How to make a plan for 2016

How to make a plan for 2016

First I would like to say, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Second, do not aim to accomplish goals, instead, make plans. This is because we all know how it feels at the end of the year when we do not achieve what we wanted to in the beginning of the year. It sucks and it demotivates you to start over. So instead, make plans. Plan to eat healthier. Plan to stay active. Plan to build stronger relationships . Plan to study more. Plan to allow yourself to party and indulge. Plan to love yourself a little more each day. Plan to be the best you can be. This way, when you follow your plan, you will achieve something that is both satisfying and surprising. It's like opening presents. You built a strong relationship and bond with a person and when they give you a present, every thought, every memory, and every effort is put into it. What is inside the present is a surprise.

Here is how to make your plans for the new year!

1. Wrote it down! Easy as that but when you write it down, you are more likely to follow it. Do not use your notes on your smartphone. Go old school and grab a pen and a piece of paper.

2. Stick the list on the wall or on the mirror, somewhere you can see it everyday.

3. Keep a journal. It doesn't have to be a page long. Just grab a notebook, write the date, and state how you feeling that day, what you ate, what you did, who you met, etc. When you look back at it a year later, you will see how much you have grown and how much you have progressed. It's like reading a book. When you read a book, you get to see how the characters grow when a difficult situation is thrown at them. Write your story.

4. Have sticky notes. I like to write down motivational quotes and inspirational sayings on sticky notes to stay motivated and to remind myself why I started this journey.

5. Listen. Listen to your body. Your body knows best. It is way smarter than we give it credit for. Listen to it. Do not restrict yourself from delicious desserts when you want one. Do not go to the gym when your body does not want to. Because let's face it, no one in this world will be happy for 365 days without indulgence. No one in this world will be happy to not be able to rest because it is "gym day." Listen to your body. That will give you the most sustainable result and you will genuinely feel much happier in life.

6. Hope but do not expect. When we write our plans, we all expect a certain outcome. However, it is important to only hope that you achieve it and not expect it. We can never know what will happen in 365 days. Let go of the control and let faith do it's job. Enjoy the 365 days and whatever the outcome is, be happy and grateful.


I hope all of you have a wonderful year ahead!

HAPPY 2016!

hugs and kisses

Labels

Labels

Labels. We are all labeled by society, family, friends and even ourselves. Labeled as a boy/girl, as a teen/kid, and as a daughter, son or parent. Those labels are ones we cannot run away from.

But to find peace in life and to really live happily is to not label yourself. Don't label yourself as fat, skinny, tall, short. Don't label yourself as size 2 or size 8. Don't label yourself as HCLF or raw vegan. Who care if you are short and skinny? Who cares if you are size 10? Who cares what you eat and which "rule" you follow? No one. Everyone is only concerning about themselves. It is you who is putting labels on your body and to yourselves that make you feel restricted. You are not happy that way so why continue labelling?

I think the struggle is not finding the label that fits you. Everyone wants to fit in but that's not really difficult. What's hard and challenging is to fit out, to not label yourself anything and to really be free.

2016 is almost here, in fact, it's 3 days away! Make a plan, start fresh, and start being you. I think above health, fitness, and money, we all should have H A P P I N E S S on the top of our list. Being happy doesn't mean never being sad. No no. It means being at the bottom of the roller coaster but still enjoying the ride, knowing that things will get better. It means having the world's shittiest day but still laugh about it. I know it's hard, especially when you are stuck in a tunnel of darkness, losing hope for the light, but in the back of your mind, always remember that you are not alone. Talk to someone, share it with a friend or a family, write it down. You are living your own story, so own the pen!

My task for all of you today and for 2016:

Do something today that will give your stomach butterflies.
Do something today that will make your heart race.
Do something today that you will remember when you look back in 2025 and say, "what a year!"
Whatever you do, do it with no regrets.

hugs and kisses

Eat Nakd Christmas Pud

Eat Nakd Christmas Pud

Merry Christmas everyone! It's actually the 27th and I went to a huge outlet for the semi annual sale. With so many people and so many shops to go into, there wasn't really any time to take a break and to grab a snack. Lucky for me, I packed some Eat Nakd bars with me. It's never too late for some Christmas pud guys. This bar was moist and surprisingly soft.

 

There was not much crunch in this bar. Each bite, you get a strong taste of Christmas spices. There's raisins in between the chewy bite with just a few bits of nuts. Honestly, the spices was quite overpowering. If you do not like the taste of strong spices then this may not be right for you. However, what I do like about this bar is that it is not too sweet. It's just right and very chewy.

Christmas Pud is also:

• Gluten, wheat and dairy free

• Free from saturated and trans fats

• Suitable for Vegans

• Non GMO

• Kosher approved

• Deliciously simple!  Made with dates (49%), cashews (35%), raisins (16%) and a hint of natural flavoring

Typical values                         per 35g

Energy                                    137 kcal

Protein                                       2.6 g

Carbohydrate                           17.6 g

(of which sugars)                     16.0 g

Fat                                             5.9 g

(of which saturates)                 1.2 g

Fibre                                          1.7 g

 

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Eat Nakd Cocoa Mint

Eat Nakd Cocoa Mint

Oh boy, it was cold when I went out to ski today. This kind of weather made me crave a warm cup of tea with mint chocolate. Unfortunately, I didn't have those in the middle of the woods but this bar was out for the grab. It's so handy to bring with me on my skiing trip. It was very refreshing and not too sweet. It reminded me so much of the actual chocolate mint sweet.

Vegans do not have to miss out on good delicious treats. If I were to close my eyes and have a bite into this bar, I would not have known that it was a healthy Eat Nakd bar, I would guess that it was the actual York mint chocolate treat. 

This bar was not wet like the Cashew cookie one. It was firm but moist in the inside. It has some crunch from the nuts in between each bite. The chocolate was not too sweet, but rather bittersweet and the mint was so powerful. It's a really refreshing bar to have with me on a cold snow day.

More amazing facts, it is:

• Gluten free
• Wheat free
• Dairy free
• Has no added sugar
• Vegan & vegetarian friendly
• Kosher
• One of your 5 a day!
• Deliciously simple! Made with Dates (48%), Cashews (29%), Raisins (17%), Cocoa (6%), natural flavor

Typical values                 per 35g bar

Energy                              135kcal

Protein                                  3g

Carbohydrate                      17g

Fat                                         5g

Fibre                                      2g

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Caramelised Apple Oatmeal- Easy After Christmas Breakfast

Caramelised Apple Oatmeal

I N G R E D I E N T S

1 cup oats

2 cups water

4 baby apples

2 tbsp cinnamon

cane sugar (as many or as little as you like)

raisin (optional)

I N S T R U C T I O N S

1. On a hot pan, add in some chopped apples and cooked for a while. Add some water if needed. After 3 minutes, add some sugar and cook until all the apples are soft.

2. On another pot, boil some water. Once the water is boiled, add in the oats and let them cook. 

3. Once the oats are cooked to your liking, reduce the heat and add some cinnamon into the oats, then stir them around.

4. Pour in the caramelised apples into the pot of oats and stir them around.

5. Add in some freshly chopped apples for some crunch. Stir for a maximum of 1 minute because you do not want to burn your oats.

6. Remove from heat and serve. Top with your favorite toppings like, raisins, nuts, seeds, dates, berries, more apples, basically anything and everything you want. 

It is so simple, easy and quick to make in the morning after your late Christmas party. This warm bowl of oats will keep you full all morning and it is super healthy for you, especially after a full day of indulgence.. I hope all of you have a lovely holiday and Merry Christmas !

hugs and kisses

Nature's Gate Papaya Lotion Review

Nature's Gate Papaya Lotion Review

I smell like a baby after applying this. It has a very calming, soothing, and fruity scent to it. Plus, the scent is not overly strong which is good because too strong of a scent makes me dizzy. However, it did make me crave papaya a lot! #jokes. It's very moisturizing and smooth on skin. It is not sticky like some lotions are.

I truly love this product and would definitely repurchase it.

Pros:

• Vegan
• Sweet scent
• Fragrance not too strong
• Smooth
• Not sticky
• Hydrates the skin
• Easy to apply
• Not greasy or oily
• Long lasting

I honestly couldn't find any cons for this product. I am not paid to say this, I swear. It's all about honesty here on my blog. This product works very well with my skin type. I have a fairly dry skin since it's winter. My skin immediately turns from a cracked desert floor to a smooth baby's bump. It's hydrating, smoothing, and feels very lovely on my skin.

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Mediterranean Vegetable Bowl

Mediterranean Vegetable Bowl

I N G R E D I E N T S

• 1 small eggplant, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• pinch of salt
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 large tomato
• 1 red onion
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 5 oz artichoke hearts
• 1 oz golden raisin
• 1 heaping tbsp capers
• some chili flakes
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• fresh ground black pepper
• handful of basil, torn

I N S T R U C T I O N S

1. Soak the eggplant in salt water for 20 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. After 20 minutes, pat the eggplant dry.
2. On a hot pan, drizzle some oil and add in the crushed garlic and onion.
3. Add in the eggplant until golden brown.
4. Add in tomatoes and bell pepper. Add 1/2 cups of water and let them simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Add in the rest of the ingredients then remove from heat.

Benefits:

• Protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer
• Lower cholesterol
• Lower blood sugar
• Support bones healthy
• Support digestive health
• Weight loss

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Calories?

Calories?

No matter how much I convince myself that I am not made of numbers or I am a walking calculator, my brain can not shut up with the numbers. My English teacher once said, "it's easy to learn something, but it's difficult to unlearn it later." I finally understand what she meant. Once you know how much calories an apple has, it's not easy to look past the numbers. It's just there. I have been through a lot with my eating disorder and my anorexia. I used to count calories to every single digit. It was an obsession. The lesser I consume, the happier I felt. The lesser the number of calories, the more control I felt. I was consuming less than 800 calories a day. I would freak out if I had more. Now, I have 2000+ calories a day. I still count, because as I said, it's hard to see past the numbers once you know what is in everything. However, I don't freak out as often. I can consume 2000+ calories and be fine with it. Darn, I had 3000+ calories the other day and I am still fine today. I didn't go fat or obese, I didn't fail in life and I did not die.

When you get too obsessed with numbers and counting, it's like an endless cycle. You wake up, you count, you can't wait to go to bed so that the numbers will be 0 again the next morning. It's not a happy cycle. Since pretending that the number is not there is hard for me, I've tried to weigh out what food is good for me and eat more of those food. I eat healthy 70% of the time and 30% of the time, I have chips, I have oily takeaways and I have junk food.

The lesson that I've learnt is not to hold on to what is right, but to let go of what is wrong. It may feel right to not have another serving, it may feel right to not have an apple with you crave it, it may feel right not to treat yourself during celebrations. Holding on to that is not what freedom looks like or even sounds like. Let them do. Let go of the worries, the anxiety, and the fear of what tomorrow will bring. Live today because you only get it once.

I like to think of it this way: if your goal is to be thin, what happens when you are thin? What are you going to do next? If your life goal is to be lean and fit, what happens when you are lean and fit? What happens then? Sometimes, it's not always about achieving something, it's about the journey in achieving them. You can either enjoy your journey to becoming the best version of you or you can beat yourself up for every little mistake you make. Life is an ebb. There's no way a person can achieve something without falling once or twice. Forgive yourself for your mistakes.
In the end, aren't we all just human?

hugs and kisses

The Rose Society

The Rose Society

Marie Lu has done it again! I felt so afraid of my own thoughts when I read this book. It's dark and mysterious, it's kind of like having a demon talking to you, persuading you, and ruling over you. It's dark. 

In this book, Adelina has to build her own allies after the Daggers betrayed her and she betrayed them. She has to find people who are willing to follow her, to kill for her and to die for her. Though the journey, she finds amazing Elites with great powers to side with her. However, with all the power she is now holding, comes with a price. Her illusions become her reality and her power becomes her undoing. The demon voice inside her head that keeps telling her to have her revenge slowing becomes her own voice. She dwells in her past with a vengeance. Now, she has to and wants to take over the throne but in order to do so, she has to go against her sister, the Dagger, and Enzo, she has to go against very good will that is left in her body. Although Adelina constantly has the debate between good and bad, one thing never change; she will do anything she can to survive and to have power.

This is truly a dark book that one should be scared of reading at night. The power that Adelina has is dangerous yet inspiring. Her determination is really strong. Throughout the book, you can see how she, as a character, has grown in power and changed to be evil. It's not everyday you get to be the bad guy in the story but still win. This book feeds the inner demon in everyone. It's brutally amazing and a beautifully written book.

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Super Muesli Recipe

Super Muesli Recipe

I N G R E D I E N T S

• 1 1/4 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/4 cups quinoa flakes 
• 2/3 cup pecan (or any nuts you fancy)
• 3 tbsp chia seed
• 1/2 cuts pumpkin seed (or sunflower seeds are great too !)
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup dried mangoes 
• 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 1/4 cups goji berries
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt

I N S T R U C T I O N S

1. Toast the oats, nuts and seeds in the oven for about 10 minutes Make sure you do not burn them because they off fast.
2. Once done, let them cool while you chop the dried fruits. 
3. In a large bowl, mix the dried fruits and the toasted goods together.
4. Add the cinnamon and salt together and mix.

Benefits:

• Protect against cancer
• Reduce risk of heart disease
• Reduce risk of osteoporosis
• Lower cholesterol
• Support immune system
• Bone health
• Healthy skin

hugs and kisses

Eat Nakd Cashew Cookie

Eat Nakd Cashew Cookie

I love nuts. You can probably tell by the number of post I have about nuts. They are really good for you and I believe nuts are like the underdog to a healthy body. I was feeling lazy to make lunch so I grabbed one of the Eat Nakd bars. There was so many to choose from but this one screamed at me. I needed a cookie and I love nuts. Put them together and I can be the happiest girl. 

I find that this bar is a little wet compared to the other ones that I have tired but it was still delicious. You can really taste the dates in this bar with just a hint of cashew.

There is not much crunch in this bar but you do get some chunky nuts in between each gooey soft bite of dates, which is heavenly smart. It kind of acts as a break from all the soft gooeyness when you get that sudden surprise chunk from the nuts.

I should have try to bake this in the oven but I may or may not have finished the whole bar! (Have not guilt or shame. #wink) I bet if it is baked, it would be much better and more like a cookie. 

This bar is:

• Suitable for dairy free diets
• Free from saturated and trans fats
• Suitable for vegans
• Kosher
• Wheat and gluten free
• GMO free
• Deliciously simple! Made with Dates (49%), Cashews (51%)

Typical values per 35g bar

Energy  143 kcal

Protein  4g

Carbohydrate  16g

(of which sugars)                14g

Fat                                      23g

Fibre  5g

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How to Stay Healthy and Fit During the Holidays

How to Stay Healthy and Fit During the Holidays.

I know that this is the time where many people slack out on their healthy eating because it's the end of the year and it's the holidays. It is also the time of the year where people get anxious and feel guilty over dinner parties. I can definitely understand and relate to that. We are surrounded with food 24/7, we are surrounded with good people and celebrations every day. Some people will restrict themselves before and after the holidays so that they can "make up for it." Some people will just throw their fitness journals away and think, "I'll just start over next year."  But wait, that would mean that your one year of effort has all gone to waste. I know because I am guilty of all those things. The cycle seems endless. However, over the years, I have learned how to maintain healthy without restricting during the holidays. It is not impossible to still stay healthy and fit whiles enjoying every bit of the holiday.

Here are some of my tips:

1. Drink water. Drink a litre of water right after you wake up. Seriously, it helps. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day because it is so important yet so basic that we often forget.
2. Stay active. You don't have to miss out 2 hours of family fun to go to the gym. Go on a walk with your dog or your siblings, decorate the tree, play in the snow, go on a Christmas hike. Those are all the fun stuff you can plan for the whole family to enjoy during the holidays!
3. Fill the table with good food. Have fruits and vegetables, keep yourself full with those foods first. Once you are satisfied (but not too full because you would want to leave some room for desserts #wink), have a taste of the indulgent ones, like cakes, cookies and puddings. It's all about balance. You don't have to choose the smallest dessert or the one with fewer calories. Instead, have all of them in small portions. I would take some on my plate and have a bite of each. If I don't like it, I won't have another bite of it and move on to the next. If I like it, I would finish my piece and be satisfied. If you are still not satisfied then have another piece. Do not restrict yourself because when you restrict, you are more likely going to binge later on plus it's the holidays, have some fun! Keep everything in moderation. If you are still craving some sweets late at night or just feel like eating because everyone is, then what I like to do is to have some fruits because they really make me satisfied. 
4. LET GO. Yes, you heard me. Let go. Let go of the calculator that is counting the calories in your head, let go of the guilt you still feel for the previous meal, let go of the anxiety for the next big dinner party, let go of the worries and just enjoy the time with your family. It's only once in a year that you get to spend quality time with your family and friends. This is the season to be thankful, blessed, and happy. Do not bottle yourself up with worries, anxiety, and guilt. It's not worth it. So what if you had some cake? So what if you had seconds and thirds for dinner? Our life goal is to be happy. Being fit and lean are down on the list. As long as you are happy, who cares? 

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday !

hugs and kisses

Super Foods Every Day

Super Foods Every Day

This book will be the perfect gift for the holiday! It's small, it's cute, and it contains so much information about foods as well as irresistible recipes. The first few pages consist of all types of foods and their benefits while the rest of the book 

consists of meal recipes; breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and basically anything you can think of.

I have to say, I've learned a lot from this book about foods I put into my body. There's a whole list of foods and their benefit in this book as I mentioned and if someone asked you what nutrients are in a certain type of food, you will be able to answer that with the help of this book.

The recipes are fairly simple and really healthy. I love a cookbook that has pretty pictures and this book has my 10/10 rating for pictures. The food pictures made me drool. The recipes are all made with simple ingredients that you can surely find anywhere in the grocery store.

Overall, I think this is a great book, especially if you want to start fresh and plan on being healthy for the new years.

hugs and kisses

Carbs are not always be the answer on a HCLF Vegan Lifestyle.

Carbs are not always be the answer on a HCLF Vegan Lifestyle. 

Yes, you heard that right. Being on a High Carb Low Fat vegan lifestyle, when you feel shitty, low in energy or just uncomfortable, people will say "Oh you are just not carb up enough," or "have some carbs, you will feel better." It is not always the case tho. Carbs can surely make you feel full and more energy, but sometimes we need other nutrients like fats and protein. I think that some people feel that when they are on a hclf diet, they cannot have too many nuts and seeds or too much tofu and beans because that would break the 801010 rule. However, our body need those nutrients. If you are only giving it carbs but too little of other nutrients then your body system is going to break down.

Fats is essential in order for our body to function ! It is called high carb LOW fat, NOT high carb NO fat. You are allowed to have some avocado, some nuts and seeds in your diet. Do not deprive or be afraid of fats. When you restrict yourself from certain foods then your mind will put them in the basket of forbidden foods or in the red zone. Then soon you will be so afraid of those foods that your mind will think having those foods will make you a failure or fat. This often occurs to people especially teens and it will lead to orthorexic or even an eating disorder.

Here is an example of my daily intake pie chart thing.

I was having potatoes, rice, veggies and fruits. I also have some nuts and chips once a while. My fat intake can go up to 30% some days.  Guess what? I'm still alive! My skin and hair has improved so much since I increase my fat intake.

Fats are important for:

• balancing hormones 
• protect your organs Your heart, your liver, your stomach all need fats surrounding them to protect them from injuries.
• Hair, nails and skin growth
• Fats is also really important for women since we go through menstruation every month.

 I know how annoying it is when people ask Vegans where we get our protein and it's so frustrating to explain how on a plant based diet, we can still consume enough protein for our body. However, we should all keep our protein in check. As you saw from my pie chart, I am on a plant based diet and eat quite healthy most of the time but my protein level is pretty low. It is easy to not consume enough protein in a vegan diet. Have more nuts, beans, mushroom and tofu, they are all rich in protein.

Proteins are important for:

• Muscle growth
• Hair, nails and skin growth
• Make enzyme that is essential for body function
• Build antibodies

The bottom line is: do not label yourself as anything. Like all diet, it's not sustainable. Have whatever you want and whatever you crave. As long as it is vegan, there shouldn't be any problem. Keep a balanced diet. Have the pizza and the burger when your soul craves it. Have salads and smoothies when your body craves it. Listen to your body because they are so much smarter than we give them credit for. 

hugs and kisses

Things to pack on Holiday !

Things to pack on Holiday !

Holidays are around the corner and we often like to go on a vacation or a long road trips to visit friends and family. Sometimes we even get tied up with the events planning, maps and addresses searching, tolls and petrol fee to concern with that we forget things we actually need whiles on the road. Here is a simple list of things you might need on a long trip.

List of things to bring/ to have:

1. Food ! Bring lots of snacks, especially if you are on a long trip.(I have a list of food that I like to bring with me below)
2. A pillow. We all know what road trips feels like. Your butt hurts, your back aches, and your whole body just feels like it's out of place. Bring a pillow, it'll help. Trust me.
3. Make a playlist on your phone or your laptop. There's no law stating you can't have a party in the car whiles on a road trip. Just make sure to be safe on the roads. #winks
4. Download some movies. It's always smart to have some movies to kill the time. I personally like to download sci-fic or fantasy movies. (Twilight saga and Harry Potter are always on my list)
5. Hand lotion, hand sanitizers and wipes. We all get dry skin during this time of the year so it's important to keep yourself comfortable. It's not fun having dried, crack hands. Road trips are always long and the road seems like it will never end so there is no need for multiple stops at the gas station, bring some wipes and some sanitizers. 
6. Bring lots of water ! This is so important. You can get easily dehydrated during road trips and it's important to have enough water so that your body does not feel sick afterwards. Being dehydrated can also cause dizziness, dry mouth, and even fainting. 

Foods to pack:

• Fruits ! I like to cut up some fruits and drizzle lemon juice on them so they won't go brown.
• Bring some trail mix. If fresh fruits seems impossible to prepare bright and early, then get some nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. 
• Bring some snack bars. I love Larabars and Eat Nakd bars. They are low in calories so make sure to bring quite a few.
• Have mini meals/snacks. You are going to sit in the car for the whole trip so don't plan big meals, have small snacks throughout. This way, you won't feel bloated or too full to sit in the car.
• Bread. It's easy to be under carb during long road trips. Have some bread with you in the car so you can snack on them or even have them as a meal. Simple and easy is the best way to go.

I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday !

hugs and kisses

NYX BB Cream Review

NYX BB Cream Review

Recently I have been trying new Vegan foundation and I stumbled across this one. I found it in ULTA store near my area and it was around $12. It comes in three shades; nude, natural, and golden. It's not too expensive so it is worth the try. My skin is fairly fair so I got the nude shade.

I tried applying it yesterday with my fingers and it works really well and feels very smooth on my skin. However, after letting it dry a little, it is a little sticky at places where my face is a little oily, but after an hour, the sticky part faded away and it looks more natural and even on the face.

Here is a before and after:

Left:Before ; Right: After

(I only apply one coverage for this picture)

After 6 hours, the foundation was still there. It has not fade off or change in shades. Here are the pros and cons that I discovered from this product.

Pro:

• VEGAN (Go cruelty free!)
• Easy to apply
• natural looking
• even the skin tone really well
• Not cakey or sticky
• No fragrance
• long lasting

Cons:

• Only comes in three shades. (I was lucky enough to have one that matches my skin tone.)
• Not full coverage (I had to apply two to three times to get a full coverage but if you don't have break outs or if it's your lazy makeup day then this is really a good product to apply for the natural kinda look)

Overall, I am really satisfied with this BB cream and recommend it to anyone looking for something new to try. 

hugs and kisses

Nuts over Nuts- My Binge Eating Disorder Story

Nuts over nuts- My Binge Eating 

Let me tell you a story about me and nuts. Before, I crave a lot of nuts. I would want them everyday, for every meal. It's not just a handful of them or 1/4 cups of nuts that I want. Once I start eating, I can't stop. It's almost like a drug . I started to think whether or not I was binge eating. I had all the symptoms of the disorder; I felt guilty after eating, I can't stop eating even though I was full, and I was eating very fast. I looked online to how I could stop it. I started saying no to nuts in the day but at night, after dinner, I would make a little sneaky trip to the snack counter and grab the jar of nuts. I would promise myself to only have a handful, but later, just within a few minutes, I finished more than half of the jar. I cried that night, How could I give in? Why am I doing this? How do I get out?

I feel like a lost puppy, drown in a well of darkness. There was no direction, no one to guide me through it. Even looking up to the sky for some light was dark to me. After sitting down and thinking it though, I decided to convince myself that it was not a binge. I told myself that it was only my body telling me that I am lacking something, some nutrients that I have not succeeded in giving it. I was following a high carb low-fat lifestyle and having nuts made me so anxious because it was high in fats. Then it hit me, I was restricting my fat intake for so long that my body needs it. My body is calling for it. I realized that the answer to my dry skin, my fatigue, and my crumbled hair was the fact that I was not consuming enough fats. Once I convinced myself that it was only my body responds to my restriction and not a "binge" or my failure to control myself, I felt as if there was hope for the little puppy in me.

I know now that binge comes from restriction. If I stop restricting myself, I will stop bingeing, I told myself. So I bought some nuts. I have them every night, soon I have them every other night and later, I only have them only when I crave them.

I was in control again. I am listening to my body and my body is listening to me. You think I would have known that balance is the key since I practice yoga, but it is easy said than done.

Like yoga, balance requires practice. You have to try, try and try again with the foods you eat. Not everyone requires xxxx amount of calories, not everyone craves the same thing. Find your balance, experiment with all different kind of food. Life is not about balance, but it is about finding it.

The most valuable adventure in life is not accomplishing goals, but the journey to accomplishing it. 

hugs and kisses

P.S. I would like to add that I do not blame the vegan or the high carb low fat lifestyle. It was my choice to restrict, it was my choice to deprive my body of fats. I made the choice. The vegan/hclf lifestyle simple addresses people to have a higher amount of carbs and lower amount of fats. With different people, with different bodies, we require a different amount of carbs and fat. Yes, people say the ideal amount is 80/10/10 but that is simply a guideline. It is only an ideal guideline, we are not ideally the same. Your body is not made of numbers. You are not a walking calculator. Eat what you think will do best for your body. Don't just eat for a healthy body, but eat for a healthy soul.

Eat Nakd Cocoa Crunch

Eat Nakd Cocoa Crunch 

Chocolate craving:  F I X E D

This bar tastes so much like a chocolate bar, only it is so much healthier for you with simple and natural ingredients. In fact, if you are a fan of kit-kat, then this bar will not disappoint. It has the crunch and it has the sweet bitter chocolate that will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth. 

It is a great small snack or a dessert that you can have, knowing in the back of your head that it is healthy for you. Having chocolate and knowing it is good for your body? What more can you ask for?

The crunch you get with each bite does not overwhelm the chocolate. In fact, it kind of acts as a breakthrough of all the chocolate. You first get the chocolate dancing in your mouth but then oh wait, there's a crunch and after that, you get settle sweet aftertaste with a punch of nutty flavor. These elements worked soo well together that it's impossible to image one without the other. 

 This bar is:

• Wheat, dairy and gluten free
• Vegan friendly
• Low in saturated fats
• Free from added sugar and syrups
• GMO Free
• Kosher
• Deliciously simple! Made with Dates (43%), Soya protein crunchies (soya, tapioca starch, salt) (16%), Raisins (16%), Cashews (15%), Cocoa (5%), Apple Juice concentrate (4%) and a hint of natural flavoring

Typical values                   per bar

Energy                             106kcal                                 
Protein                               5.5g
Carbohydrate                     14.2g
(of which sugars)              12.5g
Fat                                       2.6g
Fibre                                  2.0g
Sodium                              0.1g

hugs and kisses

The Wrath & the Dawn

The Wrath & the Dawn

A girl who seeks for a revenge and a boy who seeks for a relief. A beauty that is fearless and a beast that is broken.

A beautiful story that will remind you of the classic Beauty and the Beast. It is a book filled with mystery, dark suspicions and a heartbreaking love.

The elements of love, hate, and fear normally would not work together without sounding too cliche but it did in this book! The elements blend together so well that it is impossible to have one without another. 

“A true plague of a girl. And yet a queen in every sense of the word.” 

This book tells a story about a king known to be a monster, who will marry a young girl each day only to kill her at night with a silk cord wrapped around her neck. A girl named Shahrzad volunteers  to be his next bride only having the intention to stay alive for more than one night. She wants revenge for what the king has done to her sister. She wants revenge for what the king has done to all the young ladies and the poor families. It is a miracle that she can still see the next sunrise but there is something in her, something fearless that the king admires and kept her alive. With more time in the palace and more time with the king, Shahrzad finds kindness in the monster. As she learns his history and his pass, Shahrzad begins to question if the monster is really a monster or is he just a boy, just like she is just a girl.

The mystery to why the king kills all the girls hunts Shahrzad. She needs to know why he does it before she kills him and take her revenge. The deeper she studies, she more lost she gets. The king, the monster that everyone calls him, buries a burden as a young king to his people. A burden that is both heartbreaking and a curse.

hugs and kisses