Yummy Yum Pizza!!!

With pizza, you usually think cheese and tomato paste, however, I had left over refried beans and didn’t want to use either. So here is a delicious pizza with a twist!

Ingredients

• Lebanese round flat bread
• Cherry tomatoes
• Chopped lettuce
• Diced onion
• A few tbsp refried beans
• Diced capsicum
• Spray olive oil

Method

• Spray oil on bread
• Spread on refried beans
• Add some diced onion
• Heat in oven at 180C for approx. 15 minutes
• Take out and add lettuce, chopped cherry tomatoes and capsicum
• Serve with lemon juice

Aligning my actions with my morals

In early April, I watched half of the documentary Earthlings. It was in the evening, and after hearing people on Tumblr talk about it, I felt like I had nothing better to do, and just went for it. I always had a vague understanding of the industry, but it wasn’t until that moment when I saw and felt the pain and suffering of all those animals. There was, initially, anger as to how we’re not told this information and how could people do that as a job, but then it became shock. I was consuming those products, and paying the industry for slaughter. How could I? I have mixed feelings about my following actions, which was to become vegetarian the following day. It only lasted a week or so, but that immediate change made me feel really lethargic and I got lots of headaches. Now, after 3 months, I have been coping well, if not thriving, both physically, and emotionally.

However, there has been a constant guilt. Meat is not the only product of harm; all animal products have a very negative impact. This year I’ve learnt about the sexual assault, diseases and emotional trauma of dairy cows and the “disposing” of male chicks in the egg industry. I have also discovered about the environmental impact of consuming animal products. Feeding one omnivore requires over 50 times more farmland than a vegan; the world has even been so desperate to allow more land that they’re clearing the Amazon Rainforest. Yes! The AMAZON RAINFOREST.

I haven’t fully transitioned yet (I’m still a vegetarian), but I’ve decided to make a bit of a masterlist with support and information for people who want to make such a positive change in their lives.

Recipes

• http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/vegan-recipes-ideas-for-the-perfect-picnic/
• http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/easy-vegan-recipes#2buxyn0
• http://theveganstoner.blogspot.com.au/
• http://www.thekitchn.com/recipes/vegan
• http://www.theppk.com/?s=vegan
• http://nourishandevolve.com/
• http://www.superfoodsiobhan.com/

Facts and Statistics

• http://saveourbones.com/osteoporosis-milk-myth/
• http://www.rense.com/general26/milk.htm
• http://www.news-medical.net/news/2005/09/12/13120.aspx
• http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/10-reasons-stop-eating-red-meat?s=1
• http://veganfaq.blogspot.com.au/2008/02/problem-with-honey.html
• http://sustainabletable.org.au/Hungryforinfo/Factory-farming/tabid/106/Default.aspx

Videos and Literature

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDdlDYWG7no&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DoDdlDYWG7no&has_verified=1
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19qSsUI79Ro
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=friwGYNRKBc
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es6U00LMmC4&feature=youtu.be&t=1m45s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4HJcq8qHAY
• http://rawfoodsos.com/category/china-study/
• http://worldpeacediet.org/download2.htm

I hope this has helped people!!

Easy Peasy Snackorini – NanaNut Sandwiches

I just came back from a nice long walk and really felt like a snack. All we really had in the pantry were chips and I felt like something that would give me more longer lasting energy, considering how tired I was. I realised I felt like banana and peanut butter, but didn’t want another sandwich. Therefore… the NanaNut Sandwich was born! As you can tell, it’s nut butter between two slices of banana and is super duper easy and fun to make. I definitely recommend for everyone (without nut allergies of course)!

Things I’ve Learnt From My Parents (And Other Influential Adults)

• Alcohol isn’t something to rely on. It’s fun to occasionally get tipsy/a bit drunk, but regular drinking can affect relationships and make a big hole in your wallet.
• Be physically affectionate. When you’re really close to someone, you can tell they love and care about you, but it just feels tense if there aren’t hugs and the like.
• Fuck traditions. Listen to the younger generations. They’re not stuck in routine and far more willing to learn more, especially if it goes against the norm. You obviously don’t have to take everything they say to heart, but contemplate and research it.
• Form your own beliefs and stand by them.
• Look after your mind, body and soul. You’re not a fitness nut for valuing exercise. The energy from a healthy lifestyle feels amazing.
• Make new friends and stay in contact with old ones you still value. Friends never go out of style.
• As long as it’s what you want, do whatever to your body. It’s yours and you should be happy with it.
• Talk to people. Be it calls, internet, doesn’t matter. Keep in touch with friends and family on Facebook, greet strangers on the street, just connect with people.
• What is offered on the internet doesn’t stop the need to travel. The world is huge; explore every bit of it.
• Stay true to who you are, but also accept that time moves on and things change.
• Continue to enjoy the things associated with kids. You’ll find they’re wiser than you think.
• Educate and be honest with your children. Tell the truth about how babies are made, explain that body hair and pimples and all that are completely normal and even that sex is more than baby-making and is pleasurable when done right.
• Teach them to be assertive and to say no when needed. Don’t let them think that they have to do things just to make a person happen.
• Don’t use schoolyard bullying as an excuse for fancying someone. If you’re into a person, be nice; don’t pull their hair and stab them with pencils.
• Rather than going for the easier option, always consider that no one is the same. Punishing a boy for wearing a dress may discourage him from being himself (or even her/themselves), emphasising that little girls should dream of finding their handsome prince charming not only forces them to believe that they are nothing without a man, but may also label a girl interested in other girls as a freak.
• Laugh. Loudly. Laugh huge crazy guffaws. You’re happy; show it.
• Don’t sexualise everything. Girls are not “sluts” for wearing shorts and singlet tops. Rather than bitching about your sisters, try being nice. Or at least don’t say anything mean.
• Keep reading. Time goes a bit crazy sometimes, but always make time for books.
• Go on adventures. Big, like trying a new sport or travelling, and small, such as eating new food or changing your walking route.
• Continue to love yourself. You’re a majestic human and deserve to treat yourself with as much kindness as possible.

Belly Boogieing and Delicious Dinner

A slightly late post (thanks, uni), but last Saturday I had the pleasure of going out to a fantastic Lebanese restaurant for my best friend’s 19th birthday. It was located in a cute small-town area and had the most spectacular interior design.

                          

I was worried at first, but the restaurant offered so many meat-free options that I was completely full. There were hommos and tahini dips, bread, vine leaf wraps, roasted cauliflower, radish and eggplant, and the most wonderful falafels in the world!!! In the middle of opening presents, we were treated with a belly dancing show, and even got to get up and join in.

 

Afterwards we went to the shopping district and got ice cream for dessert. Out in the open, we may have gotten a bit crazy and sang Wannabe and ran around. Yes, we’re adults.