Mindful Monday: The Game with my Conscience

The six month shopping challenge is over and my conscience is making me nuts again.. Why? Because I just went shopping on saturday, but it wasn't that kind of shopping, not this mindless strolling through stores just to kill some boredom. No! My skater sneakers are broken, so I needed new ones. I've met up with a very dear friend and she was also looking for some new sandals, we knew which stores we wanted to check out. 

So, we were successful on our shopping trip, maybe a bit too successful, here's the deal: I found some nice Nike SB sneakers, the grey ones with the pink tongue and then, the sales assistant brought me the other pair, the wine-red ones, and I fell in LOVE with the color of it. Of course, I tried both of them on, but hmm.. would I wear the red ones for skating? Probably not because they look too good. Once again, I was mega indecisive! That’s what happen when you see beautiful clothing, they fool you and your mind. What now? One pair for skating, and the other one just because of aesthetics? 

When I came home with both of them my conscience was telling me: on the one hand, you did not really go shopping for the past half year, so treat yourself with both pairs, but on the other hand, it said - what was all the talk about less is more and being mindful about each purchase, do you NEED both? Yes, I still feel kind of bad for this and still think whether or not, I should return one pair. This is the game with my conscience because not consuming is not the solution, but making good choices about your consumption, that's all about because we all do consume, whether clothing, food, technical things, etc. 

In this moment, writing these words, I am still not sure, but in my opinion, it's about you, what you want and what you think about it. It's not about your friends, what they will think or your own conscience, but whether you can live with it. If yes, take them, if not, then leave them. 

Make a choice and stand by it. 

It will be a good one because you cannot change it. 

It is the right path.

Food Friday: Strawberry x Mango Juice

What's better than a healthy, nutrient-dense juice to freshen up yourself in this heat ;-) ? Well, okay, maybe a pool or a visit to the lake, but since I'm in the middle of Berlin, I need to hydrate my body from the inside out, and if it's not a green juice, which is more vegetable loaded, maybe a sweeter one? :)

In addition to that, Strawberry Season is almost over!! So go out, grab your bike or board and ride to the next organic supermarket to get the last strawberries this summer! Here comes the Strawberry x Mango Juice:

Ingredients:

Half a mango,

some strawberries,

slices of ginger.

Another fruit if you like,

in here it's half an apple.

Chia Seeds & Goji Berries.

1. Slice up everything into small chunks or cubes, blend in with your blender or food processor.

2. Add some chia seeds and goji berries on top of the juice. You can easily stir in the chia, so it mixes in your red juice ;-)

And that was it! 

Super-easy to make, and sweet in taste :)

Have a wonderful & sunny weekend guys ♥

Ai Wei Wei's Evidence Berlin

When in Berlin right now, you must visit this extraordinary artist's and political activist's exhibition in the Martin Gropius Bau Berlin. It's his biggest one yet and he is still in China, not allowed to leave the country. 

Exhibition extended until the 13th July.

Martin-Gropius-Bau
Niederkirchnerstraße 7, 10963 Berlin 

Daily 10-8pm

Healthy Wednesday: Superfood Goji Berries ♥

For today's healthy wednesday, I wanted to introduce you to my favorite dried fruit called Goji Berry. It might also be my favorite superfood because it's so yummy!! *.* (my taste ;-) and a power snack mixed with some almonds and maybe dark chocolate :) So, here are some interesting facts about Goji Berries and some tips on how to use them. 

Goji Berries are known for

- a balanced Chi

- a high concentration of vital substances

- rich in Enzymes & Antioxidants

- rich in Vitamin C, E & Vitamins of the B-group

- they contain even more iron compared to spinach 
- it is said that goji berries are good for your eyes
- they strengthen your immune system 
- they aid in a healthy digestion & detox 

In China, they call Goji Berries the fruit of longevity. The plant is very resistant and is able to grow in many conditions, either in a warm or damp climate. The taste is sweet and bitter at the same time, so it might not be something for anyone, but give it a try ;-) 

The ones I have bought here are from China, NingXia Province and organic, you can find them in any organic health/supermarket or online health food retailer. And although they are pricey (in Germany, you get 250g for around 8€), they can help you to feel healthier in many ways. Of course, not only eating goji berries will make you happy & healthy, but e.g. for me, it was the best snack during my exams and papers. You can also add them to your everyday muesli, oatmeal or even juices and salads. I always sprinkle them on top of my raw x vegan oatmeal and have some in my bag for a healthy snack :) So, what about you? Have you ever had Goji Berries before and do you like them?

Mindful Monday: The Shopping Challenge Review

Oh my! My legs are super tanned in these pictures, I guess the tan is still a leftover from my sunburn I got a few weeks ago, well that's what happen when you're legs are in the sun, and the other part of your body is hiding in the shades :D But most importantly is the fact that my 6 Month Shopping Challenge is over today, wooohoo :) :) :) I think these are the important questions and answers you want to know: 

1. Why did you do that?

I've started this little project as a New Year's Resolution because last year I have realized that I definitely want less, here and now. I wanted to clear my life from clutter, to reduce my life from excess to the most important things, I just wanted to cut down from everything, instead of wanting more, wanting less. My closet was overflowing with clothes, handbags, scarfes, tons of jewelry, shoes and so on that I decided: I cannot do this anymore, I don't want this anymore, it's taking my energy and to be honest, it's weighing me down. I don't know whether or not you understand it, but often to think clear, you must clear your mind. So why not start with yourself and your consumption behavior?

 

2. How was your experience throughout the 6 months?

The very first month, starting in January, was pretty hard with so many Sales going on and friends trying to 'go shopping' with me, but I was able to resist and say NO to all that craziness of shopping, buying, consuming and wanting more, more and more. Instead, I've spent some time sorting out my closet and go to flea markets to sell some stuff, you can read my 1st and 3rd month reviews here and here. I can now say that I still have too many clothes in my closet, but I feel better that I did not go shopping for most of the time.

Why most of the time? Yes, I have to admit, I failed. Or cheated? If you are very strict, 3 times. The 1st time was at the Berlin Fashion Week in January when I bought myself some Floralpunk earrings; my boyfriend then gave me the money for it, so it was 'kind of' a present from him. The 2nd time was actually at a flea market when I bought a dress and a scarf from my friends, which were 2€ in total. And the 3rd time happened this easter break when I spent some days in Berlin and had to visit the newly opened Uniqlo-Store, the very first one in Germany. I fell in love with this beige 100% Linen Blouse and had to have it. I love the natural color, I love the feeling on my skin and I love to combine it to more beige stuff from my wardrobe in the summer :) Yes, it was a really tough decision because I left the blouse with the tag in the bag for another 30 days, thinking and deciding whether or not to keep it and looking for some fairtrade-or-ecofriendly similar shirts. There was no exact one and I decided: it's a keeper, but I won't wear it until the 6 month challenge is over. So, I guess, I failed 3 times in total, but I am still proud of myself that I did it, I tried, and this was not the end. 

3. How did it change your mind? And what about the future?

Six months of no-shopping are over now, but I realized that this is an ongoing-process, no start and stop, but it's about learning, failing and doing the best you can. Therefore, I am extending my no-shopping challenge for an unlimited time. I extend it to my everyday life, not only for this period of 6 months. I feel very content about it, yes, I failed 3 times, but I am still learning, I don't want to put myself under too much pressure and then blame myself, but on the other hand, I will also try to focus on myself more instead of listening to others and media, who and which influence me and my shopping choices. My boyfriend once said: advertisment creates artificial needs.

I also want to work against an overconsumption of anything, be it clothes, food, electronic things etc. You do not need as much to live a rich, healthy and happy life, there are way more important things and it's also not about having the newest, fastest, best ... on earth, but about quality and meaning. 

Everything in my life is leading to more sustainability right now. Instead of satisfying short and immediate cravings, shopping or food (you know what I'm talking about), I try to choose sustainability and longevity. For example, if something breaks, I don't throw it away immediately, but find ways to repair it, either I learn how to repair it myself or ask for help :)

4. Oh and what happened to the creative part of this? 

DIY? Mix-and Matching old clothes? Trading? 

I've actually did trade clothes and borrowed some stuff from my friends and neighbours, crazy huh? Yeah because if there is something I really really need, I just ask around and I can assure you, someone has it. Talking about the more creative part, mix and matching, yes, I did look for more older clothes and fell in love again, but capturing it with outfit posts was pretty hard for me in the past year. I will give my best and try to blog those outfit posts more for you ;-) Oh and my DIY projects are still in the planning, so I'll keep you updated with that as well. 

This was it so far :) What do you think of my experience, and about my new Linen Blouse? Will you join me in my process and when does your shopping challenge start? Maybe tomorrow? I will also give you some tips on how to shop less in the upcoming posts ;-) so stay tuned!

Have a wonderful new week ♥

P.S.: Another thing I've noticed was that, okay, I do not spend my money on clothes anymore, but more on organic foods and superfoods, which can also be pretty expensive when you're a student, but my thought behind it is: it's my body and my health, it's so worth it!  More about this soon!!! :)