Jordan Younger from The Balanced Blonde ( formally known as The Blonde Vegan ) became fast Internet friends. It’s weird/rad when you’re a blogger & you immediately click with someone over the web— definitely a different way to make friends, right?! But seriously, Jordan’s charismatic, understanding ( I’ve been all over the place today while we were posting— lol ), kind, smart, & honest.
Recently she made MAJOR headlines ( think Prevention, Women’s Health, ABC News, Well + Good, & Hello Giggles ( which was shared by Zooey Deschanel )— NBD ) for her transition from vegan life to whelp, a balanced life. After years of being a vegan she decided her body needed something different. Hence her blog name change. As a blogger, I commend her honesty & vulernabilty. The Internet can be a cold, hard place when ya put yourself out there…at the same time, it can also be very supportive. I completely support her brave choice to sticking with what works for HER. She should not be bullied for her lifestyle change!!! To each its own ; ).
Everyone’s different. Do what works for you.
Anyway you’ll love this entrepreneurial, pretty babe ( << she even created her own TBB apparel line!! #girlboss ) who literally glows!
Also, make sure you head over to Jordan’s blog to enter our book giveaway!! TBB & TSC are giving away three signed & personalized Skinny Confidential Books to three of you hot babes. All you have to do is comment on Jordan’s blog telling us why you want to win. Easy, right?
Ok, ok, I know you’re excited so I’ll stop blabbing & introduce you to The Balanced Blonde. Ta-da:
| Tell us all about no longer being a vegan. |
Jordan Younger: I went vegan for health reasons, and in the process I learned so much about the benefits of living a plant-based diet in all aspects of life. I learned a lot about how different foods affect my body, and I tried every type of vegan diet under the sun from 80/10/10 raw veganism to entirely plant-based to raw until 6pm to the protein-heavy and completely protein-devoid variations. About a year ago my body started telling me that veganism wasn’t cutting it anymore, but I ignored the signs my body was giving me. Eventually I lost my period, injured my ankle due to a B-12 deficiency, & started realizing that I had developed a serious problem because I started having serious fears about trying foods that were not vegan or 100% “clean.”
The psychological and physical struggles of my health obsession far outweighed the original health benefits I was experiencing. Eventually I accepted the harsh reality that I had developed orthorexia, a fear of eating food that wasn’t completely healthy. That’s not a way to live! Food should be nourishment, fuel and enjoyment. Not something to fear. So I decided to get help, and in the recovery process I have decided to ditch the “vegan” label in favor of a more balanced lifestyle.
It’s been a difficult process, but I am happier than I have been in a long time.
| Natural beauty remedy that you do? |
JY: Lots & lots of mud masks. I make my own “mud” from coconut oil ( benefits here ), avocado and honey. Let it set for 10-15 minutes. Boom– softest skin & gets rid of pesky irritation.
| What is your weekly workout schedule? |
JY: I practice yoga daily and I run three to five times per week. Exercise is a huge component in leading a healthy lifestyle. You can’t just eat healthy without exercising and expect to live a healthy life, and you can’t just exercise without eating well either. They are the yin and yang of health. My best advice when it comes to exercise is to find the type of exercise that you love so that you will be consistent with it. Our exercise is our play time, our me-time.
I teach yoga, practice yoga in a studio and have a home practice of the physical asana and meditation– yoga is basically my boyfriend. Find what ya love!
| What is your favorite go-to healthy food? |
JY: My go-to healthy food would absolutely be a green smoothie. Banana, blueberries, kale, almond milk, & a bit of almond butter ( <<< making this tomorrow ). Heaven on earth. And now that I am no longer vegan, I have been LOVING omelets loaded with veggies for breakfast. So delicious.
| Cocktail of choice? |
JY: Vodka soda with lime. My friends make fun of me because it’s the only drink I will ever order or even touch. I’m kind of a freak about the nasty additives that find their way into many cocktails out there. If I’m at an organic bar or restaurant, then I will let up a little bit.
| Favorite go-to healthy food? |
JY: My go-to healthy food would absolutely be a green smoothie. Banana, blueberries, kale, almond milk and a bit of almond butter. Heaven on earth. And now that I am no longer vegan, I have been LOVING omelets loaded with veggies for breakfast. So delicious.
| Can’t-live-without beauty product? |
JY: Moroccan Oil. My hair is addicted to it. And Donna Karan Cashmere Mist body lotion— I can’t leave the house if I haven’t put it on!
| When I wake up I… |
JY: Have a glass of warm water with lemon, write in my journal and meditate.
| WTF’s in your purse? |
JY: WTF isn’t in my purse? I always have about ten MAC lipsticks and lip glosses rolling around (light pink shades; sometimes red if I’m feeling wild), my wallet overflowing with juice bar punch cards, my Equinox and Moksha yoga membership cards, my journal, my reusable water bottle, a PB cookie flavored Larabar, & my sunglasses.
| Day of eating? |
JY: Breakfast is usually a green smoothie or a bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon, lunch is a big green salad with a piece of wild salmon, dinner is steamed or roasted veggies with a grain or legume. Snacks are fresh fruit, green juices, raw nuts or a Larabar or Kind bar. Lately I have been reincorporating eggs and even some free-range organic chicken.
| Quick, easy (healthy) recipe? |
JY: Baked sweet potato wedges with half an avocado: cut a sweet potato into cubes, add some cumin and a dash of salt/pepper, pop in the oven at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes. Slice 1/2 avocado into cubes. Toss together, and voila! Perfect snack or mini-meal.
+ To follow Jordan on Instagram, click here.
++ Also, don’t forget to check out Jordan’s interview on TSC here.
++ Click to shop Jordan’s favorites things:
I totally can relate to this, I was vegan for over 3 years and dipped into raw veganism for a few months and let me tell you, I aged, I looked like crap ALL the time, my energy was so LOW and sluggish I did not even recognize myself. I started eating meat when I met my husband, he forced me to and I was SO against it but once I started eating meat here and there I was back to my normal self. I do not eat meat at every meal and keep it veg most of the time but having meat every now and than has given me back my flow and glow. Thanks for sharing <3 C
yes, yes, girl. I have done it all. I am proud she’s out here talking about what is best for her health. <3<3 your girls rock! ~BEC
ehhhh *you
I loved this feature! I’m not a vegan or a vegetarian but I always love help with healthy meal choices. Can’t wait to try out that mud mask and Jordan’s favourite green smoothie.
Jackie xo
I actually became vegan almost a half a year ago! It’s nice to hear about a person who stopped being vegan. Most people who are vegan are so strongly opinionated on health, animals, etc. This really shows ho brave she was towards her self and others.
Much Love, AnnCates xx
anncates.blogspot.com
I love the t-shirts! Those are so cute..
Lovely post! Just curious.. is the instagram name correct? I can’t seem to get the link to work.
She just changed her handle! Instagram here: http://instagram.com/thebalancedblonde. Thanks for pointing that out babe! x.
I totally commend her and can imagine she must have gotten so much flax on the internet about this! Good for her for knowing herself and her body.
I like the sweet potato/avo idea. Gonna try it tonight since I have everything on hand!
I will say that identifying yourself with an eating philosophy is a huge pigeon hole as a blogger and it can be a challenge to get out of, because as a blogger, you may move on to new things, but your audience is less likely to change.
Can be tricky!
Totally agree!! I commend Jordan for staying true to herself! x.