Simplicity MAGAZINE
SPRING ‘18
What’s inside: p.4 THE SMALL
GOING VEGAN
p.26 FEEL THE SALTY BREEZE OF MONOPOLI
MOMENTS
p.64 P.10
KNOWING
COLOR ME BRIGHT
BOUNDARIES
p.52 THE PLANT POWERED PARENTS
P.60 BEAUTY OF MALAS
YOUR
p.14 LIVING IN TUNE WITH YOUR CYCLE
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p.40
P.66 DEEPEN YOUR CONNECTION WITH YOUR SOUL
Hello and a
T
aking care of yourself may seem a luxury when life’s demands on you are turned up full volume and there is not enough time for anything, let alone yourself. It may seem that no matter how fast you’re running the crazy life marathon – the finish line is still out of your reach and pausing is not an option.
Warm
WELCOME
We get so caught up in our daily routines that we forget to breathe. We forget to appreciate the moment and to look around because there is still so much to do and not enough time. Until we give ourselves permission to do so. Until we realize that taking care of ourselves is not a luxury, but a necessity and is crucial to our wholeness and wellbeing. After all, we can’t keep running on an empty tank. In this issue, we are bringing you ways to recharge and renew, welcoming the Spring with nutritious recipes and tips to stay grounded and positive. Enjoy! Sincerely, ~ Anna & Marina
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Our Contributors
Ellen Edmondson delivers messages of hope, healing, comfort, and love through her works as a writer, medium, spirit artist, and spiritual coach. She has dedicated her life to providing support and comfort to others in ways that help reawaken the inner knowing that life is eternal and love never dies. She believes giving and receiving unconditional love is our purpose, experiencing joy is our mission, and a life of service is our callingat all times. Ellen’s work can be viewed on her website. Website: https://www.ellenedmondson.com
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Lina Skukauskė
Hanna Kristiina Amy
is a Self-belief Coach born and raised in Finland, is a and Energy Psychology visual addict. “My true passion practitioner who helps builds from photography and awakening women to do visualizing as a photo tells a the inner work to finally move story, far stronger than words from fear and doubts to allowing life to stand still for a freedom of being fully while. With a soft spot for Italy, themselves. I yearn to travel and have a Through mindset shifts, relentless increased self-awareness & wanderlust for discovering gorgeous self-care practices new hidden destinations, she leads creative, collecting moments that heart-centered women to ultimately give me a new fully trust their found lust for life. With a intuition & Divine guidance, Nordic mindset, my webown their gifts and change the site xoamys.com is a visual world for the better through sanctuary that combines the unique expression of their beauty of souls. Scandinavian simplicity by exploring little delicious things in Website: life that inspire me. Made with http://www.linaskukauske. a touch of nordic zest, dreamy com/blog/ travels and an Instagram: ideology of self-improvement, @linaskukauske the au naturel site is a route to healthy living and finding joy in the ordinary. It is the small things in life (and a great bouquet of peonies) that create something extraordinary.” Website: xoamys.com Instagram: @xoamysnordic
Bronwyn Fraser
Lindsay Robeson
is an avid plant-based
Lindsey and her husband Tom foodie living with her family are converted plant-powered in parents. They have 2 Vancouver BC, Canada. daughters: Piper who is 2 and Her passion for food Quinn who is 8 months. emerged early in her life “Our blog blossomed from when baking with her when we decided to become grandmother and plant-based.Our journey further blossomed started in June 2017 while I as she completed her was pregnant with our second University studies in Food daughter. We quit meat and all Science and Nutrition. animal products cold turkey. I When not in her kitchen quickly realized, after creating vegan recipes and eating the same boring taking pictures of the food salad for every meal, we she makes needed to liven it up and for @crumbs.and.caramel, make food fun again. In no you can find her way am I an expert, but I feel playing with her kids or sharing our food and journey exploring the will be a great place for us to beautiful BC coast.: grow together into the plantbased lifestyle. Instagram: My husband and I @crumbs.and.caramel believe in the healing power of plants and love sharing our recipes to encourage a healthy lifestyle.� Website: theplantpoweredparents.com Instagram: @theplantpoweredparents
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The Small Moments by Ellen Edmondson
L
ife is truly lived in the small moments. Pure love is experienced in the simplest ways. You see, life is not complicated, complex, intricate. It is the “in and out” of each breath, the simple kindnesses shared, the unconditionally loving thoughts held, compassionate acts performed, and the peace that fills you upon quieting your mind. Understand the bigness, the grand design, the great miracles in life are lived in the amount of love and joy found in everyday activities—the small moments. It is not tied to grand accomplishments, material success, great fame, or the next big idea. It is living the “I AM” of life— just being present and finding joy and blessings where you are—in every single moment. Embrace the seemingly ordinary with great awareness and love. When you do this, you live in the extraordinary details of life. You live in its full beauty, complete truth, and the grandness it has to offer. Know that when you come to the end of your experience, it is not how much you accomplished that matters most. It is… how much did you love others unconditionally, how much joy did you embrace, create, and share, and how much compassion, encouragement, and support did you extend to others. It is in these divine experiences—encountered in the ordinary moments-where life is truly lived.
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Take care of
yourself... Lily Pulitzer
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Color Me Bright I
t’s that time again to enjoy the daylight and soak up the first warm sunny days! As nature is dressing up in variety of green shades and fragrant blossoms, so is this year’s Spring fashion trend bringing us a mix of stripes, florals, and bright colors like Ultra Violet! Packing up our winter wardrobe and reviving the shelves with colorful choices has never been more exciting! Wearing Violet and Purple shades can be a bold choice. Violet carries the properties of self-knowledge, confidence, intuition and alignment with the Universal flow. Wearing purple can enhance your creativity, awaken your spiritual connection and revive your long forgotten dreams. It is often a comforting color to the psyche and can bring mental focus and clarity. Start wearing Purple! Another vibrant color this season is Lime Punch! Lime can seem as another bold pick, yet it signifies balance and determination. It is believed that wearing Lime color can contribute to project completions and also help manifest what you’ve been working towards. Last but not least, the hot Reds are in! Cherry Tomato is the dominant Red hue this Spring, which can be a great addition to any of your favorite ensembles. Red is the color of action, purpose, motivation and passion. It is also the color of power and sensuality. Tasteful use of red in your wardrobe can add to your productivity, decision making and livelihood, bringing a newfound interest and joy to your daily routine. Color away and let your inner fashionista shine!
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Plant flowers FLY A KITE GO FOR A BIKE RIDE milkshake Host a BARBECUE SPRING Have a picnic BLOW BUBBLES SIDEWALK CHALK walks in nature SUNRISE GAME NIGHTcupcakes paint SKIP ROCKS GO TO A FARMER’S MARKET paper airplane GARDEN SPRING CLEANINGFamilyMovieNight GO TO A FAIR BERRY PICKING carrot cake Family Movie Night ice cream read a book ROLL IN GRASS HIKE star gazing GO FISH
Lemonade
Rollerblade
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L I V I N G in tune with your
C Y C L E By: Lina Skukauske Photography: Lina Skukauske
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enstrual cycle is something that still is sort of taboo in so many cultures even though it’s something each woman has to deal with for almost half of her life. It’s not something we talk about openly, often even between women and definitely not as a society in general. We are shown that awkward neon blue liquid in the ads as if it’s more appropriate than the real blood, subconsciously getting messages that menstruation is something to be ashamed of and it’s a topic about which we have to be very discreet. So with all this secrecy around the period it’s no wonder that most women grow up not paying too much attention to it, let alone studying how to use the feminine cycle to improve their lives. It took me 29 years to find out and learn how to implement a different approach to the feminine cycle but once I tried it I could never go back- I found it to be one of the most empowering tools ever.
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As most women, I grew up with little information about menstruation- I think both at school and at home I was told just the bare minimum that I needed to understand what it is and how to live with it. There was no open, in depth conversations and encouragement to explore this area of my life so I presumed there just wasn’t much to explore. The only two parts of the cycle that I was aware in my day to day life were the PMS and the menstruation itself, both of them pretty obvious and both of them very negative in my mind. Again, as a majority of women I saw my cycle only as a nuisance and definitely not something to be celebrated. Up until the 22-23 I had a pretty horrible starts of the period, often not allowing me to function as a proper member of society for a day or two so my associations with the cycle were far from positive. Later, when I made lifestyle and dietary changes (quitting meat and later alcohol and getting a better day regime) my periods became normal- I still had certain PMS symptoms but it wasn’t unbearable anymore and my cycle fit well in the standard 28 days cycle. As I stopped struggling with it I also stopped paying any attention to it. So when at around 27 I first heard about living in tune with your cycle and the concept of using menstrual cycle as a tool to improve and guide women’s life I cringed at it. I thought this was such a New Age concept with no reason behind it and honestly, I was so disconnected from my cycle that I didn’t even see why I should care about it. When I think about it now I only wish I had listened then but I guess for each thing there’s a perfect timing in our lives.
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In following years I started to explore more the topics of femininity, holistic self-care and self-love. I read books and articles, went to women circles and worked with a coach exploring those themes and at some point the topic of menstrual cycle re-appeared in my life. This time I was more open to it and decided to give it a go and see what is it all about. This exploration opened nothing short of a new world to me- I suddenly understood that instead of 2 most noticeable phases of the cycle we should focus on 4 different ones- menstrual phase (day 1-7), post-menstruation/preovulatory phase (day 7-14), ovulation phase ( approx. day 14-20) and post-ovulation/ pre-menstrual phase (day 20-28- the end of this phase is when we start experiencing PMS). What was most interesting for me that each phase meant that due to hormonal changes in the body in each of them we are literally like a different woman. The hormones change so much that in different phases we have different behavioral and emotional tendencies, and different strengths and weaknesses! Your energy actually beautifully and predictably ebbs and flows through the cycle, you just have to learn how to use it to your own benefits. As I’m not coming from the medical background I will not go into the explanations of specific hormones here. What I do want to do though is to share more about the 4 specific phases of the cycle and how we can use them to improve our lives. When I wasn’t consciously aware of those different phases of my cycle and the impact they had on me I always
struggled with self-love and selfacceptance. I couldn’t understand why some days I was full of energy, passion and motivation and why other days my motivation was gone, my anxiety and self-doubt suddenly much higher and my normally good social skills suddenly seemed almost non-existent. These “ unexplainable” differences baffled me- I would blame myself when I planned certain tasks and activities and then just didn’t feel like doing them at all on certain days or was suddenly really bad at them. I wanted to always keep the same high energy and motivation state which I had some days. Honestly, I felt like I had to keep it and that there was something wrong with me if I couldn’t. Before the exploration of the cycle phases it didn’t cross my mind how much our current world is made to fit the masculine energy- we are expected to show up at school/universities/ work each day and perform our tasks as if all days we are the same. Which is exactly how the masculine energy operates- due to their hormonal changes men experience the peak of energy at the start of the day and it slowly winds down toward the night, and the exactly same cycle starts the next day. It’s predictable and the fluctuations in men are happening in the course of the day but with women it’s a whole different story. What we experience is huge fluctuations in our energy during the month- each different phase of our cycle brings its own pattern of energy levels, emotions and behaviors. We shouldn’t and we can’t expect to have the same energy levels daily- physically our hormones are not allowing that. So understanding this, accepting this and learning to plan my activities according to
my cycle was one the best things I could do when it comes to self-love and selfacceptance. Suddenly instead of blame and guilt I was aware of what and why is happening and could use the different phases for different tasks. And what I like the most about living in alignment to your cycle is that actually it’s very easy- it just requires more awareness. You don’t even have to learn about the hormones and scientific names of the phases (though that gives a better overview and I would recommend doing it at some point). The easiest “trick” is to see each phase as a symbolic representation of 1 of the 4 seasons in nature. In this way our menstrual phase would be winter, post-menstruation/pre-ovulatory phase spring, ovulation phase summer and post-ovulation/pre-menstrual phaseautumn. They are also beautifully linked to different phases of the moon and different archetypes and looking deeper in them can give us a better understanding of how to best navigate the energy of each phase. Here I’ll share in short the common tendencies and best practices for each of the cycle phase but obviously we all are very unique and our cycles are different (even each month our cycle is a bit different depending on stress, diet, amount of sleep etc.) ,so my suggestion is to start tracking your cycle and do a bit of journaling for a few months until you become aware of the changes that are specific to you. This awareness then allows you to honor what your mind, body and soul requires to feel at your best in each different phase.
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Traditionally the standard 28 day cycle is counted from the first day of the bleed, so if we look at our cycle in terms of seasons it goes like this: winter, spring, summer, autumn and then the cycle starts again. I think that understanding the cyclical nature of our lives allows us as women to embrace ourselves fully so much easier. When we are aware of our weekly changes each month we know that the high energy will come again or that the high sensitivity will pass and with this reassurance we start to embrace and value each different phase. And each of them has so much to give to us, just some phases are less understood and accepted than the others.
Winter phase Winter, or our menstruation is typically day 1 to day 5-7 in the standard 28 day cycle. To better understand the differences between each phase I invite you to actually think about the season it relates to. So what do we do in winter? It’s a time where we usually slow down, sleep more, eat more warm, comforting food, prefer rest over the energizing activities and it’s a time of hibernation for many animals. Similarly we as women in this phase of the cycle require more rest and nourishment and it’s not a phase for social gatherings. Many women say that during their bleed they feel disconnected from the real world, like they are in a bit of a dream-like state and this was known in older traditions as a perfect time to get spiritual guidance and connect with our intuition. It’s a phase to tune in, restore our energy and go inwards instead of taking outward action. 18 |Simplicity Magazine
It’s a good time for: -Slowing down and resting- whenever your schedule allows it try to squeeze in more time to rest. Sleep more, if you can- take a day off or just cancel any social gatherings or exercise routines. This is a physically intense time for your body and it does so much better when you don’t force it to be active. If we choose to push through and deny the need to slow down at this phase it usually has an effect on the whole coming month- with no time to restore our energy we don’t reach the possible energy peaks in the later phases. -Communicate with your partner/family about your needs for solitude and rest, if necessary- ask for help- can someone else cook the dinner or do the shopping instead of you? -Meditation- it’s easier to be not distracted by the outside world during this phase so even if you don’t meditate easily this is the time when it comes naturally. -Journaling- our intuition is really high at this time and we can have many inspired ideas or insights about our life. Take time to write them down for the future- it’s not the time yet to implement them though. Do calm, solo activities- be in nature, practice yin yoga, watch movies, read books or take a bath.
Spring phase After winter comes spring, which correlates to approx. day 7 to day 13-14 in the standard 28 day cycle. It’s the period between menstruation and ovulation. Summer phase correlates to approx. day 14-20 in
W
e’re used to hearing dire predictions about our oceans and to feeling mounting concern about the seafood on
our plates. But recent months have brought exciting news for fish lovers, cooks and people who care about seafood sustainability, an inspiring story of recovery and renewal. Just 15 years ago, in 2000, the West Coast groundfish fishery was declared a federal disaster. Overfishing and sea-floor habitat damage caused by fishing gear had devastated the federal waters off the shore of California, Oregon and Washington, where fishermen trawl and cast their lines to catch a hugely diverse population of more than 90 species of rockfish, flatfish, roundfish, sharks, skates and, as the Environmental Defense Fund’s Tim Fitzgerald put it in a recent Chefs Simplicity Magazine | 19
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Your hormones are at the lowest levels during the menstruation/winter phase and in spring phase hormones start to rise again. With them rises your energy and willingness to go out of the “home bubble” and out into the world. Think about spring in nature- it’s the season of fresh energy, growth and aliveness. Similarly in our spring phase we feel ready to start new things (maybe take action on the inspired ideas we got in our winter phase), tackle our goals and tasks and just enjoy ourselves. I always find it to be the easiest and most optimistic phaselife is fun and things just flow.
It’s a good time for: -Planning and execution- in many ways this is the most masculine phase of the whole cycle. Our thinking is more logical, we communicate easily, we’re easy going and we feel playful and confident. Our energy levels are getting higher and higher and we can use this time to be really productive and if needed can easily squeeze in more working hours. -Self-care in order to look our best- booking in waxing (or dental appointments/anything else that’s uncomfortable as it’s less painful than in other parts of the cycle), getting your nails and hair done etc. Arranging things feels natural and we’re outgoing so such tasks are easy and enjoyable, plus it’s time when we naturally want to feel feminine and pretty. -Stocking up on the good produce- premenstrual cravings are gone so it’s easy to fill our bodies (and fridges) with foods that are nourishing for us. -Exercise- energy and motivation is steadily rising and we can keep up a good exercise
routine easily. -Meetings with friends and family- we feel good and it’s easy to share such energy with others.
Summer phase Summer phase correlates to approx. day 14-20 in the standard 28 day cycle. It’s the day of ovulation and a few days after it and it’s a perfect time for all things social. Out hormones make u feel and look out bestwe’re most confident, outgoing, creative and sensual. As a season summer is the time when everything is blooming and in this phase of the cycle we also feel most radiant and sexy. Biologically it’s the time when our bodies are fertile and we can use this creative energy to create babies, art or simply bring new work or personal projects to fruition. It’s also the time when we feel most caring and empathetic.
It’s a good time for: -Anything where you need to show up at your best- asking for a promotion/doing interviews/speaking on stage etc. Also good time to do important work projects- our energy is high, we feel good and we’re very good at communication. -Sensuality-our libido is the highest now, it’s the time to start a baby if you want to conceive or just a good week to go on dates with your partner. -Creative expression- take time to play, experiment, be bold and playful. -Any social gatherings. -Anything that requires lots of energy- high intensity training, participating in sports competitions, traveling, starting a new job. Simplicity Magazine | 21
“My personal favorite is app called Clue- I love that it has a minimalistic design and all the basic things you need to track- your skin, cravings, mood, energy levels, libido etc. Plus you can add your own tags and track those, too (for example I also track my creativity + inspiration levels and willingness to do various specific activities). “ 22 |Simplicity Magazine
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Not only our energy is at it peak, but also our confidence, so we can easily handle almost anything.
Autumn phase Autumn phase is mostly known because of the PMS and it correlates to day 21-28 in the standard 28 day cycle. It’s the week after ovulation and until menstruation. The first days of autumn phase are still quite similar to summer phase but slowly with the increase of progesterone production in the body we start to feel much calmer. Similarly to winter, autumn is also a Yin phase of our cycle- time to unwind and turn inwards. The second part of this phase is when most women start to experience the PMS symptoms. The archetype that is associated with this phase is Wild Woman and I think it beautifully explains the energy of this phase- we are highly intuitive, very aware of our standards and boundaries and are easily irritated if someone (someone else or we ourselves) doesn’t respect them. It’s a time of high sensitivity which can be both a blessing and a curse. . This sensitivity and intuition easily shows us when something is not right. If during other parts of the cycle we can ignore our inner world rather well, then during this phase things that are really important (but we don’t want to look at them yet) come to the surface and we’re forced to deal with them.
It’s a good time for: -Journaling, yoga and being in nature as these practices allow us to connect to our intuition and really see what’s happening in our life and if we need to adjust anything. 24 |Simplicity Magazine
“What we experience is huge fluctuations in our energy during the montheach different phase of our cycle brings its own pattern of energy levels, emotions and behaviors. We shouldn’t and we can’t expect to have the same energy levels daily- physically our hormones are not allowing that.”
-Hot baths and saunas with specific essential oils as they tend to calm us down and relieve the PMS symptoms. -Ruthless decluttering/editing- the Wild Women in us knows what she wants, so this is the best time to review and quickly decide without too much emotional attachment. -Preparation for the winter phase- try to think what will you need in the week when you really crave solitude. Usually doing some shopping in advance and meal prepping can really ease the winter phase. The same goes for work/social projects- if possible, try to do/finish tasks which require communication/live participation before the winter phase. -Attention requiring, repetitive solo tasks come easily in this phase as we’re getting less and less sociable but our focus is high. So as you can see, every part of the cycle is different in significant ways and not being aware of the tendencies of specific phases can really disturb your plans (hello important interviews during PMS or grueling hikes on the first day of the cycle!). But when you know about different tendencies, how do you apply it to your life in a practical way? I guess there are different ways to work with your cycle, but what worked for me was this: -tracking my cycle -short journal entries about how I feel/ experience on different days -marking those 4 different phases in my
Google Calendar where I plan everything. In this way, before saying “yes” to anything I can take a look and easily predict where I’ll be in my cycle that day and see whether the thing in question will be suitable for that day or not. Obviously it’s not always possible to plan things to my liking but even just knowing what will be happening in my body and emotions already gives me a lot of benefits. I see it kind of like a weather forecast- when I know it will be raining I can at least take an umbrella. There are plenty of different apps to track your cycle which have a variety of features. My personal favorite is app called Clue- I love that it has a minimalistic design and all the basic things you need to track- your skin, cravings, mood, energy levels, libido etc. Plus you can add your own tags and track those, too (for example I also track my creativity + inspiration levels and willingness to do various specific activities). I really believe that it’s time for us as women to finally embrace our cycles and explore all the possibilities they open to us. More awareness, self-love and self-acceptance is never a bad idea and I wholeheartedly believe that living in alignment with our cycle is one of the fastest ways to bring these things to our lives.
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Feel the Salty Sea Breeze of Monopoli by Hanna Kristiina Amy
Photography: Hanna Kristiina Amy
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ou know you’re in Apulia, when you naturally awake in the mornings to the perfect blend of church bells and pigeons cooing on rooftops warming up in the deep sunrays. I open our aqua tinted double balcony doors to witness the soft hues of the old town and soak in the feeling of this coastal town. The low sun flare causes my eyes to twitch and all I hear is the occasional Vespa buzzing in the background, and the sound of enoteca shutters sliding open. The little town slowly comes to life and the subtle charm makes it too easy to fall in love with Monopoli. Now it’s time for that perfect frothy cappuccino, I so deeply crave. A charismatic town in the Adriatic coast in the province of Bari, Monopoli is surrounded with turquoise color waters that fulfill anyone’s visual and seafood cravings. There is a beautiful aura here, the mornings begin with a flock of fishermen mending their nets at shore front in Porto Vecchio, while locals gather to sip coffee with newspaper at hand in the main piazza. Life is calm here, the salty sea breeze and harmonious white streets with the occasional cyan door passing you by create, without a doubt, a photographic dream.
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“Monopoli will give you tranquility if you stop and let it capture your Heart.�
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People are friendly and warm. They didn’t seem preoccupied to us. They work and earn their living but there was also something else. It was surprising for us to see in the downtown area, in the middle of the busy tourist season stores close at 6pm on the weekday. On weekends they had very limited hours as well. Is it possible that a business is not trying to maximize its earnings?
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Just like many other small towns in Puglia, Monopoli is filled with intertwining cobbled streets, shaded archways, limestone walls, allies lined with flower pots and little corners that tingle all your senses, the way they should. With a kaleidoscope of cobalt blue or ruby red geranium spilling over balconies, every facade is Pinterest worthy and the scent of freshly hung laundry mixed with authentic cooking lingers in the air as you pass numerous local Tavernas. Find tranquility in the small port that still harbors traditional blue and red “u vozz” fishing boats made entirely of wood as it did a hundred years ago. They contrast against the golden walls of the castle and illuminate against the glistening sun that spreads over the shallow waters of the bay. Getting lost in the backstreets of the old town will feed your eyes and that chilled glass of dry prosecco will quench your thirst from the heat. Meanwhile, a slow mouth-watering lunch followed by a double shot of espresso in the presence of southern hospitality will fulfill your soul in a way that will keep you wanting more. Needless to say, my husband and I have been coming to Italy for nine years in a row. This is our happy place. Southern Italy is the epitome of slow food, old cities, captivating countryside and intriguing baroque architecture that creates a foundation for the alluring life in Puglia. There is a real appreciation for fresh-pressed olive oil, primitivo wines, old-fashioned pasta making, seafood and local organic food. Monopoli’s white softness comes to life when the sun reflects on the winding streets and
is most enjoyable when you can look out into the sea while digging your fingers in the freshest of seafood. End your days in a cozy Vino Bar and take a stroll listening to the majestic waves and sneak a fior di latte gelato to make sure your diet doesn’t get the best of you! Long history short, Monopoli was founded by the Greek, ruled by the Romans and attacked by several invaders. Once a thriving port town, fishermen inhabited the area and hence today the seafaring culture plays a significant and proud role reflecting authentic values of a Mediterranean and Eastern tradition. The name “monos polis” originates from Greek meaning ‘unique city’ and it all makes sense, if you surrender to the richness of the town and get lost in the alluring culture. Monopoli sits in a great location as it makes exploring the surroundings ideal. Additionally, idyllic Polignano a Mare lays just up the coast and other picturesque towns such as Alberobello, Ostuni and Martina Franca are a scenic Fiat 500 ride away. Eat antipasti all day and bring along a great boho dress to match the laid back lifestyle. Carry a camera at all times along with an appetite and get ready for that desired Apulian dream. Monopoli will give you tranquility if you stop and let it capture your heart.
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“ If you surrender to the richness of the town and get lost in the alluring culture...� Simplicity Foodie Magazine | 35
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T
hinking about going vegan? Whether you’re interested in becoming plant-based for your health, out of respect for animals or to leave a smaller footprint on the environment, it’s never been easier to be vegan and enjoy delicious, satisfying and healthy food! A plant-based diet includes food made with grains, vegetables, fruit, legumes (dried beans, peas, lentils), seeds and nuts. It excludes all animal products such as meat and poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, and gelatin. A healthy vegan diet has many health benefits including lower rates of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancers plus improved asthma management, and better gut flora just to name a few. As true of any diet, it is important to ensure you are getting enough protein, iron, zinc, calcium, iodine, vitamins D and B12 and omega-3 fats from food or supplements. A healthy vegan diet can meet all of your nutrient needs at any stage of life including infancy, childhood, elder years, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Many Olympic level and high performance athletes have adopted a vegan diet and have seen improvements in recovery and well-being. When adopting a vegan diet, consider speaking with a Registered Dietitian to help you get started on the right track. For instance, he/ she will be discussing the need to take a vitamin B12 supplement as this vitamin is the only nutrient not found in sufficient amounts in plant-based foods. Vitamin B12 is inexpensive and comes in various forms (sprays, lozenges, and capsules). Generally, if you are eating a variety of plant-based foods all other nutrients should be covered. Not sure where to start? Here are some tips on starting a vegan diet: • Make a list of your favorite non-vegan dishes and search for the vegan recipe versions on-line. Take a look at the reviews of the recipes and select ones with high reviews. Vegan cookbooks and vegan recipe blogs are great resources as you get used to creating vegan dishes. Once you’ve picked out the dishes you want to prepare, jot down what ingredients you need. Grocery shopping is made easier with a list in hand after some menu planning. • Try not to be extreme right away. If you’re used to eating a standard American diet, for example, start slowly. Going from a nutritionally poor diet to an exclusively very clean diet full of raw foods, green smoothies and no sweets can be too much change too quickly and often isn’t sustainable. Commit to foods that are plant-based at first but slowly incorporate foods that are less familiar to you. If you don’t like raw vegetables, don’t force yourself to eat them at first. If your favorite meal is a burger and fries, try out a popular vegan restaurant with a highly rated burger. Go with the familiar at first and you’ll find yourself branching out slowly, trying new-toyou ingredients, dishes and flavor combinations. • If you’re really struggling, perhaps start out eating vegan 3 days a week at first and slowly wean yourself onto a plant-based diet by gradually increasing the days you eat vegan. • Start quietly. For example, making a declaration to your work mates that you’re going vegan can open up some confrontational discussions as some people unconsciously get a bit defensive about eating animal products. 40 |Simplicity Magazine
Going Vegan by Bronwyn Fraser
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“Enjoy the process of starting something new and of trying new foods and adapting a vegan lifestyle.�
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Some people are simply curious and may ask a lot of questions such as where do you get your protein, how can not eating meat be healthy, where do you get your calcium etc. As you become more confident in your food choices and nutrition facts, you may then feel more comfortable and prepared when choosing to bring up the topic .• Look for well reviewed 30 Day Vegan Challenges on-line. These offer many resources in one spot, including recipe ideas, shopping tips, as well as a community of like minded people for support. • One of the flavors people sometimes miss when giving up meat and cheese is umami. Umami is one of the 5 basic tastes (with sweet, sour, bitter and salty being the other four) and is best described as ‘savory’. Try some of these umami rich vegan foods: • miso paste (a Japanese paste found in the cooler section) adds a lot of flavor to gravy, soups and sauces • nutritional yeast has a cheesy taste and is rich in protein and vitamin B12. It can be used in vegan cheese sauces, sprinkled on pasta, kale chips and popcorn • vegan cheeses have a come a long way in texture and flavor, with many on the market made with natural ingredients • there’s a lot of great prepared veggie meats on the market now, available in the cooler and freezer sections of most grocery stores • mushrooms are great for gravy bases, soup broths and add a meaty texture to pasta dishes, stews, sandwiches, burgers and more • tamari and soy sauce are umami rich and salty, perfect for deepening flavors in sauces,marinades, soups, stews and gravy • sun dried tomatoes are lovely in pesto, pasta sauce, on pizza and in wraps•tomato paste deepens flavors in sauces, marinades and soup • toasted nuts and seeds are nutrient power houses and are easily added to most dishes or simply grabbed by the handful for a quick snack • spices are a fun way to explore different ethnic flavors from different curry blends to different herb combinations • roasting vegetables is a great way to get more umami flavor. Roast a variety of your favourite root vegetables, broccoli and cauliflower and keep them in the fridge for quick additions to salads and pastas Remember that there is no such thing as being perfectly vegan, just as no one is perfect. Be easy on yourself and be easy on others who chose not to be vegan, as this is your path not theirs. Enjoy the process of starting something new and of trying new foods and adapting a vegan lifestyle. Every small change counts!
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GOING VEGAN
Recipes by Bronwyn Fraser Photography : Bronwyn Fraser
“HEARTBEET� HUMMUS This creamy and vibrant hummus is sure to attract little ones with picky taste buds. Serve with crackers, fresh crisp veggies or use as a spread in a veggie wrap!
INGREDIENTS: 4 small-medium beets (about 1 cup in size), well roasted, peeled and roughly chopped 2 cups cooked chickpeas 1/4 tahini 1/4 cup avocado oil 2 tbsp lemon juice 4 cloves garlic 1/2 tsp salt
PREPARATION: Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and blend on high until completely smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Stop every so often to scrape down the sides and to test the consistency. Taste and adjust salt and lemon juice.
ENJOY!
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VEGAN ROASTED POTATO LEEK SOUP This hearty and flavorful soup is very simple to make and perfect for an easy family favorite meal. The flavor of the potatoes is enriched is by roasting them first and can be done ahead of time so it’ll take you only 15 minutes to make this delicious soup once you’re ready for it.
INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and chopped 4 tbsp olive oil, separated 4 large leeks, cleaned and cut in 1/4” slices 3 ribs celery, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp dried thyme 1/2-1 tsp ground black pepper 1/2 cup white wine 1 tbsp miso paste 6 cups vegetable stock 1/2 cup cashews, soaked 1 cup water Salt, to taste
PREPARATION: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or oil well. Once oven has reached 425 F, toss the potatoes in 2 tbsp of olive oil on the baking tray and roast for 20-30 minutes, flipping every 10 minutes. They are done once they are cooked through and are lightly browned. In a large soup pot over medium heat, heat the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil. Saute the leeks and celery until they soften, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and saute another minute until fragrant. Stir in the thyme and black pepper. Deglaze the pan with the white wine. Add the vegetable stock and roasted potatoes, turn the heat to high and bring to a simmer. In the meantime, in a high powered blender, combine the miso paste, cashews and water. Blend on high until smooth, about 2 minutes then stir into the soup pot. Turn off the heat. Blend the soup with an immersion blender until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a high powered blender - blend the soup in batches, filling the blender only about 1/2 full each time so it doesn’t burn you. Add more salt and pepper, to taste. If it’s too thick for your liking, thin it by adding a small amount of vegetable stock. Enjoy with pretty garnishes such as sliced radish, chives, sauteed leeks slices, fresh thyme, and pumpkin seeds. Simplicity Magazine | 47
CRISPY SWEET POTATO WEDGES WITH GUACAMOLE Check out the color of these tubers! These wedges and guacamole are so easy and quick to prepare. The wedges are baked not fried but still have that crisp exterior we all love, and are salty, sweet and totally addictive! They are seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder here, but they are great with spicier additions such as chili powder, paprika or cayenne pepper!
CRISPY SWEET POTATO WEDGES INGREDIENTS: 3-4 medium purple sweet potatoes 2-3 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
PREPARATION: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Scrub the sweet potatoes. No need to peel them as the skin helps with the crispy exterior. Cut each potato into wedges by cutting it into quarters, and then each quarter into thirds resulting in 12 wedges per potato. Place on baking tray and drizzle with olive oil. Dust with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Using your hands or a large wooden spoon, toss to coat evenly and then line the wedges on the pan in such a way that each one is lying flat. If they are piled together, they won’t be crispy. Place in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and flip the wedges. Return to the oven for another 10-14 minutes. The inside of each wedge should be fully cooked and tender. Serve hot with the guacamole.
GUACAMOLE INGREDIENTS: 3 large avocados 1/2 medium shallot, minced Juice of 1/2 lime 1/2 tsp salt Other add-ins if desired - chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, garlic
PREPARATION: Wash, peel and pit the avocados. Place in a medium sized bowl. Mash with a fork. Add the minced shallot, lime juice and salt (and add-ins if desired). Mix together. Add more salt and/or lime juice to taste. 48 | Simplicity Magazine
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TRIPLE CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD This banana bread is tender, chocolaty, comforting and has the perfect amount of banana flavor. Eat it for a sinful breakfast or enjoy with a scoop of vegan ice cream for dessert!
INGREDIENTS: 2 large ripe bananas 1/2 cup unsweetened plant-based milk 1/3 cup vegetable oil 2 tbsp white or apple cider vinegar 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup white sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/4 cups vegan chocolate chips, divided
PREPARATION: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9� x 5� loaf pan (or line with parchment paper.) In a medium sized bowl, mash the banana with a fork. Stir in the plant-based milk, oil, vinegar and vanilla extract. Set aside. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until well blended. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and mix just until the flour is almost blended - add one cup of the chocolate chips. Stir until just incorporated. Do not over mix. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips. Bake for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out without batter stuck to it (you may hit a chocolate chip so a toothpick may not come out completely clean.) Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before turning out of the pan onto a wire rack.
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The Plant Powered Parents Recipes for you and your family
by Lindsay Robeson Photography: Lindsay Robeson
KIWI KALE SMOOTHIE BOWL INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
1 handful fresh kale 2 handfuls fresh spinach 1 frozen banana 5 chunks pineapple 1 kiwi peeled and chopped 1 cup nut milk 1 tbsp hemp seed
Combine all ingredients into a blender. Process until smooth.
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Serve with your favorite toppings.
ENJOY!
CILANTRO LIME CASHEW CREAM Creamy and Flavorful!
INGREDIENTS: 1 cup cashew soaked in warm purified water for 4 hours 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp purified water I use the water I soaked the cashews in 1/4 tsp Cumin 1/2 tsp garlic powder 3 tbsp lime juice 3/4 cup fresh cilantro
PREPARATION: In a food processor or blender combined all ingredients. Blend until smooth.
ENJOY!
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NO GUILT APPLE CRUMBLE {VEGAN PLANT BASED} This dish is great for everyone in your family! Scoop some ice cream on it or pair it with yogurt for an easy breakfast.
INGREDIENTS: DATE CARAMEL APPLES 10 pitted medjool dates 1 1/4 cup hot water 3 granny smith apples cored and cubed (skin on) 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp lemon juice OAT CRUMBLE TOPPING 2 cups Old-Fashioned Oats 1 tsp cinnamon 1/4 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce 1/2 cup crushed walnuts
PREPARATION: Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Add hot water and dates to a food processor. Process vented until thoroughly blended. Should be a caramel consistency. Set aside. In a 11 x 7 baking dish mix apples , lemon juice, and cinnamon. Pour date sauce over the apples and coat evenly. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the oats, walnuts, cinnamon, maple syrup, and applesauce. Spread oat mixture on top of the apples. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes (oats will get crunchier as it cools.) Enjoy with some vanilla nice cream or yogurt!
RECIPE NOTES: If you’d like the apples to be on the crisp side-bake it for 25 minute, or a bit longer for softer apples ;just be mindful not to burn the topping. Simplicity Magazine | 55
VEGAN WALNUT BANANA BREAD INGREDIENTS: 2 tbsp flax seed 4 tbsp Water 1 1/2 cups pancake & waffle flour e.g. Bobs Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix 1 tsp cinnamon 3 tbsp maple syrup 3 over ripe bananas 1/4 cup nut milk 1 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup applesauce
PREPARATION: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease and a 9x5 inch loaf pan. In a small bowl, mix flax seed and water together and let set for a few minutes to form a paste. Combine flax seed paste, bananas, maple syrup, nut milk, and applesauce in a blender and process until smooth. Sift together flour and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl. Slowly add banana mixture to flour mixture and stir until combined. Fold in 1/2 cup walnuts. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Top with remaining walnuts and lightly push into batter. Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
RECIPE NOTES: Top with a glaze to give a little bit of added sweetness.
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SIMPLICITY RECOMMENDS Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Big Magic is one of the most honest discussions about the creative process out there. Elizabeth Gilbert strikes a playful and conversational tone, but her no BS attitude helps do away with the unrealistic expectations and unnecessary drama attached to the concept of “creative living”. “Shake yourself free of all your cumbersome ideas about what you require in order to become “creatively legitimate”. You do not need a permission slip from the principal’s office to live a creative life. Or if you do worry that you need a permission slipTHERE, I just gave it to you... Now go and make something.” Simplicity Parenting by John Payne Simplicity Parenting is among our top ten parenting books. It can be applied to any age kids and covers a lot of different areas of parenting. The book offers valuable techniques of simplifying by streamlining environment, creating family rhythm, modifying schedules, and filtering out the adult world. Interesting references to how simplifying provides a calming effect to children’s behavior particularly those with attention/focus issues. Definitely a worthwhile read and a good reminder for a family looking for more balance. Active Dreaming by Robert Moss “You are going to learn an approach to life that I call Active Dreaming. This approach includes paying attention to night dreams, but it is not only, or even essentially, about what happens at night. It is a method for conscious living. When you become an active dreamer, you’ll notice that the world speaks to you in a different way.” Robert Moss’s captivating book is one of the must-reads. At once useful, playful and threaded with enchanting storytelling, Active Dreaming is a guide for rediscovering your innate ability to live your dreams like they really mattered. Because, as Moss might say, they may be the only thing that does. The Law of Divine Compensation by Marianne Williamson “Spiritual growth involves giving up the stories of your past so the Universe can write a new one.” In her book , Marianne Williamson reminds us that love is the most important thing and that miracles abound and transcend the laws of time and space. You may find prayers and exercises that reset your views on life, money and most importantly, yourself.
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The Beauty of Malas
M
ala beads have been used in Buddhism and Hinduism for centuries. Buddhist malas are often made up of different types of wood, such as sandalwood and rosewood. In Hinduism, you can find malas made with rudraksha, which is considered a very holy and protective seed. In Sufism they are called Tasbih and are made of 99 beads. Each bead represents a Divine name/ inner quality. The mala is a beautiful reminder of our intentions and is made of gemstones that match the intention of your practice. We have asked McKenzie Weiss, a Mala Artist and Expert, who has started making Malas as a creative hobby, but soon it turned into a successful endeavor attracting people to her unique vision: - Could you tell us a bit more about what is a Mala? How many beads are in it? What is the purpose? A typical mala has 108 beads around and there is a guru bead which is the larger bead at the bottom of it. The 108 beads represent the 108 human vices or sins, but there are also mathematical and religious reasons to the number There are different types of malas, some have breaking points at the 9th bead. I usually make Tibetan malas, which has a marker bead at each 27th bead. When you start the meditation and may drift away into your daily thoughts of “what’s for dinner” or “what do I need to do next” by the 15th bead, the marker bead’s intention is to bring you back to focus on the present moment, quieting down the thoughts. For me, Malas are not a religious thing, but as a symbol of joy and peace, a way to calm your mind and remembering the small things in life. People meditate with them differently, there is no one technique for all, but whatever works for each person individually. Some people use the Mala to meditate bead by bead, some just run them through their hands, as long as it brings you peace and comfort.
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- Would you give us a glimpse into the creative process of making a Mala? Most of the malas have tassels at the end, but I love to put dangles on mine and it is sort of my signature design. The guru bead at the bottom of the mala symbolizes the beginning and also the end destination point, and the client can choose it to be a stone or a shape, depending on the design. My malas are beautiful, but also very functional. There is an intention behind every knot, behind every bead. I love the completion piece, because it is the accomplishment of the gift of joy and peace that the mala is for someone. Before the client receives the completed piece it is always cleansed. For cleansing I use the Tibetan singing bowls, and put the mala inside the bowl. While the singing bowl is active, the vibration is cleansing my energy, the beads and the energy of the receiver. - What would be some of the ways one can incorporate a Mala in their practices? You can also wear it as a bracelet. Some of the malas have a wishing thread at the end and it can serve as a reminder throughout the day for what you’re grateful for. A lot of times people get wound up in what is not working in their lives and the mala serves as a great reminder to pause, to take a deep breath, or to come back to your center and remember to focus on the good things in life. Another way is to infuse the beads with essential oils and wear it as a necklace throughout the day. The oil scent can serve as a reminder of your intentions and your practice. As McKenzie points out, meditating with a mala helps to calm the mind, deepens the breath and gradually re-direct the focus of the mind away from daily worries and disturbances towards positive thought patterns. Meditation is well known to positively affect the brain and mood. However finding the time and practice that enables us to be still, calm and focused for a few minutes or more is generally quite hard. This is where your mala and mantra are indispensable tools for achieving better attention, focus and enhanced self-awareness. When you feel it calling you, it’s time.
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K
nowing your boundaries and honoring them does not always come easy, especially if you’ve practiced all your life overstepping them. How many times in your life have you said “yes” when everything in you was saying “no”? How many times in your life have you compromised your time, energy and space when responding to others needs, just because you were too afraid to offend someone by saying “no”? Finding your personal boundaries may require an unavoidably honest look at yourself, standing up to the fears within and going back to the moment you have lost touch with your inner voice of truth. In fact, it requires you to face your own “people pleaser” within. Our people pleasing skills start developing at a very young age, when we are taught to “be nice” and to “be polite”, and when being loved equals being good. We learn that we are loved, liked, appreciated, etc. Only if we behave according to certain rules and we learn to associate love with complying to those rules and conditions. When you ask a child to “be nice” without addressing their feelings, you subconsciously ask them to deny the expression of whatever they may be feeling at that moment (frustration, anxiety, fear, etc) and act upon your expectations of a “norm” and “accepted” behaviors. What does that teach a child? That whatever they feel is “wrong” and in order not to get in trouble, they must quiet their voice of truth. It teaches them to turn away from their intuition and ignore their own cues and feelings, because you’re the authority at that moment. The child learns to mistrust themselves and then continuously looks for your validation of their 64 |Simplicity Magazine
behavior (negative of positive). This continues far into adulthood, where we grow into individuals strongly depending on validation of our choices from our friends, family and colleagues. We deeply mistrust our own sense of validity and inner strength,and end up doing and saying things that take a toll on us emotionally, mentally and physically. We can exhaust ourselves trying to make everyone happy, but ourselves. Getting in touch with the loving power within you, residing in your heart center, can help to recognize and address the feelings that hide behind the need to constantly compromise your boundaries and as a result create the constant inner conflict. Understanding the root of your “people pleaser” is the first step towards creating a loving relationship with yourself and learning to express your boundaries in a healthy way. Learning to say “NO” wholeheartedly without being afraid to offend anyone can only come from a place of knowing your own worth and building a strong validation system within you based on your own intuition, wisdom and confidence. Trusting yourself and discerning what feels true to You takes practice. By going within your heart every time you feel uncomfortable saying “No” or feel the need to apologize for saying it, you are realigning yourself with the power within you to claim the ownership on your own energy, time, efforts, etc. and eliminating the aftermath of exhaustion. You can start by noticing your bodily reactions next time someone asks you to do something your heart is not in agreement with and by taking a few deep breaths while centering yourself, communicate your truth in a loving compassionate way.
KNOWING your
BOUNDARIES
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Deepen Your Connection with Your Soul by Ellen G. Edmondson
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O
ur spiritual health is just as important as our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It takes all four elements to make an individual whole. Yet it is the spiritual connection that is weak or lacking in many lives. If you get quiet and let yourself contemplate life, you come to realize the divine truth that we are each a beautiful soul that has come into the world with the purpose of having a human experience as an individual and as part of the overall life force that moves all of humanity forward. Our spirituality is our link to the higher purpose and the greater good of our existence. When we understand this, we understand how important it is to be vigilant about the care and feeding of our spiritual selves. Our spiritual fulfillment comes from living in the beauty and grandeur that surrounds us within the simplicities and complexities of life. It’s holding in reverence the holy experience of each breath we take and not just existing in and moving through the routines of life—but fully living in each experience as the divine moment it is meant to be. Throughout our life journey, each of us is offered a series of on-going mini-awakenings to not only our own divinity but the divinity in others and in everything that surrounds each of us at any given moment. When we embrace this, we deepen our faith and expand our spirituality. To feed our spiritual selves we must slow down, embrace silence, tune into our heart’s desires, and be grateful for the joy, love, and creativity in each of our moments. When we practice this, we become more awareness of why our soul is here. Yes, we will experience challenges and pain. Yes, we will experience moments of joy, peace, fulfillment, and true connection to our oneness with all Life. We are here to experience it all and to move through it all with a sense of understanding, wonder, awe, and enlightenment. Our higher purpose is not to live with resentments, anger, judgments, bitterness, fear, or unforgiveness. It is to awaken to the fact that our soul came to experience it ALL on purpose and for a purpose. It is our soul’s desire and intent to be here right now to experience these moments for the refinement and expansion of not only our individual soul but also for the universal soul (consciousness) that we each came to impact. By living as the divine beings we are and letting our individual lights shine, we give each other permission to be the fullness of who we really are as our light ignites and fans the flames in each other. We are all here to serve one another and we are all here to love one another unconditionaly--even when we are not so lovable in our human ways. TRUST in the overall process of Life and more importantly trust in the unfolding or your own life. Know that all is good all the time. You can and will rise above the fray of anything negative that does not serve or align with your higher purpose by always reaching for that which calls you toward your ever evolving divine greatness. We can only do this by caring for ourselves spiritually and staying connected to the call of our higher self which is our soul leading us forward into our full potential. Know that you are a powerful being of love and light. That is who you really are. That is who you have always been since birth. Claim this aspect of yourself and release anything else that has told you or shown you otherwise. The voice of the world wants to swallow up your soul into mediocracy and complacency. You are bigger and bolder than what the world will have you believe. It’s up to you to strengthen your spiritual self, embrace each experience as a holy teachable moment, and then reach for and grab hold of the something more you were created to be, do, and have in support of your individual place in the world and your role in supporting the greater good and advancement of all humanity.
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About Marina Shapiro Elbert
Marina is a metaphysical artist , healer and a spiritual counselor. Her mission is to create a loving space , which provides support and guidance on your life path, nurturing your self-healing abilities, promoting your wellness and personal growth. In addition to her healing practice , Marina is a blogger on wellness, spirituality and self-care. Her work has been featured in the online publication of nationally acclaimed “Aspire” Magazine and can be viewed on her website: www.colorsfromwithin.com
About Anna Tharrington
Anna is a freelance Lifestyle photographer for travel catalogs, an artist, styler and a blogger. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Richmond Magazine, and has won the hearts of many. Her love for beauty combined with exquisite taste brings the essence of life in every moment captured. Anna’s work can be viewed on: www.annazagorodna.com All Rights Reserved©Simplicity Online Magazine, LLC All articles©2018 Marina Shapiro Elbert (unless stated otherwise) All photography©2018 Anna Zagorodna (unless stated otherwise) Simplicity Magazine | 69
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