Heroines with Heart: Vienda Maria + a Recipe + Giveaway!
If I could somehow sum Vienda Maria up for you, it wouldn't actualise in only words; instead, perhaps, a crumpled polaroid film, a loved leather journal and a handful of fresh basil would do the trick. Or maybe a battered passport, a fresh black inky pen and a surge of inspiration. Add a cheeky wink, bucket-loads of warmth and love, style and substance and maybe - just maybe - we're getting closer.
I fell in love with Vienda's blog earlier this year - I mean, how could you not? The woman is divine. I told her so. And soon, like any good blog-romance-story goes, we became friends.
It has been such a pleasure getting to know this Gypsetter over emails back and forth, sharing our love of writing, travel, creativity and food. I adore everything Vienda stands for. Truth, beauty, love. Unconventionality. Authenticity. Soulful and creative dreams. To explore the world while empowering others to step into their power (she's a coach and writer amongst other creative ventures), what a life this lady leads.
And all while staying healthy! You got it - the secret to staying vibrant on the roads folks is eating your greens and Vienda has just released The Gypset Recipe Book which is a collection of sugar-and-gluten-free recipes and tales from the road and let me tell you, it's brilliant.
Plus, Vienda has very genorously donated a copy to one lucky This is Lifeblood reader - read on dream weaver...
So, first things first. What is your dream?
My dream. My dream is to live life to its fullest potential possible, and on the way, help as many people as want to be helped to do the same. We view life through such limited means, and expanding beyond that takes effort, faith and an adventurous spirit! My dream is to encounter the endless possibilities that exist and to experience the ones that resonate without holding back. It's about living life on my own terms and carving a path that's so authentic and completely mine, that I know I have fulfilled my purpose.
What makes up your lifeblood?
There are two things in my life that are most important to me. They are: to be creative; and to help others. This is my lifeblood. That is what I do with my life. I create. I create in a myriad of ways, every single day. And much of what I create helps others too.
I write. I draw. I use my intuition, I come up with new ideas for my or others businesses. I do photography. I use my life experiences to coach others. I help small businesses grow. All of my work, and all of my days is based around those two elements in my life.
What has been your biggest fear to date to overcome?
I find it difficult to quantify fear as when you are experiencing fear, it ALWAYS feels mighty big at the time! Fear is simply a sign that you are at the trepice of something BIG, and that you're going through some really important changes which feel uncomfortable. Fear is usually just being scared of the unknown, and not trusting the process. So when I do feel scared, I think YES! I'm onto something here! I'm breaking through some limitations, I'm growing and evolving as a human being and I have a whole new adventure in front of me!
I think the biggest growing spurt I have had to date is building my own business, on my own terms. Sometime it has been really scary, but I love it. I also notice that the growth of my business is directly linked with my personal growth. Whenever I go through some personal breakthrough, my business seems to respond in the most fantastical ways!
Being healthy means that I...
Listen to my body. There is so much information swimming around the world from magazines to blogs and websites, that I think it's really easy to become inundated and listen to the advice of others instead of your body, which is where all the wisdom for YOUR body lies.
There is no perfect diet for everyone, we all need to find out what works the best for each of us as an individual, and then also be willing to change, as our bodies needs change.
I believe in keeping it simple. Nourish yourself with whole foods. Eat mostly vegetables, preferably greens. Choose organic and locally gown. Drink lots of water. Give your body what it asks for. Move every day. Get plenty of rest and take time for yourself.
Being healthy to me is about maintaining that fine harmony between the thoughts you think, the foods you put in your body, and way you move your body. Some people get really hung up on just one of the elements, which creates an imbalance.
To me, the word 'healing' means...
I used to really dislike the word healing because I felt it carries a connotation that there is something "wrong" or broken about a person. Now I view healing as process through which we become more whole. It's not about changing to be different or "better" than who we already are, rather a movement closer to true essence, a letting go of mis-beliefs, of past pains and experiences and gaining a self love and self acceptance that propels life to another level. Healing occurs when you loose the baggage and limitations, and open your heart to the joys and love that life presents.
Where is your ultimate travel destination?
I travel a lot so this isn't really a fair question. I've covered most of the ultimate travellers destinations and have come to this conclusion: the outer journey is simply a reflection of the inner journey. I used travel as a tool to free myself from the limitations of my culture, my background, and the beliefs that I have been taught, by immersing myself in many other cultures, and learning how everyone does things differently, and yet how everyone is actually the same.
We all have the same needs for love, belonging and purpose. We all have the same aspirations to be accepted, to be of service, to shine in our own unique way. Travel really opened up my perception of what is possible in our world and helped me shed many of the unnecessary worries and fears that are common in our society.
Having said that, I am looking forward to spending the next summer in Southern Europe. Spain, Italy and Greece are all calling my name, and I'd love to explore some new territory, avoid the tourists and experience life with the locals in some cute seaside villages.
What DRIVES you?
LOVE drives me. Love for life. That imitable joy that comes out of the simple things. Being able to give, to create, to help and to share our life experiences with one another. I am so blessed by having such an amazing life and being surrounded by such incredible people, both physically as well as on a digital platform, without whom I would be where I am today. Yes, I've encountered many hardships, but they are the stories and the scars the make life worthwhile and that give you the contrast to differentiate between the good time and the challenging one.
We need these contrasts to fully experience life. What is light without darkness? What is happiness when we have never experienced the tears of pain? What is success when we don't know what the bottom looks like? Love is what holds all those pieces together.
Choosing love over fear means...
Staying present. When we are fully present then fear disappears because we stop flirting with the receptive thought patterns that are keeping us in fear. Also having faith and trusting that whatever happens is for your highest good, really helps with relaxing in a fearful moment. Remember, the Universe has got your back!
If you could tell your 14 year old self one thing, what would it be?
I am so sorry that you feel the way that you do, about yourself and life right now. I wish I could show you that it's all going to get so much better! Hang in there and believe in yourself. You've got this!
Can you share with us your secret indulgence?
I generally prefer savoury over sweet foods, but I'm currently on a green juice cleanse which means I'm not getting much sugar at all, and all I can think about is chocolate brownies! I'd excited to share my sugar free, gluten free Zucchini Chocolate Brownie recipe with you, which is also one of the recipes that's included in my Gypset Recipe book which is full of simple, easy and healthy meals for life on the road.
These moist, delicious + chocolatey brownies are allergen, SUGAR + GLUTEN FREE. And so yummy even your kids will love them while you're secretly feeding the veg.
Moist Zucchini Chocolate Brownies
Ingredients:
1/2 cup almond butter
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup natural apple sauce
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
3/4 cup GF oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 cups zucchini
Let's roll:
Preheat oven to 180C + line baking pan with coconut oil.
Blend oats until fine + grate the zucchini.
Mix all the wet ingredients then add the zucchini + then the rest.
Fold mixture until well blended, pour in pan + bake for 25-30 min.
Cool. Cut. Enjoy.
N.B. If I am feeling extra-decadent, I sprinkle half a cup of semi-sweetened chocolate chips on the top before baking, for that extra chocolatey touch!
Vienda is a lifestyle coach who guides smart, creative professionals and entrepreneurs women through strategically using their intuition and inner guidance to make real and lasting changes in their lives, for more freedom, more fun, more ease, more fulfilment and more happiness. Vienda holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology and her training includes Level 1 Reiki, Diploma in Coaching and Counselling, and completion of several business and marketing courses. Her published works include co-authoring Love & Oneness from the Adventures in Manifesting series, and the digital guide Build Your Own Business Blog. Vienda works with clients internationally and can most often be found on the coasts of California, Australia or in the UK. You can connect with Vienda on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
To have a chance at snapping up a copy of The Gypset Recipe Book, leave a comment below telling me where you're travel-dreaming today. Entries close 9pm WST Sunday 3rd November and the winner will be selected randomly and notified by email and in my newsletter. Alright, GO!
This giveaway has now closed. Congrats to Diana O who posted the 11th comment.
Thank you!