Meatless Mondays: Mediterranean Granola

I love granola, and nothing really compares to making my own. It's great in the morning with fresh fruit and almond milk. I purchased all the ingredients in bulk from Mariano's - not only reducing packaging, but saving tons of money. Also, make sure you are using vegan sugar when you are making your granola.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2-4 cups oats
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1-2 cups almonds
• 1/4 cup flax seed
• 3 tbsp canola oil
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup figs

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 
2. Mix dry ingredients (oats, coconut, almonds, flax seed). Add what you feel comfortable. I like a very diverse granola, so I make sure all the ingredients are integrated. Mix with clean hands.
3. In a separate bowl, combine oil, nectar, and sugar. 
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients in bowl. Then, spread onto baking sheet. Bake until lightly toasted.
5. Remove granola and mix it up so that un-toasted pieces are evenly distributed with toasted pieces. Place back into oven.
6. As granola continues to cook, cut figs into little cube-like pieces.
7. Once granola is toasted, remove from oven and let cool. 
8. Once cool, add figs and enjoy.

Sunday Style File: Oscar Party

Going to the Chicago Blogger Network Oscar Party this evening, I plan on wearing pieces that really represent living sustainably and supporting local businesses. All the pieces I will be wearing I already owned or I purchased from local Chicago Boutiques. As a side note, I got this fabulous gold coat, which retails for $370, for $25. Couldn't believe it!  I'm pretty excited for the pieces I purchased, especially the jewelry. I'll be posting pictures on Instagram.

Gold Brocade Jacket from Cerato Boutique // Ganni Bashful Black Dress (old) // Black Heels (old) // 

Mint Green Clutch from Lori's // Cerato Boutique Ring // Rock Bracelet from Foursided // Lori's Ring //

Cerato Boutique Earrings // J. Crew Bright Blue Belt (Old)

Green Living: Toilet Paper

There's an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, where Larry David is so sick of using single-ply toilet paper that he convinces his house guests to store double-ply in their bathroom. When his wife, who wants them to use single-ply to reduce their environmental impact, finds out, usual Curb madness ensues.

Similar situation is happening this household. I try to live green; the man doesn't really care. And I've viewed it as kind of a challenge. People are going to start living more sustainably if it is easier or more comfortable than what they are currently doing. As I try to green up my life, if its easier, he'll do it. There are some things, I have won, other's I have not, and even other things that are currently a battle.

When we first started living together, I did most of the grocery shopping and consequently purchasing toilet paper. Then, he started complaining and picked up his own. As a men, never put toilet paper in the holder, it was pretty easy to use two-ply. But eventually, he started keeping it more accessible. So, I went to alternating rolls. The last straw -  he bulk ordered (from Amazon) enough 2-ply toilet paper to get us through the apocalypse. Why on Earth would I order that much single-ply to counter that challenge? So, I've given in defeat. How could I compete with that softness? There is a difference, I don't care, but apparently he does. Ah, my only solution is to make sure I'm not using too much and hope for a softer, environmentally-friendly solution.

MM: Horchata

When I see or eat something that seems delicious, I want try to make it at home. This weekend was a perfect example - we ordered takeout Mexican, in particular, a 32 oz. of horchata. Between the man and I, it wasn't enough. Could I make it? A few Google searches later, I found a recipe and went out Sunday morning to get the missing ingredients. Horchata is Mexican rice drink with sugar, cinnamon, almonds, and/or vanilla. If you haven't had it before, you need to get. It is heaven. It is also extremely easy to make at home (somewhat long process). I made about two quarts around 11am, they were gone by 6pm (I only had one glass, someone else had the rest).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice
• 5 cups water
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup vegan white sugar
• 2 cups rice milk (I used vanilla rice milk to enhance flavor)

Steps:

1. Mix the rice and water, let it stand for about an hour to two hours.
2. In a blender, mix water and rice for a minute until you get a find pulp.
3. Strain the rice chunks out of the water.
4. Add the vanilla, sugar, rice milk, and cinnamon into the rice water.
5. Chill for 30-45 minutes.
6. Stir and serve. 

Sunday Style File: White Jeans in February

I've never been able to commit to funky, bold color pants. I did buy a pair of coral-colored J.Crew corduroy's three years ago, but I never wore them much, and they were one of the things I took to the consignment store. However, I am currently loving the idea of white jeans. A long favorite of my mother's, I've never seemed to get over the idea of light color fabric on my bottom half. Fearing it would not do justice; however, if I get the right fit, style it right, I think white jeans can be pretty fantastic.

Jeans (Left to Right): 7 for All Mankind // Gap Printed Legging Skimmers // J.Crew Toothpick // J. Brand // Joie Irreplaceable Pants

White jeans are a staple; I'm thinking of getting the J.Crew Toothpick or Matchstick Jean. I feel like it would be a better purchase than a color pair as I don't know if I will still like mint, peach, or printed by the end of the summer or even next year. But white, I always love white. Finally, fashion rules are meant to be broken. White before Memorial Day is definitely okay, especially when paired with dark neutrals.

Look 1: Vince Blazer // J.Crew Cardigan // Joie Top // Rib & Hull Tote // Kate Spade Heels // Anthro Belt

Look 2: Joie Emeritte Jacket // Three Dot Cardigan // Joie Blouse // Anthro Bag // Steve Madden Boots // Belt 

Look 3: J.Crew Velvet Blazer // Joie Sweater // J.Crew Blouse // J.Crew Hobo // Report Jezzica Flats // Belt 

I could see myself wearing all three of these looks for multiple different occasions - casual work, date night, weekend errands, etc. Despite full of black and dark neutrals, none of these options cry winter, but they can be edited for those warmer days that are hopefully right around the corner. Which one is your favorite?

MM: Kale Chips

Usually, on the weekend, I try to make something that I can post on the blog, cooking and taking pictures of the steps are a relatively complicated thing. I usually forget to take a picture at a certain stage. And, I am realizing that I need to get a better camera for these pictures. Given the general yucky-ness that I have felt this weekend, today's feature is quite simple - Kale chips. But, I swear, I'm never buying chips again. Kale chips are amazing. One of the things that are worth the preparation. Plus, kale is so cheap.

Ingredients:

• 1 Bunch of Kale
• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 Tsp. Seasoned Salt
• Alternatives: Few drops of Hot sauce and/or Few Drops of Lemon Juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. You can line a non-insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper, or you can just use a non-stick cookie sheet.
2. Wash and dry your kale. Then, remove the stems from the leaves and tear the leaves into bit size pieces. Place on the cookie sheet.
3. Drizzle kale with olive oil and other seasonings. A little olive oil goes a long way.
4. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the edges are brown, not burnt. 

Teach me how to age, Patrick Stewart

This post definitely is inspired by two things - healthy living and my recent interest in watching Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes. The latter first. Yes, I have been watching Star Trek, and yes, I have finished the entire 20+ episode first season. So, yes, when I say I'm watching it, I am WATCHING IT! Let's face it, other than a 30-minute episode of Girls, there's really nothing I watch. The thing I like about the show is that given it first aired in 1987, it brings up very deep, philosophical issues about human civilization and the future, that I do like to think about. I watch an episode and think, that's some heavy stuff, and I wonder if when the creators wrote the show they would think about how technology has positively and negatively impacted us as it has today.

Anyways, back to Patrick Stewart, if you browse the Internet at all, you've probably seen this image comparing Patrick Stewart's health with Lindsay Lohan's appearance. Whereas Lindsay Lohan has her own issues that I won't even go into, the man ages well, extremely well.  Frankly, with himself as evidence of great aging, I don't think I would like to take advice from anyone else.

It's funny that we living a society, where so much money is invested/spent on anti-aging and improving one's physical image. When it is all pretty simple - eat healthy, workout, get enough sleep, and drink enough water. Also add don't stress and do things that make you happy. Love yourself. That is all you need, but those simple words pack a lot of difficulty. Buying a moisturizer or going to a spa will make me feel better for the short term, but the problems will still exist.

(Source) 

I really wish that I was living as healthy as I think I am capable of living, but I am not.  My water intake is still pretty pathetic, and at least I am working out twice a week. Sleeping could improve; actually, everything could improve. I've made a few goals, and hopefully, I can use this month of February to develop some healthy habits. Going to Bikram Yoga this month (because I have a coupon); determined to read actual books not the iPad before bed to help me sleep; carrying a water bottle with me at all times (remember when that meant a whole different thing), and over course, eating vegan and fresh. In the past, I use to expect healthy changes to happen over night, but I realize it is going to take time, and it is okay to pace myself. 

Plants Gone Wild

In my opinion, as there dog or cat people, there are plants or flowers people.  I am a plant person. Why plants? I personally cannot justify buying flowers regularly, granted they are BEAUTIFUL, but they die in about a week or two, and then you throw them out (or compost them, which I am sure everyone is doing), then you buy new ones, and the cycle repeats. Plants, on the other hand, are like less needy pets. Some regular watering, some fertilizer, slight grooming, then perfection!

Around the time I moved into my garden apartment, I bought three house plants from Home Depot that all managed to die within shortly after.  A few plant-less months go by, then last June, I decided to give plants a second shot, and  I went to the best place in Chicago to buy plants - Gethsemane Garden Center in Edgewater. Predicting another gardening failure, I bought more than I needed, especially given the space of my apartment. I figured my success rate would be 50% at best. Well, I was completely wrong, and those little plants have BLOWN UP. (Side note: Yay, Small-local business success!) My money tree is able 8-10 inches taller than when I first got it. Essentially, every plant has out grown its spot as well as its pot. 

Now, my current dilemma is how do I get my plants to work within the space. Right now, they are an interior design eye sore. I am foreseeing new pots, maybe an arrangement on a step ladder or entry-way table. However, I need a plan for it. I want to make this transition as efficient as possible. Inevitably, I will have to figure out what to do with the smaller plant pots - more plants!?! Ugh! My apartment look like Poison Ivy's in Batman (Uma Thurman, anyone?) So right now, I am in the planning phase. Trying to get more inspiration of how plants can work in the apartment, gathering what types of planters I like, and ensuring it all works with my other living space projects. 

Work + Pop of Color

J Crew pleated dress // Stella McCartney long sleeve shirt // J Crew drape jacket // Topshop floral skirt // Nine West slip on shoes // Milly handbag // Gold necklace // J Crew leather wrap belt

It's February 5th, if you are Chicago-resident, spring won't be here for another 3-4 months, but you can still dream of losing your winter jacket, snow boots, and black suit, for ligher fabrics and pops of color. The things I wish I knew before I started working. I would have definitely invested in two suits - a black suit (Fall/Winter) and white/light grey one (Spring/Summer). From there, color can come and go. So if pinks are your thing, this ensemble would work - wear the blouse with the suit or skirt, layer it underneath the dress for those colder spring days, and always the dress + jacket combo. Color blocking is a god send. And if you are going to work, nothing is going to fit in less than a tote!

Meatless Mondays: Tasterie

When I decided to commit to a vegan diet, I thought that it would reduce how much I snack in between meals. While it definitely has altered how much I do snack, I still need some tasty treats for in case of emergencies. Carrots, celery sticks, and apples, don't always cut it. Sometimes I need something a little more savory or sweet. So on my hunt for snacks, I went to Jewel, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's, where I can spend about $1.99-$3.99 on a snack bar. Not satisfying. Therefore, I started doing a little Internet research to find something other than Vegan Cuts. Lone behold, Tasterie, a small business started by a pediatrician and mother, that delivers allergy-free foods that are curated to the buyer's needs.

I decided to give it a go and ordered the "Gluten Allergy, Wheat Allergy, and Vegan" Snack Box. About two weeks later it arrived, full of actually delicious snacks such Sesame Chickpeas, Maple-syrup oatmeal, Spicy Jalapeno tomato chips, and two recipes. Everything was delicious. 

Of course, I had some issues with trying to live green and online purchasing, therefore, I didn't subscribe to get the monthly deliveries. For me, I decided that it was best to see the variety snacks that are out there (experiential learner here) so that I could try to replicate them on my own. The great thing about vegan snacks is that if you have a mandoline, dehydrator, and an oven, you can make a lot of delicious treats! Perhaps this will be my alternative to baking!