Mushroom and Spinach Quinoa

I cannot stress enough how much I gravitate towards simple, quick recipes. It makes cooking feel a lot less daunting – especially being someone who used to set off the smoke alarm pretty regularly. Was it a faulty detector, was it me burning the pan? Who knows!

But I also like to use healthy ingredients, and fewer is preferable. The following recipe is one I recently discovered from a Facebook friend, posted by Detoxinista. I adapted it the second time I made it though for even more simplicity. Have I mentioned I like fast clean-ups too?

In your easy vegan face!

Ingredients:

• 1 box of quinoa
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 package cremini mushrooms
• 2 handfuls of spinach
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce, liquid soy seasoning, etc.
• salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Cook quinoa in pot according to package, about 15 minutes, while melting oil in pan.
2. Cut up mushrooms into slices and sauté with garlic, about 5 minutes.
3. Rip up spinach and add in to cook for the last minute or so.
4. When quinoa is finished, stir soy sauce and spices into the pot.
5. Add mushrooms and garlic to quinoa and serve warm.

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Awesome natural deodorant for non-believers

Honestly, one of the last toiletry items I changed after going vegan was my deodorant. I think it's a common sentiment among people that no one likes to sweat excessively, and we definitely don't want to smell while we're doing it. That's why the mainstream norm has been wearing strong antiperspirants for years, which prevent our body from releasing sweat in the first place. Hmm.

I tried natural deodorant originally because I heard from a few sources that parabens are often found in breast cancer cells, and there are actually parabens in antiperspirants – not to mention the aluminum and other chemicals hidden in those sticks and sprays. Think of how you apply antiperspirant and how close that is to your breasts. No wonder men are being diagnosed with the disease, too!

Then, while discussing the vegan deodorant dilemma with someone once, I mused, "I just wish I could find a natural antiperspirant!" To which she replied, "They don't exist because it's not natural not to sweat." Well, that just changed my mindset right there.

I'm not sure what made me try Meow Meow Tweet in the first place, especially considering it was formerly only available as a cream. But I have really grown to love it and even got used to applying the little pea-sized amount recommendation with my finger. Recently, the company launched a deodorant stick anyway, so now you have options!

Approximately $30 for the 128 g stick and $20 for the 68 g cream

They might seem a bit pricy, but you only need a little and I have never had to reapply throughout the day. Furthermore, the light and natural fragrances are relatively unisex. The male sales associate at the store from which I recently bought it again in Toronto told me he also uses and loves Meow Meow Tweet deodorant.

Both versions come in two or three different scents: the stick in Lavender Bergamot or Lemon Eucalyptus, and the cream in Lavender, Tea Tree, or Baking Soda Free Grapefruit (for people with sensitivities). I'm sure you'll find the same great results! Smell ya later :)

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