"The body talks and meditation helps"

I have been on a huge spiritual journey this past month.

I have been experimenting with food, meditation, emotions, technology and time. 

Lately I have been tapping deep into my spirit to repair, replenish, and awaken it.

You would be very surprised to see how much you're missing out on just from being connected to your phone and computer. 

Just by putting down the electronics you can feel your soul glow.

You can breathe more deeply. 

You can take in the world in a much more beautiful way.

Most importantly you can think clearly.

Since putting down my phone I now see the world in a brand new way. I'm not connected to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. I don't look at things and say to myself "I should tweet that" or "let me Instagram this!". I can now look at things and see them for the true beauty they exude. 

On top of cutting out technology, I have been working on minimizing my carbon footprint. 

I started recycling, I have been using less products that produce waste, I cut out plastic bottles, I use bamboo utensils for every meal to cut back on water waste and use of plastic utensils when out, and many more eco conscious practices.

Giving back to Mother Earth is something that many people forget to do in todays world. 

It's so important though! Even just recycling the water bottle you just finished is a huge help.

Another thing I have started is eating a lot more raw food. Raw food is so nourishing for your body and soul. The best part is you can eat endless amounts! Enjoy the candy Mother Earth grows, indulge in as many fruits and veggies that your heart desires, and feel your soul shine. 

To keep my soul shining I have also been meditating and experimenting with my crystals more often. It has helped me so much with balancing, stress relief, and healing. I meditate when I wake up, when I eat, when I'm in the shower, when I'm just relaxing, and honestly just whenever I get the chance to. 

This is just a taste of what I have been doing this past month to let my spirit grow. I haven't felt this healthy and strong in quite some time. Once I find the perfect balance of all these components I plan to share them in more detail with all of you. 

Well that's all for now! I hope you're all doing well and shining bright. 

Talk to you soon.

- Love&Light -

Maddy

Chia Chicks Cookies!

Aloha everyone! 

Before I made the plunge into going raw I had the delicious opportunity to try Chia Chicks cookies! Misty and Marija were so sweet and sent me four different cookies to try, let's just say they didn't last very long. Yum!

"The Chia Chicks met while working for a large corporate immigration firm in the New York City area. The two quickly became friends and soon discovered that their paths had crossed for a reason other than doing paralegal work together! The Chia Chicks had a common interest in nutrition. They both felt that there was a demand for healthy snack options in a market where so many people are affected by specific, and sometimes, life-threatening, dietary needs.

That is the main reason they decided to create their fabulous Chocolate Chia'p Cookies. The Chia Chicks wholeheartedly feel that there is a need for nutritious, allergy-conscious snacks that are made from high quality, all natural ingredients and actually taste good too. The Chia Chicks motto is "snack food should not to be synonymous with junk food".

As small business owners, they feel there is a fine line between personal success and running a successful business, and their heart and soul is completely ingrained in what they do. This is why they can honestly say that their cookies are “baked with love and chia seeds”!

Just knowing that their products are reaching those who need them, specifically, knowing that children with food allergies can have a snack without having to feel fear, embarrassment or isolation, and instead just enjoy being a kid... That’s the true Chia Chicks’ mission and that is the pinnacle of success for them." -http://chiachicksnyc.com/about.php 

The girls sent me samples of their "Chocolate Chia'p Cookies", "Double Chocolate Chia'p Cookies", "Coconut Double Chocolate Chia'p Cookies", and "Oatmeal Raisin Chia Cookies".

The cookies arrived in the cutest packaging.

Each individual package held three cookies.

Seriously... how adorable?! Just wait till you see what's inside!

Super yummy cookies! I was so impressed with how delicious, soft, ooey and gooey these cookies were. 

1. Chocolate Chiap

These cookies taste just like momma's! They're a perfect example of the classic chocolate chip cookie but with a healthier twist. They're crunchy but soft, chocolately and sweet, and they melt in your mouth.

2. Double Chocolate Chiap

Holy chocolate! These are for my fellow chocolate lovers. These cookies remind me of a freshly baked chocolate brownie. Crumble these babies on top of some soy ice cream and you'll be on cloud nine!

3. Coconut Double Chocolate Chiap

Put the chocolate in the coconut and eat it all up. Yummy! Coconut is my favorite food, smell, flavor, everything. So these cookies hit the spot. They're a little more savory than the Double Chocolate Chiap and have a little more crunch. 

4. Oatmeal Raisin Chia

My favorite of the four! I could have eaten a whole box filled with these little delights. They're the softest of the four, have juicy raisins, and taste like the best warm bowl of oatmeal. They have a hint of cinnamon and vanilla and turn into butter in your mouth. I rate these cookies 10 stars!

All in all Chia Chicks rock! They make delicious vegan and gluten free cookies that even non vegans would love. Go check out they're website and order some of these delicious cookies at http://chiachicksnyc.com/ and follow them on twitter! @chia_chicks 

Send those ladies some love from Hello Vegan!

Thanks for stopping by.

Love&Light!

Cleanse.

Veganism is one of the strongest cleanses you can give to your body.

It cleanses you of:

-Violence

-Hormones

-Negativity

-Toxins

and so much more.

Since I went vegan I have even been cleansed of my anxiety and panic attacks.

My body has never felt so healthy, happy, and strong. My energy has multiplied, my pant size has shrunk, and my confidence has grown. My skin is going through a detox phase currently, causing breakouts, but I can say that my skin has been getting a natural glow.

I wanted to take my health even further and I even cut out all caffeine. This has been much easier than I expected. I have been getting the most incredible, solid sleep; which enhances happiness, relaxation, motivation, and energy. 

To go even one more step further I'm planning to do a juice cleanse. I'm not sure when exactly, hopefully in the middle of May. (if you have any delicious juice recipes feel free to shoot them my way!)

Taking care of your body really does pay off. I can honestly say this is the healthiest and happiest I've felt in my 20 years of life. 

I hope this inspires at least one person to listen to their body and do it good.

It's so worth it in the end.

Good luck. x

-- Chat with me on twitter! @hello_vegan --

It's time to start being... ME.

After years, years, and more years of copying those around me and trying to be someone I'm not, I'm learning how to be me. I used to thrive off of this feeling to be someone I'm not. So much that I would copy every move of the person I admired that month/week/day. Now don't get me wrong, we all have our influences and people who inspire us; I just took it way too far.

I never understood why.

I never liked it.

It honestly made me hate myself.

Not many people knew this; they probably saw it though.

I feel that a lot of people saw me as someone who was very fake.

I used to be.

The main source is my insecurities. I'm extremely insecure.

I will sit in front of the mirror and pick apart every inch of my body, personality, and style.

That's why I was never myself before. I was always trying to fit into someone else's mold.

I know for a fact that this made a lot of people lose respect for me. 

Recently though, (I mean literally this past week) I have felt so amazing.

I've really been pushing myself to find who I truly am inside.

I can't name one person I'm trying to copy. 

I'm not acting fake.

I'm not trying to impress.

I'm certainly not trying to fit in.

So, I may dress like a weirdo.

I may put braids in my hair and wear way too many bracelets.

I may listen to music that makes me look like a huge stoner. (p.s. I'm not one at all)

I may celebrate being vegan to the highest degree.

I may spend 90% of my days daydreaming.

In the end those things make me... me!

When you celebrate the person inside, the person on the outside shows it.

I have never felt so alive, so healthy, and so at peace.

It took a war, but my mind is finally at ease with who I am.

My new goal is to try things that the real me always wanted to try. For example:

- I bought a longboard today. I have been wanting to long board for a while now, so... I went for it.

- I think blue eyeliner is really rad. You'll see me rocking that now.

- I love saying extremely corny inspirational things; I don't hide that anymore.

- I honestly hate packing on a lot of makeup. (Yup... it's true) I only wear a little now.

- I've been walking to and from work lately and it's extremely refreshing.

- I'm cutting all negativity out. I will be honest, I used to be really rude to people and that was never truly me.

There are so many other things I'm going to try and of course, I will share them with all of you.

I'm extremely proud of myself and happy with where I'm leading my life.

It took a lot of pain, tears, sweat, heartbreak, and work to get here.

I've lost 90% of my friends, a lot of self respect, and a lot of dignity.

But, everyday I'm gaining all three of those things back.

My advice to everyone reading this is to just be yourself.

I know you hear that all the time, you see it on t-shirts and everyones twitter bios; but it's so true.

A quote that has inspired me for years now is "Darling, be human".

That quote gets me through everything, it's a constant reminder to just be myself and roll with the punches. 

Wether you're dealing with something similar or something completely different I promise you that it will get better and that you will get through it.

- Huge thanks to the wonderful Wicked & Wylee's. You guys have inspired me so much. You are one of the biggest reasons why I feel like I can be my true self. You all are so beautiful, kind, and loving. Thank you for everything! -

If you have any questions, comments, or just want to chat you can email me at helloveganinfo@gmail.com or tweet me at @hello_vegan

Pura Vida Haul & Review

I got the amazing opportunity to be a representative for Pura Vida Bracelets.

In addition to receiving my promotional package I ordered some things from the website as well.

I ordered a charity bracelet for Vegan Outreach and and anklet in the color Lost At Sea.

The bracelets come in these recycled pouches, which I think is amazing. Unlike most companies they aren't using thousands of plastic bags. Way to go green Pura Vida!

The bracelets are made out of wax covered string, that makes them water proof and very durable. They wont fade, fray, or break easily.

Every bracelet has a waterproof and rust proof "P" charm to share the Pura Vida love.

And, all bracelets are adjustable. I love these bracelets and anklets, they're so rad, and for a good cause.

I also ordered a beanie in Heather Brown. Let me tell you this beanie is so comfortable. I pretty much wear it every day.

The outside of the beanie has a Pura Vida tag...

and when you flip the end of the beanie up, it says Live Free on the opposite side of the tag.

The beanie also comes with a matching bracelet, mine came with a dark brown one.

The best part of the post is what YOU guys get!

When you order anything from Pura Vida Bracelets you can recieve 10% off with my rep code: LEWIS10

All you have to do is enter that code when your proceed with ordering your purchase. 

JOIN THE MOVEMENT. 

If you have any questions, comments, or just want to chat you can email me at helloveganinfo@gmail.com or tweet me at @hello_vegan