New Year, Same Me

Posted on January 9, 2015January 9, 2015 by Amanda

I’m so joyous to be writing Yogi Vibes first blog post of the year 2015. I created Yogi Vibes in 2014 with aspirations to gain knowledge and truth, share it with others, and with faith to ignite a spark of inspiration within other souls. It was an enchanting year that awakened my consciousness to consuming a plant-based diet, intuitive communication with animals, and a deep understanding and appreciation of nature. This path of enlightenment has gradually led me to the decision of advocating for global social issues. In the year ahead, the universe whispered that I will embark on a unfamiliar journey taking an enormous step out of my comfort zone. What awaits is light-years ahead. I am unsure what the future holds, nevertheless my everlasting confidence in the stars will guide me home happily. I know whatever the universe brings my way is my destined truth. “Practice on and all is coming.”

Chase and I were fortunate to do a lot of traveling in 2014 with our most recent trip being to California. What better way to bring in the New Year than across the country with the one you love? We explored the coast of California through the Pacific 1 highway appreciating nature and its energy and all it has led us to- especially each other. It was a dreamy getaway filled with cacti, organic food, teal ocean waves, vegan donuts, and lots of love. The sights we crossed were gorgeous and continue to resonate with me deeply as I mingle around the East Coast.

Of course, we had plans to stop at several vegan restaurants to see what California had to offer us vegans, including the legendary fast food restaurant Native Foods who offers a complete vegan menu. It was superb and I look forward to sharing pictures with you of our yummy eats!

Sending Good Karma to all my readers for today, tomorrow, and the year ahead.

Namaste.

Best Ever Muffin Recipe!

Posted on November 30, 2014November 30, 2014 by Amanda

Welcome back! I hope every ones Thanksgiving was enchanting and giving! This Thanksgiving I decided to make a lot of tasty food to share with my loved ones. From tofu scramble, Mexican casserole, vegan stuffing, potato casserole, apple pie, and a delicious new recipe I have been concocting, banana blueberry crumb top muffins- whew! It was a successful day!

These muffins are everything! Nutritious enough for morning breakfast with a cup of tea, and sweet enough as a late night snack to curb cravings. These muffins are hearty, wholesome, and sure to have your taste-buds asking for more! I can guarantee this! Check out the recipe below!

Ingredients

Muffins:
2 Flax Meal Eggs
4 mashed bananas
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of vegan butter (Earth Balance can be purchased at Shop Rite)
1 tsp of vanilla extract
2 tsp of baking soda
1/2 tsp of salt
1.5 cups of whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup of rolled oats
1/4 cup of chopped walnuts
1/2 cup of blueberries
1/4 cup of coconut flakes

Crumb top:
1/4 cup of brown sugar
5 tbsp of unbleached all purpose flour
2 tbsp of vegan butter

Directions:
1. This makes between 12-15 muffins. Prepare your muffin tins and turn on oven at 375 degrees.
2. Prepare flax eggs in mixing bowl
3. Add in banana and mash well
4. Add brown sugar, salt, and baking soda. Whisk well.
5. Stir in vanilla, melted butter and mix.
6. Add in flour and oats and stir with a spoon. Lastly, fold in walnuts.
7. Divide batter evenly among muffin tins.
8. Quickly wipe mixing bowl, and add in sugar, flour, and butter mashing all ingredients together with a fork until crumbly. Generously top muffins with crumble.
9. Bake muffins for 15-20 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes. Best served warm. Store in room temperature covered container. Muffins can be frozen for long term use.

Are you baking these muffins? Instagram or Facebook your creation at #YogiVibesCook and show off what your creativity! You will have a chance to be featured on the blog! Namaste!

Gewy…Chocolate.. Vegan Pancakes!

Posted on November 24, 2014November 24, 2014 by Amanda

Reminiscing over Sunday brunch! The most scrumptious ever! Moist warm rich gewy chocolate chip pancakes!

Comment if you would like the recipe! It’s a one bowl creation and can easily be made into your own!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy holidays! Stay tuned for some YUMMY vegan thanksgiving dishes!

For The Love of Ginger

Posted on November 21, 2014November 21, 2014 by Amanda

Dinner last evening was spicy tofu scramble seasoned with extra hot paprika, raw turmeric, and raw ginger for the flavor (awesome combination I recommend it in almost anything). Especially ginger! I absolutely love cooking everything with it. Ginger brings about such a fun spunk of flavor. When you bite into even the smallest piece, it is a whole new taste and really refreshes your mouth for the next bite! Yum! Plus, it has wonders of benefits- as does turmeric! I also added red pepper, green pepper, onion, garlic, broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, kale, and three diced marinated tempeh strips! I used a recipe obtained from Catskill Animal Sanctuary Festival of Living Vegan in a previous post for shiitake bacon, which was sprinkled on top! Such a mouthful! Wrap it up in a tortilla, add some raw avocado slices, and spice it up even more with jalapeño pepper sauce or anything if your choice!

In my cup is raw Jamaican ginger brew. I bet you couldn’t tell I love ginger!

Ginger really strengths the stomach and digestive system, also allowing for smooth discretion and acting as an anti-inflammatory. Ginger in tea aids in soothing coughs and headaches. Overall, ginger is definitely a powerful super food!

Be creative with your food and love it!

Namaste!

Artist & Flea

Posted on November 19, 2014November 19, 2014 by Amanda

Who doesn’t adore delicately hand crafted one of a kind pieces? Especially in this overtly commercial main-stream society, creative artisan pieces are rare to come by.

This girl right here, goes googoogaga over hand crafted unique pieces, from jewelry, clothing, to furniture. I love them all!

So I visited the newest up and coming flea market in Williamsburg- Artist & Fleas!

I walked in the reconstructed warehouse and instantly felt at home- or maybe I just wanted to move in! The decor from bottom to top of the warehouse was creative, hip, trendy, and original; not to mention the individual touches each vendor created in their sectioned area. It was colorful and fun with so much to look at! There was something there for everyone from bow ties, jewelry, pet clothes and collars, clothing, shoes, and home appliances. The items were all so unique and beautiful. I wish I could buy one of everything. I brushed by each vendor admiring their talents and gently crafted work with a cup of lemongrass and ginger tea while starting small conversations eager to find out their story.

Immediately, I caught a view of build-able modern earrings hand crafted by the lovely Trime Modular Jewelry. Her work was remarkable and creative. We chatted for a bit and found out they are vegans also headed to the Vegan Shop Up! It was a special moment of connectedness that I appreciated deeply. You can check out her work at her website via this link.

Proceeding through the warehouse, my attention was directed towards a unique vintage gold chain with a hand wrapped amethyst stone dangling. I tried it on, and couldn’t take it off! I fell in love with its organic presence as the stone is rough and raw. I received multiple compliments throughout the day and was so happy with my purchase! Thank you Sparkle Farm!

Chase purchased a beautiful hand crafted mala bracelet by the talented Leila V. Khoury. Her work is remarkable! She was darling and sweet. I recommend anyone interested in Mala Beads to check out her Etsy shop via this link. She can also create hand made pieces as she did for chase! She is so awesome.

I continued throughout the market and behold my eyes met another meant to be hand crafted necklace, and I quickly purchase the vintage gold plated elephant necklace. Elephants are known for luck within symbolism when their tusks are raised, and who doesn’t need some “luck” in their lives? Marina at Giorgie Jewelry was super helpful and had a variety of charms and chains to choose from also available on her Etsy shop!

(Necklaces I purchased shown above)

Wow! What a busy weekend I had. It was so magical and enchanting in Brooklyn! I look forward to doing more traveling and reporting and sincerely look forward to more trips to Artist & Flea for vintage hunting and gathering to share with my readers and Etsy shoppers!

Thanks for stopping by and reading! Stay tuned for some vintage pieces on the Etsy shop!