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Being Vegan is truly a joy. Being Vegan is not just about what I eat. Being Vegan is a choosing a lifestyle that seeks to do no harm to sentient beings. I believe that the way we treat animals is a reflection of who we are. Their inhumane treatment is a toxic root that hurts all of us and our planet, and it is not something I can turn my back on. Eating meat is participating in factory farming. 99% of all meat winds up in factory farming, one way or another. We've all been brainwashed to see a cow or a pig as different than a dog or a cat - they are different, but they are equally beautiful animals with sentient traits. In fact, pigs are one of the most intelligent animals on the planet. The food industry hides it's dark side very well. But now there are documentaries like "Dominion" that have taken the blinders off, and once they are off - the choice we have is to deny/ ignore it, or to become Vegan. This has told me a lot about who I am. The choice was easy for me. Being Vegan does require some effort, but it is so worth it! Recipes abound online. There are Vegan meal plans like Purple Carrot. It's doable and enjoyable. It's delicious too. I am Vegan because I want the food and products that enter my body/ soul to reflect kindness, compassion, and mercy to all sentient beings. FROM THE HUMANE LEAGUE "Dairy" and Cows With the advent of industrial agriculture, moneyed corporations began consolidating the dairy industry, driving out smaller farms and overtaking market share for the industry. Today, about 99.9% of farmed animals are living on factory farms, while roughly 70% of cows languish on factory farms. Cows used to produce milk endure the most horrific lives. They are inseminated throughout their entire lives, mechanically, via a process that is inhumane. They are caged and hooked up to milking devices around the clock for our consumption. From the time they are 14 months old, cows are impregnated and are kept on a constant cycle of birth, milking, and subsequent inseminations. This is rape. The demands placed on dairy cows are so extreme, and the living conditions so woefully inadequate, that their bodies begin to break down after only a few years. Cows are known to live for 20 years or more, yet on dairy farms, they are killed in 4-6 years, when their ability to produce the unnaturally high volumes of milk begins to wane. Calves On factory farms, life is cheap. Female calves selected for dairy production are the only ones who make it beyond the first few months of life. All other calves are either shot on-site or sent to veal crates—including every single male calf born, since male calves are considered useless to the dairy industry and are often disposed of within hours of being born. Veal crates are small plastic huts, each with a fenced-in area not much bigger than the calf’s body. Calves are confined in these small spaces in order to prevent them from jumping, running, or even walking—activities that would otherwise develop and toughen their muscles, making their meat less tender for those who will consume them. Calves are robbed forever of their mother’s milk, fed instead a minimal amount of artificial milk replacement that is lacking in vital nutrients that would allow calves to grow healthy and strong. This leaves them deficient in iron, causing anemia. But these concerns are not important to the industry, which kills calves when they're just 8-16 weeks old. "Beef" Cows raised for meat—known as beef cattle—are bred to grow as fast as possible so that they can be killed younger. They spend about a year on rangeland where they undergo painful procedures like dehorning, branding, and castration. After a year, they're sent to feedlots, where they are packed into small, barren, crowded pens and forced to stand in their own excrement, before meeting their untimely ends at the slaughterhouse. Cows are treated like production machines rather than the sensitive, gentle beings they are. Below are a few examples of the unethical treatment cows are forced to endure on factory farms. Prevented from grazing Cow’s natural tendencies to wander through and graze on green meadows and plains are entirely denied. Instead, dairy cows on factory farms aren’t allowed to go outside, forced to spend their days without the rich mental stimulation of exploring vast areas. Instead, they spend the majority of their lives standing or lying down in places so crowded it can be difficult for them to move or walk. Forced pregnancies In order to lactate, cows must give birth, which means they must first be impregnated. On factory farms, this procedure is either carried out by a bull or by artificial insemination where a human inserts semen into the cow’s body. In order for a human to do this, the procedure is too horrific to add to this blog. Long and cruel transportation After a handful of short years, so-called “spent” dairy cows are loaded onto transport trucks for a harrowing, and often days-long, journey to the slaughterhouse. Cows often go extended periods of time without any food or water, and are not given opportunities to rest. They're exposed to weather, including extreme heat or cold, often leading to death before arriving at their final destination. These conditions can lead to downed cows, meaning those who cannot even walk up the slaughterhouse ramp for their injuries or illness. While downed cows are supposed to be euthanized and not processed for human consumption, these individuals are often forced into the slaughterhouse by prods or trucks. HOW DO DAIRY FACTORY FARMS AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT? Factory farms give rise to many negative on the environment. Dairy farming is one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, which contribute to global climate change. These farms foster other types of air pollution as well, resulting in dangerous health impacts for surrounding human communities, as well as the environment. Cow farming is one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases. Cows also consume billions of gallons of freshwater each year, a resource that is anticipated to become even more precious in the coming decades when widespread water scarcity is anticipated. How are cows killed? In slaughterhouses, cows are guided into a small stall, where they are shot in the head with a gun equipped with a retractable bullet. This is meant to render the cow immediately unconscious, so that they're unable to feel the pain of the next horrifying steps of the slaughter process: hanging cows upside down and slitting their throats before dismembering them. All too often, cows are improperly stunned, leaving them alive and often conscious even during the dismemberment phase. Slaughterhouse workers recount many horror stories of cows who endure some of the worst deaths imaginable. Battery Cages Battery cages are one of the worst tortures endured by any animal raised for food. These cages confine a laying hen, who produces eggs in an industrial factory farm, to an area no bigger than a piece of letter-sized paper—without space to even spread her wings as she’s born to do. An egg-laying hen is forced to spend her life standing and lying down on wire flooring which causes damage to her feet. The cages are so low that she can barely stretch her necks upwards, let alone run, hop, fly, or explore. She is prevented from doing anything that comes naturally to her, besides eating. Even this comes with consequences, since she must stick her neck through the wire bars to access the feed trough. Doing so, rubs off her feathers and leaves her skin raw and in pain. Ventilation Shutdowns Ventilation shutdown (VSD) is the process of cutting off ventilation so that temperatures inside a building naturally rise (getting hotter and hotter) or fall (getting colder and colder). Ventilation shutdown plus (VSD+) is a specific method of depopulation that involves shutting off ventilation and pumping in heat or carbon dioxide to kill animals. VSD+ has been used to deliberately put millions of chickens and other birds to death en masse shutdowns plus (VSD+) is an incredibly inhumane method of killing lots of animals at once by shutting off air supply and driving up temperatures, leading to organ failure and suffocation. For chickens, they endure hours of suffering, suffocate, and die in agony. Forced Molting After about a year on industrial egg production farms, the body of a layer hen begins to break down. Afterall, even though she is treated like a machine, she is not one. She is soon unable to produce the extremely high volumes of eggs that are demanded by the factory farm’s production schedules. And any drop in production means less profit for the corporations behind it all. But in one final act of cruelty—before she is sent to slaughter—she will likely endure forced molting—a process designed to squeeze as many eggs from a hen’s body as possible. Hens naturally molt, or lose feathers, with the change of seasons as winter approaches. To mimic these natural conditions, the light in a factory farm is manipulated to turn on for shorter periods during the day. Hens are also starved of food and water—sometimes for days at a time. After this starvation period, which can kill many hens, the birds are fed and given water, which kicks their bodies into one last spurt of egg production. Forced molting makes it abundantly clear that the only thing egg factories care about is eggs. Gestation Crates Gestation crates rank alongside battery cages as being among the most heartless ways to treat animals. A pregnant pig, known as sows, is forced into one of these cages for the duration of her nearly four-month-long pregnancies. In this tiny, coffin-like crate, all she can do is sit, stand, and eat. In fact, gestation crates are so small that she cannot walk at all, visit her neighbors as her social instincts would encourage, or even turn around. Imagine the mind-breaking boredom, and pain, of being forced to remain in exactly one spot for months on end—notably while pregnant. After she gives birth, she will be impregnated again, repeating the cycle until she is sent for slaughter when she’s no longer fit to bear babies—usually when she is between 1 ½ - 2 years old. No bacon is worth her tortured life. Mutilations at Factory Farms In the factory farming system, mutilations are a part of life for animals raised for food. And they often occur without any painkillers. A day-old chick destined for egg production is commonly debeaked, a deeply painful process in which the sensitive tip of her beak is sliced off without anesthesia. This procedure is thought to cause chronic as well as acute pain and is especially cruel when you consider that her beak is the primary way she senses and experiences the world. Castration is another common mutilation on factory farms, horribly endured by male pigs on hog farms and by cows raised for beef. Selective Breeding Selective breeding causes a host of issues for animals. Today’s dairy cow is selectively bred to produce huge amounts of milk, far more than her offspring would normally require. Her udders, notably if she is a breed such as a Holstein, can grow so large that it becomes distended and swollen. As a dairy cow, she is also subject to painful conditions like mastitis, the inflammation and infection of her udder area, that make it painful for her to lie down. A typical chicken raised for meat has been selectively bred to the point in which they cannot bear the weight of their own body, growing faster and bigger than is natural, or healthy. This “rapid growth” can cause a host of painful and fatal conditions—from joint problems, to broken legs, to heart failure— that put intense strain on their body. Tail Docking Tail docking involves removal of portions of an animals’ tail. For instance, young lambs are tail docked, as are hogs on factory farms and dairy cows in some cases. While these procedures are done for various reasons on a factory farm, the fact is, it is a direct result of industrial farming methods. And no matter the reason, tail docking always causes excruciating and lasting pain. Reasons To Go Vegan For Health As if going vegan for the animals wasn’t enough, there are plenty of health reasons to leave animals off your plate for your health! Avoiding Toxins There are many health risks associated with meat consumption—from carcinogens linked to cancer, to traces of chlorine found on chicken carcuses, in an attempt to kill bacteria like salmonella and listeria. Fish, in particular, can contain relatively risky levels of dangerous chemicals. Farmed salmon has been found to contain chemicals including dioxins and methylmercury. Both wild-caught and farmed fish can also contain persistent organic pollutants, polychlorinated biphenyls, and other compounds that can cause damage to the human body. By removing these foods and other meat products from your diet, you can avoid these toxic risks and live a cleaner, plant-based lifestyle. Eliminating Bad Cholesterol Most animal-based products—including chicken, shrimp, dairy and eggs—are high in cholesterol, which is linked to a risk of coronary heart disease. Plant-based foods, on the other hand, don’t contain any cholesterol. Eating a vegan diet—free of meat, milk, and eggs—lowers our blood cholesterol and reduces our likelihood of suffering from heart disease. One study found plant-based diets effective at lowering cholesterol levels anywhere by as much as 30 percent. This is a big win, since heart disease is known as the #1 cause of death in the US. Give Your Skin What It Needs to Glow It’s an age old adage, and it’s true: your skin is your largest organ. So, just like the rest of your body, taking care of it from the inside-out is vital to keeping it healthy. Eating antioxidant-rich foods helps fight skin-damaging free radicals—helping your skin to healthfully regenerate, naturally balance it’s oil and moisture levels, and simply get glowing. Luckily, antioxidants are everywhere in plant-based foods—in fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts, but they are rarely found in animal products. These plant-based foods tend to be easier to digest, as well, putting less strain on your entire body, including your skin. Boost Your Mood Managing emotions can be a critical component of a happy, productive life, and studies have shown that a vegan diet can lead to an improved mood—meaning a greater sense of wellbeing. In one study, vegans reported less anxiety and stress than people who ate an omnivorous diet. Consuming plant-based sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, including flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and vegetables like collard greens and spinach can help elevate your mood. Healthy Hormones Hormones are important in helping to regulate the body’s internal systems, and research is finding that a vegan diet can promote a healthy, balanced hormone system. Gastrointestinal hormones, that help regulate weight gain, blood sugar, and the feeling of being full after eating, were found to increase after people ate a vegan meal compared with a meal heavy in meat. Healthy hormones also can play a role in combating obesity and type 2 diabetes. Improving Concentration There are a variety of plant-based foods that can help improve your concentration thanks to their nutrient benefits, including: Leafy greens Bananas Hemp seeds Almonds Maca Cacao Spirulina With so many natural, vegan food options, lagging concentration can be a thing of the past. Preventing Osteoporosis A common misconception is that humans need cow's milk to provide sufficient calcium necessary for maintaining good bone health. However, recent studies show that vegan diets can provide just as much calcium as dairy products, and perhaps even more. Foods like broccoli, kale, and collard greens offer not only high levels of calcium, but this essential mineral also comes in a much more digestible form through these plant-based sources. Other nutrients required for preventing osteoporosis include vitamin D (found in grains, soy, bread), vitamin C (readily available in oranges, limes, tomatoes, and peppers), and potassium (naturally occurring in fruits, beans, and vegetables). Reducing Potential for Food Poison Food poisoning commonly occurs thanks to contamination from salmonella or E. coli bacteria, both of which are found in the feces of animals. While vegetables can also be contaminated with these toxins, research has shown that households that consume meat are more likely to suffer from food poisoning as opposed to vegan or vegetarian households. The culprit? Moist hand towels give bacteria ample places to grow. The easiest way to minimize this risk is to leave animals off your plate and out of your home. Reasons to Go Vegan for the Environment Beyond the health and wellbeing of your own health, and animals’, too, making plant-based, vegan food choices can also help the health of our environment. As has been seen with climate change, notable changes to our ecosystems can lead to catastrophic threats for both us, humans, and wild animals. Air Pollution Driving through the farmlands ofAmerica, you may encounter an inescapable stench, and even find it hard to breathe at times. Factory farms are often hidden from public view, but the air pollution, while invisible, is impossible to mask. Hog and chicken factory farms are particularly devastating when it comes to air pollution, which is produced by—a direct bi-product of the thousands of animals confined in small spaces, each of whom generate waste that seeps into the soil, water, and air. Workers, and the communities that are adjacent to these facilities, are most impacted by air pollution, which can cause headaches and other chronic conditions, alongside the economic impacts of lower property values. Water Pollution The fecal contamination of factory farms poisons more than the air. Water that runs near factory farms can become contaminated due to the improper treatment of animal waste. Since our waterways are connected, this pollution can also extend out to marine environments—as rivers and streams empty into the oceans. This has been linked to dead zones in ocean habitats, such as in the Gulf of Mexico, where some of the largest dead zones in the world have been observed. Water Use Freshwater is among the most precious of resources, yet animal agriculture treats it as just another material to abuse. Globally, the industry has been estimated to consume close to 20% of all fresh drinking water supplies. Nearly 1,000 gallons of water are used to produce a single gallon of milk, 900 gallons of water are required to produce one pound of cheese, and a whopping 2,500 gallons of water are needed to produce only one pound of beef. Deforestation Factory farming causes deforestation in two ways: by clearing forests to raise cattle on land, and to make room for the vast mono-crops like wheat, corn, and soy that feed animals confined within concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO’s). The World Bank found factory farming to be responsible for 91 percent of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil—a critical habitat that plays a key role in maintaining the global climate. Global Warming Factory farming is responsible for emitting an enormous amount of greenhouse gasses, including potent gasses like methane, that play a pivotal role in global warming and climate catastrophe. Conservative estimates show that animal agriculture is responsible for 14.5% of greenhouse gas emissions—more than planes, trains, and motor vehicles combined. Clearly, animal agriculture is among the most significant contributors to today’s climate change crisis—leading to, extreme temperature shifts, ravaging wildfires, deadly tsunamis, and more. Wildlife and Biodiversity Due to deforestation, pollution, and climate changes brought on by factory farming, what little remains of uncultivated wild habitats is at risk. Increasingly, wild animals are having a difficult time surviving in their natural homes.. Tens of thousands of species are going extinct each year due to the voracious needs of animal agriculture. Today, diets rich in meat are the greatest threat to the diversity of our world’s flora and fauna and the ecosystems on which they depend. Is It Really Worth It To Go Vegan? It used to be that eating vegan in the US, UK, and other parts of the world, was a lonely endeavor. It was difficult to go to a restaurant and choose anything other than a small bed of iceberg lettuce or a side of fries. Unseasoned blocks of tofu were the norm, as were bland veggie burgers that fell apart in the bun. Not anymore. The evolution of alternative proteins like the Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat are so close to mimicking the flavor and texture of meat that they are essentially indistinguishable from the animal-based original. And vegan restaurants dedicated solely to dishing up plants in all forms are popping up in cities around the world, while vegan ice creams, yogurts, and milks are seeing a surge in popularity. Eating vegan is finally becoming about what you can eat, not what you can’t. Whether you choose to give veganism a try for your health, the environment, or the animals, you’ll be creating an impact that stems far beyond yourself. #VeganForLife #WhyAreYouVegan

One of my favorite radio programs is NPR's "Hidden Brain." In this episode, the science of figuring out what you really to do with your life is discussed. "We all have to make certain choices in life, such as where to live and how to earn a living. Parents and peers influence our major life choices, but they can also steer us in directions that leave us deeply unsatisfied. Psychologist Ken Sheldon studies the science of figuring out what you want. He says there are things we can do to make sure our choices align with our deepest values." Some key thoughts I picked up during the podcast: We often choose the wrong goals for ourselves We blindly follow voices in society that tell us what we should want We are all immersed in a materialistic culture Cultural indoctrination is well ingrained by the time we are in our 20's "Follow the path of artists as they engage in the process of discovery" 4 stages of an artist's creative sequence Ask a question Incubation period Non-conscious mind works on the problem Moment of inspiration /illumination arises - the "Ah hah! moment!" Discovering who you is a creative activity What do I really want? The answer lies in your non-conscious mind! Ask yourself, then let it come to you. Link to podcast: https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/what-do-you-want-to-be Source: NPR, Who Do You Want to Be?

Veganuary is the global pledge to try vegan for 31 days. In 2022, more than 629,000 people worldwide signed up to try vegan and more than 800 new vegan products were launched for Veganuary. There's no judging here! This is a fun and safe place to try some Vegan recipes and learn more about being Vegan. Veganuary predict even more numbers of people signing up and getting involved for 2023 and we are collectively encouraging everyone who cares about animals, the environment, and climate change to take part this January. Switching to Vegan helps tackle greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, biodiversity loss and water pollution. But most of all....it stops the unnecessary and horrific suffering of factory farmed animals. Let's go! Visit Veganuary for more information! #Vegan #GoVegan #LoveAnimals

"Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive, because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive, because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive, because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny." ~ Gandhi ~

A letter from the Director of the Austin Classical Guitar Society arrived in my email this morning! I'm so excited to be part of this extraordinary ensemble! Dear Sylvie, Grisha flew into Austin last night. I got him at the airport. We had a wonderful long conversation about his many trips to Austin over the years, and how wonderful it feels to be together again after such a long break. We talked a lot about the mystery of music, how it connects us not only to each other but to ourselves, how it casts a kind of spell inside of which time seems to behave differently if we accept its invitation to be truly present. This morning Grisha will begin his community residency with a trip to see our students at Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center. Grisha has visited Gardner Betts before, and he’s excited to meet new young people, and share music together. Our thirty-third season begins this weekend. Grisha will perform for our First Night benefit concert at the home of Jeff and Gail Kodosky on Friday, and again on Saturday for our Opening Night at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center. I hope I’ll get to see you there, Matt Hinsley, Executive Director Support Our Fall Fund Drive To learn more about the ACG, visit their website!

Winter has a poetic side that I have always felt. I found this beautiful thought online. As an introvert who gets depressed thinking about the materialism of the season, it's refreshing to think about quiet snowfalls in the Woods while hiking alone or hand in hand with someone I love. "The winter solstice time is no longer celebrated as it once was, with the understanding that this is a period of descent and rest, of going within our homes, within ourselves and taking in all that we have been through, all that has passed in this full year which is coming to a close... like nature and the animal kingdom around us, this time of hibernation is so necessary for our tired limbs, our burdened minds. Our modern culture teaches avoidance at a max at this time; alcohol, lights, shopping, overworking, over spending, comfort food, and consumerism. ...and yet the natural tug to go inwards as nearly all creatures are doing is strong and the weather so bitter that people are left feeling that winter is hard, because for those of us without burning fires and big festive families, it can be lonely and isolating. Whereas in actual fact winter is kind, she points us in her quiet soft way towards our inner self, towards this annual time of peace and reflection, embracing the darkness and forgiving, accepting and loving embracing goodbye the past year. "Winter takes away the distractions, the buzz, and presents us with the perfect time to rest and withdraw into a womb like love, bringing fire & light to our hearth". .. and then, just around the corner the new year will begin again, and like a seed planted deep in the earth, we will all rise with renewed energy once again to dance in the sunlight,"

As the spacecraft Voyager was leaving orbit, the astronomer Carl Sagan, said: "Wait... Turn it around for just one moment... Let's see ourselves from that...far...away." For the first time in history, a photograph showed the earth as a "pale blue dot" in a beam of light against a vast and unending darkness. The Voyager 1 was said to be about 6.4 billion kilometers, equivalent to 4 billion miles away, when it took a picture of our home. "What do you want to do with your time on this pale blue dot?" The photo of the blue dot calls us to reflect upon our actions and find purpose in what we do. I think at some point in life, you begin to ask yourself what your legacy will be. Being a good mother is very important to me. Loving the people in my life to the best of my ability. Spending my time in ways that I'm proud of. This year, I made the decision to be Vegan. I was Vegan for many years in the past, but I let it fade over the years. For reasons I may never fully understand, I woke up once again. Being Vegan is one of the most important decisions I've made in my life. It's a liberation and a spiritual calling. It's a choice to be compassionate, every day. It's a powerful feeling to choose compassion, empathy, and regard for all living beings over self-satisfaction. #sylvieabate #songwriting #inspiration #Vegan #CarlSagan #BlueDot

Credits: Music & Lyrics by Sylvie Abate Produced by Sylvie Abate Vocals by Jessie West Artist: Sylvie's Songs Feat. Jessie West Mixed & Mastered by BWH Studio @SylvieAbate #JessieWest #EndOfTheLine

The lyrics to "End of the Line" are about leaving a selfish relationship behind, and the dawn of a new day. "So I walked to the end of the line And I gave it my best this time But I shouldn't have gone back to you 'Cause your world ain't got room for two." And boy you pushed me away Then you begged me to stay And I guess I should feel like a fool, But I just feel sorry for you And you took it too far this time Yeah, you stepped right over the line You took it too far this time You’re gonna miss this sweet love of mine" Now you played the same deck of cards The game where you break my heart And you took every penny I earned The cost of lovin’ you still burns Now I know it's time to move on Cause stayin' don't mean I'm strong So I packed me a suitcase of dreams You'll never know just what you mean to me A new day is dawning at the end of the line It's a bittersweet mornin', but the sun's gonna shine Yeah a new day is dawning at the end of the line I'm done playin' games and I'm done wastin' time And you took it too far this time Yeah, you stepped right over the line You took it too far this time You’re gonna miss this sweet love of mine You’re gonna miss this sweet love of mine You’re gonna miss this sweet love of mine

Elements of predictability enrich our l But Life can lose it's magic if we are asleep at the wheel. Having a morning ritual brings the sacred Cultivating a morning routine is one way to bring aliveness and joy into each day. We understand that we must nourish our bodies with food, water, breath, and sleep. As a songwriter and musician, the days that I feel most empowered, centered, and clear all start with my morning ritual. Turn off the Electronics The perfect evening is quiet. Perhaps I am reading, practicing guitar, or sipping a cup of Chamomile tea. The electronics are off. There isn't a tv in sight. It is early in the evening and I go to sleep at a time that allows me enough rest to energize my day. Express Gratitude Gratitude is a simple way to wake up. It's is a mood changer and a door opener to better physical and psychological health, It improves sleep, self-esteem, and self-awareness. I wake up and express gratitude before I get out of bed. It's a new day and there is much to be thankful for. Wake up Early Dialing into to the sun is ideal...watching the sun rise is a blessing every day. Body Care I love starting my day with Vegan skin-care products. I use Kind Science products. I also use Vegan toothpaste infused with Vitamin B12. For body wash, shampoo, and conditioner, I use The Honest Company products- all natural, never tested on animals, and no animal bi-products. Sounds minor, but simple choices make a difference. Lemon Water I drink a glass of lemon water daily. It is a great way to get a little extra vitamin C and antioxidants. If there are no lemons - water will do! How to make Lemon Water To make lemon water, squeeze half a lemon into 8 ounces of warm or cold water. You can infuse more flavor or a health boost by adding: a few springs of mint a teaspoon of maple syrup or raw honey a slice of fresh ginger a dash of cinnamon a sprinkle of turmeric A Walk Outside I live in Austin, Texas where the sun shines daily an there is no shortage of trails, parks, lakes and rivers. From Sept-May, the weather is literally perfect every single day. The sun shines and there's a cool breeze. A simple morning walk while the birds are waking is a great way to start the day. It's important, no matter what the weather is like, to get some sunshine daily. Yoga Yoga is essential to my morning routine. It increases my happiness and rejuvenates my body and soul. It feels great to stretch your body in the morning. I use 30 Days of Yoga by Adrienne on YouTube. She's down to earth and easy to follow. Adrienne has a 10 minute Yoga routine for beginners that perfect for the morning. Meditation by Fabulous Recently, I started using a meditation app called "Fabulous." It's a daily planner and self-care habit tracker all in one. It works like a coach and uses behavioral science to help build positive habits. You can add any habits you want to build. I do a nightly meditation. Journaling I use a journal called the Passion Planner. Breakfast I like to change up breakfast. Sometimes it's fruit & nuts with almond milk, vegan egg and vegan sausage on sprouted bread, or a vegan protein smoothie with, bananas, wild blueberries, dates, spinach and a super grain like quinoa, flax, millet, teff, chia, buckwheat or amaranth. - all organic. A great morning ritual inspires me to live my best day. As a songwriter, feeling healthy is critical to creating music. #morningrituals #sylviessongs #sylvieabate

#GoVegan #LoveAnimals #RalphWaldEmerson

If you want be Vegan and aren't sure where to start, a meal plan is a great choice. I personally love The Purple Carrot. The Purple Carrot is a service that sends seriously delicious vegan meals to your doorstep. You get all the ingredients and a beautiful recipe book each week! You can choose dinners for 2 or 4 servings. I get the 2 servings deal. This gives you 3 dinners per week for 2 people. It winds up being 9 meals for me as I divide each dinner into 3 portions. This week I'm getting an Ancient Grain Bowl, Tomato Zucchini Fritters, and Walnut Crusted Artichokes with Lentils. YUM!!! And in case you are wondering about protein, each of these meals has about 29 grams of protein! If you are looking to change your life and dive into being Vegan, I highly recommend trying a Vegan meal plan. It's a great introduction to learning how to cook amazing plant-based meals that nurture your body and the soul! #PurpleCarrot #VeganMeals #Vegan