Vegan MoFo ~ Chai & Chia ~ And Letting Go of Toxic Surroundings and People

 TGIF...and I don't mean Toes Go In First!

It was another busy week!  Eventho it was BUSY I felt really good about myself, how things went, the things I got accomplished, my surroundings, and the people I had around me. 

By nature - I'm a worry wart - I'm a nervous person.  I sometimes have a hard time letting emotions go.  Sometimes they get the 'best of me' which as you know means 'the worst'.  I tend to let things pile up and up and up and then eventually let everything go all at the same time - usually in the form of a "stress out situation'. 

Part of what I have been TRYING to do the last several weeks is to distance myself from situations like this.  And people like this.  This has done WONDERS for my overall well-being.  I don't mean to sound bitchy about that but it's TRUE...some people are just toxic.  BUT...if you know me or the purpose of this blog at all you will know that my goal is to keep things positive here at MY Blissful Journey so I will not get into any negative specifics about that because there is no real reason to dwell on the past - just improve your future, you know!?  So...I am happy to say things are certainly moving in that direction and for that I am grateful!

As for these first few photos, here...

The first one is of a Chai Latte I made using Almond Milk earlier this week!  I used some of the Chai I got from Chico Chai and added Almond Milk and on top sprinkled organic Cinnamon Powder.  Altho...this chai is pretty spicy by itself so it wasn't really needed I just thought it was a nice touch and addition for the photo.

In this 2nd picture I decided to try a Chia Pudding.  I used Chia Seeds soaked in Almond Milk and added some of Sun Warrior's Vanilla flavored protein Powder with a little bit of Wholesome Sweeteners Strawberry Flavored Agave Syrup.  It was quite good.  I'm going to tinker with this a bit, tho, as I think I would like the pudding to be thicker.  The sweetness level is pretty strong as it is regardless.

Now that I think of it I hope to do some Chai Latte's with some of the Sun Warrior Protein Powders in them in the near future.  I think they will make a nice addition.  Especially the Vanilla Flavor and the Chocolate Flavor.

The exact recipe for this Chia Strawberry Vanilla Pudding is...

3 T Chia Seeds (Dry)
1 C Almond Milk
2 T Sun Warrior Vanilla Flavored Protein Powder
2 T Wholesome Sweeteners Strawberry Agave Syrup (you can also use Agave and Strawberries instead)

I did all of this in my Ninja Blender.  It turned out really good, very sweet, and tasty!  I could taste both the Vanilla from the powder as well as the Strawberry from the Agave Syrup.

Vegan MoFo ~ Sun Warrior Vanilla in a Mango Cashew Smoothie AND Vegan Ice Cream Version

I am NOT the BEST person when it comes to Breakfast.  And even worse since going vegan, really.  Especially during the work week.  I'm more of a Night Owl - you could say!  Don't get me wrong...I LOVE fruit!  On occasion I will grab a piece of fruit and call that Breakfast, I guess.  I do love the 'every once a while bagel' and will eat that on the go from time to time, too!  And more recently I have been getting into Oatmeal more.  But...I would call these 'quick breakfasts' or something to 'get in my stomach' and they are few and far between.  I must confess - I don't do this every morning.  Sometimes - only a few times a week.  Tisk!  Tisk!  I know...I know...NOT Good, Jennifer!  Many studies say Breakfast is the most important part of the day!  Well, at least I am not in denial, right!?  I know where I am slacking and I have been making efforts!  Baby steps...but still...they are small efforts and that's what counts!  YESTERDAY...I set a mini-goal for myself.  That mini-goal was to FORCE myself to have a more meaningful breakfast TODAY!  And do the same throughout this week!  If you are one of my regular visitors you may know that this week I am doing MOSTLY LIQUIDS in addition to participating in Vegan MoFo 2013!  I want to give a SHOUT OUT to The Rebel Grrrl Kitchen.  Special THANKS to her for this inspiration. She was blogging last week about a fabulous Cashew Mango Smoothie she was excited about and I told her I 'just might have to try that'...and guess what?  I did!  I did make a few slight changes based on the ingredients I had on hand, tho.  Here's what I did for mine...

1 C Frozen Mangoes (Maybe a little more)
2 T Cashews (soaked)
1/2 C Almond Milk
1 T Sun Warrior Vanilla Warrior Blend Protein Powder
1 Handful of Baby Spinach

I have had my ups and downs with flavored Protein Powders.  But I have to say...and I am not exaggerating here...something MAGICAL happened with this concoction BECAUSE of the product I used in it!  It used to be that I wasn't much of a Vanilla Fan growing up but apparently the older I get the more I like it.  But I like the REAL vanilla...not the fake stuff!  Some of you may know how I am NOT a fan of bananas - well - I have used Mangoes in smoothies instead of Bananas and they are working really well!  With this flavor combo AND the addition of Sun Warrior's Vanilla Warrior Blend this was incredibly flavorful and VERY creamy.  Not only did I make this for my morning smoothie today - I tried to freeze a bit of it and it made a GLORIOUS Vegan Ice Cream! 

This is one for the books!  I will be making this often!  I will also be trying some variations of it!  I'm already thinking Strawberries and/or mixed berries!  I think Pineapple might work well, too! 

Of course I LOVE Sun Warriors Products because they are vegan and even raw but here's a little bit more of why I LOVE the Vanilla that I used in this Smoothie AND Dessert/Treat...

It's Gluten-Free, Plant Based, Non-GMO, and Soy-Free!

It's easily digestible!  It's heart healthy!  It promotes healthy kidney and liver functions!  Helps relieve Candida!  Improves Mental Clarity!  The list goes on and on, really!

Some of the wholesome goodness that is jam-packed in this product includes...15 grams of protein, Iron, 18 Amino Acids, and MUCH MORE!  Just check out the link above!  This is an amazing product!  Very versatile!  FUN!  And it tastes great!      I'll be sure to taste-test this product in other ways and report back here on my blog My Blissful Journey with my findings to share with you all!  Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and read!  Comments always welcome!