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Allow me to introduce you to HairPrint, the only 100% hypoallergenic, non-toxic, odor-free hair color in the world proven not only to restore hair to its natural color… it also improves hair structure!  

Bye-bye harmful chemicals that eventually cause irreparable damage to the hair shaft, follicles and scalp– Not to mention to our bodies as a whole, since the particles of standard toxic hair dyes are small enough to enter the bloodstream (the reason we can't color hair during pregnancy).  The melanin pigment in Hairprint is already present in millions of our skin cells and due to its relatively large size does not pass into the bloodstream.  

Currently, HairPrint has formulas available to return hair to its original shade of brunette or black… even if hair has since gone totally gray or white.   They're working on a formula for blondes to be available soon.  

 

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When I stumbled across HairPrint I was intrigued by the fact HairPrint not only returns hair to each individual's specific natural color, permanently, it also leaves hair in better condition. 

Following are the details of my results.  I'll start with what led me to try it out in the first place.

Slowly but surely I've been overhauling all the products in my life from beauty to cleaning, food, laundry, etc. to upgrades (often inexpensive, simple alternatives) made with basically edible ingredients.  At this point I could conceivably eat most everything I use!  A lot of things do double duty – for example, it's amazing how much can be done with vinegar and baking soda.  It's been a process of becoming ever more conscious of how what I'm using in my environment and on my body affects not only myself, my family and my pets, but my neighbors, the community, all animals and people, the earth and beyond.  As we become more and more conscious, our eyes open wider to see conditioning for what it is… and we can't help but continue the journey down the rabbit hole, realizing and questioning the litany of assumptions, habits and beliefs we carry around, unravelling their domino affects which have become so tightly woven into society.  

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Which brings me back to hair… and the memory of a hair appointment a couple of years ago. For years I've been going to a lovely French salon in Washington for a great cut and  "rich brown" color to give my natural tone an overall boost.  This time, however, the experience went a bit differently. As a result of my ultra-clean lifestyle, my sensitivity to chemicals, smoke etc. has become super acute. Though I will say, I'd never been someone to care about stuff like this prior.  Now, something like a processed girl scout cookie – it literally tastes like plastic chemicals to me. Or the scent of fabric softener wafting through the neighborhood - startling and artificial to my nose. My senses have recalibrated to the scent of baking soda and essential oils in my laundry (bonus tip for super soft, lovely smelling clothes) and the bright fresh flavors of a plant based diet.

I digress, however, back to that hair appointment… WHEW!  My eyes, nose and scalp were on FIRE like I'd never experienced before!  I could barely contain myself under that black cape, realizing how incredibly toxic the whole situation enveloping my head was – I knew I could never do it again. What affect must it be having on my body I wondered… on my dear hair stylist… on all the stylists who do this for a living day in and day out, their clients?

 Yes, it is true, everyone's constitution is different.  Some people can withstand a lot more than others – or at least for a longer period of time before they notice ill affects.  Before they begin to put two and two together between the correlation of lifestyle habits and resulting diseases/impacts in body/mind/spirit.  Society/conditioning is a strong enabler, however, writing much off as a part of getting older or simply lumping various preventable maladies into the trusty folder of "it's a mystery, that's life". 

 

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Friends, it's not a mystery, there is a litany of research available demonstrating the devastating ill affects the thousands of chemicals present in the majority of "food", "cleaning products", "beauty products" etc. etc. being consumed.  Just check out the EWG site, read Dr. Michael Greger's book, How Not to Die, or watch the movies, What the Health, or Earthlings to get all the facts.

Why isn't all this stuff more well known?  Chalk it up to the machine of conditioning. Profit motives, lobbyists, habit… basically, ego on a large scale.  Ego is conditioning.  Who are we then if we aren't our ego, our identity?  Our authentic nature is love… the heart.  Our authentic nature does not lack or need to be "someone".  It's already complete. Full. Wise. Powerful. Beautiful. Our authentic nature does not want to envelop heads in harmful chemicals. It actually knows better – without even having to read a book, watch a movie or visit a website.  The heart doesn't support any of this stuff.  The heart, love, is very wise. It's who we really are. However, conditioning is a formidable and relentless opponent, and, if our eyes aren't open, it will take the upper hand.

However, No!  I'm not here to be a fear monger.  The good news is everyday there are more and more outstanding alternatives entering the market –  like HairPrint – with amazing, clean, beautiful high vibration products.

 

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Thankfully, many people are catching on so the awareness and demand for these beautiful choices is growing.  As I said before, it's definitely a rabit hole one enters, once we taste a real peach, we don't want fake peach flavoring. Once we start using real essential oils, chemical sprays and perfumes just don't compare. Yet, it's a win, win, win, win as there are SO many upsides to a clean lifestyle, from the health and beauty benefits of detoxification, to the mental and physical benefits of aromatherapy, the saving of animals (from product testing, exposure to the resulting toxins in our waterways, etc), saving our hair from turning to straw, preserving our beauty and youth… the list goes on!  A clean lifestyle on all fronts holds such integrity, improving, uplifting and preserving our body, mind, spirit, earth and everything/one around us. 

HairPrint not only provides a safe alternative to men and women who want to return their hair to it's natural color safely, but they're also giving 20% of their profits to educating women in developing countries.

I love the result in my own hair, though I have to say, since I've been plant-based I am suspecting that the few gray hairs I had, may be turning back to brown – more on this in another post – or feel free to ask about in the comments section.  I completed the process myself in my bathroom following the instructions to a T.  I had been using Surya Henna which I'd loved, previously.  However, it does contain some chemicals (though it's a FAR cry from standard hair dye) and it's temporary, washing out after 5 or 6 weeks.  Not so with HairPrint!  It's permanent.  Yes, the process is a tad lengthy – though shorter than driving to a hair salon if you account for travel time – and much less expensive.  I've read about others having their hair stylist do the process for them so that's always an option.  Additionally some women are even layering  successful balayage highlights overtop the HairPrint base. I'm a simple chocolate brown girl… as you can see from the results photos I've humbly interspersed alongside the stunning models depicted in HairPrint's inspirational artwork.

For more information on the HairPrint line of color, shampoos, conditioners and products, feel free to visit them here:  HairPrint.  No, I have not been paid to write this little testimonial. I'm just a happy customer :)  Also, I'm happy to answer any questions about my process switching from Henna to HairPrint as it does require a tad different procedure.  Overall, my hair felt super soft, silky and voluminous.  I didn't use ANY additional product aside from the HairPrint color – didn't even style it – just blew it dry and that was it.  In all honesty if I'd known I was going to take the results pics I'd have probably absolutely styled it – but this is at least a testament to the truth that HairPrint truly does improve hair structure making styling a potentially optional step 🙂

 

Much love,

Juliane 

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It's that most wonderfully festive time of the year!  When decadent, richly hued Italian Spumoni cakes layered with pistachio cream, chocolate-hazelnut and cherry ice-cream step out dripping in ganache and festooned like royalty in crisp wafer crowns!  Let me tell you, I felt like royalty simply having this gorgeousness lighting up my table…  so beautiful it was difficult to slice into.  However, once past it's exquisite beauty, a creamy slab of this luscious Spumoni Christmas Gateau is a divine flavor celebration fit for holiday Kings and Queens!  Heavenly layers of pistachio cream, chocolate-hazelnut and cherry ice-cream studded with candied fruit, chopped pistachios & hazelnuts galore luxuriously dazzle the tastebuds in ultimate comfort and joy!

 

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High Vibe Living Foods like this Italian Spumoni Christmas Gateau are the most gorgeous and delicious on the planet… and they leave us looking and feeling the same way!  Italian Spumoni Christmas Gateau is a truly spectacular way to celebrate the Season with amazing raw food deliciousness that doesn't weigh us down but lifts us up… in Peace, Joy and Happiness!

 

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Raw Vegan Spumoni Christmas Gateau w Chocolate Ganache

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This is my submission to Ren Behan at Simple & In Season and Jacqueline at Tinned Tomatoes for No Croutons Required Festive Photos and Bookmarked Recipes. Check them out!  

 

Recipe for Raw Vegan Spumoni Christmas Gateau (Serves 6)

Ingredients

PISTACHIO CREAM

  • 1/2 cup fresh young thai coconut meat (or sub soaked cashews)
  • 2 super ripe bananas
  • 1/2 cup pistachios, separated into 1/4 c & 1/4 c halved or coarsly chopped
  • 4 drops edible grade lemon essential oil (or sub fresh lemon juice)
  • 1/2 t vanilla powder
  • pinch of celtic salt
  • stevia to taste

CHOCOLATE-HAZELNUT CREAM

  • 1/2 cup fresh young thai coconut meat or 1/2 cup soaked cashews
  • 2 super ripe bananas
  • 1/3 cup carob powder (or sub cacao or a combo)
  • 1/2 t ceylon cinnamon
  • 1/2 t vanilla powder
  • 1/2 t celtic salt
  • stevia to taste
  • 2 T + 1/4 cup hazelnuts, coarsly chopped

CHERRY CREAM

  • 2/3 cup fresh young thai coconut meat or sub soaked cashews
  • 2 super ripe bananas
  • 2 1/2 T cherry juice concentrate or to taste
  • 1/2 t vanilla powder
  • stevia to taste
  • pinch of celtic salt
  • 1/3 cup dried, apple-juice sweetened cherries, lightly chopped as in halved – leaving several whole. 

CHOCOLATE GANACHE

  • 1/4 c extra virgin coconut oil, melted
  • 1/4 cup carob or cacao
  • 2 T almond butter

Method

PISTACHIO CREAM

  1. Blend all the ingredients in a Vitamix, except the extra 1/4 cup chopped pistachios, until ultra creamy. Taste to adjust flavors as needed. 
  2. Stir in the chopped pistachios.  
  3. Pour into the bottom of a 6 x 3" removable bottom cake pan and put into the freezer until set. 

CHOCOLATE-HAZELNUT CREAM

  1. Blend all ingredients in Vitamix, except the extra 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts, until ultra smooth and creamy. Taste to adjust flavors as needed.
  2. Stir in chopped hazelnuts.
  3. Pour onto 1st layer once it is set.  Place back into freezer to allow 2nd layer to set as well.

CHERRY CREAM

  1. Blend all ingredients in Vitamix, except extra 1/3 cup dried cherries.
  2. Stir in dried cherries.
  3. Pour onto 1st two layers once they're totally set. Place back in freezer to allow 3rd layer to set. 

RAW VEGAN CHOCOLATE GANACHE

  1. Whisk together all ingredients until smooth and creamy.  
  2. Drizzle over cake once it has set. Add decorative toppings at this point so they'll stick.  Pop back into the freezer.

RAW VEGAN SPUMONI CHRISTMAS CAKE ASSEMBLY

  1. Well, it's practically finished!  However, feel free to add your own special touch as I did, with raw vegan chocolate wafers, dried rose buds, chocolate shavings, a few more chopped pistachios & raw coconut. 
  2. Allow the cake to thaw for 45 minutes – hour (or longer just keep an eye on it as we don't want it to totally melt) prior to serving to maximize creaminess.

Enjoy a large slice of high vibe luxurious Christmas indulgence under the light of the tree!

  

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Vegan & Raw version?  Share it below for a chance to have me recreate it for you!

  

Be sure to follow me on FacebookPinterestInstagramTwitter YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

 

All Love,

Juliane

 

Thank you for visiting 🙂 

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& a vintage letter from Mark Twain…

 

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Fresh Cream of Corn Chowder with a Kick… + a side of my secret recipe Raw Vegan Onion Rings!

 

Fresh Cream of Corn Chowder with a Kick is a celebration of summer in a bowl!

This simple and delicious recipe takes full advantage of local farmers' markets, currently overflowing with the plumpest, juiciest ears of succulent corn.  Golden jewels so honey-sweet and tender they're best fresh off the cob.  If you've ever eaten corn fresh, standing in the middle of (an organic) corn field you understand perfectly why subjecting these pale golden delicacies to steaming kettles of boiling water or smoking hot grills is a practical crime.  Besides, who seriously wants to deal with hot steam or smoking grills on a beautiful summer day?!

**Do you spot my napkin (below) on which a vintage letter from Mark Twain is printed?  More on this in my personal comments after the recipe 🙂

 

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Beautiful, fresh foods brimming with life force have taken me to physical, mental & spiritual levels I never imagined possible!

 

This cool, creamy bowl of goodness boasts a wonderfully thick chowder texture, the freshest, sublime corn flavor and a perfect kick of smoked paprika & tabasco.  I've paired it here with my Raw Vegan Onion Rings (the recipe for which I'm equally excited to share with you soon!).  As with all StyleNectar raw vegan dishes, Fresh Cream of Corn Chowder is incredibly nutritious.  Sweet corn is loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytochemicals that promote healthy vision.  Corn also contains significant amounts of vitamin B1, Folate, Vitamin C and dietary fiber.

Of course, this fantastic chowder needn't be relegated to summer months only.  Simply substitute organic, frozen corn, which has been frozen at the peak of ripe flavor, retaining all it's amazing enzymes and nutrients, and warm up to 105F (the temperature of a baby bottle) to keep it raw.

 

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Eating a Raw Vegan diet tastes and makes me feel so amazing, I could never go back.  This is my submission to the lovely Jacqueline at No Croutons Required and Lisa of FoodandSpice.

 

Recipe for Fresh Cream of Corn Chowder with a Kick

(Serves 2)

Ingredients

  • 6 ears organic, sweet corn on the cob (make sure it's fresh, no more than 24 hours out of the field)
  • 1/2 + cup almond milk (click here for nut milk instructions) or sub filtered water which is just as tasty (add additional liquid beyond 1/2 c, slowly, til reach desired consistency, I'll guide you thru this below)
  • a dash or two of your favorite hot red pepper (I used a tiny dried tabasco from last year's garden)
  • frehly snipped chives, chopped & reserved for garnish
  • smoked paprika, reserved for garnish (if you're a stickler for 100% raw use unsmoked)

Method

  1. Place a kitchen towel over your cutting board and slice the corn off the cob with a sharp knife. The towel is a great trick to prevent the kernels from bouncing all over the kitchen 🙂
  2. Reserve 2 ears worth of kernels and set aside.
  3. Place remaining 4 ears worth of kernels into high speed blender along with 1/2 cup almond milk (or filtered water depending on what you're using) and a dash or two of your favorite hot, red pepper. Buzz it up til thoroughly combined. Taste to check & adjust seasoning/consistency. You'll probably need to add a touch more liquid til you reach your exact consistency. I start with 1/2 cup so as to not add too much too soon. This is a cream of corn chowder after all :) 
  4. Mound the reserved kernels from 2 ears of corn into each of the two serving bowls.
  5. Ladle the blended chowder mixture carefully around the mounds.
  6. Garnish with freshly snipped chives and a dusting of smoked paprika.

   Enjoy!

 ~

An update on my summer adventures… living without air conditioning is still a dream come true.  I simply won't tire of feeling the fresh breeze on my skin, the scent of nectar and rich soil deep in the lungs, twittering baby robins caressing my ear…  The closer we are to nature the more abundance we experience.  magical life force.  that which scientists are still unable to discern.  the mystery of life.  and great unknown.

the challenge of uncertainty. in a perfectly, beautiful, big Adventure.

So what are my tricks to stay sane during these last few days of high humidity in the mid 90's?  A couple well placed (and pretty) fans are key.  Also, taking advantage of when it's cool… It's truly remarkable how much the temperature dips at night, so letting in all that fresh, clean goodness overnight creates a fantastic cooling affect in the home.  Of course this nocturnal cooling creates for gorgeous mornings, so I take full advantage of the shady 6:45 am calm on a long walk serenaded by birds.  After that, a refreshing cool shower.  During the day…  Fresh juices on the rocks, frosty smoothies, cool crisp salads, juicy fruits, chilled soups and creamy Nice-creams. So delicious and perfectly designed to keep body temperature balanced, hydrated and comfortable. (check out the StyleNectar Recipe Index for 50+ Juice, Smoothie, Chilled Soups & Salad Recipes!)  The body grows responsive and adapts to the fluctuations of nature if we let it.  We're part of nature after all – it's not as though there's the universe, earth and then MAN.  No, we're all life, part of a cycle that works in harmony.  By resisting the wisdom of life, in our futile attempts to control it, we cause ourselves much unecessary suffering.  Conversely, letting go of all our conditioned (no pun intended) beliefs and assumptions allows us the spaciousness to tune into a much higher vibration of wisdom, an intuitive knowing with which we're all equipped. A peace and all-encompassing love in which all is perfect just as it is.

We have so many friends around us.  The tiniest of spotted baby deer wobbles zig-zagging about after Mama.  Black and white woodpeckers wearing great red beaks slide up & down tree trunks in stacatto calling out tropical cackles.  A few days ago, Jim found a huge, slow turtle the size of a tire crossing the drive to reach the other side of the small brook that winds about our property.

love

this life.

 

PS. Did you happen to spot the napkin in my photos on which a letter from Mark Twain is printed?  It's one from a vintage set by great authors including D.H. Lawrence, Jack London & Emily Dickenson.  How fun to read correspondence with my lunch, trasported to London in the mid 1800's, via beautiful words from Mark Twain in New York. It's the sweetest of love notes.  Here it is in entirety (click image to enlarge text & read):

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A letter from Mark Twain with my lunch – what a treat! (click image to enlarge text & read)

 

Have you ever eaten corn fresh off the cob?

What's one of your favorite moments from summer so far?

 

All Love,
Juliane

 

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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Ideally, we'd always purchase 100% organic groceries for their higher nutritional value and decreased risk associated with GMO's and pesticides.  The reality, however, is it's not always affordable and it's important that our healthy lifestyle be sustainable.  The EWG's Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 list is helpful so we can put our dollars to maximum use.  Studies show, by following its guidelines we may reduce our risk of pesticide exposure by 80%. Worst case scenario, no matter what, eat our fruits and vegetables, as eating even conventionally grown is better than not eating any at all.  

Some additional hints to keep in mind:  Fruits and vegetables such as melons with thick skins are safer than say, blueberries or celery which have no peelable skin shielding the edible portion.  Regardless of whether our produce is organic, or if we plan to peel it or not, always wash/scrub it thoroughly, as unwashed produce is often contaminated with bacteria from the soil, water, preparation or handling.  Washing it first removes chemicals, and prevents transfer of dirt and bacteria from the knife onto the fruit or vegetable.

Feel free to print the list, fold in half, and store in your wallet to take to the market.  I find it very helpful to reference while I'm shopping.

 

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The Dirty Dozen

Produce that should be purchased organically:

1. apples
2. celery
3. cherry tomatoes
4. cucumber
5. grapes
6. hot peppers
7. nectarines (imported)
8. peaches
9. potatoes
10. spinach
11. strawberries, blueberries & all berries
12. sweet bell peppers
…plus collards & kale
…plus summer squash & zucchini & Hawaiian Papaya (a GMO)

 

The Clean Fifteen

Produce that is safe to purchase conventionally:

1. asparagus
2. avocado
3. cabbage
4. cantaloupe
5. corn
6. eggplant
7. grapefruit
8. kiwi
9. mangoes
10. mushrooms
11. onions
12. papayas
13. pineapples, watermelon
14. sweet peas (frozen)
15. sweet potatoes

 

What is your favorite Fruit?

Do you like Fruits or Veggies better?

 

All Love,

Juliane

 

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