meanwhile, Alex was on the grill barbecuing some chicken.

...The weekend always flies by.

I woke up bright and early this morning, just after 8 a.m (Alex's fault) and immediately made a pot of Jesse's tea. I like to kick-start my mornings with some rooibos tea to get myself nice and hydrated. I then had a delicious Glo Endure bar (Thanks Angela!) and hit the gym for an hour.

I finished my workout just after 10 a.m. with all the time in the world (well, so it seemed)...so naturally, I made some vegan energy balls. Otherwise known has "healthy-tim bits".

I have a serious carob powder addiction. Carob powder is naturally sweeter and lower in fat than cocoa powder.

Vegan Energy Balls

• 1 cup of almonds
• 1/2 cup of walnuts
• 1 cup of pumpkin seeds
• 3 tablespoons of organic chia seeds
• 2-3 tablespoons of almond butter
• 1 heaping tablespoon of carob powder
• dash of cinnamon
• small handful of carob chips
• unsweetened coconut

You can alter the sweetness and texture by adding chopped dates instead of carob chips, and peanut butter instead of almond. A squeeze of lemon is also good in these little guys!

Blend/grind the nuts and toss all the ingredients into a food processor.

Roll into bite-sized balls and cover in coconut. They make for a great pre or post workout snack! Yum in my tum =)

HAPPY SUNDAY

Weekend Surprise

Last night my best friend, Nadine, completely and utterly surprised me! She flew home from NYC just for the weekend. Her timing was perfect because I was already having a bbq with our mutual best friends Patrick and Andrew. Patrick had sneakily picked her up from the airport that afternoon. I more or less suck at surprises so I was impressed with her secretiveness!

She opened my front door, ran into the kitchen, and screamed. I screamed, she screamed, we bear-hugged, and screamed some more. It was the perfect way to kick-off the weekend.

[Nadine and I]

[orange, spicy-ginger shots]

Andrew made these orange, ginger, shot dealios. They were an interesting mixture, but Nadine and I found them a little too syrupy for our taste buds.

Sitting around the kitchen table, laughing hysterically and talking a mile-a-minute, it felt as though she never left (She moved to NYC approx 1 month ago). Alex was at the Celtics soccer game so unfortunately missed out on the bbq fun.

[Patrick emerging from the jungle I call...my backyard]

I'm incredibly blessed to have such an amazing group of friends. I'm surrounded by happy and loving people. They light up my life :)

If you're gonna get up, you might as well get up with me
If you're going downtown, I might as well be on your way
And I sit all night, I sit still all night
I won't tell one soul, I won't tell one soul
I just can't get it straight you see and oh well
That distraction inside of me, oh well
I just can't get it straight you see and oh well
Is fine by you, I am fine by you
I won't tell one soul, I won't tell one soul
If you're going downtown, take me with you
I don't care if I'm gonna get up, I'll just admit it
I only get up for you if I'm going to get up
I'll just admit it I only get up for you
And I sit all night, I sit still all night
I won't tell one soul, I won't tell one soul

- Tegan and Sara, downtown

Ageless Beauty

I love this song, so I thought I'd share it with you =)

***

Ageless beauty

Cruelty makes its holes

But on the shoreline

Time will hold its promise

We will always be a light

You can see it from the surface, see it

We will always be a light

You can see it from the surface, see it

We will always be a light

Tattered fingers

Linger on the warm and foolish

Hardened faces, graceless

We'll lose the battle

We will always be a light

You can see it from the surface, see it

We will always be a light

You can see it from the surface, see it

We will always be a light

Oceans won't freeze

So loosen your heart

Underestimated

Undefeated in this love

We will always be a light

You can see it from the surface, see it

We will always be a light

- The Stars, Ageless Beauty

***

Rise & Shine, a little brighter than yesterday

Good Morning,

I woke up this morning feeling like I hadn't slept at all. I felt drained and disoriented as if I were jet-lagged or a soggy balloon, draining and shriveling up like a prune. I tossed and turned for most of the night, drifting in and out of sleep. Alex's alarm went off around 6:30 a.m...really, it felt like 4:00 a.m -_- <-- beady & tired eyes.

It's interesting because last night, during an acupuncture session, my naturopath said I was giving off a lot of stress-related heat. According to my Chinese medicine tongue diagnosis, both my heart and mind showed "mental chatter"; or simply, an imbalance. This diagnosis appeared on the tip of my tongue.

Your entire tongue can be mapped as such:

Prior to acupuncture, acupuncturists will often asses your tongue before they prick you with needles (in the safest, healthiest and best way possible). Fascinating, is it not?

A few hours later, I am slowly but surely starting to wake-up. Breakfast [Organic Spring Break tea from DavidsTea & quinoa coco puff cereal with almond milk] and a cool shower makes all the difference.

I know my slightly-off and imbalanced state is due to factors which are completely and utterly in my control. I am in a transition and everyday is a new and brighter day. When the time is right, I will share this with you in more detail.

now its 16 miles to the promised land
and i promise you i'm doing the best i can
now some days, they last longer than others
but this day by the lake went too fast

A few photos from different cities. . .

[Old Montreal, Canada Day long weekend, 2010]

[NYC, taken by my best friend, Nadine]

[San Francisco, when I lived/worked there in the Summer of 2008]

i visit these
mountains with frequency
and i stand here with my arms up
now some days, they last longer than others
but this day by the lake went too fast

Rawlicious & Delicious

Last night I went to one of my favourite vegan restaurants Rawlicious. I recommended it to Angela and she rounded up of a bunch of ladies for a fun girls night out! Check out all her awesome photos of the evening here.

I ordered the "taco wrap" and it was yum-in-my-tum! I'd definitely order it again. It was stuffed with guacamole, romaine lettuce, salsa, onions and a raw nut loaf.

Tonight I made a fresh and raw thai themed salad for dinner. I came home from acupuncture around 8 p.m. and was STARVING (it's been a pretty long and tiring week). I started my salad with spinach and arugula and added avocado, cucumbers, snap peas (slit open), tomato, basil, and sliced carrots.

Snap peas are such a great addition to any salad. When I was a kid I used to count the tiny peas inside. I'd say "Mom, this pea has four babies!" (I was super cute ;)

...the dressing was the best part.

The dressing MADE this salad. It was absolutely scrumptious =) I got the dressing idea from Choosing Raw [full of amazing recipes!] and added my own little twist

• handfull of basil
• handull of cilantro
• 1 avocado
• 1 cup of water
• 2 dates
• salt to taste
• pinch of chilli peppers
• squeeze of lime

Blend it all together and voila!

It was an incredibly satisfying meal. And now, I bid you goodnight :)

*sweet dreams*

Tea Time

As most of you may know, I LOVE tea..specifically loose leaf tea. Not gonna lie, I have quite the collection. I drink tea in the morning, afternoon, evening, and all year round. My boyfriend thinks I'm nuts to drink "warm beverages" during the summer heat wave, but that's okay..more for me that way =)

I don't drink caffeine so the majority of my teas are roobios or herbal. Sometimes I will have green or black tea, but if I do it has to be in the morning. I am extremely sensitive to caffeine. I honestly don't know how I drank Starbucks lattes in University, they really mess with my system!

[Organic Sweet Dreams]

I'm sipping on organic sweet dreams right now *yawn* (literally). The chamomile, rose, and lemongrass drifts me right into dream land.

[Organic Pina Colada]

This tea is awesome both hot and COLD. This weekend I made iced pina colada with a few slices of lime to give it a kick.

[Organic Dulce & Banana] * personal favourite *

My best friend, Nadine, bought me this tea for my birthday. That was two months ago and it's almost gone! It's sweet yet not overpowering tea. Dulce & banana is a combination of chamomile, lavender and roobios, laced with carmel. YUM! I prefer this tea in the late afternoon or evening since chamomile is nice and relaxing.

[Jessie's Tea] * Made especially for moi ;) *

JESSIES TEA! Need I say more? This tea is amazing. I swear I am not biased. It's a delightful combination of coconut and lavender. When it steeps it turns into such a beautiful colour.

[my classic red mug from Davids Tea]

All these teas are from Davids Tea. Davids Tea is a walk away from my place; needless to say, I'm prone to stopping in on my way home from work O_O

If you're new to tea and loose-leaf seems a little overwhelming, there are plenty of loose-leaf teas that come in bags. Pukka has some great teas such as cleanse and refresh. Even Starbucks has joined the loose-leaf tea movement with their fairly new tea collection and tea lattes. Starbucks vanilla roobios tea steamed with soy milk, with a dash of cinnamon, is the best. Yummer.

Okay, my organic sweet dreams has officially kicked-in! Nighty night and sweet dreams (pun totally intended).

xo Jess

Pepper Crazy

It was a pepper-filled weekend.

Result: yum in my tum

Yellow-pepper & ripe mango salad:

• grilled yellow peppers x2
• mango x1
• spinach
• arugula
• cucumbers
• raw pecans
• pepper to taste

The mango and yellow pepper combo was a winner...sooOoO juicy and incredibly refreshing!

Dressing:

• olive oil
• balsamic
• pepper to taste
• organic mustard
• agave

For Sunday dinner Alex and I made a flat bread red pepper pizza. We topped it with basil, bbq chicken and mozzarella cheese. It was a delicious experiment which happily surprised us both. Alex naturally put loads and loads of chilli's on his. I kept mine contently mild.

[his] & [hers]

The crust was super thin...more like cracker pizza!

The weekend was super hot hot hot so I made some pina colada iced tea

I just boiled 4-5 cups (1.5 pots) of organic Pina Colada tea from DavidsTea. I then transferred it to a pitcher, added a slice of lemon and lots of ice.

If you don't have loose leaf tea..ice water with slices of cucumber, lemon, and orange (together or alone) is also great.

Happy Sunday!