4 reasons I decided to go Vegan + a few helpful tips

HI friends.

I recently made one of the most significant life changes and I just knew I needed to tell you about it. For a while now I’ve been playing around with my diet, really trying to be mindful about what I put in it, remember my trusty detox method? For the last 17 months (since I had Roman), I have gone through bouts of post partum depression and anxiety. I’ve never experienced these things to this extent before so naturally, it has been absolutely draining, I’m over it . My doctor suggested I see a therapist, which I have been and has helped in so many ways, I love her. However, I am at the point in life where I know that when things feel off for this long, I really need to pay attention to what I am feeding my body.

I’m a pretty healthy person, I’ve never really been a bad eater. But I was looking at photos of myself from 2007 and was instantly transported to my younger self. I was living in Los Angeles with a girlfriend of mine and we began taking an ayurvedic yoga class that taught us all about wellness and the body and how what you feed it directly correlates to your mind and emotions. We were so fired up. Around that time, I was led to read a book called Skinny Bitch and completely dropped all meat and dairy that weekend ( yet I kept eating fish aka a pescatarian diet. ) When I stopped eating meat and dairy, I remember feeling like I was way more in tune with my body, my emotions and my energy. I just felt more in control and aware…..and energetic. I was also in the best shape of my life. Hair, skin, nails, energy, glow, everything, it was all at its best. A few years later, when I moved to NYC, I began eating meat and dairy again because its New York and it would be rude to not eat all the best things at the most amazing restaurants in the world, right?

Fast forward to today, I just really have been feeling like I need to feed my body better. My family and I watched the Netflix doc GameChangers which is such an inspiring film, I loved it. The film had so much new information that it hit me like a ton of bricks, I need to go back to eating vegan! If I think back to my days of eating a more plant based diet, life was so exciting, I was flourishing. I always thought it was just living in LA but when I made the correlation in my mind to how I was eating at the time, it just clicked for me. Ever since that day, I have not eaten one animal based thing. Zero. And it feels absolutely amazing.

So, WHAT IS A VEGAN you ask?

Let me give it to you straight, a vegan does not eat any animal meat (this includes fish), dairy, eggs or any food product with ingredients derived from animals (like gelatin). Vegans also don’t use any products (facial and body care, shampoos, lotions, etc.) that have been tested on animals or contain animal products and they do not wear materials derived from animals.

For me it’s a process, I’ve got the foods down and what I put in my body but I’m still researching all the other many ways to incorporate veganism into my life, like beauty, fashion, etc.

REASONS I AM COMMITTED TO GOING VEGAN:

1. It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle. How many times have you started a diet, only to get bored, frustrated or overwhelmed by it all? Over the years of my life, I have gone on and off so many diets, I remember once I did Atkins and for about three weeks I completely stuck to it, lost weight but then went right back to my carb loving ways. It’s such a yo-yo, unbalanced diet mindset and lifestyle. I never wanted to go on a diet again. The point of making the switch to plant based eating is more of a mindful lifestyle decision to me. To completely rid my body of animal based foods, to fuel my body with whole, from the ground foods. For me, eating animal products is just not in alignment with my love for animals, all animals. I wouldn’t eat a dog or a lizard or even a roach. It just isn’t me and after watching several documentaries that reminded me of the suffering of animals for our benefit, it reconnected me with my motherly, compassionate energy. I’ve never been much of the activist type, so part of me feels very empowered by my lifestyle choice.

2. I’ve reconnected with my kitchen. As a new mom and girlfriend, I spend pretty much all time time in the kitchen these days. Cooking for two boys feels like a full time job. So, introducing myself back to a vegan diet, has required me to shop intentionally and get creative. It has reconnected me with my love of cooking. It also feels different when you make food for the people that you love that not only will taste good but actually make them healthier and nourished. I’ve noticed that my relationship with my kitchen has totally improved, my Christmas list is literally almost all kitchen things and I could not be more excited.

3. It improves your emotional Intelligence. Becoming a vegan was a pretty much an instant decision for me. However, it’s not easy to transform your entire mindset overnight. Gradually, paying more attention to what I am eating and putting in or on my body has caused me to be more mindful in the little things. You have to adopt a slower, more mindful pace to almost everything you do. To switch the voice in your head to a slower pace (i.e. taking time to read labels, think about what restaurants you go to, etc) it helps you to be calm, cautious and less reactive to other things and life experiences. So not only does it nourish your body in the best way, it also nurtures your mind and trains it to be more patient, which we could all use a little more of, am I right?

4. It’s environmentally friendly. It is a known fact that eating meat is incredibly harmful to the environment and the planet. Huge amounts of land are used to raise animals, trees and rainforests are destroyed to make room for more grazing land. The efforts to expand these lands kills lots of plant and animal species living in these habitats. Studies show, a massive amount of crops and water are needed to feed the animals and help them to grow so that they can be slaughtered for food. These crops that feed animals could be better used as food for us humans to help combat world hunger.

   Veganism is not only about our body, our minds, our souls and all animals but it is also ultimately about kindness and expressing compassion and respect for the environment.

A FEW EXTRA TIPS:

— Elevate your energetic vibe. Spending time in the kitchen, pouring myself over meals has been truly an upgrade in my wellbeing. Living with an intention of eating rich and nourishing foods has elevated my energy in the best way, a total Bliss Vibes Only move. Something about it, puts an extra pep in your step.

— The vegan community is cool. Once you peel back the curtain to the world of vegans, you will find a whole new group of friends. So many amazing restaurants, resources, and people you can bond with and learn new things. I especially am loving all the vegan mommies I meet, we all have an extra special desire to feed our little ones and create a more beautiful, compassionate world.

— Invest in your kitchen tools. You have to have a blender, it’s just a must. A good set of knives for cutting veggies. I am obsessed with this pan for cooking everything.

— Break your addictions with Ch-ease. I’m pretty solid in my choices to eat plant based. However, one of the hardest parts for me is the cheese. My god, I miss cheese. It wasn’t until I began researching how cheese affects the body that I began exploring new ways of making my own cheeses. Did you know that cheese and most dairy products have addictive compounds that act that opiates to your brain? Like, it’s just another thing that humans tend to become highly addictive to like chips, coke and cigarettes. I am not cool with anything having that much control over me that I can’t stop doing it. It doesn’t feel right to me. As much as I love cheese, vegan cheese is also so good. Whole Foods makes such a good vegan pizza with vegan cheese, just take it home and pop it in the oven and you can enjoy pizza like anybody else. I am currently obsessed with the Trader Joe’s vegan Mozzerella and I pretty much put it on everything,

— Most wines are vegan. Which I love because I enjoy wine with dinner. Wines made in France and Italy tend to not be vegan so just ask to be sure when you’re ordering.

— There are so many wonderful resources out there. Two cookbooks I am currently loving are Liz B’s Vegan on a Budget & Plant Powered Families. I also love watching Cheap Lazy Vegan recipes, she makes the BEST foods. I love trying them out myself.

I hope this post inspires you to make mindful and wise choices with your diet, even if you don’t want to go full on vegan. For me, be sure to follow my insta stories, I am always sharing my favorite vegan finds and hacks. Love, Ashlina

Feng Shui: Why you need crystal suncatchers hanging in your window

✨ Crystal Suncatchers: How to Fill Your Home with Light, Joy, and Good Feng Shui

There’s something purely magical about seeing tiny rainbows dance across your walls on a sunny day. Crystal suncatchers — those sparkling prisms that scatter light in every direction — do far more than simply decorate your windows. In Feng Shui, they’re considered one of the easiest and most powerful tools for uplifting heavy energy, activating stagnant spaces, and attracting positive chi into your home.

If you’ve ever felt a corner of your house was dull, heavy, or just didn’t “feel good,” a crystal suncatcher might be the simple cure you’ve been missing. This in-depth guide will show you how to choose the right suncatcher, where to hang it, and how to care for it, so your home feels brighter, lighter, and energetically aligned.

Here’s the deal: Our consciousness craves change, a harmonious flow of rest and stimulation. Yet, the stability of our home environment, think non-moving furniture, heavy and bulky appliances, can cause stagnation. When we feel the “stuck-ness” in our home, that leads us to subconscious mimicking, thinking and behaviors that perpetuate feeling “stuck” in our lives. 
Similarly, when we believe we know exactly what is coming our way, we put limits on new, unexpected opportunity reaching us . It’s up to us to create a change that allows us to open ourselves up to the element of surprise. 

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🌈 How Do Crystal Suncatchers Work?

At the most basic level, a crystal suncatcher works by refracting sunlight. When direct light hits the faceted crystal, it bends and scatters that light into a spray of little rainbows that dance playfully around your room.

In Feng Shui, this refraction process symbolizes breaking up stagnant or negative energy (called sha chi) and transforming it into vibrant, life-giving chi. It’s a physical reminder that even the darkest spaces can become alive with movement and sparkle.

Beyond the energy work, suncatchers simply make you smile. They add a touch of wonder to everyday life and remind you to look for beauty in small moments — a true embodiment of mindful, high-vibe living.

THE BENEFITS OF A FENG SHUI SUN CATCHER:

• It can activate positive energy or break up negative energy.

• They can help balance areas that lack light and color.

• The multidimensional light can calm or balance out areas with too much chaotic energy (clutter)

• You can cure particular energies in the home with the accent crystals on your sun-catcher, if the string has several small rose quartz crystals, it can be used as a feng shui love cure.

🏡 Where to Hang Crystal Suncatchers in Your Home

The magic of a crystal suncatcher depends on placement. Here are some favorite Feng Shui-approved spots:

✨ Windows with direct sunlight — South-facing windows are ideal, but any window that gets a good dose of sun will do.

✨ Dark corners — If a part of your home feels gloomy or stagnant, hang a suncatcher to bounce light around and energize the space.

✨ Your Feng Shui Money Corner — The back left corner of your home or room (when standing at the entrance) is the wealth corner. A suncatcher here activates prosperity energy. Learn how to fully activate your Feng Shui money corner here!

✨ Hallways or transition areas — Long hallways can feel like energy drains. A suncatcher near a hallway window can keep chi flowing beautifully.

✨ Above your desk or workspace — Sparkling light over your work area brings clarity and inspiration.

✨ Children’s rooms — Kids love rainbow sparkles! Suncatchers can create a joyful, magical atmosphere.

✨ Tight spaces - A dark corner that easily accumulates stagnant energy or a narrow hallway with little or no light.

🧧 Crystal Suncatchers & Feng Shui: The Deeper Meaning

Suncatchers are beloved in Feng Shui because they are so simple yet effective. They break up stagnant energy, scatter light into forgotten corners, and remind us that life is always moving and transforming.

When placed with intention, they can:

• Dissolve stuck or heavy chi.

• Activate a dull corner or a sluggish money corner.

• Bring playful, uplifting energy to family areas.

• Reinforce other Feng Shui cures like mirrors, plants, and fountains.

One of the best places to use a crystal suncatcher is in your wealth corner — here’s my full guide to activating your Feng Shui money corner.

💎 How to Choose the Perfect Crystal Suncatcher

Not all suncatchers are the same. When choosing yours, consider:

✅ Crystal quality — Lead crystal, like Swarovski, produces the sharpest, most colorful rainbows. Clear quartz suncatchers can add an extra layer of cleansing energy.

✅ Shape & size — Classic faceted balls are most common and work well for general Feng Shui. Prism rods, teardrops, or strands of multiple crystals add a decorative touch.

✅ Color — Clear crystals scatter full-spectrum rainbows, but colored crystals can add intention: green for growth and healing, purple for spiritual awareness, red for passion and vitality.

✅ What feels right to you — Trust your intuition. The piece that catches your eye and makes you smile is the one that will bring you the most joy.

🧵 How to Hang & Activate Your Suncatcher

Once you’ve chosen the perfect piece, here’s how to hang it intentionally:

🌞 Pick the right window — Choose one that gets plenty of direct light at some point during the day. Morning sunlight is especially energizing.

🔗 Use a red thread or ribbon — In traditional Feng Shui, red symbolizes protection and amplifies the power of a cure. Tie your suncatcher with a red string if you’d like to honor this practice.

🙏 Clean the glass first — A sparkling clean window ensures maximum light and rainbow magic.

💫 Set an intention — As you hang your suncatcher, pause for a moment. Visualize the energy you wish to attract: abundance, harmony, joy, or fresh inspiration.

🧽 How to Clean & Care for Your Crystal Suncatcher

Like any crystal or Feng Shui cure, a suncatcher works best when it’s clean and energetically clear.

✨ Physical cleaning: Gently wipe the crystal with a damp cloth or glass cleaner every few weeks to remove dust and smudges.

✨ Energetic cleansing: You can cleanse it with sound (a bell or chime), smoke from sage or incense, or simply place it in moonlight overnight to refresh its energy.

✨ Check the string or hook: Over time, sun and heat can weaken cords. Replace them if they show signs of wear to prevent accidental falls.

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❓ Crystal Suncatcher FAQs

Can I hang more than one suncatcher in the same room?
Yes! Multiple suncatchers can create an even more joyful, sparkling effect. Just ensure each gets enough sunlight to work its magic.

Do I need direct sunlight for it to work?
Direct sunlight makes the rainbows appear, but the crystal still uplifts chi by its very presence. If your window gets only indirect light, it can still help shift energy gently.

Can I use colored crystals instead of clear?
Absolutely. Colored crystals add an extra layer of intention — for example, green crystals are lovely in a health or family area, while red crystals energize fame and passion.

What if I don’t have a window in the area I want to activate?
You can still hang a suncatcher near a lamp or light source to bounce light. Or, consider using mirrors or adding plants to move energy in windowless spots.

What other Feng Shui cures work well with suncatchers?
Mirrors, indoor fountains, healthy green plants, and symbolic artwork all complement suncatchers beautifully to enhance positive chi.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you read this one.

Learn how to manifest with crystals at home

***And if you would like to learn more about Feng Shui and turning your home into a sanctuary, check out my workshop, High Vibe Home.