Compassionate Women - Page 16 of 34 -

10 Reasons Why I Love Being Vegan

August 24, 2016 by Jillian 2 Comments

It took me about two years of being vegan off and on before I finally sealed the deal and never looked back. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to be vegan or didn’t like being vegan, that’s just how long it took me to fully incorporate a new lifestyle to the point where I didn’t even have to try or think about it anymore. Now it’s just who I am and how I live my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m vegan for obvious reasons like most other vegans are, but sometimes unexpected little bonuses pop up along the way that reaffirm you’ve made the right lifestyle choices for yourself. My only regret? That I haven’t been vegan since day one!

Here are my top 10 reasons why I love being vegan 🌎 🐋 ☮

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Tangy Summer Kale Salad

August 14, 2016 by Jillian Leave a Comment

This oh so good summery salad is awesome for many reasons. Here’s a quick rundown: It’s easy to make, light but filling at the same time, full of tangy goodness, all plant based, AND the star of the show is a leafy green packed with antioxidants and fiber. Kale yeah!

I live so close to the beach and after trying to make it there all summer, I finally did last week 🏖☀️🕶 The weather was perfect and since school is gearing back up, we basically had the beach to ourselves. Despite my best efforts at sunscreen, I still ended up getting burned really badly. Like, the front of me was so sunburned I had to sleep on my back for two days because it hurt so much 😭 Since then, I’ve been coating myself in coconut oil and aloe vera like there’s no tomorrow. I figure what goes into my body is just as important in my healing process, too. That’s where my Summery Kale Salad comes in. It’s full of fiber and antioxidants and good fats and detoxifying ingredients 👍

Even though this recipe is enough for 2-3 people, nobody will judge you for eating it all in one sitting. That’s the great thing about salads! 😝

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Angelina National Forest & Historic Aldridge Sawmill

August 11, 2016 by Jillian 2 Comments

Angelina National Forest reminds me of the kinds of forests you read about in fairy tales. There’s just something magical about it 🔮 On my way to Nacogdoches, Texas I decided I was going to finally stop by this natural beauty and spend at least a couple of hours wandering around and hiking the nature trails. I ended up at Boykin Springs, located off the main highway, but only after getting lost and having to stop at a tiny local restaurant to ask for directions.

Just my luck, the main road leading to the trail was still closed off due to a ton of recent rain which resulted in flooding. Darn you Texas and your crazy weather! Despite that, this was my only chance to see Angelina National Forest and I wasn’t about to let a closed road stop me. I parked my car, got out, and walked about twenty minutes until I saw the entrance of Boykin Springs. Here are my favorite pictures from the day, including the historic Aldridge Sawmill at the end of the trail.

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Gluten Free Banana Chia Pancakes

July 25, 2016 by Jillian 2 Comments

I always thought pancakes were these elusive, complex and hard to make breakfast foods and that’s why everyone always used Bisquick 🙈

It wasn’t until last year that I realized they are actually really simple to make in a healthy and totally vegan/gluten free/delicious manner. I pretty much stick with the same recipe I use when I make muffins because it works (and I’m lazy).

These Gluten Free Banana Chia Pancakes have 9 ingredients and in 4 easy steps you can have filling, moist pancakes topped with all the fresh fruit, nuts, coconut flakes, goji berries, maple syrup and chocolate chips you want. Plus, I have a trick for making one batch of pancakes at the beginning of the week that will last you several mornings because my laziness has made me resourceful 👍

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The Quiet Consequences of Elephant Poaching

July 21, 2016 by Jillian 2 Comments

I’ve always loved elephants for as long as I can remember. The older I get, the more amazed I am by them. They are incredible and endearing. They are wrinkly and gorgeous. They are smart and feel many of the same emotions as humans. And they are disappearing at an alarming rate.

It’s pretty common knowledge that this tragedy is due largely to the ivory trade. Presently, eight out of ten elephants are killed for their ivory, rather than dying naturally. Despite recent efforts to ban the trade of ivory, elephants could be extinct in 10-15 years with the current rate of poaching.

What most people don’t think about, however, is the baby elephants that are left for dead when their families are killed for ivory, the poacher’s side of the story, and the entire ecosystem supported by the presence of these magnificent creatures.

I sat down and watched the critically acclaimed documentary Gardeners of Eden to learn more about the struggle behind poaching & the ivory trade, and the incredible organization in Africa fighting to save an entire species. The following are facts that everyone should know.

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