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Around this time of year, I start to re-evaluate my health and think about how it has evolved. Since going plant-based vegan back in February, about 10 months ago now, everything about my health has improved and I must say this is the best I’ve ever felt. My health has always been an important aspect in my life; learning about it excites me and awakens my mind. There is so much to learn!

Connecting with my inner self has played an important part in my health journey. Since the holidays last year, I am more in tune with my body than ever before; I can pin point why I am feeling a certain way because of this connection. If I have a headache, I can narrow it down to a few reasons why I may have this headache and then I will practice natural pain-relieving methods rather than popping an Advil like I used to. I stay away from chemicals and stick to natural products or methods for cleaning and for my beauty regimen.

Living this way is refreshing for the mind and washes away any doubts from the unknown. When you know what you are putting in your body, putting on your body and what you are surrounding your body with, you are abel to feel empowered, alive, connected and healthy. So many popular big name brands use harsh chemicals and ingredients, and practice testing on animals. These are things I avoid for my personal well-being and for ethical reasons. Focusing on ingredients can tell you everything about any product. Nowadays, I ask myself a lot of questions. Why did this company use this ingredient for this product? What alternatives are available? What can I make at home instead? I’ve learned a great deal about natural alternatives for literally everything and this information is so valuable to me.

I may be that annoying person who reads the ingredient label for every single product, but nowadays, you have to do that. It feels like our generation is the first to have to do this because we just can’t trust the ingredient label anymore. Absolutely not!!

No matter what it’s called or what is says, the ingredient label is all that matters. I mention this often, but if the ingredients aren’t from nature, then the product isn’t right for me. This rings true for food products, cleaning products and beauty products. So I guess the biggest change for me this past year, besides eliminating all animal products, has been the process of changing my entire mindset and going forward with a natural approach to everything in life.

Figuring out the best nourishment has been the most fun part! Going vegan is a major life-change and felt like learning a new language at first, but now that new language is the only language I like to speak. I honestly never thought about the word “nourishment” before going vegan. I just ate what I thought was “healthy” and moved on with life. I never really thought twice. Now that has completely changed and proper “nourishment” has been my main focus for this blog and for my body. What we eat affects everything we do and affects how we feel.

The whole foods plant-based way means sticking to real, living foods from nature, but the most common question people ask me is “where do you get your protein?”, so I thought it was fitting to share a simple way I like to nourish post workout or when I’m on the go and need quick fuel. I’m super particular when it comes to protein powders. The trusty new Aloha Premium Protein powders offer high-quality vegan + plant-based real ingredients from clean, sustainable, organically-grown and wild-harvested sources in nature. We can all benefit from extra superfood power in our lives, and Aloha has added the Incan superfood Sacha Inchi Seeds plus organic pumpkin seeds and hydrating coconut water to their protein formula. YUM!

More about the Aloha Plant-Based Superfood Protein Powder:

Made with whole foods naturally rich in nutrients
18 grams of plant-based protein per serving
Made with superfood ingredients
Complete amino acid profile
Patented infrared drying process
No added chemical amino acids, vitamins, or minerals
No “natural” or artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, or fillers. Ever.

I created a deliciously creamy, nourishing and plant-based protein-packed Mint Chocolate Chip “Frosty” to share. This yumminess tastes like dessert and will leave you feeling energized and wholesome – the best kind of nourishment of all 🙂

Mint Chocolate Chip Frosty

Scale

Ingredients

2 bananas, sliced and frozen
1 serving of Aloha Premium Protein Powder (chocolate flavor)
1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk
2 handfuls of spinach/kale (optional

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth, creamy and frosty-like!

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1

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Lately, I’ve been winding down with some relaxing yoga at night followed by a warming hot chocolate mixed with coconut milk and one serving of the chocolate Aloha Premium Protein Powder. This little routine helps me feel at ease, breathe easier and get ready for bed.