vb's healthiest hangouts

healthy - originating from the old english word "hǣlth" before 1000, meaning the general condition of the body or mind and the soundness of ones body of mind; freedom from disease or ailment

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healthy eating is a choice
its a lifestyle, 
one that people can live or temporarily 
live as they please

it's up to the individual
and no one else

i like to eat healthy
i don't all the time,
but i like to advertise it
because of all of its many benefits

i am not a vegetarian or a vegan, 
i do believe in eating your meats as 
your best source of protein, vitamin b-12, 
cholesterol, and sometimes calories, 

but i'm not writing this post about that

this blog is for everyone and includes 
good choices for everyone

making your own food and meals 
is the best way to eat healthy

it makes you feel good and 
it makes you feel like an artist,
it forces you to make good decisions
and buy healthy ingredients,
but i realize people of all ages don't 
always have the energy nor time

so i put together a little list of
virginia beach's best places to eat
if you're looking for good food

i eat all kinds of food - 
including cheap and gourmet,
but this list is made of more 
cool, mostly organic + non-gmo, sometimes vegan, 
and just generally rad, healthy options to eat at

eating healthy does provide good things
for you and your body, its not a myth

and it doesn't have to be written off as "artsy,"
its good for you 
and makes you feel better -
physically and mentally

depending on what you eat, healthy food can-
cleanse your body of toxins, 
help you stay within your calorie limit,
provide you with all kinds of amazing
nutrients and vitamins as you know,
give you and our friends neat places to go eat at,
and can set you up with some 
great pictures and moments to keep forever

eating "organic" or "healthy" or "wholesome"
isn't always easier, but it's always better

i don't give up desert and snacks, 
i just eat what makes me feel better 
and what keeps me healthy and fit

when you put those two together, 
you know your best option

you don't have to eat a handful of nuts,
 "juice" your food, 
or make smoothies every morning-

just take a look at some of my recommendations below
and make a stop at them whenever you can
if you'd like to...

vb's healthiest hangouts by soph -

• american asian foodmarket
• azar's mediterranean specialties 
• bad ass coffee 
• baker's crust 
• baladi mediterranean café
• chipotle mexican grill
• daily grind
• the fresh market
• fruitive
• the green cat
• hashi food truck
• heritage natural market
• java surf café & espresso bar 
• the leaping lizard cafe
• nawab indian cuisine
• panera bread
• pita pit
• roast rider coffee + tea
• saladworks
• sirena serious eatalian
• sugar plum bakery
• taste
• town center cold pressed
• virginia beach farmer's market
• whole foods market
• zeke’s beans and bowls

yes, some of these are coffee shops and bakeries,

but that doesn't mean they aren't healthy

these places are natural and organic, 

they force the customer to expand their tastes,

and try new things

this list includes juiceries, ethnic cuisines, 

hole in the wall cafes, farmer's markets, 

food trucks, and sandwich shops,

and these are only some of the incredible eateries in vb

eating healthy isn't switching to a plant-based diet, 

replacing meat with soy and nuts

nor is it eating smaller meals in short intervals

it's being happy, 

feeling good and new,

and staying fit, active, and healthy

i'm obviously no nutritionist or dietician,

but i know that when you eat well,

you're happier and healthier,

and that makes my decision for me

drink lots of water and have fun with what you eat

eat colorfully and diversely 

make it a part of who you are

because it is most definitely a part of you

- much love, sophie

zen showers

zen - the japanese pronunciation of the  chinese character "chan" which is in turn the chinese translation originating from the indian sanskrit term "dhyana" which buddha practices meaning meditation and intuition

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i've discovered my own sort of zen

a way i can be at peace with myself

away from the world for a while

a tranquil place where i'm left alone to think

i thought i would always get into yoga

or something similar

but i found my zen when i took my first "zen shower"

i want to share this idea with you

patent pending - i named this experience "a zen shower"

after all it's a shower -

one where you take your clothes off

and let the water run over your skin

it's a special shower

everyone thinks in the shower
out loud or in song haha

but this gives "shower time" a whole new meaning

- for me at least

it may not be for everyone

but some of my friends swear by it too

i come home sweaty from the studio

or tired as hell from school

sometimes i want to faceplant the floor

but these make me feel better

whenever you get out of the shower,

you tend to feel better

- but when i exit these showers

i feel renewed, rejuvenated, just like my shampoo bottle label

so here is my recipe

for something to clear your mind

to cleanse your senses

to expand your imagination
and similar things

warning - do not read if you are -

- afraid of the dark

- afraid of the door being closed

- too uptight to let your bathroom walls and mirrors start to condense

and let your the room fog up a few times

- and i think thats it

- oh, and if you think candles will be a fire hazard, even though you're in the shower

nevertheless, how to take a zen shower -

• strip yourself of your clothing and other things you don't want getting wet
• light candles if you'd like
• turn your shower on (preferably warm/hot)
• close the curtain keeping the heat inside
• close your bathroom door as far as you feel comfortable
• turn off your bathroom light (note - if your bathroom turns pitch black when it is dark & you can't see & you have no window - obviously bring your door only halfway closed
• then, get in..

if you aren't incredibly dull,
you will probably enjoy this
satisfaction guaranteed or your money back

                                     or find another blog

the special thing is mostly the "no light" factor

it's intriguing and captivating and invigorating

and it makes all the difference

- much love, sophie