About Life Spirit Beauty
Life = Experience, Passion, Happiness, Wellness
Spirit = Dreams, Soul, Inspiriation, Metaphysics
Beauty = Nature, Individuality, Self-confidence, Art
This blog is inspired by my journey to love (love of self, love of others, love of the earth).
The journey to love is a universal voyage that we are all on. In life, everything boils down to love or fear. I am here hoping to inspire you to love.
I think love takes many forms (wellness, personal goals, art, happiness, discovery, etc.) so I cannot tell you that I write just about one specific subject.
However, by writing this blog, I hope to help people love who they are, get in touch with their spirit, get healthier, and get creative.
About Me
I retyped this section so many times. Sometimes it can be hard to label yourself, and talk about who you are. What I think I am is a wanderer. A person, a soul, that is here figuring out how things work and figuring out how to journey back to love.
I like to teach and I like to make art, so I went to school for art education. I have worked in holistic health for about 5 years because I like helping people feel better. I have also done intuitive counseling and medium readings. Through everything I have done, the common thread has been helping others. I love to help others, and I want to heal others.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Mother Moon
I have been looking to the moon often recently. The moon's subtle influence is long forgotten in our fast, streamlined modern world. The moon and the darkness that surrounds it are only a representation of everything else we have forgotten as a society.
The darkness represents the inner corridors of our mind that are often left unexplored. We are living in a state of distraction. As a society, we are more concerned with the superficial, which causes us to think superficial thoughts (i.e. What are the neighbors going to think of me? What's on television tonight? That celebrity got a new haircut, can you believe it!?)
However, when we quiet those superficial thoughts, we can hear the whispers of our intuition. We can feel the silent force of who we really are, our inspiration, and our purpose. That silent force is our spirit. The more divorced from our spirit we become, the more fearful we become. When there is fear, there is lack and separation. To extinguish the fear, we look to the moon, our spirit, and to God (whatever god we personally name).
The moon represents wholeness and femininity. The feminine is an energy of creation and of constant cycling. Everything on Earth cycles. We all go from birth to death in a cycle. The seasons gradually change and renew every year. Our relationships cycle. The planets orbit in a cycle. The days cycle. Our feelings cycle.
Cycles are necessary because they lead to rebirth, creation, and positive change. Even if we do not acknowledge the cycles, we fluctuate with them. Just as the moon pulls on the tides, the influence is powerful. We can learn to ride the tides and to embrace life's cycles.
Within the moon's cycle, at the moon's darkest point, let go of what no longer serves you. Get rid of clutter in your space; get rid of clutter in your mind. Throw out and change the thoughts that contradict what you are wanting to achieve in your life. It is time to let go.
As the moon waxes, create the life you want. Go after your dreams.
As the moon wanes, pay attention to the night. Save time for sleep and nurture yourself.
Be imaginative. Listen to your feelings and your intuition.
As the cycle begins again.
Do not fear when change is near. It only knocks down the barriers keeping you from heaven.
In my own life, I am preparing to move forward. I am throwing away what doesn't suit me anymore. I am challenging myself and going out of my comfort zone.
What no longer serves you? What is your purpose? It is time to go within, quiet your frontal mind, and embrace the subtle power of the moon.
Namaste,
Danyelle
Monday, February 3, 2014
Mango Cilantro Thai Inspired Salad (Vegan)
I love visiting Thai restaurants. The food is always so fresh, bright, and delicious.
However, for me, stopping at my favorite Thai place is both a blessing and a curse because days later, I'm left craving their food. This simple salad came about for that very reason. It is a great dish because it is so extremely simple and versatile. You can substitute beans for crispy tofu, and you can add in tomatoes, cucumbers, or whatever you have on hand. The cilantro and mango are so flavorful that it doesn't really even need a dressing, but I included a simple dressing recipe anyway. I have also prepared this salad and added Drew's Thai Sesame Lime dressing, which tastes great on it too.
Ingredients for the salad:
Large handful of fresh cilantro
Whole chopped mango
About a half can of black beans (rinsed)
Handful of chopped onion (white, red, or green works)
Optional: a few small pieces of tomato
thinly sliced cucumber
Directions:
*make sure you don't chop ingredients too small or else this salad become more like a salsa
1. Coarsely chop cilantro
2. Slice mango into medium-size chunks
3. Coarsely chop onion
4. Mix cilantro, mango, rinsed beans, and onion
5. Dress the salad if you'd like - directions are below
For the dressing:
Drizzle the following over the salad to your liking
About 2 Teaspoons of Tamari (soy sauce)
A couple squirts of fresh lime juice
A drizzle of Sriracha chilli sauce
If you are feeling lazy, Drew's Thai Sesame Lime dressing tastes pretty good with this salad.
However, for me, stopping at my favorite Thai place is both a blessing and a curse because days later, I'm left craving their food. This simple salad came about for that very reason. It is a great dish because it is so extremely simple and versatile. You can substitute beans for crispy tofu, and you can add in tomatoes, cucumbers, or whatever you have on hand. The cilantro and mango are so flavorful that it doesn't really even need a dressing, but I included a simple dressing recipe anyway. I have also prepared this salad and added Drew's Thai Sesame Lime dressing, which tastes great on it too.
Ingredients for the salad:
Large handful of fresh cilantro
Whole chopped mango
About a half can of black beans (rinsed)
Handful of chopped onion (white, red, or green works)
Optional: a few small pieces of tomato
thinly sliced cucumber
Directions:
*make sure you don't chop ingredients too small or else this salad become more like a salsa
1. Coarsely chop cilantro
2. Slice mango into medium-size chunks
3. Coarsely chop onion
4. Mix cilantro, mango, rinsed beans, and onion
5. Dress the salad if you'd like - directions are below
For the dressing:
Drizzle the following over the salad to your liking
About 2 Teaspoons of Tamari (soy sauce)
A couple squirts of fresh lime juice
A drizzle of Sriracha chilli sauce
If you are feeling lazy, Drew's Thai Sesame Lime dressing tastes pretty good with this salad.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
I Love Lush : Angels on Bare Skin Review
I have crazy problem skin. It is combination, acne prone, and unpredictable. See embarrassing picture below that was taken over a year ago.
I recently rediscovered Lush.
Lush's products are natural, they practice ethical buying, and they do not test on animals. The company as a whole appears to have fantastic values, and I certainly would rather spend money there than support a company that is owned by a bigger conglomerate with insidious values.
The first product I tried is a cleanser called "Angels on Bare Skin."
It comes in a solid form, almost like mushy, dry soap. I was definitely skeptical.
Normally, it comes in a black container with a screw on lid, but the store I went to ran out of containers. Which brings me to the next point, it comes to the store in a log shaped brick (think of like a pumpkin roll shape). Similar to a deli, workers are able to cut off how much you want and they weigh it. The minimum purchase for this cleanser is $15. I bought $15 worth and it lasted me almost 2 months using it both in the am and pm.
To use it, I take about a pea sized amount and then add a small amount of water. I mix it together in my hand to form a paste, and then directly apply it to my face.
It is suitable for all skin types. It contains ingredients like lavender, rose absolute, chamomile blue oil, which all calm and balance the skin, and finely ground almonds for exfoliation. After one week of use I was totally addicted to this product. My face was clear, radiant, and glowing . I would recommend this product in a heartbeat.
What Lush products have you tried?
All the best,
Danyelle
I will write in depth about how I cleared up my horrific acne in a later post, but for now, I want to review one of the best skin care products I have found so far. Despite clearing my skin in general, as you can see above, I still struggled with the occasional blemish or two.
I have been searching for facial products that are natural, ethical, and effective for years now. Nothing I was using worked well, and believe me, I have tried it all (including unnatural products and prescription products).I recently rediscovered Lush.
Lush's products are natural, they practice ethical buying, and they do not test on animals. The company as a whole appears to have fantastic values, and I certainly would rather spend money there than support a company that is owned by a bigger conglomerate with insidious values.
The first product I tried is a cleanser called "Angels on Bare Skin."
It comes in a solid form, almost like mushy, dry soap. I was definitely skeptical.
Normally, it comes in a black container with a screw on lid, but the store I went to ran out of containers. Which brings me to the next point, it comes to the store in a log shaped brick (think of like a pumpkin roll shape). Similar to a deli, workers are able to cut off how much you want and they weigh it. The minimum purchase for this cleanser is $15. I bought $15 worth and it lasted me almost 2 months using it both in the am and pm.
To use it, I take about a pea sized amount and then add a small amount of water. I mix it together in my hand to form a paste, and then directly apply it to my face.
It is suitable for all skin types. It contains ingredients like lavender, rose absolute, chamomile blue oil, which all calm and balance the skin, and finely ground almonds for exfoliation. After one week of use I was totally addicted to this product. My face was clear, radiant, and glowing . I would recommend this product in a heartbeat.
What Lush products have you tried?
All the best,
Danyelle
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Immune Boost Juice
Happy 2014.
The new year can be the perfect time to pick up a new habit and to examine what is holding us back. It can remind us that time is passing and we should put our ideas into action. It can also remind us to forgive ourselves and make resolutions to be better.
We are here for a short time, so what is stopping you from being the best version of yourself?
What goals do you want to put into action starting today, right now?
For me, I want to be even healthier this year. Over the past 2 years I have been improving my diet, but I haven't successfully added juicing into my daily routine. Many of the dietary changes I have made have changed my life for the better, and they have stuck around. Juicing, well, it has not really stuck in my daily routine. There are so many benefits to drinking fresh juice every day, and I am confident that by doing it every single day, I will feel much better. So this year, I want to add juicing to my daily routine.
To kick start this change, here is one of my favorite juice recipes.
It works well for boosting the immune system. If you aren't feeling well, the ginger, honey, and cayenne can help break up some congestion while the pineapple and lemon add some Vitamin C. If you aren't sick, it is still a spicy and delicous juice worth trying.
Juice:
2 Lemons
1 Pineapple
1 piece of Ginger (about a half inch piece)
Then stir the following into the juice:
1 tablespoon of Honey
Dash of Cayenne pepper
The new year can be the perfect time to pick up a new habit and to examine what is holding us back. It can remind us that time is passing and we should put our ideas into action. It can also remind us to forgive ourselves and make resolutions to be better.
We are here for a short time, so what is stopping you from being the best version of yourself?
What goals do you want to put into action starting today, right now?
For me, I want to be even healthier this year. Over the past 2 years I have been improving my diet, but I haven't successfully added juicing into my daily routine. Many of the dietary changes I have made have changed my life for the better, and they have stuck around. Juicing, well, it has not really stuck in my daily routine. There are so many benefits to drinking fresh juice every day, and I am confident that by doing it every single day, I will feel much better. So this year, I want to add juicing to my daily routine.
To kick start this change, here is one of my favorite juice recipes.
It works well for boosting the immune system. If you aren't feeling well, the ginger, honey, and cayenne can help break up some congestion while the pineapple and lemon add some Vitamin C. If you aren't sick, it is still a spicy and delicous juice worth trying.
Juice:
2 Lemons
1 Pineapple
1 piece of Ginger (about a half inch piece)
Then stir the following into the juice:
1 tablespoon of Honey
Dash of Cayenne pepper
Monday, December 9, 2013
finding my voice: everything I have learned
So after a long period of contemplation, I am finally writing this blog.
It has spent a year living & growing in my head, and now I get to bring it into fruition.
I have always wanted to help & inspire people. I have always wanted to be the best version of me.
This blog is a reflection of my pursuit to be happy and to become my best self. It is a collection of everything I have learned, unifying spiritual concepts, health, beauty, and art.
My hope is that what I have learned about all of these things inspires you to be your best self too.
All the best,
Danyelle
It has spent a year living & growing in my head, and now I get to bring it into fruition.
I have always wanted to help & inspire people. I have always wanted to be the best version of me.
This blog is a reflection of my pursuit to be happy and to become my best self. It is a collection of everything I have learned, unifying spiritual concepts, health, beauty, and art.
My hope is that what I have learned about all of these things inspires you to be your best self too.
All the best,
Danyelle
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