Food + Drink

Teachers, perhaps more than any other professionals I know, are always eager to partake of free food with little to no regard for calories or fat intake. When given the opportunity, we will down pizzas, seven-layer dips, sugary punches, cookies, cupcakes -- and any other food preceded by the word “free” --like nobody’s business.

Vegetarianism and veganism are two lifestyles that aren't typically or thoroughly thought about, and that's a problem. I know... the scary V words. Growing up, my parents put meat on my plate just about everyday. I had never thought about it until just recently. As one grows up, they grow apart from traditions they were used to and lifestyles that they once pursued. When you're growing up, you step back and look at the world with a realistic point of view. Riding your bike turns into driving to high school, television shows with your parents turn into hour long talks about your future, reality strikes and you're not a kid anymore. I think while one is maturing, it is critical to think about your diet. What are you putting into your body? Animals. The same things that you lay in bed with, the same creatures that you play ball with and walk in the park beside. Think about that.

Seedlip boasts being the first non-alcoholic distilled spirit, taking inspiration from an old recipe book of herbal concoctions from the 1770s. They seek to quench the thirst of people who wonder “What do I drink when I’m not drinking?” and have three flavors of distilled spirits. Grove 42, Spice 94 and Garden 108 all have unique flavors and descriptions, and I went with Garden 108 for this week’s review. Garden 108 is a floral blend and includes handpicked hay and sugar snap peas, which sounded weird as hell to me. As we all know, if it sounds weird, I need to try it.

I’ll call this piece espresso machine. I love espresso,having worked at a few cafes I think my love for it grew or I had better appreciation for lattes and art. Serving others and then them expressing their gratitude had to be one the best feelings and times of my life. Trying to make the best milk for latte art was not as easy as I thought it be. It was challenging but I loved it when I kept improving. I learned ho to make hearts and things that resembles leaves! Customers appreciated the latte art as much or more which was a great surprise. Genuine smiles and happiness we’re experienced during these times. Never would I have thought I would enjoy or let alone be working as a barista and loving it?! And getting paid sure there were days when I didn’t feel so well and some rude customers. But the happy moments made me still want to show up and continue to be a barista maybe not a that location but others. My favorite location as a barista had to of been when I was working on a pier super close by the water. Perfect views everyday I had times when I could sip on lattes and just look out at the windows. Nights were my favorites that’s when it would get busy and I would get to see the moon light up the ocean. Lots of free baked goods or chef made vegan ice cream! I’d love to have one of those fancy coffee carts you see on Pinterest or instagram for weddings or fancy parties! This past year I got the opportunity to see one in person at a wedding for a family member! I’d love to be working an event like that and having my own business on the weekends! Maybe one day I’ll work up the courage and time! Later when I’m older have my own French cafe inspired coffee shop possibly by a beach. Sounds kind of different and a bit strange. I currently don’t work near an espresso machine but I would love to go back to a cafe temporarily or just for fun in another country. Cafes are not only great study spots but great for getting inspiration for art or interior decorating. I love water coloring and sketching in n books. I love reading magazines about interiors and decorating. I feel most inspired or motivated to decorate or even start a business when I have read an article or have seen an interior in a one of my favorite magazines. Magazines are also great art pieces, I love ripping pages out that are the most colorful and making framed pieces for my walls. Recently I’ve been into design anthology magazine it has a little of everything interiors, art, architecture, and travel. It’s a great decor piece as well! It’s almost like a pie of art itself or like a book a bit pricey but they tend to be. I don’t blame them for the high prices after all it’s art. Another one of my favorites is domino magazine I discovered it years ago then it disappeared for a while. They brought it back a few years ago through digital copies I believe. Their website had a lot of diy ideas! Great place to get inspired or gets tips from. I love looking at celebrities interiors and this magazine features celebrities like lena Dunham. As I was sitting here at this cafe trying to work up the courage to hand out my business cards to nearby businesses I realized Uber is expensive and iced coffee is perfection. I kind of feel like Carrie Bradshaw typing this. Let me know if you’d like to hear my opinion on certain topics or anything beauty related. Hope you enjoyed this piece.

If you’re an avid fan of superfoods and have reaped the benefits of blueberries, spirulina and goji berries over the last few years, you’re in for a treat. There are some new heroes in town, and they’ve come to transform everything from your digestive health to the appearance of your skin. Here are six of the hottest new superfoods, what they do, and how you use them.

Have you heard about the health benefits of polyphenols? The micronutrients have been connected to improving digestion problems, helping with weight management, maintenance of sugar levels and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. With so many health benefits, it's understandable that so many people want to know how to incorporate more foods that can provide polyphenols. Check out this list of 10 foods that you can include in your diet to get more of this vital nutrient.