Inspirational thursday!

We all spend far too much of our time focusing on the negative e.g. what we don't have, faults in our appearance, comparisons to others etc, draining our mind and soul of the confidence and happiness we each deserve. What is this crazy hippie banana girl going on about? Stress. Sadness. Despair. They are all unnecessary emotions in life and are so simple to remove!

How? I ask you to step back from your crazy world and take time to just observe, appreciate and understand the wonders around you that are so unique and provide so many opportunities to expand as an individual. It starts with the simple things; how about that ray of sunshine that started your day, that colleague that held the door open for you? Anything can bring light in your day if you just look for it!

But why stop at being an observer? Why not be an instagator? You could spend some time with a friend who has been feeling lonely, smile at a stranger, or even 'heavens forbid' share a banana! (forget the last one, ripe bananas are never shared.) But life is exceedingly more free and enjoyable when you learn to let go and enjoy it, so I challenge you, who will you inspire today?

P.S My english teacher is always a very fond companion in my life and never fails to enlighten me and make me smile. She shared this quote from one of my favourite novels 'Jane Eyre' and it summises me to a 'T'!

"'I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will."

Be yourself because why would you want to waste your time being someone else?

First blog interview with Gina Topley

Name: Gina Topley

Origin: San Francisco Bay

Occupation: Currently studying a degree in marketing and aminor in nutrition.

Ambitions: To work in the health and fitness industry after graduating, and obtain her personal training       degree in the next few years.

When I first began my Instagram profile over 2 years ago, Gina was one of my first inspirations due to her abundance of positivity and ambition to achieve her goals and happily live the life she set out for herself. Although she is only in her twenties, this inspiring young lady is well educated in nourishing her own well being as well as inspiring others, especiallu with her mouth watering recipes! I am fortunate to share her inner thoughts as well as a bonus recipe that I am addicted too! I am sure you will love her as much as I do! Namaste <3

Since transitioning to a healthy lifestyle, what changes have you noticed?

When I first began to take holdof my health and cut out most of the processed, fake foods I was consuming, the first change I noticed was the way I interacted with others. I became an overall more relaxed, happier and energetic person.

Do you think your lifestyle change has had an effect on those around you?

I have seen firsthand many of the people I love making conscious efforts to improve their health, and I can only humbly believe I may have played a role in those changes. 

What is your daily routine?

Since my schedule changes so often, my daily routine does as well. A typical day for me currently consists of waking up, working out, showering?getting ready for the day and eating breakfast, going to class or a coffee shop to work from my laptop depending on the day, eating a lunch I packed the night before, seeing a friend or stopping by my parents' house for a visit, returning home to cook dinner and unwind with a movie or blog reading, having dessert and tea, the finally heading to bed.

I love the spontaneity of your life, it keeps each day fresh? However, is there anything strict about your diet and lifestyle?

I try to make sure my diet never has any firm restrictions because I know for me personally, that can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food. I strive to focus on real, whole foods that nourish my body.

Now that is the way to think! Life is precious and should be lived freely. What are your must have foods?

Squash, fruit, raw chocolate, green vegetables and oats.

Delicious! And what about your favourite form of exercise?

Weightlifting and yoga are tied, don't make me choose!

Oh I won't don't worry, I haven't tried weightlifting but yoga is a great way to unwind and there is so much on youtube now! For others eager to begin their journey, what are your top tips for health and happiness?

My best tips would be to simply be true to yourself and your body's needs. Every single person is different, and by acknowledging what makes you feel the best (from the foods you choose to eat to the attitude you choose to have) is the way to go.

Identical to my outlook! Everyone is an individual star in sky each with their own beauty and wonder. Speaking of stars, you are so radiant and shining, do you fancy sharing your top 5 beauty routines?

Honestly, I am extremely low maintenance when it comes to beauty. I gave up most artificial products and heat tools a few years back, and focus on using minimal natural products. That said I swear by dry brushing, coconut oil as a hair/skin moisturizer, rosebud salve for my lips, apple cider vinegar as a toner, and getting a sufficient amount of vitamin D.

I will bare those in mind! On a different subject, I think many people fear verging from the path prescribed to us, what are your opinions on this vs creating your own?

I say step outside your comfort zone and go for whatever it is you dream of achieving, whether those dreams be on the path you are on already or a completely different path. It may be scary, but fear is often what brings on the best changes.

Change can be daunting, especially because it is so spontaneous and out of control. Name 3 changes in your life that have shifted you to new levels?

The main change that truly shifted my perspective on life was getting in touch with my spirituality and discovering authors such as Eckhart Tolle, Gabrielle Bernstein, and Marianna Williamson. Two other significant factors that have brought me to new levels are my yoga practice and my introduction to the lcoal food movement. 

Spirituality most certainly has an important role in overall mental and physical health, especialy in learning to appreciate and cherish oneself. What is self love for you?

To me, self love is accepting yourself, flaws and all, exactly where you are at this moment in time. We will never benefit from thinking we will be better tomorrow, or the next day, or twenty years from now. So, to love yourself today is to achieve self love.

Such inspiring words! You mentioned being inspired by many authors, do you have a favourite quote?

"Realise deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life." Eckhart Tolle

I will be making a note of that one! Anyway, now to the food! What inspires your recipe creations?

I have social media and all the wonderful people I have connected with through my blog, Instagram, and Facebook to thank for inspiring much of what happens in my kitchen. I think we all have so much to give and share, and to be inspired is on the greatest things to come from the increased prevalence of social media.

'Cheesy' Kale chips

Ingredients

• 1 bunch kale (washed and dried)
• 1/2 cup cashews (soaked overnight)
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/4 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt (sea salt would work as well)
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• juice of 1 lemon

Directions

Step 1

Set oven to lowest possible setting. Ideally, this will be the "warm" setting. This should be about 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Combine all ingredients except for the kale in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Add water as needed to obtain a paste consistency.

Step 3

Tear the kale into large pieces and massage the mixture into them with your hands. This will get messy!

Step 4

Spread the kale onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil, taking care to separate the pieces so they are lying flat and only slightly touching.

Step 5

Place try in the warm oven and let cook for 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the heat of your oven. You may prop the door of the oven open while the chips bake for better results (although this is not the most efficient way to go in terms of energy efficiency).

Creamy burrito heaven!

I can honestly say that I was salivating just typing up this recipe it was that delicious, and a perfect way to get in all your veggies whilst keeping satsified in the evening. I don't often use overt fats just because my body hasn't been craving them recently, but if you enjoy avocado like I do then this recipe is definitely for you!

       

Now doesn't mine look better?

                                                                                                  

Ingredients

Creamy cauliflower mash

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1/2 avocado
• 2-3 spirng onions
• bunch of fresh dill
• 1/2 lemon juice
• 2 sticks celery

Burrito additions

• 4 carrots
• 3 large beetroot
• 2 zucchini/courgette

Burrito

• iceberg lettuce

Instructions

1. Begin by making the creamy cauliflower mash (this is the best part so must take priority in my opinion.) Chop the head of cauliflower into smaller pieces then pulse in a food processor until it forms a 'rice' consistency. 
2. In a seperate bowl place the chopped avocado, celery, onion, dill and lemon juice and blend with a hand blender (alternatively place in a posh blender you may have.) You may need to add a touch of water to give it a runnier consistency but do this to your taste. 
3. Once you have perfected the sauce, place it into the food processor with the cauliflower and blend until all is combined. It should create a creammy mash consistency if the sauce is runny enough.
4. In a seperate bowl place the carrots, beetroot and courgette/zucchini, I finely grated mine but you can chop if you prefer.
5. For the burrito itself I used iceberg lettuce. I took two leaves at a time, folded up the bottom and filled with all of the ingredients (it is easiest to put the mash on first so you can spread it around.) However, you can use cabbage, collard, romaine etc this was simply what I had in the cupboard.
6. Have fun, get messy and enjoy!

You can increase or decrease the quantities on how much you can handle, and if you have a fruit friend it's a great sharing recipe!

My first vegan fruit luck!

I had heard from fellow vegans on instagram about these vegan 'fruit luck' sessions, but I was never fortunate enough to discover one near to where I live, so I felt very much isolated in my lifestyle because there aren't any vegans in my area, let alone someone who is knowledgeable of 801010 or raw veganism. However, thanks to a wonderful group on Facebook, I was able to connect with many fellow 'fruities' as I call them, in the UK, and not only discover where there were great deals but also of any vegan meet ups.

I found out and attended this meet up in Stoke-On-Trent by chance, and I am so thankful that I did beccause it was a lifechanging experience that nourished my soul in so many ways. Well where do I begin? The fun starts at the train station where I was meeting fellow fruities to do a 'shared lift' to the location, but how do I recognise them you ask? From a man jumping around with a banana in the air...brilliant! Just an everyday occurence in my random life. 

Then the location itself, once everyone arrived the room was alive with an abundance of delcious fruits and raw vegan creations as well as the joyous atmoshpere and enthusiasm everyone radiated. I have never felt so at peace and at one with the people and my surroundings. We had a famous 'banana-berry smoothie', grapes, oranges, apples, spotty bananas (ofcourse), figs, strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, mango, dates; then exotic fruit such as tamarind, zapote, papaya, mangosteen, rambutan, cherimoya (my new favourite thing) and the king of fruits....DURIAN! We also had my famous raw pumpkin pie, and two delicious salads with divine flavour combinations that tickled your tastebuds. So, as you can see I had a definite food coma afterwards, but it was most definitely worth it. Regardless of this array of colourful and nourishing fruit, the realy joy came from the conversations I had. Being quite isolated in my area it was so exciting and enjoyable to have people who shared my interests, for the first time I could talk for hours about fruit! From humorous fruit experiences, to the typical vegan criticisms 'where do you get your protein', to hints and tips on this lifestyle.

                                           

 

           


One of the things that I found most inspiring was how we were all on different stages in our journey, some were mature vegans very well educated in the area, others strictly raw, others rawtill4, others new to the system, and others curious and willing to give it a go. Yet despite our differences we all bonded like atoms in a solid structure and encouraged each other to keep going!

BUT...the absolute highlight had to be the skype session with the one and only DR DOUG GRAHAM!!!!!

If you aren't aware, he is a celebrity in the raw vegan food movement and is famous for his life changing book '801010'. If you haven't read this book I highly recommend that you do, it is my bible and personal library for information if I am ever unsure of anything. I am not fully 801010 yet, still occasionally eating cooked food, vegan treats like chai latte and chocolate etc as well as herbs and spices, but I am still in the transitioning stage and do the best for my circumstances and environment, and at the minute I am happy. Anyway, only 5 minutes into the skype call I already witnessed a kind, selfless, comedic individual who simply desires ultimate health and happiness for the world and everyone it. I won't force my opinion on you, but if you ever get the opportunity to speak/see this man it will be worthwhile! He has left a permanent imprint upon my life! Not only did he give us an insightful talk with some brilliant vegan jokes, but he also answered all of our questions clearing up our uncertainties and motivating us to pursue this lifestyle and realise that we are not alone. One of the most prominent things he said was that 'we are the future', and that is so true! It is us, each as an individual we have the capability to change the world no mater how small, and if that means I can save one animal, keep a local grocer's business going, or reduce pollution in the world then my life is definitely fulfilled. 

Peace, love and smiles to everyone out there pursuing their own journies to happiness and health. Remember you are not alone, seek love and light and you will thrive in its company! Live the life you want to lead and just let it all go, every day is a gift and every meeting creates a lifetime friend.

Raw vegan 'mac n cheese'

I was never a fan of macoroni and cheese when I did eat dairy because to be honest I didn't like cheese :D However pasta has always been a real passion of mine and I wondered if I could improve this American heart attack meal and make it into something I would enjoy. BOOM! I made this! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and you can change the quantities according to how much you can eat ( I like to carb up baby.)

Ingredients

'Pasta' 

• 6 large zucchini/courgette peeled or spiralised into noodles (I don't have a spiraliser but I use a vegetable peeler and manage fine)

If you want the macaroni consistency then shred the above instead

'Sauce'

• 2 large corn on the cobs (about 4 cups of frozen)
• 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes (can use fresh but provides a different consistency)
• 1/2-1 large red bell pepper 
• 3 stalks celery
• the remainder of the zucchini/courgette after making into pasta
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 hot chilli

Additions

• Spinach is my favourite! I usually use the whole bag (around 200g) because I love it so much!
• Broccoli can be a nice accompaniment but if I use this I make this dish beforehand and allow the broccoli to soak because I can't digest it that well raw

Instructions

1. I like to peel the courgette/zucchini into a large bowl first, because then I can dip some of it into the sauce or munch on it as I go along :) <<<HEALTHYGIRLPROBLEMS
2. In a seperate bowl add the 'sauce' ingredients: corn off the cob, sun dried tomatoes, pepper, celery, and zucchini/courgette all chopped, the garlic clove grated and the hot chilli finely diced.
3. Blend with a hand blender like me, but if you have a fancy blender like a vitamix then you are a lucky vegan!
4. Sample the sauce! This is the MOST IMPORTANT part of the whole preparation
5. Add any additions to the 'pasta' (spinach is the best!) and pour the sauce over, mixing thoroughly with your hands so that everything is nicely coated (you can use a spoon but then you don't get to lick your fingers and where is the fun in that?)
6. Et voila! You can eat as it is, or scoop into lettuce to make pasta boats.

Let me know if you make this recipe and tag me on instagram @smiletohealth I would love to see your version!

Eating out as a high carb low fat vegan...indian restaurant

Since transitioning to a hclf vegan lifestyle I have found eating out a stressful experience because you have little if any control over the ingredients used and cooking methods. However, my family and friends love to eat out so I had to teach myself how to accommodate to this whilst ensuring I am happy and keep to the lifestyle that makes me thrive.

In the beginning, I would often succumb to social pressure or fear of being a 'nusicance' to the staff in the restaurant, and would settle for second best rather than making special requirements to aid my happiness and enjoyment of the evening. Many restaurants are quite accommodating anyway regarding their food selections, because veganism is becoming an increasingly popular movement that they must satisfy. However, many menus are limited to the American 'SAD' diet, and can make life very difficult when trying to enjoy social time with loved ones. But not anymore!

Here is a recent specific example of how I managed in an indian restaurant this weekened:

Curry has always been one of my favourite foods, however since my body has adapted it can't cope with the high amount of oil and variety of flavours, and leaves me sluggish with uncomfortable bloating so I had to be more aware of what I am consuming. That does not mean im going to deprive myself however! I will satisfy my food cravings and the wonderful flavours of the cuisine but in a way I can remain vegan and not feel uncomfortable.

REMEMBER! No meal is a cheat, don't deprive yourself of a food just because you think it is unhealthy, this habit will not only cause misery but could develop into a disorder which could be dangerous. So if you follow a similar lifestyle then just aim to keep it high carb, plant based and low fat but if you eat more fat than usual don't stress because one day will not destroy your life it is minor in the large scheme of things. Going out should be an enjoyable experience not a stressful one, so relax and enjoy yourself! 

Here is my order:

Instead of poppadoms (often fried and I never had a taste for their bland flavour) I ordered a plate or raw cucumber and had it with a coriander onion salad and lots of spicy lime pickle.

For my starter I had garlic mushrooms and coriander with a side salad.

My magnificent main course. Two roasted peppers filled with curried vegetables and potatoes, a side salad, and steamed lemon rice.

All of the above I specified to be cooked in no oil or ghee to keep my fat ratios low but also because I dislike oily food. I may have eaten more than others but I remained high carb and vegan which was my perogative, as well as having a wonderful time with my friend.

Top tips for staying high carb low fat when eating out:

• Check the menu online beforehand and get an idea of possible meal options
• Phone the restaurant beforehand to see if they can accommodate your needs e.g. gluten free, oil free, steamed etc.
• Stay carbed up! Most restaurants have potatoes, rice and pasta so if there isn't a specific meal then order one of these with some vegetables and you are good to go!
• Don't be afraid to ask, waitors and chefs are always happy to help, they just want you to enjoy your restaurant experience
• Avoid fried and salty foods these play havoc on the digestion
• Be kind to yourself, one 'none ideal' meal won't hurt

Let me know about your eating out experiences, what is your favourite hclf meal?

Sunbed controversy...are they as bad as they seem?

I have always been highly apprehensive of sunbeds due to the bombardment of negative press in the media enforced upon us. We all know the claimed health risks; cancer (particularly skin), increased ageing, and damage to the eyes such as cataracts. So obviously, like many people of society I avoided them like the plague, fearful of these 'risks', yet ironically I would happily lie all day on the beach on holiday with my family, experiencing the same if not greater level of exposure. 

So if UV rays are so damaging, then why are people in warmer climates with constant exposure to the sun, often healthier, happier and more vibrant than those trapped in the cold climates, freezing with 'sad' disorder? The answer is vitamin D. Vitamin D boosts the 'happy hormone' making us feel more radiant from the inside and prepared for the day. It also aids the immune system, maintains cognitive functions, helps maintain a healthy body weight, protects against radiation damage, increases recovery for those suffering from T.B. and reduces the risk of contracting cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, M.S. (multiple sclerosis) and heart attacks. It is a salvation!

So where do all these health problems come from? If sunbeds arent to blame then what is? The answer to that is your lifestyle! As I am sure all of my fellow foodies are aware, what we put into our body and what we expose it to has a huge effect in its well being. If you are currently living on the typical American 'SAD' diet then you are exposing your body to a mountain of toxins from animal products, dairy, processed food, fast food and artificial preservatives that are building up in your body and will be rejected! Your body cannot thrive when it is lumbered with such disease and malnourishment. Imagine having to carry twice your weight on your back for the entirety of the day, wouldn't life be far more difficult? So, let us all make life easier and cherish the holy temple we have been given.

I am not saying you must be vegan to be healthy and happy, but following a plant based diet will definitely help! Ofcourese, don't deny yourself the foods you love, I myself love chai latte, falafel, vegan chocolate and a good curry so I am not trying to take over. But it is all about the small changes that will make all the difference! Once you start to feel the benefits you will never go back I promise you! I have been vegan for 9 months now and it is the best decision I have ever made! Not only am i appreciating my body but the world and its inhabitants! What could be more satisfying? 

Broccoli biryani

Indian food is one of my favourite cuisines as it is so full of flavour and surprsies, that I am actually entertained by the food I eat! I used to focus on heat rather than flavour and just go for the spiceiest option, but now my tastebuds enjoy a tasteful jalfrezi or balti over a fire burning vindaloo. So why not embrace the culture and give my own recipe a try? Well that is what this bizarre creation turned out to be :)

Ingredients:

Salad

• 1 head of broccoli
• punnet of mushrooms (chestnut are my favourite)
• 350g of spicy cherry peppers (or you can use one red bell pepper)

Sauce

• 4 large vine tomatoes
• 1/2 zucchini/courgette
• 1 very hot chilli
• 2 spring onions
• 1 heaped tsp garam masala (this is what provides that indian flavour sensation)

Instructions 

1. Begin by making the base of your salad, chop and food process the whole head of broccoli until it forms a rice like consistency (sometimes I prefer it fine, sometimes chunky, so just follow your tastebuds!) and place into a seperate bowl.
2. Chop the mushrooms and peppers into bite sized portions and mix with the broccoli 'rice'.
3. Now move onto the best part...the dressing! Finely chop the tomatoes, zucchini, chilli, onions and place into a blender and add the garam masala, simply let your blender do the work! Unfortunately, I do not have this privilege as my blender is in blender heaven ;)  So, I had to hand blend in a bowl, but it is definitely worth it! 
4. Add the dressing to the salad mixture and stir thoroughly until it is all coated with the delicious sauce. You can be civilised and use a spoon to do this, but I personally like to get involved with my food and mix my hands (you get the added bonus of licking your fingers this way!)
5. Et Voila! Enjoy as it is or put in lettuce or collard leaves and make indian tacos (if that even exists.)

Hope this satisfies your indian cravings and you enjoy the flavours! Let me know what you think by joining the google crowd and commenting below, and please inform me what else you would like me to post about! I would love to hear your thoughts and interests. 

10 fun facts about me :D

I thought it was time to do more of a personal post as there is nothing more hypocritical than sharing my opinions without you actually knowing me, I feel I would be unrelateable and unbelivable. So I hope that these silly facts will bring me closer to all of you wonderful human beings that I admire and adore so much. 

10 RANDOM FACTS

1. My full name is Chelsea Louise Little but my nickname is 'Smiley', somehow I am not sure where they got that one from (grin). My mom was actually going to call me 'Summer' which I think is such a beautiful name and is quite appropriate considering I despise the cold and could bathe in the sunshine forever.
2. I have been on a 'Yorkshire Tea' commerical on the television dressed as a teabag, you can youtube it my face is unmissable. I personally think I rock the teabag outfit (not!)
3. I used to have really goofy teeth, then at the age of 10 I was given braces for a year, my teeth aren't perfect but I love them for what they are, and believe me it is a huge improvement from before.
4. I want to go to drama school and study BA Honours in musical theatre, I just love being on the stage singing, acting and dancing the experience is indescribable and just brings me alive. It is the one true place I feel utterly free and indestructable.
5. I once went to 'Nandos' with my best friend painted blue and dressed as a smurf...it was halloween however it was so fun I might do it again!
6. I never used to eat raspberries because they were furry and made me imagine an old wrinkly person in my mouth, strange but I am still struggling to remove that mental image. 
7. I love seeing and experiencing new countries and cultures, I just find it so soul nourishing and invigorating for the mind. I am actually tempted to just leave the pressures, stress, rigidity and commerciality of the generic world and live in an exotic country as a yoga instructor with an abundance of fresh fruit and veggies.
8. If you follow me on instagram you will know that my current addiction is persimmons/sharon fruit. I literally cannot get enough, however I am very impatient and eat them when they are imbetween super squishy and firm. I can managed 2kg in one sitting now :P
9. I am awful with crying at films. I hate to see anyone sad or distressed and it just breaks my heart, I have only watched 'Bambi' once as it literally made my soul weep.
10. I carry vaseline and hand gel everywhere, it is my OCD. Smoothe lips and clean hands are essential!

Well there is a cheeky insight into the strange and random character that is me! I hope you enjoyed reading this post and please keep commenting and emailing, I love to keep in contact with my followers. I also have a postal address if anyone is interested <3

Lots of love and smiles! Be you, it is what makes you so great!

The master curried corn salad

I used to hate salads, but after experimenting with different dressings and flavour combinations, I can't get enough! And this is my all time favourite meal that I have at least 3 times a week because I love it so much. Just call me a corn addict :)

Ingredients

Sauce

• 4 ears of corn (frozen corn works too)
• 1/2 red pepper
• 1/2 zucchini (courgette)
• 2 spring onions
• handful of fresh dill
• 1 chilli pepper
• water to blend (add a bit at a time)

Base

• 1 iceburg lettuce
• 350g cherry tomatoes

Directions

1. I always make the dressing first (but that's because I like to eat it as I make the rest :) If your using the fresh corn then using a sharp knife remove from the cob and place in the blender. If your using frozen then soak required amount in luke warm water to defrost without cooking it.
2. Chop the pepper, zucchini, spring onions and chilli into smaller chunks and add to corn.
3. Simply tear the dill off the stems so you don't have huge strips.
4. Add 1/4-1/2 a cup of water before blending to ease the process and create a sauce consistency (you can add more if needed but it's best to start of with less.)
5. I use a food processor to make my sauce because I like it a bit chunky, but you can also use a blender to make it thinner depending on your tastes.
6. The base is simple, chop the lettuce into chunks and place in a bowl with the cherry tomatoes which I cut in half (the juice oozes out and adds extra flavour).
7. Voila! You are done.

I enjoy a lot of sauce so this may to be much for you but adapt the quantites to what you desire. This sauce is so easily manipulated you could create a variety of dishes:

• on top of zucchini noodles with your favourite veggies
• as a raw soup, let's call it 'corn chowder' raw vegan style
• as a healthy dip for potato wedges, veggies, tortilla chips whatever you fancy

This is my favourite recipe and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Comment below on your thoughts and tag me in your picture on instagram if you try it @smiletohealth.

My Epiphany

For the entirety of my life I have been in pursuit for perfection, whether that was full marks on my spellings test or being the best at making a cup of tea (which, not being biased but I most certainly am. It's all about the technique.) At first this appeared to be ambition, a self drive for the best in life, little did I know that it would lead to my own destruction.

PERFECTION...does it really exist? I used to think so, and still struggle with this perpetual need to achieve sometimes but the difference is I have learnt. I now know the truth. Perfection doesn't exist, there is no perfect mark, no perfect weight, no perfect pathway in life; that allusive word is false and misleads our minds onto a path of disappointment as we never reach that finishing line and always strive for live.

So why does the word exist? Let's call it an idealism, a method to give people motivation to strive for the best rather than hover in contentment. Don't get me wrong, I am all for striving for the best, but why does life have to be a competition? Not only with each other, but with the world and ourselves? Why don't we instead, strive to achieve our personal best, and what makes us happy and healthy in life rather than what someone else says is 'perfect'? Each of us were created as an indivdual being of light, possibility and beauty, our individual quirks, talents and personality defining the unique and wonderful creatures we are! So instead of punishing yourself and focusing on what you lack or struggle with in life, let us join together and appreciate what we do have! 

How does this apply to me? Recently I have really been struggling with fear of the future, I have missed out on so many opportunites and enjoyment in life down to a horrible disease that I was unfortunate to succumb too, and for four years I have allowed that disease to define and overtake me and my life. As I struggled with mental anxiety, self criticism and a battle between a disease and the desire to lose weight, life lost all of its enjoyment to the point I lost all reason to strive for health. 

But NOT anymore! 

It took all those tears, all those missed opportunities all those self destructions for me to learn and understand that there is no perfect way to do anything in life, and that 'perfect' is doing what is best for you in order to be happy and healthy and living your dreams. Ofcourse it is challenging and I constantly compare myself to others, and fear that I am not things the 'correct' way, but then I remind myself I am doing what my body and soul desire and that is perfection in my eyes. Live your own perfect life not anyone elses. 

I am 18, and currently taking a sebatical from college until September, when I will finish my A levels and then go on to drama school which is what I want to pursue. Does it make me stupid? Does it make me a failure? NO! I am taking the time to find myself, regain weight and health and learn to control my anxiety and enjoy my life rather than using it as a self punishment. And do you know what? I have never been happier! Ofcourse it can be soul destroying feeling like a couch potato sat around stuck in the house all day, or that your lazing around not doing work 24 7, but I have my own work to do at the minute and that is finding myself. And today and the next day, that is my mission! I am going to return to college happy and healthy and strong, and perfection? Well perfection can go back to that illusionary cloud it fell off because I don't need impossibility in my life. I am all about possibility!

Negativity...who needs it?

Recently I have been struggling with a wave of negativity which has sent me into a state of misery and 'blues', as I battle with accepting myself and making decisions, losing faith in all that I know and believe. Why is this? Because I allowed other people's negativity and criticisms to bring a raincloud onto my day rather than radiating through and pentrating their darkness, continuing to enjoy my own light which has taken me so long to develop. I am not the kind of person to name names, or to return the negativity because where does that get us in life? Negativity will always be around us and it is about learning how to cope with and use it to your advantage rather than succumbing and allowing it to control your life.

Over the years, after constantly and still to an extent struggling with low self esteem and severe self criticism, I morphed from a glowing, smiley girl into a mechanical, miserable mannekin (my english teacher would be proud of my alliteration there, sorry english literature nerd aha ), losing all enjoyment from the pleasures and opportunities the world has to offer. However, I have developed a series of coping mechanisms I would like to share with fellow sufferers to bring that sunshine back to your day! It takes commitment and it is hard work, but it is definitely worth it! Ofcourse we are allowed to be miserable but why should we spend our lives that way? Let us see the best out of a bad situation! 

Coping mechanisms:

• start a positivity journal, filling it with things that make you smile or inspire you. This could be a family photo, a quote you like, a message from a friend, anything that you can turn too to remind you that life isn't as bad as it seems.
• physically write down your negative thoughts and evaluate them. This is for all the critical thinkers out there. List your negative thoughts on one side of the page, then next to them in a different colour (more visual and exciting like life itself) write a postive twise on that negativity e.g. NEGATIVE= someone said I have a big nose POSITIVE= I love my nose, it is unique to me and makes me beautiful.
• distract yourself! Take a bubble bath, phone a friend, watch a film, whatever helps you wind down, relax and think more logically because in a state of anxiety it is impossible to think properly. 
• laugh! as silly as it sounds just laugh. You will feel ridiculous which will make you realise how ridiculous the situation is and return to your normal self.

And most importantly...

Y.A.K

You, Always, Know

One of my dearest friends who has helped me so much in establishing the positive, stronger me that lives my life rather than fearing it, said this to me and at first I just laughed. It sounds ridiculous but it is my new mantra for life!

What does it mean? Have faith in yourself and want you feel is right, 'listen to your gut' as they say and don't ever change for anyone, do what you love, live the life you want to live and those who are your true supporters will love and encourage you along the way.

I hope this post was beneficial to you all and please create a google account so that you can comment with feedback on the blog, if not head to my 'get in touch' page and you will find my contact details there. 

Lots of love and smiles you to all and don't forget to keep smiling <3

Magic minty pea dressing

Being new to eating more raw food, my knowledge of raw food creations is pretty limited so I tend to make the same recipes as they are what I feel comfortable with. But not anymore! I've decided to be more rebellious and free spirited and stumbled across this wonderful dressing that goes great with anything but I particularly love with zucchini noodles.

 Ingredients

• 2.5 cups peas (mine were defrosted from frozen but you can cook if you prefer)
• 5-8 fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 red onion chopped
• 1 large hot chilli (alter according to how much spice you like)
• 1/2 lime juiced

This recipe is so quick and simple it is ridiculous! You simply place all the ingredients in a blender and whizz it up! I like to leave it slighty chunky but you can make it into more of a puree. 

Hints and tips

• to defrost the peas quickly simply place in a bowl with luke warm water for a few mins it works a charm.
• to prevent your eyes running when chopping the onion dab underneath your eyes with a damp cloth.
• DON'T touch anything sensitive i.e. your eyes after chopping the chilli it will burn!

 Et Voila!

One of my favourite ways to enjoy this dressing is over zucchini pasta! Simply julienne 4-6 large zucchinis and mix with 2 cups of plum tomatoes, mix in the dressing and your done!

Other ideas:

• make it a starter as a soup, adding chooped tomatoes and zucchini to create that rustic effect
• makes a great dip for vegetable crudites
• goes well in a giant salad with lots of lettuce and all of your favourite vegetables
• try it with a rawtill4 meal on top of jacket or steamed potatoes, or an alternative dressing for noodles, rice or pasta

Experiment, have fun and enjoy! Comment below on your thoughts of this recipe and tag me on instagram if you try it my name is @smiletohealth. Don't forget the 'get in touch' page, I'd love to recieve more emails from such a wonderful opportunity and I am always up for any post arrivals :)

 

Lush product review!

When I first transtitioned to a vegan lifestyle I only applied it to my diet and was unaware of how much of our daily lifestyle it actually involves. A particular aspect of this is cosmetics, and when I looked on the back of my foundation bottle the long list of chemicals was appaling! How can I be living naturally if I was putting all these chemicals on my skin? Not to mention the horrific ways in which they were tested!

So I began looking around for all natural vegan products and stumbled across 'LUSH', a place I had always loved for their creative and natural bath bombs but little did I realise they did makeup too! On enetering the store I had never met more friendly people who were so willing to help, and we actually began disccusing our passion for animal protection as everyone who works in store is vegetarian and vegan. It was heart warming to be surrounded by people with a pride in their products and the world around them.

Anyway... (I babble a lot sorry, I guess I like to write)

All products are free of harsh chemicals, sensitive on the skin and naturally fragranced to leave you feeling beautiful! I was so gratefull they were able to recommend products they have used themselves as well as what works best for my skin type. Plus, it was far more affordable than your usual makeup, I only spent £30 on the foundation, mascara, blusher and tooth tabs when I used to spend that much just on my foundation! 

So what do I think?

Foundation: I mix a bit of this with an all natural mosituriser I use every morning (I suffer from dried skin due to having severe eczema as a child) and it gives a light but even coverage that blends perfectly with my complexion and doesn't give that 'caked on' look. They had so many different shades so it will be easy to find the right one for you!

Mascara: Often mascara was the only thing I used to wear as I take pride in my eyes and like to exaggerate them, however typical mascaras left my eyes itchy for days or always used to clog up on the ends of my lashes. Not this one! I have honestly never used a mascara that doesn't give me that horrid discomfort! It gives a lovely all natural look but you would have to layer it on thick if you desire a bolder look.

Blusher: Don't you just hate that grainy effect? Well this blusher is a cream that you rub into your cheeks and get an adorable little rosy glow. However, be careful how much you apply you don't need much and on my first attempt I looked like a clown aha :) 

Toothy tabs: I have always been super paranoid about my teeth since having really goofy teeth and braces when I was younger, so this all vegan toothpaste is brilliant. It's so easy to use and I no longer have to use mouthwash! They have loads of different flavours but I played it safe with the minty one as didn't want to risk a cinnamon one first thing aha! All you do is bite one tab between your two front teeth then brush with a wet toothbrush, simple!

I'm not sure if you can purchase Lush products in all countries but it is definitely worth taking a look! And I will keep you updated on what other products I try, I am definitely tempted by the all natural shampoos and conditioners. 

What produtcs do you love? Comment below I would love to hear about them and maybe trial them myself x

Why I follow raw till 4

So, I have been on the vegan lifestyle for 6 months now and an 801010/ rawtill4 vegan for 2 months and never felt better! I never used to eat a lot of meat before I transitioned, mainly fish with the occasional bit of chicken but that was always because I felt I had to due to the misconceptions presented by the media on the importance of protein. Since transitioning to vegan I have never felt so energetic and happy from the inside with the added bonus of helping the environment and protecting all the wonderful animals within it! Call me a crazy hippie but this is what makes me feel good on the insdie and out and that's the most important thing in achieving happiness and health <3

There is a lot of stigma by raw food vegans about eating cooked food, however without easy access to cheap, organic fruit in abundance it is a fatastic option to make sure you keep carbed up! When embarking upon 801010 which I love as a lifestyle, I became afraid of cooked foods and lost a lot of enjoyment from food that I think is important in order to appreciate your body. I stopped socialising with friends, constantly punished myself for eating anything not 'raw' and also was seriously undereating so became very moody and miserable within myself. What kind of a lifestyle is that? Don't get me wrong, fruit is always the best option providing natural, instant energy direct from mother nature, however if like me you live in a cold climate, with difficult access to high quality fruit then cooked carbohdyrates are a salvation! I wish I had learnt this earlier as I feel so much better being carbed up. 

Fully raw is my ambition as obviously cooking food does denature it and reduce the quality but it all depends on how you cook it. If you roast it until its black and charred or fry it in heaps of oil then obviously it isn't a good choice, but steaming and grilling can be great options and roasted sweet potatoes are one of my favourites <3 I don't eat cooked every day as I do like my raw vegan meals like a bowl of zucchini pasta or my curry corn dressing on a big salad, so I simlply eat cooked when I am undercarbed or crave a heartier meal.

             My Inspiration <3

How did I discover rawtill4? Well I am sure you have heard of the famous pioneers 'freelee' and 'durianrider' and I cannot promote them enough! Their approach to veganism is so welcoming, easy to understanding and refreshing amongst such a restrictive, selective community that made me feel so distant and inferior. They promote doing what is best for you on this lifestyle whether that means eating cooked, eating raw, eating a bit of fat, its all about doing what is best for you! No constricition by a chain of rules you must regiment your life by. This is an idea I am strongly passionate about, and they really opened my eyes to how enjoyable life can be when you can escape restrcition and just live the life that you want to live and create your own journey of happiness. Don't trap yourself when life is so free with many opportunities for you indulge!

So what lifestyle do I follow? All I can say is vegan plant based diet. Do I treat myself....hell yeah! (chai lattes, vegan chocolate and curries are my guilty pleasure aha). Do I worry if something is cooked...NO! Do I worry if I occasionaly have a bit more fat...ofcourse not! As long as I am happy and healthy both inside and out that is all that matters, and although it has taken me a long time it is definitely worth my past of pain. 

I hope this post encourages you each to persue your own journey to happiness and health, and PLEASE comment below on your thoughts and opionions I want to know more about you wonderful souls, as well as your thoughts on the blog! There is also a 'get in touch' page if you want to email me or send me any products to trial and review and share with the vegan community. Lots of love and smiles <3