Happy Friday! Only 17 shopping days left until Christmas and 4 until Hanukkah.

First a reflection on 2017

2017 has been a great year. I’ve met more and more lovely people doing lovely things – following their dreams and making positive changes in their lives and the lives of others both human and animal. It has been a time for more open and honest conversation all around. While much of what is coming out in the news is shocking and painful, it is also healing and will lead to more of us living authentic lives and fulfilling our life’s purposes.

On a personal front, I was fortunate enough to take a month and a half long magical trip  walking and biking across Spain this year. Upon my return to Miami, my niece arrived and we embarked on a pre-college summer adventure  including a road trip up the coast of Florida to Charleston, SC and back. Also, my beautiful friends welcomed a simply perfect baby girl into their lives and as a result, mine and I’m truly grateful for them and for her ♥. It really has been a fantastic year filled with unimaginable gifts.

a stronger sense of purpose (meat eaters, stay with me)

Free from the corporate grind after having left my safe, law firm marketing job in 2016, I was able to work on different facets of Belavie this year – health coaching, teaching cooking classes, obtaining my diploma in organic skincare, making beauty products, writing and researching for this blog and planning a book for publish next year. While working on and growing in several different areas (and feeling a little scattered for not focusing on just one thing) I realized, all my endeavors had one commonality – my love of animals and my wish to make life better for them by promoting plant-based eating and vegan, cruelty-free beauty products.

This is in no way a calling out against those who still consume animal products. I used to – and every so often, still do eat fish or cheese. This is an open forum through which I wish to create more awareness around the subject of the animal farming industry which coincidentally, directly relates to health and beauty – two other passions of mine. And let’s not forget eating. Thankfully plant-based dishes in 2017 are a far cry from the rabbit food we once associated with a veg-centric diet.

Speaking of rabbits, one day you may experience for yourself that a rabbit, a cow, a turkey, a deer, a goat, a duck, a chicken or a pig is just as curious, friendly and cuddly as a dog or a cat. In a safe, worry-free setting, these beautiful animals have the capacity to teach us a lot about unconditional love. Pictured left starting at 10 o’clock and moving clockwise are Mike from Barn Sanctuary in Michigan and Veronica and Erika from Leilani Farm Sanctuary in Maui. I had the pleasure of meeting both Veronica and Erika and the experience was magical. I have a particular love for cows. Click here for a happy video of cows given sanctuary after a farmer in Cologne couldn’t afford to care for them. Believe it or not, those cows before release lived better lives than most. Dairy cows in factory farms, where the majority of our milk and cheese comes from, never step on grass or feel the sun on their faces. Their home is concrete and metal and they live a life of constant pregnancies to produce milk for our use while their babies are taken away never experiencing the care of their mothers or their mother’s milk. Even pasture-raised cows live distressed lives due to the cycle of pregnancies and separation from their babies. This is fact my friends. I turned a blind eye for a long time because it was too hard for me to give up dairy. However, it is easy now. 2017 has been a fantastic year for more healthful non-dairy milks, creamers, cheeses and non-meat ‘meats’ to come on the market. I’ll write a post on the subject soon but in the meantime, feel free to contact me directly for a quick list of some great dairy alternatives.

While animals are at the heart of my work, they are not the only ones who benefit when we adopt a plant-based lifestyle. Eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds and beans leads to a smaller waistline, more youthful/radiant skin, less presence of disease such as heart disease, diabetes and even some forms of cancer.

More and more people are interested in a plant-based diet for various reasons BUT, and it’s a big but, it can be so freakin’ intimidating from shopping to cooking to having the knowledge to make dishes not only palatable but down right delicious. I remember going to parties or family gatherings a few years ago (as a vegetarian) and stressing because  I ate cheesy foods that made me feel physically and mentally bad and caused my skin to break out. Then I learned to cook and now I get to enjoy the party and watch people eat plant-based food, actually love it and often ask me for the recipe. That makes all the stress and anxiety I went through for years worth it!

the struggle is real

I have received comments on my posts from people who want to eat less animal products and more plant-based foods but are struggling. I struggled for a long time as well and still do. Everyone has their own journey and process and one day you may even influence someone else to eat a more kind and healthful diet by incorporating more fruits and vegetables and less meat. I advise you to go slow and be gentle with yourself and others. If this is something you really want, take baby steps and celebrate the good strides you make instead of the mishaps. As I mentioned earlier, I still eat fish here and there and once in a great while, cheese but I have managed to get myself to a really natural, easy place in which plant-based foods make up probably 99% of my diet. Aim for a portion of your diet to be ‘veg’ rather than 100% if that feels right for you at this point in time.

This blog contains a ton of free, easy and delicious recipes including appetizers, sides, main entrees and desserts – all made without animal products of any kind. They are also free of processed ingredients and there is an emphasis on organic, wholesome foods. If you need a little more help and instruction than the blog provides, contact me for coaching and/or cooking classes. Feel free to reach out just to pick my brain for a half hour free of charge.

If any of this resonates with you, then know that you are part of a much larger communal village of like-minded people. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child and I am confident that we are birthing something big here. Which brings me to a village of people doing good work and making gorgeous items to consider for purchase as you do your shopping this holiday season. Many of these items also improve the lives of.. drumroll please…yes, you guessed it, animals!

the most wonderful time of the year!

While I am a tree hugging, straw banishing, plant-based food loving, anti-commercialism, animal activist, I still adore the holidays. What I enjoy most is everyone being together – cooking, eating, listening to Christmas music classics, drinking a little vino, computers are turned off and cell phones are further away physically and mentally.

I used to find the gift-finding part of the holidays stressful and annoying but now I think it’s wonderful. I love heartfelt, often homemade gifts that are kind to people, animals, the earth, our health and do not break the bank. So, without further ado, here is a list of my favorite, mostly locally made, gift ideas for this holiday season. Many of the offerings are from Miami-based businesses. However, I’ve also listed some beautiful gifts (many with links to the amazon page) that can be ordered and shipped in a click.

sustainable fashion from the fiona *art + design* studio

The fiona *art + design* studio offers a collection of handmade, mostly one-of-a-kind clothing and bags often made from unique, vintage fabrics. Many garments are designed using the zero-waste pattern-making method in which all the fabric is incorporated into the design. Fabric waste from conventional pattern making is recycled into yoga cushion filling. 10% of all sales goes to a non-profit that provides books to underprivileged children. Pictured right is a gorgeous bag made from vintage fabric that Fiona gifted me for my birthday last month ♥. To order from fiona *art + design* studio, contact her at fiona@fionahenderson.com or order via www.etsy.com/shop/boutiquefiona.

gardening classes at Little river co-op

Little River Co-op is such a cool place. I took a gardening class there a year or so ago and while I never got my garden going, I do have more knowledge to do so. Maybe it’s time for me to take a refresher. Let me know if you sign up for (or gift to a loved one) the Introduction to vegetable gardening in South Florida Workshop – January 14th. Click here for a link to more information. They also offer a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)- seasonal fruit and vegetable box but I noticed on their website that their CSA program is sold out. Bee Heaven farm still has availability and they will prorate your share. This is a fabulous gift to give to a loved one (or yourself!). For those not familiar with a CSA – you pay up front for a weekly or bi-monthly share of local, organic bounty harvested usually that very morning and you pick it up at a location near you. It’s so much fresher and more economical than Whole Foods. Also, you get to experience local foods with which you may not be familiar like mamey sapote.

farm sanctuary donations and gift items

The first sanctuary I visited is Leilani Farm Sanctuary in Maui pictured here. It changed my life forever and led to my current obsession with sanctuaries.

If you want to help support these animals like Mike the cow, consider making a tax-deductible donation for his care or for the care of Veronica or Erika and wrapping up the donation receipt as a gift to a fellow animal lover. Here are some other sanctuaries you may want to consider for donations this holiday season – Gentle Barn, Mino Valley Farm Sanctuary, Fields of Freedom, Woodstock Sanctuary, Rancho Relaxo and the Riley Farm Rescue.

Books are also wonderful, tangible gifts. I don’t know about you but I just never got into Kindle or iPad reading. I recommend Lauralee Blanchard’s (founder of Leilani Farm Sanctuary mentioned above) beautiful book Finding Paradise – Leilani Farm Sanctuary of Maui.  Another book to consider is Farm Sanctuary – Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food by Farm Sanctuary’s founder, Gene Baur.

I grew up with a pig as a pet so guess what some members of my family are getting this holiday season? Esther the Wonder Pig is a social media sensation. Her dads are hilarious and her story is amazing. Check out Esther the Wonder Pig – Changing the World One Heart at a Time. Also, Tracey Stewart’s book mentioned earlier in the post is great if you or someone you love is a newbie to farm animal advocacy. Finally, for the plant-based cook or plant-based cook at heart, Isa Chandra Moscowitz’s cookbooks are must haves – Isa Does It and Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook. Not a week goes by that I do not cook up one of Isa’s mind-blowing creations. She’s a genius.

If you do not yet have Amazon Prime with free two-day shipping, it’s not too late to sign up. Gifts for my family have been ordered and shipped with the click of a button so I do not have to schlep them up north. I hope to never visit a mall again.

esoteric healing session with Nathalie

Esoteric healing work uses the invisible energy field we all have to improve energy flow due to a blockage, restriction or deficiency. When energy is not flowing freely it can lead to physical and emotional imbalances.

As a certified NAEH (National Association for Esoteric Healing) Esoteric Healing practitioner, Nathalie uses her hands (without touching) to sense areas of weak or congested energy and works to create a more healthy, flowing state which leads to improved mental and physical wellbeing. Contact Nathalie at nathalie@be-in.co  to schedule an appointment. Nathalie is an amazing woman with beautiful energy.

artisan gifts from the beach house gallery 

I recently reconnected with my childhood friend Amy thanks to social media. I am literally in love with everything she does. She has such an eye for beautiful, beach-themed art and wares. I can’t wait to visit the gallery next month and stay in the little bungalow she has for rent. You can shop at the gallery in Dunedin, Florida or select items online -jewelry, furniture, art work, pottery, beach cover ups and wraps, candles, totes and beachy home decor. The Beach House Gallery can ship to you. Visit the gallery page on Facebook or Instagram handle @beachhousegallery.

spa angeli products and services 

Elena is the founder and the beautiful healing energy behind Spa Angeli. She is a licensed aesthetician, nutritionist, holistic health coach, baker, traveler and a lover of food, beauty, nature and the healing arts. I have been the lucky recipient of Elena’s facials and one of my favorite products of all time is her Body Polish pictured right. A percent of Spa Angeli’s profits go to help give orphan baby elephants the precious gift of hope. Visit www.spaangeli.com to book your appointment or order her lovely organic products.

Plant-based Cooking Classes

Want to bring a bit more health and veg into your life? I offer group and individual plant-based cooking classes. You can expect to learn how to make such delicacies as Pasta with Nutty Bolognese Sauce, Clam-ish Chowder, Vegetable Fried Rice, Sopa de Puerro y Patata (leek and potato soup), Tuna-ish Salad and Dip, Happy Hot Dogs, Korean BBQ, Herbed Cashew ‘Cheese’ Ball, Nutty Salad Dressing, Super Foods Smoothies & Salads, Chia Pudding,  ChocoCoffee Cup Cakes ++++++ so much more! Have a dish or recipe that you would like converted into a plant-based version? We can do that! I recently created a spin-off veg version of my Grandma Nellie’s beef stew -she was a meat and potatoes kinda lady. Old recipes are the best and a little veg-tweak makes them all the better. Contact me here or at susie@mybelavie.com for prices and availability.

Homemade Organic Beauty Products by Belavie

Nourish, hydrate, rejuvenate and smooth the skin with products made with organic ingredients such as Shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, raspberry seed oil, beeswax and essential oils of rose geranium, lavender, lemongrass, eucalyptus and a whole lotta love.

This season I am offering made-to-order 2-in-1 Evening Butter (2 oz) $22 (pictured here), Happy Lemongrass Sunscreen (2 oz) $22, Lavender Mint Lip Balm (0.5 oz) $6 and Lavender Eucalyptus Beeswax Candle (4 oz) $15. Click here for product and ordering information. All products are homemade in my little kitchen at the cottage.

READY TO TAKE YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS TO ANOTHER LEVEL THROUGH STRUCTURED HEALTH COACHING? CLICK HERE FOR A FREE 30-MINUTE CONSULTATION AND REVIEW OF YOUR HEALTH HISTORY.

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