Here I am in all my glory!

I wrote this profile for a class I have. Thought I'd share it with you guys! Just a creative take on myself.

Jumping into a lake in Switzerland

      I’m a feminist. I’m also a vegetarian. I’m that person that is a total tea junkie, has far too many plants to count, is somewhat spacey, and would classify Classic Rock as their Tumblr fandom. Yeah, that’s me. Hope I’m not coming on too strong! I stand a mere 5 feet tall, and have loose curly hair that I plan to grow out to my belly. Glasses are my calling card and also my favorite accessory. Born and raised in Milwaukee, I drink from a bubbler, root for the Brewers, attempt to sneak to the top of the US Bank Building every now and again, and attend Summerfest more than my wallet can handle. 

      I’ll be honest; school was not my thing for quite some time up until college. Math was worst nightmare, science following not too far behind. But there were other classes to compromise. I love the past. History has always been a passion. I adore old music and films and the desire to learn about them has yet to burn out. Then of course communication arts was equally as wonderful. I loved reading classic novels and learning about European literature in particular. Writing essays especially came natural. My biggest regret in high school was not taking AP Literature. However I did take AP Studio Art and AP US & Comparative Governments! I remember countless nights staying up for those classes. No sleep but plenty of frustration. Not to mentioned many eraser shreds, balls of tape, and colorful stains on the carpets from chalk pastels. Something my mother will forever hold against me.

Now the nights I didn’t stay up frustrated from elements of art and the Russian government, you could finds me snuggled in bed on a date with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and Netflix, or my boyfriend. It was one of the two and still is today. I have been dating my boyfriend, Joe, for two and a half years. He is a swell guy and is over a foot taller than me, so that’s always fun. Often times when we watch a movie, I’ll always want to watch the same old movies, The Goonies, Back to the Future, or sometimes I sprinkle in a John Hughes film. I adore movies. I’m big into cult films and would like to work for the movie industry one day. Paired with my major I would like to help market films and run their official social media. I also consider writing screenplays. Those are just thoughts in my noggin. Otherwise, I would really like to write for a humanitarian group. Right now my focus is school. I have a goal for a GPA of 3.5 or above, which I know I can achieve. Also I have an online class, which I need to give aplenty of love. Online classes tend to be my weakness, as in I tend to procrastinate. Procrastination, yet another thing to work on! 

While movies and past pop cultures are a huge passion of mine, I enjoy myself a good adventure. Traveling is a beautiful opportunity I can never pass up. In high school I went on an amazing trip to Europe. I can say I’ve been to France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the smallest country in the world, Lichtenstein. Oh, I’ll throw in Canada and I have been to every Great Lake.  In a month my brother will be teaching English in South Korea. Already there is talk of my family visiting him. Also next year I plan on studying abroad, once again visiting France, maybe Switzerland? Even if it’s a trip up north or an escapade in downtown Milwaukee, I am always excited to try and visit new and random places. Although I love to travel, when it comes to driving places, I want nothing to do with it. Something really special about me is that I am a horrendous driver. I have gotten two speeding tickets, one parking ticket, have smashed a mirror, and completely destroyed my back windshield. I promise I don’t try to do these things. All I have to say is watch out for the red Montero.

      I’m a pretty diverse individual. I take something’s very seriously. I am very supportive of human rights. I have the goal to one day become a vegan, for both health and ethical reasoning. I want to help people to understand what it truly means to be a vegan and a feminist, what it means to me. I just want a happier Earth and a happier Shannon, that’s all. But whenever I have an issue or need to vent, I let it flow through writing. I use this blog as an outlet. It is new and still pretty rough. I am finding my voice as a writer and am excited to see where my voice can take me. 

Snuck a shot of my brother and his boyfriend at a pride march in Chicago, 2013. 

-Shannon

UPDATE: I got another parking ticket.

Why you should drink Peppermint Tea

As it may say in my about, tea is my favorite beverage! I don't think I have ever had a tea I have not liked. It is funny because when I first started drinking tea early in high school, I did not particular care for it. But I drank green tea for the health benefits and before I knew it, tea and I's relationship blossomed into something of quite a treasure. Now here I am, years later with a collection of tea ranging from lemon-ginger, to green, to chai. Even Your Tea's Tiny Tea! While green tea has always been thee staple to the my collection, I'm starting to integrate more peppermint tea, a tea that is frequently overlooked but quite incredible.

Early today my stomach was grumbly and my digestion seemed to be off. I was just having a lot of discomfort in my stomach. While I generally drink my green tea, I knew what I needed to do, swap out green for peppermint.

//Peppermint tea is known for its aid to stomach issues. Helps dismiss stomach aches, helps eliminate bowels issues such as diarrhea and constipation. Skip the pepto and drink some herbal tea!

//On that note, it helps with with overall digestion. Feeling gassy? Drink some tea. Stomach pains? Drink some tea. The peppermint tea helps move through the intestines in a peaceful, non-irritating manner. 

//Then on that note, it helps debloat! Who does not love that? 

//It helps with cold and congestion. It is a natural decongestant! 

//It can suppress hunger to aid weight loss.

//Boosts immune system. Plenty of calcium, vitamin B, and potassium.

//Reduces stress, anxiety, and aids sleep as a result of the aromatherapy and the ingredients listed above, peppermint is also a nature muscle relaxant

//Peppermint has been proven to enhance memory. New study drink?

//Can help fight skin damage caused by radiation. Please still wear sunscreen...

//Can increase levels of estrogen to improve skin. So maybe add a peppermint tea to your skin routine!

//Better breath of course!

Peppermint tea is incredibly therapeutic. Definitely a great staple to holistic living and natural medicine. Always satisfies the soul and the body!

-Shannon

The Trial and Error of Liquid Fasting: Part I

Well last week I started a liquid fast. I was going to shoot for five days but only made it for three!  I am no expert, but this is my experience, my trial and error of fasting! 

Weight before: 120 lbs. 
Weight after: Unfortunately unknown!
Height: 5 Glorious feet of beauty. No inches added.

Drinking Schedule:
After I woke up, I took a few supplements: Emergen-C, Elderberry Extract, and Gummy Vitamins (the only "food" I had while fasting) and mannn were they savored.
Then scatted throughout the day:
A cup of green tea
One Liter of water
Half a Naked Juice
Second Liter of Water
Second half of a Naked Juice
Third Liter of Water
Cup of Tea

Journal:
Sunday (The Day Before the Fast): Had the illogical mindset that I should eat crappy food because I won't be able to have some for almost a week. Hmm, okay Shannon. Lacked that healthy good stuff.

Monday (Day 1): Attempt to go cold Turkey. Made it until 4:00pm. The hunger was a crazy beast, I could not control it. I heard of people eating a piece of fruit at night, so I thought I'd compromise and I ate an apple. Quickly I felt guilty. Later my boyfriend came into my room, and thought something was wrong and that I was acting strange, which I was! I was anxious and kinda spastic. That's when he convinced me to eat dinner with him, but only a little bit. So I ate a salad and a roll. Then later around 9:00pm I had a Larabar. This is how my Sunday should've been.

Tuesday (Day 2): So technically day one of my fast. This was the first day I went without any food (minus two gummy vitamins.)The hunger is the most intense on the first day, and so are the gurgley noises. In the mid afternoon I began to develop a headache and became a bit dizzy. After that I also got nearly feverish. But by later that night, everything subsided. Also I was not bloated!

Wednesday (Day 3): Hunger was not as intense as the two days beforehand. However at moments I felt sick. Dizziness, feverish, headache, extremely tired, and hard to focus (spacey.) Also when I got up my vision would start to become black and I'd take a moment to regain my vision. But with a nap, most everything cleared up, just had a little headache. Also I would drink a Naked juice and that would also make me feel more whole. Food itself is not longer a craving, just a nice idea. However mentally I was incredibly distraught. I was miserable. Later that night I went on a walk with my boyfriend, and we talked it through and I broke my fast that night. It was for the best.

I broke my fast with a Larabar. Literally, I never enjoyed food as much in that moment as I did any other. I was actually laughing as I ate it because I was so excited and so thrilled to have food. It was strange, yet the experience was nearly immaculate. The taste was amazing, but it was the texture that I longed for. I had an apple and some chips and salsa later on.

Would I fast again?
Without a doubt. I am anticipating the moment when I am ready again! While my boyfriend and I discussed my fast, we went over the mistakes I made and why my fast made me emotionally distraught. I did not mentally and physically prepare myself accurately. Fasting is a spiritual journey, a vision I had, but it was lost quickly. I focused on weight loss. I focused on food. It was harsh. There are so many things I learned through this process that will help me more in the future.

Tips:
1. Do your research. Seriously, be educated about the subject before eliminate food!
2. Be open optimistic.
3. Use it as a spiritual tool. Focus on mind and strive for tranquility and enlightenment. Be Peaceful and be mindful of your soul.
4. The day before you fast, only eat small meals.
5. Maybe a week or so before you fast, try one day only consuming liquids.
6. Mentally prepare for the questions!

I'll let you know how my next fast goes when the time comes! I'm excited!
Any questions or if you care to share your story and experience, feel free! I am always open to advice!
 

It's time to get my lacto-ovo vegetarian on!

I’ve been vegetarian for about 5 months and it has been going swimmingly! Tomorrow I am going to face my next challenge and give up dairy and take on the label of lacto-ovo vegetarian. So I can now only eat eggs as an animal product, something I never really eat to begin with. I am going to take it easy to begin with, the only hard part will be cheese and ice cream, despite the fact I have been cutting it out of my diet lately. One step closer to my vegan lifestyle! So excited, wish me luck!
Let the challenge begin!