5 things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is here! We have worked our way through the year and have finally landed on the gloriously delicious and family oriented holiday. Of course as a kid, Christmas was always favorite. But as I get older I begin to appreciate November 26 a little bit more. It is pure in it's meaning, a special day set aside to gather with those close to you and give thanksgiving for what the universe has brought to you. With that said, I would love to share five things I thank the universe for everyday.

1. Family// I would say after being a father for nearly 40 years, my father has gained so much insight and knowledge about life. I can say the same for my mom. I have the most crazy, fun, movie-quoting siblings a baby sister could ask for. I don't think I've ever seen a group of people "do"themselves more than my family. Definitely made me who I am. Thank you mom and dad for all the opportunities you have given me!

2. Joe// My boyfriend, my rock. Has helped me in ways he probably does not even realize. Cheers to many more thanksgivings with you, my love!

3. Music// Especially a good 60's or 80's tune or anything vinyl. Praise! 

4. Travel Opportunities// This one is also on my parents. They have given me the awesome opportunity to go the Europe for three weeks in high school! Also I will be studying abroad sometime within this next year. Nothing that truly satisfies my soul more than adventuring to new places!

5. The Simple Things// Tea, candles, the cold part of the blanket, plants, post-it notes, working out, etc. These are the things that make my daily life special. I've slowly been learning to focus on the simple things and they help me learn what it really takes to make me happy, and the reality is, it is not much! Something I constantly need to remind myself!

On that note, what are you thankful for?
Hope everyone has a truly wonderful Thanksgiving!

-Shannon

And She Was gets a makeover

Greeting my lovlies!

So my blog And She Was is getting a makeover! I'm super excited! I am getting a new theme, organizing posts, scheduling what to do when on my blog. The goal is to expand my blog, mature it and reach out to as many people as possible, as well as explore my own creativity! But before I do that, first I am going to give it a make over. I plan on changing things up within the next couple of days. I'm so excited to see where I can take my blog.
Wish me best of luck!
-Shannon

Pura Vida Braclets

Hey Guys!

There has been a company I have been really obsessing over lately and really want to spread the word! So I was scrolling through Facebook recently when I came across a page for a company called Pura Vida. The images that were shown were simple bracelets that looked similar to friendship bracelets. Simplistic and casual. I found the bracelets appealing so I clicked on the link to their store to see what they had. I was very impressed. Now the first thing I noticed that these simple and fun bracelets were only about $5. So naturally I kept looking! Soon I discovered a whole line of bracelets and anklets completely and entirely dedicated to different charities. All you have to do is click on a category: enviro-causes, animal awareness, education + children, cancer awareness, woman's causes, conditions, service + military, and memorial. Within nearly every category you can find a plethora of beautiful yet simple bracelets that give back to society. Say a bracelet is $5, they will donate $1 to which ever charity is paired with the bracelet. So I bought two bracelets,one to help save the honeybees, and another to help benefit the vegan outreach. I dig some more digging and found out that, say you have a club, you can customize and sell them for a fundraiser. Overall, this small online business warms my soul. They help keep local artisans from Costa Rica employed, donate to charities, recycle, and have a creative vibe.

My two bracelets, HoneyLove and Vegan Outreach:)

Let's just say, I know what I am getting my friends and family for Christmas! 

-Shannon

Woman Crush Wednesday: cleanbodyfreshstart

So lately I have been struggling to get down my road to becoming a vegan. I believe it is mostly as a result of being a college kid who still lives in the dorms. I've been really upset with the situation and I will continue to try to work around it, but I always get this uncomfortable feeling when eating anything with an animal by product.

But in my moments of weakness and sadness, I know know where to turn to. Rosie is my God and cleanbodyfreshstart is the Bible.

http://cleanbodyfreshstart.tumblr.com/tagged/myface

http://cleanbodyfreshstart.tumblr.com/tagged/myface

I first got a glimpse of her insight when I came across her Tumblr over a year ago, since then it has been the blog I have visited the most. I also followed her on Instagram.

Why you she adore her?
For those of you that don't know Rosie, a beautiful Aussie vegan following the 80/10/10 diet (80 percent carbs, 10 percent fats, and 10 percent protein) She is always exploring and advocating the benefits of a high-carb vegan lifestyle. She so often dedicates her time to answering people questions and inquires about her lifestyle. Not only is she a great role model for for every vegan and vegetarian, but also she is incredible independent and compassionate spirit. She is truly in touch with the Earth and is in touch with her own soul and focuses on the positive simplicities in life rather than dwelling on the dark moments of the past. She is a skilled yogi and has learned the ways of truly listening to the body and giving it what it needs. Although no one is perfect and is always fighting their own battles, Rosie always has a beautiful outlook and perspective on life. Everyone regardless of age can learn a little something from this wonderful Aussie.

http://cleanbodyfreshstart.tumblr.com/tagged/myface

Check out her blog! cleanbodyfreshstart.tumblr.com

OR her Instagram: cleanbodyfreshstart

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

One simple step to achieving happiness

Last week I was very flustered with my life. I started to think about internships, resumes, studying abroad, finding a job, my classes, and relationships. It was too much. I had no motivation and felt nearly empty and drained. It was an incredibly oppressing feeling. The anxiety was about to reinstate itself, and that thought all on its own was terrifying.

But over these last couple of days, I really started to focus on myself again, reevaluate, and create some goals and push myself in a positive direction. Not goals of what I need to do with my life... but goals of who I want to become. My ultimate goal is simple: to be the most understanding and compassionate person I can be. Then I have other goals that will help advance me to that peaceful and happy state. With that said, I have found some inner peace and have began to focus on the small things and live in the now rather than focus on the big picture. A concept that is quite simple, but easily forgotten. Now, I have had some time to really focus on myself, get in touch with my spirit again, and set my priorities straight of what would really bring me happiness. 

“The best thing you’ve ever done for me
is to help me take my life less seriously.
It’s only life after all.”

—  Closer to Fine- Indigo Girls.

So as a result, over the last day or so I got a rush a gratitude and thought it would be a splendid idea to share some of the simple joys that I have been blessed to experience everyday!

1. Any cup of tea that I happen to make. Never fails to satisfy the soul and body.

2. Riding my bike to class being able to feel the crisp air in my lungs, witness the change of colors, and inhaling the smell of changing seasons.

3. The satisfaction of getting up early in the morning and setting the tone for the rest of the day.

4. The internet. Okay I know that sounds pathetic. But I have been reading and discovering more about a vegan diet and follow some pretty inspiring people on Tumblr. The key is to limit that time spent.

5. Texts from my mom who is currently traveling in Ireland.

6. Classic rock. It feeds my soul when nothing else can.

 What are you grateful for?

-Shannon

Review of "Duolingo"

Hey everyone! I know a decent amount of people are already familiar with this app, but I recently discovered it and my mind was blown! So the app is called Duolingo. Essentially it is an app that teaches you a new language. So for example, I chose German and French. Naturally, anything that teaches you a a new language that is not a class, seems skeptical, but I learned many basics of the language in one day! The app tracks your progress and gives you a certain amount of work to do everyday based on the level of intensity you choose to learn the language on. They keep track of your "streaks". So in other words, how many days you religious practice the program. Some of the languages you can learn are: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Irish, and Danish. Plus they keep adding new languages with software updates.

When I first started using this app, I thought "yeah it's pretty cool now", but how much is a FREE, that is right FREE, app going to teach you? That's when I discovered these grey charts. Each bubble is a new topic, and within each bubble is anywhere from 1 to 10 lessons. (By the way, there is another page of lessons, I unfortunately deleted it.) However I took a moment to add up every lesson in the German language and it came to a grad total of... 403! Would you believe that an app could offer you 403 lessons of a language free? (Sorry for poor quality photos, enlarging screenshots here... risky business)

 

 

      

 

 

Of course you start at one bubble and work your way up through rest. For each lesson you get four "hearts". So if you get a question wrong it takes a heart away. If all your hearts get taken away, then you have to start the lesson over and are kept from advancing to the next level.

Guys. This app is the real deal! It's easy and effective, and a pretty awesome app to have when you feel like chillin' yet want to do something with your life.
 Definitely worth the download.