Walking Around the Park BAREFOOT? The Positive Effects of Grounding {Even in the Fall}!
Hi my villagers! With a different school schedule and starting my classes at 10 AM, I’ve had time in the morning to walk my dogs. Since reading up on how your sleep can improve through grounding, I have been walking my dogs BAREFOOT through the park each morning. Yes, even through the leaves, and the benefits have been AMAZING!! I used to have lower back pain from sitting all day in class, but…
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How Social Media Can Be Detrimental and Vital to Our Health!
Hey my Villagers! I have had the privilege of working as an undergraduate research assistant in the field of social media and body image. We have done some interesting work looking at Instagram and how it can negatively impact how we view ourselves through not only comparing our bodies to others but sparking thoughts that lead to danger health patterns {that includes videos on how to make m&m…
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Let’s SWAP! How to Have a Sustainable Closet!
Hey villagers! Last night, as a Balance Ambassador, I helped to host a Clothing Swap with my fellow Ambassador Meaghan Marton! We had so much fun sharing our stories attached to our clothes, and meeting new people! Chilling in our Balance sweaters ~ We hosted the swap at Cafe March 21 in the attic – the perfect public location. It was my first time there – and it was SO cute and cozy! They had…
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Thoughtful Thursday: It’s Just Stuff – Finding Connections in Chaos!
Hey villagers! This past couple of weeks has been absolute chaos with the insane flood that happened in Tecumseh. We were clearly not prepared as a town to take on such a large amount of rain! Mother Nature got a little too excited {or too sad …. whatever way you look at it}. With all this rain, nearly 1 in 4 houses in the town has a flooded basement, including ours. We were called into a state…
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The Four Munching Mindsets: Find Out Which One You Have!
Hey my villagers! As I wait in line to checkout at the grocery store, I love to see what the person in front of me is purchasing. Maybe it’s a love for psychology or health, but I find it fascinating what others are eating, and who they are buying for. A single women could be purchasing some organic veggies for herself, then a bag of Cheetos for the husband, then some jars of baby food for the…
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Thoughtful Thursday #3 – Being intentional about our words.
Hey villagers! My Thoughtful Thursday’s theme this week is INTENTIONALITY. We must be aware of the impact our words have on others. If we have a positive outlook and love ourselves, it is so much easier to be kind, generous and loving towards others. It all starts with our own self-care. I am currently reading this book called Present over Perfect, and it is all about slowing down our busy lives…
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A Health-Filled Sunday: Conscious Communities of Windsorites!
Hey my villagers! I had such a fun Sunday spending time with family and seeing all my health-conscious friends at the Vegfest. It FINALLY happened in Windsor!!! Indian vegan food truck! I was delighted to see all the vendors that were there, including all my fav Windsor and Tecumseh go-tos like Healthy Mama, Breathe and Brandner Farms as well as some fresh faces from Living Chocolate and Eat…
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Thoughtful Thursday #2: Let Your Spirit SOAR!
Hey veggie villagers, I will leave you with this poem again by my mother. It encourages us to not let our own boundaries, fears or doubts keep us from sharing and being vulnerable with others! Let your spirit SOAR and your light SHINE! Don’t let negative thoughts keep you from pursuing your passion! This photo was taken in Lions Head, Ontario and is one of the many seagull shots I took during our…
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The Start to Thoughtful Thursdays!
Hey veggies! I thought it would be fun to showcase some of my own poetry, as well as my moms on Thursdays – calling them Thoughtful Thursdays! I also want to encourage you to share your emotions and experiences through your own poems with me. I would love to feature them in the gallery and let us create a vulnerable and supportive community! I would love to encourage and inspire others to…
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Embracing Your Hidden Talents: How to Be Confident as an Expert!
Hey veggies! I am so excited to finally be able to say that The Veggie Villager is official!! I have worked so hard on my content and I love seeing such great support and positive feedback!! As I have been able to work through my health journey and share my knowledge, I have been able to have a creative outlet to let my gift of writing shine! I believe it is so important to find out what you are…
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What We Can Learn from the Happiest Places in the World.
Hey veggie villagers!! Continuing my summer of good reads and quiet days, I’ve had time to read from one of my favourite authors whose life I aspire to have – Dan Buettner. I have already read about the Blue Zones and how he travels from place to place exploring and researching in the most amazing centenarian-filled places in the world. I was interested in learning more about his research…
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What Kids Can Teach Us About Joy: How to Let Your Soul Shine!
Hey veggies! I have been so inspired lately by the many books I’ve been reading over the course of the summer, especially by Brene Brown’s Gifts of Imperfections. It made me reflect on how when we become adults, we become overworked, overwhelmed, and over-involved – filling our schedules and draining our spirits. It might be due to the increased responsibility given to us, the less time we have…
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Apparel with Attitude: My Top 5 Companies Committed to Change through Consumerism
Hey my villagers! I recently have become a lifestyle ambassador for an amazing clothing company and was reflecting on how important it is to me that I purchase apparel and accessories that contribute to ‘bigger picture’ thinking. I initially started my university degree in business, in the hopes that I could start my own business that had social responsible practices incorporated into its core…
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Hey my villagers!
My first experience as a waitress has been such a learning curve, as I have realized not only how I operate and work in busy environments, but about how to truly accommodate the customers I serve. Working at a vegan restaurant (Healthy Mama– the best food ever, but I’m a little biased ;) ) has made me appreciate the opportunity to meet new people and be a light to others in their day, while serving them food that nourishes their bodies with plant-based goodness!
Here are just a few things I have noticed that I have incorporated into my own meal times and become more conscious of during my days:
- Give thanks. I love seeing others praying before their meals. I have always believed in giving thanks for the beautiful food that we are able to eat everyday. We are so blessed and should be thankful for the full plates and the hands that prepared it.
- Network with like-minded people. It’s so cool to see regular customers who individually come in, then come in together and share information, experience and ideas about their own health businesses with each other. Networking is the best way to meet new people and expand your own knowledge in other related fields. By creating a comforting and relaxing space with veggie-based meals, we can build spaces where healthy communities can grow and thrive!
- No wifi is a good thing. Sometimes not having public wifi is a good thing, especially when meal time is a time to disconnect from your phones and reconnect with old and new friends and family. This can make you aware of the present and now, and allows you enjoy your meal even more when you are focused on each bite. So take that food porn picture and instagram it later :)
- Value others and the time you have. Being in the now and truly listening to the people around you as you eat can make for deeper relationships and more fulfilling meal times. I always try to accommodate to each person’s needs and have a chat with them when they are waiting for their meals. Building a friendly and positive environment is so important for joy and success in your life!
- Eat slowly and enjoy each bite. As a society, we are so busy and sometimes meal time is almost an inconvenience. What I’ve learned from the European customers is that they will spend a couple of hours eating, drinking tea and talking. Their meals are an event. We should not be snacking, driving, reading and sending texts all at the same time. Sit down and slow down.
- Be open-minded. I love when families come in with their vegan family member and try our cuisine. We have such a diverse audience that comes for meals that tastes good and are good for you. We have vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian and even hungry omnivores that enjoy food with their loved ones. It’s awesome to see that people are so opened to our new daily creations. We need to incorporate this open-mindedness into everything that comes our way in our day!
Share a little bit of everything. [Sauble Beach, Ont.]
Indulge sometimes. [Sauble Beach, Ont.]
I challenge you to practice some of these teachings in your daily lives. Take time to enjoy each meal. Also, check out this amazing book,
Women, Food and God where I have learned a lot about how to eat. Create a beautiful atmosphere around you with those you love. You stomach and your mind will thank you.
Peace & Love,
Jill – your veggie villager xx
Confessions of a Waitress: What I’ve Learned Working at a Vegan Restaurant
Hey my villagers! My first experience as a waitress has been such a learning curve, as I have realized not only how I operate and work in busy environments, but about how to truly accommodate the customers I serve.
