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A Very Merry Waste-Free Christmas

11/30/2019

It's no secret that we as a human race have royally messed up our duty as keepers of this planet. Thankfully, we have become more aware as of late the mistakes we have made, and there are strides being taken in rectifying these mistakes! Saying no to a straw? Easy! Bringing my own bags to the supermarket? Done! Being eco-friendly and waste-free during Christmas time? Ummmm....?
With Christmas being the most wasteful time of the year, it is super important to have a game plan in place, so you can be eco-friendly year round! It really is possible to be waste-free during the Holidays.
Keep reading for my tips on being waste-free all Christmas long!

Gift Wrapping;
Did you know that we generate an additional 7 million pounds of waste between Thanksgiving and New Years Day? My Mom and I both have in our homes containers overflowing with gift bags, boxes, and tins. Every Christmas we put gifts in these, and then after all the presents have been opened, we pick our way through the debris reclaiming our individual bags and boxes, take them back home, and repeating next year! It seems crazy to throw away perfectly good bags and buy more every year.

I will be the first to admit that there is something deeply satisfying about tearing open wrapping paper like a little kid hopped up on pixie sticks and Mountain Dew! So whatever presents aren't placed into a reusable bag or box, we wrap with newspaper and junk mail. It's actually pretty cute! And bonus, we don't need to write who the present is from-everyone will already know!

Food and drink;
Did you know that agriculture is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions? Not to mention the cruel treatment most animals endure, even if it's just a chicken laying eggs.
"Rearing livestock for animal-based products requires far more land, water and energy than producing grain; 27kg CO2 is generated per kilo beef in comparison to 0.9kg per kilo of lentils. According to a 2016 Oxford study, the adoption of a vegan diet globally would cut food-related emissions by 70 percent."
I do not personally eat 100% vegan, although I do recognize how important it is, and about 95% of my cooking is vegan. I do love eggs, but only the Certified Humane eggs! Make sure your eggs are certified humane, and free range or pastured. Cage free eggs, although better than nothing, are not ideal-chickens although not kept in cages, are usually not let outside and are kept in a very cramped spaces. Remember it's about a good life for us, and for our animal friends.
So why not try a couple vegan recipes out this Christmas?

Starting with my Vegan Christmas Eve Ice Cream Hot Cocoa (pictured above), it's sure to be a hit!

There is nothing better than my Vegan Caramel Apple Oatmeal on a cold winter morning!

My Organic, Vegan, and Fair Trade Peanut Butter Cups make great gifts and holiday treats!

Check out my Pinterest board for some of my favorite vegan recipes.

Gifts;
When giving environmentally-conscious gifts, there are many avenues we can take.
Do we give gifts that will help the recipient reduce their carbon footprint? Do we give gifts that just with their being made make the world a better place? Do we give gifts that have been recycled/upcycled? Yes, yes, and yes! So check out these 14+ gifts hand picked by me, that will make everyone on your list, as well as Mother nature, smile.

1. Soda stream.
We absolutely love our Soda Stream. My parents got it for us for Christmas last year and we have used the crap out of it! Nick is a pretty big pop drinker and I have tried to get him to cut back on it-for his health, and for environmental purposes. The Soda Stream takes regular tap water, and turns it into delicious fizzy water, making it the perfect gift for any Le Croix lovers on your list. Just do what I do and add a squeeze of lemon juice, or any other fruit to it. You can also buy concentrated syrups that taste just like your favorite pop flavor. They contain no high fructose, and one bottle of the syrup will make 9 liters of pop! And is your CO2 tank empty? No need to throw it out and buy a new one, just take it to Bed Bath and Beyond where they will fill it back up for a cheaper price than buying a new one!

2. My book!
Ok maybe a paperback book isn't necessarily eco-friendly, but the Kindle version is! This book is great for a new graduate, someone you know who wants to start living better and bolder or traveling the world, or anyone who wants to create their Dream Life!

3. Environmentally friendly toothbrush.
A bamboo toothbrush makes a great stocking stuffer, and is a great way to educate your loved ones about how in the United States alone it is estimated that 1 billion toothbrushes are thown away every single year, creating 50 million pounds of waste annually! And considering the fact that plastic (including those 1 billion toothbrushes) never breaks down, a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush is a great thing to use!

I love Francesco Palmieri because they have a wide range of eco-friendly products, including these colorful bamboo toothbrushes. And use my code RECYCLE to get 20% off!

4. Re-usable feminine hygiene products.
Another great stocking stuffer for the ladies on your list is re-usable pads (from Ursa Major Mama on Etsy)! Ok I know it's not the most fun subject, but look at how cute they are!

5. Re-usable glass straws.
How about some Strawesome re-usable glass straws for everyone you know!

6. Re-usable water bottles.
7. To go coffee mug.
8. Beeswax wraps.

9. T-shirt pillows.
My handmade t-shirt pillows are up-cycled- made from old t-shirts that I find at thrift stores and garage sales. Plus 10% of everything I make goes to multiple charities that are changing lives. Check out all my pillows and then send me an email (volkejessica@aol.com) telling me which one you want so I can ship it out to you before Christmas!

10. A french press.
11. Fair-trade coffee.
12. Live plants.
13. Re-usable coffee sleeves.

14. A bracelet that helps save the turtles.
How about a beautiful bracelet made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, 100% post-consumer recycled glass bottles, including less than 5% reclaimed ocean plastic and glass? And what if that very same bracelet funds the removal of one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines?! Yeah, 4ocean is an amazing company that sells not only recycled bracelets, but also single-use alternatives, such as straws, shopping bags, water bottles, and tumblers. Every item you purchase from them helps pull one pound of trash from the ocean.

Some more ways to ensure waste-free and world changing Christmas gifts this year and every;

- Shop thrifts stores and garage sales.
Not only will you find super unique and cool things that are crazy inexpensive, but you are keeping things from going into landfills, and stopping new products from being made.

-Give sentimental gifts.
Sentimental gifts will be remembered much longer than some gadget you picked up at Wal Mart last minute.

-Shop small businesses.
When you purchase from small businesses, you change the world.

-Shop local.
Less shipping equals more eco-friendly.

-Purchase my handmade gifts.
10% of my profits go to world-changing charities, and a lot of my products are up-cycled. Check out all my products and then send me an email (volkejessica@aol.com) telling me what you want so I can ship it out to you before Christmas!

-Give experiences.
Experiences are some of the greatest gifts you can give.
Seeing a movie together, concerts, a picnic, a lunch date, use your imagination!

-Buy from Etsy.
Etsy is one of my favoritest places ever to shop for gifts! You are purchasing items from small businesses, you can find lots of vintage things on there, everything is so cute fun and unique, and last but not least, Etsy offsets 100% of carbon emissions from every delivery!

This year make the holidays more about the experience and feeling than about gifts. It will feel good, trust me. <3
P.S. These dreamy Christmas pictures are from the amazing Rockin' Red Photography.

***As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, and this post may contain some of these, and other affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of the amazon links, or some of the others, this blog receives a small commission. Amazon has no input on what I link, and I only link to products that I like, or trust. The price when clicking through my link is the exact same as any other path you use to find your way to Amazon or the other sites. Thanks for your support!***

Peace Love and Waste-Free Christmas
Jess <3

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World Changing Wednesday; Ten Disposable Items to Ditch

2/6/2019

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Ten Disposable Items to Ditch and alternatives to replace them

Lately I've become kind of obsessed with taking a good hard look at my environmental impact. My family has always been into recycling and various other earth friendly practices, and so I in turn have always recycled, and try not to be too wasteful. However lately, I've decided that I can do more! Here's why;

This!
We found this, and plenty more trash that had washed onto shore while in Vietnam a couple months ago. Human trash is threatening our oceans, our environment, our animals and sea life, and our own health! Over 100,000 marine mammals and 1 million seabirds die from plastic pollution every year. Yes, disposable plastic products make life simpler, but at what cost?! We are destroying our planet! And ourselves. Are we that lazy, that convenience is more important than the well-being of ourselves, our children, and this planet?
I say no more!
I have embarked upon a journey! To stop using as many plastic and single-use items as I possibly can, and instead, start using reusable items whenever possible! Follow me and join me on this fabulous journey, and we will find ways to work these items into our everyday life, without spending a ton of money, without inconveniencing ourselves, and maybe even saving some money! We will take that one extra step, and make a huge impact!
Together we will save this planet!
So here I have for you ten disposable items to ditch today, and the alternatives to replace them, forever!

#1. Plastic shopping bags
When I was in China in 2008, I found these adorable little reusable shopping bags. I had never seen anything like it in the United States at the time, and it took a couple years before they started to catch on, but I am glad that they finally did!
This is definitely one of the most popular, normal, and socially acceptable item on this list. If you want to start small, this is a great one to start with!
Reusable shopping bags are super easy to find, and they are super cheap! You can find cute ones at craft stores and novelty shops, or plain ones at any grocery store. If you shop at Target, they will give you five cents off for each reusable shopping bag you present and use at checkout! Yes! Keep a few in your purse and the rest in your car, so you always have them with you when you stop at the grocery store.

While you're at the grocery store, you might also need...
#2. Plastic produce bags
I buy a lot of produce, as I'm sure you do. Every week the husband and I roam the produce aisle and buy a large amount of fruits and veggies. I have not personally bought reusable produce bags yet, since I have only recently started this journey and can't afford to buy all the reusables at once- So I decided to make my own! I made this cool, reusable produce bag out of an old t-shirt!
To make your own re-usable produce bag out of a t-shirt for free, cut the t-shirt into a tank top and cut the neck off, then turn it inside out and sew a straight line at the bottom of the shirt. Or you can do like I did, and cut strips with knots at the top and then without turning the t-shirt inside out, sew a straight line right above the knots. You will have the most stylish produce bag at the grocery store! Keep this bag with the rest of your reusable shopping bags in your car.

#3. Coffee filters
I know I am not the only one who loves to sit at home on my porch (or couch, or desk...) and drink coffee. If you are brewing your own coffee at home, then you are already saving money, and fighting against single-use items by skipping the disposable cup, lid, stirrer, sleeve, etc. at your local coffee shop. However, there is still a single-use item that you are using every time you use your coffee mate. The coffee filter! My mom gave me my own reusable coffee filters for Christmas a couple years ago, and I am loving them! By using a reusable coffee filter every day you are saving a good amount of money by not having to purchase packages of disposable filters every month. I love my organic Coffee Sock!

Speaking of coffee...
#4. Disposable Coffee cups
Construction workers have known it for years, put your coffee in a thermos (or travel mug)!
Reusable coffee mugs come in every shape, size, color, pattern, and style! Buy yourself one, and use it! Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Peet's all offer discounts if you bring your own reusable cup, as do many other local coffee shops! Saving money, and saving the planet...score!

While on the subject of beverages...
#5. Water bottles
Using planet destroying plastic disposable water bottles is an absolutely crazy notion in my opinion. Don't be crazy, opt instead for a re-usable water bottle! I have a few, and I take them everywhere with me. While carrying your own reusable water bottle, you can also skip the disposable cups at fast food restaurants!
Bonus! If you purchase your water bottle from 4ocean.com you will help pull one pound of trash from the ocean!

#6. Plastic straws
I am absolutely loving my new reusable drinking straws from Strawesome, and Francesco Palmieri so much, I'm ashamed I didn't start using them years ago! I have bought one for me, my husband, and gave one to my mom. I will probably start giving these as gifts!
Plastic straws are so small, do they even cause any harm? That would be a big fat yes! Millions (MILLIONS!) of plastic straws are thrown away each day! Let that sink in! And one plastic straw takes at least 200 years to break down, but plastic doesn't actually decompose, it just gets smaller. And! It's toxic! Plastic straws send toxins into your drinks. Guess where they go next? Yep! Into the cells of your body. Enjoy that with your glass of water! Plastic straws are littering the ocean, washing ashore (like the one I found in Vietnam above), and have been found stuck in the nostrils of poor sea turtles. That does it! I am done with plastic straws! My glass drinking straw (with a lifetime guarantee!) is so enjoyable to drink out of, when I'm drinking something really cold, the straw gets cold too, and it just tastes better than plastic straws! Read my complete blog post about these great glass straws from Strawesome!

Webmasters Earn Money Here!

I believe in this product so much, that I actually became an affiliate with Strawesome, trying to help them sell as many re-usable drinking straws as possible! Click the banner above to buy your own beautiful re-usable glass straw, or click the link above to become a Strawesome affiliate!

The glass straws from Strawesome are a bit pricey, so I have also found some much more affordable reusable straws. The reusable rainbow colored metal straws from Francesco Palmieri on Etsy are absolutely incredible! And costing only $3.55 each, you have no excuse not to have several! Plus, use coupon code RECYCLE for 20% off! I have several different ones in different colors that I carry in my purse in the adorable draw-string bag that you can also purchase from his Etsy Shop.

Speaking of drinks...
#7. Anything restaurant related
I work in the food industry and goodness gracious you can not even imagine the amount of things wasted here-especially single use items! I am talking disposable chopsticks, spoons, forks, knives, to go containers, to go cups and tons of little plastic dishes with plastic lids for sauces and small items!
There are several different facets of this thing, and thus several ways you can go about eliminating the use of these items.
The first facet is delivery. With the rise of food delivery services such as zifty and doordash, the use of disposable items are skyrocketing! Try to eliminate having food delivered to you as much as possible! The styrofoam containers, plastic utensils, and all the little sauce packets, I shudder! If you do have food delivered from somewhere, tell them either on the phone or on the app you're using that you do not want any sauce packets or plastic utensils. Also, look for restaurants that are more eco-friendly and use paper and cardboard instead of plastic and styrofoam. For example at my work, we do not use plastic bags, we use brown paper bags, and we do not use styrofoam containers, we use recycled cardboard boxes.
Next up we have take out. We have this awesome guy Josh, that orders food from my work at least once a week. We all know who he is, and we all know not to use any single use item for his order! When he comes to pick up his food he brings with him a glass tupperware container and lid, hands it to us, which we hand to the cooks, and they put his food in the container! We don't give him any plastic utensils, and we don't put his container in a bag-he brings his own!
Eating in. When eating in at any restaurant whether it be fast food or dine in, it is important to be prepared! I carry my Francesco Palmieri drawstring bag in my purse with me everywhere I go. This bag contains a set of reusable chopsticks, and my reusable straw. I don't carry any utensils because I don't eat at restaurants that use plastic utensils.

#8. Feminine hygiene products
Yes I am talking about pads! And how perfect and absolutely adorable are these reusable cloth pads from the Etsy Shop Mama in the Moonlight! I am obsessed!
These soft, absorbent, and beautiful handmade moonpads come in all sizes and designs. Are you tired of using crunchy bunchy disposable pads full of chemicals? Then shop around and see what many women are discovering to be completely revolutionary: a fun, chemical free, and comfortable moontime! Not to mention how much plastic you will be saving from being thrown away, oh and the money! The average woman spends $150-300 a year on pads and tampons-go buy yourself something nice with all that money you're saving girl!
And is it just me or is this another perfect gift to give all the ladies in your life?!

Don't forget to follow them on Instagram to see more adorable pictures like this one!

What if you don't like pads and prefer tampons? How about an eco menstrual cup? I haven't used one yet, but I have several friends who have and absolutely love them! No more waste, no more spending money on tampons, and no more toxins sitting inside your body!
Pssst use the code RECYCLE for 20% off your eco menstrual cup!

#9. Paper towels
Don't even get me started on paper towels! You buy these things, just to turn around and instantly throw them away! My mom (and now me) would cut up our old shirts for use as rags. After wiping up a spill, you can just rinse it off, and wring it out! Imagine how much money you will save after cutting paper towels out of your budget!

#10. Your toothbrush
In the United States alone it is estimated that over 850 million toothbrushes are discarded every year. Yikes...
Bamboo toothbrushes, while still disposable (I don't think anyone wants to use the same toothbrush for the rest of their life!), are actually compostable! Compostable means that a product is capable of disintegrating into natural elements in a compost environment, leaving no toxicity in the soil. Usually in only about 90 days!

I got this super cute rainbow compostable bamboo toothbrush from the same Francesco Palmieri Etsy Shop that I got my reusable straws from.
I have to tell you that I am loving this company! All their packaging is made from recycled paper, they only use all natural ingredients, and they try to keep everything zero waste!
On their Etsy Shop they have these toothbrushes, the straws I have on here, and some essential oils. On their website you can find all that plus the menstrual cups mentioned above, their own natural skin care line, and a bunch of other cool stuff (eco friendly pencils say whaaaa?!!).
Oh, and I have a coupon code for you! Use the code RECYCLE for 20% off!

The earth is all of our responsibility, let's get started today!

***This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of the links, this blog receives a small commission. Also, I received some of these products for free in return for my feedback on this post. As always, I keep my opinions honest on all products, regardless of them being affiliate related, or given to me for free.***

Peace Love and Mother Earth
Jess <3

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Be Strawesome...use Glass Straws!

6/27/2018

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Lately I have gotten really jazzed up about the environment, and doing everything I can to help stop polluting our air and oceans. I have always recycled, but lately I decided that I needed to do more, and get into re-usables as a way of life. There is a new blog post coming your way soon with lots of fun re-usable items that I have found and tested out.
But today I am going to talk about straws. Yep, little plastic straws!
If you are not yet aware of what disposable plastic straws (and other disposable plastic things) are doing to this earth, here is an excerpt from Strawesome's website;
"In the beginning, there were plastic straws everywhere and people thought this was good because straws helped suck things up faster and easier without messes. You could find plastic straws almost anywhere a drink was served.
But soon plastic straws were found in places that were not so good. They were found used and thrown away along streets, on the beach, and even in the waterways. Used plastic straws were everywhere. But it got worse.
Plastic straws were found in the bodies of animals that lived out at sea (like in turtles’ noses). That was terrible to discover, but then something unimaginable and worse was found….the Pacific garbage patch! It was a huge collection (like hundreds of tons) of plastic things floating on the ocean the size of Texas! Someone did some research and discovered that millions of straws every day were being used once and then thrown away. And most everyone didn’t even realize what they were doing. Who’s great idea was this? But it got worse. Plastic was discovered to be toxic and non-decomposable. It was both unhealthy AND not going anywhere, EVER! Yikes!!!..."
If you haven't seen the many videos floating around Facebook and Youtube where plastic straws are being pulled out of turtles noses, and turtles are being pulled out of the ocean wrapped in plastic and garbage, go and watch those now.

Have you watched the videos yet? Or can you just picture it in your head and realize how sad this all is. Yes? Me too. So, what are we to do?!
Well, right here I have for you the solution to the plastic straw epidemic! Glass straws!
Taken from the Strawesome website, here is how Strawesome's glass straws got started;
"A creative glass artist made a straw from glass. Huh? A glass straw? What is that? Is it a bean shooter? Is it a crack pipe? No silly, it is a straw you drink from. Kinda like all those plastic ones you use all day long, but these are non-toxic, can be used over and over again, and look way cool like art. Oh, I get it. That’s a great idea! Freaking brilliant! I can’t believe no one thought of this before. Since I don’t want to use plastic straws anymore, can I get a glass straw? Can I get a bunch of them for my family and friends? Can I get long ones, short ones, bent ones, and colored ones? Please? Pretty please? Yes! Of course! We would love to! How about we work together and spread the word to everyone we know that there’s a solution to this plastic straw problem and make the world a better place in our lifetime? Sound like a good idea? Yes! Let’s do it!
So Strawesome was born and people on earth lived happily ever after with their glass straws and healthy planet."

I have had my Strawesome glass straws for a couple months now, and I. LOVE. THEM!
These straws are so unbelievably smooth, I love the feeling of drinking out of them, they make even the blandest water exciting! And when I'm drinking something with ice, the straw gets super cold, and makes the drink even colder, and even better tasting! Yay! Plus Strawesome is a small business which you know I love!
I bought four of them, gave one to my Mom (she loves it, she sent me the picture below and said, "I like drinking out of this straw! :D), gave one to my husband, and have two for myself!

"So where can I find these beautiful looking straws?" I'm so glad you asked!
Strawesome.com is where you can see how exactly they are made (so cool!), find out how to clean them (super simple!), design your own glass straw (wow!), and lots more! Click on the banner below, the banners on the sidebar, or any other banner in this blog post, to get started shopping for your very own Strawesome glass straw!

Strawesome's Mission Statement;
"The world is plagued with plastic debris and toxins in our oceans and water ways, on and in the soil of our land, and in the bodies of animals and humans. It is a major problem. Rather than just give up and 'deal with it', Strawesome was born to do something about it. Since March 2009, we have been working towards sufficient awareness and action to forever eliminate the need for single-use plastic drinking straws. Our mission is to provide the world’s most artistic, eco-friendly, and health-conscious drinking straw. Combined with a lifetime warranty and great customer service, there’s every reason to join the alternative straw movement and eliminate the need for single-use plastic drinking straws. Will you join us?"
I will! But what is the best way to make an impact with these glass straws? The first thing is to buy a couple for yourself.

Once you've received your glass straws in the mail, you need to make sure to use them! As with anything new, remembering to use them does take some getting used to. I started keeping them in a pocket in my purse, so I can use it at work, and when me and the husband are out and want to make a quick stop to eat, I have both of our glass straws with me! I started putting them in fabric chopstick holders, it works brilliantly! They also have pouches and to go cases that you can purchase on the website. I also keep some in the house for when we're making mixed drinks or smoothies, it just tastes and looks so much more fun!

Now that you have your very own Strawesome glass straw and are doing your part in saving the world (and the beautiful turtles!), is there anything else you can do? Of course there is! Start buying glass straws for everyone you know! Glass straws make such great gifts! Instead of buying someone something that they probably won't use, and don't need, get them a gift that they will use every day, and give them the gift of knowing that they are helping save the planet! Wow! Ok now that everyone knows what I'm getting them for Christmas...

The next thing you can do is start spreading the word!
Share all those sad turtle Facebook videos, but instead of just sharing them and leaving it at that, talk about re-usable glass straws as a solution!
Start a conversation! Tell people about your experience using re-usable glass straws.
Share with your friends why #plasticsucks.
Make a vow to cut back on plastic products, and cut out plastic straws completely!

Webmasters Earn Money Here!

Want to go one step further? Become an affiliate for Strawesome! Click the link above to get started making money while helping to save the planet!

How great are these pinup pictures of me with my Strawesome glass straw?! They were taken by the wonderfully talented Brooklyn Brat Photographer, and my hair was done by the amazing Miss Candice Hair Extraordinaire (If you are in the Atlanta, Georgia area definitely check them out!).
Let me know all about your Strawesome journey, I can't wait to hear all about it, and see your pictures!
Stay tuned for another blog post about using re-usables to save the planet!

***This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of the affiliate links, this blog receives a small commission. The price when clicking through my link is the exact same as going directly to the website. It just gives this blog a little appreciation. Thanks for your support!***

Peace Love and Strawesome
Jess <3

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Join Us on Our Next Travel Adventure with saigon om

2/22/2018

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Normally I would take a little time here to talk a bit about how my life has been going lately, or give some sort of introduction about what I'm going to talk about, but honestly, I am just too excited for that, so I'll get right to the point!

I am super duper excited to share with you guys, that I have teamed up with the rad people from saigon om to plan our next travel adventure! In October, Nick and I are going to... beautiful Vietnam! Six days of yoga, mindfulness, and self discovery in tropical paradise!

Yes this is for real! I had to pinch myself when saigon om agreed to this partnership, because I have been dreaming of doing some sort of yoga/meditation retreat for years. And the fact that I have the opportunity to do it on a beach in Vietnam is just way too amazing!

What is this saigon om I keep talking about? saigon om is a holistic wellness school run by Sarah Martin and Hang Nhan. They offer teacher trainings and retreats in yoga, mindfulness, Reiki, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and massage in Canada, Australia and South East Asia. saigon om has an impressive array of classes and training sessions happening this year, and there is something for everyone. Be sure to check out their full schedule and events for the year.

This incredible 6-Day Yoga & Mindfulness Retreat is going to be held at the dreamy Full Moon Village Resort in Mui Ne, Vietnam, October 25-30, 2018. This resort has a private beach, a stunning pool, and is a TripAdvisor award-winning resort!

Our daily schedule will look a little something like this:

Qi Gong, Walking & Sitting Meditation: 6-7am
Fruit & Tea/Coffee: 7-7:45am
Lecture: 7:45-8:30am
Morning Yoga: 8:30-10am
Brunch: 10am
Free Time / Beach + Pool Time: 11am-4pm
Evening Yoga: 4-6pm
Mindful Dinner: 6:15pm
Noble Silence: 9pm - 7am

How incredibly magical does that sound!

Sounds pretty amazing right?! Well there are still spots available, and we would love to see you there! That's right, you could be doing yoga on the beach with us in just eight short months! And yes, that is the resort pictured above!

The cost to attend the retreat which includes; 5 nights ensuite villa accommodation, daily vegetarian brunch and dinner, and all activities listed above, is $675 USD per person for a shared twin/double room, and $875 USD for a single room (that does not include the cost of airfare or visas).

If this sounds like something you would enjoy, why not come along! This is a vacation that will not only be a blast, but be sure to enrich and change your life! Email Sarah and Hang at saigonom@gmail.com with any questions, and to sign up for the retreat! Be sure to tell them that you were referred by Jessica LaPinta from My Peace Love Life Blog.

saigon om's Instagram
saigon om's Facebook
saigonom.com
Full Moon Village Resort's Facebook

I will be attending the retreat with my wonderful husband, and once the retreat is over, we will be spending another week exploring this stunning country, for our long overdue honeymoon! So I am doubly excited about this trip!

Sound amazing but think you can't afford to travel the world? Be sure to check out "My #1 Secret to Saving Money for Travel" blog post. It will change the way you think about saving money for travel, allowing you to save enough money to travel anywhere in the world, be it to Australia, Fiji, or Vietnam!
Have a wonderful week lovelies!

*Huge thank you to saigon om for sponsoring this post*

Peace Love and saigon om
Jess <3

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We adopted a dog!

9/28/2017

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I am beyond delighted to introduce to you the newest member of our family; Rocco!
He is a four year old terrier chihuahua mix, and he has completely captured our hearts!
I have been wanting a puppy for a while, and finally decided that now was the time; our lives are stable, we have good jobs and enough money, a place to live, and the Atlanta Humane Society had just taken in over 400 animals from shelters in Texas and Florida!
So on September 13th we made a trip to the Atlanta Humane Society. Tears filled my eyes as we walked up and down the aisles, all the dogs looking up at us through the glass, begging us to take them home and give them a family.
I wanted to adopt all of them, but unfortunately couldn't. But I found my precious sweet Rocco, and we have given him his forever family!

So adorable and so happy!
He loves to play and cuddle. He is so perfect for us, and I am so in love!

As of late I have become super passionate about animals; helping put an end to animal cruelty and neglect, stopping the vicious cycle of puppy mills, and ensuring that every animal out there has a loving and stable home.
Adopting Rocco was the third step I took in my fight for animals. I have also begun to take a closer look at labels, and not support companies who do animal testing. I also give monthly to the ASPCA, they are doing some amazing things in helping stop the abuse and neglect of this country's animals!

Each year, 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States, simply because too many pets come into shelters and too few people consider adoption when looking for a pet. The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. When you adopt, you save a loving animal by making them part of your family and open up shelter space for another animal who might desperately need it.

If you buy a dog from a pet store, online seller or flea market, you’re almost certainly getting a dog from a puppy mill. Puppy mills are factory-style breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of dogs. Animals from puppy mills are housed in poor conditions with improper medical care, and are often very sick and behaviorally troubled as a result. The moms of these puppies are kept in cages to be bred over and over for years, without human companionship and with little hope of ever joining a family. And after they're no longer profitable, breeding dogs are simply discarded—either killed, abandoned or sold at auction.
These puppy mills continue to stay in business through deceptive tactics — their customers are unsuspecting consumers who shop in pet stores, over the Internet or through classified ads. Puppy mills will continue to operate until people stop supporting them. By adopting a pet, you can be certain you aren't giving them a dime.

My sister worked at a vet's office for a short time, and she got to witness the horror of puppy mills first-hand. She actually rescued a beautiful little chihuahua that a breeder brought in to euthanize, simply because she was to small to breed. That poor dog was traumatized, and months later is just starting to open up to other people besides my sister. She was definitely abused and neglected.

Here are some ways you can help;

-Give to the ASPCA
A monthly gift of $18 is nothing to us, but can make a world of difference to the hurting animals that the ASPCA helps every day.

-Adopt a pet!
Rescue animals make amazing pets. They will love you so much, and it is amazingly rewarding for you as well! Go to Adopt a Pet or visit your local humane society to find your new best friend.

-Begin boycotting companies who still use animal testing
Let them know that animal testing is not ok! Boycott them, and write to the companies as well, telling them they will not receive any of your business until they stop!

-Volunteer
Volunteer at your local animal shelter.

My boys!

Peace Love and Adopt don't Shop
Jess <3

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How to Make Your Own Organic Vegan Fair Trade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

8/22/2016

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Organic, Vegan, Fair Trade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

If you regularly read my blog, you know that I am an advocate for Eden Ministries, as well as the head of social media and volunteer for P.A.T.H.S. Both of these organizations help fight against human trafficking, which is a cause I am very passionate about. I had known a lot about the sex trafficking scope of the spectrum, but I was absolutely horrified to learn of another form of human trafficking, labor trafficking. Labor trafficking can look like a number of different things. Whether it be sweatshop labor, people kept against their will and forced to work long hours for little to no pay, and also, child labor. So when I found out that child labor is rampantly used in the chocolate industry (today's chocolate industry!), I decided to boycott it. Seriously, the everyday chocolate brands we eat in America, use chocolate that comes from child labor slaves in different countries. While these companies are totally aware of this, they continue to use this chocolate. Why? Because it is cheap. And it makes them more money.
So I decided to do my part. No more chocolate peanut butter cups (which are my favorite!). My husband was quite sad when we went to the store and looked at all the candy bars, only to find that they were all manufactured by companies that support child labor. So I made these, and here is how you can make your own!

What you need to make your very own organic, fair trade, non child labor version of chocolate peanut butter cups;
-Cupcake papers
-Organic, fair trade peanut or almond butter.
I use Once Again Almond Butter. Once Again is an American, employee owned, and completely fair trade company, whose products are all completely organic.
and
-Organic, fair trade melting chocolate.
Some good brands are Mama-Ganache, and Dolci Frutta, You can find more online, or at your local health shop. Just be sure to look for a fair-trade certified kind!

Step 1. Melt your organic, fair-trade melting chocolate, following package instructions.

Step 2. Spoon a little of the melted chocolate into the bottom of the cupcake papers. Don't make it too full, there's two more layers about to be added!

Step 3. Melt your organic, fair trade almond (or peanut) butter in the microwave, in a microwave safe bowl.
Step 4. Spoon some of the melted nut butter on top of the chocolate.

Step 5. Spoon more chocolate mixture on top of the peanut butter layer.

Step 6. Let sit and cool for a bit before diving in!

So start reading up on this topic, and find out which companies refuse to help end child labor. Write letters to them. Tell them you are going to boycott them until they make an effort to change! And until then, enjoy your own homemade delicious organic, vegan, fair-trade chocolate peanut butter cups!

Peace Love and Child Labor Free Chocolate
Jess <3

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January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month

1/11/2016

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Did you know, that human trafficking is the Globe's fastest growing crime?
That there are approximately 30 Million slaves in the world today?
That this is not just some faraway thing going on only in other countries, but a huge problem that is in our own backyard?
It's true. Read this report from the Ohio Attorney General regarding trafficking in Ohio. "Human trafficking is an estimated multi-billion a year international enterprise that forces the most vulnerable among us into the horrors of modern-day slavery. Criminals who are involved in trafficking other human beings prey upon those already at risk in our society, often our children. In fact, a preliminary report on the scope of the problem in Ohio cited 13 years old as the most common age in Ohio for youth to become victims of child sex trafficking. From the study's sample of 207 individuals, 49 percent were under 18 when they were first trafficked. Nationally, over 100,000 children are thought to be involved in the sex trade."

Since January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, I wanted to write a blog post to help bring awareness. Because if we aren't aware of a problem, then how are we supposed to fix it?

Remember when I wrote an article about finding out what your passion is? Well, ending human trafficking is one of my passions. And so, I am a proud member of P.A.T.H.S, that is, Partners Against the Trafficking of Humans Stark (Stark County, Ohio). This is a group of people, from all walks of life, that care, and that want to help right a tremendous wrong. If you would like to learn more, you can come to our next meeting!Email us! Visit our facebook page! Get involved.
Sometimes when fighting such a huge giant, it can be almost too overwhelming! "Where do I start? What can I even do, I'm just one person!" You might be thinking to yourself. Well don't let that thought stop you, there are so many things you can do in this fight against modern slavery! Here are some other organizations, and some ways that you can help.

RAHAB Ministries

RAHAB Ministries is a great organization that I got to learn about through P.A.T.H.S.
Here is a little bit about RAHAB Ministries, in their own words.
"Over the past fourteen years, thousands of individuals have come together to share the hope found in Jesus Christ with broken women in our city. RAHAB Ministries isn't a group of employees. It's not a church and it's not a denomination. RAHAB Ministries is the belief that every woman stuck in sexual exploitation has value and deserves freedom.
In 2002, armed with nothing but homemade business cards and prayers, Becky Moreland headed out to the streets of some of the roughest areas of Akron, Ohio to share the love of Jesus with the women she'd meet. Since then, RAHAB Ministries has served tens of thousands of female victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Whether it's through providing basic necessities, mentoring, or safe housing, RAHAB is a constant example of the Gospel to the women we serve."

Here are some of the ways you can join with RAHAB, and help make a difference, right here in Ohio!

Penpal
Develop a mentoring/discipling relationship by consistently writing to women in jail

RAHAB Drop-In Center
Prepare and serve meals at weekly programming. Supporting/facilitating Bible studies and prayer times.

Correctional Facility
Bring the light of Jesus into local correctional facilities through mentoring, fellowship and Bible studies. (Requires background check and federal clearance.)

Mentoring
Commit to spending time every week with a minor or adult victim of human trafficking to build a relationship that points them toward Christ.

Safe House
Serving in various ways at our residential program for victims of human trafficking. (Requires background check and alternate application.)

or, you can

Donate:
Personal Care items (new or unused full sized items only)
Shampoo/Conditioner
Deodorant
Body Wash
Toothbrushes
Plain Crest or Colgate Toothpaste
Disposable razors
Lotions
Tampons/Pads
Hair Brushes/Combs
Hair bands
Hair styling products
Lip gloss/Chapstick
Makeup
Clothing
Clean, gently used, and in style womens clothig only; all sizes appreciated
Bibles
Journals
Reading Glasses
Coffee/Creamer/Sugar

The donations may be dropped off Monday-Friday, 9-5 at their office, 3480 W. Market Street, Suite 203 B Fairlawn
For questions please call 3308193326
Monetary Donations
Make checks payable to Rahab Ministries and mail to Rahab Ministries PO Box 13866
Akron, Ohio 44334

www.rahab-ministries.org

Eden Ministry

I have written about Eden Ministry several times before.
Eden is an incredible organization that I got to see close up when I was living in Asia. Eden serves to restore freedom for the captives of Asia’s red light districts through holistic programs- transforming body, mind and spirit. Using their international jewelry business as a platform, they provide career and skill training- empowering women for a new life and future. They continually innovate prevention and outreach programs- transforming entire communities. Eden is a voice to the oppressed, a light to the darkness.
I am now selling the jewelry that these girls make, enabling them to live better lives!

These are some of the beautiful pieces of jewelry that the girls rescued from prostitution make with their own hands! They are not only making a living, but are proving to themselves that they have worth, and value.
If you would like to get involved with Eden Ministries, all you need to do is buy jewelry! Beautiful jewelry that is restoring and saving lives! I am now an Eden advocate and sell their jewelry here in the United States. If you live in the Canton Ohio area we can meet up!
And last but not least, visit Eden's website. Read their mission. Watch their powerful video. Read the true stories of how they have changed the lives of trafficking victims. Host a jewelry party. Like them on facebook. Then share with others.

Ensure that you, and the women and girls around you know their worth!
When any woman or little girl knows their worth, it is much easier to keep away from the dangers of human trafficking. My friend Kayleigh Hanlin's J.O.Y (Just Own You) Journal is designed for girls to discover their unique self through engaging and guided activities. In this creative journal, through kid-friendly illustrations and innovative activities, you will discover self-acceptance and self-love at your own pace. Purchase a copy for yourself and any woman or girl you know!

With more knowledge of what trafficking actually is, there have been great strides in the arena of prosecuting traffickers. But! In order to prosecute those who are preying upon the vulnerable populations, we need to keep our eyes open, and report any information that we might have about human trafficking! Call 1-888-373-7888 with any suspicions you might have. You could save a life!
Here are some warning signs of human trafficking to watch for!

If you are going into a nail salon, for example, look for sleeping bags that indicate employees are living in the same place where they work and that backrooms appear to be living space. You might notice workers at this salon are driven to the store in groups all at once.
When a worker answers casual questions, those answers seem scripted or rehearsed.
Workers may appear exceptionally young or fearful or particularly submissive.
If you are staying in a hotel or if you work at a hotel, you might see an older male checking in with a young female or females. You might see a young girl refer to that older man as her boyfriend or as "daddy," sometimes street slang for pimp. Look for a tattoo of a man's name, a slang name, or "daddy" on the girl's neck, leg, or shoulder. Does the guest have multiple cell phones, laptops, etc.?
Are the guests at the hotel frequent customers on weekends, but have a local address and identification?
Small children serving in a family restaurant.
Security measures that appear to keep people inside an establishment - barbed wire inside of a fence, bars covering the insides of windows.
Not allowing people to go into public alone, or speak for themselves.

To end today's post, here are a couple stories about human trafficking. Trafficking, whether labor trafficking or sex trafficking, is happening everywhere. The stories, and the victims are endless. Use this knowledge today as power. Power to keep yourself, your little sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces, or the strangers you might see on the street, safe!

"Old Mark of Slavery is being Used on Sex Trafficking Victims" on CNN.

"Sex Slavery in Tracy" in the Tracy Papers.

"Bronx Couple Busted for Running Sex Ring out of Apartment, Pimping out Underage Girl" on NY Daily News.

Peace Love and Awareness
Jess <3

Don't forget to share this post around to help bring awareness!

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WCW; Making Your Own World Changing Plan

11/11/2015

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Lending a hand to human beings on this earth who need help, is one of the greatest things you could ever do! You will feel good, you will find yourself! You will find purpose for living!!! You will make a difference!!!
I have written a couple different World Changing Wednesday posts about how you can affect change and change your world. But today's post is different.
Today I will show you how to find your passion.
And your passion, it's the key to discovering what you were put here on this earth for.

So here is what I want you to do;
Today sit down, with a pen and paper, in a quiet peaceful spot. Turn off your cell phone, and set the timer for an hour. Just one hour!
Then think. Allow your mind to wander, and yourself to be vulnerable. Because in order to have a mighty influence in this world, you need to figure out what your passion is!
So think about what breaks your heart.
The thing that when you think about it, it makes you so sad, and so angry at the injustice and horror of it, that is your passion.
It is when you find your passion, that a fire will be ignited in you, and you will start doing deeds of epic proportions!
Think about it!
Mother Theresa's passion was the sick and the poor.
Gandhi's was freedom.
Martin Luther King's was equality.
The Dalai Lama's is peace.

All of these people made history! And it was because they discovered their passions, and pursued it with everything they had!

Having trouble thinking of things? Here is a list I made of some of today's biggest injustices and problems. Do any of these wrongs make you so angry and sad that you want nothing more than to dedicate your life to righting them?

- Orphans.
- Sex trafficking.
- Labor trafficking.
- Poverty.
- The Sick.
- War. War ravaged countries.
- Abused animals.
- Endangered animals.
- Child Soldiers in Africa.
- Abuse.
- Bullying.

And this is just a starter list! Start looking around you; Read the newspapers, join groups, see the injustices, and don't turn a blind eye to them anymore!

How to make your own World Changing Plan!

1. Figure out your passion, as stated above.
This is the easy part! Your heart will guide you, and tell you what your passion is!
Then once you figure out your passion, you;

2. Research, research, research!
Find out as much about the cause as you can. Find statistics, figure out what needs to be done, and learn as much as possible! Also, if something lights a fire in you, it probably has for other people too! So look up groups in your community, or beyond, who are involved in the cause you want to be involved in. That doesn't mean that you necessarily have to join that group or that cause, but it's good to know what's out there. Attend a meeting, look at their website, learn what they are doing to further their cause. Then;

3. Decide if it's the right fit for you.
Maybe you will absolutely love what these groups are doing. Maybe you won't. Maybe you want to do your own thing! Start your own group! Or you could see what they are doing, and get inspiration and ideas for what you want to do.

4. Write it all down.
Write down your passion, and the injustice that you seek to fix.
Make a mission statement. All great organizations have one.
Write down why this injustice makes you so mad.
Write down what you think needs to be done about it.
Write down what you can do.
Write down the various groups and organizations that are doing what you would like to do. Write down what you like and don't like about those organizations.
And then;

5. Take action!
If you have found an organization that is right on track with your thoughts, find out when they hold meetings. Attend the meetings. Speak your voice. Give ideas. Volunteer when they need volunteers. Give money when they need money.
If you haven't found an organization, make one!
Start your own non-profit!
Or just start small.
Start doing the things you wrote on your list, that you think needs done.
Start giving of your time, and your money.
Read this article to see different things you can do.

So if changing the world is something that you are interested in, make your world changing plan today, and get started on your journey!
I would absolutely love to hear your plan! Leave a comment stating your mission statement, your passion, or your entire plan!

Peace Love and Changing this World
Jess <3

Morning Meditation

6/29/2015

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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

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World Changing Wednesdays; Eden

3/17/2015

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On today's World Changing Wednesday post, I want to share about an organization that I hold very dear to my heart, as it is located in Asia, which owns a piece of my heart, and I got to visit this organization when I lived in Asia; Eden Ministries.

Eden began in a very simple way: two housewives with only one evening a week to spare had a desire to do something about human trafficking in their city. They began to prayer-walk around the red light areas and build relationships with all those involved in the sex industry. The vision was to bring God’s love to everyone involved in the sex industry and to see them set free. Twelve years later, they have created multiple shelters in major trafficking hubs in Asia, established an international jewelry business and witnessed thousands of people from the sex industry be impacted with God’s love.

Watch this video. I promise you will cry.

When I was living in China, I actually got to meet one of the founders of this beautiful organization! I was able to go to one of their offices, and meet some of the girls while they were making the jewelry! I also got to purchase some of their lovely jewelry.

Eden is not a charity; taking donations from people then handing them out to the girls. No, Eden uses their international jewelry business as a platform. They provide career and skill training- empowering women for a new life and future. They continually innovate prevention and outreach programs- transforming entire communities. Eden is a voice to the oppressed, a light to the darkness. They restore freedom for the captives of Asia’s red light districts through holistic programs- transforming body, mind and spirit. There's no hand-outs or donations! Every time you shop at Eden, you are helping pay these girls' wages, as jewelry makers!

Most of these girls have been either forced, or tricked into it prostitution. Some even sold into slavery by their own family! With every purchase you make, you get a card with one of these girls' real-life stories on it. Eden's website also has some of their stories that you can read here.

After learning about this company and all they do, you might now be asking yourself, "How can I help? What can I do?!!"

1. Shop!
I loooove buying products from Eden! Not only is every piece absolutely gorgeous, but I know that my money is changing lives! Shopping at Eden is a true win-win!
I buy from Eden every chance I get; Birthdays, Christmas, even my bridesmaids gifts for my wedding are from Eden!
Next time you need a gift for any occasion, go to Eden!
Shop here.

2. Host a Party
Hosting an Eden Party is kind of like a Mary Kay, or Tupperware Party!
When you host an Eden Evening in your home or church, your efforts truly make a difference in the lives of the women at Eden. Proceeds from your jewelry sales go directly back to pay for safe shelter, fair wages, counseling, and vocational training for the rescued women employed in Eden's workshop.
Eden will send you everything you need to host a fun and meaningful event, including:

Eden Brochures
Eden Jewelry Catalogs & Order Forms
5-minute Eden DVD
Eden Jewelry!

All you need to do is gather some friends & have a great time!
Me and my mom are planning on doing this sometime after I'm married.
Go here and fill out the form at the bottom to get started!

Thank you so much for reading this! I hope it has offered a little inspiration, and a little something to think about on your Wednesday.

3. Be an Advocate
I am hopefully going to be starting doing this soon!
Eden says this about becoming an advocate;
"Would you like to become more involved and speak up on behalf of the women that Eden Ministry serves in Asia?
Become an Eden Advocate. Share stories on behalf of the ministry and the women we minister to, sell the jewelry that has been made by the women who left prostitution, and earn 20% commission on all your sales as a thank-you for partnering with us to rescue and empower exploited women.
Find venues and events in your community to share about Eden, select the jewelry that will sell well in your community we will send it to you. We help set you up with the jewelry and promotion materials."

If this sounds like something you might like, go here and fill out the form at the bottom of the page to get more information on becoming an advocate!

Peace Love and Eden
Jess <3