I love the #AROMA of it

Hello there my lovelies! 

It’s pretty hot here in Toronto, given the cold winter’s we’ve had I am very pleased. I love to accompany the (newly) hot Canadian climate with a nicely chilled cup of coffee. My favourite chilled blend at the moment is an Iced Aroma Light. 

The Iced Aroma Light is exclusively made at every Aroma Espresso Bar location. Aroma Espresso Bar is Mediterranean-inspired cafe, Founded in Jerusalem in 1994. Aroma Espresso Bar has expanded to more than 165 locations, in 6 countries, worldwide. Countries including Israel, Canada and the United States (yay!). 

Aroma’s coffee is the best that I’ve had for a very, very long time. The flavour is richly full of flavour. Aroma takes pride in their coffee and have created their own signature blends of cappuccino, espresso, filtered and decaf coffee, using coffee beans imported for South America, Asia and Africa. 

Aroma has a roasting facility in Israel’s Valley of Elah. The roasting facility was established with the cooperation of the Ballestra family from Naples, Italy; who has been roasting gourmet coffee beans for generations. 

Aroma, however, is not only known for there amazing coffee’s, they are also known for their incredibly diverse Mediterranean-inspired menu. Being a vegetarian, it is hard for me to find a café with healthy, vegetarian alternatives. I have consistently and genuinely found Aroma Espresso Bar to carry a sense of nutritional integrity with every meal and drink purchase. Aroma starts from scratch every morning in each of their locations, in every aspect of their ingredients. I have never known of a café that prepares every meal fresh and made-to-order. They even freshly bake loaves of bread and pastries, that are then served only the same day as they are prepared. 

Aroma Espresso Bar, literally raises the bar (pun intended), I have honestly never been to such a beautiful establishment. Aroma revives all of my senses, all of my senses become happy just by sitting in the café. Don’t just take my word for it, go and try it for yourselves! When you do, don’t forget to tell me how much you loved it! 

I would love to hear your feedback! Send me suggestions, jokes or even some caffeine at this email address: thebeanmovement@gmail.com

Stay Caffeinated.

xoxo, Amelia

source: www.aroma.ca

Let's Get Freekeh!

Hey there my sweets!

It's almost summer time! The birds are chirping, animals are having babies and the sweet aroma of freshly grown plants is in the air. Speaking about aromas, last week I had the honour of attending Aroma Espresso Bar's private event. What did I learn at this event you may ask? All about the new Aroma-tastic super-food-filled summer salad. The salad's name is the Freekeh Salad. The salad contains an ancient grain called "freekeh" hence the name Freekeh Salad. This grain is protein-filled, which is perfect for all of us veggie lovin’, tree huggin’, animal lovin’ freekehs. 

I learned a lot about Aroma's new summer salad, because at the Aroma event a nutritionist spoke all about the freekeh grain and all its health benefits. Freekeh is an ancient grain, and is the newest superfood on the block. The freekeh grain is very similar to quinoa, as they are both a grain filled with tons of proteins.

The main benefits of Freekeh:

1) It is high in fibre.

The nutritionist at the Aroma event was explaining how in Canada many of us are very low in fibre. It is very difficult at times to eat the recommended amount of fibre as we should (especially for those who are trying to eat a low carb diet). 

2) It is low in gluten.

The freak grain is harvested early, meaning the gluten in the grain hasn't fully developed making it easy to digest. For those of you who are sensitive to gluten you will not feel bloated, or uncomfortable after eating it. Sadly, it is not gluten free so if someone is celiac you can’t eat this.

3) It is a complex carbohydrate.  

Most carbs will spike your blood sugar, and in about 2 seconds you’ll have no energy again. With freekeh, since it is a complex carb your energy and blood sugars will be more stable. You won’t get the rise and drop like you would from eating rice or any other non complex carbohydrates.

4) It is a Resistance Starch.

Resistance starch is food that bypasses our digest system and goes right through our 

gastrointestinal track and acts like food for good bacteria which is something we call a prebiotic. A prebiotic is something that helps build probiotics.

5) It is high in protein. 

Like I mentioned before, Freekeh is high in protein which is great for vegetarians, vegans, and anyone trying to eat plant based proteins. 

6) IT IS ACTUALLY GOOD!

The biggest complaint most people have when eating healthy is that healthy food doesn’t taste good. That is not the case with freekeh! Not only is it tasty but there are so many ways to enjoy it! You can make it into a soup, salad and even use it as stuffing! 

Ingredients for the Aroma Freekeh Salad: 

1) Freekeh

2) Chopped cucumbers, carrots, and tomates

3) Sliced red onion

4) Kale

5) Chopped dill pickle

6) One scoop of platene cheese

7) Light Dressing: Lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper

8) Parsley

9) Za’atar spice

The newest addition to the already amazing Aroma menu is out to every Canadian Aroma Espresso Bar, so get off your computer and go to the nearest Aroma near you! Let me know what you think, I know you will not be disappointed. 

And as always, remember to: stay caffeinated. 

10 easy steps the the best Prom ever!

Hello there my lovelies,

In the spirit of prom season I'd like to pass on my first hand knowledge to make prom a little less stressful by giving all you prom-goers an easy 10 step guide to a fun and enjoyable night.

#1 Dress to impress... yourself

Prom is one of those days you can roll out the red carpet and be as glamorous as you possibly can get.   Don't just buy a dress because Sherri Hill designed it, or Cara Delevingne wore it. If you look fabulous, and you feel even more fabulous; you've found yourself a keeper.

So many young girls believe their date have to match outfits with them (or colour coordinate with them) a lot of the time, it comes off very tacky and like so 1950's. Lets start some new trends here people! I know it's hard to believe, but your school peers will know you're together, even if you're not matching each other.

Reminder: You're only wearing the dress for four hours.

#2 Enhance your natural beauty 

If you're doing your make up yourself, or having a friend do it for you. Practice, practice, practice. You don't want there to be any surprises the day of your Prom.

When it comes to make up, less truly is more. Although we all know the famous Kim Kardashian routine of contour, most of us really haven't been able to master this trick and it's better not to experiment on this one occasion.

For those of us who are getting your make up professionally done, bring lots of example pictures and do your research. It's better to simply enhance your natural every-day make up then do something completely outrageous and different, just because a professional is doing it. If you're not used to seeing yourself with heavy make up or eye shadow, you'll be stuck staring at yourself not able to recognize who you're looking at.

A misconception many girl have, is that their dress colour needs to be embedded in their eyeshadow.  Depending on your skin tone, dress colour and eye colour there is a specific blend of eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara to fit each of us. I have an olive skin tone, brown eyes and wore a white prom dress, a gold and brown mix best suited this look and my make up artist did an amazing job achieving my make up dream.

My suggestion to you: find celebrities with a similar skin tone and eye colour as you. The make up artist will be able to then work with what you brought them. I find that giving the artist the freedom of working their talent with a set of guidelines works best.


#3 Your date is a partner, not your prisoner 

Girls these days bring a date to prom and forget a simple thing:  it's your date's prom too. It is not only YOUR day, it is the day of every single other person as well. Just because you came to prom together doesn't mean you two need to be stuck together like a police officer with their prisoner. It's hard to believe, but you can actually have just as much fun with your girl (or guy) friends then you can with a little time apart from your date. And please, please do not be too overbearing to your poor innocent date. He (or she) needs time with her own friends too.

If your significant other doesn't want to wear that beautiful suit you had in mind, doesn't mean he doesn't love you any less. It just means that, like you, he wants to look smoking hot and feel good too. Take a moment and think how it would be like if he were to tell you what colour or dress you would be allowed to wear.

#4 Dance your pants off

Come on my lovelies, no one likes a Debbie Downer. Dance your pants off and have a good time. Your prom day is once in a lifetime, make it count.

#5 Live in the moment 

The whole reason why I allowed myself to stay in high school for four straight years was in hopes of a great prom. One of my biggest regrets looking back was I didn't live in the moment and take every moment when it came to me. I was so worried about having a great time that I completely forgot to take pictures and actually have a great time. Looking back, I would do it all over again in hopes to be more relaxed.

#6 Keep your hands... on your own date

Over the years, I have heard actual horror stories about girls stealing someone else's date! It doesn't matter how close of friends you are with the guy (or girl) keep your hands on your own date. There is a reason why you aren't at prom with him/or her. If you're really in love with the guy, wait and it will happen if it's meant to be. Take control over yourself and love the night with your friends, there is no need for you to steal your best friend's man. But I mean, if it happens and its true love, do you boo.

#7 The after party, is the real party

Prom is over, you're exploding from all the food you've eaten, prom king and queen have been crowned and your feet are throbbing from all the dancing. It is now time for after prom. I have seen first hand what an after prom is like, and let me tell you it is probably the best time you'll ever have in all of your high school existence. People go to after prom to soley have a great time with friends and school mates. I personally made amends with old friends and made new friends with people at my after prom, it is better then any other party you will ever attend. No matter how much fun you had at prom, after prom will always be better. People forget about prom, but will talk about after prom for the rest of their lives.


#8 Danger doesn't lose it's danger when you're a little tipsy** 

Just because you've had a little to drink does not mean you're invincible. I know that this may be unbelievable, but if you run through a glass window you will feel it in the morning. Just because you don't physically feel pain in the moment, does not mean you're not harming yourself. Dangerous activities are still dangerous even when you're tipsy, be responsible.


#9 Do not be "The Mother Goose" or the "Sloppy Drunk"

There is a fine line between having a good time and being the good time. No one likes the person who is running around making sure no one is throwing their guts (and all of prom dinner) out, but no one likes the person who is so drunk they can barley walk and are throwing up their guts.  The term "Mother Goose" is a person who is completely sober, running around after prom taking away drinks and stopping make out session only in hopes of being known as the saviour of the night. Sorry to break it to you honey, but if I want to finish that bottle of vodka, you will not be stopping me, you will be annoying me. If you have had too much to drink and more then just the "Mother Goose" is telling you to drink some water (aka your parents) then you should probably chill out and drink some water. Be responsible for yourself.

#10 Do you boo

At the end of the night, all that matters is that you enjoyed yourself. Be the Mother Goose or the Sloppy drunk if you want too. Make your date be the prisoner and match your eyeshadow to your prom date's tie if that is what makes you extremely happy. Do you boo. Love your night and love your time. Do you boo. Do you..


Try to have the best time ever, but at the end of the day its just prom. It's not as big of a deal as we all think it is. Remember, it's not like you're 19 or anything ;-).

xoxo, stay caffeinated.

Amelia


** I am in no way condoning or promoting underage drinking. Please drink responsibly and of legal age**

We are living in a veggie world!

Hello, Hello!

I am so sorry that I haven't been as frequent with my blogging escapades lately. I've been really busy working up a storm and getting myself more established as a vlogger (video-blogger). With that being said, I've missed connecting with all of you in the meantime.

The last time we spoke, I was in Acapulco, Mexico; I am back in Canada and ready for the thrills spring has to offer. For those of you who don't already know this about me, spring is my favourite season. I love the way the world starts to bloom after the long and frigid winter Canada (unfortunately) brings to the table. My favourite thing about spring is waking up to the sun beaming through my windows and hearing the birds chirping every morning. I love knowing that spring is the time of the year where (most) flowers start to bloom and (most) animal babies are born. For me, spring brings new life and new beginnings.

I love animals. From a very young age I have had a deep passion for every animal in the world. I love them so much that I remember going to petting zoos as a child and pretending the animals were literally my friends. I can actually remember trying to kiss a couple of donkeys during those days.. Call me crazy all you want, but I love animals and no one will be able to take that love away from me. I love animals so much that I decided to become a vegetarian 3 years ago. Proudly, I can say that I haven't touched a piece of animal flesh ever since then.

Honestly, when I was growing up, I never gave the slaughter of animals much thought. I knew that what I was eating was an animal, I knew I loved the taste of it and I knew I loved animals; but other then those two facts I didn't really understand what I was feeding into (pun intended). In 2012, my sister (her name is Chiara) had to do a school project which meant being a vegetarian for an entire month. I thought, being the wonderful sister that I am, I would join her in this project and be an encourager for her and make sure she didn't fail the project. However, being the most competitive person I've ever met, I decided to not only join my sister with her project and not eat meat for an entire month, but I would also give up all animal products in the meantime. I had just become a vegan cold-turkey (pun intended....again).

I remember, February 2012, I ate my last piece of meat for the rest of my life. I thought, at first, the only thing that the project entailed was to simply stop eating meat for an entire month. I was sadly (or happily) mistaken. During those 30 days, I was tortured to watch documentaries all about the slaughter of animals. Obviously, I cried my eyes out for 30 days straight. Those documentaries are not only extremely informative, they are also extremely gruesome. For a while I couldn't believe that for all these years I had been so extremely naive. I went around telling people I wanted to become an animal rescuer and I loved animals more then anything else in the world................ AS I WAS EATING A RACK OF RIBS. I felt like a complete hypocrite. Not only is the slaughter of animals completely inhumane, but it is actually extremely harmful to the environment.

Being a veggie girl (which is what I call myself) in an Italian family is much easier said then done. Italians are known for all the different type of meats they serve on a daily basis. Thankfully, my family isn't one who eat (ate) meat everyday, but they definitely loved their meat sauce and homemade meatballs on their pasta. To this day my Nonno will cut me soppressata expecting me to eat it. Last Sunday (aka family lunch day at Nonno and Nonna's house) my Nonno pulled me aside and asked me "Amelia, if you don't eat meat... then what DO you eat?" I answered that question by saying "Well Nonno, if I don't eat meat, then I eat anything that isn't meat" he was shocked by this answer and says "Amelia, EVERYTHING is meat." Yes, being a veggie girl in an Italian family is very hard.

I see becoming a vegetarian one of the best choices I have made in all of my 21 years existence.  I was born with a form of anemia and right before becoming a vegetarian, I had my regular blood test to make sure my iron levels didn't drop since my last visit, it had but not only did my iron levels drop but my B12 levels were low as well. After becoming a vegetarian, I lost 10 pounds, my iron levels became significantly higher and my B12 level went back to normal. I had a much higher level of energy and I felt healthier inside.

There are many different types of vegetarianism: 

1) Lacto-ovo vegetarian: vegetarians that eat both eggs and dairy products.
2) Pescatarian: vegetarians who occasionally eat fish.
3) Ovo-vegetarian : vegetarians who do not eat/ drink dairy products, but do occasionally eat eggs.
4) Lacto-vegetarian: vegetarians who do not eat eggs, but occasionally eat/ drink dairy products.
5) Vegan: vegetarians who do not eat animal flesh of any kind, shellfish, dairy products and eggs.

As I said before, when I first started my veggie girl journey, I was a vegan and I loved every second of it. Unfortunately, I had to stop being a vegan because I still live at home and it was hard for me to be 100% vegan (because my mom still buys me food and feeds me). I do however, plan on returning to the vegan lifestyle once I move out of my house; but for now I am 100% ovo-vegetarian. I do not eat any animal flesh, or dairy products, but I do occasionally eat a few eggs here and there.

Today, after being a full fledge veggie girl (for exactly 3 years, one month and 10 days) I can say being a veggie girl has had it's extreme struggles, when I first started becoming a vegetarian, I hated vegetables to the very core of my soul and I craved meat profusely. Eventually I started to really appreciate vegetables (along with their weird flavours) and as for the meat cravings, they are still very much alive and well. Fortunately enough, I haven't eaten meat in so long that I think veggie patties taste like an actual meaty hamburger, so once I get my teeth in those veggie burgers, the cravings are quenched. Now when I look at a steak all I can think of is that it is literally the flesh of an animal and I get completely repulsed by it and nauseated thinking about someone eating it.

Being a vegetarian is a great choice, but a hard and life-altering decision I've made for myself. It has made me become a more caring and empathetic person. I think of the world in a completely different light and literally imagine myself in the position of the animal during each stage of their miserable life. I wish I could save each and every single one of those poor animals and make them feel loved, but unfortunately I don't have the means to do that. In the past 3 years, one month and 10 days I have happily been able to save a total of 631 animals, 609 lbs of meat and 5,027 lbs of CO2 was not released into the atmosphere (http://vegetariancalculator.com/vegetarian-calculator-monthly).

If you're thinking about joining the animal-saving crew? shoot me an email: thebeanmovement@gmail.com

meow for now!
xoxo, Amelia


Stay Caffeinated.

ps. I'm now on YouTube! Check out me first video at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hADcvRrXsYI

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