Author: Jessica Moy

ZUCCHINI & GRAPE TOMATOES

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This is good stuff right here. Zucchini & grape tomato.. pasta? Is this considered pasta? It’s not a salad, it’s technically not pasta and it can’t be a pasta salad.. I don’t know what it’s called, but this spiralled zucchini dish is simple, fresh and mega delicious so like, the name = minor details. Ingredients: 1/2 tablespoon olive oil 3 garlic cloves, chopped 1 cup of grape tomatoes, cut in half Salt and pepper 2 medium-sized zucchinis, spiralled with thicker blade Dash of parmesan cheese Directions: In a large non-stick pan, heat the oil. Add the garlic and cook until golden, approx 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes,and season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low. Simmer, covered, until the tomatoes soften, approx 15 minutes. Put a little parmesan on top and BAM, you have dinner in under half hour.  

FLEETING MOMENTS

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We are composed, defined and captivated by fleeting moments. Holding onto nights, places and feelings we wish we could stash in a locket and open up from time to time, only to reminisce about that first glance or first conversation. These moments flash before our eyes. It seems selfish to want something to last for more than the time we are given. To be able to pause and soak in the incredible feelings that startle and amaze you. The familiarity of smells and sights. Listen to your senses, be in the moment and acknowledge when your heart feels happy. Fleeting moments come and go, just like memories and the people you meet. See, feel, touch, catch and release. The wonders of our life can be documented with pictures and video but the best memories are stored in a place where every so often, typically in quiet moments, you remember what it’s like to love and be loved. It’s yours to capture, every fleeting moment.

JUNE BEAUTY FAVOURITES 2015

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I can’t believe it’s July! With the patches of gloomy weather we’ve been having in Toronto, it doesn’t even feel like summer. The muggyness has my hair in perma-frizz and to be honest, I haven’t even bothered to brush through it (think Mia Thermopolis pre-makeover). My bitterness about the weather and semi-unkempt nature aside, I do have beauty products I used constantly last month that picked up my beauty slack, including a new drugstore mascara, a bomb face cleanser and .. a bust cream? Yup, that’s a thing. Read more below! 1. Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Moisturizer  I’m a big fan of Olay moisturizers in general but, this one from their Luminous collection has been a game changer for my skin. The cream itself is thicker than most moisturizers, which makes dryness not even a concern for a solid 24 hours and has been helping to fade away dark-spots, leaving a natural don’t-even-need-to-wear-makeup glow. The best kind of glow, amirite? 2. Maybelline Lash Sensational For three years, Maybelline’s Falsies has been my holy grail mascara. I would not buy …

I SHOULD BE FOLDING LAUNDRY

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Hey friends! It is 10:35PM, which means it’s well past my bedtime. I should’ve been tucked in awhile ago but I have yet to shower, need to finish work that’s due in the morning (haven’t started) and my unfolded laundry has been staring at me in judgement for an hour now. At least it’s clean. Small win. Needless to say, I’ve been busy. I stopped daily vlogs last week because I was up in my neck with dozens of projects, tasks and events I had to manage and (of course) they were all due within days of each other. The above photo is me at our Triumph event! That was a fun day, but I barely had time to eat that week, which is terrible and horrifying because we all know when I was stressed and forget to eat last time, this happened: My shing-a-ling experience Don’t worry! I’m doing fine, but I wanted to step back from the busy state that is my life and just start writing. I wrote in my journal a couple hours ago …

#OOTD: JESSICA MOY, SENIOR ACCOUNT COORDINATOR

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If you ever wondered what in the world I do at my job or what influences my personal style, check out the Q&A I did with the Lotus Leaf Style Blog! 1. What does a typical day look like for you? I’m typically the first one at the office (keener status) so, getting my coffee or making breakfast is always priority #1. After that, day-to-day tasks vary. I oversee Lotus Leaf’s social pages, the blog (heh heh), communicate with media, often providing product info or hi-res images as well as assist when it comes to activation on various accounts (media list building, monthly reports or research). We also throw amazing events at Lotus Leaf and I’ll help with the planning and execution, which is one of my favourite parts of the job! 2. What do you love most about your career at Lotus Leaf? My position as Senior Account Coordinator combines creative writing, editing, media relations, event planning, social media, styling and it’s all within the realm of fashion & beauty. How could I not love …

CURRIED CHICKEN & CHICKPEA SALAD

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Summer calls for firing up the BBQ and adding cilantro to pretty much, everything. In this case, I found a recipe on Canadian Living where I spiced up some chicken, tossed together a light, creamy chickpea salad and VOILA! A super quick meal (tops a half hour to prep and cook) that tastes good and good for ya. Ingredients Curried Chicken: 2 tbsp plain Balkan-style yogurt 1 tbsp mild curry paste 2 cloves garlic, finely grated pinch salt chicken drumsticks Chickpea Salad: 1/4 cup Balkan-style yogurt and light mayonnaise 1-1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger 1 small clove garlic, finely grated pinch each salt and pepper 1 can chickpeas, drained, rinsed and patted dry 1 cup finely chopped cucumber 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 2 green onions, sliced 1 rib celery, diced Directions Curried Chicken: In bowl, stir together yogurt, curry paste, garlic and salt; add chicken and stir to coat. Place drumsticks on grill over medium-high heat; close lid and grill, turning once, until no longer pink inside, about 10-15 minutes. Chickpea Salad: In bowl, whisk together yogurt, mayonnaise, ginger, …

OTTAWA HALF-MARATHON

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Last weekend I completed the Ottawa half-marathon in (personal) record time: 2hrs 7mins!! If you remember reading about my first half-marathon in Toronto, I mentioned I’d be heading to our Nation’s Capital to once again run the 21.1K trek. On Saturday morning I ventured to Ottawa all by my lonesome, staying at the Hi-Ottawa Jail Hostel. Let me repeat, I STAYED IN A JAIL HOSTEL! Despite it once being a maximum security institution from 1862 to 1972 and known for its public executions and inhumane conditions, the hostel offered free wi-fi and breakfast so like, who can complain. The night before my race I felt extremely nervous. I paced back and forth in the hostel hallways and walked around the block a few times to calm my nerves. I found it impossible to sit still. When you watch my vlog I’m peppy and excited but to be completely honest, I was terrified. I felt anxious being in Ottawa by myself, sharing a room with 5 strangers (that were supposed to be all girls but, ended up being co-ed..LOL) and I didn’t feel trained …

DATERGY BALLS

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When you need an quick energy fix, these bite-sized snacks are easy to bring to school or work (they don’t need to be refrigerated). Apricots are rich in Vitamin A, meaning it’s full of anti-oxidants to strengthen your immune system, dates have natural sugars to perk you up when feeling sluggish and cherries are high in potassium which regulates heart and blood pressure. YAY, HEALTH! Ingredients: 50g dried apricots 100g soft dried dates 50g dried cherries 2 tsp coconut oil 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds Instructions: Finely chop apricots, dates and cherries. Pour into bowl and work the coconut oil into the mixture. Shape the mix into little meatballs (or Timbits, if you’re Canadian). Then roll them in sesame seeds.

I BELIEVE IN YOU

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“When I got to college and met Larry Sacharow, who ran the theatre department [at Fordham University in NYC], he was the first person to say ‘I believe in you.’ At that point, I just needed someone to say ‘I see you, I get you, let’s go.’ It’s an amazing thing to borrow someone else’s confidence in you; it can change your life.” – Taylor Schilling

EXPECTATIONS OF BEAUTY

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I recently went on a date a man who said women need to wear makeup in order to be beautiful. Thought he was kidding, until we went out and wouldn’t even look at me because I didn’t reach his ‘expectations.’ His ‘expectations’ was for me to resemble the 1,258 air-brushed women in bikinis he follows on Instagram. His ‘expectations’ was for me to wear tight dresses, 6-inch heels, have tanned skin, and spend time on my appearance as to not embarrass him. He concluded because I was a tomboy, his ridiculous standard of beauty could never be reached. I play sports, wear loose t-shirts bought at the men’s section of H&M and am not afraid to get a little dirt in my hair and you know what? I am damn beautiful, because beauty is defined by respecting your body, kindness, intelligence, and strength NOT pencil skirts, heels, and a heavy hand of makeup. I know his words and actions had nothing to do with me, and everything to do with his own insecurities. To all of the …