Basil and Biceps (2026)

10/06/2023

what listening to my body feels like ✨

I’m a firm believer that you have to listen to what your body is calling for. Five years ago when I went vegan, I was listening to what I needed at that time. I will always support and promote a plant-based diet, but something needed to change.

I’ve always had a complicated relationship with food and when I started to feel like my diet was constricting me from eating the foods I wanted to eat, I had to make a change.

It all started at a friends wedding last summer. My mouth was instantly watering from the look at the cake and my mind began to spin with, “oh but there’s butter, eggs, milk. I can’t have it.” It didn’t take me long before I just said F*CK IT. I went over had a piece of cake, and ate the whole thing with a smile. I didn’t die. The world didn’t end. In that moment I was happy.

Currently I’m pescatarian. I eat eggs daily, salmon weekly, and canned tuna for lunch every so often. I stay away from diary as much as possible, but also allow myself to live a little. I’m much happier now eating the foods I want to eat without the guilt.

I know some of you will disagree; hell, I’ve been scared for the past five months announcing this but sometimes you gotta get uncomfortable. Haters will probably come frolicking, but I’m doing what’s best for me. And how someone chooses to eat should never be a topic of conversation or a way to bring someone down.

I appreciate your support and all of you who have followed me along on this wild thing called life 🫶🏼 I look forward to sharing what I’ve been making and hoping you all will stay along for the ride

Xoxo, basil

04/05/2023

05.03.23 my favorite place 🏜️

25/12/2022

spent christmas weekend with family, friends, and some of my fave sweaty humans 🎄 i hope you all are having a beautiful holiday ♡

14/11/2021

sunday mood: face mask, unnecessary indoor sunglasses, and chlorophyll water 🌱

theme of this week: gratitude. life is insanely busy but I’m grateful to be where I’m at now. if life seems like a lot right now friend, know that things always get better. you are still on the right path.

01/08/2021

GRANOLA BUTTER PANCAKES 🥞 Ooo baby! I am such a lover of granola butter! I don’t know how to describe it but it just has this rich, spicy, warm taste that is good alll year around. I made some regular pancakes but topped them off with a dollop of granola butter. EASY! I also added some vegan butter on top because what’s pancakes without butter!? Grab the recipe below 💛

1 cup whole wheat flour, can sub oat or any gf flour of choice
1 tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp organic coconut sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp vanilla protein (code Basilandbiceps)
1 1/4 cups vegan buttermilk **

Directions: whisk together all batter ingredients + grease a pan + pour out 1/3 cup of batter + let cook for 2-3 min, then flip + let cook again | top with vegan butter and .haus granola butter THE BEST 👏🏻

Vegan buttermilk** 1 1/4 cups almond milk + 1 tbsp CBD Apple cider vinegar = let sit for 10 min to curdle

09/07/2021

Did you know today is !? 🍦 As a kid I used to loooveee freezer pops, anyone remember those Flintstones push pops!? Serious childhood dream 😫

Today I’m enjoying some sorbet pops to celebrate this food day. They’re full of real fruit and they’re insanely creamy 👏🏻 The perfect way to beat these warm summer days ahead

Peep my stories for a coupon code to save on your order ✨

07/07/2021

Hello friends 👋🏼 it has been quite some time since I’ve let y’all know who I am! Since I hit 20k yesterday (thank you 🥺 it means the world), I thought I would take the time to reintroduce myself!

1. The names Nicolette Summer Papile ✨ Leo 🌞 Aries 🌙 Virgo ⬆️ A whole lotta passion, fire, water, over worrying, obsessing traits up in this chart

2. I’m a full time yoga instructor! Along side this page I teach 20 classes a week ranging from all sorts of yoga: power vinyasa, hot fusion, sculpt, and Yogalates.

3. I’ve been vegan for almost four years now 🌱 I transitioned to this life purely for the animals and also for the planet. Everyday I’m thankful for the choice I made, and love this life of veganism!

3. I love cooking! If you can’t already tell 😂 I started cooking to help out my family in middle school, good ol hamburger helper 👏🏻 From there my love just grew! Food network was my fave station growing, I have the thank Giada and Ina Garden for all my inspo today. Cooking is therapy to me, if I have a bad day? I’m cooking. Anxious? Let’s make a recipe. Happy? Let’s cook some more! It’s a great way for me to pour my emotions into what I’m making.

4. My life wasn’t always easy. I’m still unpacking traumas from when I was a kid, being in an abusive relationship, and learning to myself. Some days are easier than others, and I have to say I have more good days than bad. All things happen for a reason, but your past doesn’t have to effect who you are today. I’m passionate for mental health, and I want people to know it’s okay to have an off day. Just know that you’re still strong and the next day will be better.

5. For 20 years dance defined my life. I grew up in a strict Russian ballet studio, which taught me nothing but discipline. Despite the scars im still bearing 🥴 I’m so grateful for dance! It was there for me in my darkest of times in my life.

6. Im a firm believer of manifestation 🙏🏼 Everything I’ve achieved today is something that I have thought, obsessed, pushed for to make sure it happened for myself. Even the most wildest dreams can come true, all you have to do is just believe

Thank you all for your constant support 💛

02/07/2021

MEXICAN STREET CORN INSPIRED AVOCADO TOAST! This is the perfect lil appetizer to have any time you want some fancy avocado toasts. I first crisped up a sliced sourdough baguette, mashed on some avocado, and topped with an easy corn mix, chipotle sauce, and vegan feta. Lately I have been loving ! I can always trust that their avocados are the freshest and the best tasting. Avocados are a food that I incorporate into my every day routine, whether it’s an avocado with my breakfast bowl or avocado toast as a snack, it’s one of the best foods you can have everyday. They’re rich in good fats and contain nearly 20 essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and good tasting toasts? Works for me! Snag the recipe below!

Corn Mix:
1 can corn, rinsed and drained
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
2 jalapenos, diced
2 tbsp avocado oil
1 juice of lime
2 chopped garlic cloves
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

2
1 juice of lime
1 tsp salt

Vegan sourdough baguette

Directions: first stir together corn mix and let chill in fridge for 30 min + sliced sourdough baguette into little toasts + coat in avocado oil + bake in oven for 10 minutes at 400 F + in a small bowl mash together avocados, lime, and salt + once toasts are cooked and cooled, add mashed avocado on top + top with corn mix + drizzle on some chipotle sauce (blend up 3 chipotle peppers, with cashews, lime juice, and water) add some vegan feta (I just tossed together some tofu with a little apple cider vinegar and salt) + finish off with cilantro

31/03/2021

STICKY ORANGE TOFU BOWL! 🍊✨🧡 Who else loves Florida OJ?! I know I do! Florida OJ has been a staple in my house ever since I was a kid. I used to love enjoying a glass every morning along with breakfast, and now I’m enjoying it for National Nutrition Month! I love not only for its naturally sweet taste, but also for how nutrient dense it is! 100% orange juice provides a large variety of important nutrients that our body bodies craves; not only vitamin C, but also potassium, folate, thiamin, and calcium 💪🏼

As much as I love enjoying an 8 oz glass, I love adding orange juice to my dishes! You can use this juice in breakfasts, salad dressings, savory dishes, desserts, or even dinner; just like this bowl I made today. I paired the tofu with jasmine rice, sautéed mixed mushrooms and orange scented asparagus. Such a delicious and nutritious Florida OJ packed meal!

What you’ll need:
Homemade tangy orange sauce
Crispy tofu
Cooked jasmine rice
Orange Scented asparagus
Sautéed mixed mushrooms
Green onion and toasted sesame seeds

Find the full recipe on my blog! 🙏🏼Link in the bio and in my stories. Head over to website to find out more info on this powerhouse juice! 👏🏻

20/01/2021

CHURRO DONUTS ✨💛 + GIVEAWAY!! Who else loves SNACKS!? I DOO!! On top of sharing these delicious churro donuts, I’m hosting a giveaway with one of my FAAAVEE snack companies ! I’ve shared my love for their cheese and Buffalo ranch flavor on my stories, and their Sour Cream and Onion is absolutely ridiculous 😋 I actually used their cinnamon churro flavor as the topping of these donuts! It not only brought amazing flavor but also great texture 👌🏼 All their puffs are made from sweet potatoes, they’re gluten free, vegan, and full of clean plant based goodness! I’ll leave the giveaway & recipe deets below 🙏🏼

Giveaway Details:
1. Must be following me &
2. Tag 2 friends you wanna snack with
3. US entries only!

Giveaway ends Thursday (Jan 21st) 😁

Churro Donuts:
1 1/2 cups oat flour
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 tbsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup cane sugar
Pinch of salt
3/4 cup almond milk
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla

1 bag churro puffs
1/3 cup melted coconut oil

Directions: mix together dry and then mix together wet + pour wet into dry and mix together + pour batter into donuts molds (I actually use a mini donut maker) + bake for 12-15 min + once donuts are cooled + dip into melted coconut oil + then dip into crushed up churro puffs + enjooooyy :)

15/01/2021

Let’s talk about STRESS friends 🙏🏼

Who else feels personally victimized by stress?

Let’s just lil basil over here DEFINITELY DOES 🤦🏼‍♀️ You can ask my sister, my family, boyfriend, my best friend; they will all tell you how stressed out I am. Even as a full time yoga instructor I still can’t find time to simple relax. Doesn’t help that I also put sooo much on my plate at once, definitely a habit I need to break this year 😅

Along with time on my mat, allowing some to mediate, and my weekly bath; I love including ancient herbs and roots to help with my stress.

Throughout my wellness journey, I’ve discovered all sorts of herbs, plants, mushrooms, roots that help with stress. One of my all time favorite ones is Ashwagandha ✨

This ancient herb has been around for years. It’s powerful properties enhance memory & cognition, aide anxiety, help you sleep better, boost your mood, balance hormones, and improve sexual function.

I’ve had ashwagandha in all forms: tinctures, powders, and now a GUMMY!

I’m a HUUUGE fan of and when they told me they were launching this brand new product, I had to give it a try! I’ve already noticed a difference in my stress levels throughout the day while taking it. It’s definitely now a staple in my routine 👏🏻

This product is now LIVE so make sure to grab your own bottle 💛 Use my code “Basilandbiceps” to save money on your order $$$

Wishing you all a beautiful night ahead 🌻

31/12/2020

What’s your biggest take away from this year? For me, it’s that nothing is for certain. That in a matter of minutes, hours, seconds, days, our lives can completely change.

This year show me that I can’t control what happens in my life, that no matter how hard I try to control every outcome, that’s just not how life works. We try to control every part of our lives, we control what we do every single day, we control what we consume, we try to control what will happen in our future. But things happen. Things change. Most of the time what we try to control rarely happens.

2020 wasn’t glamorous, it wasn’t at all what we imagined it would be. This year was messy, it wasn’t pretty, and it showed the ugliness that is still rooted in our country. This year opened my eyes to so many things, it removed the rose colored glasses from my eyes.

This year was transformative for me. I had big plans, I wanted to travel, I wanted to move out, I wanted to finally get a new car; yet non of that happened. I lost my job twice, I had numerous mental breakdowns, I cried a lot, I got angry, I worked on myself, I faced parts of me that I wasn’t ready to face.

I had no control of my life this year. The idea of what I thought would happen, never did, but I’m honestly grateful for it. I’m grateful for the ugliness that showed me the truth, I’m grateful for the nights I spent crying because it brought me my strength, I’m grateful for losing my job because it showed me that making money isn’t the only goal to life. I’m grateful for the love I was finally able to give myself. I’m grateful for all of you.

This year humbled me. It let me know to take nothing for granted. Even though I had some very low lows, there was a lot of highs. Growing this page, connecting with this beautiful community, having the opportunity to teach at a new studio I love so much, working on building my relationship with my partner again. And most importantly, loving me again.

2020 was different for all of us. No matter what this year showed you, no matter what what you did or didn’t do in your eyes, I’m proud of you. I’m proud of all of you for making it here.

Love always, basil 💛

Pjs:

Basil and Biceps