MY 2017 RESOLUTION & GOALS

Every year I make a Resolution -  typically it's geared towards a serious lifestyle change. Additionally, I also make Goals, these can be concrete and more basic things. I like to add to this list all throughout the year. The reason I set smaller goals is because it gives me a better sense of accomplishment and I can keep track and notice the changes more without becoming discouraged.

I think it's very important to note the differences between the words Resolution and Goal - because they are two different things. In my opinion, if you want them to be effective, you need to treat them as two different things.

 VS. 

Essentially, a resolution is a commitment you are making for yourself -it's how you intend to live your life going forward. For example: Living a healthy and active lifestyle, could be your resolution.

Your goals, are things you can achieve - your objectives. For example: if your resolution was to live a healthy and active lifestyle - then your goals could be things like: Lose weight, join a gym, etc.

Now that you have an idea of the differences, below are my goals and resolution and you can decide for yourself what your goals and resolution may be.

I like to start with 10 goals, then go with the flow as I add to it.

My Goals:
- Drink more water
- Make Weekly Affirmations
- Meal prep like a pro
- Buy a nice vacuum
- Stick to the YouTube game plan
- 10K on Instagram
- Stay dedicated to your Bullet Journal
- Go to more social events
- Add more editorial work to Portfolio
- Plan and save for a trip in 2018/9

These goals honestly remind me more of a to-do list, which I believe is why if you set your Resolution to something that is more of a lifestyle change rather than a check-off you'll be more likely to stick to it. In my experience, goals like the ones above are harder to stay dedicated to when you prioritize them over your lifestyle. Your goals should be things that will help you with your resolution when they can as well.

My resolution this year is one I'm really excited about. I've already been actively doing this since November, but I really want to make it a priority for me going forward in life.

My Resolution:

Live more consciously.

To me this means, paying attention to how I react and respond to the world, how I consume, where the things I get come from, being more conscious of my relationships, etc. I think by trying to live more consciously, it'll open up my viewpoints and allow for more serenity and clarity - which I could definitely use more of.

Comment below and let me know what your new years resolution is, or if you're going to give this a try!

As always,

Stay hydrated! 

IT'S POMEGRANATE SEASON!

'Tis the season! 

 Pomegranate Season!!! 

I am very excited about this season. I could eat an entire pomegranate everyday probably. Pomegranate season can start as early as August but typically the main season is October through January. I love pomegranate for two reasons, 1) They are in season during the winter. 2) They are a delicious superfood. There are countless recipes for Pomegranates but I've put together a selection of ten really good ones. Ones that will play very nicely this holiday season.

POMEGRANATE JEWELED CHEESEBALL
I'm slowly coming to terms with my inner housewife and am working on becoming a better cook in general, but especially around the holidays. I went out of my way to make something that really looks a bit challenging. While this was actually easier than I expected, it was such a massive hit at all the holiday parties! 

SPICED POMEGRANATE COCKTAIL
Now I couldn't find vanilla cardamon syrup so I used Vanilla flavoured vodka instead and I drank enough of these that my boyfriend cut me off because my jokes weren't making sense anymore. I rate this an 9/10 holiday cocktail. 

SALTED POMEGRANATE CHOCOLATE FUDGE
My aunt was the one who introduced me to this recipe, after she noticed me stuffing extras into both my face and purse a couple Christmases back. After exchanging snappy comebacks I asked her for the recipe and it's been a part of the holidays ever since. This isn't her exact recipe but it's pretty close. If you love sweet dark fudge with fruit - LOOK NO FURTHER! 
Sidenote: Sometimes we throw some peppermint bits in it too and that's also amazing. 

POMEGRANATE & CHIA GREEN TEA
This was actually the recipe that inspired me to make this blog post. I've been on a major chia kick and recently made this in a huge batch for meal prep. I fell in love! I love drinks with the goo of chia and the sharp taste of pomegranate makes this one phenomenal green tea! Like Mamma Chia meets Pom Wonderful, I drank it all before the week was even over and need to make more asap.

CRANBERRY POMEGRANATE SAUCE
Forgo your regular cranberry sauce for a pomegranate cranberry cause! A little extra somethin-somethin to boost the flavours. I tried making this last year but my brother thought it was jam and ate the entire bowl! He said it was amazing, I was mad but I believed him.

LEMON CHEESECAKE WITH POMEGRANATE TOPPING
Did you really expect me not to post a cheesecake recipe? This one is particularly fancy but basically just make yourself a pomegranate compote and top your cheesecake with it! This will be what I'm bringing to Christmas dinner this year - get ready fam.  

APPLE, ELDERFLOWER & POMEGRANATE HOT SMOOTHIE
So this one I haven't tried, although I love the taste of elderberry, probably one of my top 10 favourite flavours (shout out to sommersby & Tempt 7). I also really love smoothies, but never have I ever had a hot smoothie before! This recipe sounds too good to be true and I cannot wait to try it. Now just need to get my hands on some elderberry syrup. If you try it before me, let me know your thoughts!

TRI-LAYER POMEGRANATE MOUSSE
I haven't tried this one either but I'm sending you to one of my most trusted sources for recipes. Like most people I really enjoy a good mousse, especially chocolate. The idea of chocolate and mousse combined with pomegranate sounds delicious!

MANDARIN POMEGRANATE SPINACH SALAD
A very simple winter salad idea for lunches or sides. Simple, straight forward, but still yummy as hell. This is a really good option for meal prepping and it's a very quick salad. You could also throw some cranberries in too! 

CHERRY POMEGRANATE SMOOTHIE BOWL
I wanted to make sure this post had a bunch of simple recipes, things you could make in a hurry or in bulk or on a regular basis. This is a perfect example, plus, freeze extra pomegranate and you'll be prepped ahead of time. Smoothie bowls (or as I prefer, fruit soup) are such a good option for breakfasts or snacks. They're much more filling than you would imagine too! 

disclaimer: all banner style images in this post are not my photos - they are the photos from the recipes. 

WINTER MOOD BOARD

Happy December everyone! It's my favourite time of year and I'm so excited I get to experience it 4 times. What I'm talking about - is the season of change ! (spring to summer, summer to fall, fall to winter, winter to spring) I love season transitions maybe more than the seasons themselves. Fall to winter is a very depressing change for the most part. It gets dark, cold and moody - BUT THE VIBES?! Winter has some of the best vibes you can get. Harsh contrasting landscapes blanketed in pure white, warm drinks that heat up your entire body,  the bokeh for DAYZ! Bonus, I have even more of a reason to get my boyfriend under a blanket. Top all that off with the holidays and winter isn't actually all that bad. Aside from the fact that I hate nothing more than being cold, I'm pretty positive about this winter, you just have to embrace it!  Get that fleece onezie on, put on your favourite movie and drink some hot mulled wine - 'tis the season! 

SHOES: similar

DRINK: Apple Cider Margarita 

CRYSTAL:  Quartz with Actinolite Inclusions

photos sourced from all over the interwebs.