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huatulco

20+ Healthy Plant Based Summer Recipes | The Best Healthy Plant Based Recipes for Summer 2021 | Plant Based Recipes on a Budget | Plant Based Dinner Recipes for Beginners | Whole Food Plant Based Recipes | Vegan Summer Recipe Ideas | The Best Refined Sugar Free Summer Cocktails | Summer Recipes Vegetarian | Vegan Gluten-Free Summer Recipes | Summer Meatless Recipes | Easy Vegan Recipes for Summer | Extensively Tested Plant Based Recipes | Calgary Plant Based Food Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Appies & Sides, Baking, Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dessert & Treats, Dinner, Food, Gluten Free, Lunch, Roundups, Salads & Bowls, Smoothies & Juices, Soups, Summer, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

20+ HEALTHY PLANT BASED SUMMER RECIPES


It’s the height of summer here on the Alberta prairies — and I’m thrilled to bring you another recipe roundup to celebrate the very best ingredients this season has to offer! Summer is my absolute favourite time of year to take a trip to the farmers market or our Country Garden in search of gorgeous produce, herbs and flowers to inspire my culinary creations. My hope is that this post featuring 20+ Healthy Plant Based Summer Recipes also inspires you to do the same, while supporting your local markets, growers and farmers whenever possible! So, I’ve scoured my extensive RECIPE archives to compile this fresh and seasonal summer recipe roundup to include my (and your!) most loved, most made and most featured summer recipes in one convenient location, categorized by meal type and diet for easy browsing reference.

As always, this seasonal recipe round-up features my all-time-favourite summer recipes across culinary categories, from breakfast through happy hour — with lots of snacks, treats, smoothies and juices! My flexitarian recipes are simple, seasonal, free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar and packed full of  fresh, nourishing ingredients — the majority are also vegan or vegetarian (although there is one pesceratian recipe in this roundup!). These whole food dishes are also budget friendly, with many yielding large batches (perfect for families, summer meal prep or batch cooking!). From my kitchen to yours, I hope this roundup of tested-till-perfect, plant based eats and drinks inspires you enjoy and experiment with summer’s bountiful fruits, vegetables, herbs and blooms! Cheers to our most delicious summer yet!

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5 Festive Cinco de Mayo Cocktails | 5 of JustineCelina’s most popular dairy, gluten and refined sugar free tequila & mezcal based cocktail to celebrate Cinco de Mayo | Calgary Cocktail Blogger | Cinco de Mayo Drink Menu | Cinco de Mayo Margarita Recipe | Healthier Cinco De Mayo Cocktail Ideas | The Best Cinco De Mayo Cocktails to Make at Home | Margarita, Mezcalrita and Paloma Cocktail Recipes for Cinco de Mayo | Vegan Cinco de Mayo Cocktails | Calgary Cocktail Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Entertain, Occasions, Roundups, Spring, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

5 FESTIVE CINCO DE MAYO COCKTAILS


Fellow tequila and mezcal lovers, I’m elated to share the first my first recipe roundup dedicated exclusively to cocktails with my 5 Festive Cinco De Mayo Cocktails post! If you’re a fan of my better-for-you libations, you’ll know my love of tequila and mezcal runs deep — as does my adoration of Mexican culture. Over the past decade, we’ve been fortunate to spend quite a bit of time in Oaxaca (specifically Huatulco — one of my favourite places in the world!) and discover many fantastic artisanal tequila and mezcal varieties, visit agave farms and learn about authentic spirits and cocktail making from the locals. In fact, our home bar is always stocked with several varieties of tequila and mezcal from our travels — and I typically have a few Mexican-inspired sips in development at any given time! So today, in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, I’ve rounded up my most popular tequila and mezcal based cocktails — which all happen to be vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free! Hey, life is all about balance, right?!

While we may be celebrating Cinco De Mayo digitally this year, that doesn’t mean we can’t do it over a fantastic cocktail (or 5!). Can I interest you in a Green Jalapeño Margarita, Gingered Cara Cara Grapefruit PalomaWatermelon Frosé MargaritaHibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalrita or a Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalrita? There’s never been a better time to learn how to shake up a Mexican-inspired cocktail in the comfort of your own home — all you need is a cocktail shaker, a bottle of your favourite tequila or mezcal and a few simple, fresh, supporting ingredients. Join me for a crash course on tequila and mezcal (plus recommendations to pair with each recipe) as we shake up a few festive cocktails tonight in celebration of the vibrancy and resilience of Mexican culture! 

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My Top 10 Self Help and Personal Development Books | Brunette woman in casual cream loungewear laying on a caramel leather couch reading a book in a bright and airy boho living room | Best Self Help Books | Best Audible Books | Motivational Books | Inspirational Books | Inspirational Books for Women | Books for Female Entrepreneurs | Motivational Books for Creatives | Best Self Help Books for Women | Best Personal Growth Books | Self Healing Books | Calgary Lifestyle Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Business, Dwell, Fitness, Goals, Inspiration, Life, Living Room, Wellness

MY TOP 10 SELF HELP AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT BOOKS


Friends, I’m thrilled to finally share a post I’ve been meaning to publish for years all about My Top 10 Self Help and Personal Development Books! Although I’ve always been interested in these topics, this isn’t the type of content I would typically share in a dedicated post here at JustineCelina — until 2021, that is! As we surpass one year into a global pandemic, I find myself reflecting on the journey that’s taken place, both collectively and individually. The world has changed drastically over the last 12 months — and I have too. Learning to navigate this new normal has resulted in a lot of self reflection, growth, healing and transformation as I anchor into WELLNESS practices — which I’ve mostly shared with you on social media, until recently. While I’ll always appreciate creating and sharing beautiful and inspiring tangible things that contribute to a vibrant, fulfilled life, 2021 is the year where I share things that bring me inner peace, joy and inspiration as I create from a more mindful, aligned place. JustineCelina is, after all, A Creative Lifestyle Blog — and my self care, personal development, and spiritual practices contribute greatly to my ability to create and stay inspired as an entrepreneur!

Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the literary world of self help and personal development or are a longtime enthusiast of the genre, this post is for you! I invite you to slip into your most comfortable loungewear, pour yourself a mug of herbal tea and curl up on the sofa with me tonight as I deep dive into My Top 10 Self Help and Personal Development books — including mini reviews, key takeaways and quotes from each book, why they resonate with me and my process for absorbing (and applying) the information learned. I’ve also included shoppable links to each title, as well as a Pinterest-friendly graphic so you can bookmark this post for future reference! Who’s ready to dive into some seriously inspired and motivational reading material on this cozy Saturday evening?

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My Dry January Experience | Smiling brunette woman holding a champagne flute full of watermelon kombucha in a bright and airy living room | Calgary Lifestyle Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Business, Dwell, Fashion, Fitness, Goals, Inspiration, Life, Living Room, Wellness, Winter

MY DRY JANUARY EXPERIENCE


Friends, I’m elated to be back today with the first completely new piece of content I’ve created in 2021, dedicated to My Dry January Experience. You may have noticed that things have been more quiet than usual lately as I took a step back from content creation to refocus my time, attention and resources on reviewing 2020 and getting inspired for the year ahead. While January wasn’t the most exciting or glamorous month, I’m so grateful I finally gave myself permission to focus on what matters and align with my goals! This Dry January involved a lot of self reflection, accountability and honesty about my blogging and entrepreneurial journey and where I want to take it. 2020 was an incredibly challenging year for so many, myself included — but it was peppered with experiences and wisdom that have afforded me a greater clarity than I’ve ever experienced. As a result, I’ve emerged from 2020 a much different person (as I’m sure many of us have!). 

This time last year were in Huatulco and I was sipping a mezcalrita with my toes in the sand — oh how times have changed! Despite the drastically different circumstances of present times, this isn’t my first January, or sober month. It’s something I do whenever I feel I need a hard reset — and I’ve always found it to be in incredibly rewarding experience! If you’ve always wanted to try a Dry January (or sober month) but aren’t sure what to expect, are looking for some strategies to ensure success, or are curious about the benefits and positive new habits I’ve adopted, this post is for you. Top up your coupe glass with your favourite kombucha and join me for a raw, transparent recap of My Dry January Experience and how it changed my relationship with alcohol!

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Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalritas | Mango Margarita | Coconut Mango Margarita | Smoky Mezcal Cocktails | Mango Mezcal Margarita | Tajín Salted Rim | Mezcalerita Drink | Best Mezcal Oaxaca | Mezcal Margarita Recipe | Simple Mezcal Cocktails | Vegan Mezcal Cocktail | Oaxacan Mezcalrita Recipe | Mango Margarita Cointreau | Dairy Free Mango Coconut Cocktail | Refined Sugar Free Margarita | Calgary Cocktail Photographer and Stylist | Calgary Lifestyle, Food and Cocktail Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Dairy Free, Entertain, Fashion, Summer, Travel, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

CREAMY COCONUT MANGO MEZCALRITAS


Friends, it feels absolutely incredible to be back today with a fresh COCKTAIL recipe! It’s been quite awhile since my last blog post — between a wonderful, 3 week workcation in the country, to making the most of some business-related travel in Edmonton (where we enjoyed a little weekend getaway!), I’ve been (safely) bouncing around all over the province like a true digital nomad this month. Although I’ve had my camera and laptop in tow and have still been creating content, keeping my socials updated (have you stopped by Instagram lately to see what I’ve been up to?) and working on some exciting projects, I couldn’t find the time to actually sit down, process and edit imagery, write long-form content and publish a blog post! Instead, I had some long overdue development tasks taken care of behind the scenes here at JustineCelina to get the site back in pristine working order (hopefully you haven’t even noticed!). Overall it’s been a very lucrative and productive month, although blog content took a back seat — so thank you for your patience and understanding! I’m thrilled to be back with this clean slate, feeling refreshed and ready to bring you tons of summer content — commencing with these Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalritas!

I’ve been sipping away on these jubilant, Oaxacan-inspired cocktails since Cinco de Mayo when I whipped them up for a festive night in, simply using what we had on hand — and the results were absolutely delicious! My Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalritas are a perfectly balanced libation that are equal parts smoky, citrusy, creamy, spicy and sweet — and are (as always!) free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar. A healthy dose of hand-crafted mezcal and creamy coconut milk combine with fresh mango and lime juices, along with a splash of Cointreau, agave nectar and just a hint of red chilli before they’re shaken over ice and strained into a Himalayan pink salt and Tajín rimmed glass. Make the most of this very welcome heatwave with an inspired seasonal sip that will virtually transport you to a tranquil ocean shore from the comfort of your own home, backyard or patio! Cheers to finding new ways to bring TRAVEL into our lives this year!  

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Flowers, Travel, Wine & Cocktails, Winter

HIBISCUS BLOOD ORANGE MEZCALRITAS


Happy Saturday, cocktail lovers! I’m back this weekend with my first recipe of 2020, inspired by our recent trip to Mexico and the height of citrus season here in Canada — Hibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalritas! Have you ever tried mezcal? I discovered mezcal during our first trip to Oaxaca back in 2012 and it’s my spirit of choice whenever we’re in Huatulco. This traditional Mexican liquor is closely related to tequila (both are distilled from agave — mezcal can be made from any of several dozen species, while tequila must be made from blue agave) and originated in Oaxaca, which is still the largest producer of mezcal globally. Each time we visit we discover new artisinal varieties — and bring as much as we possibly can home to help ease our Canadian winters with spirited memories!

If you’re looking for an inventive libation that celebrates citrus season and the vibrancy of Mexican culture, you’ll find it in my Hibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalritas! This jubilant craft cocktail is free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar and loaded with better-for-you ingredients, antioxidants and a healthy dose of vitamin C. Inspired by Mexican Agua de Jamaica, hibiscus tea concentrate combines with freshly squeezed blood orange and lime juices, Joven Mezcal, Cointreau and a splash of agave syrup shaken over ice and strained into a pink hibiscus salt rimmed glass. Transport yourself to the healing, pristine waters of the Mexican south pacific with this modernized, seasonal spin on the traditional mezcalrita!

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January 2020 Soundtrack | Brunette woman overlooking Tangolunda Bay at Sunset wearing a frayed brim straw hat and a coral dress | Camino Real Zaashila, Huatulco Review | Camino Real Resort Huatulco 2020 | Tangolunda Bay | Calgary Lifestyle, Fashion & Travel Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Fashion, Music, Travel, Winter

JANUARY 2020 SOUNDTRACK


Happy Friday, friends! I’m back today my first Monthly Soundtrack of the decade — and it’s one of my favourites in recent memory. Since we spent so much time traveling over the past month, I had to opportunity to discover tons of new artists and explore many different genres! My January 2020 Soundtrack is a 30 track playlist brimming with nearly 2 hours of relaxed, uplifting, inspirational tunes. From the snow covered Canadian rockies to the sandy beaches of southern Mexico, this new year soundtrack was blasting through my speakers (and headphones) all month long!

A handful of January’s stand out tracks include Mike Posner’s Slow It Down, Imaginary Future Float On (a dreamy, stripped down rendition of Modest Mouse’s original), Quinn XCII’s Always Been You, Brock Berringan and Allem Iversom’s Sometime, Judah & the Lion and Kacey Musgraves pictures, fantompower’s free (at ease), Freedom Fly’s Clint Eastwood (another gorgeous, instrumental cover!), Handbook’s Sweet Berries, Saib’s Aqua, ayokay and Nightly’s Sleepless Nights, Kyle McEvoy and Deeb’s Habitual Words, East Forest’s 10 Laws, Nina Nesbitt’s Toxic (apparently I was on an instrumental cover spree this month!), Catching Flies Komorebi and The Band CAMINO’s Daphne Blue (although I could go on!). Extend January’s motivations into February and beyond with my January 2020 Soundtrack!

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