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This year was our first Christmas together, spent here in Los Angeles. Chris moved here a few months back in October, and what an experience it has been having him here. The connection we have made in such a short amount of time is one is something I have never experienced before, we resonate on so many different levels and I am so happy to have him here by my side to help me grow as both a person and a blogger <3 I was nervous for this holiday as I wanted my gifts for him to be perfect, and I think I nailed it...I hope :p I tried to get him a little something for every aspect of his life, and I think that these gifts would also be great for any of you looking to get your loved one a little somethin' as well :)christmas ssv

Healthy Vegan Holiday Menu For Two {Gluten & Oil-Free} + What I Ate In A Day On ChristmasMy boyfriend Chris and I stepped back into the kitchen to bring to the table yet another easy and delicious vegan spread for the holiday season. All of these recipes are oil-free, low-fat, and can all be made gluten-free as well. We wanted to share dishes that were comforting and familiar, featuring flavors our family and readers would be receptive too. All of the dishes & their recipes are either linked or listed below. Let us know what you think + share if you have any other healthy recipes for the holidays :) + Last month, we shared a Healthy Vegan Thanksgiving Menu For Two, check it out for more holiday ideas!

Eggplant & Tofu Stir Fry {hclf oil & gluten-free} sweetsimplevegan.comI always love myself a gooood gingery stir fry, and this one hits the spot. I put together this recipe 2 days ago, and I have already made it twice since then. Not only is it a simple recipe, but it keeps well for a few days and when served with rice, is a substantial and nutrient dense meal. Always be sure to use organic & non-GMO tofu, and for this recipe, opt for extra firm to avoid crumbling. This recipe is a part of my Healthy Oil-Free Vegan Christmas Menu from my 2015 dinner with my boyfriend Chris. We worked together in the kitchen to put together a few dishes to share with you all here on our blogs, to give you some inspiration and ideas for easy recipes you can try out during your next {holiday} gathering or dinner party.

In October if this year, Chris and I decided to drop all of our excuses, and commit to integrating a yoga practice into our daily lives. We decided to go for an unlimited pass at our local yoga studio, to motivate ourselves to consistently attend, in hopes that we would not only allow for an invigorating workout, but also a chance for us to step away from our daily lives and bring calm and stillness to our minds. Yoga to me used to just be yet another workout class I would attend to get my heart rate up and break a sweat, when I did not feel up to the intense weight lifting courses I would take at the gym. Nowadays, however, as cliche that it may sound to some, yoga to me has been at outlet of relaxation, realization of inner joy, a personal connection with my mind, body, and spirit, and a new outlet and level of connection with my boyfriend Chris. Although I have been attending yoga courses for a few years now, I have not, until now, ever followed a consistent schedule, or integrated it into my daily life as I have done so now. For the first time in my life, I was able to actually silence my mind from all thoughts outside of the studio, a focus on the present moment, the inner strength I hold in my body and mind, and all all-peaceful state of meditation.

Crispy Oil-Free Noochy Potatoes {hclf vegan} sweetsimplevegan.com #vegan #oilfree #hclfRoasted potatoes have grown to be a staple on menus I put together for our holiday dinners or gatherings here at my house. Why? Well, there are various reasons! Potatoes, even when organic from my local Whole Foods market, are cheap! They are simple to cook, absolutely delicious, and healthy without any needed oils or fats added. Mastering the craft of crispy oil-free potatoes was a challenge for me, but after playing around with a few techniques, and trying out various recipes I had found online, I done did it ;) And my oil-free crispy potatoes are perfection. This recipe is a part of my Healthy Oil-Free Vegan Christmas Menu from my 2015 dinner with my boyfriend Chris. We worked together in the kitchen to put together a few dishes to share with you all here on our blogs, to give you some inspiration and ideas for easy recipes you can try out during your next {holiday} gathering or dinner party.

This month I was given the opportunity to review a Vegan Cuts Beauty Box, and I decided to have a bit of fun with it and do a video unboxing (below), and even have my boyfriend's help in trying out all of the products. He did my makeup and, well, let's just say that won't be happening ever again... I am not a beauty guru/blogger, and I am not well versed in the realm of make up, so this box was perfect for me in that I was able to try out sample sizes of all that was included. One of the reasons why I am not so into purchasing and trying out new vegan beauty products, especially make up, is that I do not want to spend a whole lot on full sized products that I'm not sure I will love or use often. I definitely recommend the beauty box to those in the same shoes as me, or even those who are skilled in make up but want to save a few bucks. Even if it's a one month purchase and not a recurring subscription that you go for, do it!