Vox Populi – the Voice of the People

/ realmofvibes / 17 Comments

Vox Populi means the voice of the people. I often feel like I am a voice for many people, and animals. I strongly advocate for my clients and their needs, and immerse myself with volunteering for the animal rescue. (If I am not fostering I am running around getting donations and setting up fundraisers). When Vox Populi sent me shirts to represent their brand, I went directly to their website to learn more.

Danielle Gould of Realm of Vibes for Vox Populi

About Vox Populi

Owners and creators, Ruben and Sydney, like myself, want to make a positive impact in the world. They see how compassion and kindness spreads; and that the world becomes a better place because of those two qualities. As my mother always says, kindness doesn’t cost a thing. Ruben and Sydney believe in sustainability, being environmentally friendly, and donating to an important cause. Vox Populi donates 25%+ to programs that serve and empower youth through education. Currently, Vox Populi donates to Fresh Lifelines for Youth. FLY’s mission is to prevent juvenile crime and incarceration through legal education, leadership training, and one-on-one mentoring. FLY believes that all their children deserve a chance to become more than their past mistakes.

Danielle Gould of Realm of Vibes for Vox Populi

Shop

Browse through Vox Populi’s selection of Men’s or Women’s t-shirts, tank tops, and hoodies. Clothing for little humans will be available in the very near future. Vox Populi’s clothing states one of the following quotations:

  • We are the Solution
  • You are Limitless
  • You are Beautiful
  • Rise Above It
  • You Shine Through
  • Give Gladly

Danielle Gould of Realm of Vibes for Vox Populi

Impact

I wore the You are Limitless shirt to work (I am an occupational therapist). Each one of my clients had a comment. One of my clients stated, “That’s why occupational therapy is so important because you are finding different ways to break through my limits and teaching me alternate methods for living my life.” 

You, my friends, are limitless. The limits you set – you set on yourself, and it’s your choice whether you pull yourself up by the bootstraps and prevail, or you wallow and become worse. I choose to live myself without limits, and I try to empower others to do the same, even if they have a disability.

The Rise Above It shirt means so much to me; we all have our issues. I have autoimmune issues. I sometimes don’t feel like getting out to bed to do things because I am fatigued and in pain. I often tell myself to Rise Above It – keep moving forward. Respect yourself, your body, and your feelings, but rise above whatever is causing you issues. It’s so easy to throw in the towel; your true colors shine through when you conquer your troubles and rise above the hardships. I wear this tank to hot yoga as a reminder when I am holding a difficult posture or losing my balance in Warrior III.

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Shirts & Company

The Vox Populi shirt and tank fit beautifully. They are super soft and I feel great wearing them to spread a positive message in my workplace and community. People smile when they see the positivity and it becomes easy to start a conversation. A simple hello, paired with a smile, can mean so much to someone. Purchasing from Vox Populi will not only make you look fashionable, but will make you feel good knowing that a percentage of your purchase will help others.

Show compassion and kindness. Be the voice of the people. Wear and support Vox Populi.

Make sure you visit Vox Populi on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Namaste.

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Disclosure: Vox Populi sent me a t-shirt and tank in return for being reviewed and featured on Realm of Vibes. All thoughts and opinions within are my own. If you would like to be featured, please visit the Contact page or e-mail realmofvibesdg@gmail.com to get started.

Spicy Sambal Shrimp with Mango Salad

/ realmofvibes / 24 Comments

by Lovoni Walker 

People assume because I cook for a living that I whip-up elaborate, gourmet meals every night. After food styling, being in front of the camera cooking, or writing recipes all day, the thought of spending hours in the kitchen to knock together the evening meal holds little appeal, no matter how much I love to cook. Meals that are fresh and fast are where it’s at during the weeknight grind. Salads and stir-fries are both perfect speedy, wholesome meals for the time challenged and are my savior for when I’m short on time, energy or inspiration (and sometimes all three).

Keeping a well-stocked pantry is key, so I tend to have a selection of vinegars, nuts, oils and Asian sauces at the ready. Buying meat and seafood in bulk, portioning them and throwing them into the freezer to have on hand means all that’s left to pick up from the store is a few fresh ingredients.

If you have any energy left at the end of your day, doing 15 minutes prep for the following night’s meal will have you feeling like a kitchen maven.  Here are a couple of quick recipes:  an Asian inspired shrimp and mango salad and a ginger spritzer to wash it down, both with lots of make-ahead elements, so you can have dinner on the table with a minimum of fuss maybe leaving a little time left for you at the end of your long day (it helps to dream, right?!).

Spicy Sambal Shrimp and Mango Salad

Spicy Sambal Shrimp with Mango Salad

Spicy Sambal Shrimp with Mango Salad

MARINADE

  • 1/4 cup sambal oelek (Asian chili paste)
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce, optional
  • 1 tablespoon minced peeled ginger
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 20 large, raw shrimp (prawns), peeled and deveined leaving tails intact
  • 4 to 5 metal (or bamboo) skewers
Mint and Mango for the Spicy Sambal Shrimp and Mango Salad

Mint and Mango for the Spicy Sambal Shrimp with Mango Salad

SALAD

  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 large, ripe mango, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 small red onion, cut into thin wedges
  • 6 to 8 small radish, halved or sliced
  • 1/2 cup mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup cilantro (coriander) leaves
  • 1/3 cup chopped roasted peanuts

To make the marinade: Combine sambal, garlic, honey, fish sauce, ginger, soy and sesame oil in a small bowl. Pour 1/2 of the mixture into a blender (this will become the dressing for the salad). Add shrimp to the remaining mixture in the bowl; mix well to coat. Thread shrimp onto skewers. Cover and set aside in the fridge.

To make the dressing for the salad: Add vinegar and canola oil to sambal mixture in blender; blend until smooth.  Cover and set aside in the fridge.

Just before serving: Toss mango, cucumber, onion, radish, mint & cilantro together in a medium bowl. Drizzle with salad; toss to combine. Sprinkle with peanuts.

Cook shrimp on greased grill of a hot barbeque, 2 to 3 minutes each side until they turn pink – do not overcook.  Serve shrimp with mango salad. Serves 3 to 4.

Note: As an alternate, you could marinate and grill the shrimp the night before & toss them into the salad, cold, just before serving.

Ginger Cucumber Spritzers

Ginger Cucumber Spritzers

Ginger Cucumber Spritzers

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3-inch piece ginger (it doesn’t have to be peeled), sliced
  • 2 rosemary sprigs
  • 1/2 English cucumber, sliced
  • ice
  • sparkling water or club soda to serve

Combine water, sugar, ginger & rosemary in a small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Simmer, uncovered, without stirring, for 5 minutes; strain into a small pitcher or jar. Cover and chill until read to use.

Place cucumber slices and ice into a serving jug or individual glasses. Top with sparkling water; stir to combine. Serve immediately. Serves 3 to 4.

Here is a timeline to prepare during a week night:

Timeline for the Spicy Sambal Shrimp and Mango Salad and Ginger Cucumber Spritzers

Don’t forget your shopping list: 

Shopping List for the Spicy Sambal Shrimp and Mango Salad and Ginger Cucumber Spritzers

Realm of Vibes wants to thank Lovoni Walker, Foodsmith for guest posting. E-mail her at Lovoni@freshhunger.com. Fresh Hunger, her new website, is coming soon. Connect with Lovoni on social media: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and visit The Fresh Aussie blog.

If you are interested in being featured on Realm of Vibes, please fill out the form on the Contact page or e-mail realmofvibesdg@gmail.com to get started.

In EPIC Proportions – Eating like our Ancestors

/ realmofvibes / 28 Comments

Most people may not know that during the week, I eat mostly Whole 30/Paleo friendly. It started when my friend and I did a Whole 30 challenge and I realized that I have a dairy intolerance (my skin breaks out into a red rash, and I suffer from severe GI issues – TMI, I know). When I ingest grains, my stomach distends and I feel exhausted. (Don’t get me wrong – on the weekends I love a slice of pizza or bowl of cereal; I just know I will not feel optimal.) That’s why, I eat a Hunter and Gatherer diet most days of the week consisting of grass fed meats, wild caught fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and seeds. When I saw EPIC in my local ShopRite, I was intrigued. Grass fed? Gluten free? Wild caught? Bars, Strips, and BONE BROTH? I cook my bone broth for 48 hours; now I can BUY it? Score! You could only imagine how I felt when EPIC sent me a box full of goodies to review…

About EPIC

  • EPIC supports improving animal welfare so all animals eat and roam free outdoors.
  • 100% Grass Fed, 100% Wild Caught, Ducks are cage free.
  • 100% Animal Based Protein
  • Paleo
  • Gluten Free
  • Made in the USA

Reviewed Products

  • EPIC Strips
    • Wagyu Beef
    • Venison Steak
    • Turkey
    • Salmon Fillet

All I can say is Thank God EPIC sent me the sampler pack of strips because as soon as my husband saw these, he grabbed one of each and shoved them in his work backpack. (Funny how I do all the blogging and he reaps a lot of the benefits…) Since we both work professions where lunch is usually on the go, these are fantastic! They are low in sugar, high in protein, gluten free, 100% natural, and easy to eat quickly. They give us the stamina to get through our shifts. What I like is that the Wagyu Beef is tender, and the Venison Steak is super lean with the right amount of salt. The Turkey is flavorful and the Salmon helps fills my fish quota for the week. There is no BS in any of these strips! You want meat or salmon? You have meat or salmon! My husband’s favorite was the Wagyu Beef, while mine was the Venison Steak.

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  • EPIC Salmon Smoked Maple Bar
    • Wild caught
    • 120 calories
    • Salmon is my favorite fish. EPIC’s Salmon Smoked Maple Bar is perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up. If I can’t sit down to have an actual lunch, but know I will be home in a few hours, this is the perfect snack. The taste of the maple mixed with salmon is perfect; and the texture couldn’t be better – it’s not too soft, and not too hard. I would absolutely purchase this again.
  • EPIC Bison Apple Cider Bone Broth
    • 14 fluid ounces
    • 8g protein per serving
    • Hand crafted, small-batch
    • 100% pasture raised bison
    • I was making my own bone broth. It took 48 hours in a slow cooker. It was exhausting. Buy everything at the supermarket, prep the bones and vegetables, try to make everything fit in the slow cooker, let it cook for 48 hours, let it cool, strain everything, put it in the refrigerator to let the fat harden, skim the fat with a large spoon…ugh. Who has time for that? EPIC’s ready to heat Bison Apple Cider Bone Broth is a time saver. It is also delicious. I heat a cup in the morning, and sip on it until when I leave for work. I love getting natural vitamins and minerals and not being dependent on coffee. It has awesome flavor. I don’t eat bison frequently, but I prefer it over beef since it is naturally sweeter. You taste the sweetness, then the smooth tart flavor of the apple cider, making EPIC’s Bison Apple Cider Bone Broth very easy to drink. Bone broth is great to give your immune system a boost.

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I am happy to have had the opportunity to try and review EPIC’s strips, bar, and bone broth. I love that EPIC makes sustainability and careful selection of sourcing of their products a priority. I enjoy looking at the pictures on their website, which consist of people being active and alive in nature. So many processed items are on the shelves…and so many people live sedentary lifestyles. EPIC is a part of a solution to the problem. They provide products that can change lives – starting with the rancher who raises the livestock to the blogger behind the computer. You are what you eat – and I try to eat foods created by companies like EPIC that are sourced responsibly, taste great, and give me a natural source of energy to power me through a day of work.

Visit EPICBAR.com to shop or to find a store near you.

Follow EPIC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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Disclosure: I received EPIC products in return for a featured post on Realm of Vibes and social media platforms. All opinions and views within are authentic. Have you considered featuring your business or service on Realm of Vibes? Please visit my Collaborate page or e-mail realmofvibesdg@gmail.com to get started. 

Namaste.

6 Yoga Poses for Better Sex

/ realmofvibes / 8 Comments

written by Bex

We all know that yoga is good for our health, and part of that health includes those intimate moments that occur behind closed doors when the sun goes down. Or in the middle of the day on the kitchen counter. I’m not here to judge! Yoga has been shown to improve your libido, and strengthen the intensity of your orgasm, by increasing the circulation and blood flow to your pelvic region. To get you moving and ready for your next rendezvous, here are six yoga poses for better sex.

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#1: Happy Baby Pose

Begin by lying on your back on the floor, bringing your knees to your armpits while holding your feet. When properly held this pose will stretch your hamstrings and release the tension in your lower back. This pose is also known for reducing stress and opening up your pelvis, thus increasing the flexibility and movement in your hips.

#2: Downward Dog Pose

Begin on your hands and knees. Stretch your elbows as you lift your knees off the floor. Just the view that your partner will have of you in this position will be beneficial for improving your sex life! Showing off your assets aside, this pose is helpful in improving upper body strength and releasing tension throughout your entire back.

#3: Bridge Pose

For this pose you will begin on your back with your knees bent. Lift your pelvis off the floor and bring your thighs up parallel to the floor, forming a bridge shape with your body. This pose focuses on the muscles in your pelvis. This can help you gain better control over your orgasms and increase their intensity.

#4: Legs Up The Wall Pose

You can perform this pose with or without the wall, depending on your strength. Just lie on your back with your legs straight in the air above your shoulders. Be aware that you are bracing your weight on your shoulders, not on your neck. Shoulder stand poses, such as this one, are helpful in calming your mind and stimulating hormone production.

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#5: Lotus Pose

For this pose you will sit cross-legged on the floor. With your hands pull both feet up and rest them on the top of the opposite thigh. Lotus pose is good for relieving stress and clearing your mind. It is also very good at increasing the range of motion in your hips, allowing your legs to open more freely.

#6: Seated Wide-Legged Forward Bend

While in a seated position, bring your legs apart as wide as you can. While keeping your spine straight, and feet flexed up, fold forward towards the floor. The deep groin stretch from this pose increases circulation to the pelvic region. This will help increase your libido as well as your hip and groin flexibility.

These yoga poses, and their benefits, are not just for the ladies either. Yoga can help improve sex for both men and women. So the next time you “Netflix and Chill” you might want to consider putting on a yoga workout instead!

bexABOUT BEX:

I’m passionate about helping people live happily.  With an education in nutrition, personal training, and leadership, I believe in finding a healthy balance when it comes to helping people. I believe in living a full and healthy life, and laughing as often as you can.

Visit Bex’s website.

Follow Bex on Facebook , Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn.

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Thank you, Bex, for being Realm of Vibes’ first guest blogger. If you are interested in being featured, please e-mail realmofvibesdg@gmail.com

Namaste.

I’m 30: A Reflection on my 20s

/ realmofvibes / 30 Comments

30. I’m 30. I am 30. Thirty. The big three zero. Three. Zero. Ugh. I can’t believe I am thirty. This birthday feels different than previous years. I am now checking the mirror every day to see if my first gray hair decides to sprout from my scalp. Am I really getting old? I work with old people. They are old. I am young. Or am I?

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I feel mixed when I look back at my twenties. I feel like it was a very trying decade…

In 2007, I was still pursing my undergraduate studies at East Stroudsburg University. I was in a sorority and I worked hard to party harder. In some ways, I miss college. I often tell my cousin, who is in her first year, to enjoy every second. She will never get those days back… the days of rolling out of bed, going to class, and working a silly on-campus job to pay for beer money for the weekends. College was a time where I developed my independence and friendships.

In 2008, I graduated with my Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science. I took a semester of pre-requisites and had Plans A, B and C ready if I didn’t get into graduate school.

Plan A – Get into graduate school for Occupational Therapy

Plan B – Become a flight attendant to fuel my love of travel

Plan C – Go to school for something else

Plan A happened.

Enter graduate school at Seton Hall University.

I was working full-time as a nanny and promotional model for liquor companies. I was in the clubs until 2 AM helping the bartenders serve shots of the brand I was promoting and handing out t-shirts to consumers. I helped the children in my care learn to tie their shoes and ABCs. I studied every minute I wasn’t working. Even when I was doing my internships, I was operating on four hours of sleep. My routine consisted of waking up, exercising, going to school, going to work, repeat. I was like a robot. Operating in auto-pilot was my norm.

In 2010, I met the love of my life. I quickly became a police officer’s girlfriend. Associating yourself with a police officer holds you to a whole slew of standards; standards that I never knew existed.

I moved out of my parents’ home and into Jason’s apartment in January 2012. Jason taught me everything from paying bills, to grocery shopping, cooking, and doing laundry. I started #adulting. We purchased our home in September 2012. We were now homeowners. We were building our nest through YouTube videos, paint colors, and furniture shopping.

I graduated with my Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy (I am the first person to do so in my family) and stated my career on October 8, 2012. I went from student to clinician. Another new role. I held my first real full-time job.

On Christmas, 2012, we got engaged. I became a fiancé. We got married April 11, 2014 the day after my birthday. I became a cop wife. Two new roles.

Traveling was one of the most magical experiences of the past decade. In 2008, my dad, mom, sister and I visited Punta Cana. Girls’ trips took place to New Orleans, Myrtle Beach, and California. In 2010, Jason and I went to Bradenton Beach, FL. We also visited Boston, Cape Cod, Ocean City, Maryland, Vermont, New Hampshire, Montreal, and Antigua. In 2015, we had our first Euro trip to London and Paris. Vacations keep me motivated in life. A quotation has been floating around stating, “Create a life you don’t have to take a vacation from,” but nothing beats being on an island in the Caribbean drinking a fruity high calorie beverage in my bikini. #sorryIamnotsorry

So, did I figure it out in my twenties? Maybe. My 20s were filled of new roles and change.

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Maybe I figured out what I really want out of life. Maybe I stopped caring about what you, and anyone besides my husband, mom, dad, or sister really thinks.

I realized that I don’t want to be at the bar until the early morning hours. I want to be home in my husband’s arms and my dog snuggling at the bottom of my feet. I want to drink a big glass of wine, watch Netflix, and make it to hot yoga class the next morning. I have learned to take better care of my physical, mental, and emotional health.

I am lucky to be relatively established in my career; although I switched jobs many times, I love working as an occupational therapist in home care. I love my chosen career and enjoy making peoples lives easier from my therapeutic interventions.

I plan so many things, and God laughs, so I learned to let what is, be.

To my thirties: to another decade of health, happiness, and success.

Namaste.