Odessa Darling - a healthy lifestyle blog

(Another) 100 Percent Pure Review

It’s been several months since I started transitioning to natural and organic makeup, and I started with the brand 100 Percent Pure. They use only natural and organic ingredients, don’t include any artificial fragrances (huge for people with sensitive skin!) or colors, and all products are cruelty-free. They dye their makeup with fruit! I think that’s awesome. Now that I’ve (mostly) settled into a good, toxin-free makeup routine, I’ve been stepping up my skincare routine to do the same. I’ve been replacing my toxin-laden scrubs and body washes for more natural and friendly versions, and found myself back on the 100 Percent Pure website for the millionth time. Last month, they had their Friends and Family sale going on, and I knew it was time to scoop up a few more goodies to try out!

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California: Yosemite Valley & Tioga Pass

Adventures

California road trip, part two: J and I drive a million miles to Yosemite back up to Lake Tahoe and back to Washington all within 72 hours.

California: The Northern Coast & Redwoods

Adventures

Okay, it’s official.

Time to quit my job and somehow make money by road tripping, eating sushi, and taking pictures. That’s how I spent the last week and how I’d like to spend every week.

J and I got back a couple of days ago from a 5 day road trip from Washington down the coast, through the northern part of the Redwoods, over to Yosemite, up to Lake Tahoe, and back. 2200 miles in 5 days. Sooo much driving we didn’t get to spend as much time everywhere as we would have liked to, but I guess you can’t have it both ways.Continue reading

Road Trip Day 3: McArthur-Burney Falls and the McCloud River

Adventures

Day 3 of the road trip with my mom was our last day of adventuring – day 4 was just a long 8 hour drive home from California (although In-n-Out burgers were involved, so obviously it was still a great day). We woke up and got on the road, passing into California in the morning and driving several more hours to get out of the middle of nowhere. Both of us had been to McArthur-Burney Falls in Northern California before, but it had been several years and we hadn’t gone together, so we decided we’d start the day there.

Road Trip Day 2: Crater Lake

Adventures

Finally getting back to where I left off with the first part of the road trip I went on with my mom at beginning of August! We spent the majority of our second day at Crater Lake National Park which is every bit as amazing as I had hoped it would be. Pictures don’t even do it justice or express just how truly stunning Crater Lake is.

Low Sulfer Paleo Diet

Life Updates, Personal

Another day, another trip to the naturopath… You know, every couple of months.

Since my last trip to the naturopath, I’ve been eating mostly Paleo. Lots of veggies (including raw), lots of protein, not a ton of carbs. And I’ve been feeling about the same.

Road Trip Day 1: Painted Hills, OR

Adventures

I just got back a few days ago from an awesome 4-day road trip with my mom and am not ready for reality. Can I just stay on vacation?

I’ve been reliving all the beautiful places we saw the past few days while looking through my photos and am still just in awe. The world is such a beautiful place, especially the Western US (Okay, I’m slightly biased, I’ll admit). It truly is stunning, though, the difference a few hours of driving can make: Just 3 hours outside Portland to the East and I feel like I’m in a completely different place. Gone are the lush green trees, grass, and water. We drove past massive fields of wheat, where everything looked yellow and dry. Northeast of Bend, we explored the John Day Fossil Beds Monument, which covers almost 20,000 acres in Central Oregon. Of the 3 “units” the monument is divided into, we visited 2: Clarno and the Painted Hills.

Asian Shrimp Tacos With Spicy Lime Slaw

Gluten Free, Recipes

I am soooooo happy this week is over. It was hot and busy, a recipe bound to lead to exhaustion.

Seriously. And all I have left to do is plan for the trip I’m going on with my mom next week! I’m so excited! We are heading to Central Oregon to visit the Painted Hills, then traveling South to Bend, OR. We’re then hitting Crater Lake National Park on our way down to Northern Cali, where things get a little less planned out. Possibly Lassen Volcanic National Park, definitely some hiking, maybe McArthur-Burney Falls (we’ve both been there before, but it’s really pretty!), and definitely Redding for an In-n-Out Burger. (Priorities, right?) Then back home!

I haven’t gone on a trip longer than one or two nights since 2012 so I am definitely jumping out of my skin with excitement. It will be so nice to get out of my head and out on the road, to get to spend some quality time with my mom, eat some great food, take a million photos, and enjoy nature.Continue reading

Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

Gluten Free, Recipes, Vegan

I don’t know about you, but I’m just about ready for Fall. I love Fall. I’m ready for falling leaves in every shade, nighttime bonfires in the actual dark, crisp mornings, and lots of layers. Of course, I am excited for the rest of summer! In ten days, I’m going on a short road trip through Oregon and Northern California with my mom that I’m super stoked about, and the week after we get back, my sister is getting married! So I’ll enjoy the rest of my summer, I’m just almost ready for it to be Fall. 🙂

Yesterday morning was cool and overcast, and I was craving something warm and hearty; something a little different than the breakfasts I’ve been enjoying lately. I haven’t had oatmeal in a long time and still don’t eat oats, but I figured a breakfast quinoa would be the perfect substitute for my oatmeal craving. A simple, creamy vanilla quinoa base topped with cinnamon apples ended up hitting the spot, and it was so good I decided I needed to share it with you guys.

Monday Morning Inspo | Happy July 4th

Lifestyle, Recipes

Hello hello happy Monday and happy 4th of July to all my American dudes. What are you doing today? I’m enjoying an extra day off with my boo and the usual Monday grocery shopping, then cooking up a few things to take to my uncle’s 4th of July barbecue.

Here’s some inspiration for last minute drink, sides, and desserts to bring with you. Nobody needs to know if you waited til the last minute 😉