How To Be a Morning Person

First let me say that if you are a night owl, and that works for you, then there’s no reason to change if you don't want to. When you’re happy with it, so be it. I personally have always been a morning person. Rising early has many benefits - many say that it leads to increased productivity, that you'll be happier throughout the day, you can exercise first thing in the morning, and you have more time for yourself and FOR BREAKFAST. If you want to experience these and many other benefits yourself, then here are some tips on getting up earl(ier).

“Morning is wonderful. Its only drawback is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of day.” 

Too this, too that…too DAMN judgmental!

Hey guys!! I feel so guilty that I haven't posted anything in... like... WEEKS! I'm truly sorry it took me so long to update my blog. I don't think it's necessary for me to start making excuses, as I KNOW I could've post something sooner despite being busy with school and everything else (errrrm...such a bad excuse...I know, I know...)

Anyway, lately I've been thinking about what does beauty really mean and about the ideal of beauty. Today I'd like to share with you my thoughts. 

"You are not a mistake. You are not a problem to be solved. But you won't discover this until you are willing to stop banging your head against the wall of shaming and caging and fearing yourself." 

When I was younger, I wanted to become a model. At least for some period of time. I always admired the beautiful, tall models with flawless skin, staring at me with their ocean-deep blue eyes from my favorite magazine covers. I desperately wanted to look like them. I wanted their smile, their eyes, their breasts... their body. Little did I know that I was slowly developing an eating disorder. Fortunately, I realized how stupid I was soon enough and opened my eyes.

8 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR DAILY MEALS HEALTHIER + PLANCAKES RECIPE

One thing I've learned throughout the last few years is that eating healthy shouldn’t be a chore. Never. You shouldn’t be bothered by your decision to eat better, to eat what nourishes your body. After all, it’s what you wanted.

Are you saying you fail eating healthy after some time, because you still crave that delicious pizza Hawaii, Snickers and McDonald’s fries? Well, it’s not that bad to eat something unhealthy time to time, but I have a better solution for you! And it won’t even hurt, I swear! All you need to do is to adjust recipes of your all time favorite foods, so it will do better to your body and overall health. 

So here are some great substitutions for foods that don’t do anything good for you. The unhealthy ingredients are replaced with nutrient-rich alternatives that are not only delicious, but it’ll also make you feel great inside out.

TURN AROUND YOUR LAZY DAYS

Have you ever had one of those lazy days when all you wanted to do was eat, watch your favorite show, play your favorite computer game, surf the net, eat, eat again, sleep... and repeat? I sure had and not only once. Some days the to-do list seems simply boundless. Just looking at it is exhausting.

We all know those days, we all have them. Sometimes we didn't get enough sleep, sometimes we just aren't motivated enough, and sometimes (most of the times) we get distracted by a fun new game or a TV series where you tell yourself "just one more episode" - well, you know how it ends.

So, what can we do to beat our unproductive days? Are there some helpful strategies? The answer is: YES, indeed!

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."

BERRY COCONUT GRANOLA

There's nothing (and by “nothing” I really mean NOTHING) easier than a homemade granola. Mix, bake and eat. And what's even better is, that there's no need to feel bad afterwards, because it's much healthier than store bought granola, which contains loads of added sugar and artificial ingredients. Win-win.

So make a list of your desired ingredients and go to your nearest health food store or visit farmers markets and buy them! What I personally enjoy the most when making granola is the possibility to customize the ingredients to suit my tastes AND I can make it with whatever ingredients I have on hand.

Try it sprinkled over your oatmeal bowl or yoghurt, with a splash of your favorite milk or simply take a handful (yes, just like that); and be a granola-obsessed-person with me!

THE PERFECT 10 KOOKIE

Have you heard about Karlie’s Kookies? And what about „The Perfect 10 Kookie“created by tall supermodel („cookie monster“as she calls herself) Karlie Kloss and Momofuku Milk Bar genius Christina Tosi? Well, now you have.

These cookies are dairy-free, gluten-free and sweetened with agave, made with all natural ingredients. I know what you’re thinking: No milk, no eggs and no sugar?! How could this be tasty?

I assure you that PERFECT 10 KOOKIES are delicious as well as nutritious and are perfect for breakfast (ehm, for ANY TIME actually). They are nothing but fantastic. I mean, really fantastic - 100% GOOD! If you didn’t tell me, I would have no idea that they are dairy-free and gluten-free. I was blown away by these cookies kookies!

However they are not that cheap to make because they’re full of almond flour and almonds, but I simply changed the amount of ingredients a little and it turned out great as well as much more manageable in terms of cost.

Would I make these again? An absolute one hundred percent YES! And you know what? These cookies taste like homemade granola only with just enough liquid to bake into cookie shapes; so GET READY GRANOLA FANS AND BAKE BAKE BAKE!

I’m currently grieving the fact that I only have one. cookie. left. And I baked them yesterday! Whoooops.

Don't forget to taste the dough from the bowl - just like Karlie did!

CARROT, SPINACH & BUCKWHEAT SALAD

Today, to welcome the arrival of April in my kitchen, I decided to cook something light, easy and quick. My taste buds crave nothing but carrot recently, thus I cooked carrot, spinach and buckwheat salad tossed with green lentils and raisins and mixed with a tahini, lemon, olive oil and maple dressing. It may sound like a long title for an easy dish (I admit), but I swear it’s really super duper easy.

WHEN SPRING ARRIVES: TO DO LIST

The snow has melted, grass turns slowly greener and the weather alternates between pleasant and rainy. Spring is in the air and now it's official!

As the days are lengthening and the sun is strengthening we all start to yearn for leisure. No wonder because suddenly we no longer wake up to grayness, but with the sun's rays glittering on our faces. Finally!

So what to do when the snowstorm is behind our back and the light summer breeze on the horizon?

Here are some tips you can, pardon me, should do in spring: