Simple and Healthy Twist on Classic Beans and Rice Recipe

This week's blog is a for the foodies. I'm always looking for a flavorful dish to cook and my newest recipe is packed with protein and is delicious and vegetarian and vegan friendly. 
Below is a step by step recipe to follow for a tasty meal!

Servings: 2-4

Ingredients:
1/2 Avocado
2 garlic cloves
Northern beans
Brown rice and quinoa
Half of a lime

Optional: 1/4 to 1/2 cup of shredded cheese


I personally use Seeds of Change Quiona and Brown Rice which can be microwaved. It's sold at Costco and Sam's Club. The ingredients are straightforward. It's great tasting too! You can choose to use whatever rice and quiona you would like.

Peel and chop garlic.
Slice avocado in half
Cut lime in half or into four slices. I find it easier to squeeze the juice if it's in a smaller slice (You'll need half of the lime).

Place pot onto stove and turn the heat on high.
While the pot is heating up, microwave the rice for 90 seconds
Next, pour about 5 tablespoons of olive oil into the pot and add the chopped garlic.

Cook the garlic until golden brown. This takes about 20-30 seconds. Turn your heat down to a medium setting.

Add rice and quinoa and stir to mix it with the olive oil and garlic.

Now, add the can of beans. Stir for a minute and then scoop out the avocado into the pot.
Mix avocado in thoroughly.

Squeeze in the lime and stir. You can add some shredded cheese on top if you'd like and voila! Bon appétit!

Let me know if you try this recipe in the comments. :)

Until next time,

XOXOTheZenFashionista

Limited Edition Holiday Beauty Must Haves!

Do you believe it's already November? Before we know it, it will be December and the holidays will be right around the corner. A lot of beauty and cosmetic companies come out with new and limited edition products specially for the holiday season. Stores like Ulta and Sephora get some products in stock specifically for them, so be sure to check their stores and websites for limited edition beauty products.

Below are are a few of my favorites. The items I chose are vegan/cruelty free.

Benefit : Party Poppers Makeup Set $45.00

Last week I was at Ulta and there was an end-cap that I kept eyeing. It ended up being various Benefit holiday sets. Typically, one of their holiday sets is a 24 or 25 day beauty advent calendar but this year they switched things up with 12 days of great goodies! Once you open this set up it plays a fun, original song. 
Pop each door open to reveal:

2 Mascaras
2 Highlighters
2 Lip Glosses
Face Primer
Lip and Cheek Stain
Blush
Under Eye Brightener
Facial Moisture Cream
Eye Makeup Remover

Their samples are a very nice size and I'm obsessed with their adorable packaging.

Lush : Golden Wonder $19.95 and Snow Fairy (prices vary based on size) $9.95 - $29.95



I'm a big fan of anything and everything Lush. I recently went into their store like I always do at this time of year to see what new holiday items they had in. I like to get a few gift boxes for friends and family. 

I stock up on the "Snow Fairy Shower Gel," which has a sweet fragrance of bubblegum and vanilla. It's also sparkly with a fairy dust shimmer. What could be better?










The wrapped gift box, "Golden Wonder" comes with three presents inside. 

Celebrate - a body lotion with a citrus and champagne scent. 

Golden Wonder - a bath bomb with a similar smell to the body lotion. This bath bomb will leave you with a glittery and turquoise explosion in your tub.

Gold Fun - a bar that can be used as a shampoo, bubble bath or soap. It has a sweet honey-toffee scent- yum!










Jeffree Star Cosmetics : Velour Liquid Lipstick $18

Earlier this year, Jeffree Star came out with a liquid lipstick line. I had been looking for a bold purple and purchased "I'm Royalty," It lasts a long time and the best part about these lipsticks is that they are vegan and can be used as liquid eyeliners as well....I also used it on my eyebrows for my Halloween makeup. 

During the holiday season, there have been some limited edition colors released.

Doll Parts - A subtle pink 

Androgyny -  A sultry plum that is already sold out!

Drug Lord - White like snow, and can be used to lighten other lip shades.

Hoe Hoe Hoe - A deep red with hints of metallic red and purple (this is the color I am planning to get).

Mistletoe - Green like a Christmas tree. You'll definitely stand out with this color.



Too Faced : Le Grand Chateau $49

Like Benefit, Too faced packaging is aesthetically pleasing. Their brand is inspired by Paris and femininity. From their limited edition Christmas Collection, "Le Grand Chateau" is a chic and adorable set which includes three palettes and a travel sized "Better Than Sex" mascara.  You could actually gift each individual palette. The palette's come with six eyeshadows, and two of them come with a blush and the other a bronzer.  


Have you already started your holiday shopping?

Until next time,
XOXOTheZenFashionista

Manifestation Meditation - Blessing Ball of Light

Starting your day right with intention!

A few years ago, I partook in a program called Love or Above by Christie Marie Sheldon. She had a set of guided meditations with a companion workbook. It was through her that I discovered something called The Blessing Ball of Light. It was quite transformational for me!

This is a five to ten minute meditation you can do each morning as you wake up to help set the intent for what you want for the current day. Manifestation is such a powerful tool!

Manifestation Meditation:

Close your eyes and connect to the "light"

(Light refers to your highest levels of love and joy. By connecting to the light, we are bringing our consciousness to it).

Take a deep breath and feel the light (I like to visualize myself connecting high up to the sky). Let the light fill your body and all of your cells. Starting at your head, all the way down to your feet.

If you find you can't visualize this or feel it, the intent will be enough. Set the intent that love and light are filling up your heart space.

Once you've connected and can feel the loving energy, you're ready to imagine your ball of light.

Imagine a ball of light

Label it "My day"

To really feel this ball of light, bring your hands together. You'll soon feel this energy form.

Put what you want for your day into the ball (Setting your intent)

Examples:

• Gratitude
• Compliments
• Focus for a big test
• The phone ringing off the hook, equaling lots of sales
• Extra energy to get you through the day
• Blessing your family with love and happiness
• Good vibes for the environments you'll find yourself in
• Completion of a goal
• Meeting to go smoothly
• To attract a certain kind of person into your life

As you are imagining, you're creating!

When your ball feels full, sit with it for a moment and bless the energy with pure love and light. If you're sending love to a friend or family member, you can include their name. Repeat this until you feel full. I usually do it for about a minute.

Once you've done that, you're ready to bring the ball of light into your heart. The intention itself will be strong enough, but if you would like you can physically bring your hands to your heart.

Finally, inhale deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.

Open your eyes and begin your day!

I was surprised to find that within a few days of practicing this, I became more joyful about my day and the things I manifested were coming true! 

Let me know your thoughts. If you have any questions, I'd love to answer them! 

XOXOTheZenFashionista

My Favorites from NYFW SS16

New York Fashion Week - Spring/Summer 2016

Twice a year designers show us their upcoming collections during NYFW (New York Fashion Week) and we get a sneak peek of the newest trends. If you're a fashionista like me, it's one of the most exciting times of the year. 

With social media apps such as Periscope and Snapchat, it made us feel as if we were more a part of the NYFW than ever before. I was excited to see a lot of 70's fashion as well as really cool patterns/stitching and bright colors.  

Here are some of my favorite looks from the week (they are in no particular order):

Delpozo:

All of the outfits from Delpozo showed lots of detail and floral embroideries. I happened to love this dress the moment I saw it. It reminds me of a fairy princess.

Diane Von Furstenberg

DVF's collection was one of my favorites from all of NYFW. The top models in the industry walked the runway: Karlie Kloss, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Lily Aldridge, etc. 

Diane said that the collection was originally inspired by a painting of hers that shows a woman barefoot in nature. She wanted to celebrate and showcase freedom and the individuality of the woman. The models' hair was inspired by the 70's and reminded the designer of herself back at Studio 54.   

Ralph Lauren:

As always, Ralph Lauren's collection had a classic and all American feel to it. This was one of my favorite outfits...A casual but classy and sophisticated look. 

Jeremy Scott:

This was such a fun and lively show. I keep coming back to this piece. Something about the colors and its  unique feel to it!

Carolina Herrera:

I am obsessed with the entire Carolina Herrera SS16 collection. It was flirty and feminine and featured lots of pinks and cream colors. 

Marchesa:

Romantic and breathtaking is how I would describe Marchesa's collection. This collection was inspired by exotic birds and was shown through a multitude of colors and fluffy skirts. 

Lauren Conrad:

This was Lauren's debut on the runway and her collection spoke for itself.  It has a vintage feel with fashions from the 60's and 70's.

My favorite part about this collection? It is being sold, at a reasonable price with her normal line at Kohl's.

Rebecca Minkoff:

Normally when I think Rebecca Minkoff, I think of handbags, but after seeing her upcoming collection, I am now equally in love with her clothes. Minkoff said that her collection was inspired by singer Marianne Faithfull who has a boho 60's vibe. 

What were your favorites from NYFW? 

Until next time!

XOXO TheZenFashionista