Why Matcha Green Tea Is Amazing! - Matcha Organics Review

If you're anything like me you are always looking to add nutrients and minerals to your daily intake. Sometimes it seems like there isn't enough time (or calories!) in a day to get it all in. This is why I love matcha, it comes in powder form and you can add it to just about anything! It is abundant in antioxidants, minerals and nutrients to keep you healthy and happy. In fact, one cup of matcha is the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of regularly brewed green tea!

Matcha is a specially grown and powdered green tea. It is the center of both Chinese and Japanese traditional tea ceremonies. Most recently, it has been used to dye and flavour foods and treats (We've all heard of the infamous Matcha Green Tea KitKat bars!). There are two different grades of matcha -ceremonial and culinary, each use different blends and preparations (today I'm testing culinary). Ceremincial matcha is typically mixed with hot water while culinary can be used in a variety of ways such as baking and smoothies.

Matcha is produced from shade grown tea leaves, this is important because it boosts the production of chlorophyll and in return amino acids. Chlorophyll is an antioxidant and assists in keeping our blood healthy, kills germs and acts as a wound healer. Once picked the leaves are then dried, steamed and stone ground to produce the powdered matcha that we know and love today. Because it is powdered and you use the entire leaf your body is able to use 100% of the nutrients from the tea. It is important to ensure that the matcha you purchase has not oxidized, as it degrades the product - always look for vacuum sealed tins/bags to ensure optimum freshness and maximum antioxidants.

As mentioned above, matcha hosts a powerhouse of antioxidants (over 1300!), minerals and nutrients. The health benefits of matcha include:
- Energy Booster (Replace your morning coffee!)
- Mental clarity
- Boosts metabolism and burns calories
- Detoxifies
- Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar
- Prevents disease

I was recently given the opportunity to try Matcha Organics Culinary Grade Matcha and have been loving adding it to my daily smoothie! The best thing about Matcha Organics is that it is quality made. This company truly cares about it's product and their customers, which is of great importance to me. Their matcha is 100% organic and USDA approved. As previously mentioned, it is culinary grade which means is perfect for mixing in your morning smoothie or adding to your cupcakes! This product also comes with a 100 recipe e-book that is sure to give you plenty of ideas on how to get your matcha in!

Have you ever tried matcha?! Be sure to let me know in the comments below!

* Matcha Organics kindly provided me with a bag of their Culinary Matcha Green Tea in exchange for an honest review. All purchases receive their free Top 100 Matcha Recipes E-Book! As always, all opinions and experiences are my own! This post is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links. Thank you so much for your support!

Top Five Must Have Tools in Your Vegan Kitchen!

Hello!

When I first went vegan what seems like so many years ago now, I was concerned about all these specialty tools I was seeing! I didn't (still don't haha!) have the money for a $700 blender and I don't have the space for a ton of kitchen gadgets! If you are just starting out or trying to minimize your kitchen here are my top five items that you need to be successful with your vegan diet!

1. Glass Containers -  I use mason jars and glass Tupperware, I really like glass because it doesn't leach any chemicals into your food, it's easy to clean, and it's very durable! (I have yet to break one!) The items I purchased I've had for 10 years! On another note I've seen some great metal containers, I just haven't tried them yet myself. Let me know if you have!

2. Blender - Yes, I do believe you need a blender but don't worry if you don't want to spend all your savings on one. While I recommend you purchase a better quality one but it doesn't have to be the best. I've tried many low end blenders (>$60) and they just don't last. However, I've had my Ninja Blender for a couple of years now and it was only around $100.  It has lasted through daily smoothies, hummus and many other recipes and I would definitely purchase one again!

3. Knives and Cutting Board -  These two go hand in hand. What's great about being vegan is that you don't need an entire knife set! I purchased a few great quality knives that should last me a lifetime. The knives I keep in my kitchen are: Chef's Knife, Bread Knife, Salad Knife, and Paring Knife. As for a cutting board, I absolutely love the wood ones, they're durable and last forever if cared for properly. I rinse mine off after each use and clean it with lemon and olive oil once a week!

4. Cook/Bakeware - Before going vegan I had so many pots, pans and dishes. I've cut mine down to one big pot, one medium pot with steamer, one small pot, one frying pan and one baking sheet. As always, I suggest doing your research and choosing a quality product (I believe in quality over quantity!). The ones I've been using for the past 10 years are from Lagostina and they've held up great!

5. Kettle - If you're anything like me then you love tea! I use my kettle once or twice a day and it makes it so easy to heat up water quickly! I chose a stove top version just because I like the way they look but the electric ones are just as great!

Of course there are many other tools for the kitchen but these are the ones I use on a daily basis and would consider the basics. What items in your kitchen do you consider must haves? Any favourite brands? Let me know in the comments below!

* I purchased all the items above with my own money, as always all thoughts and opinions are my own! Links above are affiliate links. Thank you for your support!

All About Apricot Kernel Oil!

Over the past year I have been trying out as many different oils as I can get my hands on! One that I keep going back to is Apricot Kernel Oil. Not only do I find it moisturizing and light but it is also very affordable!

Apricot kernel oil is derived from the seed (or kernel) of the apricot fruit. The apricot tree is said to have originated in Armenia (it's scientific name is Prunus Armeniaca meaning Armenian Plum) although others believe it was first found in China or India. What we do know however is that it has been widely popular throughout the ages, there are stories and accounts of this tree all over Asia and Europe and more recently Africa, North and South America and Australia. Today, the top exporters of apricots include Turkey, Iran, Uzbekistan, Algeria and Italy.

The fruit has long been used both fresh and dried in a variety of ways such as drinks, desserts and medicinal purposes. In fact, in traditional Chinese medicine they are known for being able to cure many ailments including coughs, asthma and even tumours! Dried Apricots are one of my favourite snacks and perfect for taking on a hike! The seeds from apricots grown in central Asia and the Mediterranean are so incredibly sweet that they began using them in place of almonds. It is commonly used in cooking but also has amazing properties that benefit your skin!


Reasons why I love Apricot Kernel Oil:
- Very light, easily soaks in to your skin leaving it without that oily feeling.
- Rich in Essential Fatty Acids which soften the skin and improve it's texture.
- It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is said to be great for soothing skin conditions such as eczema or keratosis pilaris.
- Contains vitamin E which is an antioxidant and vitamin A which normalizes and repairs the skin.

I am currently using it for:
- Massage
- Face Oil
- Body Oil
- Carrier Oil
- Skin Scrub (with sugar!)
- Hair Treatment

Do you use Apricot Kernel Oil? Be sure to let me know in the comments below!

** I purchase my Apricot Kernal Oil through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)

How To Save Money On Groceries! [Canada]

This has always been a place I've struggled with, groceries can be super expensive and it doesn't help that the best quality, nutrient dense foods are the worst offenders. It has never made sense to me that a bag of apples was more expensive than a bag of chips!

While we all know that our health is the best investment, most of us have a budget to stick to and unfortunately can't always get what we want. What we can do however is use the following tools to help save and put those savings back into our cart with the purchase of those healthy foods.

1. Plan your shopping trip. I keep a magnetic shopping list on my fridge so that I can write down items that are used up throughout the week, my husband will also jot down anything he needs here so that it's all in one place. The day before my grocery trip I go through my pantry, cabinets and fridge to determine what needs to be restocked and add these items to my list. I will also come up with a quick meal plan, 7 meals that I can make throughout the week in addition to lunches and add the necessary ingredients to my list.

2. Coupons:  Every week I go on all the following websites (Save them to your favourites!) to print the coupons of items that are on my list. Some of the sites below send you coupons in the mail, I order from these sites weekly but only the items that my family uses. In addition to the websites listed below, you can also go directly to company website for coupons, there are often promotions going on!
- WebSaver [Printable + Mail]
- Save [Printable + Mail + Cash Back App]
- Walmart [Printable + Mail]
- PG Everyday [Printable]
- Flipp [Printable + Price Match App]
- Smart Source [Printable]

3. Price Match: Looking through all the paper flyers to find matches is incredibly time consuming and honestly I never found myself doing this until I found Flipp. Download the app on your phone, make your shopping list and it will find matches for you. (This app also has coupons that you can print out at home). I use this all the time at Walmart at have never had an issue. Bonus * You don't waste gas and time by having to go to multiple grocery stores!
- Google App
- Apple App

5. Never go grocery shopping hungry! If I do, I find that I make poor food choices and pick up quick and easy meal and snack items that I wouldn't normally purchase! If I eat before I shop, then my mind is clear to make healthy choices.

6. Shop the discounted rack! I don't know about your local store, but mine has a rack for produce and for baked goods that are close to expiry. I have often picked up a bag of oranges or buns for $1 that are still more than good to eat. However, this can backfire if you pick everything up off the rack just because it's been discounted, always buy only what you know you can eat before it goes bad.

7. Do the work yourself! Although it may be tempting to buy that fruit or veggie tray, they are super expensive and unless you are in a hurry they aren't worth it! I always try and buy the whole food version rather than the packaged one, it might not save you time but it will save you money!

8. Instant Savings Apps: These are apps that you can use in-store for discounts on your groceries at the cash register (aka digital coupons). The one I use is Coupgon!

9. Store Point Cards: These are always great as you get points that you can use at the register on your groceries, they can add up quickly! The ones I use are PC Plus and Shopper's Optimum.

10. Cash Back Apps: I don't always find the best coupons, especially when it comes to produce but this where the cash back apps come in. 9 times of 10 one of these apps will offer cash back on produce. Once you've reached $20, they'll send you a cheque in the mail!:
- Caddle
- Checkout51
- Zweet 
- Save 

What are your favourite sites, tips and tricks for saving money on groceries? I'm always looking to learn how others do it! Although I've seen Farmer's Markets on many, many lists they're always more expensive in my location so I didn't include it. Do you find that they save you money? Be sure to let me know in  the comments below! Happy Saving!

Five Easy Ways To Green Up Your Cleaning Routine!

This was one of the first things I fully switched over on my path to living a more natural life. You use these products daily, they end up covering your entire house, you may even have children or pets that crawl or play on the floor. Typical cleaners contain many harmful ingredients and chemicals that are just unnecessary! Did you know that manufacturers are not required (by law) to list the ingredients? That's pretty scary! By switching over to more natural products not only will you save money but you will be playing a part in keeping our water clean and forests beautiful.

1. Make your own cleaners.

There are hundreds of different recipes out there but honestly these are the ones that I find myself making over and over again!:

Dishes:
castille soap - That's it!

Glass Cleaner:
1 part vinegar
2 parts water
* Mix and use a lint free cloth for streak free windows, mirrors and stainless.

All-Purpose Cleaner
1 part vinegar
2 parts water
1 tsp liquid castille soap
1 tsp baking soda
20 drops of your favourite essential oil (I like to mix it up! Some of my favourites are orange, lemon and lavender)
* I also use this for carpet stains! Be sure to test a small area first.

Daily Shower and Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1 part vinegar
1 part water
20 drops tea tree essential oil

Refresh Carpets/Rugs
1 cup Baking Soda (Depending on size)
10 drops of your favourite essential oil
Mix well, sprinkle all over rug or carpet, leave for at least 30 minutes and vacuum.

Heavy Duty Cleaner
 For heavy duty cleaning such as the oven (I do not like using the self-clean function!) I simply sprinkle baking soda all over and then spray it with my all-purpose cleaner then let it sit for about 30 minutes. Wipe away with vinegar you'll be amazed at how well it works!

2. Purchase natural detergents/cleaners.

In addition to making your own cleaners there are also many great brands these days! Some of the ones I recommend and use are:

- Seventh Generation
- Method
- The Honest Company
- Mrs. Meyers

3. Replace Paper Towel with reusable cloths or rags.

You can simply use old shirts and towels cut into squares or purchase micro fiber cloths, they work way better than your old school paper towel! If you do use paper towel, please find one that is made from recycled materials (Both Seventh Generation and Cascades offer options.)!

4. Use Steam!

This is my favourite way to deep clean my floor! I spot clean using my all purpose cleaner throughout the week and then twice a week I steam them using my Shark Floor Steamer. It eliminates up to 99.99% of germs and bacteria without the use of ANY chemicals! If you've never used one I highly suggest adding one to your wish list! Be sure to look for one that comes with reusable microfiber pads!

5. Clean often!

If you find that you are needing heavy duty, foaming or chemical action it could be because you need to clean more often. By cleaning daily you cut down on tough grime, allergens and the time it takes! I clean one or two rooms daily in addition to a few small tasks which has worked really well! I find that my home is always clean with this routine. If you want an in depth post on my cleaning routine let me know!

How do you keep your home clean? What are some of your favourite cleaners or recipes? Leave them in the comments below!

* I purchased all the items above with my own money, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

What I Eat In A Day! [Vegan] 3

Hey Everyone!

Here is another full day of vegan eating! I don't normally count calories or track macros but have put them together to give you an idea.

Breakfast

As always, I have a glass of lemon water to wake up my system and help flush out any toxins! I then enjoyed 3 yummy oranges and 2 pieces of roti!

- 460 kcal, 83.4g Carbs, 10.4g Protein, 12.8g Fat

Morning Snack

I enjoyed a bowl of frozen mixed berries!

- 140 kcal, 30g Carbs, 2g Protein, 1g Fat

Lunch

I made myself a bowl of barley (I like it plain!) and my favourite salad which included hemp hearts, chia seeds and some homemade Italian dressing. 

- 535 kcal, 84.7g Carbs, 25.5g Protein, 13.6g Fat

Afternoon Snack

Mixed Nuts

- 200kcal, 7g carbs, 5g Protein, 14g Fat

Supper

My favourite supper of all time is a chow mein inspired dish with tofu, rice noodles, mixed veggies and a homemade sauce!

- 678 kcal, 85.2g Carbs, 30.1g Protein, 23.3g Fat

Alright! That is it for the day! I was full from supper and didn't need an evening snack although I would like to start drinking tea.. Any suggestions for a fruity, caffeine free flavour?

Days Total: 2013 Calories, 290.4g Carbs (68%), 73.1g Protein (17%), 64.9g Fat (15%)

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below!

Jules

* I used S Health to find the nutritional information.

30 Day Minimalism Challenge! - Day One

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had an amazing holiday season with your family and friends!

January is always a time of reflection, self-evaluation and resolution making. I am always striving to better myself and the world I live in. One of my goals last year was to downsize and if you read my previous blog post ' The Beginning of My Minimalist Journey ', you'll know that my husband and I sold our house and moved into an apartment! Now, you can imagine the amount of stuff we got rid of! We have now been in our apartment for a few months and I can see that items are slowly creeping in, we have bins that are full in our storage room and everything is not as organized as it once was.

Well, I feel like there is no better day than today to do something about it! With the new items I received for Christmas and the old stuff that I am still hanging on to, I am going to to the 30 Day Minimalism Challenge! The way it works is that on day one you use/donate/sell/trash one item, on day two you use/donate/sell/trash two items, on day three you do the same with three items and so on. You continue this all the way up until day 30 where you get rid of 30 items! It's pretty amazing because by the end of it all you will have reduced your belongings by 465 items! Wow!!

At this point, on day one, I'm not so sure I have that many items left to get rid of but I am excited to see where this journey takes me! I will be using Marie Kondo's mantra " Does this item spark joy?" to help me along.

My one item today is a broken eye shadow brush that I've been holding on to so I could fix it! Well, it hasn't been fixed, it isn't bringing me joy and I have been using other brushes! Find me on Instagram where I'll be posting updates of the items I get rid of!

Let me know in the comments below if you want to join me in this challenge or if you have done it before!

Peace & Love!

Jules

The Effects of Chlorine and How To Protect Yourself While Swimming

Hello!

Over the past few months I've added swimming twice a week to my cardio routine as the apartment I moved to has an indoor pool! I had forgotten how much I absolutely love being in the water but unfortunately not the effect it has on my hair and skin! While I will always prefer swimming outdoors I live in Canada and for most months out of the year that just isn't possible!

Chlorine is often added to water to reduce the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses. While this is great for keeping a pool clean it can start to eat away at the natural oils covering and protecting our skin and hair thus making them susceptible to dryness and damage. The chlorine can eventually break the bonds of our hair making it brittle and even react with the pigments in our hair, essentially bleaching it down to the "natural" colour of keratin itself. In addition it can cause irritation and redness to our eyes.

Now this is no reason to give up on swimming! In my opinion swimming is one of the best forms of cardio there is, giving you a full body workout without strain on the joints and burning mega calories!

Here are 5 simple ways I protect myself while swimming!

1. Rinse off  with a cool shower before entering the pool - We want to remove any sweat, deodorant, soap etc... that is on our skin as the chlorine can react with the proteins found in these organic compounds and create gases that can cause a rash, this will also help to keep the pool clean meaning less chemicals used in the first place. Another reason is that our skin and hair will act like a sponge and absorb this "clean" water and saturate it before it has the chance to absorb the chlorinated pool water. Remember that cold water closes hair cuticles and hot water opens them so keep your shower cool!

2. Put coconut oil on your hair and skin - This will act as a barrier to keep the natural oils protecting our skin and hair from being eaten away by the chlorine thus keeping our skin hydrated and hair strong.

3. Wear swimming goggles - If I'm swimming laps I have these bad boys on to protect my eyes, it saves me from having red, itchy eyes and from rubbing them non-stop in the pool!

4. Wear a swimming cap - Again, if I'm swimming laps not only does this improve my time ;) but it makes a huge difference in the damage done to my hair. While water does still seep into my cap it is not nearly as saturated and still protected by my shower and coconut oil. With these three things I have successfully kept my hair pink and healthy!

5. Have a shower after your swim - This is a no brainer! Rinse away all the chlorine before it has a chance to (further) soak into your skin and hair.

Is there anything else you do to keep your hair and skin looking and feeling nice while swimming regularly? If so, let me know in the comments below!

Peace and Happiness,

Jules

What I Eat In A Day! [Vegan] 2

Hey everyone!

Sorry for the lack of posts! We have officially sold our house and are moving into an apartment soon! We are super excited for this new, simpler chapter in our lives. Anyways, this is what I ate today!

I drank a full glass of water before each meal and throughout the day.

Rise and Shine

My day starts with a refreshing glass of water with half a lemon (I fill this glass with water twice).

- 6 Calories, 4g Carbs, 0.1g Protein

*If there is one thing I do daily, it's drink my lemon water in the morning!

3 Peaches

- 114 Calories, 0.6g Fat, 27.9 Carbs, 2.4g Protein

Breakfast

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Coconut Sugar & Half an Apple

- 396 Calories, 6.1g Fat, 68g Carbs, 12.1g Protein

Morning Snack

Blueberries

- 166 Calories, 0.8g Fat, 42g Carbs, 2g Protein

Lunch

3 Oranges

- 186 Calories, 0.3g Fat, 45.9g Carbs, 3.6g Protein

Green Juice ** First Time trying this! Very quick and easy!

- 188 Calories, 0.8g Fat, 43.4g Carbs, 3.4g Protein

Afternoon Snack

Baked Fries (2 Potatoes) with a dash of salt and vinegar

- 331 Calories, 0.2g Fat, 74.4 Carbs, 8.6g Protein

Supper

Vegetable Chili (Homemade)

- 525 Calories, 2.5g Fat, 100g Carbs, 25g Protein

Evening Snack

Cucumber

- 32 Calories, 7.2g Carbs, 1.2g Protein

Days Total: 1944 Calories, 11.3 Fat (2%), 412.8 Carbs (86%), 58.4g Protein (12%)

* I used S Health to find the nutritional information.

As previously mentioned, I never track calories or macros on a regular basis! Although looking at my totals today I might try to up my fat and total caloric intake! I always I eat until I am full and do not restrict at all. I think it's most important to eat a wide range of healthy and colourful foods throughout the week than to focus on one particular day.

It's been really fun doing these "What I Eat In A Day" posts! It's very interesting to see how things change or stay the same!

What is your favourite food or meal? Please be sure to leave it in the comments below!

Peace & Happiness,

Jules

The Beginning of My "Minimalist" Journey!

This past year I feel like I can truly say that I've found myself.

My whole life I've been searching for happiness and trying to live the life I was "supposed" to live, but something was still missing...

 According to society you should be happy when you have a successful career, own a nice home, a  nice vehicle and a bunch of "stuff". Why wasn't I truly happy if I had everything I was supposed to have?

The moment I let go of society's expectations and definition of success I felt a huge wave of relief rush over me. I didn't have to impress anyone other than myself. It took a long time for me to get over this. Some days I'm not sure if I completely have, but I do know that I am on the right path.

Everyone will find happiness a different way, the important thing is that you find it at all. It saddens me to see so many unhappy people in this world, thinking that this is it.

THIS is life.

It's not! Go for your dream, take a risk. YOU are in charge of your destiny. Sometimes it doesn't go the way you plan but I promise you that in the long run you won't regret trying.

This past January my husband and I downsized a LOT but still keep hanging on to a bunch of stuff that doesn't bring us joy. We  finally both feel that we are now ready to be done with it and move on with our lives. We want to be free of all the STUFF holding us down!

I encourage everyone to let go of what society is telling you that you need to do or have. Do ONLY what feels right to YOU.

Although I am only beginning and don't necessarily plan on going as far as counting the items I own, I only want to surround myself with items that I love and that have a purpose in my life. To me, that is the definition of minimalism. Although, I must say I am extremely impressed by those that can pack up their life in 15 minutes flat!!

I hope you all can join me on my journey and share your experiences with me as well!

DIY Light and Nourishing Face Oil

Hey Everyone!

I have tried quite a few face oils over the past few years but have found them to be expensive! Since then I decided to make my own and have been loving it! This is my go to face moisturizer! One of the reasons I love this oil is that it has an Aloe Vera base, many of the less expensive face oils I have tried have a water base. You can read about all the benefits of Aloe Vera in my previous post!

This small jar lasts me about two weeks, I use it both morning and night on my face and neck.

You can add or subtract the Aloe Vera based on your skin type. My skin type is combination but if yours is oily you may want to add more Aloe Vera, or less if yours is dry.


What You Will Need:

- Small jar (Mine is an old lip scrub jar from Lush!)
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Apricot Kernel Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Your favourite Essential Oils, I am currently using Tea Tree Oil and Rosehip Oil.


How To:


1. Pour 4 parts Aloe Vera, 2 parts Apricot Kernal Oil and 1 part Jojoba Oil in your jar.

2. Drop in 5 drops each of your favourite Essential Oils.

3. Shake your jar to mix all the contents.

It's as easy as that! Now apply to clean and toned skin both morning and night! Because of the Aloe Vera it does not take long to sink into your skin and you can apply your makeup directly on top in a matter of minutes. Make sure you shake your jar between each use, as there is no emulsifier the oils and aloe will separate
.

Let me know if you try out this Face Oil and which Essential Oils you chose!


Peace & Happiness,

Jules

** I purchased all of my oils through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)

All About Aloe Vera!

I have loved Aloe Vera for so many years but have only most recently discovered it has so many amazing benefits!

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Aloe Vera has long been known as a miracle worker, used to heals wounds, burns and skin irritations for thousands of years. This plant hails from Africa but can now be found all over the world in warm and dry climates or sunny windowsills.

Although I love to use Aloe Vera straight from the plant, I recently moved and had to give my dear plant to a friend. Until I  find another I've been purchasing bottled Aloe Vera Gel, not to be mistaken with Aloe Vera Juice (which also has amazing internal benefits!). The brand I've been using is Lily of the Desert, not only are their products organic, they also use minimal preservation ingredients.

Reasons why I love Aloe Vera:

- It is an anti-inflammatory, which means it helps to reduce swelling and any redness. 

- Contains an incredible amount of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals including, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene which all help to keep your skin moisturized and firm.
- It is alkalizing and helps to restore the natural ph balance of your skin.
- It has a 96% water content making it a great moisturizer.
- It includes saponins, which means that it is capable of cleansing and has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.

I am currently using it for: 

- After Sun Gel, also perfect for when you've been a little too sun happy (sunburn)!

- As a base in many of my DIY lotions, creams and potions. 

- As a face primer (before makeup!)

- To soothe any skin irritations (rashes/burns/wounds). 

- As an aftershave gel (My husband also loves this!)

- Stretch mark reducer

- An Astringent (After washing my face before moisturizer/oil).
- Muscle and Joint Pain Reliever
- Reduce the look of Keratosis Pilaris (Chicken Skin)
- Bug bite itch relief

I am thinking about trying this out as a hair cleanser. Has anyone done this? Let me know your favourite uses for Aloe Vera in the comments below!

** I purchase my Aloe Vera through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)

What I Eat In A Day! [Vegan]

Hey everyone!

As you will be able to tell from the menu I eat and recommend vegan foods. In a perfect world this would be 100% plant based and consist only of whole foods but I do occasionally treat myself to a pizza made with vegan cheese (I love SOYA!) or a yummy vegan desert. Most importantly, I always eat until I'm full and have included the nutritional information only for your information. Although I don't count calories or track macros I do think that is great way for those new to this lifestyle to see if your on track!  I'm not always perfect but here is what I ate today!

I drink a full glass of water before each meal and throughout the day.

Rise and Shine

My day starts with a refreshing glass of water with half a lemon (I fill this glass with water twice).

- 6 Calories, 4g Carbs, 0.1g Protein
- High in Vitamin C, good source of folate and high in many minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium

*If there is one thing I do daily, it's drink my lemon water in the morning!

Cherries

- 148 Calories, 0.4g Fat, 37.4g Carbs, 2.4g Protein
- High in Powerful Antioxidants, Vitamin C & A

Breakfast

Oatmeal with Cinnamon & Coconut Sugar

- 382 Calories, 8g Fat, 84g Carbs, 16g Protein
- High in Fiber, Magnesium & Iron

Morning Snack

2 Apples & Cinnamon

- 117 Calories, 0.2g Fat, 20.8 Carbs, 0.3g Protein
- High in Vitamin A, C and a good source of Iron & Fiber

Lunch

Garden Salad (Lettuce, Mushrooms, Sweet Peppers, Carrots, Celery, Cucumber, Sweet Peas, Radishes) with Chia and Hemp Seeds

- 296 Calories, 7.6g Fat, 29.8g Carbs, 33g Protein
-High in Vitamin A, B6, C, Omega 3's, Phosphorus, Potassium and a multitude of other Vitamins and Minerals

3 Homemade Flatbread with Olive Oil

- 318 Calories, 0.5g Fat, 22.3g Carbs, 3.8g Protein
- High in Iron and Fiber

Afternoon Snack

Frozen Mixed Berries

- 240 Calories, 51g Carbs, 3g Protein
- High in Vitamin C, Fiber and a good source of Folate and Potassium

2 Oranges

- 124 Calories, 0.2g Fat, 30.6 Carbs, 2.4g Protein
- High in Vitamin C and Calcium

Supper

Bowl of Carrots, Cucumbers & Snap Peas

- 148 Calories, 0.3g Fat, 16.9g Carbs, 2.4g Protein
- High in Vitamin A, C and a good source of Calcium and Iron

Sweet Potato Oven Roasted Fries (2 Sweet Potatoes)

- 258 Calories, 20.1 Carbs, 1.5g Protein
- High in Vitamin A, B5 and B6

Evening Snack

10 Stalks of Celery

- 60 Calories, 2.2 Carbs, 0.4g Protein
- High in Vitamin K, Folate and Potassium

Days Total: 2097 Calories, 17.2 Fat, 319.10 Carbs, 65.3g Protein

* I used S Health to find the the nutritional information.

What is your favourite food or meal? Please be sure to leave it in the comments below!

Peace & Happiness,

Jules