Living With Laurel

|| vegan || recovery || yogi || doula || youtuber

[livingwithlaurel]

🌿Friendships🌿 I really didn’t think I would be able to find people to connect with here in West Texas. Part of me had given up hope of having girlfriends that I can vent to, depend on, and just go have fun with. I figured I would have to wait until I moved to Colorado to find my people; and I went several years with that void in my life. But then last year I got a job as a summer camp counselor and lifeguard, and I told myself that I would use that time to relearn how to be myself around strangers, and create genuine relationships with females. Part of me was burned from super messy friendship “breakups”, and just being abandoned or forgotten by all of the female friendships I had. So I found it easier to just not look for them, and forget what I was missing out on. Then last year happened, and between working among amazing women at camp, to being a barista again among some of the best coworkers I’ve ever had, I have found friendships. Yes, friendships are hard, they take time, work, and energy to grow. But it is the most rewarding thing, and I am so grateful for all of the friends I have in my life who have helped me rediscover who I am. So if you are my friend, thank you, I value our relationship. And if you are someone I’ve lost touch with over the years for whatever reason, reach out if you ever want to reconnect. 💛 . . . . #barista #coffee #photography #friendship https://www.instagram.com/p/BtvwAFxDQI5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1oc3gp7qe120v

[livingwithlaurel]

Things I love about Texas: 78°F and sunny in the middle of winter. . . . . . #outdoors #photography #spring #texas #westtexas #nature #naturephotography #adventure #explore https://www.instagram.com/p/Bte4JvfjBL8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7criyjv5xv9y

[livingwithlaurel]

Vegan Chocolate Cake at @brewstreet ! 🙌🏼❤️ Btw, the chocolate frosting is my recipe, which you can find in my feed. 👌🏼 . . . . #vegan #vegetarian #veganism #coffeeshop #coffee #chocolate #vegancake #barista #baking #westtexasvegans (at Brew St. Bakery) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtY-Ae-D2mo/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yt7559b1686i

[studywithinspo]

“Some people are born for Halloween, and some are just counting the days until Christmas.” - Stephen Graham Jones

 just posted my [November Bullet Journal Plan With Me!] on my youtube channel @studywithinspo​ check it out!

[kaylareads]

so happy with this spread, and i will be uploading a video on me making this on my YouTube channel soon so stay tuned!! youtube.com/c/itskayla

[kaylareads]

totally messed up the lyrics lol but it’s not that bad so yeah. been overusing my NY stickers but because I love them so much

[applefroyo]

Compilation of February and June to July spreads (2018)

bujogram: applefroyo

[livingwithlaurel]

•2019• I hope you have more good days than bad ones. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsBoqexj3to/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vani18pe3cg0

[livingwithlaurel]

“It’s snowing!” Cue me and @mallowfluffam running outside to take photos and enjoy the magic that is snow the second we don’t have a customer. 🌨✨ Also just so happen to be wearing my Southpark Colorado hoodie when it starts to snow. ❄️ (at Brew St. Bakery) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrWmvl3D9CU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4moyykmgwvzj

[livingwithlaurel]

Still can’t believe this is my hair!! 🙌🏼 If I didn’t know that I was wearing that hoodie, I would never believe it. 6 hours in a salon chair and my niece @sstovall93 turned my hair from bright turquoise on bleached hair, to this. Go watch the process in my stories! And if you are ever in the DFW area, you should make the trip to Waxahachie to have her do your hair. 💛 (Go check out all of her beautiful balayage work on her page!) Also...my hair will never again look this beautiful, because I can’t style it this good. So everyone back home will never witness it at this level. 😅 https://www.instagram.com/p/BrJ_EU5DtdP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19yr5nsbt64pd

[livingwithlaurel]

My go to curry sauce 💛 • • • • • So I know I haven’t been posting a lot on here. It’s not that I don’t take a ton of photos too post, but just having the motivation to edit and type everything up has been hard. I’ve been posting a lot on my stories, so you can still see me cooking all my food, and tons of videos and pics of my cat there if you need a daily filling of my randomness. I have just not feeling 100% mentally the last few months so my feed hasn’t been my top priority, and I do feel a lot of guilt about it because I love to share inspirational posts about recipes, veganism, and recovery posts. So, sorry if you don’t see much of me in your feed. But I’m still here, just keep up with me in my stories. • • • Anyways, here is my go to curry sauce recipe! 🙌🏼💛 I always keep these spices on hand, and I always keep a can of coconut cream in my pantry, because a quick curry is so easy to make. I like to pair my curry with a huge portion of jasmine rice (which is all under the curry in the picture). I buy my jasmine rice in bulk, so I always have rice on hand. For the curry, you can literally use whatever veggies and legumes you have on hand. I had some potatoes, carrots, and frozen peas, so that is what I used here. Wash and dice your carrots & potatoes and boil them until almost perfect texture. Drain and add in frozen peas, or any frozen veggies you are using. I also really like pairing garbanzo beans or lentils with this sauce, as well as cauliflower, but I didn’t have any of those on hand. For the sauce, sauté 1 red bell pepper and 1 small yellow onion, and blend with all of the separated coconut cream from the can, curry powder, turmeric, garlic powder, cumin, Himalayan pink salt, and better than chicken vegan bouillon. I also use some small hot dried peppers from my dads garden to taste. I like my curries pretty hot, but this part is optional. You can also use any dried peppers, or cayenne powder to spice it up. Add water to thin it out and let the veggies simmer in the sauce until it has thickened. Top over a bed of rice, and add some sriracha and green onions. 👌🏼 https://www.instagram.com/p/BrF_lrpjb-4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nme7okh81ktx

[livingwithlaurel]

Tons of amazing food at today’s vegan potluck! 🙌🏼💛 Bindhi masala & rice, poblano cornbread dressing, brussel sprout slaw, sweet potato casserole, apple quinoa & butternut squash kale salad, vegetable pot pie, & gluten free banana nut bread! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 Vegan food is NOT boring! 💛 (at Comanche Trail City Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpKwyfnDIWS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g7jv6sci109o

[livingwithlaurel]

Out and about the other day when it was 35 degrees 🍂 (at Mad Hatters House of Games) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpIrZhijJX8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ofavijcr7wr

[livingwithlaurel]

Butternut Squash Soup 🎃 Today I woke up to 34 degree weather, so I thought it’d be the perfect day to share one of my soup recipes in case you need something warm and comforting during this cold front! ❄️ ———————————————————————— I picked up a couple of butternut squashes from the farmers market that were about a foot long, and super sweet, so I knew I wanted to make this soup! It is the perfect fall soup! 🙌🏼💛 ———————————————————————— Ingredients: 2 butternut squashes (mine were about a foot long) 1 large carrot, chopped 2-3 sticks celery, chopped 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 2-3 tsp minced garlic 1 can coconut milk 1 tbsp vegan better than chicken bouillon Thyme Sage Rosemary Himalayan pink salt Pepper ———————————————————————— Directions: Cut the butternut squashes in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Place on a baking sheet cut side down and bake at 350F for about an hour, or until squash becomes soft to scoop. Simmer chopped veggies with just enough water to cover until the carrots are cooked through. Let the squash cool and scoop out. Separate the cream out of the canned coconut milk. Add all ingredients into blender, adding spices to taste. Add water to thin out, and let it simmer on low until warmed and spices blend, about 10 minutes. Enjoy with toasted sourdough, under a comfy blanket with your cat, while binge watching Netflix(at least that’s how I enjoyed mine 👌🏼). https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo9vplUDj2r/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bk96drbqqih5

[livingwithlaurel]

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes & Apple Pie Compote 🎃🍂 So this is probably the best fall themed sweet food I have ever made...and possibly eaten! It isn’t too overly sweet, and is just the perfect amount of fall spices 👌🏼 For the pancakes, I used @kerbeylanecafe Pumpkin Pancake Mix, and followed the directions, subbing ground flax for the egg, and @califiafarms Pumpkin Creamer for the water in the recipe. You just have to add a bit more liquid than the recipe calls for because of the flax egg. For the topping, I made a simple apple pie fruit compote by dicing up a honey crisp apple into small pieces, and simmering it with a small amount of water for about 5 minutes until soft but retaining some firmness. I added in a bunch of cinnamon, and a small dash of ginger, nutmeg, and clove. I topped the pancakes with the apple compote, a diced banana, broken walnuts, and raw coconut. Let me know if you make these pancakes! They are so deliciously fall! 🙌🏼💛 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo7O3sZjjUP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ip8eudyz7ttg

[livingwithlaurel]

Today is #worldmentalhealthday and as much as I want to write out a long beautifully written post about it, I just don’t have the mental capacity for it today. And that is okay. 👌🏼 Not every day is sunshine and rainbows, and although I do post mostly positive stuff on my page, I do share a few real posts just to let everyone know that I’m not perfect. Sometimes it can be really hard for me to find the motivation to post content on here, because when I have days where I struggle more with my mental health, I don’t have the energy to do anything, or be creative. Even if I do have pictures to post...I can’t find the motivation to share it. I will conserve my energy by keeping my meals really simple, and spend 75% of my time watching Netflix with my cat, ignoring other projects I was working on. I will try and push myself out of the not so great days, by doing things that I know help my mental health and that I enjoy, even if I’m not particularly in the mood to do anything but curl up in a comfy ball on my couch. These include going outside for walks, doing yoga, working on my garden, drinking tea, spending time with loved ones, being creative in the kitchen, rearranging/redecorating a space in my home, organizing, and traveling. It’s okay to not be 100% all the time. Reach out to people you love if you are struggling, there is no shame in #mentalhealth And if you know someone who is struggling with mental health, let them know you are there for them. ❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bow_GBWjwel/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gp227zt5benn

[livingwithlaurel]

Changed up my hair again this weekend 🧜🏻‍♀️ https://www.instagram.com/p/Boo2JzYjuRt/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=h864u2r1xuld