We dream in colors borrowed by the sea ☀️ #bestswimwear...

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Indoor Air Pollution: Yes, It’s A Thing

We do our best to keep our nests clear of health-inhibiting chemicals; we scan cleaning product labels, DIY our cleaning products from time to time, and nerd out on non-toxic knowlege over our morning matcha.

But one area of green cleaning still evades us: toxic dust. House dust just happens: from pets, furniture, electronics and even our own skin. Some sources of house dust are more toxic than others (read up on that here), but it can all contribute to compromised air quality, lower immunity and a heavier toxic load.

Our bodies are built to resist environmental enemies we can't completely avoid, but the toxic dust that sticks to home electronics can weigh heavily on our systems if we're not careful. Here are our top picks for tools and tech best suited for ridding our homes of potentially toxic dust in the home...

Bust dust. We first learned about "the dust issue" from Honest Co.'s Christopher Gavigan, who told us, "Household dust is often contaminated with chemicals, allergens, mites and more. Children can breathe it in and also ingest it through “dust to hand to mouth” behavior. Dust with a damp cloth and vacuum with a HEPA filter regularly."

Dust buster x 1M. We've been test-driving this high-powered baby and can't say enough. High-concept designs like this are alluring, but the powerful HEPA filter on this model actually delivers powerful results too. A home vacuum with a HEPA filter captures allergens and leaves air cleaner than it was before.

Learn about PBDEs. When dust accumulates on your electronics it actually create a toxic problem. We touched on the peculiar issue here in depth. The key to reducing PBDEs is in keeping electronics wiped down and using HEPA filters in air filters and vacuums.

Consider an air filter: Filter the air on your home. Whether that means more plants, beautiful charcoal filters like the ones we've chosen here or a heating and cooling fan that also cleans the air, find what works for you and your budget and your lifestyle.

Burn responsibly: Yes, we love candles. But we'll only burn scented candles we know don't have averse effects on our health. Here are a few of our favorite naturally scented candles and here's how to shop better candles on your own.

That new carpet smell: We love that new home smell as much as the next guy, but did you know that the smell of new carpet can actually be toxic? That smell usually includes the off-gassing of hazardous VOCs like toluene, bromine, benzene, formaldehyde, ethyl benzene, styrene, and acetone. Here is a list of certified "green" carpeting available for the home.

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Let’s Get Planty: 9 Air-Purifying Plants To Help You Breathe Easy

We owe a lot to plants: they nourish our bodies, brighten our habitats and - most importantly - helps us breathe better inside them. While any kind of greenery will do some good, this study by NASA pinpoints the best air-purifying plants for our homes; we're sharing a few of our least-likely-to-die faves for easy reference - and easier respiration.

No matter how clean we keep our casas, modern life means the quality of our air is inevitably compromised. There are plenty of ways to filter out the toxins that are too close for comfort (check out five simple solutions here), but nothing quite compares to the mood-boosting, design-defining benefits of a few pretty plants.

Brush up on houseplant care tips here, pick out a few new babies below and don't be shy: NASA recommends at least one plant per every 100-square feet of indoor space. We're filling up empty corners, boring bookshelves and every window sill we can find with these low-maintenance, air-purifying plants...

What's In Our Air?

Trichloroethylene: Found in some soaps, perfumes, paints, lacquers, varnishes, adhesives, paint remover, printing inks, disinfectants and dyes. Symptoms associated with short term exposure include dizziness, headache, nausea and drowsiness.

Formaldehyde: Found in some paper bags, paper towels,facial tissues, table napkins, plywood panelling, synthetic fabrics, disinfectants and personal care products. Symptoms associated with short term exposure include irritation to nose, mouth and throat. Learn more about where formaldehyde lurks, and why it's dangerous here.

Benzene: Used to make plastics, synthetic fibers, dyes, detergents, and pesticides, benzene can also be found in vehicle exhausts, glue, paint and furniture wax. It commonly enters the air through heating systems, cooking devices. Symptoms associated with short-term exposure include irritation to eyes, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, increase in heart rate and headaches.

Xylene: Found in leather, paint, cleaning agents and vehicle exhausts. Symptoms associated with short term exposure include irritation to eyes, drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, depression to the nervous system and possible liver and kidney damage.

Ammonia: Found in window cleaner, surface sanitizers, floor waxes, aerosols, fertilizers and even some food products (seriously. Read up here). Symptoms associated with short term exposure include eye irritation, coughing and sore throat.

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Botanica’s Chocolate Beet Cake + The Strawberry Tea We Can’t Quit

Who needs bouquets when there's floral-infused tea to be had? Paired with a rich, gluten-free chocolate beet cake and consider our hearts won over. We tried these V Day-ready recipe from L.A.'s Botanica at our recent cooking class at Jenni Kayne's and couldn't believe how delicious, not to mention beautiful, they were. (We especially love the secret dosing of veggies in our dessert). Whether for a boyfriend or best friend, we cant think of a better way to flex those V-Day vibes than with these two light, lovely, refined sugar-free, gluten-free recipes...

As far as menu inspiration, we wanted to make the food festive, colorful, and light. We wanted to incorporate some pink and red (beet muhammara, tisane, cake), some warming spices (ras el hanout, baharat), and we wanted it to be easy enough to not cause stress! It is NO fun to stress when you're trying to do something nice for someone. Oh, and the cake was inspired by Nigel Slater's chocolate beet cake, just with a Botanica twist (no refined sugar, gluten or butter). I'll also add that this menu works for ANY kind of V-Day celebration, whether it's just two people, or a group of friends having a dinner party. [olists num=1][olists num=2]

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Beauty @tashoakley in one her of her fave @vitaminaswim getaway...

Beauty @tashoakley in one her of her fave @vitaminaswim getaway pieces! Link in bio to shop more of this collab with @abikiniaday ! #musthavemonday #bestswimwear #bikiniaday #tashoakley http://ift.tt/2kO3HYr

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Inside Our Valentine’s Cooking Class With Botanica + Jenni Kayne

V day vibes are all about celebrating the people and things we love. Whether this year entails a romantic evening in with your valentine or a big gathering of girlfriends, we've got just the recipes for you, thanks to the ladies of L.A.'s new Botanica.

We recently gathered with a few ladies we love at Jenni Kayne's for a Valentine's Day-themed cooking class led by the talented, veggie-loving beauties behind this soon to open Silverlake cafe - and feel fully equipped to hit the kitchen.

Friends Emily Fiffer and Heather Sperling are launching Botanica later this spring and we can't wait to hit them up for more of their planty magic, including many Middle Eastern influenced veggie salads, incredible condiments and pantry offerings, plus more healthful desserts like the one we're sharing here tomorrow.

Foregoing traditional tones of red and pink, Jenni stuck with mostly black and white details for the décor (save the quince branches in the foyer), adding a level of casual elegance we love. The table was dressed to perfection with linens from Heather Taylor Home, who also attended, plus florals by the ever exquisiteTwig and Twine (see Valtentine's Day classes from years past!)

We're sharing favorite recipes from the studding spread here below, including this moroccan carrot salad, and roasted eggplant with jeweled herb salad. Tomorrow we're sharing their incredible strawberry tisane tea recipe that can't be missed...

Moroccan Carrot Salad:Hands down, this is one of the best dinner party dishes in our arsenal. It comes together in a snap and can be easily adapted if you don’t have everything on hand. As Stefon would say, this salad has everything: color, crunch and chew; tart, sweet and saline. It’s light enough to serve as an appetizer and stands on its own as a main. Baharat is a Middle Eastern spice blend that takes a variety of forms depending on its origins. Most of the time it includes a combination of black pepper, coriander, cumin and a mishmash of warming spices (cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice). If you have a full spice drawer, it’s worth making yourself a batch.

Don’t have everything on hand? No need to freak out. Simply substitute another toasted nut, like almonds or walnuts, for pistachios; currants or figs for dates; basil for mint; equal parts black pepper, coriander and cinnamon for baharat; more kumquats plus some orange segments for mandarinquats (which are larger and sweeter than a kumquat, and smaller than a mandarin).[olists num=1]

Roasted Eggplant with Jeweled Herb Salad: You might’ve picked up on the fact that we like to pile mountains of herbs on top of things (yogurt! kabobs! soup!). Well, be prepared to fall under this particular mountain’s spell. This colorful dish is hearty enough for a wintry main, bright and fresh enough for a cool summer night, and works just as well for two as it does a group. It makes for a gorgeous dinner party centerpiece, too. Endlessly adaptable, it bends to your pantry’s contents. Once you make it a few times, you’ll become a mix master, subbing almonds for pistachios, currants for pomegranate seeds or figs for dates (to name a few). Want it to be vegan? Omit the yogurt that’s brushed onto the roasted eggplant; it’ll still taste great! [olists num=2]

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12 Keys From Our Wellness Webinar With Dr. Lipman

We need to talk and keep talking about conscious eating - what it means, how it looks and why it's important.

Our webinar last week with our own Editor in Chief, Suzanne Hall, functional medicine pioneer, Dr. Frank Lipman and Thrive Market's co-CEO, Gunnar Lovelace addressed everything from what to eat to why we're eating. Check out the full webinar above and our top takeaways below, including Dr. Frank's daily smoothie and Gunnar's excellent immunity tip...

On Pantry Staples: Top always-in-stock pantry essentials mentioned include raw coconut oil, sprouted pumpkin seeds, almond butter, adaptogenic herbs, sea salt, extra virgin olive oil, raw nuts and seeds, dried herbs, apple cider vinegar, raw cacao powder and canned beans in a BPA-free can. Who says eating healthfully can't be affordable? Most of these staples are as cost-effective as can be.

On the value of Fats: Not all fats are created equal, but the ones that are best for us offer benefits that range from weight maintenance to hormone balance. Processed fats such as vegetable oil, cotton-seed oil, and corn oil should be avoided, especially for high heat cooking.

On Cooking the right way: Most vegetable oils are actually industrial seed oils that release unhealthy compounds when heated. Coconut oil and genuine olive oil are the best options for cooking.

On Emotional Eating: Our motivation for eating often has nothing to do with hunger. It's key to get to the root issues behind our emotional eating habits, both for holistic health and to balance our body's systems. Dr. Lipman notes that gut health is key to keeping our emotional states balanced.

On Gut Health: When Dr. Lipman starts working with patients, he begins by addressing the health of their microbiome. Gut health is deeply connected to our hormonal and emotional balance, immunity and overall wellbeing. Healing the gut starts with removing sugar, avoiding GMOs, incorporating healing foods like bone broth and probiotics, and for some, cutting soy, gluten and dairy. Learn more about gut health here.

On Bone Broth: Gunnar vouches for this nutrient-dense food that helps manage inflammation and creates a healthy environment for healthy gut function. Learn more about bone broth here.

On Immunity: Gunnar mentions that when he starts feeling sick, he begins taking probiotics every hour, on the hour as immunity is directly connected to our gut health. Dr. Lipman adds that it is also important to load up on vitamin D and vitamin C. Learn more about immunity here!

On Dairy + Meat: It's important to be aware of the source of proteins like dairy, meat and eggs. Often times, they carry antibiotics and pesticides absorbed from contaminated food sources, all of which is transported to our systems upon consumption. Responsible, sustainable farming practices are essential for a healthy environment that supports healthy food sources. The webinar participants enjoy grass-fed meats, free-range eggs, and raw, organic dairy whenever possible.

On Avoiding Sugar: Dr. Lipman is a major proponent of cutting out sugar, especially processed versions like high fructose corn syrup, including those found in non-obvious sources. Gunnar notes that most people don't realize how simple and complex carbs shift into sugar when our bodies process it, and that causes as many issues as plain sugar.

On Label Liberation: Dr. Lipman suggest aiming to eat foods without labels. When eating food that does come with a label, look for ones that list as few ingredients as possible and read the nutrition facts to find the most nutrient-dense options.

On Condiments: Condiments are an easy way to make whole-foods as delicious as their less healthy, processed counterparts. Gunnar's favorites are Primal Kitchen's avocado mayo, fresh lemon juice, nutritional yeast and sprouted seeds. Dr. Lipman's favorites include turmeric, kelp, cilantro, garlic and probiotic foods like sauerkraut and kimchi.

On Bargain Buying: Gunnar and Dr. Lipman agree that buying food that is less complex and less processed is automatically less expensive. Buying seasonally from local farmers markets is another way to save. Shop for nutrient-dense food from a local source and buy the rest from Thrive Market, whose mission is to provide access to healthy, affordable foods.

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Mornings With The Founders of NYC’s CAP Beauty

CAP Beauty, NYC's green beauty mecca, is beloved for their perfectly curated collection of holistic health and beauty tools, but what really sets them apart is that wellness doesn't stop at their doorstep. For founders and longtime friends (we're talking twenty years!), Kerrilynn Pamer and Cindy DiPrima, their shared passion for pure, non-toxic beauty isn't just the basis for a booming business; it permeates every element of their daily lives.

Creative recipes like this and transformation tonics like these are only the tip of the iceberg. From product-packed morning beauty routines TCM-dreams are made of to routine midday-breaks for facials and transcendental meditation, we're learning how the ladies behind CAP Beauty keep it calm, cool and clean in the never-not-buzzing Big Apple... [olists num=1][olists num=2]

Love plucking inspo from routines of bonafide wellness warriors?
Take a peek at this hilarious account of typical day in the life of pro crystal healer.

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Why We’re Hooked On The New Supplement Delivery Brands

Have you ever found yourself in the supplement isle, wide-eyed, overwhelmed and wishing someone would just pick the best ones for you? We get it. Even as total nutrition nerds, the kaleidoscope of supplement options in any health food store can be a lot to digest.

We've seen a slew of supplement delivery brands pop up over the last two years and each excels in its own way. Here are three of our favorites for various reasons...

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An Essential Guide To Yoga Props (Wrist Wedges Are A Thing)

Everyone needs a little extra support sometimes - even that low-key contortionist on the mat next to yours. We're loving this simple guide to essential yoga props by bff lifestyle bloggers and Our Body Book contributors, The Resource Girls. Regardless of your level of yoga-ing, props aide in nailing the nuances of a pose and help train our bodies to push past a comfort zone. Here you'll find four tools and techniques for using them to take your practice to the next level...

"The yoga pose is not the goal. Becoming flexible is not the goal. The goal is to create space where you were once stuck. To unveil the layers of protection you've built around your heart. To appreciate your body and become aware of the mind and the noise it creates. To make peace with who you are. The goal is to love, well... you. Come to your yoga mat to feel; not to accomplish. Shift your focus and your heart will grow."
- Rachel Brathen, author of Yoga Girl

Yoga can be very intimidating for those just starting, or just returning to their practice. For those with an injury, inflexibility or those living in larger bodies, a regular yoga practice can seem like something that exists only in your dreams. Fear not, a great yoga practice is just the opposite of fear and doubt; it only involves one thing – showing up on your mat.

With that being said, it can be hard to know how to modify certain poses or account for injury or inflexibility. We have listed some ideas here to get you started, but would also encourage you to truly own your practice, use your voice and ask for help. Props and modifications offer countless options to mold your practice into an amazing experience. Do what feels right for your body and never compare yourself to your neighbor. We’re all on our own journey...

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Can These Vibrational Stickers Make You Feel Better?

Good vibes heal, and science is slowly beginning to agree. Our bodies operate best at a specific internal frequency (between 62-72Hz), and when it's off, so are we! From physical immunity to emotional sensitivity, anxiety, stress, insomnia and pain, resetting our literal vibrations can make all the difference.

We've been crushing hard on the the beauty team behind one of L.A.'s top facial studios, Body Worship, where a few of the city's top bloggers flock. Body Worship's Leslie Kritzer introduced us to her line of "smart frequency stickers" and we've been hooked ever since. More than just cult-level cute stickers; these unique wellness tools have serious healing potential, offering a holistic, chemical-free (and weirdly stylish) solution to bringing our vibe back to balance.

How It Works: Body Vibes stickers are digitally programmed with bio-frequencies that match those naturally produced by our bodies. They're able to target the sensitive network of energetic signals in our central nervous system. It might sound a little mystical, but this process has actually been researched, tested and approved by reputable sources (they were originally developed for NASA astronauts!). The stickers are made of carbon based, radio frequency material that sends electrical signals along our nerves to optimize brain and body function, restore missing cell communication & accelerate the body's natural ability to heal itself.

What They're Good For: Body Vibes subtly manipulate energy to correct imbalances. There are stickers for basically any issue, including: anxiety, inflammation, fatigue, mental focus, sleep, strength, hormone balance, hangover struggles, general moodiness... get the full rundown here. Each stickers functionality matches it's playful design.

How To Use It: Body Vibes should be worn on the left side of the heart, or above it. Stick one on your left shoulder, upper back, upper left arm or chest and leave on for up to 72 hours. The recommendation is to use them for a month and feel the flow of smooth, stabilized energy transformation. We love that the patches are introducing more people to the idea of vibrational medicine! What do you think? Would you wear a frequency patch to support your health and mood?

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Don’t miss out on our Sunsets x Bestswimwear giveaway! You...

Don’t miss out on our Sunsets x Bestswimwear giveaway! You could be the winner of the must-have ‘Jailbird’ bikini set from Sunsets 2017 Passport Collection! All you have to do is:
Follow @sunsetsseparates and @bestswimwear
Tag 3 friends in the comments below
Repost this image using
#BestSunBikini
Winner will be announced 2/1 http://ift.tt/2kyRbzN

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Ab Vacuums + Coconut Butter: 5 Simple Ways To Stay Healthy on The Fly

We get inspired, then we get busy - it's a cycle as old as time. But why make wellness wait when there are simple ways to fit it in on the fly? We're exploring a few easily accessible ideas from yogi on the go Sophie Jaffe of Philosophie. Whether you're a mama with a million things on your plate, or just an over-achiever who keeps self-care on the side lines, these tips offer easy ways to sneak some healthy into your day...

We’ve got our list of New Year’s resolutions pinned up next to our vision boards, bottles of ginger green juice ready to be popped and new yoga leggings coming in the mail. The month of January never fails to glow with promise, a fresh page for our upcoming year of change and transformation. And yet, it’s so darn easy to get wrapped up in our busy lives and lose sight of our wellness resolutions.

I’ll spiralize the spaghetti squash tomorrow. I’ll do the boot camp next week. I’ll do that new face mask when I have more time. Not this year! Let’s stay on track together with these five tips, so that your new, healthy habits will take the priority role they deserve...

5 Simple Ways to Stay Healthy

Carve out 15 minutes of “Clean-up Time.” A tidy home is essential for moving efficiently throughout your day and for providing peace of mind. Nothing unravels healthy resolutions faster than a mountain of laundry (no clean barre socks), an unmade bed (less shut eye) and a kitchen with a smoothie-stained blender (no superfood parfait). To cultivate a home that’s your own private oasis where dreaming and achieving can take place, set a timer each day for 15 magical minutes of cleaning.

Keep coconut butter in your car. By storing a jar of this heavenly, filling snack in the glove department, you’ll never be hangry and succumb to the neon lights of the drive-through again. The creamy treat made of coconut meat is rich with fiber and heart-healthy fats. Pop a spoonful in your mouth if you want something sweet or need a quick energy boost. The same goes for keeping other wholesome snacks in your car — baggies of golden berries, almonds or crunchy veggie chips!

Say hello to ab vacuums. This has nothing to do with Dysons and everything to do with a strong core. While you’re sitting in traffic or waiting out a long conference call, take advantage of the opportunity to work your abs and get pumped for your workout, if it’s on your agenda later in the day. To start, inhale deeply. Then as you exhale, pull your belly button in as far as you can toward your spine, holding for about 20 seconds as you take short breaths. Repeat 5-10 times.

Practice writing in a Manifestation Journal. Like a gratitude journal, a manifestation-journal practice is a space for positivity, but also for manifesting that which you would like to accomplish. Begin by taking a few breaths to clear your mind. Then begin to envision something that you’d like to happen. Define everything, as if you’re directing a scene so that you know precisely how this moment looks and feels, down to all of the beautiful details. Then take 5-20 minutes to write down and capture what you are manifesting - it could be while you're waiting for an appointment to start, for carpool to commence or dinner to be done. I highly recommend doing this with all of your healthy resolutions!

Create an “I’m In Charge” Charm. No need for luck, you’ve got this. Swing by your favorite boutique and select a bracelet or a ring (a piece of jewelry that you’ll look at often) or, even better, make a special piece;  allow it to hold one of your intentions, resolutions or goals for the year. It’s best to assign your most challenging resolution to your charm, which will serve as a continual reminder that you have the power to create change in your life. Wear it every day, and in moments when you feel like shrugging off your resolution to default to a habit that is easier, more comfortable and less scary, take a look at your charm and remember that this is your year, your life.

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Green Goddess Guide: Alison Carroll of Wonder Valley

How does Alison Carroll keep it cool in the desert? With hydration ambition to the max, and a lifestyle shop that couldn't come from anywhere else. Inspired by the spirit of its namesake location and founded by Alison and her husband, Wonder Valley is a creative celebration of their dreamy-desert life in Joshua Tree - and a home goods store like no other.

We know Wonder Valley best for their signature olive oil, but their gorgeous new face product is destined to make waves with girls in the know. Bottled in the same stunning style as the culinary oil, we're loving this versatile skin oil for desert dwellers and city dwellers alike.

We asked Alison to answer our Green Goddess Guide and loved her healthful solutions and serious stash of TCM-approved clean beauty. Find out where she stocks up on pheromone perfume and why she swears by her hot spring habit for glowing skin.... [olists num=1]

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The Surprisingly Easy Routine That’ll Boost Your Metabolism

A healthy metabolism is key to feeling energized from day to day! This gentle yoga routine from yogi, author, and Food Matters contributor, Katrina Love Senn, focuses on just a few poses that should be practiced with intention - rather than intensity - to encourage a fired-up, healthy metabolism (and all the benefits that come with it). Read on for her healing story and a few easy yet effective poses to pop right into your morning routine...

Like so many other women out there, I spent a long time trying to gain control of my body and lose weight. Already carrying extra pounds by my late teens, the diets, pills and potions touted by the weight-loss industry weren't helping. I hit rock bottom in my early 20s, when I found myself rushed home from studying abroad. My health was in critical condition.

My doctor recommended that I be prescribed medication for life, but I knew that medication was not that answer. To get healthy, first I needed to work on healing my body, emotions and mind. By removing the focus from weight-loss and concentrating on recuperating my physical, emotional and mental well-being, amazing things started to happen. My body healed, my feelings about myself and the world changed, and weight started dropping off. I was able to lose 60 pounds, and keep that weight off for good.

My experience of having a complete health breakdown and my subsequent recovery has shaped who I am and what I do today. I now dedicate myself to sharing my message with other women around the world and helping them to achieve all they dream of. Among the lifestyle changes I made on my healing journey (which you can read more about in my book Losing Weight is a Healing Journey) I started to practice yoga. What attracted me to yoga was the gentle and holistic approach to health. Yoga means unity – and practicing it helps to unite our bodies and minds.

I found that yoga helped me to relax, release stress and start to feel comfortable within my own skin. Unlike a gym routine, the movements (asanas) did not cause pain or make me feel inadequate. Making a yoga practice part of your day is a truly wonderful way to relax and move forward on your healing journey.

I am now an international yoga teacher running retreats and sharing my own signature yoga style, called Healing Hatha Yoga. Today, I'd like to share some of my favorite yoga poses with you. These asanas are perfect for beginners and are very helpful for anyone who finds it had to relax.

These beautiful, powerful yet gentle movements have helped to transform my life, and I know that yoga can do the same for you. I hope that my story has inspired you to give yoga a try so that you can experience its benefits in your own life.

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L.A. Bite of The Month: Flowerboy Project’s Rose Latte

There's nothing like the taste of rose, especially in a tea, cocktail - or almond milk latte. We rarely find the intoxicating flavor of rose or other florals in food and drink here in L.A. so, when we do, we latch on hard.

We've been swooning over the rose and lavender lattes from Flowerboy Project in Venice for quite some time now, but recently realized we'd never gushed about it here on the site. Next time you need an unusual afternoon pick-me-up or are tasked with the group coffee run, pick up a couple of these floral-flavored beauties and find out what keeps us daydreaming about a coffee run during afternoon conference calls...

What i ate: Flowerboy Project's Rose Girl and Lavender Boy lattes.

Why i ate it: Flowerboy is a unique, yet true to the Venice neighborhood find - gritty, but high-design. Wedged into an urban block on Lincoln Boulevard, Flowerboy Project is part of the emerging overflow of incredible shops and restaurants that can be found beyond Abbott Kinney. The small coffee shop offers everything from locally made donuts to homemade lavender peanut butter toast and matcha yogurt. These two floral lattes are our favorite items on the menu and come spiked with either rose or lavender syrup that can be ordered hot or cold with almond or real milk.

Why you need it: We recommend the Rose Girl on ice with almond milk. The taste of rose syrup is like nothing else - rich, but light; refreshing, but heady. We're completely obsessed with the flavor and Flowerboy is one of the coffee shops that does it best. Rosewater is rich in flavonoids, antioxidants, tannins and essential vitamins like A, C, D, E and B3, but, even more notably, the unique taste has an uplifting effect on us that just can't be denied (in other words, it's just plain fun to drink.)

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In My Fridge: Why We’re Crushing On This Nutritionist’s Kitchen

Is it weird to have a crush on a well-stocked refrigerator? Not in our world. We love exploring the real-life kitchen situations of wellness pros we admire, and the one below is as inspiring as any - both because of the contents and the backstory.

Integrative and functional nutritionist, Jennie Miremadi wasn't always the whole food wonder-woman she is now. Overcoming a personal struggle with self-image and weight taught her the importance of listening to her body's needs and fueling up with natural foods. It also helped her cultivate a strong sense of balance she's now able to share with clients - and us!

We're peeking though the fridge of this functional nutritionist slash self-love inspo source, and modeling our next grocery list after it. Read on for easy recipes, plant-y pantry staples and Jennie's tips for dinner party perfection...

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7 Body Positive Women Inspiring Us Now

We're excited to see more and more women embrace a body positive mentality, empowering themselves and others to love the skin they're in (we're all made up of the same stuff after all, and that stuff is pretty incredible). Katie Horwitch, founder of Women Against Negative Self Talk, is on a mission to set fire to the conversation. Peek below as Katie introduces us to seven inspiring women who exemplify a non-standard of self-esteem in a real, beautiful way...

The body-positive movement is officially mainstream, and we couldn’t be more jazzed. In a year where sometimes it seems like we’re more divided than we are connected, it’s more important than ever that we fiercely support other women looking to make a difference in the world. And it starts with showing that one size doth never fit all, especially when it comes to the way we look. Because body positivity isn’t just about waist size, it’s about loving yourself just as you are – and helping others do the same along the way. Because we can’t change the world until we change the way we talk to ourselves.

Here are seven body-positive role models we’re obsessed with right now…

OUR body-positive heroes

Taryn Brumfitt | You might remember Taryn from 2013, when her unconventional Before + After photo went viral. People’s reactions to that now-famous side-by-side photo got Taryn thinking. Today, she’s busy talking about it in her new must-watch documentary, Embrace, which uncovers why poor body image has become a global epidemic and what women everywhere can do to have brighter future.

Tess Holiday | How do we love Tess Holiday? Let us count the ways. One, she’s a fierce feminist who uses her visibility to make a difference. Two, she’s the founder of @EffYourBeautyStandards, one of our favorite no-nonsense body-pos Instagram accounts. Three, she transitions from proud mama to model to business mogul (she’s got her own clothing line, too!) seamlessly. And four? This is a woman who speaks her mind. If you’re not following her, you should.

Kathryn Budig | We’ve been fans of Kathryn’s for years, and our love is only growing stronger. While many yogis will post crazy gymnastic poses that rival Cirque de Soleil and call it a day, Kathryn doesn’t hold back when it comes to discussing yoga injuries and how to practice in a way that’s in alignment with who you are, not what you see on Instagram. Plus, her authentic tone and quirky sense of humor make us feel like we’ve been friends for eons.

Ashley Graham | Ashley Graham is becoming one of the most high-profile models of today – and no, we don’t mean one of the most high-profile plus-size models. We mean one of the most high-profile models. Period. This is a huge step in the body-positive movement: The sooner we recognize and showcase a wide variety of bodies in the media, the sooner we can all realize that every body is a beautiful body.

Gabi Gregg | Gabi Gregg aka @gabifresh is the body-pos bestie we all wish we had. Upbeat and positive while always keeping it real, Gabi continuously encourages us by reminding us that body confidence is a journey, not a destination. And her new swimwear collection, Swimsuits For All, is making us do the unthinkable: actually look forward to bikini season.

Lynn Chen | Don’t let the name of Lynn’s blog, The Actor’s Diet, fool you. Lynn is an actor, but she’s definitely not on a “diet.” Started as a sort of journal in order to help Lynn make peace with her food after years upon end of eating disorders, The Actor’s Diet became a way for Lynn to not only dispel the myths surrounding what an “actor’s diet” needs to be, but propelled her into the kind of body image activist work (she’s an ambassador for NEDA) that makes her a force to be reckoned with, in Hollywood and beyond.

Denise Bidot | We love this model’s Instagram account for her stunning photos, adorable selfies with her daughter and captions that make us grin from ear to ear. But we are obsessed with everything Denise does because she is unapologetic about all of it. Her self-love campaign, There Is No Wrong Way To Be A Woman, encourages women of all ages, shapes, colors and sizes to own their unique beauty and reclaim their strength.

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Check our blog for this delicious healthy Blueberry Dream...

Check our blog for this delicious healthy Blueberry Dream Smoothie recipe from our friend, Author & Registered Dietitian @lorizanininutrition #bestswimwear http://ift.tt/2jONYJm

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The Toxic Shampoo Ingredient That’s Not On The Label

It's creepy enough to see a long list of mystery ingredients listed on the back of a fave shampoo bottle, but what about how those chemicals interact? 

Dioxane is a common toxin found in cleansing personal care products that's linked to cringe-worthy health and environmental concerns. What's worse is that we probably won't be able to pick it out of a label because it's not an ingredient; it's the byproduct of chemicals reacting to one another. Amy Ziff, founder of MADE SAFE and leading lady of our series on toxic personal care ingredients, is teaching us all about eerily ubiquitous dioxane and how to steer clear...

 What is It? 1,4-dioxane (sometimes just called dioxane) is found in products from personal care products to laundry detergent, but it’s not an intentionally added ingredient. It’s a contaminant that’s created when certain common ingredients are mixed together.

1,4-dioxane is an expected contaminant from a process called ethoxylation, when ethylene oxide is added to other ingredients to make them less harsh. A good example of this is sodium lauryl sulfate, which is harsh on skin. It’s often ethoxylated to convert it to sodium laureth sulfate; 1,4-dioxane is created in the process and contaminates the sodium laureth sulfate.

1,4-dioxane is most often found in products that suds, like shampoos, shower gels, dish soaps and laundry detergents. It’s also been found in toothpastes, mouthwashes, deodorant and hair dyes.

What’s the Concern? 1,4-dioxane is listed as a known or probable carcinogen by several scientific agencies, including appearing on California’s Proposition 65 list as linked to cancer, as a known animal carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program, and as a likely human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to EPA, it’s also present groundwater, ambient air and indoor environments, in addition to showing up in products we use on a daily basis.

In fact, 1,4-dioxane’s toxicity is concerning enough it landed on the EPA’s list of top ten chemicals for evaluation under the updated Toxic Substances Control Act. Under this updated law, the EPA is required to review existing chemicals to determine, “whether they present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.” If the answer is yes, EPA has to place restrictions on or ban that chemical.

It’s estimated that the EPA may take up to five years to evaluate and regulate these first ten chemicals. Want a faster solution to reduce your contact with this toxic chemical? Read on.

How to Avoid It: Read labels on products like shampoo, bubble bath, liquid soaps and laundry detergents to avoid it. 1,4-dioxane won’t appear on ingredient lists because it’s not intentionally-added, however you can avoid these chemicals that are commonly contaminated with it:

- Sodium laureth sulfate
- PEG compounds (usually listed as “PEG” followed by a number)
- Chemicals that end in “eth” (denotes ethoxylation), like ceteareth and oleth

You can lather and wash without any worry by simply using castile soap without any fragrance. Also look for USDA Organic certified, which doesn’t allow ethoxylation processes, and the MADE SAFE seal, which screens for toxic contaminants like 1,4-dioxane. MADE SAFE certified options for sudsing/lather products include: shampoos from Hairprint and True Botanicals, body wash from Pleni Naturals and Annmarie Gianni Skin Care, and liquid soap from Kosmatology.

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7 On-The-Go Travel Hacks: How To Survive in a Food Desert

A weekend escape does wonders for the soul, but not so much for the diet. Whether we find ourselves in the airport, at a road trip gas station, inside a hotel room or even a friend's home, every healthy eater knows what it feels like to be trapped in a "food desert".

What to do? Functional medicine guru, Dr. Mark Hyman, has a few practical ideas for planning ahead and stocking up while on the go. Here's how to survive outside of your everyday Whole Foods radius...

I’ve traveled to towns where I’ve felt forced to make the most of what is available - and the options weren’t very impressive. When it comes to healthy eating on the go, sometimes you have to improvise and do the best you can with what you have.

It’s not your fault you can’t find real food in the average American town. The food industry conspires to keep real food off the shelves because it’s simply not as profitable to sell vegetables, fruits and nuts as it is to sell snack cakes, candy bars and chips. Yet even in those situations, there’s hope. You can find healthy foods just about anywhere, even if it isn’t as abundant as junk food. You don’t need access to farmers’ markets, gourmet food stores or even health food stores. You can visit your regular grocery store and usually find what you need.

In even the worst situations, I use these seven ways to improvise and make the best possible choices in what seems like the most hopeless food deserts...

Stash healthy food staples. Convenience stores and airport kiosks are invitations to eat junk food. If you’re going to be driving, I recommend taking healthy staples from home like almond butter, nut milk, coconut oil, wild-canned fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds and other nonperishable items. If you’re flying, make room for some of these items in your bags.

Keep a carry-along cooler in your backseat. My favorite secret weapon while road tripping is to stash my favorite emergency kit snacks. I carry dry goods but also fresh foods like celery, carrots, snap peas and radishes – easy finger foods that tend to hold their fresh crunch, especially in the cooler. Apples, berries, pomegranate seeds, avocados and lemons also fare well on the road. If you want something sweet, carry a 70-percent raw, organic dark chocolate bar to prevent those candy bars from calling your name at the gas station.

Place an order online. Before I travel, I place an order for all of my favorite healthy foods and snacks to bring along. Thrive Market carries all of my favorite guilt-free snacks and staples. If online shopping feels easier (it sure does for me!), sign up for Thrive online. If you can, have your order delivered to your destination as a “hostess gift” – that way you are contributing healthy snacks and thanking your hosts for their hospitality at the same time!

Locate the closest food stores. Seek out grocery and/or health food stores as soon as you arrive at your destination. Make a shopping list before you hit the grocery store to save you from wandering the aisles aimlessly and buying junk food impulsively. Stick to the store’s periphery, or more specifically, the produce section, which has most of what you’re looking for. After all, whole, fresh foods are stocked on the outside walls, not the inside shelves. If purchasing beef or meat, choose grass fed, hormone-free or organic whenever possible.

Load up on essentials. If you aren’t able to travel with these, pick them up once you’ve arrived at your destination. Mine include extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and seeds, nut milks, coconut milk, olives, apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar, sea salt, black pepper, and any other spices you might need.

Dine out smartly. If your family or friends want to eat out, research local restaurants online and suggest a few options that work for you. Most people are happy when someone else makes the decision, and choosing puts you in the driver’s seat to find healthy options. Most places have online menus. Look for those with high-quality foods like grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish and organic produce. Restaurants usually have side dishes like steamed veggies or sweet potatoes. Likewise, almost any restaurant can make a grilled fish or chicken dish with a large plate of vegetables steamed or sautéed in olive oil. Anything glazed, breaded or drowning in a sugary sauce should be a red flag to stay away. If your entrée is served with a gluten grain or starchy carbohydrate, simply ask to substitute with a green vegetable instead. Easy and done!

Connect in the kitchen. Rather than go out, use gatherings as an opportunity for you to connect with your family and friends in the kitchen. Introduce your loves ones to new, healthy recipes you’ve been enjoying. That way, you can control the ingredients and types of foods you’ll be having.

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The Happy Smoothie For Hormones + Blood Sugar Balance

A great smoothie always gets us a little giddy, but this "happy smoothie" offers a mood boost beyond flavor-induced feels. Thoughtfully crafted by holistic nutritionist, Kelly LeVeque, this functional blend is the perfect balancing act for the moodiness that might creep in during this weather-y time of year.

Whether you're swooning or skeptical, grab a blender and check below to explore the benefits of this chai-spiced "happy smoothie" stat, including balance for our blood sugar and hormones. Be sure to check here for a few more of Kelly's functional smoothie recipes...

Ceylon Cinnamon

Ceylon cinnamon (sweet) is popular in the diabetic community because of its ability to help increase insulin sensitivity. Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant, antibacterial and also a source of manganese. But before you load up your morning coffee, daily smoothie or Moroccan chicken dish, make sure you are using Ceylon. Compared to cassia cinnamon (the kind most typically found in your neighborhood grocery store), Ceylon cinnamon is not only more effective in blood sugar balance, but it’s also lower in coumarin, which is known to cause liver damage in excess.

Mucuna Pruriens

Mucuna contains L-dopa, an amino acid known for increasing brain levels of dopamine. Dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter associated with regulating mood and cognition. Mucuna is even being used to treat Parkinson’s because low dopamine levels are being linked to shaking, tremors and slow movement.

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Blueberry Dream Smoothie

@sunsetsseparates and @bestswimwear ​are ​collaborat​ing ​to​​...

@sunsetsseparates and @bestswimwear ​are ​collaborat​ing ​to​​ giveaway this bikini from @sunsetsseparates 2017 Passport Collection. You ​could​​ be the winner of the must-have ‘Jailbird’ bikini set! All you have to do is:
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Eat Dirt: Dr. Axe On How To Heal A Leaky Gut

We eat clean, we shop clean, we live clean - but is it possible we're too clean? Our January Guest Editor, Dr. Josh Axe, gives us good reason to believe yes. His book Eat Dirt explores how modern lifestyle norms might be contributing to common health hurdles, especially when it comes to our micro-biome: From leaky gut to other belly burdens - and the slew of symptoms they create. We're learning how the germs we kill and the stress we carry might be weighing down our wellness, and how to help our bodies heal...

The hidden epidemic: Many of our most common modern health conditions and diseases are a result of leaky gut syndrome. When the lining of the gut becomes too permeable, foreign particles are allowed to enter the bloodstream, where they then impact different organs and biological systems. The reality is, whether you suffer from adrenal fatigue, psoriasis, an inability to lose weight or joint issues, the condition can likely be traced back to an unhealthy gut environment. And, as a result, healing the condition is as simple as healing the gut.

Dirt is good, oversanitation is bad: In our quest to become more “clean,” we have instituted some common practices that have negatively impacted our gut microbiome and, as a result, our overall health. The use of anti-bacterial soaps and over-scrubbing of produce to remove every single trace of dirt has killed not only the bad bacteria that may enter our bodies, but the good bacteria as well. The problem is, our guts need the proper ratio of good/neutral and bad bacteria to function optimally. When good bacteria are destroyed (through over-sanitation and other processes), the bad bacteria are allowed to proliferate, which leads to the development of a leaky/overly permeable gut and, ultimately, a variety of different health conditions.

Stress impacts the whole body: Whether we realize it or not, our go-go-go society and constant stress load impact our entire body. In fact, it has been estimated that up to 90% of all doctors visits can be traced to stress. Stress has a profound impact on gut health, allowing for the proliferation of yeast and decreasing probiotic diversity. Additionally, stress weakens the immune system, which makes it even harder for the gut — and the body, overall — to heal.

Essential Oils for Healing: Essential oils have been used as healing agents for thousands of years and there are some that are particularly beneficial for healing a leaky gut. Chamomile has a calming effect on the body and is great for digestion, which can help prevent the development of leaky gut. Frankincense can reduce inflammation in the gut, as does ginger, which also aids in digestion. Finally, tea tree oil (melaleuca) has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties and can also stimulate the immune system — up to 80% of which is located in the gut.

My Mom’s Constipation Cure: In the beginning of Eat Dirt, I discuss my mom’s struggle to heal from cancer and how her experiences motivated me to pursue a career in natural medicine. A major part of my mom’s problem was that she suffered from many years of chronic constipation. We began to alleviate the issue with the Budwig Diet, which was developed in the 1950s by the German biochemist Dr. Johanna Budwig. The recipe below (which my mom mixed in her blender each day) was designed to help combat cancer and cellular disease and, in my mom’s case, it also helped her to finally get things moving. The probiotic kefir, prebiotic flax meal and gut-soothing flaxseed oil helped heal her digestion, stimulate detoxification and improve her overall gut health. [olists num=1][olists num=2]

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NYC Sip of the Month: Unicorn Lattes + Beauty Tonics In Brooklyn

The End has come - at least for Brookyln where the new cafe slash beverage mecca The End is supercharging locals with a menu of plant-based potions, lattes and elixirs. With names as irresistible as their ingredients - the ayurdevic "bonfire cider" and blue-green algae infused "unicorn latte" are major stand-outs - this place is the kind of high-vibe cafe we hope goes bi-coastal stat.

Founded by a pair of childhood friends, The End aims to create a space where wellness just is. The cozy cafe environment is cool but not inaccessibly so, and their selection of plant-based snacks is all the more reason to linger. Our favorite New York foodie, Kat Odell stopped by to sample the drink list we're determined to try all of - here's what you need to know about it...

What I Drank: The End’s Radiance Dust Beauty Latte

Why I Drank It: I love the zip of fresh ginger. Somehow, any drink liberally spiked with the root immediately makes me feel like I’m doing something good for my body, and in winter I love a heavy hit of the stuffed warmed into a tea. As a kid, when I wasn’t feeling well, my grandmother would make me an elixir with half a lemon, honey and lots of fresh ginger, boiled as a tea — and a similar such drink is on offer at Williamsburg’s The End. Here, the Radiance Dust Beauty Latte calls for Montauk Juice Factory’s Radiance Dust juice (ginger, turmeric, camu camu, sea buckthorn, chamomile blossoms), which is heated and blended with coconut milk and butter, plus collagen.

Why You Need It: The kids behind Long Island’s Montauk Juice Factory threw open the doors to their whitewashed juice box over the summer, but they’ve just recently rolled out a new menu of plant-based tonics aimed to pep you up or chill you out, or remedy that cold. There’s an Earl Grey tea latte with rose petals, and evan an aptly named Psychedelic Blue Unicorn Latte hued with algae. Because healthy can taste good, too.

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Access Your Subconscious Mind With Yoga Nidra

Learn to let go of stress, anxiety and sleep issues with yoga nidra - an ancient style of yoga that encourages relaxation and release on a dream-deep level.

Imagine the lightness of shavasana - or that half dazed feeling of an epic massage - but carried throughout the practice, not just added to the end. Yogi Karen Nourizadeh is teaching us all about the unique benefits below, and sharing an easy practice to get us started...

One of the many yogi tools and gifts I bring to New York City for relaxation is yoga nidra. Nidra (pronounced 'nee-dra') means sleep, but yoga nidra means ‘psychic sleep.’ In psychic sleep, one feels grounded and enters a magical world where mysteries and answers about the deeper layers of mind exist. In yoga nidra, mental, emotional and physical impressions that one might never imagine, come to light, to the conscious mind. In yoga nidra, we train ourselves to isolate the brain to remain introverted while maintaining a degree of external awareness by listening to and following the instructions. This is done while lying down. In yoga nidra, one can resolve muscular, mental and emotional tensions. Through different brainwave states, or vibrations of the brain-body, yoga nidra also leads one to the doorway of higher states of consciousness.

People who have practiced yoga nidra may relax so much that their brain waves slow to the depths of ‘delta,’ or deep sleep. Achieving ‘delta,’ a very slow brainwave, is like a badge of honor for some in my classes, who cannot slow down. For others who’ve entered the ‘delta’ force too often, they feel as if they’ve missed something special. And they have. That’s because ‘delta’ means that you have entered deep sleep and if you’ve slept throughout the practice, you are unable to remember a thing about the instructions that I have given during the practice - the ones that can take you on that magic psychic sleep ride.

When seasoned in this practice, you will eventually be able to remain awake and aware of what happens even when your body and brain are sleeping. It is a practice and in practice we train. In this practice we train ourselves to stay awake while deeply relaxed. So it may appear something like this in experiential terms: During the practice you become aware of a humming sound and ask yourself, ‘What is that sound? Where is it coming from?’ Then, you realize it is you, and you are snoring.

Since I teach in the ‘city that never sleeps,’ a number of New Yorkers unabashedly hang out in ‘delta’ throughout the practice, because it is likely that their bodies require it, which is beneficial. Yet, for the practice of yoga nidra, deep sleep is not the goal. In nidra, we hover in states between sleep and wake. The magic I and others often experience is then, somewhere in the middle - between sleep and wake.

In a seated meditation, for example, your brainwave is likely in beta, an active awake state of being, when you plop yourself down to meditate. After you close your eyes and focus your mind on your object of meditation for a short time, the brainwaves start to slow down to alpha. Most of us hover (or try to) in alpha brain waves during seated meditations, and try to remain in alpha, absorbed in the object of concentration, which then leads one to deeper mental and spiritual realms.

In yoga nidra however, periodic bursts of alpha are interspersed between beta, wakefulness, and theta, dreaming sleep. This in-between stage is where the magic happens, as your mind fluctuates from extroversion - wakeful, sensory awareness and introversion into dreaming sleep, which accesses the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is home to our personality, embedded habitual moods, fears, thought patterns, desires and reactions. By remaining in alpha predominance, characterized by deep body relaxation, we can allow more embedded imprints, images, sounds, smells and patterns of the subconscious to rise to the surface and be released, which enables a profound experience of total relaxation. This is actually more beneficial than sleep, which is characterized by body and mind paralysis, where yogis believe that no impressions, fears or desires are released. In yoga nidra, one enters psychic sleep and throws off the burdens one has accumulated in the psyche and body over time.

The ultimate outcome of yoga nidra is total integration, vibrating in harmony with all levels of consciousness, where one then enters another state of consciousness, beyond the individual consciousness, merging with the Universal Consciousness, where a single underlying matrix of consciousness exists.

Yoga nidra can bring up some pretty interesting stuff, which evokes both love and fear, happiness and sadness or questioning, and therefore, it is helpful to have a qualified teacher guiding you through the practice, and to provide a safe place to enter back into once the practice is over. Here’s a simple how-to version:

Yoga Nidra How-To’s

Find a comfortable position on your back in a quiet-ish area. Not too comfortable of a position that induces sleep. You should have enough room to spread out about a half foot on each side of your body. You might cover your body with a blanket as the body temperature might drop as brainwaves slow down. Allow yourself to access imagination. As Einstein said, ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge,’ and it is imagination that can connect you and bring you deeper in this practice.

Step 1: Close the eyes, and find the breath and body rhythms. Try to remain still for the entire practice. Mentally repeat, ‘I am relaxed,’ three times. Imagine that you are and feel relaxed.

Step 2: Start moving your mind over your body: right front, left front, back body, front face, front body.

Starting with the right thumb, mentally say each part of your body that you will become aware of. Move your mind from your thumb to your toes. Once the right front side is completed, do the same for the left side. Just become aware of these body parts. Try not to think about anything. Just be a witness. Then move the mind to the back of the body from the buttocks upwards to the top of the head over the eyes, ears, nostrils, lips and chin. Then, become aware of the front of the chest. Finally, become aware of the body as a whole for a half minute.

Step 3: Watch your natural breath rhythms and count the natural breath backward from 20 to 1. Mentally repeat, ’20 belly up, 20 belly down, 19 belly up, 19 belly down…’ Don’t rush and try not to make a mistake. Use your natural breath rhythm.

Step 4: Feel your whole body as heavy and sinking into the surface below. Use your imagination to bring heaviness into the body for a minute. Then, feel your whole body as light. Use your imagination to bring lightness into your body, as if you were floating in the air.

Step 5: Look into the space of the mind, and try not to think. Watch if anything arises from the depths of the mind. Allow images to arise without reacting to them.

Step 6: Slowly bring yourself out of body stiffness and the practice, moving the fingers and toes, and eventually the entire body.

Yoga nidra initiates a process of self-awareness, accompanied by a restructuring and resetting of consciousness and the brain-body. It is reflected in greater stability of the autonomic nervous system, enhanced control of emotions and expanded consciousness. There is an art to relaxation, and yoga nidra is it.

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Simplest Health Tip Ever: Use Lemon Essential Oil In Your Water

We already know what to do when life gives us lemons: squeeze them into a cup of warm water and toss that baby back. But what happens when life withholds lemons (or we just get really sick of squeezing them)? Grab yourself a bottle of lemon essential oil!

If, like us, you already drink a glass of warm lemon water first thing every morning, then you've felt the deeply hydrating benefits. But did you know that a few drops of lemon essential oil can be just as effective as fresh squeezed? Keeping a bottle of oil on hand is also crazy convenient so there's literally no excuse not to alkalize and detox daily. Here's what you need to know...

How It Helps: According to Dr. David Wolfe, "lemon essential oil can help increase energy levels while aiding in mental clarity. This oil has also been known to help with heartburn, acne, gallstones, and respiratory issues."

How It's Different: Lemon oil is made from the rinds, not the juice, so it's pH is neutral rather than acidic. That means easier absorption, safer detoxing and no risk of dental damage. The oil also has more antioxidants than lemon juice, containing a powerful detoxifier called d-limonene. As lemon oil is highly concentrated, it's important to note that only a few drops are needed - a little goes a long way!

How To Use It: Add a few drops of food grade lemon oil to a glass of warm water first thing in the morning. Drop a few more into a water bottle later in the day (be sure to use a glass water bottle, as the oil can erode plastic).

The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. 
All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program. 

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“Everything” Dark Chocolate Drops You Can Make In 15 Minutes

Good for the heart, better for the soul. From cardiovascular perks to mood boosting properties, the benefits of dark chocolate are well backed by science - through we don't exactly need excuses to eat (or drink) more of it.

These pretty little chocolate drops are quick and easy to make, and can be topped with anything from dried berries to nuts, bee pollen to goji berries (see more variations here!) This simple idea comes from Haute Chefs LA, our tried-and-true resource for day-to-day recipe ideas as wholesome as they are handsome. Learn more about the health benefits of dark chocolate here and here, and whip up these babies as an edible DIY this weekend!

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Adaptogenic Pancakes You Can Make This Weekend

It Was Love at first like. We stopped scrolling for these adaptogenic, superfood pancakes on Instagram earlier this week and had to share! Luxe invitation designer, Rachelle Schwartz, posted these homey, delectable pancakes to the interweb this week - and swears her children will eat them! We're impressed and ready to whip them up.

The recipe is wheat-free, as simple as a morning smoothie, and includes a slew of our favorite beautifying superfoods. Pop over to our Instagram this morning for a chance to win one of the star ingredients! 

A friend of mine gifted me a set of her favorite Sun Potion products for Christmas, and I have been having so much fun exploring ways to incorporate them into my everyday: from coffee, to smoothies, and in this case, superfood pancakes. My kids love pancakes, so I wanted to really give them a healthy boost, and of course I reached for my stash of Sun Potion goodies. Reishi is one of my favorites to use, as it’s so versatile and the health benefits are amazing. [olists num=1]

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Your One and Only: Embrace the One Piece 🙌 check out our latest...

Your One and Only: Embrace the One Piece 🙌 check out our latest blog post to read more about the one piece revival #bestswimwear http://ift.tt/2iHmjgf

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Your One and Only: Embrace the One Piece

Ashley Neese’s Simple Breathwork Practice Will Change Your Life

Breathing happens. We breathe on autopilot as we bounce from task to task throughout the day, but when we truly take a moment to breathe mindfully, suddenly this 'given' becomes a 'game changer.' That's the art of breathwork.

We recently joined holistic healer, Ashley Neese for an afternoon of breathwork, personal discovery and self-care at the cozy-ethereal Light Lab space in East L.A. The intimate gathering invited attendees to immerse themselves in an afternoon dedicated to slowing down and turning in, something Ashley has a unique gift for helping others do. Guests enjoyed dreamy plant-based eats from our Echo Park fave, Honey Hi and beautiful totes to take home featuring a few TCM lifestyle classics like Lite + Cycle candles, Energy Muse crystals, W3LL People and S.W. Basics.

We left feeling brighter and lighter with tools to continue the self-care at home, including this healing breathwork exercise from Ashley. Check it out...

Breathwork For Grounding + Clarity

Deep, slow breathing triggers the body’s natural relaxation response. It also decreases your heart rate and blood pressure, while bringing more oxygen into the bloodstream. Stress cannot live in the body if you consciously change your breathing pattern because stress and anxiety require shallow breathing. When your breath is full and steady, your energy is grounded and it’s much easier to be clear and focused.

+ Start by getting comfortable. Sit on a chair or on the floor.

+ Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your abdomen.

+ Gently close your eyes.

+ Begin with an exhale out of your mouth.

+ Then breathe in and out through your nose.

+ Inhale and expand your abdomen.

+ Exhale and soften, keeping the chest lifted.

+ Take long, smooth inhalations and exhalations.

+ After a few minutes let your arms relax and continue breathing in this pattern.

+ Practice for 10 minutes.

+ At the end of your practice, notice how you feel.

+ Aim to practice every day, either in the morning or evening.

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In The Nordic Kitchen: Baked Cabbage with Beluga Lentils

This earthy-luxe baked cabbage recipe comes from food writer Simon Bajada's Nordic Light, a new cookbook that has us wanting to cozy up in front of a fireplace, like, forever. If you love the streamlined sophistication of Scandinavian design, these pages -complete with gorgeous golden-lit photography - will likely steal your heart. And this seasonal recipe is a cruciferous veggie lover's dream... 

The recipes focus heavily on raw and veggie-based dishes, featuring grains, berries and even some lean meats - each dish offering something that's a little unexpected and entirely transporting. Indulge in the romance of new Nordic cuisine starting with the bakes cabbage recipe below...

It’s great that high-end restaurants are now offering up things like cabbage wedges as a main course. That was unimaginable in the past. Pointed cabbage, also known as hispi or sweetheart cabbage, is a sweet, soft cabbage perfect for roasting. This can be eaten as a main or served as a side to meat dishes.

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How We Hygge: 6 Ways To Embrace The Danish Art of Coziness

Part art, part attitude. We're not totally sure how to pronounce it, but we certainly know what it feels like. We're exploring hygge, the Danish concept of coziness, with recommendations for ways to take the lifestyle trend to heart.

If you don't know how to hygge, don't fret; there's no exact formula to follow. The concept is all about creating a warm atmosphere at home, enjoying simple pleasures and little moments at home that bring big joy. This can be as simple as lighting a favorite candle and curling up with a fuzzy throw, knit socks and a cup of cocoa.

Hygge is a style and state of being and we love the way it looks. Here are a few tangible ways we're turning that hygge life into a habit. Pick a few to play with, or combine together for best results...

Things in Bowls: Don't even try to get cozy with a plate. We love the feeling of diving into a bowl of warming food like kitchari, rice pudding or seasonal veggies with the works.

Knit to Wit: Loopy oversized knit throws would win the hygge awards if they existed. Make your own with a kit from Loopy Mango.

Drinkable Hygge: Sip, savor, repeat. Find a favorite mug and fill it with something special: lattes, tonics, teas and herbal infusions can all provide a peaceful moment of drinkable bliss.

Simple Habits: Hygge is about tapping into a certain state of mind, where you can be encapsulated by calm. Simple habits like journaling, meditating, or mindful breathing can get you there. Even the act of making more time for activities you love is part of the hygge way of life.

Reading Lists: Commit to a little less digital engagement and a little more reading this season. We love this list of essential reads from our wellness library. Looking for something a little more laid back? Flip through the pages of a pretty cookbook and plan a meal to share with people you love.

All About Atmosphere: Make your home your happy place. Go for warm light and soft textures. Create a hygge haven and light up a non-toxic candle or diffuse a calming essential oil; allow an album to transport you  (go old-school with vinyl to avoid the urge to skip through too quickly).

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Mornings In New York with Designer Rachel Roy

Bright lights, big city and a healthy dose of levity. We're learning more about Rachel Roy through this glimpse at a typical New York morning with the designer and finding out how this NYC lady makes time to live well in the city that never sleeps. The pressure to hustle as a creator and entrepreneur is all too real these days, which makes carving out time for the things that matter all the more essential. We love Rachel's balanced routine of slow mornings with the fam, girlfriend workouts and moments of gratitude wedged in between...

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Candida + Apple Cider Vinegar: What’s The Connection?

Listen up, ladies. For many women, candida - a build up of yeast in the body - is often the covert cause of unpleasant symptoms we might not think to link together. A bit unsettling, yes, but take comfort in knowing there's a simple solution for it. Holistic health coach and women's health expert, Nicole Granato, is sharing a bit of critical knowledge on candida and an easy yet effective way to get it under wraps. Don't suffer; read up and take charge with a natural remedy that's probably in your pantry already...

As women we naturally have yeast in our body. What's essential to understand is that when we build up too much of that yeast is when it starts getting in the way of wellness. Candida overgrowth can greatly effect our entire body, including: digestion, skin, hormones, fertility, mood, energy levels and even depression. Specifically, yeast can be the cause of migraines, weight gain, weight loss issues, anxiety, chronic fatigue, infertility, cystic acne, bloating, pain during sex, missed periods and hair loss.

Fortunately, a simple apple cider vinegar cleanse can eliminate excess yeast and help bring our bodies back to balance. Here's what you need to know:

The Common Culprits: Candida and yeast infections are more common in women taking birth control pills, women that are recently pregnant or post pregnancy, and women who consume lots of sugar, coffee or dairy.You do not need a full yeast infection to have yeast lingering in your body. Some people are more prone to yeast and candida build up naturally. Everybody has candida - it's just important to know how to manage it.

The ACV Solution: To help combat yeast and candida build up in the body, drinking apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water twice daily is the best all-natural solution. Buying apple cider vinegar is easy and affordable. I highly recommend Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar. You want to look for vinegar that is not overly processed and contains the "mother," which is a muggy like substance that settles at the bottom of the bottle. This contains all of the miracle enzymes that make apple cider vinegar an extremely powerful health tonic. To cleanse with ACV, use twice daily for at least two weeks. If you continue daily, you can more down to once a day. The benefits of this drink are extraordinary - I highly support continuing daily.

The Black List: Yeast and candida feed on sugar - these are two things you want to avoid 100% while on the cleanse. This includes eliminating citrus and acidic fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, tomatoes, pineapple and limes from your diet. If you decide to continue taking apple cider vinegar daily, you can implement citrus fruits back into your diet after you complete the cleanse.

Tcm Editor's note: If you're concerned about candida, be sure to check out the full story here as well. 

The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. 
All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program. 

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The 10 Minute Full Body Workout (That Works)

Strong is sexy and no one demonstrates it better as a bunch than the Aussies. This full body workout from Australian fitness guru, Tanya Poppett, is so simple, but gets major results! These five dynamic movements target and tone from head to toe in very little time - and without equipment. Make this simple circuit your go-to solution on those in-between spin class days! 

Exercise is for everyone… we just start at different levels. Whether you are starting out or starting again, this workout is designed to get those muscles working and that heart pumping with these 5 modified moves. Here’s the rundown: perform each move for 40 seconds with a 20-second rest in between each. Complete 2 rounds.

Tip Toe Squats

This move is a great alternative to squat jumps for those who have knee injuries, weak pelvic floor muscles or if jumping is just not your thing. These work both the front and back of the legs just like squat jumps, whilst also helping to improve coordination and balance. Feel free to hold onto a chair or pole if you need assistance with balance.

As you sit back into a squat, imagine that you are sitting back into a chair. Keep your chest lifted and your gaze forward. Once you have reached 90 degrees with your knees, hips and ankles, use your glutes to drive yourself up. Your weight should be in the back of your heels for your squat, not coming over the toes. Once you get to the top of your squat you will then shift your weight onto your toes and push your hips forward pulling upwards from the belly button. Shift your weight back into your heels as you come back down into the squat.

Step Out Burpees

Burpees are an exercise you will learn to love but may always dread. There is a good reason why we do them. They are one of the best full body exercises for toning, strengthening and conditioning. These have been modified to reduce impact and help increase mobility. If getting up and down off the ground is difficult, you can also perform these with your hands elevated on a bench.

Begin in a plank position, aiming to keep your shoulders in line with your wrists. Step your feet one at a time to meet your hands. Lift your chest up and keep your gaze forward as you use your legs and glutes to bring yourself up to a strong standing position. Sweep your arms round and up whilst standing then lower them back down, planting the palms and stepping back to your starting position. Repeat.

Squat with Heel Tap

This squat variation is great because it not only works the legs and the glutes, it also hits most areas of the abdominals and hip flexors.

Sit back in your squat, making sure that your weight is in the back of your heels, your chest is lifted and your knees aren’t coming over your toes. A great way to get the best activation in your squat is to imagine someone pushing in on the outsides of your knees and you need to push them outwards. Now as you come up, lift your left foot up and reach towards the heel, whilst maintaining a nice, proud posture. Return to your squat position and repeat on the right side. Begin slow and try to increase your speed as you progress, maintaining control over your form at all times.

Heel Tap Abs

You will feel this exercise in all areas of your mid-section, helping to strengthen and tone the abdominals.

Begin laying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. The closer together your feet are, the harder this exercise will be. Start with them about hip-width apart and move them closer as you progress. Lift your head and slightly tuck the chin so that your neck is in a comfortable position and keep your gaze towards your knees. Pull your belly button up and in to engage your lower abdominals and try keep your lower back pressed to the floor. Maintain your breath as you reach for each heel returning to the center each time.

Knee Push-ups with Shoulder Taps

This push-up variation is great for strengthening and toning the upper body without the added weight of the legs. To modify these push-ups further you can perform them with your hands elevated on a high bench or wall.

Begin in a push-up position with your knees bent and your shoulders in line with your wrists. Make sure your core is locked on by tuck up through the belly button and squeezing the thighs and the glutes. Slowly lower yourself down leading with the chest to protect your lower back. Aim to get as low as you can without dropping the hips. Once you’re there, use the muscles in your chest to push yourself back until your arms are straight. Then, keeping that core tight and those hips still, lift your right hand up and tap your left shoulder. Lower back down into your push-up and repeat on the left side.

Find more fitness routines and inspiration on Free People's blog, BLDG 25.

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