theveganblissco

09/08/2021

WHAT GIFT DO YOU NEED TODAY? 🎁

As I sit here on a cold and rainy Monday in Franschhoek, another week stretching ahead, I’m reflecting on how many of my friends (myself included) are facing challenging and painful days.

Grief, loss, anxiety and depression are escalating and many people feel overwhelmed and alone, struggling in silence.

Mental and Emotional health and well-being is something I’ve decided I’d like to bring to the fore of The Vegan Bliss CO’s social media accounts.

It’s something I feel close to and care deeply about.

So you’ll be seeing a lot more of that around here as we strive to create a caring, nurturing, supportive, inclusive and welcoming space that reassures you that you are not alone.

Can I get an “Amen, up in here?”

Today I’d like to invite you to ask yourself, “What gift do I need today?”

If we name our needs and share them with others, we sow the seeds of self awareness and connection, and we move out of the shadows.

Trusting there is someone there waiting to hold our hand.

Today I need the gift of comfort 🤝

09/08/2021

WHY TAKE A WHOLE FRUIT VIT C? 🍋🍊

There are a number of myths surrounding Vit C and with cold fronts and serious viruses, we want to shine a spotlight on this important vitamin.🍋

Vit C is critically important for immune function, to build tissue, counteract stress and promote gut health amongst many other things.🍊

Ascorbic acid, which in over the counter supplements is synthetically derived, is only a part of the entire Vit C complex. Real Vit C found in whole foods contains Rutin, Bioflavanoids, Factor K, J, P, tyrosinase, ascorbinogen, Ascorbic acid.

In Nature, you’ll never find food containing only a single isolated vitamin like Vit C, the way supplements are often presented to us and there is a reason for that. Vitamins n the their natural state never function in isolation. Thy need certain phytochemical and nutritional cofactors to work optimally, and innate/whole food, these are always present.🍋🍊

When only synthetic ascorbic acid is taken, the body must gather all the other components of the full Vit C complex from the body’s tissues in order to utilise the ascorbic acid

Oshun’s Citrus C Plus contains Vit C AND all its phytochemical and cofactors - it’s Vit C in it’s natural state, it even contains the soluble finer (probiotics)of the fruit! And it has added fulvic acid, zinc, selenium Vit D3 and K2, making it a 6 in 1 immune booster!🍋🍊

As a vegan nutitionist, It’s the Vit C I wholeheartedly recommend.❤️

Hop over to www.oshunhealth.co.za to read more about the myths surrounding Vit C and why whole food nutrition is so important. If you’d like to purchase any of their products, you can use the code VEGANBLISS at checkout and receive 15% discount off any non sale items.😊❤️

09/08/2021

Happy Women’s Day. Sisters ❤️ Sending love and light to you all 🌍 I’d like to give a shout out to a few local accounts I follow that are created by women❤️ Feel free time add your faves! 👇🏻 .pickychef .with.compassion .mom .sa .alchemiss.ct .bouwer ❤️

08/08/2021

Everything begins with, “Hello.” ❤️

It’s a cold, rainy Sunday in Franschhoek and I’ve spent most of the day staying cosy in bed and drinking lots of tea, catching up on some plant based blogs and websites I’ve earmarked to browse the last couple of weeks. I’ve collaborated with so many lovely people and brands but there are so, so many more! 🙋🏻‍♀️ (I’ve tagged a few on my post 🤞🏻🤞🏻)

It’s inspiring, creative and just a teeny bit envy inducing.

So I thought it would be fun to find out who your dream collab partner would be.

Who would you love to work with?

Tag/name them in the comments below and who knows, maybe serendipity will step in and they’ll see it!

Dream big! 🌈🌏

Everything begins with, “Hello.” ❤️

04/08/2021

SIMPLY LET NATURE LEAD THE WAY 🌸

Litchi & Titch is a skin and bodycare range created by Franschhoek local, Leica Durham ❤️

Litchi & Titch products are developed using oils and extracts from plants, seeds, fruits and flowers. No chemicals, fillers, fragrance oils or toxic ingredients are found in any of otheir products.

“Treading lightly on this beautiful planet is vital and our eco-conscious antenna are always up.  It goes without saying that we are firmly against any form of animal cruelty and none of our products, or any of the ingredients in them, has ever been tested on animals.”

Their 3 skin care ranges tackle specific skin concerns: HYDRATION & ANTI-AGEING, CLARIFYING & CALMING and BRIGHTENING & BALANCING

I’ve been using 2 of their products - the Brightening & Balancing Serum and the Hydration plus night cream and I love them both!

The serum smells amazing, makes my skin feel soft and I get an instant glow on application. Two of my friends bought the serum and absolutely love it too!

With HERO ingredients of Goji Berry, Green Tea, Broccoli and Blueberry.

​Specifically formulated to assist with fighting the negative effects Free Radicals have on skin caused by environmental pollution, sun exposure, temperature fluctuations, smoke, mental as well as physical stress, anxiety, food or medication.

Antioxidants fight Free Radicals. Ingredients rich in these antioxidants are key to overpowering their effects. Created with the beautiful aromas of Ylang Ylang, Lemon, Rose Geranium and Grapefruit.

The night cream is rich, soothing and hydrating and specifically designed to help combat fine lines, dry patches and general signs of ageing.

With HERO ingredients of skin moisturising HYLAURONIC ACID, nourishing BAOBAB and soothing YLANG YLANG essential oil

AROMATHERAPY BLEND SERUM 3
R475
NIGHT CREAM
R395 | 50ml
https://www.litchiandtitchnaturals.com/

04/08/2021

My Favourite Tahini*

I’ve tasted a few tahinis and my fave so far is Antonia’s Botanicals ❤️Made from 100% stone ground, raw white sesame seeds (and nothing else!) it has a smooth texture and rich taste and isn’t too bitter or salty 💯

How To Use Tahini 👇🏻

Everyone has their fave way to use tahini!

Considered a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, tahini is often featured in traditional Asian, Middle Eastern, and African dishes. It can be added as a topping to oats, smoothie bowls, roasted veggies, as a salad dressing and as a dip for falafels or crudités. Tahini can even bring a unique flavor to baked goods and desserts like banana bread, cookies, or cake to help tone down the sweetness and add a nutty taste.

Nutritional facts👇🏻

Tahini contains more protein than milk and most nuts.

It's a rich source of B vitamins that boost energy and brain function, vitamin E, which is protective against heart disease and stroke, and important minerals, such as magnesium, iron and calcium.

Should tahini be refrigerated?👇🏻

Since it's very high in oil, keep tahini refrigerated once you've opened it to prevent it from going rancid too quickly. It gets difficult to stir once it's chilled, so be sure to thoroughly mix it before putting it in the refrigerator.

Antonias Botanicals Tahini - R90 for 250g

💥NB! Some people may be allergic to sesame seeds, which can potentially cause severe side effects like anaphylaxis, an allergic reaction that can impair breathing. Do not eat tahini if you are allergic to sesame seeds!

23/07/2021

Thank you so much for sharing this again! So honored! ❤️🙏🏻 To read all about who this gorgeous brand is, and my interview based on their beautifully presented, insightful questions (plus my personally curated intimacy playlist on Spotify) ❤️ pop over to their website 🖤

12/07/2021

Shake Up Your Wake Up!* 🍌🥥🌞

I loooove breakfast and often think about what I’m going to make as I’m falling asleep at night (Hey! Don’t judge!) and I came up with this YUM recipe for delicious, decadent, warming, healthy and energising oats! So comforting - feels like a big warm hug in your tummy! ❤️

I used:

Jungle Oats (I give them a super quick whirl in my nutribullet to make a finer consistency and quicker to cook)
Grated apple (added while you’re cooking the oats to keep it juicy and warm)
Banana added while cooking
Splash of plant milk (and water)
Cinnamon
Splash of for an antioxidant boost and a rich rooibos tea taste
Pinch of Himalayan salt
1 teaspoon of vanilla essence (optional)
Antonia's Botanicals]] coconut butter for some healthy fats and coconut flavour 🥥🥥

Topped with a dollop of Antonia's Botanicals]] activated almond butter and a drizzle of Antonia's Botanicals]] tahini for extra decadence (is honestly the best tasting Tahinin I’ve had)💯

E n j o y!😊

In the favourite words of my friend Garth from . HIGHLY RECOMMEND! 😂

12/07/2021

First Of It’s Kind Vit B Complex!*

I absolutely LOVE the range of supplements ❤️🌱

(To listen to my super informative interview with founder Mariette, hop over to my reels, you learn all about why absorption is key, supplements grieved from nature and Oshun’s cutting edge patented absorption tech 💯)

This Vitamin B complex which is essential for plant based living, is a natural alternative to chemically synthesised Vitamin B supplements.It also contains amino acids and other nutrients that work synergistically to provide the full nutritional benefit😊🌸🌱

Fulvic B-Complex is encapsulated in fulvic acid liposomes which means the vitamin B is highly absorbable and delivered straight to the cells of your body!

It is natural, fully vegan and has organic pomegranate juice as its base. As a vegan nutritionist, I HIGHLY recommend it (plus you’re supporting small, local biz😊)

To learn more, hop over to Oshun’s website (oshunhealth.co.za) AND use the special “VEGANBLISS” code at checkout to get 15% off all products (except sale items)👏🏻 Do you take a Vit B supplement? Have any questions? Pop ‘em here 👇🏻

12/07/2021

11/07/2021

*5 Ingredient Flapjacks!! (GF + SF) ❤️🥞

Are you tired of recipes that require Masterchef skills, a gazillion ingredients and are super expensive? Well these 3 ingredient flapjacks could not be simpler or cheaper to make AND tick the gluten free and refined sugar free an oil free boxes too!! 💯

Can't you see that it's just rainin'
Ain't no need to go outside
Maybe we could sleep in
Make you banana pancakes🍌🥞

1 x small banana (or 45g applesauce)
150ml (2/3 cups) plant milk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar OR lemon juice
110g of flour of your choice (I make my own GF oat flour - super cheap and easy)
1 teaspoon baking powder

Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Pinch of salt
Sweetner of your choice (I like organic coconut blossom sugar from Checker’s Simple Truth range)

1. Mix dry ingredients
2. Add wet ingredients
3. Stir but not too much! Batter is thick not runny like crepe pancakes
4. Heat up a non stick pan to MEDIUM heat
5. Place oil in (I used coconut oil)
6. Make sure oil is distributed all over the pan
7. Place a big blob in the centre of the pan
8. Leave until a few bubbles appear (approx 2-3mins)
9. Flip and let lightly brown
10. Repeat!

Top with your choice of fresh berries, banana, cinnamon, coconut cream, cocoa nibs, vegan hunny, vegan ice cream etc!

TIPS!
If the pan is too hot the flapjacks burn and don’t cook inside
If the pan is too cold the flapjacks are tough
The first flapjack rarely works out - don’t worry!

Please let me know if you make them and what your fave toppings are🤩

23/06/2021

When Things Don’t Work Out*

“I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly it’s true
That Bang-ups and Hang-ups
can happen to you.”
-Dr Seuss

Failures and disappointments aren’t often shared. But, there are times for all of us when things simply don’t work out as planned and these experiences can leave us feeling deflated, defeated and disappointed.

Whatever the reason and however much time we’ve invested, it can be hard to pick oneself up and feel motivated to carry on when things don’t work out.

I recently experienced this. Whilst I won’t share any details, I went from super excited to crushed in the space of 2 weeks. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but looking back, I’d like to share with you what I learned from the experience.

1. Red flags are warning signals but our fears often override them. 99% of the time this is due to fear. “I really need the money” “If I say no to this will another opportunity come my way?” The trouble with ignoring red flags is they can cost you time, energy and money, of which you cannot get the first two back.
2. Walking away takes conviction and courage and you don’t always see the reward.
3. No amount of potential good things is worth an emotionally draining business relationship.
4. Numbers don’t lie.
5. Don’t be enticed by carrots. The dangling kind. The potential, the promises, the ‘big picture vision.’ Base your decision on what IS, not on what COULD be.
6. If you don’t own the business or at least 51% shares in it, don’t work for free. Period. People don’t like paying you for things you did for free.
7. Do your homework. Take off the rosy coloured glasses and investigate the company/person.
8. If it’s too fast, too generous or too much pressure, say no.
9. Whatever is bothering you now is only going to get worse.
10. See what positives you can takeaway.
11. Be bold. Channel the energy and excitement you initially felt into something you’re doing now.

Have you learnt anything from your dissapointments? How do you deal with them? I’d love you to share them in the comments so we can all learn more ❤️ Love, Sam xo