food CLUSSSTER || Lentil & Quinoa Sprouts

Growth is such a powerful word. It signifies change, adaptation and well being. When someone grows as a person, they internalize many of their fears. They cope and succeed. Mistakes are made and from them we learn but not until then, can we grow. 

Yesterday, I came to terms with the fact that searching the web for any little thing leads to some massive oversearching... How to cook beans becomes, how to sprout them and why you should sprout them... should they be rinsed? should they never over cook? But what about bean soup? So on, so forth. In an effort to mimic what I had eaten a couple weeks ago at a veg. market I ended up bookmarking a little over 17 recipes for the perfect lentil salad. I could have gone off and just called the lady who made it. But no. I was determined to make my own version, with the web. 

Why all this sprouting fuz? Well, They're shockful of great benefits [that I won't scold you about just yet] and it's really easy to do. But, back to the salad I ate at the market... As all yummy things go, after picking and choosing I ended up with a youtube video. Because, obviously those work better when you're already starving and overlooked how many days it could take to sprout. Step one, measure. Step two, rinse. Step three, soak in water for a day. A day? But, what about my salad? I complied. 

Today I finally had that lentil salad, it was all sorts of crunchy and amazing. Do you sprout your seeds, legumes and grains?

Home || Black & White

Let's call it apartment depression. It all started with the teeny idea that maybe I should look around my neighborhood for another apartment. Something compact and cheaper. One thing led to another and I was in a 'rent war' for an amazing little apartment with mint kitchen cabinets and the lovliest balcony. I guess the world noticed I was being greedy, looking for another apartment while having one that now I'm left without any of them. Yes, I am oficially homeless or, at my mom's till I find another apartment. Seeing these photos are giving me some serious anxiety. I've visited a little over 22 apartments and nothing is quite how I want it. Call me overly picky, but even a rental must scream home. So, while I keep this apartment hunt goin' I might as well get some inspiration out of it. 

Image Source Alvhem via Emma's Design Blog

Coffee (tea) with || Jennifer Young of I ART U

Coffee with is a monthly sit down where I have the chance to get to know what inspires some of my favorite creatives from all around. When I talk about inspiring blogs, I ART U is tops on my list. With amazing photography and equally lovely interweb findings, I can't help but be an avid follower. Thanks for stopping by for tea Jennifer!

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WHY?/WHO? "Hey there! I'm Jennifer Young--lifestyle photographer and author of I ART U. I was born and raised in southern California but am now living in San Luis Obispo--a small town on the beautiful central coast of CA. I blog about what moves me these days and I love sharing how I see the world through photos."

FAVORITE music: "This is always changing but some of my favorites are The Head and the Heart, Noah Gundersen, Janelle Monáe, and Dead Man's Bones."

FAVORITE shops: "Hmmm...off the top of my head, General Store, Terrain, Ink and Peat, Old Faithful Shop, and The Curiosity Shoppe."

FAVORITE food: "I'm pretty obsessed with Outerlands in San Francisco and Sally Loo's Wholesome Café in San Luis Obispo. My dessert choice would be ice cream from Bi-Rite Creamery or cupcakes from Enjoy Cupcakes."

COFFEE (Tea) WITH? "I'm a fan of a good latte made with raw milk--but in all honesty, I'm more of a tea drinker. Loose leaf, no sweetener, please!"

CURRENT inspiration: "I find inspiration outdoors--in cities and in nature. I love a good hike, dinner with friends, café hopping in the city, perusing through magazines/publications like Apartamento, Wilder, and Kinfolk...but nothing moves me more than natural light and creating beautiful images."

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If you'd like to sit down for coffee, shoot me an email! Would love to have you. Past Coffee drinkers can be found here.

Design || Handmade iPad Cover

I'm oficially an owner the 'The new Ipad'. You know what that means? The endless search for the perfect cover. Who would have thought that while browsing Erin's new project Design for Minikind I'd fall in love with an ice cream coin purse that made me jump over to the Misala Handmade Shop... to find this beauty above. As an avid coin purse user [instead of wallets] I really love how just a simple edit on a popular pattern, makes this so unique. The perfect combo of fabric and design. Wishlist? Added. 

Image Source Misala Handmade Shop

Fashion CLUSSSTER || Baum Und Pferdgarten

After being almost hypnotized by the everchanging photo slides of Baum Und Pferdgarten's collection in their site, I just HAD to share. The colors, the fabrics and even the accesories are just perfect. The contrasting styles are played out in the best way possible. But it comes as no surprise when the desginers are as eclectic as their collections. Now, if only I could cough up the courage to spend $170 bucks on this shirt. One can wish!

Image Source Baum Und Pferdgarten

Currently making || Morning Smoothie

It's been way too long since I've blogged over here. But, as it turns out... It's hella dificult to even concentrate when you're sick and have no idea why. Test after test and three different Doctor opinions later I am home. A bit distraught and defeated. Had no desire to come over here and be happy when I was feeling less than insipired. Test results for the crazy rash came 'inconclusive' and my thyroid ultrasound pointed out some benign nodules. But, the fact that they're there [benign and all] means my hypothyroidism was as unbalanced as ever. What that means? Everytime I felt like crap, was due to it. 

Now, to get myself back to normal I started my research of natural ways to help. Unlucky me now has to avoid: Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Mustard greens, Turnips, Peaches and Pears. Oh, and gluten. This came as no surprise as I see a notable difference when I eat gluten free. Symptoms get better and energy levels are up. As I start to transition into food that helps me feel better, I decided that my daily routine needed a change as well. Coffee is now a 'treat' and eating out a huge challenge. But onwards and upwards. At least I can still enjoy my favorite morning drink!

This smoothie is one of my favorite morning combinations. I could seriously drink this daily and... I kinda do. It's the easiest way to get more fruit into my day. And if you're wondering what that yellow rock like substance is doing on top, it's an amazing way to get rid of allergies slowly. Bee Pollen! Need some explaining? Sarah Britton does a wonderful job of letting us know how amazing this stuff is. 

WHAT A handful of Frozen Berry Medley, Pineapple & Papaya + Half a pack of Sambazon Pure Acaí Berry, half a cup of Apple Juice and 1 tsp of Bee Polen (If you're new to the pollen buzz, start slowly with half a teaspoon). HOW Mix in your blender/vitamix/ninja/whatever and drink up! 

While doing some research I noticed there isn't a whole lot of people sharing their experience with hypothyroidism and how food affects it directly. As I find my way into knowing how to treat it naturally, I'll be back with some more food posts. So glad to be back in the posting machine! 

Photo CLUSSSTER || Color on color

Leaving all sickness aside, let's talk color! I am very inspired by color combinations and it's efect on things. How it can create the illusion of more space, or a certain vibe. How people who mix patterns tend to be more talkative and how brighter looking foods are better for ya. Oh, and I love myself some photo filters. It's the ultimate color on color. These images from 'Sessun' have an effect on ME. I kinda wish I was hanging out with these ladies, you know copying their outfits, chatting about how that emerald green wall is just perfect and sipping on a banana smoothie. Inspired much? 

Image Source Sessun via Honey Kennedy
Listening to Give & Take via The Flowerchild Dwelling

Currently || Sick & Overworked

I don't know how it happened again. Remember how I was going to have more time to do 'things' and the word 'overtime' wasn't gonna be part of my vocabulary? Yeah, I'm at it again. Thing is, whenever I have no free time I always get sick. ALWAYS. It's like my body is screaming 'Dude, calm down." It's been a whole month where I've caught myself drinking more than 3 cups of coffee daily [yuck] and heading home to keep working without sleeping a good 8 hours in between. I've had to cancel plans almost everyday [and postpone awesome projects, or hand them over]. So, here I am. Just out of the hospital with an undiagnosed rash [gross], tons of pills to get better and incredibly tired. It's almost a coincidence how I get 'unsolicited' vacations in stay-in-because-you're-sick form. Oficially not allowed to work for 7 days... oh, and in the busiest week EVER. 

I have a tendency to just push myself to the breaking point instead of handling things so that they don't break at all. Which by the way, has been awesome as I've been rewarded for such hard work. But, sometimes I just want to become a hermit. Who am I kidding? I am such a workaholic. But for sure I need to stop this on it's tracks and get myself healthty again. Not only 'food healthy' but mind healthy. Today, while waiting to be called into the ER, I was on my phone listening to the first live webinar for my first semester or 'module' [as they call it] at INN. Ironically enough, it's exactly what I needed to get going. It's total proof that to find balance, one must make time. Time to just be calm and relax; reorganize priorities and move on. So, 'Prioritize and make room for well being.' was one of my new year intentions and I have just bummped it up to #1. Taking a bit of inspiration from this 'cut the crap' video I'm determined to make it work. Have you been dealing with being overworked and forgeting about your new year 'resolutions' like me? 

Video || On Hold

Between the music and the editing, I'm mind blown. This video from Nowness is defintiely one for the bookmarks. I really love the progression and um, can I own the 'book flipper's' outfit?

food CLUSSSTER || Ginger Lemonade

Every Saturday, I would wake up, make myself some ginger tea and go back to sleep for another couple hours. I work all week so my Saturdays are everyone else's #TGIFs.  It's been a very long time since I've had any time for myself just to lie around and have a normal free day so yesterday I did just that. Pajamas all day, lounging around and the ginger comeback. This time around, ice cold with some lemonade. I die for ginger lime-ade, but I had some lemons about to die on me so, lemonade it was.

WHAT Three lemons for every 2 cups of water [or 4 if you're into the sourcraze] + An inch of fresh ginger, chopped up + 1 Tablespoon of Stevia. HOW Mix up/Drink up. PS Leave in the fridge for an hour before drinking so it gets that awesome ginger-y zing. 

As always, I am not much of a 'recipe' poster. Edit to your liking. To more free time for lounging around and lemonade drinking. Cheers!

Listening to The Build Up 

Video || VAMP

You know I'm hands down a VAMP fan. I've brought ya'll giveaways, and I've flaunted my VAMP gear like a crazy person because nothing get me more exited about a brand than waitching them grow; dishing out some awesome work. This video has some genius editing going on. Oh, and great music. Need I say more?

Art Directed - Anke Loots & Martin Magner
Music - 'VAMP' by iamwaves
Styled - Nicci St Bruce

Currently in LOVE with || Sigmund Sunglasses

Sunglasses for me are as important as my cup of coffee. Alhtough I can change the brand often, you can always find me obssesed over it. [with both coffee and sunnies] The Sigmund Sunglasses from Acne scream my name. However, my wallet screams to hate them forever. A $400 ticket is probably 6 times more than I would be willing to pay for them. So, can we all have a moment of silence for the perfect sunnies I'll never have?... 

Image Source 1, 2
Listening to Love Love Love

Photography || Switcheroo

I am in love with this project by Sincerely Hanah. Although all her other projects resonated with me, I was taken by the story behind each Switcheroo. Awesome? Most definitely!

Image Source Sincerely Hanah
Listening to Roland

Social || Likes & Timelines

I must say, the clussster Facebook Page is looking all sorts of snazzy. I really think the timeline is best used for brands/blogs because of it's image based layout. I'll be posting the #marchphotoaday challenge over there... and ramblings. Tons of ramblings. I will also be adding a new series called 'LA MESA'. Meals that inspire a clussster of Ideas; conversations & food. With the intention of hosting a sit-down to exchange of ideas. I'll be posting it over here once it develops into a monthly shindig. Now... wanna take a peek? Hit that 'like'?