Category: Health

10 Beautiful Houseplants for Spring

4/17/2017

Today I have a special post for you guys, from a special guest writer! Tia is a long-time, fellow traveler friend of mine, who currently resides in Portland, Oregon. Today she will be sharing with us a super exciting topic; houseplants!

"It’s that time of year, earth is thawing and new life is sprouting and we are all cleaning and de-cluttering for the warmer months. Adding a few new indoor plants to your home can add a fresh and air-purifying touch just in time for summer. I have compiled a simple list of my favorite, least fuss, easy to care for houseplants. Most if not all of these plants listed can be found at your local nursery or garden center.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe is a classic and for good reason, easy to take care of, drought tolerant and enjoys almost any amount of light as well, best to keep out of direct light, water every week to 10 days for the best life and color. Aloe is also great in homeopathic remedies and can treat sunburn!

2. Peace Lily

This beauty looks very elegant. Its white blooms typically appearing in the spring and lastly about two months. The Peace Lily will droop slightly to let you know it needs to be watered. It also doesn’t mind varying amounts of light, prefers medium, indirect light. The leaves may turn yellow if getting to much direct light.

3. Spider Plant

Spider plants are wonderfully easy to grow and keep happy. Grow this plant in just about any room, best for a bedroom/office or bathroom as it’s great at filtering indoor air pollution. Grows best when watered once a week, but won’t mind if you miss a week.

4. Anthurium (Flamingo Flower)

Anthuriums are a part of a large genus of perennials in the subtropics of North and South America. Humid conditions are fairly important for this exotic plant, best for your bathroom or kitchen. Bright filtered light to medium light is what this plant craves; its leaves always pulling towards the nearest light source.

5. Snake Plant

These plants could be considered the toughest of house plants, tolerable to almost any conditions. The Snake Plant has stiff, upright leaves about 3 to 4 feet and grows very slowly. Let soil dry completely between waterings and let it have some filtered light.

6. Dracaena

There are approximately 40 different variations of this plant. Their variegated leaves can look similar to a spider plant, and can grow up to 4 or 5 feet tall under the right conditions, medium light and requires a medium amount of water.

7. Pothos Plant

If you are looking for a great hanging plant or one to grow over a counter space, look no further! They enjoy all amounts of light and don’t require much water. Pothos are very attractive for the fact they can be grown in soil or water alone. Word of warning though, this plant if ingested is poisonous, can be deadly to any beloved house pet.

8. Lucky Bamboo

Even though named Lucky Bamboo, this plant isn’t a part of the bamboo family at all and is native to West Africa. Filtered light is best and direct sunlight can cause the leaves to burn. Lucky Bamboo is grown in water alone and should have at least few inches of it, changing the water every couple of weeks is best, distilled water is ideal as this plant is sensible to the chemicals in tap water.

9. Air Plant

These unique plants get all the nutrients it needs in water through its specialized leaves. Their roots are only used to attach themselves to rocks, trees or shrubs. They love warm conditions but thrive despite some neglect. There are too many varieties to list here; some enjoy being misted with water regularly, others like to be soaked in water for a number of hours.

10. Philodendron

The appearance is similar to that of the Pothos, only there is vining philodendrons and non-climbing to choose from. They require very similar care as the Pothos as well, filtered light and water every week to 12 days. They grow fairly slowly and can be trimmed back to keep a compact appearance."

Wow, super helpful information Tia, thank you!
Once I get my own house up and running, I definitely want to try my hand at plants, and this guide is exactly what I need!
You can find Tia on Instagram, and also read this post I wrote about her over three years ago.

Peace Love and Plants
Jess <3

0 Comments

Quinoa Summer Garden Bowl

7/11/2016

0 Comments

I have become quite obsessed with quinoa lately, as has the rest of the nation, and for good reason! Quinoa is one of the most protein-rich foods we can eat, it has almost twice as much fiber as most other grains, it contains iron, is rich in magnesium, riboflavin, and manganese! Plus it's super delish; I just love the texture of it!
So I decided to make a nutrition packed recipe, that's perfect for summer!

Quinoa Summer Garden Bowl
What to do;

*Cook your quinoa according to package directions. I was surprised to find that cooking quinoa is a lot like cooking rice! I recommend cooking the entire bag of quinoa, since it refrigerates good, and makes a perfect snack or lite summer lunch.

*While your quinoa is cooking, cut up your vegetables. You can really use any vegetables you think would be good in your quinoa bowl. I used broccoli, onions, garlic, and green and yellow peppers in mine, and it turned out amazing.

*Once the quinoa has finished cooking, take the lid off and stir all your vegetables into it. By doing this, you're letting your veggies "cook" a bit, but they're still staying raw, which is where all the nutritional value comes from.

*Transfer the quinoa and veggie mixture from the pot it was cooked in, into a large bowl.

*I don't really ever measure stuff when cooking, I just use what I think looks about right for me and my likings, and this was no exception. So! Stir together a couple squirts of lime juice, and a tablespoon or two of extra virgin olive oil. It's all about preferences. I like to go a little crazy on the lime juice, because it gives it a great flavor. The olive oil also gives it an amazing flavor, plus adds some moisture. Just be sure to not make it too oily Toss into the quinoa mixture.

*Sprinkle in some garlic powder and sea salt, and you're done!

Place the bowl in the fridge, and once it's cooled, you can start devouring your "Quinoa Summer Garden Bowl".

Peace Love and Quinoa
Jess <3

More Vegan Recipes you Might Enjoy;

0 Comments

Vegan Caramel Apple Oatmeal

1/26/2016

2 Comments

I made up this vegan caramel apple oatmeal recipe just in time for winter,
because nothing is more magical than drinking hot black coffee, and eating apple and caramel flavored things, while bundled up on a cold winter morning. Mmmmm....
This recipe is super simple, very healthy, and completely vegan!

Make your oatmeal like normal. I prefer to use the Old Fashioned Oats, as opposed to the instant oatmeal, because it's healthier than the instant oatmeal (to make it "instant", it has to be processed more). I get a big round tub of it, and it keeps forever! The directions are on the back of the container.
While the oatmeal is cooking on the stovetop, chop up one apple per person. Heat olive oil in a pan until it's hot. Throw the apples in the pan, and sautee them until the are slightly soft.

Once your oatmeal is done, put it in a big bowl, and spoon the apples into it.
I sometimes like to pour almond milk over mine.
The last step in this delicious concoction, is to drizzle Vegan Caramel Sauce over the oatmeal. The caramel sauce is sweet enough, that you don't have to add any additional sweeteners to your oatmeal! Therefore making it healthier!

You can get the Vegan Caramel Sauce that I use and recommend, from Uncommon Goods. It is completely vegan, super healthy, and so delicious! I use it on french toast, pancakes, vegan ice cream, and of course, my oatmeal!
If you don't have any vegan caramel sauce, you can use agave sweetener!

Yum! I hope you like this treat!
Thanks for stopping by, don't forget to pin and like!

*Disclosure*
I was given this Vegan Caramel Sauce, and these are my thoughts on it.

Peace Love and Oatmeal
Jess <3

How to Get Super Mega Long Hair!

8/23/2015

0 Comments

I am constantly, and I actually mean constantly, getting asked the same three questions;
#1. Is your hair real? When I answer and say that indeed it is, the second question, is more of a disbelieving, "No it's not?!" When I've convinced them that it is (unbelievably, more than not, this involves them raking their fingers through my hair looking for extensions!), the third question that I inevitably get, is, "How did you get it so long?!"

So for those of you who've asked, and all of those of you who wonder, here is how I got super mega long hair- and how you can too!

#1. Hydrate your hair monthly.
Doing a monthly mask works wonders for your hair! It makes your hair shiny, beautiful, and healthy. I invented my own hair mask, and the recipe is here. Do this once a month, and you will notice a complete difference in your hair!

#2. Eat healthy.
The two years I lived in China, was when I noticed my hair growing at an incredible rate! Not only was my hair growing faster than I could keep up with, but my fingernails were too! I can't be exactly sure why this happened, but I attribute it mostly to how healthy I ate when I was there. When you eat healthy, it affects your whole body!

So make so your diet consists of;
-Plenty of water
-Lots of tea (not the kind that comes in a can, the kind that you make out of tea leaves!)
-Tofu
-Seafood
-Rice
-Vegetables; asparagus, celery, green beans, eggplant, sweet potatoes, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, and mushrooms
-Fruits
and
-Whole wheat breads and pastas

And stay away from;
-Deep fried foods
-An abundance of meat
-White breads and pastas
-Dairy products
-Sugary foods
-Pop and any sugary drink
and
-Anything with the ingredient high fructose corn syrup!

#3. Use Millcreek Botanicals Biotin Shampoo
Washing with this shampoo, you will notice longer hair almost instantly! Not only is it very healthy, but it also contains biotin, which is wonderful for hair growth! I don't use this because my hair is already long, but I bought it for my friend and it started working immediately! You can purchase it here.

#4. Massage.
Every time I shampoo my hair, I give myself a little scalp massage. Massaging your scalp is wonderful to stimulate hair growth and health! So when you're lathering your shampoo on your head, just give it a gentle massage in a circular direction with your fingertips.

#5. Only wash your hair once or twice a week.
Yes, I only wash my hair once a week! And! Before you get all judgmental and grossed out, just let me tell you, that it is actually much healthier to wash your hair once or twice a week, than to wash it every day. When you wash your hair more than once or twice a week, it will strip your scalp of all its natural oils, and it makes it produce more oils, at a faster rate, which is why your hair gets greasy when you don't wash it for a day! Which is not how it should be! So because my hair isn't use to being washed every day, I can literally go seven days before my hair starts to show any grease! I actually attribute a big part of my long hair to this tip!
To wean yourself off of washing your hair every single day, read my posthere where I give you great hairstyles for every day of the week that will help conceal a little greasy-ness until your hair starts to get healthy again (and remember, most likely you think your hair looks a lot greasier than other people do!).

#6. Limit use of hair dryers and flat irons.
Using all that heat styling on your hair is very damaging! If you start cutting out, or at least limiting your usage of these, your hair will be so much healthier!
After I wash my hair, I never use a hair dryer. And I only use a flat iron if I slept on my hair wrong and it has a crease in it, or if I want to curl my bangs. People always tell me that my hair looks and feels sooo healthy. Well I used to bleach the crap out of it, so it definitely should not be! But I believe the fact that I don't use these devices helps a lot!

#7. Live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle!
I believe that my hair is as long and healthy as it is, because of the healthy lifestyle I live! And I know I already talked about eating healthy, but living a healthy lifestyle involves more than just eating healthy!
I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, my alcohol consumption is very limited, I eat healthy, I drink lots of water and tea, I take my vitamins, and I always make time for myself to relax and de-stress! These are definitely keys to having beautiful skin, hair, and a happy life!

I hope this article helps! Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Peace Love and Long Hair
Jess <3

More My Peace Love Life Articles You Might Like:

Your Week in Hairstyles

My Peace Love Life Hair Collection

How to Get Shampoo Commercial Hair

Like us on facebook!

0 Comments

Morning Meditation

6/29/2015

0 Comments

This morning I woke up at 9, did a half hour of yoga in my living room (I use Wai Lana's Yoga Dvd's), then went to the pond by our allotment.

I spread out a blanket on a picnic table, and sat there.
I was ushered back inside over an hour later when it started raining, but the hour I spent was perfect.

I sat outside this morning, because I needed clarity.
I needed to think.
I needed to meditate, search my soul, pray, and re-connect with myself, nature, and God.

I feel so strongly that if all people were to take time even once a month to sit down and meditate, pray, and connect with themselves and nature, that this world would be without a lot of its problems.
We as people would be happier, more centered, and fulfilling our dreams! We would treat nature and our fellow humans with more respect and kindness!
I strongly encourage each and every one of you to take an hour out of your day sometime this week!

What to do:

*Go somewhere quiet, calming, serene, and deserted.
*Bring with you notebooks, pens, and water (I brought along water and a healthy smoothie).
*Take deep calming breaths. Close your eyes. Stare at the water or another calming object. Do whatever it is you need to, to relax.
*Pray. Meditate. Look deep within yourself. Answer the questions that are always knocking at your heart, but you don't allow yourself to think about.
*Write down your feelings.
*Write down the answers to your questions (and you will get answers. If you ask, you shall receive. If you sit and meditate, they will come to you).
*Just Be!

And that's it! It might be difficult at first to be quiet without any tv, cell phone, music or friends to distract yourself with. But once you get settled, you'll find that you are quite great company! You just need to allow yourself to be quiet and not distracted long enough to get in touch with your inner self. Once you do that, the ideas, sense of self, and peace, will come.

Try it! Let me know what you think!

Peace Love and Meditation
Jess <3

0 Comments

Support Small Businesses; Amazing Creams and Lotions

12/17/2013

0 Comments

Meet Jen. Wife, mother of two, and owner of her own business; Amazing Creams and Lotions. I found ACL when I attended their Christmas open house with my mom just over a month ago, and fell instantly in love with it. The next week I contacted Jen and told her I wanted to write about her and her amazing business, Amazing Creams and Lotions. She of course said yes, so here it is!

'Amazing Creams and Lotions', originally called 'Sandy York's Lotions', was started in 1998 by Sandy York, who suffered from arthritis, fibromyalgia, and whiplash from a car accident. She had always had a passion for herbs, but it all started falling together when she felt God tell her to make her own cream, so she could be relieved from her pain once and for all! So she did, and this cream is none other than their #1 Seller, Green Cream!

In 2006 after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Sandy moved from Indiana to Ohio, to share with her niece Jen, the secrets to her business. She died a short time later in 2007, but not before imparting to Jen the recipes for her creams and lotions.

Because her aunt Sandy has not been the only loved one Jen has lost to cancer, her passion, alongside of anything having to do with art and creativity, is making products free from carcinogens, sulfates, and unnecessary harmful chemicals.
She would love for her and her business to be know for anti-cancer; and that is exactly what she is doing! Most of you already know, that this is a topic I am very opinionated on. We need to stop giving millions of dollars to 'cancer research' centers. They don't do anything! My mom knows someone who used to work at one of these places, and she told us that they don't do anything! Read my article that I wrote over a year ago about Chinese health and wellness secrets. In it, I stated that one day I was talking to one of my Chinese friends, and he told me that he had never known anyone ever who had cancer. Americans are poisoning ourselves; from what goes into our bodies, to what goes onto our bodies! This is why Jen's natural body-care products are so important! Once we remove the carcinogens, sulfates, and unnecessary harmful chemicals from our everyday lives, that is when we will stop killing ourselves with cancer!

Jen is not only a holistic healer, she is a scientist; she make all of the creams, lotions, sprays, body scrubs, face washes, pain relievers, soaps, deodorants, and potions in her lab in her basement! So you know exactly where all of the products come from, and the labels she makes clearly tell you what is in them! THAT is how we will stop cancer!

Migraine, fibromylagia and arthritis relief

Green Cream is a very potent, all-natural, non-toxic pain reliever. It is used specifically for migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, arthritis, back neck and knee pain! I myself don't have any of those conditions (knock on wood), so I use it for sore throats, cramps, sore legs after work, and my man's back. This stuff is awesome! No wonder it's their best seller! If you or someone you know have migraines or fibromyalgia, you know how painful and miserable it is, so why not try some Green Cream?

Because Jen is very much small-business minded, you will never find Amazing Creams and Lotions on a Wal-Mart shelf. She loves the one-on-one aspect that owning a small business gives. She's also not in it for the money; hearing people's stories of healing, pain relief, and good health, is what she's in it for! For example; While I was talking to Jen, we started talking about America's dependence on prescription drugs; they are the complete opposite of healthy, and are very dangerous and addictive! She then told me a story about a lady who was in a car accident ,and was on pain meds. She started visiting Amazing Creams and Lotions, and after using their products, she is no longer using any of her meds!!!
It is amazing what can happen when you start to incorporate holistic health into your life!
So don't hesitate, and visit their site, or store today! Do it for your health, your family's health, and your future!

I had a blast talking to Jen. She was so open, friendly, and genuinely caring! I absolutely adore, and stand by her products, and her business. And, I think her aunt Sandy would be very proud of her.

Amazing Creams and Lotions Contact Information!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmazingCreamsLotions

Website: www.amazingcreamsandlotions.com

Phone: (330)756-0170

**11-8-2016 edit, this is their new address!**
Business Address: 1002 Winesburg Street

Email: amazingcreamsandlotions@yahoo.com

From now until
Christmas, Amazing Creams and Lotions is running an in-store
15% off sale! Their products make GREAT Christmas presents, so hurry and buy today!

Peace Love and ACL
Jess <3

0 Comments

How to Not get Sick this Winter!

11/6/2013

2 Comments

I used to get sick alllll the time. Every winter, and every time anything was going around, I got it. But then it got even worse during the months of September and October, when I was working my regular job, plus working 25 hours every weekend at the Factory of Terror. It's super fun, but exhausting, and my body was taking it so hard, and would break down every time. So this year, I decided, that you know what, I'm NOT going to get sick! Not gonna do it! I had too many responsibilities with being a breaker at f.o.t, plus working my other job, plus writing on here! I decided that it was unacceptable for me to get sick. And I didn't! So since you readers are soooo amazing and awesome, I am going to share my secrets with you!

1. Take your vitamins.
You should already be taking a multivitamin every day. If not, start doing it. Continue doing it.
Take a garlic pill at the first sign of sickness, and keep it up every day. Garlic is amaaazing for your body.

2. Drink your ACV.
Every day, drink a mixture of 1-2 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar, honey, and hot water.
This is what I do every time I feel myself getting the slightest bit sick, and it's gone every time I drink this miracle mixture.

3. Take a bath!
Baths are therapeutic for two reasons; (1) they are relaxing, calming, and stress-relieving. Stress can be a large factor in why people get sick (it's one of the big reasons I got sick during F.O.T season), so it's important, that if you start feeling overwhelmed and stressed, that you take a bath and put a stop to that so your body doesn't start breaking down on itself! (2) baths can also help you detox, and relieve sore muscles! In your bath water, pour a cup of Epsom salts, and a couple tbs of Baking Soda. These two ingredients will not only help detox your body, but they will help relieve your sore and achy muscles! Soak for at least twenty minutes! Read a book, listen to some music, or just close your eyes and relax.

4. Drink lots of water.
And orange juice, and hot tea.
And Mio! These things saved my life these past months! I don't like plain water, so I just put a couple squirts of Mio in all my water, and it allowed me to drink much more water than I normally would! I used the Energy Mio whenever I was at either of my jobs, and it was amazing how much energy it gave me! Unlike normal energy drinks, which are extremely unhealthy, and give you bad energy that you eventually crash from, Mio actually gives you a natural energy boost by using B Vitamins and other natural energy boosters! I felt incredible, and was able to perform both jobs much better than if I hadn't drank Mio!

5. Do not neglect yourself.
When you're busy, it can be very easy to forget about your feelings, your needs, and your wants. Don't do it! When you stop caring for yourself, your body will stop to care too! No matter how busy you are, there is always time for yourself! Take a bath, read a book, cook yourself something healthy and delicious, and read my article on 15 ways to be happy in 15 minutes or less!

and last of all, this one's a little out there, but read it, and try it! I fully believe in this!

6. Tell yourself, and your body, that you are not going to get sick.
The mind is a powerful thing! If you repeatedly tell yourself that you're not sick, and not going to get sick, you most likely won't! Here is a quote from one of the most amazing books ever written 'Think and Grow Rich' that sums it up nicely; "Our minds become magnetized with the dominating thoughts we hold in our minds and these magnets attract to us the forces, the people, the circumstances of life which harmonize with the nature of our dominating thoughts.”
All month long, when I felt a sniffle or sore throat, I just told myself that I'm not going to get sick! And I believed it, and in turn, my body did also!

So start preparing for this winter now! You don't have to get sick!
Yay!

I hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, please share it to facebook, pin it, and tweet it! Thanks so much!

Peace Love and Health
Jess <3

2 Comments

Nature's Miracle; Coconut Oil

3/2/2013

2 Comments

I would like to introduce to you guys my newest health discovery! This discovery started a couple months ago, when my boyfriend gave me a book called "Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut." by Bruce Fife. So thank you to my wonderful boyfriend!
The book tells all about the magical and healing power of the coconut!
Coconut has been used for thousands of years by natives on tropical islands. The coconut is regarded as the fruit of life! They drink the coconut milk and the coconut water, eat the coconut meat, and use the oil topically and internally for many ailments.
Coconut oil has a molecular structure that allows it to penetrate skin and hair, both
preventing water loss and replacing lipids that deplete with aging. So that means, when applied topically, it moisturizes and heals like CRAZY!

How I Use Coconut Oil:
* A dairy free replacement to butter.
* Take my eye makeup off at night.
* Body lotion.
* Rub it on my lips instead of chapstick.
* Rub it on my face every morning and night. It has helped clear up my face! It is also anti-
   aging, and has an spf 4!
* Eat a tbs every day. Doing this helps: increase mental alertness, is a source of energy,
helps increase sun tolerance and helps avoid burning, helps improve sleep, and
  remineralizes  teeth!
* Brush my teeth with coconut oil mixed with baking soda!
* I put it in my hair, sleep in it, then shower. My hair feels sooo healthy when I do this.
* I cook with it! Use instead of vegetable oil or butter.
* Put it on my split ends.
* Put it in hot tea or coffee. It blends easily, and adds a good flavor!
* Give my boyfriend massages, using coconut oil for massage oil (the oil is easily absorbed
   into the skin [especially when heated], and is really good for working out knots and
   healing the body)!
Nice right?!! Not only has coconut oil made me a lot healthier, but it saves me so much money, and saves so much cabinet space, since I use it in place of so many different products!

Other Useful Ways to Use Coconut Oil:
*On feet to fight athlete’s foot or toe fungus.
*Oil pulling with coconut oil and a drop of oregano oil helps improve gum health.
*Can help reduce appearance of varicose veins
* As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
* It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis
* Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
* Can help speed weight loss when consumed daily
* A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
* Some evidence shows that the beneficial fats in coconut oil can help with depression and
  anxiety.
* By itself as a natural deodorant
* For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally
*And many more!

So pick up a copy of "Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut." today, and find out more ways coconut oil can change your life!

*Have you tried coconut oil yet? What do you think of it?What do you use it for? Comment and let me know!:D*

Peace Love and Coconut Oil
Jess <3

2 Comments

Flu Survival Guide!

12/26/2012

0 Comments

Three days before Christmas, I got ridiculously sick. I am feeling a LOT better today, but I was the sickest I have been in as long as I can remember (I think the last time I felt that terrible was over 3 years ago when I was living in China, and I got food poisoning, which led to dehydration, which led to me in the hospital passing out and getting a shot in my butt!)! I guess I had the flu. My throat was really swollen and painful, I had a cough, I had a very bad fever, and I just layed in bed crying nonstop for hours, because every single muscle in my body was hurting SO bad! Luckily, I have a wonderful boyfriend that took great care of me, so that made it a lot better! So here is my Flu Survival Guide;

1. If your lucky enough (like me), have someone rub your body with coconut oil (I am in the process of writing a post about the wonderful healing power of coconut oil, so this will be explained better there). Heat up 100% extra virgin coconut oil, and rub it onto your head, face, neck, tummy, and back. When coconut oil is warmed before being rubbed onto your body, it absorbs better into your skin.

2. Take a bath
Use not too hot, but comfortable water, and sprinkle in a bunch of Epsom Salts. Epsom salts are magical at healing sore muscles. Soak. I stayed in my bath until the water got cold, because when I was in there, my body wasn't even sore! It just felt sooo wonderful, I wanted to stay in there as long as I could!

3. Drink lots of Orange Juice, hot tea, and Apple Cider Vinegar (1-2 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar, honey to taste, mixed in a mug with hot water. Drink it as a tea. This drink is very good for preventative care also).

4. Sleep a lot.

5. Take your Vitamin C, and Echinacea pills. I also was eating a lot of Ibuprofen. I don't usually like eating pain pills, but when I'm in so much pain that I'm crying, I'll take them.

Me and my love were talking about my sickness, and we figured out that one of the reasons that I got so sick, was because lately I have been slacking on taking care of myself; not eating healthy (a downfall to working at a bar/grille), and too much alcohol consumption (pointing you back to the bar/grille!). So we decided that we are going to start taking better care of ourselves! Here are the goals I have set for myself to get me back on track:

1. Do yoga 5 times a week, instead of just whenever I feel like it.
2. Drink at least 5 glasses of water a day.
3. Drink my ACV (apple cider vinegar) drink every day.
4. Stop eating so much deep-fried food at work.
5. Cut down my alcohol intake to only two times a month.
6. Eat 2 Tbs of coconut oil a day.
7. Eat wholesome, nutritional, healing foods;
    a. Salads (with grilled chicken, oil and vinegar).
    b. Whole wheat ferena (with raw sugar, soy milk, and coconut oil).
    c. Eggs.
    d. Stir fried vegetables.
    e. Fruit smoothies.
    f. Oatmeal.
    g. Tempeh salad sandwiches.
    h. Tuna salad sandwiches.
    i. Cheeseless, homemade pizza (with olive oil and spices for the sauce, and tomatoes
        and onions as topping).
    j. Homemade curry.
    k. Homemade tuna pasta sauce over whole wheat pasta.

Peace Love and Health
Jess <3

0 Comments

珍珠奶茶 - Pearl Milk Tea; A Jorney!

12/12/2012

0 Comments

There is a drink, called Boba tea, Pearl tea, or Bubble tea. For those of you who don't know what it is (I haven't found a single person in Ohio who had ever heard of it before), it is usually a milk tea, with large tapioca-ish balls at the bottom. It is DELICIOUS, and I have a special love for this drink! It has been a very long and winding road for me to find this drink. So follow me, and I will tell you about the journey of me, and Bubble Milk Tea (and then I will tell you how to make your own!).

I first discovered this delicious drink in 2006, while living in Arvada, Colorado. There was this cute little tea shop called Lollycup, and it was there, that I was introduced to Boba. I instantly fell in love, so me and my friends would go there all the time and drink Bubble Tea! That is when my obsession began. Sadly, when I moved back to Ohio, there was no boba shops in sight!

In 2008, I moved to Xi'an, China. I soon discovered, that there, they had my beloved Pearl Tea! In the winter I woud drink it sometimes up to three times a day! It was everywhere; the bakery below my apartment, shops down the street, I could get it anywhere! It was also extremely inexpensive, and there was any flavor you could think of! Coffee, almond, strawberry, mango, coconut! Oh how happy I was...but then...I moved back to Ohio...and there was no boba for me...

But then! One magical day! Me and my friend Matt went to the Asian Market in Cleveland, and there, they had a little Chinese lady selling 珍珠奶茶！I was very happy, and bought two cups of it, but then I realized that the Asian Market was a two hour drive from my house, and I got sad again....

The end of this story is a happy one...for at the Asian Supermarket, I discovered that they sold packages of the boba themselves! I bought a package right away, but couldn't find a recipe good enough for me. So, I took the recipes I found, and made them my own, and now, I can enjoy My Pearl Milk Tea from the comfort of my own home, whenever I want to!
So I am going to share with you, my (healthy) recipe for Milk Tea. You can drink the milk tea hot, or iced. And if you don't have any boba handy, you can drink the tea without it. The tea is still delicous, although I highly recommend buying some boba for it!

Making Milk Tea:
1. Bring to a boil a pot of water.
2. Dump the boiling water into a pitcher.
3. Add 2 black tea bags to the pitcher.
4. Add raw sugar (or honey) to taste to the pitcher.
5. Set the pitcher aside, and let the tea soak,and the sugar dissolve while making the Boba.

Making Boba:
1. Bring a small pan of water to a boil.
2. Pour the desired amount of pearls into the pan.
3. Cover, turn on medium heat, and let cook for 5 minutes.
4. After 5 minutes, drain the boba.
5. Dump raw sugar (or honey) to taste over the pearls, let dissolve, and stir.

Putting it all Together:
1. Stir the tea, making sure the sugar is dissolved, and the tea is strong enough.
2. Pour the boba pearls into the bottom of your cup/mug.
3. Pour the tea over the pearls. Fill cup a little over halfway full.
4. Fill the rest of your cup with soy milk.
5. Stir and enjoy (Be sure to use a big straw, or else you won't be able to drink the boba)!
6. If you want cold tea, just put the tea into the refrigerator, and pour it once it is cold.

And so ends my long, hard journey to find this wonderful beverage. Thank you for joining me on this adventure (:

I would looove to invite each one of you to my house, to make a lovely cup of pearl milk tea for you, but since I can't, sharing this recipe with you is the next best thing! So make yourself a cup, enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Peace Love and Boba
Jess <3

0 Comments