Delicious Vegan Lemon Loaf

I can hear you now: “Amanda! Finally, something sweet that doesn’t involve strawberries or chocolate!”

Yeah, yeah.

I have always loved a good lemon loaf. Something about those tangy, sweet tones just really makes my tastebuds soar.

A strange thing happens when you change your diet. Suddenly, things that used to be delicious to you start to lose their appeal. This started happening to me with lemon loaves filled with sugar and dairy. They were too harsh on my stomach and the taste was overwhelmingly sweet. I had no choice but to set out and make a version that would suit me better.

Yes, it still has sugar in it (and on top of it if you glaze it!), but I get to control it. I also get to control how tangy I want it, and I do love me some tang!

But enough about me!

This loaf boasts ten ingredients - 11 if you choose to glaze it. You can also substitute the oil for applesauce to make it oil-free and it is still as delicious.

Oh man, I’m ready to jump offline and run to the kitchen to whip up one of these bad boys. So much yum! The only thing I can’t decide on is if this loaf is breakfast appropriate. I think I’ll vote yes.

Vegan Lemon Loaf

For the Crust:

• 2 cups flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp sea salt

• ½ cup cane sugar

• 1 cup nondairy milk

• ½ cup vegetable oil or vegan butter or applesauce

• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice

• 1 tbsp lemon zest

• 1 tsp vanilla 

For the Glaze (optional, but encouraged)

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tbsp nondairy

• 1 tsbp fresh lemon juice

• 3 tsp lemon zest (optional)

what to do:

1. Grease a loaf pan and preheat the oven to 350ºF

2. Mix your dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl

3. Mix wet ingredients in a smaller bowl

4. Add wet ingredient mixture to the dry ingredients

5. Stir until batter is well mixed and pour into prepared loaf pan

6. Bake for 45 minutes, using the toothpick test to make sure it is baked through

7. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 10 minutes

8. Move loaf to a wire rack and cool completely before adding glaze

9. Make the glaze by whisking together all ingredients

10. Pour over loaf. I like to let the glaze harden before digging in

11. Enjoy!

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What kinds of loaves are your favorite? I have so many favorites I can’t decide, but this lemon is definitely on the top of that list :) Leave your favorite in the comments.

Trying this recipe? Don’t forget to tag #MapleAlps so we can see what you’re up to! :)

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Dealing with Jet Lag

It is no secret that we love to travel, and do so often. Of course, with so much travel comes certain side effects - one of those being jet lag. What is jet lag? Well, according to medicine net,

“Jet lag, also called desynchronosis and flight fatigue, is a temporary disorder that causes fatigue, insomnia, and other symptoms as a result of air travel across multiple time zones. It is considered a circadian rhythm sleep disorder, which is a disruption of the internal circadian clock.”

The flight fatigue is real, friends - especially when traveling East (there’s a saying, “West is best and East is beast” and it’s totally true since extending your day is usually easier than shortening it).

Here are a few ways we’ve dealt with jet lag that we have found help over the years.

This post contains affiliate links

Prepare 

If you think of it, it’s a good idea to prepare for your trip. Going to bed an hour or two earlier or later (depending on which direction you’re going) to start prepping your body can help ease the symptoms of jet lag.

Get a good night’s sleep

Be sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before you leave. Trust me: it will work wonders. And if you have an early flight? Plan ahead so you can go to bed early! 

Try arriving during the day and jump into the new time zone

Arriving during the day is so so helpful with jet lag. Jump into the new time zone (kind of like jumping into a cold lake - a shock at first, but you’ll get used to it). If you can arrive during the day, and stay awake until bedtime, you’ll have a bit of an easier time getting up the next day - even if it’s a little wacky.

Avoid Caffeine

Especially if you don’t normally consume it. Caffeine will give you some energy initially, but the stimulation is followed by a drop in blood sugar, which can actually rob your body of energy reserves.

Drink lots of water

Instead of drinking caffeine or alcohol, keep hydrated by sipping on water during your flight. Packing a (light and empty) water bottle with you will help you with this! An insulated one (like this one) will keep your water fresh and cool. You should also eat light since food is harder to digest at higher altitudes.

Try Melatonin, if necessary

While melatonin does not decrease the amount of time you may suffer from jet lag, it can aid you in falling asleep if you need some extra help. You will not need a large amount. 

Use earplugs, headphones, and eye masks

If you have an overnight flight, and to avoid early sunlight, make sure you take a sleep eye mask with you. If noise bothers you, use earplugs or headphones. 

Take it easy the first few days 

Don’t plan too much the first few days of your trip. Take it easy and do some light sight-seeing rather than...I don’t know...climbing a mountain. 

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What are some of the ways you deal with jet lag? Let us know below in the comments!

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Our Favorite Low Waste Practices

Four years ago, we started being more intentional about the waste we produced. I had realized our trash was way out of control - especially for a household of just two people. We didn’t even have a cat yet! I wrote about some easy ways to reduce waste, and we went for it. Today, I am sharing a few of our favorite low-waste products - the ones we use pretty much daily! Some may surprise you.

Bin For Groceries

We keep a collapsible lettuce crate we got from a Super Store in the back of our car for our groceries. It just works easier for us than remembering our reusable bags (which we also keep in the back of our car...). Since we shop ALDI a lot, it works great to keep the crate in the cart and have them put the groceries directly into it once scanned. We carry the crate to the car, into the house, empty it, and the crate goes right back into the car for the next time. And speaking of groceries, making more of our own pantry staples from scratch has cut down on a lot of packaging and really does not take much time!

For Our Food

Each week I meal prep and pack both of our lunches in reusable glass containers . I’ve also gotten reusable sandwich and snack bags which have replaced the disposable plastic bags. Doing this has cut down on costs too! We had a lot of mason jars left over from our wedding so I’ve been using jars to store food and such as well - that way we didn’t have to buy more containers! Packing our own lunches has also helped us make healthy food choice! Double win :)

Side note: using what you have already is a great way to be nearo waste! It’s called repurposing! 

Metal Straws

We.Love.Our.Straws. We use them all of the time. They come in a great case so we can transport them as well. We don’t order drinks when we eat out, and if we get water at a restaurant, we ask for no straw. Of course, life doesn’t always go perfectly and they may come with a straw already in it, but sometimes that happens. 

Water Bottle

We have been faithful to reusable water bottles for years. We prefer glass bottles, but have received some stainless steel ones as gifts that we really enjoy too! They are lighter and keep water cold (or hot) for long periods of time. Our water bottles come with us everywhere we go!

Feminine Hygiene

Whaaaa!!! The internet already knows that I use a menstrual cup, so no more shame here. It took years (literal.years) or research before I took the plunge and I’m kicking myself that I didn’t start sooner. For one, it has already paid for itself - actually it took less than a year. My two favorite things about it: no more overflowing trash can once a month, and I love love LOVE forgetting that I’m even on my period. I’m sorry for all of you who are blushing right now, but do yourself a favor and switch over to a menstrual cup if possible. I’ve only tried the Diva Cup so I can’t speak for any other brands (bonus that it is made in Canada), but there are so many options out there. Great for the environment and for your peace of mind. I wrote a whole post about the cup here, so check it out if you want more information!

DIY Handsoap

Gone are the days of buying those little .99 cent Walmart liquid hand soaps that didn’t smell that great anyway. I’ve been making my own hand soap for years now, and I don’t know if I will ever go back. This large container of Castile Soap lasts more than a year and refills all of the soap containers we have. We have four sinks, which means four soap containers that are constantly being filled. It’s fun to use essential oils to mix and match scents, or just go plain jane too. Whatever. Here is the recipe I use.

Instant Pot

Okay, this is a little strange to be adding to this kind of post, but hear me out! I’ve always been the kind of person who was interested in making meals ahead to eat later. I did it before I knew I could call it “meal prep” and it be a thing. My freezer was my best friend. Ever since getting an Instant Pot, though, I’ve been even more motivated than before! Now my prep time is cut in half and I can make a whole lot more food with a whole lot less mess. How does this help in my nearo waste endeavors? We eat out much less and cook from scratch a whole lot more. Granted, we want to stay in budget as well, but when cooking dinners at home are so easy, fun, and convenient, then it’s a great bonus. I’m hoping to add more Instant Pot recipes to the site soon!

Libraries

We love books. Going completely paperless would be a no-go for us because we love books. But we also realize that we do not need to own every book we read. When I was living at home, you could find me at the library often. If I wasn’t at the library, I was at home or under a tree reading a book I got from the library. It never occurred to me that libraries were a great way to live sustainably and save money! So we got library cards. To more than one library! And to make it even better, we got the Libby app so we could rent from our phones and send the book straight to our kindles (and shoot, I still have an old one from 2012 that is still going strong!). Our reading volume has gone up, as have our book goals (mine is 24 for this year). 

We are always looking for new and easy ways to help the environment, so I doubt that this will be my last post about our favourite low-waste practices. The key is being stress-free about it, and implementing small changes as you go. By the way, Maple Alps now has an Amazon storefront that is always being updated with all of our favorite products, so check it out for more “nearo” waste fun!

Enjoy Each Moment: Practical Ways to Slow Down Today

It is no news that we live in a fast-paced world. I, for one, feel most days that I am constantly running around trying to catch something - even though I’m not always sure what that something is. I know that I personally have to stop sometimes and consciously slow down. When I do, I remember that there really is no rush - as much as I often make myself believe. I mean, I have written on cultivating a slower and simpler life before, so it definitely is on my mind. Here are some ways that you can slow down today, and just be.

Do Less

It is okay to say, “no” to things. It is perfectly fine to have less on your plate. There is no rule that says you have to be involved in everything at all times. Try to avoid filling your plate with activities and responsibilities that cause you stress and do not require your attention. Take time to sit and breathe. Just, do less.

Be Present

Give the attention to loved ones that they deserve. Put devices away (turn off those notifications too!) and spend quality time with others. Be there to listen, really listen, and ask questions. Be aware of yourself; your breathing, your bones. Don’t dwell in the past. Be, present.

Related: How to Cultivate a Slower and Simpler Life

One Task at a Time

Avoid multitasking (since it’s been proven a myth anyway) and give your all to a single task at a time. You may find that you finish tasks quicker and more efficiently this way, which will give you another bout of contented feelings.

Disconnect

I mentioned this already, but don’t be afraid to put your devices away for some time. Be conscious about taking space away from the world you keep in your pocket. Our phones and computers connect us to so much, but it’s good to take some time away from that.

Be in Nature

Being in nature is such a great way to slow down and enjoy some peace. I personally love being near water and listening to it in all forms - waves on a shore, pounding from a waterfall, rushing river...you name it. You may prefer being in the woods listening to the trees sway and hearing their occupants singing songs. I know people who love the desert. Whatever your preference, take some time in nature, taking in the wondrous sights and sounds.

Practice Gratitude

Be conscious of the things you are grateful for every day - not just once a year on Thanksgiving. The more you practice gratitude, the more natural it will become, and the more content you will feel.

Eat Slower

Oh, eating slow. It seems as though our culture often makes us rush everything, including the time we take to nourish and rest ourselves. I have often thought to myself, “oh, if only I didn’t need to eat - I could accomplish so much!” Resist the temptation, however, to rush your eating. Not only will your stomach thank you, you will enjoy food that much more. Take the time to enjoy the scents and flavours of your meals. Enjoy those you share your meal with. 

Related: Gathering with Intention and Simplicity

Drive Slower

This may sound like a weird one, but I find that when I drive slower (by slower, I mean not speeding, ahem), I feel so great! Hear me out - I did it once and felt amazing and so I’ve been testing it often. And lo and behold - I feel more relaxed behind the wheel. I feel more alert of what’s around me (I do try to avoid accidents when I can). I enjoy the scenery and appreciate different surroundings...trust me. Try it. Your slow life will thank you.

Focus on Others

I believe that we were created for relationships. When we take the focus off ourselves and focus on others and meeting their needs, a wonderful phenomenon happens. We feel happy and content and joyful. I’m not talking about neglecting your needs, however; we can’t help others when we are lacking. See what happens when you consciously focus on doing something (even something small) for someone else. You might forget that you weren’t feeling so great.

Breathe

Our lungs do amazing things for our bodies. The oxygen we take in is required for our bodies to function. Afterall, we can’t live long without air in comparison to even food and water! If you are feeling stressed, take some time to take a few deep breaths. If you can’t sleep, breathe deeply. Take time to breathe consciously.

Take Time to Pray

Praying and meditating on Scripture does wonders for the slow life. I personally like doing it early in the morning to set the tone in my day, but you can take time whenever you like.

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How do you take time to slow down every day?

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Making Your Bedroom a Place of Escape

In the past two places we’ve lived, I’m sad to say that our bedroom was our very last priority when it came to making it feel like a livable space. In the first apartment we lived in, we never even bothered to furnish besides our bed, side tables and a mirror, or to hang anything on the spacious walls.  In our second place, it took a full year before we started even considering making it a cozy space. 

Because we like hosting, our situation makes sense when I think about it. We wanted to make sure that the more public areas in our home were presentable and comfortable. It’s not like anyone saw our room and we never had to offer an explanation as to why it wasn’t finished. Now that we are actually in a place that we own, our mentality is also a little different. We are free to do what we like, and there’s a feeling of a bit more permanence.

We naturally like to spend down time in our bedroom, so I don’t know why it took so long for us to realize that we needed to have a space away from the distractions of life and even the rest of our home! Sitting in the living room isn’t as relaxing as lounging in our bedroom, since the constant reminders of chores loom. Here are some ideas that you can incorporate into your bedroom today to create a space you love to relax in.

Get a Separate Work Space

I know, I know, working from your bed is very tempting and very comfortable, but hear me out! Not only is it better for your sleep to do screen work (yes, even watching nighttime television) outside of your bed, it’s better for your frame of mind when coming into your room. You want to associate your bedroom with rest, relaxation, and getting away - not with what work you still need to get done! Set up a space somewhere else in your house to work, do taxes, watch television, do laundry and eat. 

Have a place to retreat

Add someplace in your room, other than the bed, to retreat to. You can add a chair, a window seat, or even a bench at the end of your bed. It’s especially helpful when your back is out and you need some assistance putting on socks...not that that has ever happened to me...

Less Is More

We are the minimalist type - and even more so now. We’ve gotten used to having very little on the walls, owning basic furniture, and having simple living spaces. We find, even when we look at home decor magazines and such that we are drawn to the more minimalistic designs. We find it a reprieve to not have so much stimulating our minds when we look around. Our bedroom is no exception. I can’t explain to you how relaxing it is to come into a space that is not cluttered and is simply decorated. Keeping very minimal items on the various surfaces, and even the wall, allows our minds to rest and dream.

And Speaking of Laundry

Use comfortable bedding and don’t be afraid to play with textiles. I mean, don’t overdo it with the throws and decorative pillows, but don’t be afraid to add some for that extra cozy feel as well. Hang some nice (and preferably black-out) curtains in your space as well. Consider a rug to add another homey dimension. Whatever floats your oasis boat. 

Add Some Greenery

Add some plants. Having real plants in your bedroom is such a treat. You could have some fresh cuts once in a while, or even choose a potted plant that brings you joy. Greenery really livens up a space. 

Choose a Calming Statement Piece

Is that an oxymoron?  We tried for years to decide exactly what kind of perfect statement piece to put above our bed. It never really happened. We would browse art pieces and paintings and all sorts of things and could never decide what could be worthy of hanging above our heads while we dreamed. We finally decided to go for the entire wall and put up a mural. Enter Photowall, a Swedish company that specializes in wall murals, wallpaper, and even canvas prints and posters. 

I will admit that we were a little overwhelmed by just the sheer amount of options they had on their website since we’re pretty indecisive. We finally settled on these gorgeous watercolour mountains. Mountains hold a special place in both of our hearts, as you know by now - and as you know by our website name. We are also both huge fans of hues of blue, so it was perfect. The perfect customized accent wall for our oasis. We now call our bedroom our Mountain Getaway. I love walking in our room and feeling instantly at peace and calm. We seriously love it (I know I said that already but I had to make the point. Hehe)! Our bedroom isn’t completely finished yet, but it is well on the way! Astra approves.

The installation was a breeze. For perfectionists like us, it did take a few hours, but we wanted to make sure it looked fantastic. We buckled down on a Sunday afternoon, and it was done in no time at all! You even have the option of ordering a tool kit with your wallpaper so that you have everything on hand and are ready to go! All you need is a bucket for the paste.

Photowall sent us this gorgeous mural and is offering our readers 25% off this month when you use the code maplealpsblog2020. If you’re looking for an easy but bold way to transform your space, some nice wallpaper, a mural, or even a canvas print might be for you!

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What are some of the ways you make your own bedroom an oasis?

Is it a place you love being in, or would you like to make it a place you’d love being in more?

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