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Dairy Free, Entertain, Fall, Inspiration, Local Love, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

ROSEMARY FIG JAPANESE WHISKY SOUR

Fig season is upon us — and I’m back today with a fresh, summer meets autumn sip to celebrate! My Rosemary Fig Japanese Whisky Sour was actually conceived at the height of quarantine back in April (when we were encouraged to limit our grocery runs as much as possible) — another exercise in using what we had on hand to to whip up a comforting COCKTAIL at home. Despite this recipe using fig preserves (rather than fresh figs you see photographed), I waited patiently for fig season to bring this inventive cocktail to life — simply so I could make it as beautiful as possible! And while I never thought I’d be incorporating Japanese whisky or egg whites into a cocktail — here we are. 2020 has been full of curveballs, but one thing is has been good for is nurturing my mixology skills and pushing me to create more resourceful, experimental recipes! There have been many a Rosemary Fig Japanese Whisky Sour consumed this year as this recipe underwent an intensive testing process to ensure it was shaken to perfection — and I’m elated to finally bring it to JustineCelina this fall!

My Rosemary Fig Japanese Whisky Sour is a deliciously luxurious juxtaposition of fall flavours and textures that you can shake up at home. This creative cocktail is creamy, smoky, sweet and sour — enveloping your tastebuds in early autumn inspired warmth! Premium Japanese whisky (thanks to Adam’s latest spirit obsession!) combines with egg whites (with a vegan option), fig syrup, bitters, fresh lemon juice and a sprig of rosemary, shaken into a comforting sip that celebrates quintessential fall flavours in cocktail form. If your looking to satisfy your cocktail lounge cravings at home this autumn, look no further! Dust off your shaker, slip on your fuzzy slippers, light a fire and learn how to shake up this sumptuous, seasonally inspired Japanese whisky sour in the comfort of your own kitchen. Cheers to breaking out of our cocktail comfort zones with beautiful, seasonally inspired ingredients!

October 3, 2020 by Justine

4 Healthy Saskatoon Berry Recipes to Try This Summer + Where to Pick Saskatoons in Alberta | Vegan Gingered Saskatoon Peach Crumble | Wild Saskatoon Berry Crumble | Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet | Summer Bounty Salad with Saskatoon Cider Vinaigrette | Gluten Free Saskatoon Citrus Banana Bread | Plant Based Serviceberry and Prairie Berry Recipes | Dairy Free, Gluten Free and Refined Sugar Saskatoon Recipes | Calgary Lifestyle and Food Blogger // JustineCelina.com

Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dinner, Food, Gluten Free, Local Love, Lunch, Paleo, Roundups, Salads & Bowls, Summer, Travel, Vegan, Vegetarian

4 HEALTHY SASKATOON BERRY RECIPES + WHERE TO PICK SASKATOONS IN ALBERTA

It’s the height of summer here on the Alberta prairies — which means our saskatoon berries are ripe and ready for picking! Longtime readers will know I have quite an affection for this quintessentially Albertan berry, and every August, my saskatoon recipes become the most viewed pieces of content here at JustineCelina. Today I’m compiling them all for you in one convenient location with this 4 Healthy Saskatoon Berry Recipes roundup, as well as sharing Where to Pick Saskatoons in Alberta! If you’ve always been intrigued by these antioxidant-packed berries but have never known what to do with them (or where to find them!), you’ve come to the right place! Consider this post your one-stop resource for everything you’ve ever wanted to know about saskatoon berries as I share my favourite saskatoon berry picking spots and tips along with 4 plant based saskatoon recipes incorporating them into seasonal breakfast, baking, salad, cocktails and dessert!

Have you ever tried a saskatoon? While they’re sometimes called Serviceberries, Juneberries or Prairie Berries and resemble blueberries, they actually taste quite different. Believe it or not, Saskatoons are actually more closely related to roses (hailing from the Rosaceae family) and have a deeper, richer, nuttier flavour that’s somehow wilder than blueberries — it’s very distinct and difficult to describe! Saskatoon berries also pack a nutritional punch, containing high levels of protein, calcium, iron, and antioxidants — making them a wonderful addition to a balanced diet. If you live in an area where saskatoons grow, I highly recommend getting out to sample them for yourself while crops are at their peak. With the intense heatwave we’ve been experiencing lately, this year’s crop will likely fade before mid August — so there’s no time like the present! Since the season is fleeting, I was eager to publish this roundup for those of you looking for extensively tested saskatoon recipes that utilize local, seasonal ingredients and are free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar. If you’re picking saskatoons this summer and are looking for some fresh ideas (or details on my favourite saskatoon u-pick locations), I’ve totally got you covered!

August 7, 2020 by Justine

Dairy Free, Entertain, Fashion, Summer, Travel, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

CREAMY COCONUT MANGO MEZCALRITAS

Friends, it feels absolutely incredible to be back today with a fresh COCKTAIL recipe! It’s been quite awhile since my last blog post — between a wonderful, 3 week workcation in the country, to making the most of some business-related travel in Edmonton (where we enjoyed a little weekend getaway!), I’ve been (safely) bouncing around all over the province like a true digital nomad this month. Although I’ve had my camera and laptop in tow and have still been creating content, keeping my socials updated (have you stopped by Instagram lately to see what I’ve been up to?) and working on some exciting projects, I couldn’t find the time to actually sit down, process and edit imagery, write long-form content and publish a blog post! Instead, I had some long overdue development tasks taken care of behind the scenes here at JustineCelina to get the site back in pristine working order (hopefully you haven’t even noticed!). Overall it’s been a very lucrative and productive month, although blog content took a back seat — so thank you for your patience and understanding! I’m thrilled to be back with this clean slate, feeling refreshed and ready to bring you tons of summer content — commencing with these Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalritas!

I’ve been sipping away on these jubilant, Oaxacan-inspired cocktails since Cinco de Mayo when I whipped them up for a festive night in, simply using what we had on hand — and the results were absolutely delicious! My Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalritas are a perfectly balanced libation that are equal parts smoky, citrusy, creamy, spicy and sweet — and are (as always!) free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar. A healthy dose of hand-crafted mezcal and creamy coconut milk combine with fresh mango and lime juices, along with a splash of Cointreau, agave nectar and just a hint of red chilli before they’re shaken over ice and strained into a Himalayan pink salt and Tajín rimmed glass. Make the most of this very welcome heatwave with an inspired seasonal sip that will virtually transport you to a tranquil ocean shore from the comfort of your own home, backyard or patio! Cheers to finding new ways to bring TRAVEL into our lives this year!

July 29, 2020 by Justine

June 2020 Soundtrack | Chill Summer Playlist | Inspiring Summer Playlist Spotify | Laughing brunette woman enjoying a glass of rosé wine in a sunlit prairie wheat field at sunset | JustineCelina’s childhood home in Wheatland County, Alberta | Summer 2020 Bohemian Style Ideas | Boho Casual Summer Dresses | Summer 2020 Fashion | Best H&M Dresses Summer 2020 | How to Style a Frayed Brim Straw Hat | Calgary, Alberta, Canada Creative Lifestyle Blogger and Entrepreneur// JustineCelina.com

Beauty, Fashion, Life, Music, Summer, Travel, Wellness, Wine & Cocktails

JUNE 2020 SOUNDTRACK + SUMMER FASHION FAVS

The first month of summer is drawing to a close — and that means it’s time for my June 2020 Soundtrack! June was an intense month as we moved into Phase 2 of our economic reopening in Calgary and also collectively experienced the largest civil rights movement in history. Amidst it all, we also decided to form a cohort with my family in rural Alberta and have been spending as much time enjoying the tranquility of the prairies as possible! We finally planted that Country Garden I’ve been dreaming about for years (posts to follow!) and it’s been quite a reflective, but healing, month. Over the years, these rolling hills and sunlit fields have always been where I come to feel grounded, creative and free. I’m so grateful for this magical, restorative place — now more than ever. Although COVID has brought with it many challenges, it’s also brought many gifts. In a time when the whole world feels like it’s on pause, I’m making the most of every last second by living and working intentionally, authentically and in alignment with my true self.

My June 2020 Soundtrack features just over 2 hours of ultra chill, easy-listening, instrumental tunes spanning genres — and also, a track from my nephew, DJBThomson, who’s foraying into the music world! A handful of my favourite tracks include Random Forests I Don’t Trust That Bird of Prey, Vladimir Martynov’s The Beautitudes, Headphone Activist’s Lazy, Shook & Ian Urbina’s Isolation, AK & Liam Thomas’s Peace of Mind, Late June’s Burning Slow, Dye O’s Uprising, iamlex’s Aurora, Tōth’s Copilot, Tom Kalani’s Target, Evin Iris’s Collapse Into The Light, Jose Mehlin’s Adjustments, Ghost of Summer’s Woodland Heart, UTAH’s Thirty Two, TOKiMONSTA’s Love That Never, Stan Forebee’s Skyshades, Wolf’s Play It Safe, Teen Daze’s Comfort and DJBThomson’s N!GHT SK¥ (Bass Version). Happy listening!

June 29, 2020 by Justine

Beauty, Cruelty Free, Drugstore, Giveaways, Gluten Free, Makeup, My Top 5, Natural Products, Reviews, Sponsored, Spring, Summer, Vegan

MY TOP 5 PHYSICIANS FORMULA PRODUCTS

Beauty lovers, I’m absolutely elated to partner with Physicians Formula today to bring you a fresh instalment in MY TOP 5 series — My Top 5 Physicians Formula Products! Longtime readers will know I’ve featured and worn Physicians Formula products here at JustineCelina for the duration of my blogging career — but my love for the brand actually extends all the way back to my teenage years. You see, I’ve always had very sensitive skin and eyes — and Physicians Formula was one of the first makeup brands I discovered at the drugstore that actually worked for me when I started wearing makeup. Over the years, as my love of BEAUTY (and my makeup collection!) have grown dramatically, Physicians Formula has remained one of my favourite drugstore brands. Having the opportunity to work with them over the past few months (come join me on Instagram to see the other campaigns we’ve created together!) is such a full circle moment and a truly dream come true. I couldn’t be more excited to extend our partnership to the blog today as I share My Top 5 Physicians Formula Products across eye, lip and complexion categories — along with a general overview of the brand and a massive beauty giveaway (which has now closed), to provide you with the opportunity to try my favourite products, too!

Here at JustineCelina, I’m passionate about living (and promoting) at healthy lifestyle that’s attainable. A clean, plant-based diet free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar helps me manage numerous intolerances and sensitivities while also helping me look and feel my best — and whenever possible, I look for these qualities in my cosmetics as well. That said, I’m not willing to sacrifice performance at the cost of a healthy ingredients list — and Physicians Formula is my go-to brand for high-performing, natural, hypoallergenic beauty products at an accessible price point. Although it was difficult to narrow it down to just 5 for today’s post (and I may have cheated a bit!), these products remain at the core of my beauty routine year after year, as trends come and go. With all the time I’ve spent at home lately, I’m simply not drawn to anything that isn’t comfortable or effortless these days — be in it my wardrobe, my beauty routine or my creative work. Over the past 20+ years I’ve relied on Physicians Formula for comfortable, clean, beautifully formulated products that make me feel like the best, most confident version of myself — and I can’t wait to share My Top 5 Physicians Formula Products with you!

June 20, 2020 by Justine

Dairy Free, Dessert & Treats, Food, Gluten Free, Local Love, Paleo, Spring, Vegan, Vegetarian

RAW RED VELVET VEGAN BROWNIES

Chocoholics, this recipe’s for you! I’ve actually had these Raw Red Velvet Vegan Brownies in development since last spring and am so thrilled to finally share it here at JustineCelina. With everything currently happening regarding ingredient accessibility, I rejigged my editorial recipe calendar to prioritize recipes I already had in development made with pantry staples, sturdy produce and simple ingredients — and I knew I wanted to push this one to the top of the list for publication! While I wouldn’t normally publish a more indulgent recipe like this as we head into summer, lately I find myself looking for simple ways to indulge my cravings at home — and these insanely delicious brownies have definitely satisfied my sweet tooth during quarantine! Sometimes, you just need a brownie — am I right?!

I believe you can treat yourself and nourish yourself at the same time — and my Raw Red Velvet Vegan Brownies are a perfect example of that philosophy. They come together with just 8 simple, plant-based, antioxidant packed, anti aging, brain and immune boosting ingredients (yes, including beets!) — and they’re truly one of the most decadent brownies I’ve ever tasted. These easy, no-bake brownies are earthy, fudgy, nutty and brimming with beautiful natural sweetness — plus, they’re free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar. If you’re looking for a fuss-free, fresh, veggie-centric twist on the traditional brownie that comes together in less than half an hour, you’ve come to the right place! The best part? If you have a well-stocked pantry and a beet or two on hand, you can probably make these delicious vegan brownies right now! Who’s ready to whip up some raw, spring-inspired treats?

May 21, 2020 by Justine

Baking, Bar, Create, Dessert & Treats, Dining Room, Dwell, Entertain, Fashion, Flowers, Food, Gluten Free, Inspiration, Local Love, Occasions, Spring, Vegan, Wine & Cocktails

A SIMPLE EASTER DINNER FOR TWO

Remember when I mentioned over the holidays that I wanted to bring more ENTERTAIN content to JustineCelina this year? Although these weren’t quite the circumstances I envisioned (now that’s an understatement!), I’m thrilled to share A Simple Easter Dinner For Two with you today! While Easter certainly looked a lot different for everyone this year given the current global situation, we decided to make the most of it and celebrate here in our home in Calgary — just the two of us. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine we’d spend an Easter without the large family gatherings in the country we’ve become accustomed to over the years — but rather than mourning the loss of our cherished traditions, we resolved to stay home and create a few of our own!

In over a decade together, this was the first Easter dinner we’ve celebrated in our home — and I wanted to mark the occasion by capturing these memories to look back on. I put on a dress, ordered flowers, made some nostalgic family recipes along with my first ever carrot cake — then we popped some Prosecco and enjoyed A Simple Easter Dinner For Two (Adam was actually peeling potatoes in the kitchen to my left as I snapped these photos from my tripod!). I was reminded of my ability to find beauty in uncertainty and create amongst chaos — these are things I find very cathartic and truly bring me joy. While it wasn’t a traditional Easter, it was still a lovely weekend — gifting us with lessons in resiliency, enjoying life’s simple pleasures and doing the best you can with what you have, where you are! Whether you’ve stopped by today for details on our Easter in quarantine, are planning a more intimate Easter gathering of your own, or are visiting years in the future once this is all behind us in search of some easy Easter entertaining ideas, I’ve got you covered!

April 18, 2020 by Justine

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