"The Hook" Yoga Pants by Alex Lanau

If you have ever talked to me about Yoga then you know that I can't say enough about my yoga school, Pavones Yoga Center. In 2012, I was the very first student to arrive for the inaugural 200 hour teacher training hosted by Indira Kate Kalmbach, the Founder and Director of PYC. I arrived about a week earlier than the rest of my peers, because I was blessed to receive a scholarship, part of which included work trade prior to the start of the training.

It wasn't long before I met Alex Lanau, amazing artist, super fun surfer dude and husband of my dear teacher, Indira. I got to work helping him to paint the student rooms as they had just finished construction on the facility. We spent hours painting, cleaning and fine tuning details of the house, and yoga studio. It was in this time that I got to become friends with Alex.

When I saw Alex's artwork I was completely blown away. As an artist myself I deeply appreciated the bright colors, detail and positive vibes that emanated from his pieces. He told me about his murals, how he painted Ugg boots, and surf boards, what's more the canvases in homes around the world! So it came as no surprise to me when he launched his wearable art brand.

As soon as the yoga pants were available I had to get my leggies in them! Thanks to my multi-talented boyfriend, we were able to capture some photos of this fantastic leg wear. I'm rocking "The Hook" Leggings in size Medium. They are super light weight and comfortable, not to mention super cute. I'm a fan! 

 

Can Dogs Be Vegan?

I have been a practicing Vegan for a little over 2 years and gave up meat completely over 5 years ago. If you know me, or read anything I write, one of the biggest reason I have chosen this lifestyle is because I love animals and I can't bear the thought of contributing to their suffering. I believe that we vote with our dollar and every time chicken breast, bacon or burgers are purchased the industry is bolstered and sustained.

My beloved Dende and I have been together for about six years and I planned and prepared for a solid year before we met so that I could be the most best, amazing and perfect Dog Mom there ever was. I studied diets and holistic health and decided to feed him a raw meat, that's what he would eat if he were in the wild right? The problem was, that every time I went to buy him meat I felt guilty. Almost like I wanted to tell the cashier, "Oh this is for my dog, I don't support the meat and dairy industries" HA! Unfortunately, whether it's for Dende or not, it's coming from the same factory farms that cause so much destruction and pain.

Over the years, I have experimented a lot with Dende's diet. From BARF, to homemade rice/veggies and varieties of kibble, to Trader Joe's brand kibble (when I got lazy, sorry Dende) to Sojo's dehydrated raw and combinations of the aforementioned.  I have also seen his weight fluctuate as a result. Overall he has always been an active healthy pup, but it was when I got lazy that he started to look a lil porky. (Side note, extra human food treats from the boyfriend did not help Dende's cause)

Chunky Dende :( - Dec 2016

Fit, Trim, Healthy Dende :) (Today, 10/10/17)

Within the last 9 months, I started him on dehydrated raw food which was much less gross for me. Then I started mixing 1/2 of the dehydrated raw food with 1/2 Vegan Kibble from V-Dog. For the last 6 months I have phased out the raw food and Dende is now about 90% vegan. I still feed him some treats that have meat or eggs on occasion but overall he is a successful practicing vegan and I couldn't be more proud.

It took a little while to figure out the appropriate portions, and it's important to hydrate the kibble with water for about 10 minutes, but Dende has never looked better, fit, trim and full of energy! I feel confident that he is getting all the nutrients he needs, and he loves it! Plus, he is suddenly very much in love with fruit. Watermelon, cherries, apples, melon, he really loves watermelon and it's one of the funniest thing to watch. It's nice to be able to give him these whole food treats. 

So, yes! Your pup can be healthy, happy and meat free. Just like everything in this Universe, if you believe in it, it can be done! Maybe if Dende were a wild critter roaming the plains then he would hunt and eat small game, but since he is snuggled up happy as a clam with me at home, Vegan dog he must be (in my Yoda voice)