Spring: New Beginnings, and New Promises.

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. 

-Proverb 

This winter must have been one of the harshest and longest I have ever known, not just because of my personal circumstances, but because I have missed the presence of light over darkness. But that is why I love the above proverb so much. Because no matter how long or dark and gloomy the winter may have been, the spring is sure to make its way back to us again. Always.

Spring is traditionally seen as a time of growth, renewal, and of new life. And for me, it is the same. The hope that a new beginning and fresh start is waiting just around the corner is such a beautiful promise. Spring must be my absolute favourite month. Because winter is over and a new chapter is about to begin. A chapter that is full of untold stories and surprises. The grass is green, the flowers are blooming, animals are coming out of hibernation, the sun is shining, and the sky is blue.

Whenever I go out with my dog Jessie and see the yellow daffodils and white snow drops scattering the ground I'm reminded of that wonderful reassurance. And for that I am forever grateful. Grateful that winter doesn't last forever, and neither does anything that I may be going through. And like everything else, this too shall pass.

Happy Spring everyone! I wish you all the best for this next season.

Love always,

Emily X

Becoming vegan: 2 months on!

On January 1st I decided to make the decision to become a vegan, and exactly today it will be two months eating this way. So I thought it would only be right to blog about my experience as a vegan, with all my successes and failures. Before I get into the rest of this short post, I would also like to add that I still stand by all the original reasons I set out to become one in the first place, even if everything hasn't worked out quite to my plan.

I must say that I think have may been a little overly ambitious, which I think we sometimes do when we feel passionate and enthusiastic about something. In the first few weeks and month, I did really well. I drank no milk, ate no cheese or eggs. If I fancied eggs I would make myself some scrambled tofu which might I add, is lovely! And not to be compared to scrambled egg! And eating out was no bother either. But then at the beginning of February onwards I started to slip and had an egg or two, and now I have started eating eggs now and again.

In a way, I'm happy that I decided to become a vegan. Because for two months, well..almost-I experienced something different. And not only did it benefit me, it benefited the animals and environment greatly too! My skin has been clearer, my eyes have been brighter, and my digestive system has thanked me also. Now, I have decided to stick to no milk, no cheese (apart from the very occasional bit if I eat out) and eggs once or twice a week.
Plus scrambled tofu because I love that too. :)

What are your thoughts and experiences on removing animal products from your diet? I'd love to hear from you, comment below!

Love always,

Emily X

Why I decided to become a vegan

As you may already know either from knowing me personally or from in the about me section, I have been a vegetarian ever since I was born and have loved being one my whole life. But since greatly changing my eating habits this year, I have had the desire to become a vegan. Thanks to the many talented and beautiful people I follow on Instagram for healthy food inspiration who were doing the exact same thing I aspired to do, I realised that it really was possible, and opened myself up to a new world full of possibilities. Part of me is thinking oh no, what have I got myself into? But the other can't help but be excited for the adventure ahead.

I had thought about it a lot and even spoke with my mum about it (as she has recently gone vegan too) but we both came to the conclusion that I should just eat dairy only occasionally like I had been doing-the odd goats cheese in my tea & scrambled eggs with veggie bacon for breakfast (except for dairy milk which is something I haven't been drinking for over a year.) And I also had to take into consideration my baking which uses non vegan ingredients such as milk, cream, and eggs and if you like to bake too you will know the temptations that come with baking and resisting the urge to lick the spoon! And of course we can't forget the time when our creations come out of the oven and not being able to eat and try what has just been made.

But then after a couple of weeks of just continuing the of way I was I simply wasn't satisfied with where I was at, and although it suited me for a while, I felt I could do much better! So I made the  courageous decision to dive into unknown waters, and take a BIG step out of my comfort zone. I understand that eating a vegan diet and living a vegan lifestyle can and will be a little tricky and inconvenient sometimes, but I'm willing to go through with it as I believe it is worth it. Although one of the main reasons for my becoming vegan was my overall health and my skin, the other is about the animals. My whole family (well, mostly me, my mum, and my younger sister Isobel) feel very strongly about the way animals are treated in farming and food industries in today's society. As a Christian I believe God created animals to be loved, cherished, and cared for. Not brutally murdered and treated the disgusting way they are as if they have no worth and value. The gift of compassion in my opinion is not only to be shown to humans, but extended to every living creature on this earth, because like us, they have a spirit and are beautifully and wonderfully made.

When I was younger I was also well aware of all that goes in within the meat and dairy industry, but often tried to turn a blind eye to it because it meant having to face up to the cruel and harsh reality of the way the world is and I wasn't ready for that yet. But now I am much older I have been able to fully understand the truth of it all and come to make my own decisions about the way I live and eat.
Because this is a very controversial topic I think lots of people often lack the courage to speak out and share their views and opinions and be honest about whats really happening in the food industry in fear of offending. But how can we ever bring change if we don't do something about it? People won't ever know whats really going on if you don't tell them.

Plus, how could you ever want to hurt these little fellas? :)

If you want to know more about the subject, I strongly recommend watching Earthlings. Earthlings is a documentary film about the suffering of animals for food, fashion, pets, entertainment, and medical research. I had tears in my eyes the whole way through this and for the majority of the film I was just sat watching the screen with my jaw wide open out of sheer shock, anger, and despair. It is very hard to watch but I think it is important that we know what is going on behind closed doors. You can watch the full documentary for free on YouTube, just follow the link here :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce4DJh-L7Ys


I love the quote below from William Wilberforce.

"You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know."

A New Year, A New Adventure

So, last night we welcomed in 2015.  If I could sum up 2014 in a few words it just couldn't be done, because there are numerous words that I could use to describe it. This year has taught me so many things, good and bad, but in the right ways lessons should be learnt. I learned the worthy and valuable lessons that time can teach us. That time can heal, time can restore and make things new, and last but not least, time is not to be wasted doing things that make us unhappy, but rather to be used to build, plant, and bring us joy. Filled with things that we LOVE doing.

It without a doubt has been life changing. So many horrible and traumatic, yet wonderful and spectacular things have happened. Through falling ill and my recovery, I found my passion and the thing I desire to do for the rest of my life. I am now filled with a fresh hope a new vision; and have been given a reason to jump out of bed in the morning!

Every year before this one has been challenging in its own ways but this one has made me more determined to do well despite being unwell and make myself and God proud. And so the very thing that I thought had ended my story, was in actual fact the beginning. I have now fully learned to be myself and have discovered a beautiful sense of freedom that I have never experienced before.

2014 has certainly been an adventure to say the least, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Have a blessed 2015! I hope its an amazing one :)

Emily X

Christmas Time: The Reason For The Season

This year has had me thinking a lot about Christmas and what it truly means to celebrate it. Without getting too deep, earlier this year, in the middle of being so ill the first week of March in so many words, I thought that was it for me. Not that I had a chance to do too much thinking, but when the ambulance men are carrying you to the ambulance on a stretcher and everything is blurry around you,  you start to imagine a different life, and the things you could do and see and be, to yourself and others. Sometimes it takes something big to happen for us to realise how lucky we are, and how much of a blessing every day is. I guess you could say that was the moment for me that changed my life, even if I hadn't realised. You might be wondering what that has to do with Christmas, but illness can give you an opportunity to look back and reflect, and think forward too.

When you are a child Christmas is such a wonderful and exciting time, but as you get older it seems to get less and less exciting and we lose the true meaning of it all and why Christmas even came to be. After coming to the conclusion over the past few months that really I didn't even think I would be here right now, and in the past eighteen years having been close to what could have been the end, I decided what better time to go back to where it all began, and the main things this time of year is all about. Jesus, family, and thankfulness. Because I have such a lot to be thankful for. If my whole life revolved around just those three things, I would be perfectly happy.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince Of Peace. 

From the start of December onwards I want to focus on these three things, and fix my eyes on what truly matters.

1. The story and the birth of my saviour and the incredible gift given to us through his life and death.
2. My family and how important it is to have them around, and not taking them for granted when there are so many people without loved ones at Christmas. 
3. Being thankful for everything I have because someone somewhere is without what I do, and because even though things aren't always perfect, I can find myself content with what I've been given. 

So in the next few weeks, alongside my Christmas series featuring classic cakes and gifts to give to your friends and family I am a woman on a mission, to go back to basics and bring back the simple things that make Christmas so special, including things I have never really had a chance to do before, and those that just got lost in the process over the years. I encourage you to join me on my journey as I blog about these things and get back to what its really all about. 

Emily X