Thinking Bigger: New Rhythms and Routines

What an interesting time it has been! I know we have touched so much on this on the blog, but it’s so true. This time has been unlike any other. I recently launched a new series on the blog called Thinking Bigger, and this week I wanted to touch on the idea of new routines and rhythms. I think one of the reasons we keep talking about this time is because it has caused us to pause – We’ve paused from our everyday life, from our routines, our appointments, our errands, our offices, classes, and schedules. And that pause has caused us to think. And we’ve been thinking a lot! Although some of that thinking can cause fear, much of it has been an assessment of what we used to do every day in comparison to what we’re doing now. Things I used to view as such a chore have now become cherished routines. Activities I used to never have time for are now new staples in my schedule – like planning evening meals and eating dinner with Jase, planting a garden, reading a book, or taking joy and excitement in grocery shopping at the local farm. With all this new that has come about in this season, and in light of many of us on the brink of communities opening up again, I’ve caught myself almost sad that “a return to normalcy” would mean potentially losing those routines and rhythms I’ve come to love so much in this time. What will life look like when we are able to be busy again? When those appointments, and errands, and classes, and work will fill our schedules once more?I think rather than being sad, it’s okay to ask this question, and I think it can be a positive in return. We’ve been talking about this time so much on the blog because I think we’re excited about the opportunity that all this pause has given us to become better. Better at being more present at home, better at implementing routines that are healthy and creating healthy environments, better at being intentional about our activities, thoughts, and how we fill our time. I don't know about you, but I don’t want to leave my new cherished routines behind when all this is over. I want to use whatever I have left of this pause to continue to practice them, and instill them in the rhythms of my every day so that, when I have the opportunity to fill my schedule a bit more, I will still make time for those things I came to appreciate so greatly when my schedule was less full. What new routines and rhythms have you begun or been practicing in this season that have made you better? What rhythms can you start now that you can carry with you when this time is over? My hope for you all is that you have found practices and activities that you have come to cherish during this time, those that have made you feel whole and healthy. And for those of you who haven’t yet, I hope that you take whatever time we have left in this pause to find what fills you up in that way – So that all of us can leave this time feeling and being better than when we went in. x

Melissa's Morning Smoothie

Hey guys! Melissa here and I am sharing my morning smoothie recipe + my love for Moon Juice- a shop dedicated to a holistic approach to healthy living, including the most amazing medicinal ingredients to add to your morning smoothies.

What I personally love about smoothies is the variety of smoothies that you can make. I go through phases of what I put in mine and switch up what ingredients I use, depending on the day and my mood. The recipe I have going now is super good, so I just had to share. This smoothie includes three Moon Juice products- their Beauty Dust,  Ashwagandha, and H0 Shou Wu. Below are the ingredients + explanation of benefits for each Moon Juice product.

SMOOTHIE:

1 cup almond milk or water (or sometimes I do 1/2 and 1/2!)

1/2 frozen banana

A handful of organic frozen blueberries

Teaspoon of Ashwagandha from Moon Juice

Teaspoon of Ho Shou Wu from Moon Juice

Teaspoon (+ a little more) of Beauty Dust from Moon Juice (c/o)

Tablespoon of Spirulina (from Whole Foods)

--blend all together in a blender until smooth--

Benefits are below as described on Moon Juice's site- head there to read more! They do a great job at explaining each product.

Ashwagandha: calms the nervous system + soothes anxiety and improves sleep

Ho Shou Wu: encourages youthfulness, sex drive, + helps to balance hormones and give you a healthy glow

Beauty Dust: think glowing skin, shiny hair, and bright eyes

Moon Juice's collection of moon dusts is so amazing. You can add them to smoothies, water, or even your morning coffee. They have quite a few versions including spirit dust, brain dust, and more, but I have only tried the beauty dust so far and love it.

*feature image via moon juice

Join Us for a Gluten Free Week: Recipes Inside! #loloGFweek

Hey hey! The girls at LOLO are starting a week of gluten free eating! Who is with us? Good news: you're not alone in this escapade! Keep up with the progress of your fellow participants, and pour out all of your gluten free thoughts and experiences with this hashtag on Twitter: #loloGFweek. Warning: you might get hooked on this lifestyle, and our recipes are so darn good, you may just dare to go another week. Don't worry, gluten free doesn't mean boring-- you'll still be eating waffles and lasagna. Let the party begin (aka a whole new, skin-glowing, great feeling, healthier you!). P.S. We are not just doing this because it's trendy. 

The Dish on Gluten

What is gluten anyways? To put it simply, it is the sticky protein substance in wheat. Why should we avoid it? Our guts are simply not adapted to digest gluten and break it down into individual amino acids.Did you know that one in every seven people has gluten sensitivity? In fact, most people go their entire lives with knowing this to be the culprit of consistent symptoms: abdominal distention, anemia, depression, anxiety, bloating, migraines, low energy and fatigue, stubborn weight, and even infertility to name a few. Sometimes even medical testing does not reveal this to be the issue. That's why it is important to test by elimination.If you feel completely different after a week of a gluten free diet (like I did), then you can be sure you have an intolerance to this substance. Continuing to eat this when you have a sensitivity can cause an array of health problems, so make sure you act with that in mind.Before you college students try to back out now, check out this totally sweet guide on how to be Gluten Free when you are living in a dorm! Before you get discouraged, this change in lifestyle can be super fun! I have discovered so many amazing recipes from breakfasts to desserts, and I have found some of my favorite meals at restaurants after adopting this way of life. In fact, many restaurants offer gluten free dishes and menus (even PF Changs!). I encourage you to try a gluten free diet for a week with us LOLO editors and readers! We have made it easy for you with these daily meal plans. P.S. Gluten free does not be expensive. Many people save money because they cut out all the fluff--the unnecessary snacks and the wasted bulk amounts of processed foods for instance. Plus, when you are eating to nourish your body, your body will desire less grub. Warning: you may feel worse before you feel better, but I guarantee that if you can stick with this for 2 weeks, your cravings will disappear, and gluten-filled food will actually taste undesirable. Scroll on for a week of prepared gluten-free recipes!! 

Snacks for the Week

AlmondsFruits and VeggiesPumpkin Cinnamon ApplesauceCoconut Dark Chocolate Banana BreadGranola Bars

Desserts (strategically placed before the real meals, duh.)

Chocolate MoussePumpkin Pie with Gluten Free CrustBanana Coconut Chocolate Chip CookiesFlourless Chocolate Cake

Monday

Breakfast: Pumpkin Spice Protein Pancakes Lunch: Turkey Club Sandwich Dinner: Chipotle Lime Salmon with your favorite veggie

Tuesday

Breakfast: Sunbutter and Banana Muffins Lunch: Asparagus Basil Salad Dinner: Seared Chicken with Garden Kale and Tomatoes

Wednesday

Breakfast: Healthy and Hearty Quinoa Waffles Lunch: Quinoa Salad with Lime + Fresh Mint Dinner: Wild Garlic Burgers with Garlic Pesto

Thursday

Breakfast: Baked Eggs with Sweet Potatoes and Spinach (or whatever you want to throw in there!) Lunch: Baby Zucchini and Shrimp Salad Dinner: Beef Stew

Friday

Breakfast: Homemade Porridge (buy gluten free oats!) Lunch: Brussel Sprouts with Soft Boiled Egg Dinner: Delicious Lasagna

Saturday

Breakfast: Confetti Pancakes (I love rainbow sprinkles a tad too much.) Lunch: Green Bean Salad Dinner: Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas

Sunday

Breakfast: Wintertime Crepes Lunch: Raw Kale, Apple, and Avocado Salad Dinner: Greek SlidersWe want to hear from you. Share your gluten free thoughts, experiences, and favorite recipes with us in the comments section or on Twitter by using this hashtag: #loloGFweek!!! Want more? See more of our favorite LOLO gluten free recipes like GF pizza and delicious cinnabun muffins here!

5 Recipes from a Fascinating Foodie

I am way beyond thrilled to announce Heather Crosby, the genius behind YumUniverse as an official LOLO food expert! She will be sharing her super-delicious plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free recipes with us, and I must say these concoctions are not only in the likes of those uber-health-conscious raw-spinach-eating foodies. This recipe wonderland is a place test run by manly-man husbands and kiddos too, with a 99.9% guaranteed lovable response…almost always do they sheepishly ask (as if ashamed they delight in something so healthy) if we can save that meal in our master recipe box.So take a stop by this universe of yumminess, where health is a priority and taste is never compromised. Not to mention, this place is a fantastic resource for nutritional information. So take a visit, subscribe for fun email updates, or even try the YU test drive if you are looking for a premium detox to get your health back on track.Check out the five most popular recipes from this clean eating wonderland.[galleryview id=13]Creamy Millet and Kale Salad Black Quinoa & Sweet Potato Kale Cakes Gluten-Free Dairy Free Mixed Veggie Lasagna Easy, Dairy-Free Chocolate Ice Cream “Cinnamon Toast” Quinoa, Amaranth Power Cereal