We started the celebration on Saturday night with some bowling at Brooklyn Bowl!

Bowling on a Saturday night, with friends, beers and an awesome band… what’s better than that!

I was “Sox” because I wasn’t wearing socks and had to purchase bowling alley socks for my bowling shoes. Ew.  

Beers + Bowling [...]]]> ***HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BF!!!***

We started the celebration on Saturday night with some bowling at Brooklyn Bowl!

Bowling on a Saturday night, with friends, beers and an awesome band… what’s better than that!

I was “Sox” because I wasn’t wearing socks and had to purchase bowling alley socks for my bowling shoes. Ew.  

Beers + Bowling = Good times

Don’t you love bowling shoes

“Fras” was a pro.

I was not

Nika got a striiike!
 

I lost
    

But still had FUN!
 

We continued the celebration last night, when I made a steak dinner for BF. No pictures were taken as steak is not the most photogenic of foods I followed this recipe from The Pioneer Women. According to the BF it turned out great!

BF has to work today/tonight, but hopefully he’ll be home in time for presents and birthday cake!

GO MANGO!

Since the appearance of my beloved Ataulfo mangos in stores lets jut say I have been slightly OBSESSED with them.

Want to get the most out of your mango?

Start with a lovely ripe Ataulfo or regular mango
 
Wash it and then cut off the ends

Thinly slice off the skin
 
Until it looks like this:

Cut into large chunks around the pit 

Cut into cubes
 
And enjoy!
 

What do you want for your birthday this year?

Hilarity obviously ensues.

There is a yummy [...]]]> On this rainy weekend, JH and I decided to attempt to make babycakes cupcakes…and film it! It’s not really a cupcakes how-to (as we can’t share the recipe with you because it’s from the babycakes cookbook), but just a fun video of us attempting to make the cupcakes.

Hilarity obviously ensues.

There is a yummy frosting recipe that I share, though!  And you may even learn how to zest a lemon

Oh..and enjoy the musical stylings of Glee in the background!

Have a great rest of the weekend! Hope it’s not too rainy where you are!

At first, I sort of agreed. Why should anyone care what I do every day, what I eat, what I think?

But then I thought about it. That’s NOT why I started blogging. It wasn’t to [...]]]> When I first started blogging, someone asked me… “Don’t you think blogging is a little self-centered? Writing about yourself EVERY DAY?”

At first, I sort of agreed. Why should anyone care what I do every day, what I eat, what I think?

But then I thought about it. That’s NOT why I started blogging. It wasn’t to relay the little things I did everyday or discuss my every thought, because I thought I was awesome. I started blogging to share my passions, discuss my ideas, become part of an amazing community and most of all learn from others “Share, Discuss, Community, Learn” – those words sound like the opposite of self-centered to me.

Blogging is such an amazing outlet. Reading my favorite blogs feels like watching my favorite show on TV. It’s so comforting. I laugh, I smile, sometimes I get sad – but I always find it interesting and informative and I feel like I really get to know someone. And I have been lucky enough to meet lots of wonderful people through blogging in “real life”, which is just amazing (and I have plans to meet another this week!). We have a community of some amazing women (and a few guys ) out there and (sounnnds suuper cheesy but…) I feel lucky to be a part of it!

Heather awarded me the Sunshine Award the other day, which definitely put a smile on my face. So, thanks Heather!

The sunshine award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world.

I do read a lot of blogs and I find them all creative, inspiring and unique in their own ways – I wouldn’t read em if I didn’t.
So I just wanted to mention a few in particular that really deserve some SUNSHINE!

• Ohh May
• Heather Eats Almond Butter
• Live Well Fit
• Shedding It
• Peas and Thank-You
• How Sweet It Is
• Chocolate-Covered Katie

There are so many more that I’ve only just discovered and I can’t wait to keep reading! I love learning about new people and “getting to know them” through the blog world.

Getting to Know You…

With all that said, I want to get to know more of the people who read here! If you read here and haven’t ever commented, or have just stumbled upon my little blog… I want to meet you! Or, if you have commented, or even if I know you in “real life” I want to know more!

So let’s play a fun game where you answer these fun questions!

1. What’s your name? Any stories behind it/fun things about it?
2. Where are you from?
3. What actor/actress would you want to play YOU in a movie?
4. Would you ever go bungee jumping or skydiving?
5. Do you have a blog? Please leave the link so I can check it out! If not, list one of your favorite blogs.

I’ll start it off:

1. Janna. I was named after my great-grandmother, my name means “Flourishing” and even though it’s pretty easy to pronounce (like Jenna with an “a”) I get called Yanna, Jenna, Jayna,…and so many other things allll the time
2. Winnipeg, Canada
3. I get told I resemble Anne Hathaway on what feels like a weekly basis, so I guess I’d pick her!
4. As cool as I think it would be, probably not. I’m not adventurous enough/am super afraid of heights!
5. YEP – this one right here

See, answering questions is fun! I look forward to getting to know YOU!!!

I write a “Healthy Living” blog and therefore try to practice what I preach by “living healthfully”.

When I started becoming interested in healthier, organic and just plain old good for you things, I only made an effort with food. It took me a while and lots of research/reading to realize that [...]]]>  

I write a “Healthy Living” blog and therefore try to practice what I preach by “living healthfully”.

When I started becoming interested in healthier, organic and just plain old good for you things, I only made an effort with food.
It took me a while and lots of research/reading to realize that what you put ON your body is just as important as what you put IN your body.

A quote from Crazy Sexy Life on beauty product research…

…Many of the products, from body spray to shampoo, contain parabens, a chemical that acts like estrogen in the body. In all, the 18 body-care products used… contain roughly 200 synthetic chemicals that [they] are putting on their bodies each day before breakfast. This daily dose includes dozens of chemicals linked to cancer, skin problems, allergies and hormone disruption, according to an analysis of a typical suite of these products on the Skin Deep database.

The Skin Deep database that they mention is The Environmental Working Group‘s searchable database of toxic ingredients in cosmetic and personal care products. It is kind of crazy how many toxic ingredients we slather all over our bodies, faces and heads without even a second thought. Check out the products you use and you will be astounded.

Well, with all this in mind, I have a very special treat for you. Remember when I wrote about my love for How Now Brown Cacao body dessert?

Well, just in time for Valentine’s Day YOU are getting a chance to win some!!!

How Now Brown Cacao is made by Simply Divine Botanicals, a company devoted to “handcrafted, chemical free skin care”. It is “a yummy, skin softening body dessert made with raw cacao and nourishing oils”. Its ingredients are minimal and wonderful and include Organic Raw Cacao Butter, Organic Virgin Coconut Cream and Organic Avocado Oil.

And as I wrote before: It is RICH and CHOCOLATEY and you can pretty much eat it! It’s super moisturizing and I wear it as “perfume” because it smells so HEAVENLY!

Want to know how you can win a jar of this delectable treat?

**Leave me a comment below telling me your favorite chocolate-y dessert**

For extra entries you can tweet about the giveaway or blog about the giveaway (let me know in the comments)

I will announce the winner the morning of Valentine’s Day!

(open to US and Canadian Residents)

My friend Amanda is visiting from Boston this weekend, so I got the chance to play tourist with her!

After a tour of SoHo yesterday, we stopped at the very crowded Cafe Habana for lunch.

If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend visiting Cafe Habana, if not for the [...]]]> Welcome new readers!

My friend Amanda is visiting from Boston this weekend, so I got the chance to play tourist with her!

After a tour of SoHo yesterday, we stopped at the very crowded Cafe Habana for lunch.

If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend visiting Cafe Habana, if not for the atmosphere alone. It’s crowded, but it has a very authentic feel to it and it is always hopping!

They’re famous for their corn, grilled and served with chili powder, lime & cotija cheese, which Amanda and I shared.

We each also got a meal. I got Molletes (toasted cuban bread topped with black refried beans & melted cheese served with fresh tomato salsa) and Amanda got a chicken and corn tortilla casserole dish with baked beans. 
Hit. The. Spot.  

After  lunch we did some shopping and I picked up some Baked by Melissa cupcakes for my friend Alex’s b-day!

1 s’mores, 2 cookie dough and 1 tie die. Yum! Amanda and I each picked up 2 for ourselves as well (obvs);)

Then it was off to the birthday party at Sambuca.

Sangria was poured.

And enjoyed….
 
JH!                                      Me!                                    Amanda!

There was a delicious and tangy chopped salad…

A CHEEEEESY whole wheat eggplant pasta dish…
 

And many other lovely looking delights!

…Such as CAKE!

Happy B-day ALEX!

Alright, I’m off to take a Haitian dance class with Amanda at Alvin Ailey! SO EXCITED!

And tonight I’m going to a Super Bowl partay with the BF and friends. I was notified that only “Super Bowl food” will be served, so I offered to bring some healthier fare (mainly so I would have something to eat)!

I’m bringing:

- Homemade Tortilla Chips
- Homemade dip (either salsa or seven layer bean dip, I haven’t decided yet)
- Shrimp and White Bean Salad

*Another thing that I like to bring to a party (but am not bringing tonight) that always is a crowd pleaser is Brie Cheese, just a whole thing of it, opened and topped with apricot preserves. SO DEE-LICIOUS! Bring along some whole wheat crackers and watch it disappear!*

What’s your favorite dish to bring to a party?

But it started off on a “beautiful” note.

I posted my very first Operation Beautiful note! I plan to keep it up. [...]]]> This was by far one of the craziest NYE’s I’ve ever had!  I usually go to bar with some friends, maybe a house party, or just stay in, but this time I REALLLY celebrated!

But it started off on a “beautiful” note.

I posted my very first Operation Beautiful note! I plan to keep it up.

Onto the night.

My mom’s good friend hosted a pre-party party at her house.

She went all out with decorations and a beautiful spread.

I helped myself to the goods (times…3? 4? ) And I also consumed numerous DELICIOUS olives.

The cutest pug was in attendance. His name is Alfie. But I kept wanting to call him Murphy.           

We passed the time waiting for our ride, by drinking in the condo lobby.

My mom and several other ladies donned festive head-wear.

I chose to pass the time goofing off with the camera.

Then our ride showed up.   Yeah… I know…
 

We posed in front of it to prove it was really ours.
   

We were very cozy in there, but still managed to pour everyone wine with no major spillage.
    

After what felt like several hours, we arrived at our celebration location.
 

We had some more to eat….

….and drink (Not mine )

And got ready to ring in the new year in style.

Let the celebrating begin!

Fireworks!

Sparklers!
 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Hope yours was spectacular!

Thinking about training for a half marathon? Just want to challenge yourself to reach new fitness levels? Join my Flourishing Fitness Challenge!

Me and My Dad 

Happy Birthday to my Dad, Chuck (aka Charles)!!!

I’ll have some “Two Buck Chuck” in your honour

I’m off to explore the city today and I’ll be back with a post later this evening!

Have a great Saturday, folks!

And because I’m in a list type of mood these days, I thought I’d give you a little run down of the things, both health and fitness related, and not so health and fitness related [...]]]> Thanks for your additions to the list of “Man- Friendly Vegan Food”, keep them coming!

And because I’m in a list type of mood these days, I thought I’d give you a little run down of the things, both health and fitness related, and not so health and fitness related that I’m lovin’ right now…

1. My Winter Head-Gear

JH got me this hat from The Gap for Chanukah and I absolutely LOVE it. It’s so warm and looks so big and comfy and adorable on.

And I just got those pink and fluffy earmuffs (Juicy Couture) on sale at Bloomies and they are the cutest!

2. My New Gym Shirt

Another win from The Gap; this exercise tank top. I don’t have a picture of me wearing it, but it fits me so well! I kind of want to get one in every color… I think I just might! It has great coverage, good support, doesn’t really show sweat marks and I love the long length.

3. How Now Brown Cacao

I got a sample pack from One Lucky Duck a couple weeks ago filled with some amazing products. I love a lot of them, but my favorite so far has to be the How Now Brown Cacao “body dessert” from Simply Divine Botanicals.

I love rich, chocolate-y smelling body creams. And this one is made with ingredients like organic raw cacao butter, organic virgin coconut cream and organic avocado oil…you can pretty much eat it .  It’s really moisturizing and I wear it as perfume, it smells so good!

4. Satsumas

Unlike some types of mandarin or tangerine oranges, Satsumas are always SUPER easy to peel and very soft and sweet. And they’re so pretty! I saw these at WF the other day and had to buy a whole bunch! (BTW – they aren’t the same as clemintines).

5. Almond Breeze

Almond Breeze was the very first Almond Milk I ever tried and I really like it, but wasn’t a fan of the (miniscule amount) of soy lecithin in it. So I went out to try a bunch of other brands. However, they all managed to disappoint me with their taste (too sweet) and their consistency (not smooth). After a couple weeks I decided to go back to AB and it tasted like HEAVEN! I guess I’ll just have to live with the itty bit of soy!

6. Barney Butter

I ordered 3 jars of this stuff and after I finished the first jar in about 5 seconds, I decided to hold off on the next two. Well, I just opened my 2nd jar the other day and am already 1/4 into the jar (whoops). It’s just SO good! How do they do it?

7. Sweet Treats

I’ve been enjoying a lot of sweet treats lately such as:

• Cupcakes at babycakes (split a lemon spelt and chocolate spelt with JH)

• Homemade Vegan Brownies (recipe here)

• And some Christmas chocolate the BF brought home for me from Godiva!

*********
What are some things you’re loving right now??

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