homemade almond milk

4 Comments April 16, 2018 hdoan3

Recently, a friend was telling me how store bought almond milk really doesn’t have that much actual almond in it. It was one of those things that made total sense, same with all the ingredients (some scary ones) that keep its shelf life for a couple months. So in the spirit of being more of a basic SoCal blonde, I started making my own almond milk!

I don’t think I can ever go back to store bought after mastering this craft. I usually make a batch twice a week, because it only stays fresh for about 3-4 days…and I also go through it faster than that! A lot of my friends have been asking for the recipe so I thought I would share it here in this space! If you have any suggestions or tips on your recipe, drop a comment below!

What you need:

Depending on whether you have a blender or a smaller nutri bullet, you may need to do the next step in batches. With a nutri bullet, I do about three to four rounds.

wishful thinking that my mom hopefully reads this and sees what kind of dilemma I’m in 🙂

Anywho…

3-4 cups of almonds (I get mine at Trader Joes or Costco)
3-5 pitted dates, depending how sweet you want it. Remove the pits before blending!
Cinnamon, vanilla, sea salt, flax seed, or anything else you want to add some flavor
Cheesecloth
Mason Jar (a few small ones or a large one)

After soaking the almonds overnight, drain the original water used. Using the old water will turn the almond milk brown and not taste good at all. (Not to be confused with the picture below. That is mixed with cinnamon, dates, and the fresh water will turn a little dark from that and the almonds!)

Add dates, vanilla, and another additional ingredients you want. Add filtered water, you want to have enough in there so that it’s easy to strain and you get more milk out of it. This is really up to your discretion and may take a few tries! This picture is a pretty accurate display of how much water I add to each batch. But if you like to thin it out more, just add more water.

After blending for about 20-30 seconds, start pouring the mixture in to a cheesecloth. This will take a few rounds to strain the entire batch. Also be sure to try your mixture when you go through the first round to gage the sweetness and flavor. I like to use a measuring cup to catch the milk so it is easy to pour into a mason jar after.

Yes, we joke about what this looks like as you massage the cheesecloth… go on! Nothing to see here! And if you don’t get it now, you’ll understand when you get to this step and your boyfriend asks what the hell you’re doing…

Voila! You’ve got yourself some kickass almond milk (and a whole new inside joke to laugh about with your friends). I love using my almond milk to make lattes in the morning, or for overnight oats. You may even find your significant other trying to pour some in their coffee…! There’s also the concept of using the ground almonds. I’ve heard of people dehydrating it and making almond flour, or just adding it to smoothies for extra protein. I have yet to get into that project, but if you have any tips let me know!

What do you like to use almond milk for? Leave a comment below!

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finding peace

November 12, 2017 hdoan3

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Image via pen_friend

Devan and I just spent ten days exploring Maui. My parents spent time there years ago during my dad’s windsurfing days. It was so cool to visit and feel their presence in certain areas of the Island. However, a common trend of travel for me lately is taking my mind out of the beautiful present and focusing on what’s out of my control.

Just before leaving for this trip, the word “presence” kept entering my mind. It’s easy to get caught up in “future thinking”, as my life coach calls it. We all know that…be present, live in the moment, blah blah. But seriously, when we are too caught up in our thoughts and not enjoying what’s in front of us, we miss out on a lot…

Photo taken at the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm in Maui

Devan encouraged me to try out Headspace, since I have been very inconsistent with my own meditation. The app has been a great way to sit down every day and tune out from the world for only ten minutes. It also gives you the option to have reminders sent throughout the day, with different facts and quotes regarding mindfulness. I think the best way to stay consistent is through routine–adding just ten minutes of meditation to a normal everyday routine, such as brushing your teeth.

Not to mention..how cool is it that my boyfriend keeps me in check with mindfulness and meditation? I love this element of our relationship, and am so grateful to have someone like him!

Another component to let go and be present is to forgive yourself. Yes, let yourself off the hook! We aren’t always perfect–I can tell you that considering I spent a lot of the trip future thinking. So on one of our last days, as I sat on the beach watching the surf, I forgave myself and it felt like a weight was lifted. I felt my feet ground into the sand, I focused on the waves and the setting sun, and I just clicked into the moment. And then, just like that, things started falling into place. Pretty soon after, (and after some trial and error with other housing applications) a housing opportunity came up and we decided to make the move to Encinitas! This move to the San Diego area has been on our minds, but I think just going for it was the best thing for us to make a decision.

I had this post drafted before leaving Hawaii, and of course it’s taken me this long to post! So now I’m sitting in my new kitchen in beautiful southern California. Somehow we got here, and I am so content with that. Our nest is coming along and I love seeing the progress.

However, I have felt disconnected in some ways during these memorable days. I know it’s time to get back into a routine and embrace this new chapter in our lives. As we were leaving Colorado, I felt like I was in a haze. I knew these moments were memorable and tried so hard to take them all in.

My biggest takeaway from leaving though: I met some pretty awesome people this past year that will continue to be a part of my journey, and I am so lucky for that!

I’ve started to understand synchronicity as a real and powerful thing–a lot of us are experiencing some of the same feelings, ideas and/or revelations at the same time. I am so grateful for my synched up tribe, and can’t wait to meet more people out here.

My thought for today is: why not just be you? What is actually holding you back? It’s usually your own self, and I say that because I do the same thing. But when we align ourselves with our own truth, let our own guard down and just trust the universe, life starts to shift in the right direction.

dreamer

1 Comment June 3, 2016 hdoan3

Suluban Beach, Bali

It’s funny, how when people ask me about my tattoo, somehow with a sort of smirk (or so I think). I just smile and say, “it’s my Australian souvenir” or “you know, I really wanted the word dreamer tattooed on my wrist, so I got it.” Sure, it has its moments, I look at it and wonder why I would do that…and hey, maybe I’ll get it removed one day. But sometimes, it reminds me of the mindset I was in, and the phase in my life where the whole thing took place.

After a few days…sorry mom!

I wrote lists of reasons why I’m a dreamer. I was in such a state of bliss-I had traveled across the world and was on my own for six months. I was completely vulnerable, figuring out who I was and how I wanted to be around others. It was messy…there were times I wish I could redo, but I learned so much about myself. There is a power to being vulnerable.

I was enamored by the moon, doing my walk home from yoga at night. I never felt more safe, walking alone down the steep hill on Beach Street. I would just look up, amazed at the glowing moon, and felt so close to home. I remember walking by Coogee Pavilion, with the dull roar of families and friends chatting, laughing and enjoying their time. I would walk out to the railing, watching the moonlight shine over the water-the waves pushing and pulling in the sea. There was so much magic to the whole thing. Such a simple task-getting from Clovelly to Coogee-walking home from yoga somehow became such a meaningful memory.

Leaving Australia was far from easy. I’ll never forget the chaos of leaving Michelle and her kids. I was a wreck! Not to mention the embarrassing amount of luggage that I rolled away with… I was in such a daze, and felt so sad leaving such an incredible place. During my flight, I wrote pages and pages of memories, thoughts and feelings in my journal. At one point, I was just writing these random lines of thoughts that came through my head, almost like a stream of consciousness. I remember reading an article about Cara Delvigne, where she said some moment in her life “lit a fire” in her, and that really resonated with me. I felt like Australia really lit this fire that gave me so much confidence in myself and my direction.

Gordon’s Bay along the coast walk

So you’d think that meant I came home ready to conquer everything and be in the perfect situation? Wrong. Little did I know, the work had just begun. I came home without really realizing the shock it would cause to my system. Here I am with all of these tools, ready to live my new lifestyle, with nobody understanding my progress. I had just spent months with people who watched me grow, and now I was out of my element. I let go of someone I love, all for the chance to learn more about myself and be vulnerable. And boy, was I vulnerable. I connected with these people who in the end hurt me, but I look back now feeling stronger. I was embarrassed, sad, disappointed, and kept coming back for more. I put my feelings on the line, and got what I deserved in the end. I don’t take any of it back, because I am now sure of what I want in someone and the amount of respect I have for myself. Not everyone in the world has the best intentions for you-but I believe that there’s a lesson to be learned in the end.

And now here I am, just a few weeks past graduation. I finished college! I stuck out all four years in Dallas and ended up loving it. It’s incredible to think that there is a new chapter so close to beginning, and I can’t wait. I can feel that there are about to be some beautiful adventures to come. If you’ve made it this far into my post, I applaud you. Sorry for the feelings… I know I have been off my blogging game, but I have struggled to come up with what I want to share. Despite the big changes happening now, I still feel like there is a lull. I know that with what’s to come, I will be sharing a lot with all of you!

So to come full circle with this, the term dreamer continues to add new meanings. It’s a reminder of my experience abroad, what it represented for me at that time, to continue exploring, stay true to myself, and always be open to something new–with all the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Call it a list of cliches, but it’s become a symbol of my identity, and I’m proud of it

[ be sure to follow my Instagram for updates! ]

natural healers

January 5, 2016 hdoan3

[aaaand that’s not me]

It’s that time of year where gym memberships increase, the yoga studio is extra packed, and you’ll most likely spot someone downing a cold pressed green juice (probably the only thing they’re drinking for a few days…yuck!)

Let me say, that I’ve tried the juice cleanses, the two week detoxes and even tried to cut dairy and gluten. All attempts were a total bust…for me at least. I just sat there craving everything I couldn’t have, and then would end up binge eating a jar of peanut butter. Instead, I’ve found it helpful to add natural healing ingredients to my daily routine, making me feel more refreshed and energized.

Below is a list of my top 5 favorite detox ingredients. I find these helpful in addition to a healthy diet, and less guilt with those meals I like to indulge in once in a while!

turmeric
- Turmeric is known as a natural anti-inflammatory. It can be used for all sorts of things, from cooking to beauty products. I like to use fresh turmeric juice and mix it with lemon water. This drink helps with digestion and eases inflammation as well.
- There are also turmeric supplements, for those of you who don’t have turmeric shots at your local juice bar.
- Learn more about the variety of health benefits of turmeric here.
charcoal
- I’ve blogged about the healing power of charcoal here, and still stand by it. There are charcoal supplements to take, but I recommend Dirty Lemon Detox for a short term cleanse to reset after holiday eating and drinking. Charcoal is known to strip toxins from the inside, helping cleanse your body and leave you feeling refreshed.

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[image from dirtylemon.com]

lemons
- Lemons are also a great addition to your morning routine. I like to have a tall glass of water with fresh squeezed lemon in the morning, helping get my system started for the day.

ginger
- Ginger is another powerful root that I like to incorporate, especially if I’m feeling a cold coming on. I like to get a shot of fresh ginger with a little cayenne pepper. If I already have a cold, this fiery shot helps relieve sinus pressure instantly!
water!
- Need I say more? Water is the most important cleanser for the body. Make sure to drink the appropriate amount of water in accordance with your body weight! Water keeps your digestive system moving, your skin from drying, and also suppresses hunger.

*you can also follow my clean living board on Pinterest for other tips that I’ve found!

let’s not keep this on the DL

1 Comment October 23, 2015 hdoan3

[image from @dirtylemondetox]

Who here hates cleanses? I do! I feel like every time I try to do a detox cleanse, I want to eat everything I’m not supposed to eat even more! I even tried a 2 week cleanse that had a whole list of foods I couldn’t eat, and one was red bell peppers…guess what I craved? Red bell peppers! So bizarre… anyways…

Dirty Lemon Detox is the light at the end of the dark tunnel of cleanses and detoxes. It goes in line with my eating lifestyle: everything in moderation. I eat a healthy diet, but there are times where oreos or a few extra tacos are essential to a happy day.

This detox drink contains activated charcoal, cold pressed lemon juice, dandelion root and ginger. Charcoal drinks have been making an appearance lately, however, most contain pure cane sugar to add sweetness.

Charcoal has been around in the wellness world for some time. It is used in extreme cases to extract poison and even help patients who overdose on drugs. In our case, the amount of charcoal added to the drink is just enough to help you feel less guilty about that late-night pizza order (or in my case, an extra side of bacon with my avo toast!)

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I enjoyed sipping on DL in the late afternoon or even after dinner. It helped ease digestion and went to work on my daily food intake. I even enjoyed it in the bubble bath, instead of a glass of merlot!

I also follow their Instagram and love their cheeky posts!

You can order Dirty Lemon on their website, where you can add your phone number to coordinate your next purchase (because you will want to buy another detox!) You get six bottles of DL for a one week detox for $65, which is worth the price! I already have my next order on its way after all the continuous birthday celebrations (and sweets!)

[you can also see this post on bondtwenty.com, sign up today!]

working on your soul

1 Comment May 4, 2015 hdoan3

I recently watched Cassey Ho’s video on The “Perfect” Body and it was very moving. We are constantly look at ourselves and wish we had at least five different things about our body. We workout excessively, diet, try insane cleanses (that I personally last half a day through) all for what? Because, if I did end up achieving my “dream body”, would I feel that different? Or would I start picking out other imperfections? It’s all just a vicious cycle that we all play into.

I started wondering why we are so focused on our appearance, when it all comes down to who you are on the inside. This may seem obvious, or cliche (I am a fan of the cliches) but seriously! One day I am going to die, and whoever reflects on my life is surely not going to say “she had big arms” or “she had a good tan” (thanks for that one Brynne). I would hope that someone would talk about the person I was any impact I may have had on them.

Why are we obsessing over our bodies and overall appearance when that’s not what’s important in the end? Is that what really defines you? I’m not saying I’m perfectly secure with my image now that I’m posting this, but it is definitely something I am more aware of. I think we should all accept our bodies for what they are, how they were created, and how they will remain without trying to manipulate our diets and exercise. I’m all about a healthy lifestyle, but to restrict myself from good food or a day of vegging out on the couch is a waste of energy.

Embrace yourselves! We have so much more to share with the world, and good energy and a happy soul makes you look a lot better!

-xo-

coffee coffee buzz buzz

August 21, 2014 hdoan3

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When I was a toddler, my mom caught me in the kitchen, swimming in coffee grinds on the counter. Ask me why I did it, I couldn’t tell you then–but today, I would proudly say I was doing a coffee body scrub! Who knew a toddler could be so innovative? (Yes, I did just share one of the many weird things I did as a child.)

Meet Frank, the best body scrub I have found to date. Its coffee-based, all natural formula not only soothes your skin and sloughs off the bumps, it is proven to help diminish stretch marks, psoriasis, and many other skin problems you may be experiencing. The quirky packaging just arrived and I was so excited to try it out!

I may have looked like I was just casually rolling in dirt, but after leaving the scrub on for 10 minutes and rinsing, I came out of the shower smelling like sweet almond oil with a hint of coffee, and my skin was the softest its ever been! (probably as soft as it was the last time I rolled in coffee grinds…)

If you’re in Australia and New Zealand, you get free shipping. If you do not live there, I still highly recommend the product! Check out there products online, there’s a few other types to choose from! However, I found a little DIY recipe on another Australian favorite, The Beauty Chef, to try at home! (I’ll be filling you in on why she’s so amazing soon!)

Oh PS- Tasha Oakley loves Frank too! So if I couldn’t sell you on it, maybe she can!

{via: A Bikini A Day}