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Instagram post 2243055756842864352_305816307 I always thought cooking with oils instead of butter meant I was cooking healthy. But just because something is "healthier" than something else, doesn't mean it's "healthy" for you. It just means it's better, but not necessarily good. ⁣ ⁣ I usually cook with a little bit of olive oil. No animals are harmed and it comes from olives, so seemed like a win win. But the truth is, yeah it comes from olives - but it's the liquid fat of olives. ⁣ ⁣ So I'm now starting to cut back, and may completely cut oil out after learning healthy alternatives! ⁣ ⁣ Wait NO OIL?? I know, I know. But hear me out.⁣ ⁣ ⁉️ Seems weird and extreme to cut out oil from cooking but here are some compelling reasons:⁣ ⁣ 1. Oils are jam-packed with calories; oil gets all its calories from fat.⁣ ⁣ 2. As a processed food, oil is almost completely devoid of nutrients.⁣ ⁣ 3. Oils slow blood flow, stack up inside arteries, and damage blood vessels.⁣ ⁣ 4. Oils promote heart disease. Yep even the ones we think are healthy (sorry olive oil users 😭). It can increase the plaque build up that clogs our arteries and leads to heart attacks.⁣ ⁣ 5. Oil causes our red blood cells to clump up, which limits their ability to absorb and deliver oxygen to our cells and slows blood flow.⁣ ⁣ 6. Oil suppresses our immune system, which makes us vulnerable to infections and impairs our bodies’ ability to stop the growth of cancer cells. 😩⁣ ⁣ 👩🏽‍🍳 Cooking Alternatives (for a sauté) include vegetable broth, water, sherry, wine, and vinegar. ⁣ TIPS: Add whichever liquid you're choosing a few teaspoons at a time.⁣ ⁣ 🍰 Baking Alternatives include nut butters, dairy-free yogurts, applesauce, sweet potato or squash puree, pureed prunes or dates, or mashed banana.⁣ ⁣ Do you cook without oil? Or if you do, now knowing the health effects, would you consider using an alternative? So curious what you think!
Instagram post 2241433357634431191_305816307 One question I get asked about smart lights: Do you need to buy new lightbulbs? What makes Caséta by @lutronelectronics smart lighting so dope is it turns your existing lightbulbs into smart ones versus other setups that require you to actually buy smart lightbulbs.⁣ ⁣ After watching my smart home video, I received a ton of comments asking about more budget friendly lighting setups - and voilà! Here it is. This is a more cost effective and less time consuming option for those wanting to experience the magic of energy efficient smart lighting.⁣ ⁣ TIP: If you have LED lights, make sure they are dimmable! You can use Lutron's compatibility app to ensure your bulbs pair with their dimmer.⁣ ⁣ 💡 What smart tech devices do you use to increase energy efficiency in your home?⁣ ⁣ #CasetaSmartLighting #ad #SwitchToCaseta ✮✮ Stay green y'all, Ash 💚
Instagram post 2240763675050793498_305816307 Now that I'm getting older and wiser, I can finally teach my big sister a thing or two! It was always the other way around when we were kids 💁🏽‍♀️ In India, I showed her how I'm able to control my smart home with my phone from anywhere in the world!⁣ ⁣ I walked her through the latest addition to my smart home setup - Caséta by @lutronelectronics smart dimmers. I pulled up the Luton app and together we adjusted the lighting schedule and even pranked my husband who was at home wondering why the lights suddenly started turning off and on 😆⁣ ⁣ 💡 Smart lights are an energy efficient way to keep your home operating as normal when you're gone. Have you ever thought about getting some for your home?⁣ ⁣ #CasetaSmartLighting #ad #SwitchToCaseta⁣ ⁣ 📷: My sis and me (@jasminepennamma)⁣ ⁣ Stay green y'all,⁣ Ash 💚
Instagram post 2240097359621094921_305816307 🥰 WOW! Woke up and saw I was tagged in this drawing by @anildevart. What a sweet Sunday morning surprise, thank you! ⁣ ⁣ Swipe left to see the photo of me he used as inspiration. How'd he do? 👊🏽⁣ ⁣ ✮✮⁣ Stay green y'all,⁣ Ash 💚
Instagram post 2239407386018236787_305816307 How do you ensure peace of mind in your home while traveling in a low impact way? One tip is to use energy efficient smart lights with an app like this one from Caséta by @lutronelectronics smart lighting.⁣ ⁣ Controlling my lighting setup from my phone means I can choose when my lights turn off and on instead of leaving them on all day and night, which has a number of benefits!⁣ ⁣ 1. Environmentally, it consumes less energy.⁣ ⁣ 2. Financially, it reduces your power bill if you don't have solar panels.⁣ ⁣ 3. Safety-wise, you can use the smart away feature to randomly automate your lighting, giving the appearance that someone is home.⁣ ⁣ I don't need any "Home Alone" incidents in my life. This handy little Lutron App gives me peace of mind when I travel so I can focus on having a good time 😌⁣ ⁣ 💡 Do you have any home tips for ensuring peace of mind when you're away?⁣ ⁣ #CasetaSmartLighting #ad #SwitchToCaseta⁣ ⁣ Stay green y'all,⁣ Ash 💚
Instagram post 2238815837580633647_305816307 FRESH, LOCAL FOOD HITS DIFFERENT. Save this post for fresh food tips! Have you ever grown your own produce or eaten at a local restaurant that did? I can always taste the difference. ⁣ ⁣ Here's why farm-to-table meals matter!⁣ ⁣ 🌿 IT'S NATURAL. Because fresh, organic fruits and veggies require no preservatives, you know exactly what’s in it – natural ingredients.⁣ ⁣ 🌿 IT'S ECO-FRIENDLY. Locally grown produce has a lower carbon footprint. Less fuel is consumed and less emissions are released since it doesn't need to be transported long distance.⁣ ⁣ 🌿 IT SUPPORTS LOCALS. When you support a restaurant with a farm-to-fork business model, you also support the small local businesses who provided that restaurant with the ingredients of your meal.⁣ ⁣ 🌿 MORE VARIETY! Food can get monotonous if you let it. When you support locally grown grub, you're getting it in season, which means new cuisines on deck year round you can experiment with. ⁣ ⁣ After going vegan and learning about all the different plants, veggies, herbs, and spices out there - I've had more varieties of cuisines than I ever did before. ⁣ ⁣ Here at this farm to table cafe, I'm eating a beautiful blend of sweet potato, curried eggplant, roasted tomato, beans, and greens. All fresh and grown right from the land outside that window I'm staring out of. So. GOOD.⁣ ⁣ 💡 5 TIPS! How to Find Fresh Food: ⁣ 1. Search "farm to table restaurants near me" and see what pops up! ⁣ 2. Locate the closest farmers' market to shop for local food.⁣ 3. Visit a site like localharvest.org and put in your zipcode to see what local farms you can support.⁣ 4. Research online for what's harvested in your state every season.⁣ 5. Join a CSA ("community supported agriculture")! Find one that sends a once-a-week or biweekly box full of local fruits and veggies that are in season delivered to your door.⁣ ⁣ 🌱 Are you into organic food?⁣ ⁣ ✮✮ ⁣ Stay green y'all,⁣ Ash 💚
Instagram post 2238351324829790222_305816307 Issa fact! Black people are making vegan history. Swipe for some of my favorite POC creatives, chefs, nutritionists and advocates providing real inspiration and tips for vegan and plant-based lifestyles.⁣ #ShareBlackStories⁣ ⁣ 🌱 Do you have any favorite black vegan accounts? Tag em so I can check them out!⁣ ⁣ Stay green y'all,⁣ Ash 💚
Instagram post 2237619651087651726_305816307 Name this tree! When I quizzed you all in a story poll, a lot of folks were "stumped" so let's see if that's still the case 🌿 ⁣ ⁣ Hint: The name "Barbados" is believed to have its origins with this tree.⁣ ⁣ Stay green y'all,⁣ Ash 💚
Instagram post 2236463507497301064_305816307 HOW TO MAKE COOKED PLANTAINS HEALTHY🌿 Plantains are the #superfood of the week, but the health benefits depend on how you eat it! ⁣ ⁣ How many of you have heard of mofongo? It's a traditional Puerto Rican dish consisting of a fried ball of mashed plantains. I had it for the first time while visiting San Juan last week.⁣ ⁣ HEALTH BENEFITS OF PLANTAINS:⁣ ⁣ 🌱 Rich source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and B-6, and the minerals magnesium and potassium.⁣ ⁣ 🌱 High in antioxidants which boosts your immune system.⁣ ⁣ 🌱 The high potassium amount helps control heart rate and blood pressure, while the fiber helps lower cholesterol.⁣ ⁣ HOW TO MAKE COOKED PLANTAIN DISHES HEALTHIER:⁣ ⁣ 😊 Good News: Plantains are incredibly healthy! ⁣ 😬 Bad News: When you fry it in unhealthy oil and add fatty flavorings, you lose those health benefits. ⁣ 😁 Great News: If you like fried plantain dishes - like mofongo - you can still make it healthy! You just have to be mindful with how you cook it.⁣ ⁣ 🌿 TIP 1: VEGANIZE IT! I'm vegan, which means I don't eat anything with animal-derived ingredients. So by default, my diet is often super healthy because I end up eating the "fruit and vegetable" versions of traditional cuisines. That means more fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C. Instead of cooking mofongo with meat fillings, try it with veggies and vegetable broth!⁣ ⁣ 🌿 TIP 2: USE WAY LESS OIL! The traditional mofongo recipe uses about 2 cups of oil. Instead, use only 2 tablespoons of oil. ⁣ ⁣ 🌿 TIP 3: BAKE IT! Skip the frying altogether and bake it instead. Wrap the plantains with garlic in aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour until soft and mashable. Then cook the veggies in tomato sauce, onions and garlic, and place on top of the plantains. Quick, easy, minimal oil, and no frying necessary.⁣ ⁣ San Juan was the last stop of my month long travel spree to spend time with friends and family. It proved to be both a relaxing and delectable end to my January 😋.⁣ ⁣ How do you cook plantains?⁣ ⁣ Stay green y'all,⁣ Ash 💚⁣ ⁣ ✮✮⁣ 🗺: San Juan, Puerto Rico⁣ 📍: @cafe_berlin⁣ #SuperfoodSundayChallenge⁣ #SuperfoodSunday
Instagram post 2235763881249212495_305816307 Where do you feel most alive? For me, it's in nature. And that's what this month's #12x30EcoChallenge will be centered around! ⁣ ⁣ 🌱 As a quick reminder - I'm personally challenging myself to spend 30 consecutive days every month building up an eco-friendly habit. ⁣ ⁣ 🚿 In my last post, I shared the results of my January Eco Challenge - where I spent 30 days taking cold showers. It helped with energy efficiency and water conservation.⁣ ⁣ 🌳 For February, I've decided to do 30 days of 1-hour long mindful outdoor meditation. Whether being still or walking, the goal is to get outside daily and mindfully soak in my surroundings.⁣ ⁣ 😳 Phew. An hour is a lot for me TBH. My mind is ALL over the place. It bounces back and forth between the past and the future, but not nearly enough time focusing on the present. ⁣ ⁣ 💆🏽‍♀️ Being more present in nature every day will help me:⁣ ⁣ 1. Enhance my ability to focus on the world around me in that moment.⁣ 2. Further deepen my connection with the environment.⁣ ⁣ 🌳 After all, most people only fight for what they feel personally connected to. Spending more time in nature and focusing on the details of your surroundings is one way to expand your connection and appreciation of it - thus reminding you that it's worth fighting for.⁣ ⁣ 🌿 If you've been thinking about incorporating more sustainable, eco-friendly habits into your life, start by nurturing your relationship with the very thing you aim to protect: the environment. Next time you're outside - pause, be present, and make a mental note of what you see, hear, and feel. Nature pours so many benefits into our lives, so remember not to take nature for granted.⁣ ⁣ 🧘🏽‍♀️ Have any mindful meditation tips? Please share them with me!⁣ ⁣ Stay green y'all,⁣ Ash 💚⁣ ⁣ ✮✮ ⁣ 📷: @stayreddy⁣ 🗺: @pegbarbados in #Barbados
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Ashley Renne

Live an adventurously green life

My personal stories about travel, being vegan, green living, smart tech, and blogging as a mixed race Black and Indian woman.

Category: Personal Essay

Posted on 1 May 20191 May 2019
7 Truths About How I Travel So Much—and Why Maybe You Shouldn’t

Blog, Money Talk, Personal Essay, Travel Tips

7 Truths About How I Travel So Much—and Why Maybe You Shouldn’t

Traveling is a privilege. If you’re tired of people telling you how easy it is to travel the world, yet it doesn’t line up with your reality, I’m here to share an alternative perspective. 

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Posted on 31 Mar 201931 Mar 2019
Conquering Keynote Speech Anxiety

Blog, Career Growth, Personal Essay

Conquering Keynote Speech Anxiety

How I got past my keynote speech anxiety and 5 tips to help you conquer yours. 

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Posted on 29 Jan 20191 Apr 2019
Why I Changed My Blog Name

Blog, Career Growth, Personal Essay

Why I Changed My Blog Name

Well hey y’all! NEW NAME! WHO DIS? Welcome to Hey Ashley Renne, the blog formerly known as Travel Lushes. New year, new me! Haha, I know, I know, so effing cliché. But real talk, this was a big switch and you may be wondering why on earth did you go from Travel Lushes to Hey

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Posted on 9 Aug 20185 Jan 2019
Black People Climb Mountains? | Climbing a 14er with Coors Light

Black Travel, Blog, North America, Personal Essay

Black People Climb Mountains? | Climbing a 14er with Coors Light

When I first got the invitation to ‘Climb with Coors’ in Colorado, an annual trek to Wilson Peak, the 14,023-foot mountaintop you always see in the Coors Light logo, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. As a mixed-race Black and Indian woman in the travel media space, I don’t often see images displaying people of

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Posted on 20 Oct 20175 Jan 2019
Lost Passport While Traveling – Our Emirates Nightmare

Blog, Personal Essay

Lost Passport While Traveling – Our Emirates Nightmare

Picture this. You’re all set to go on the most amazing adventure of your life. About to board a plane to one of those dream destinations that tends to be a screensaver on most people’s computers (The Maldives) and getting there on what was voted the World’s Best Airline of 2017 (Emirates). On top of

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Posted on 28 Aug 20171 Apr 2019
Women in Travel Summit Inspired Me to Quit My Job

Blog, Career Growth, Personal Essay

Women in Travel Summit Inspired Me to Quit My Job

I first went to the Women in Travel Summit in 2016 and I’m not even exaggerating when I say this conference played a role in sending me down the path that led to me quitting my job to pursue my love of travel full-time.  Yep, sure did. Let me tell you the story. In 2016,

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Posted on 25 Apr 20177 Jan 2019
Why I Quit My $80K Job to Travel the World More

Blog, Personal Essay

Why I Quit My $80K Job to Travel the World More

Watch the Video: Ugh, it sounds like such a cliché right? Here goes another person shouting from the rooftops “I quit my job to travel the world!” Blah, blah, blah. Yep, I did it. And it felt good y’all. But did you notice in the title of my post, I put the word ‘more’ at

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