Treasures ✨

When I was around 14 years old, so 7 years ago (oh gosh time is honestly flying by like crazy haha) I liked to have all sorts of especially earrings and necklaces. Stars, rainbow colored pearls, flowers whatsoever. What mattered was that it would go with my shirt or outfit in general. And looking back at it I think it's a cute and funny memory of going and growing through different stages in life. Today and right now I'm definitely in a different stage. A stage where I appreciate having something with a meaning and something I'm not gonna take off whether I'm at the lake, in uni or sleeping. You can also call me lazy haha but also patient as I was waiting around 6 weeks for this precious little magical necklace making its way from the other side of the world to me. This post isn't sponsored or anything I just want to share it with you and also show you that sometimes less is more. I found minimalism in life not only helpful for you but also our environment. It makes you appreciate something ten times more💎✨
YCL Jewels makes ethically and cruelty-free jewelry which is something I love to support and if my future husband is reading this ... they make beautiful wedding rings as well haha.

My Instagram: @ninaatatjanaa

A FRESH START

Let's take a little less and give a little more in 2017! Because true happiness comes from within us and what's a better feeling than knowing you're the reason for someone else's smile. Let's use this year to share happiness and throw kindness around.

"We rise by lifting others!"

Walking through life we're in charge of choosing to look at all the bad and terrible stuff that is happening around us OR we can look at the bright side and all the beauty and positivity. Even though we often don't realize it but we can have a positive impact on others and the world just by being the best version of ourselves that we can be. Because in the end what matters is h a p p i n e s s.

Cheers to 2017🍾🎊

Happy New Year everyone! 

Looking back at 2016 it was definitely breathtaking in so many ways. I guess every year has its ups and downs and so did 2016. But there were definitely so many amazing, unforgettable and precious moments which I will always have captured in my heart and this is to many more to come in 2017! Last year was a year where I had to figure out what I want to do in life (at least to a certain extent) which was for example changing my uni course and also following a less cruelty filled lifestyle. I have been vegetarian for around 6 years and realized following a vegan lifestyle doesn't only make me feel heaps better but is also better for the animals and our planet🌎🌿💚 So one of my new years resolutions is to keep doing this along with doing more sports. As well as to have an early start to the morning more often, to stop overthinking everything and to just do what feels right and makes me happy, to be more productive with school stuff, to take more photos and videos and to always look on the bright side and enjoy life!✨

What are some of your new years resolutions? And I realize that it doesn't have to be a new year to start something new but I still like the thought of a new year with new chances, new opportunities and new adventures.

Let's collect many great moments in 2017!

Delicious Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Another weekend - another recipe. Yay! During this time of the year it is just so much fun to put some music jam on (have you listened to Bastille's new album Wild World? It's amazing!!) and to get into some baking.

These cookies are a thousand times better than any bought ones and the perfect snack!

You will need:

1 Tbsp   ground flax seeds + 3 Tbsp water
1 1/4      cups flour
1 tsp      baking soda
1/2 tsp   salt
1/2 cup  margarine
1/2 cup  brown sugar
1/3 cup  white sugar
1 tsp      vanilla extract
non dairy chocolate chips

Step 1   Preheat oven to 350F/180C!
Step 2   Combine flax seeds and water in a little bowl
Step 3   Combine flour, baking soda and salt in an extra bowl
Step 4   Place margarine (you might want to melt it a tiny little bit in the microwave) in another bowl
             and add the sugars, mix for around 2 minutes
Step 5   Add the flax mixture and the vanilla to the margarine mix and combine
Step 6   Add the flour mixture and mix it but don't overmix, then add the chocolate chips
Step 7   Place little balls on a baking sheet and now you only have to wait for the cookies to bake for
             around 12-14 minutes in the oven :)

Papaya Fruit Bowl & Getting Enough Sleep

What's a perfect start to the day for you? - Today my day started off pretty close to what I would call perfect. I was able to have a sleep in and especially during the past months I figured that it's so important to get enough sleep. My body just feels so much better and refreshed. I actually love staying up late and it's so rare that I go to bed before midnight but recently I'm trying not to go to bed after 12. You're body, mind and soul will thank you for a good sleep!

When I woke up the sun peeked through my curtains and I went to the kitchen to have a big glass of water and to finally use the papaya I got from the market a few days ago because it already passed the very ripe point (oops) but it still tasted alright. The end product and fruit combination was delicious :)

Vegan Cake in a Cup Recipe

There was a time where my sister and I were obsessed with cakes in a cup. Just because you usually don't need a lot of ingredients and after putting it in the microwave for a few minutes you had a cake ready to eat. We loved it! And then I kind of forgot about it but this morning I had to think of it again and really wanted to make a cake in a cup again - a walk down memory lane in a sense!

Just mix together:

0.5         ripe and mashed banana

3 tbsp    coconut flour (normal flour would surely work as well)

0.25 tsp baking powder

2 tsp      coconut sugar (or brown sugar)

3 tbsp    milk (soy, almond, coconut,..)

and        chocolate drops to decorate

After mixing all ingredients together in your cup, you just have to put it in the microwave for about two minutes (I checked every 30 seconds how the texture is) and then your cake in a cup is ready to be eaten! Enjoy :)

Acai Bowl with Coconut Water

Today I started my day and also the new week off with an Acai Bowl. There are so many delicious looking pictures floating around on Tumblr or Instagram that made me really crave one this morning and maybe my bowl can't compete look wise with most other acai bowls but it was super tasty and that's what matters right? :)

For the base I blended together one normal and one frozen banana, just a few frozen berries, a teaspoon of acai powder and some coconut water (just add a bit in the beginning and if the mixture is too stiff you can always add a bit more).

Once you poured the mixture into the bowl you can add whatever you can find in your kitchen and whatever you feel like. I really liked the combination of kiwi, granola, nut and shredded coconut.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Muffins

Time for another delicious recipe!

This time I baked, as you can already see in the photos, some vegan chocolate chip muffins while using this recipe!

All you need:

4 ripe         bananas

1/2 cup      dairy free milk (soy or almond for example)

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp    baking powder

1/2 cup      coconut sugar (https://kulau.de/bio-kokosbluetenzucker-pure-150-g)

1/4 cup      coconut oil

1 tsp          vanilla extract

1/2 cup      chocolate chips

Step 1 - Combine the bananas and the milk until smooth

Step 2 - Combine the flour and the baking powder, then add banana-milk-mixture

Step 3 - Add the other ingredients (chocolate chips last)

Step 4 - Bake for around 20-25 minutes (180°C) and let them cool off afterwards for a bit

It serves 12 muffins and I think it's also a perfect snack for school, uni or work!

Enjoy and let me know if you tried them out :)

Quick Smoothie Recipe

I feel like this is going to be the last week of hot summery weather so I will definitely make the most out if it and something that can't be missing is a delicious smoothie when it's 30 degrees outside. In this one I only blended 1 banana, 1 mango and 2 nectarines together with water et voilà a delicious smoothie is served. Perfect way to start the day or as a little snack for in between :)

Vegan Banana Muffins

Bananas are probably one of my favorite fruits and I basically have them daily. That's why I went on Pinterest in order to look for a vegan banana muffins recipe when I really felt like baking the other day. And they turned out really nice so I thought I would share the recipe with you. I must say they are probably not the healthiest of all banana muffins but we should treat ourselves at times and for those moments they are just perfect and delicious. Not only I really like them but also some of my friends who I shared them with :)

Here's the link to the recipe: Vegan Banana Muffins