Managing Monday

Welcome to another week! If you over indulged this holiday weekend or just need someone else to think about the practicalities on your behalf, look no further. Sometimes, in the midst of routine, we forget to take care of our bodies. But eating well, flexing our creativity muscles, and making time to rest is so important. Here are some ways to be good to yourself over the next few days! Just click each image below for more information. And be sure to check back for more ways to live healthfully!

Happy 4th!

Here’s to freedom, stars and stripes, and celebrating with loved ones. How are you spending your Independence Day? Be sure to #Cayisa so we can share in your fun! If you’re still searching for patriotic treats and outfits, look below. We’ve got plenty of food and fashion inspiration to help you be the most American of them all.

Keep it casual with overalls or take on the midi skirt. This year’s 4th fashion brings some extra class and sophistication to the table. Who says stars and stripes have to be boring?

Keep things simple this year with dipped pretzels, a fruity flag, pancakes, and a lemon cream cake. Make sure you and your friends stay hydrated by glamming up your water display – these ice cubes are easy and delicious!

Have a safe, FUN fourth and be sure to come back next week!

(Photo credit: linked websites)

Managing Monday

Happy Monday everyone! How are you managing yours?

If you need a little help, inspiration, or both, you’ve come to the right place! Chill out with an easy, meatless supper, reward yourself with peach sherbet, and start a craft project with patriotic flair. Whether you’ve got Mondays down to a science or not, you’re welcome here – stop by again some time soon!

1. This panini recipe and summer tomatoes are deliciously easy.

2. Martha Stewart knows sherbet. Trust us.

3. This American flag wreath and mason jar DIY will jazz up your home just in time for Saturday.

Like the outfit? Find Sands of Fire by Cayisa here.

Green Scene

Happy Thursday all!

Here at Cayisa, we hope you’ve had a healthy week full of productivity, inspiration, and recuperation. If you’re not sure what that looks like, check out Managing Monday.

Today, we’re spending a few moments spotlighting crowdfunding, a big trend for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and blog friends like you. If you’ve been seeing more posts on personal fundraising efforts in your newsfeed(s), it’s probably because crowdfunding is a new, painless way to bring attention to financial need.

Forbes defines crowdfunding as: a platform, an individual or entity in need of funding, and a community of people willing to collectively contribute these funds in exchange for rewards and recognition.

There are multiple crowdfunding websites out there, although you can click here for a list of the best of the best. Why is crowdfunding so popular? It’s a simple and (usually) free method for creating awareness. And our culture is very pro-awareness. Who doesn’t want to invest in worthy causes?

While our motivations may differ, we all have people, places, and things that we hold dear. We all desire better, stronger communities and through crowdfunding, we’re able to make our people, places, and things a little better and a little stronger.

Cayisa is using a crowdfunding method to help Eben, Brooke, and Sandra. If you want more information on how you can take part, click here!

Need some weekend outfit inspiration – see below. As always, be sure to come back next week!

Managing Monday

Meatless Monday has been a trend for a good long while. There’s something satisfying about eating lean, using wholesome ingredients, and providing a meal that is different…in a good way.

But there is so much more to Monday than meal planning. In fact, there is so much more to living than meal planning. These weekly posts absolutely help you plan creative dishes for the family, but our main aim is to start the week by encouraging you. Nobody really loves jumping back into daily routines after lazy summer weekends, so if you’re looking for the motivation to get fit, get crafty, and get moving (with a little Cayisa flair) then you’ve come to the right place.

When you take a moment to manage yourself – and most importantly, your mind – you’re able to tackle the rest of the week with your head up, not down. Look below for light summer recipes and fashion inspiration! Have suggestions, comments, questions? Send them our way. #Cayisa or click to comment – we’re ready and waiting!

1. Vamp up your sweet potato fries with this yogurt dill sauce. Keep dinner easy with a panini!

2. Never skip breakfast. Even if you aren’t that hungry, give it a go with refrigerator oatmeal or a green tea smoothie.

3. Little treats help minimize craving caving. These chocolate covered mandarins and minty raspberry lemonade are looking especially fine.

4. If you need a fun project to do with girlfriends (or your kids), make corn on the cob even better with these dino corn holders. Or make clay plant pots with pineapple personality.

5. Sometimes looking the part helps us feel the part. Put your best foot forward this summer with a cover-up you can love and accessories you can rock. Click here for more Cayisa.

Thanks for stopping by – we’ll see you next week!

(Photo credit: linked sites)

Green Scene

Thursdays are our opportunity to appreciate all the world is doing to be kind to the environment and its inhabitants. We want to celebrate with you as you live a healthier lifestyle that leads to a healthier you! We also love to celebrate fashion that gives back, fashion that feeds – fashion that brings people alive. If you want to see how Cayisa does that, click here.

I recently stumbled across Della and fell in love with their mission. The fashion line is run by a marvelous array of women. It’s based in L.A. but has forged relationships with a community of African women in Ghana who take textiles from the Volta Region and handcraft each product. Della’s website is quick to assert that the line is not about charity. The line reinforces the strength of the individual and relishes in business done well. These craftswomen are able to manage their spending, learn the benefits of micro-financing, and bond as a community, all in the name of fashion. Della’s products have been sold in the Apple store and even broke into the Urban Outfitters market.

Fashion is absolutely a means of expression and an art form we can revere, but it is also a passion project with the power to unite people, and that’s worthy of huge respect.

Let us know what you think in the comments!

Have a favourite fashion philanthropist? Tell us more!

(Photo credit: linked site)

Meatless Monday

We know there are plenty of blogs out there, so thanks for stopping by our little corner of the web! These weekly posts are your chance to read up on healthy tips and trends – from recipes to fashion, we’ve got you covered. Life moves quickly and we know how important it is to absorb every precious moment that comes your way. We love the moments you’ve shared with us lately so keep them coming! Check out the DIY projects below and then put your inspiration into action!

1. Chalk board art. is. everywhere. It’s also harder than it looks (mostly because cursive was so elementary school and we’ve since forgotten how to make it look pretty). However, chalkboards are incredibly useful, especially for party decor, so if you want to be a lettering guru, check out this page for more info. It actually isn’t that difficult…it just takes a few minutes to pick up.

2. Big, chuck-it-all-in salads are great because you put in minimal effort yet end up with lots of color and wonderful flavours. If you’re on the go, put your ingredients in a mason jar, screw on the lid, and grab a fork. Easy. Try this recipe tonight!

3. Another party decoration that’s all the rage is the paper flower. These ones, from Apartment Therapy, have surfaced all over the place lately, and that’s probably because they’re cute and cheap. Whether you’re prepping for a backyard shindig or just want to liven up your kitchen table, paper flowers might be the way to go.

4. Nothing says summer like popsicles! This peach creamsicle recipe is healthy and sure to please. Let us know what you think!

(Photo credit: linked sites)

Date Night Stack

Cayisa’s Date Night Stack! 

Date Night Stack  

Meatless Monday

The weeks, they just keep rolling. Cheers to another Monday conquered! Break up the monotony of your daily routine by spending a few moments here. There’s plenty to see and consider – especially if you’re into fashion with a cause.

If you’ve had trouble staving off the sugar cravings lately, give healthy snacking a try! It happens to the best of us – donuts in the break room, that friendly neighborhood baker with extra time on her hands…baked goods are yummy but such a frenemy when you’re trying to cut the chemicals and fight for the fresh. Healthy meals are similarly tricky. But look below for recipes and DIY that will give you a reason to celebrate Monday. Valuing the little things in life is essential to having a positive outlook – so tell us, what are you thankful for today? #Cayisa and let us know!

1. Beat the sugar rush with raw strawberry twizzlers!

2. Get your nom on with sweet potato ravioli!

3. Grab canvas, modge podge, and magazines to mimic this canvas feel.

4. Gluten free, vegan banana ice cream sandwiches? You know you want one.

(Photo credit: linked sites)

Green Scene

Today’s post is a shout-out you don’t want to miss.

I’ve become a little bit obsessed with deliciouslyorganic.net, a website devoted to healthful living. Creator, Carrie Vitt, shares fantastic recipes and general lifestyle information, but my favourite post of hers features a little girl named Samantha. If you’ve been reading Cayisa’s blog for awhile, you’ll know that we’re also a big fan of Food Babe. Her army champions better living for all by campaigning against toxic ingredients in foods. So far, Food Babe has been quite successful. Samantha’s story proves just why the fight to reduce chemicals matters.

Her sweet mama, Jenna, made a haunting discovery about Red Dye #40, or Allura Red as it’s also called. The presence of Red 40 in Samantha’s diet was drastically altering her mood. Samantha’s symptoms went unexplained for a long time before Jenna realized food dyes could be the root cause. Below is a list of the foods Jenna removed from Samantha’s diet as well as a list of other chemicals (all petroleum based) that had negative effects on her daughter.

You can read Jenna’s full story here.

Deliciously Organic also features budget friendly recipes for the self-proclaimed health nut:

Fussili with chard, bacon, and cream: 6 ingredients. So much flavour.

And in case you were looking for a grain-free, paleo dessert: smores bars. Bingo.

Carrie even did a write-up of her favourite natural sunscreens. This post is the perfect pre-summer read for you and your family!

Stop by Carrie’s website some time and have a look at the work she’s doing to promote healthier choices. You won’t regret it!

(Photo credit: Deliciously Organic)