Easy Vegan Pancakes

Hey everyone! So sorry for being on a hiatus for the past month or so but school work got the best of me and my healthy eating definitely wasn't at it's strongest but I'm happy to say that I am now back on my instagram and blogging grind and I'm super happy to finally be sharing my super easy vegan pancake recipe!
I adapted my recipe from this one to make it a little healthier and easier to work with. Its no longer only five ingredients but what can ya do \_( '~' )_/

Vegan Coconut Rice and Coconut Lentil Dahl

Today it was rainy and damp outside (my favorite weather though) so I spent the day inside cuddled up with Netflix in bed and started to get an insane craving for some thick curry and fluffy rice so I did a little internet research and mixed together a few recipes to make this fabulousness. My dad came down in the middle of this cooking and just sat there waiting for it to finish, it made my entire house smell fabulous and home-y. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

My Views on Veganism

Ok so this is definitely a long awaited post.

I've been wanting to go vegan for quite a long time. I really have. And I'm not going to blame a "busy life" or "the complications of it" for not fully committing yet. And no I'm NOT saying that not being a vegan is "convenient" because that's false. I am saying that it's hard for me to fully commit because of my family and my friends. I'm not blaming them, it's just their views have affected my ability to fully make a switch without feeling like I'm being judged or something like that.
Btw meet my favorite animal (stole this picture from the beautiful @living_lush aka my favorite account but also happens to love elephants just as much as I do--I'm still jealous of her elephant sheets):

Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream

I asked on instagram and you all said you wanted to see the recipe so i decided i would share it. The only reason i was thinking of not giving it to you all is because it requires an ice cream maker and i'm not 100% sure all of you own one so yea that sucks :/ Also I'm sorry for all the pumpkin recipes but im just obsessed ok sorrynotsorry
But anyways: here it is!!

Vegan Buckwheat Pumpkin Bread

Hi all! Hope you're doing well and enjoying January--I know I am. I've had a lot of ups and downs this month but overall, it's been pretty great. I've been learning how to enjoy my life and myself so it's going fabulously. Also, if you haven't checked it out yet, I made a "my story" video so click right there and you can watch it. I have a four day weekend this week due to Martin Luther King Junior day so I'm spending my time relaxing and enjoying my off days. Dance concert just ended so I'm feeling sad cause I won't be able to do that anymore but I'm trying to look for classes outside school now so I can start doing it year round. ANYWAY

I decided to test out a recipe for buckwheat pumpkin bread. Buckwheat is a hit or miss with most people--I've found that I really like it but I know there are also a lot of people who despise it so whatever floats your boat? I adapted a recipe I found for spelt pumpkin bread so here it is:

Pre baking

Whole Foods Haul

Hi everyone! I hope you've all had a really great week (I've had the equivalent of a bipolar week but let's not get into that) I asked on Instagram and a lot of people said they wanted to see what I got at whole foods today so here it is!!
This isn't 100% everything because I also get some other fruits and veggies but this is most of it yay

Vegan Crystalized Buddha Hand Dark Chocolate Bread

Now most of you are probably saying to yourself: what the fuck is "buddha hand"? Now I'm going to show you a picture of it, it's incredibly sketchy and weird looking BUT it's addictive and delicious. My mom discovered this strange thing that I believe belongs to the citrus family (?) last year. She looked up recipes and made a simple syrup, and crystalized it. It tastes almost like a cross between orange peel, and ginger. I really can't tell you how to crystalize it but I bet you can google it (if you happen to find it in a store or online). Otherwise, you can absolutely sub in orange peel, crystalized ginger or really anything that you think resembles it--maybe even dry fruit!

Now here's what buddha hand looks like raw: 

Raw Vegan Cacao Bliss Balls

In preparation for New Years Eve, anticipating the crazy amount of toxins that are going to be in my body tonight, I decided to make a simple, healthy little treat to keep me feeling good. These babies are full of superfoods to help you stay energized and happy--thats why they're called bliss balls.
So here's the recipe:

New Year, New Opportunities

Today is the last day of 2013, also the last day of the worst year of my life (so far at least). I've been thinking lately of all the shit I've gone through this year but honestly, I don't think I would undo a single thing that happened. Yes, I was diagnosed with an eating disorder, depression, relapsed in and out of self harm, lost friends, gained them, gained weight, but all of these things have helped shape and form me into the person I currently am and have become. If I had never gone through these experiences, I wouldn't know so much about myself, I wouldn't be as strong and brave, and I wouldn't have found out who my true friends are, and what my family turns into when it undergoes disaster mode. Now I'm not saying I enjoyed it, but without this past year, I would not be the same person I am right now. And honestly, I think I can finally say I am beginning to be happy with myself for who I am, not what I want to be or what anyone else wants me to be. Just for being Gracie. But at the same time, I absolutely don't want to go through that hell again. I have decided to make some new years resolutions, so I can really make goals for the year.

Hi everyone!

Hi all, I decided to create a blog so you could easily access tips and other support easily from me. If you have any requests of anything you'd like me to post, just comment on one of my pictures on instagram or email me (graceryder@gmail.com) and I'll try to get it up as soon as I can. It can be anything--it could be recovery tips, recipes, food haul, outfit etc. Hope you enjoy this and can't wait to share these things with you!
Much love,
Gracie