Roasted Pepper & Chicken Teriyaki Brown Rice Bowl (with vegetarian option)

This is one of the easiest meals to create! It is healthy, flavorful, and only takes about 30 minutes to prepare.

First, I stuck two half-frozen chicken breasts in a large pan and put them on the stove with a lid so they would begin to cook and thaw. I then began to cut my (clean) veggies into bite-size chunks. I also started a pot of brown rice and let it slowly cook in the background.

I started with a green chili:

Then I cut up an orange pepper and a jalapeno:

Next, I cut up a red, green, and yellow pepper to add to the mix:

Once the chicken started to defrost and cook, I pulled it off the oven and cut it into slices:

I put the peppers in a different large pan and roasted them on the stove with a little bit of oil:

I added a mixture of teriyaki and soy sauce to the chicken and the vegetables just to give it a little zing. After everything has been thoroughly cooked I put rice in two bowls and for my dinner I only added the veggies:

For Mark's dinner I added the veggies and chicken:

You're welcomed to add sauce or seasoning to your liking. This dinner is super easy for those nights you get home late and want to whip up something healthy!

National Dog Day

"I gave my heart to a dog and it has never been broken."

In celebration of National Dog Day, I want to give a shout out to my pooch, Domino. He is my sidekick, my cuddle buddy, my walking partner, and my anti-depressant. He is there to greet me every morning when I wake up and every evening when I get home from work. He is the sweetest, most loving, and gentile animal I have ever met. When my husband and I adopted him nearly two years ago, I would have never imagined the profound affect he would have on my life and spirit. Tonight I am going to treat Domino to a relaxing long walk, his favorite treat, and an extensive cuddle session. I am so grateful to have him and want to remind everyone to celebrate this day by giving your four-legged friend some extra special love today!

For more information on National Dog Day visit:

http://www.nationaldogday.com/

#dominothedalmatian

Makeup Removing Wipes

I have used wipes that make my skin breakout, others that "exfoliated" my skin to the point it peeled, and some that did nothing at all... It took me a while to find a product that was gentile on my skin, but still removed my makeup. I was thrilled when I learned of Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes! Not only do these wipes smell beautifully tropical, but they gently remove makeup, sunscreen, sweat, etc. I use these towelettes before I hop in the shower to wipe off my my entire face and neck. They remove all of my makeup (even caked on eyeshadow, waterproof mascara, and heavy eyeliner), leaving my skin naked and ready to be cleaned. There is no sticky reside left behind, just bare skin—free of pumps and rashes. Pacifica makes several great products; however, these are my favorite because they are gentle, yet powerful without tormenting my skin. I would highly recommend these towelettes to anyone with sensitive skin looking to try a cruelty-free and vegan option for removing makeup and purifying their skin.

Toothbrush & Toothpaste

When converting to 100% cruelty-free and vegan products earlier this year, I was nervous about switching from my traditional toothpaste to something more natural. I was worried the new toothpaste would leave an unwelcome taste in my mouth and not give me that burst of minty freshness that I have become accustom to. I turned to the world wide web for suggestions on switching and after reading several different forums, I made my decision. I do prefer to keep my pearly whites, white, so I decided to try Natures Gate Whitening Gel Toothpaste. The flavor is mild in comparison to most sugary name-brand toothpastes, but it leaves my teeth feeling clean with no lingering aftertaste. As for my toothbrush, I have never been particularly finicky. My only specification is that it must have ultra soft bristles because I have gum degeneration caused by years of brushing too hard with a firm toothbrush. I found a company online called Preserve Products which uses 100% recycled #5 plastic. I can conveniently purchase these at my local Sprouts market for just a couple bucks. They have a curved handle which allow you to get behind and around the molars. Plus, the bristles are soft enough to cease damage to my gums, yet strong enough to keep my teeth feeling clean all day. I love my toothpaste and toothbrush combo! I love it even more knowing I am purchasing products from companies that have animal welfare in mind.

Glen Ivy

"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."

Yesterday Mark and I spent yesterday being pampered at the Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa in Corona. We got an 80 minute couples massage, soaked in the natural hot springs, lounged in the pool, hopped back and fourth between hot and cold pools (to promote circulation), ate a delicious lunch at Cafe Sole, dunked in the saline pool, lathered ourselves in red clay at Club Mud, and hung out underground in the Grotto. My goal: to give my husband the most relaxing birthday week possible!

#birthdayboy

#R&R

#greenerwiththescenery

#lounging

#stressreliever

#trifecta

#grubbin

#nature

#notafanofmudinthebeard

#dirty

#iloveyou

#labyrinth

Body Butter

I had been searching for what seemed like years to find a product to put on my face that wouldn't contribute to my excessive oil production or make my skin breakout. Throughout my adolescent years I used Cetaphil lotion on my face because it was marketed for sensitive skin; however, looking back I don't think that lotion did anything at all (positive or negative) for my skin. I saw Ellovi Butter advertised by Vegan Cuts. I did a little investigation on the brand and the product itself and truthfully, I was impressed. There are only 6 simple ingredients in this powerful little jar: macadamia nut, coconut, marula, hemp seed, and Shea. I put it on at night, after I shower, before bed when my skin is clean and fresh. I dip two fingertips in the soft, creamy butter and slather it in my palms before applying it to my face. Since it is made with oil, it doesn't completely rub in immediately. I usually fall asleep with it on and when I wake up my face is as smooth as silk. It is filled with natural ingredients from the earth, so I can use this product confidently knowing I am not ingesting toxic chemicals in through my skin. Since I have been using Ellovi Butter I have noticed the natural oil and shine of my skin begin to balance itself for the first time. It is gentle enough to use everyday and won't cause rashes or breakouts. This versatile butter is also great for any areas of the body that are extra dry, such as: elbows, heels, hands, and TATTOOS. A jar lasts me about 3-4 months because it doesn't take much of this miracle butter to see instant results. I would recommend Ellovi Butter to anyone looking for an all-natural substitute for traditional moisturizer or night cream.

*Keep in a cool, dry place. If this butter becomes too hot the formula will break down and will not go back to its original buttery consistency. 

Razor

When it comes to razors, I don't think there is a brand out there that I haven't tried... I own everything from the girly Venus Embrace to the manly Gillette Fusion. However, when the time came for me to purchase new blades, I new I needed to do my research if I was going to stick to my cruelty-free & vegan requirements. I came across a company called Preserve several months ago and really appreciate what this company stands for. This razor handle is made from recycled yogurt cups and is compatible with other blades. It also comes in a variety of colors, so I was very excited to receive it in the mail and try it out. Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed with it's performance. The blades are small and the connection between the blade and handle is a bit flimsy. It also didn't seem to do much when I began to run it over my leg. My leg still felt patchy and stubbly once I was finished. Also, the razor kept coming off the handle, which made the already unpleasant task of shaving, even more undesirable. I will admit, I do shave rather vigorously, but most razors can keep up—this one, not so much. Although I do love some of their other products, I would pass on this one.

Annie's Homegrown Frozen Pizza & Salad

This dinner was delicious and took less than 20 minutes to prepare!

I threw an Annie's Homegrown Frozen Cheese Pizza in the oven for about 17 minutes at 400 degrees. While it was cooking I chopped up a full head of romaine lettuce, 1 tomato, 1 green bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, and mixed it all together with a handful of zesty tortilla strips. Then I topped it with some Annie's salad dressing.

*You should always clean your fruits and veggies before consumption. Each week after a trip to the grocery store, I clean the sink and fill it with cold water and fruit & veggie cleaner. I let all of my fruits and vegetables soak for about 5-10 minutes. What is leftover in the sink once they are removed and rinsed off is pretty gross...*

Shave Oil

Like most women, I have spent my life shaving with whatever shave gel/cream was available at my local Target. I have used everything from Barbasol purchased at the dollar store to the fancy Gillette gel that turns into foam. Although these products get the job done, I never felt like any of them nurtured or protected my skin. Often times my skin feels even more dry after shaving and I am forced to overcompensate with lotion.

I have exceptionally sensitive skin on my face and body—prone to breakout in a rash at the slightest hint of synthetic fragrance. I must always be careful what I put on my skin to avoid those patchy, red bumps.

One of the items featured in the July Vegan Cuts box was body oil by Savvy Boheme. I have tried shaving with baby oil before, but I found it very messy and unpleasant.
The label suggested the oil could be used:
*to add fragrance to bathwater
*as a skin moisturizer
*as a shave oil
*a facial cleanser
*and more

I couldn't wait to give it a try and once I did I was IN LOVE. First, the smell is invigorating with a strong scent of coffee and subtle undertones of vanilla and orange. It smells fresh and awakens your senses. Second, the consistency is slightly thicker than baby oil, so it lingers on the skin a bit longer which makes rubbing it in much easier. It doesn't leave a slick, greasy residue behind either. It actually absorbs into the skin rather nicely. Third, a little goes a long way! One small squirt is all it takes to cover my entire arm or half of my leg. It leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth, and moisturized even after I rinse it off in the shower. Finally, they have stellar customer service! They respond to questions and inquiries immediately and make it obvious that they put their customers first. I would recommend this product to anyone who wants to break free from the standard shaving creams/foams/gels. It's all about the oil, baby! 

Baked Jalepeno Popper Stuffed Chicken (with vegetarian option)

This a healthier version of other "jalapeno popper" chicken recipes that I have seen. I love to cook, but struggle to find time after a long day at work. I like to create easy dinners that are healthy and tasty! This dinner only took about 30 minutes to prepare and about an hour to cook in the oven. 

What you'll need:
2 large chicken breasts
1/4 pound of Monterrey jack cheese (grated)
2 jalapenos
6 oz. cream cheese 

First I preheated the oven to 400 degrees.
Then, I grated the cheese.

Next, I chopped the jalapenos.

I took the cream cheese and heated it up in a large bowl for about 30 seconds.

Once the cream cheese was soft I mixed in the cheese and the jalapenos.

I tried to pull as many seeds out of the jalapenos as possible to reduce the spice.

I took the chicken and cut a pocket into the center.

Using a small spoon, I began to fill the pocket with the mixture.

Once the breast was filled (not over filled), I used toothpicks to keep the pocket closed.

I placed them in the oven and cooked each side for 30 minutes.

*cooking times will vary by breast size*

(Note: some of the cheese will come out of the chicken while cooking, so make sure to use a pan with sides)

Once the chicken has a light golden brown coat, it should be ready to eat! 

Since this was my first time making this recipe, I kept it pretty simple; however, next time I may choose to season the chicken to add some flavor. 

I am not much of a meat-eater myself and I have recently been attempting a vegetarian lifestyle. Since Mark would never consider this, I try to find ways to make him the dinners he loves with a vegetarian option for myself.

For this particular meal, I used the same filling that was used to stuff in the chicken and spread it on the inside of a tortilla. I added a little extra cheese on top and grilled it on the stove. 

Same great flavor without eating meat! 

Cruelty-Free & Vegan

"Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone."

Earlier this year I embarked on a life-changing journey to educate myself, and others, about what goes in to the products we use everyday (physically and metaphorically). I am not even sure when my quest began, but once it started there was no stopping it. The more information I pulled from the Internet, the more ignorant and disappointed I felt in myself. I couldn't believe how unaware I was of the torturous things happening to animals just so I can look good for work in the morning. I carefully combed through various blogs, new articles, and informative webpages to gain information on the devastating reality that is: animal testing. 

I was flabbergasted because I knew the concept of animal testing, but I was unaware to the extent of which it was used today. There are so many formulas and ingredients available to use at our disposal, most of which we know through prior testing are safe for human consumption or use, yet we still continue this archaic practice on innocent animals. 

I have always been an animal lover, but my passion for animal rights intensified when I adopted Domino. He filled my heart with a love I had never experienced before and I felt the urge to help other animals like him who might be suffering. 

#dominothedalmatian 

During my research I found several informative blogs, but many of them had conflicting information. One blog will say certain companies are cruelty-free and another blog will say they are not. It can be extremely frustrating trying to find solid, trustworthy sources! I stumbled upon a blog that blew all the other sites I had seen out of the water. The writer is so informed, creative, and eager to teach others how to live a bit smarter.  

http://www.logicalharmony.net/

My favorite thing about this site is the LONG list of cruelty-free and vegan brands with products ranging from cosmetics, hair care, bath and body products, household cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, makeup and hair brushes, and even condoms. This is a great place to find new brands that do not test on animals or contain any animal byproducts. I have made it my mission to replace every cosmetic and personal hygiene product I use, with one that is 100% cruelty-free and vegan. Since I can't afford to throw out everything I own and start from scratch, every time I am out of a product I will do a little investigating and shop with a brand who I am confident meets my specifications. Not every brand I use is 100% vegan, although each item I purchase from any brand is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. It is my personal preference to use products that have never been tested on animals at anytime throughout the production process and do not contain any animal byproducts. I am convinced that for every product you use, there is one out there that is free from animal testing and animal ingredients. I also believe that everyone should make their own decisions and use what works best for them and their lifestyle, but it definitely helps to be educated. I do reference the list on Logical Harmony; however, before purchasing from any brand (online or in-store) I reach out to each company and do my own research. It is important for me to be completely confident in the products and brands for which I spend my hard-earned cash. 

Labels can be tricky, which is why reaching out to the companies themselves has proved to be the best way for me to gain the confidence I seek. Some labels claim to be cruelty-free, yet the parent company tests on animals (so, your money is indirectly supporting a company that promotes animal testing). Other companies will claim to be cruelty-free simply because they do not conduct the testing themselves; however, many of the ingredients purchased and used in their products are tested on animals. My definition of a truly cruelty-free company is one who does not conduct or require animal testing, does not purchase ingredients or raw materials that have been tested, and is not owned by a parent company that does test on animals. 

You should obviously be comfortable with the brands you choose to purchase and companies you choose to support. Since my switch to cruelty-free and vegan products, I see a positive difference in my skin and body. Many cruelty-free and vegan products contain natural ingredients instead of harsh chemicals which has made a world of difference to my skin. 

My theory: woman spend exorbitant amounts of money on creams and serums to make themselves look younger. I believe using all-natural ingredients on your face and body, from a young age, will keep your skin fresh and rejuvenated—hopefully making us less likely to need costly creams and serums later in life. 

Product reviews to come! 

Desperado

"So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains and we never even know we have the key."

Every year since I can remember my family has taken a summer trip to Laughlin, AZ aka THE RIVER. Our family looks forward to this vacation all year! It's a week out of our lives where we can sit in the water, on a secluded beach, drinking, eating, and laughing without a worry in the world. This year we saw signage for an Eagles tribute band called Desperado. Since my father and I are avid Eagles enthusiasts, we jumped at the opportunity to dance and sing along to some of our favorite tunes. Not to mention, we could have seen Desperado 50 times for what we'd paid to see the Eagles earlier this year... 

We settled into the table that we shared with our fellow music patrons, none of which were under the age of 60, and skeptically waited to see what was in store. We were blown away!

After hearing that they were from Orange County I attempted to stalk them via the interweb, but came up empty handed. I did not give up and thanks to my relentless searching I was able to find tickets to see them at a local venue called the Coach House just a few months later. 

Friday night was the big night! Mark and I accompanied my parents, my uncle and his girlfriend to the Coach House to see Desperado. Once again, they did not disappoint! *I can't say the same for the food...* Before the concert the band members were walking around, greeting the audience, which was pretty rad because we got to speak with two of them and I got to nag about their lack of marketing. They went on stage at about 9:30pm and played until close to midnight. The amount of detail they've put into recreating these infamous classic rock songs is incredible. Each band member plays an equally important part that brings new life into these vintage chart-toppers. Here are a few photos from our night:

#desperado #coachhouse

#lovewillkeepusalive

#brotherlylove #mydadsheadisfloating #toomanybucketsofbeer

#hotelcalifornia

"Don't you draw the queen of diamonds boy; she'll beat you if she's able. You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet."

The Walk

"The sad thing is, we spend the first half of our lives planning the future, and the second half reliving the past."

Recently I have been a little down on myself. 

We all have those days (or weeks) where we just feel... blah. I consider myself to be a person with great depth and it can be a struggle to contain my emotions at times. The past few months I have let my emotions get the best of me and I began to let my sadness pull me slowly into a depression. 

The word "depression" is so serious and can mean so many things. For me it's having trouble being optimistic when I have the world at my fingertips, it's feeling empty when I have nothing but love and support surrounding me, it's being gently coerced into a feeling of numbness and darkness when my life is generally full of light! In my high school years I struggled with my emotions, but I am proud to say that over the years I have gained sustainable control over them. 

Since I started dating Mark over 7 years ago, I haven't really had any bouts with depression or intense sadness, until this year. I guess my failed interpretation of how my life should be by this point finally caught up with me. I've been having trouble excepting that no matter how hard I work towards my goals—if it isn't the right timing, it isn't going to happen. When I notice the overwhelming sensation of sadness start to creep up on me, I immediately begin doing small, easy things that make me smile. I basque in the simple pleasures life has to offer. For example, I will start taking Domino on longer walks in the evening, cooking more detailed dinners with fresh, flavorful ingredients, and looking through photo albums and reminiscing about the great adventures this life has taken me on. 

Finally, I can continue on to the point of this post! Last week, while I was digging into the past, I found gold! I came across an entry I had written about a year ago and it gave me great satisfaction to revisit this moment in time. 

While walking the dogs, an older man

approached Mark and I.

He said, "you are a great pair!". A little

surprised and very flattered, I

replied,"Well, thank you".

The man then explained, "I

lost my wife about three years ago—I can

finally say that without getting choked up.

We had 37 wonderful years together and it

makes me happy to see two young people in

love who look like they belong together". To

which I replied, "Wow, that is so sweet.

Thank you! We're getting married in

November and I hope we have just as many

wonderful years together as you and your

wife did". He told us, "I hope you have

even more than we did. I wish you a very

long and happy life together".

I thanked him again and as we walked

away, I may have teared up a bit.

He was so genuinely happy for us and

excited for our future. It brought him joy to

see love even though his wife was no longer

alive. It was a beautiful moment.

Returning to this day, I can still see the smile on his face. It made me think about how lucky I actually am. Things are not always going to go my way, but that should be my cue to stop and admire all of the beauty around me. I am grateful for my husband who adores me even when I am a wreck, my dog who loves me unconditionally no. matter. what., my family who continue to support me through even my craziest ideas, my friends who keep me grounded and push me to be a better person, my adventurous streak which has urged me to travel the world and explore, and finally, living in a country that allows me to do all of these things. With everything going on in the world these days it is easy to get sucked into all of the horrible things that happen every single day. My goal is to make a conscious decision—daily—to see the beauty 

in the world, people, and situations, around me. 

#faroeislands

metanoia

"metanoia: the journey of changing one's mind, heart, self, or way of life"

After graduating college two years ago with a degree in English language and comparative literature, I am surprised it took me this long to entertain the idea of blog writing. I love the idea of creative writing, but struggle to make time to allow my creative juices to flow. There are so many ideas and topics floating around in my head, I think it is time to release the beast. I guess I should start by saying a bit more about myself...

I was born and raised in Orange County, California. While I do feel lucky to live in such a beautiful state, I cant help but wish I lived somewhere rainy and less populated. My husband and I love to enjoy the outdoors especially when it is damp and wooded. Nearly a year ago I married the greatest man I have ever known (besides my father, of course). After patiently waiting for almost 6 years, he finally asked for my hand in marriage. If you care to read all of the details, check this out:
http://www.mywedding.com/markandbrittanyaimola

We were married at an equestrian center in Chino Hills surrounded by 150 of our closest friends and family. It was the most beautiful and breathtaking day of my life. It is an unexplainable feeling when you can look out around you and literally see everyone whom you adore and admire all under one roof. I cant even begin to express my gratitude and love for all of those who took part in our special day. 

#aimolapartyoftwo

If you couldn't tell, I have a soft-spot for weddings. I worked in the bridal industry for over 8 years and still get excited over the little details! I believe wholeheartedly that weddings should have personal touches and unique subtle accents that represent your love for one other. Much of our wedding was DIY (thanks to Pinterest and the help of my talented bridal party). 
*Photo courtesy of Jessica Thomas Photography*

My husband, Mark, and I adopted a Dalmatian in 2012 who has changed our lives. His name is Domino and he has brought an entirely new kind of love into my life. After college I really wanted to adopt a dog. My family has only ever had Dalmatians, so naturally that was my first instinct. I scoured Dalmatian rescue websites, but I had a hard time actually contacting anyone. One day I was googling around and happen to find an ad on Craiglist for an 8 month old male Dalmatian puppy. My mom and I drove for about an hour to check out this dog, but once I saw his living conditions and heard how this family was caring for him, I knew there was no way I was leaving without him. He spent his entire life in a metal crate, in a garage, in a city where the temperature frequently reaches 100 degrees. The top of his nose was raw from attempting to see beyond his wire prison, he was fed bags of snacks instead of nutrient puppy food, he had never been bathed or brushed, and they man-handled him when we wouldn't listen to their instructions. His legs were like jello and his bones were not strong from lack of exercise and space to move. The man complained about how hyper he was and assured me I would never be able to walk him on a leash or get him to obey my commands. Well, Mark and I have had Domino for almost two years and he is the BEST dog my family has ever owned. It took hard work and patients, but he walks and runs well on a leash, doesn't leave the front yard unless instructed, he is healthy and muscular, well-groomed, and I swear he loves us more because we saved him. Don't get me wrong, Mark and I can not wait to start a family and be parents, but for now this 85 pounds of joy is all I need! 

#dominothedalmatian

I guess this is a good start for my first blog post ever! But stay tuned because there is more to come.