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

My Halloweekend

This week's blog post is about the month of October and Halloween, one of my favorite days of the year. 

This October I....

Carved my first pumpkin EVER. 

Took my best friend to her first cider mill. 

Played in the leaves.

Became obsessed with everything pumpkin (as a lot of us do each year). 

Had a fall photo shoot (which you can see in my previous post)

Planned my annual Halloween party

Here are some of the highlights:

 

Not too bad for my first carvings, right? :P

My best friend moved to Michigan from California and this was her first official fall. I had to take her to the a cider mill. I look forward to drinking cider and munching on some donuts every year!

Halloween has always been exciting to me because I love being able to create my costume and bring it to life. I host a party annually and enjoy decorating the space and making homemade festive goodies!

This year I decided I wanted to be a mermaid. I searched numerous Halloween stores, Etsy, etc and found pieces of my costume from various places. 

I hand painted my sea shell bra and found on Pinterest how to make scales on my face (using fishnets). 

I used Jeffree Star "I'm Royalty" Velour Liquid Lipstick on my lips and eyebrows. 

I decided to change up my costume for Halloween party night #2. I went as a hippie fairy...which if you know me isn't too far off from my every day vibe. During the month of October, I wore fairy wings out and about, around town. A lot of times my style can be described as boho chic/60's free spirit. 

 Flower Headband: Claire's
 Lace Flower Tank: Francesca's
 Yoga Pants: Teeki
 Fringe Boots: Minnetonka 

  

I also thought I would show you some of the food I made for the party.

Bloody Eyeball Eggs 

Pumpkin Pretzel Bites

Puking Pumpkin 

                       


What do you think of my costumes? :) What did you do for Halloween? Did you dress up? I'd love to hear from you. 


Until next time...

XOXOTheZenFashionista

Witchy Woman -Fall Photoshoot

This week I'm posting pictures of myself. I recently started a fashion program through Parsons School of Design. I had an assignment to create a mood board on Pinterest which I named "Witchy Woman."  Then to create my own style that resembles the mood board and photograph it.  

My mood board was inspired my Stevie Nicks. I felt like I was embodying her during this shoot with the fringe and the boots etc. I really love her style. It's a boho meets gypsy, free spirited look. 

I photographed two different outfits. The velvet blue dress was the only thing that stayed the same. I wore a black fringe kimono and Ralph Lauren boots for the first half and a brown suede jacket from Target with Minnetonka fringe boots for the second half. 

May I just say that I love fall? October has to be one of my favorite months! I've literally been walking around town with fairy wings on. I look forward to a month of Halloween festivities all year long.  

Are you dressing up for Halloween? If so, as what?

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

What's In My Bag?

I decided it would be fun to do the "What's In My Bag" post. I always find it interesting and enjoy sneaking a peek at what everyone else is carrying in their purse. Sometimes, I'm inspired to to try a new product or add something to my wish list. 

I have a bit of a purse obsession. About once a month I switch bags. My purse starts to get cluttered and needs a cleaning and that's when I reorganize my belongings in its next home. With the new month just beginning, you're catching me at my neatest...no wrappers from protein bars or piles of receipts. Lucky you. : P

The purse I'm currently using is from a local designer, Jenna Kator. When I met her, I fell in love with the colors and designs. I then learned that her handbags are made with cruelty free materials. Soooo of course I had to buy two bags from her. 😊  

Tied around a strap is my Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF) Andy Warhol silk scarf which I absolutely love. <3

I carry lots of lipsticks and chapsticks. Usually a variety of colors.
Mac Lipsticks are my favorite kind and so I always carry at least one with me. I recently bought this NYX gold lipgloss at Ulta and I really like it. It gives a nice shimmer and can be applied quickly. 

I have cat eyes which means my eyes will change colors. They go from blue to green to grey. I started using eyeliner colors other than black and I really love the pop of color it brings. Always have to carry a more traditional color as well!

I try to buy products that are natural and cruelty free and Hurraw lip balm is my go to chapstick. You will literally find me going to American Apparel to buy chapstick and a scrunchie. I also occasionally use EOS which is in my bag right now as well.

I wear my sunglasses all the time. Whether it is sunny, 8pm, or winter and snowing, I bring a pair with me. These are my most recent buy and I spent a lot of time picking them out. I love that they are heart shaped and that they reflect! 

My phone is usually in my hand....but it does find it's way into my bag sometimes. I'm obsessed with phone cases and if you're wondering where I got the bear case from....Five Below! It's lasted me almost a year which I was quite surprised about.

For those of you wondering what this spray bottle is...it's Thieves Oil. I'm very much into essential oils and homeopathic remedies and Thieves helps with the immune system and the respiratory system.
Rescue Remedy is another natural product.

I carry one or two books with me at a time, because I generally am reading multiple books at once. Today, I am reading the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada. So far I really like it. Has anyone read it?

I also carry a journal with me. This one is my daily journal/diary, but I sometimes carry a sketchbook of sorts or a manifestation journal.

Snacks come in handy! You never know when you'll need something to munch on. You will almost always find a Belvita in my purse.

Accessories are a big one for me! I LOVE headbands and you'll usually find loose jewelry at the bottom of my purse. Right now I have a lace floral headband and my favorite Lululemon activewear headband. I also have a scrunchie from American Apparel. 

I never leave the house without a pair of headphones. Music is an integral part of who I am. Right now you'll find me listening to a lot of Stevie Nicks and Miranda Lambert....My musical taste is eclectic!  

What are a few of your handbag necessities? I would love to hear from you!

Until next time!

XOXOTheZenFashionista