Walk. Joy. Tea.

Oh, I just love walks. They make my heart sing and I love the heat in Kansas right now. I don't know if I'm supposed to admit that. I will, though. It's a lovely time. 

Anyways, I went on the most magical walk the other day. I started off at Hy-Vee, but then decided it wasn't a wise move to walk to the library from there (it's like five blocks) and then walk to Aggieville (that's like nine more blocks). It was quite toasty outside and I didn't want to be stranded. 

Looking back, I totally should have walked from Hy-Vee.

Anyways, I went on the most lovely walk. I sent a book that sold in the mail (that was Hy-Vee!), returned a book to the library (that's where I parked second time around), went to Bluestem to get a lovely cup of black tea.

And this is my sustainability moment! They asked what size of tea that I wanted while reaching for the plastic cups. Oh, how my heart saddened as I thought I would be leaving the store because of the plastic and lack of cups. BUT CELEBRATE. I asked if I could use a real cup and the Mr. Sir Coffee Shop Man had eyes that lit up! He said yes! 

And then he commended me on my love for the environment, saying, "Every bit counts!" And then he quoted something from the 90's and I can't remember, but if I do, I'll come back and write it. 

Then I got my tea, sat on the back patio, drank the tea, and worked on my study. What a productive, lovely, and beautiful day!

That is all.

Go save the world.

Peace.

Crackers and Smoothies

Almost every single morning, I eat (drink?) a smoothie for breakfast. This morning was no exception! I have been able to use the mangoes I made an investment in (you know, grocery store purchases) and a bit of berries. Super wonderful. Keeps me going, gives me a bit of protein (I put hemp, chia, and flax seeds in the smoothies!). It's a lovely time.

Anyways, I wanted to share that. But more importantly, I made crackers this morning!

The little paper picture is the recipe. But I'll attempt to write it because I know my handwriting looks like an explosion.

Ingredients:
1 cup oats
3/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup sesame seeds
2 Tbsp chia seeds
3 Tbsp poppy seeds
1 tsp kosher salt
4 tsp oil (it says vegetable oil...no go, go for something else)
1 Tbsp maple syrup
3/4 cup water

That is all the ingredients! I added some flax seeds because...why not? They're lovely and we should all share the love of flax.

Instructions:
1. Mix all the ingredients together
2. Let sit 10 minutes (this lets some of the seeds thicken/expand so they're all full size)
3. Make into a ball (like, all the mixture)
4. Have a pan lined with parchment paper (I don't own this...I just used spray) and put the ball on the baking sheet
5. Spread out the "ball" on the pan until it is about 1/8 of an inch thick
6. Bake 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees
7. Take out of the oven, flip the parchment paper/cracker over, then cook 15-20 more minutes
8. Eat the crackers with joy and know that it won't be a normal cracker and that is okay

Now, I didn't have parchment paper and I wasn't willing to go to the store because I'm simply not. So, I spread out the mixture to 1/8 inch on sprayed pan, and put in the oven. I didn't set a timer because I like to just go check every so often. When I noticed the edges were getting brown, I turned down the heat to 325 and then kept watching it. I'd say, in total, it took 30 minutes, but I'm not really sure.

Anyways, this is a great way to get your protein, live your gluten free life (woo hoo...no, but really, if you're not gluten intolerant, don't do that), and use what you have. 

Peace.

Mistakes Happen

So, this is silly. Really silly. But I feel bad.

About a straw.

I think, just because I wanted to help out the turtles and the environment and use my own cup and straw and help the world. 

I used my own cup and lid today when I went to a coffee shop. I have to finish a really big Bible assessment, so I...wanted a cup of coffee. I had even brought my own straw!

I ordered an almond milk latte, iced (minimal ice because teeth). I was so excited because it was in my own cup and my cup is simply adorable.

Alas, tragedy struck. A straw. Came to my table with my lovely mason jar.

Oh well.

The turtles will live. 

There's no point in me making a fuss.

Peace.

Bulletproof Coffee

Hi.

I've been drinking coffee lately.

Look at my lovely coffee.
Come drink a cup with me.

Someone just shot off some intense fireworks outside.

It's almost the 4th.

Anyways, I've been drinking a version of Bulletproof Coffee. Since I'm trying out veganism, I'm avoiding animal products. Therefore, although most Bulletproof Coffee has butter in it, I haven't been including it. So, to start, who do you make it?

Make a cup of coffee. Good coffee. None of the most terrible coffee that is weak, as no one likes weak coffee. The stronger, the better. Unless it's like syrup - that's a problem.

Anyways, to make Bulletproof Coffee you put two parts butter, one part coconut oil (I say these are tablespoons because I don't measure). One cup of coffee. Then you put it all together and blend it! And then it's done. 

That's it. 

Oh, wait. You drink it. And feel happy.

What are the benefits of this? It keeps you full and gives you energy! Because of the fat in the drink, you stay full for longer. AND depending on the type of fat you eat, it's good for your body. Research that. Be wise. Hate on sugar, not on fat. 

Anyways, I'll sit here and be full and have my energy. Here's more information if you want it. 

Have a lovely day.

Peace.

Here's a good article my mom sent me! 

Choose Intentionality

I'll be all sentimental and jazz for a second - I've been writing a blog for about a year AND this is my 100th post. There has been a lot of changes throughout writing this and I'm really thankful that I can continually go back to the changes I've made. 

So, here's some changes I'm proud of -->
- reusable shopping bags
- reusable produce bags
- homemade toothpaste
- lessening the amount of things I have
- Buy Nothing on the book of faces
- using what I have
- selling things I don't need
- asking for help
- being me

What a wonderful responsibility to take care of our world!

You see, I think by embracing sustainability and finding joy in it, I've been able to be more passionate about it. I care for the earth. Really, quite a bit, I do. I do think it's our responsibility to take care of it. Not only that! To take care of each other. To take care of animals. We have a job. And I'm thankful that I can look back on it. 

So, here's my tidbit to encourage you: make one intentional change. I do believe one person can make a difference. I truly believe it. Maybe just a small difference, but that's still a difference. Make a small change. Refuse the bag at the grocery store. Reuse your "single-use" water bottles. Make your own toothpaste. Speak up if someone asks for help and offer to help.

Be the change. 

Peace.

Here's a baby giraffe. For your joy.

One More Box

So, I'm continually checking over my apartment to get rid of more and more things. Well, to find homes for more and more things. I don't prefer to live with anything that I don't find beautiful or useful. Let me tell you: I'm to the layer of my jazzy jazz (also known as stuff) where it's sentimental. It's useful. It's...a lot. Like, less than I've had in the past, but still much more than one needs to live.

Today, I look through my boxes again. Specifically, I looked through my knitting box and art box. Maybe I have more than one art box. Maybe not. I don't need to tell you how many I have. 

Three. I have three art boxes. One for paint, one for randoms, and one as a giant paint box. BUT. That's three less than I had. 

That's right. I had six. Yikes. That's a lot of art supplies.

Now, yes, I know...I know. If I were to use all of those, they wouldn't be wasteful. They would be taking up space. But, alas, they did! They took up meaningless space that could be meaningful. Anyways, I looked through my art box again.

And I found lots of things to get rid of! I pulled out each item and thought to myself, "Have I used this/will I be using this?" If the answer is no, the next question occurs, "Does this bring me joy?"

Let's just saw I just have half a box of random art supplies left. That doesn't take away paint - paint is in a different category because that is useful. I will use it. I may have used some just a week ago.

Anyways, there's my long post about searching through one more box.

OH. Yes, and I looked through my knitting box today. I found that I had five things of yarn. Will I use that? No. I found two that I know I will use. Everything else? A new home will be found.

All the happy things. Thanks for reading. For your time, here's a picture of me with honeycomb from my pop.

Peace.