In My Bag: Win Our Editor’s 9 Travel Essentials That Give Back

Earlier this month, we set our sites on the Hawaiian Islands and left the mainland, mind, heart, body, and soul. We spent the week making incredible visits to organic farms, holistic spas, and eco-resorts in pursuit of a little Chalkboard-style adventure. The truth is that, for us, half a vacation is about the destination, the other half about what you pack along. While we could survive a week in paradise with some cutoffs, a camera, and a hat, there are a few accessories that make traveling more fun to have along: giant pieces of tribal-inspired jewelery, exotic-feeling journals, a lengthy scarf that doubles as a wrap - and so much the better if our stash of carry-along items do some good in the world. We loved wearing these artisan-made, charitable goods on our recent trip to Maui and are giving away this entire bag full of well-crafted items to one lucky reader. This collection of resort travel musts, all of which come from ethically and socially conscious brands, each have their own story and their own unique feel. Whether you've booked a fall getaway already and are looking for the perfect things to pack or are just inspired by some of the brand's stories below, you're going to want to get your hands on this gorgeous bag full of our favorite ethical accessories...



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The Un-Pasta Salad: Our Zucchini Ribbons Obsession Continues

If you don't own one already, drop what you're doing and buy yourself a Japanese spiralizer. Throw in a zucchini, whirl it around, and welcome yourself into a whole new world: pasta made from raw veggies. We don't know what we did before spiralizers and aren't giving up our veg-tastic obsession any time soon. Try zucchini "spaghetti" with raw marinara sauce if you're a tomato freak or keep it simple and toss larger zucchini ribbons into a light salad. We love this recipe from Elizabeth Stein of Purely Elizabeth. As a natural foods pro herself, Elizabeth gets it when it comes to making healthful eating more accessible and, most importantly, more delicious. We recommend you make this recipe right away: once you try it, you'll rely on it again and again...



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Empower Point: Success You Can’t See

Vincent Van Gogh only sold one painting in his entire lifetime. As such an iconic artist, it's natural to assume it was one of the "greats" with which we associate his talent. Starry Night? Irises? Sunflowers? One of his many, famed self portraits? Nope - it was a golden auburn-toned piece entitled "Red Vineyard," a depiction of farmhands harvesting crop at a wine plantation. Not the one that I, at least, was expecting. His life was tumultuous, his paintings underappreciated, his world not ready for what he had to offer. Yet he kept painting, he kept expressing himself in the unique way he knew how. And now, centuries later, our souls moved by his artistry, we are so lucky he did. This could be an article addressing what it means to be successful, seeing success from different perspectives, guiding you from one mindset into another (if you'd like to read about that, though, take a peek at Breaking Out Of The Dream). But if we're being honest - and here at The Chalkboard we all strive to be honest first and foremost - for many of us success does involve others. Let me put this out in the open: if being visible or making an impact in someone else's life is what your definition of success looks like, there is nothing wrong with that. We are all human - community-driven beings by nature. If following your gut instinct about your purpose in life involves others, embrace it and move forward. I've been contemplating success quite a lot lately. What it means to succeed, who determines success. While I do firmly believe that you get to define success on your own terms, that doesn't mean that a desire for visibility is counter to success. If being in the public eye and connecting with others helps you define your success, that's something to fight for, not against. So many of us desire to be lasting, or expansive, or simply useful. To make a difference that goes beyond our self or lasts way past our own existence. Whether than means change within our nuclear families or on a global level, our sense of mortality can sometimes scare us into a scramble for success that's visible, success you can see. Whether our definition of success involves the immediate future or posthumous celebration, we want to be sure of it. We want to know we're being the change we wish to see in the world. But how do you know that is what's actually lasting? When it comes to success, what is more important: success that lasts a lifetime, success you can scale and be sure of...or success that is not shown to you directly but is impacting the world on a level beyond your awareness? Social media and technology provide us with amazing tools to connect and impact each other, and it's now easier than ever to gain signs and signals of your success. Whether it's likes, shares, or just a message from a friend saying how happy they are to know you, in some ways we're able to be more aware than ever of our influence. But not everyone reaches out, not everyone is connected - and as dialed in as our culture is, in many ways the true tell-tale signs of success are old-school. You don't always know. And then there is the work we do in the world that we're not necessarily recognized for. Work that, centuries from now, our society might deem revolutionary.

What is more important: that the success actually materializes, or that we actually see its impact?

For me, seeing my impact, however small, keeps me fueled and connected. But does seeing my impact define success for me? I've come to the conclusion that seeing our impact can be a metric of success, a symptom of and supplement to the success itself. But if we're truly successful, there might be a whole boatload of impact we don't see. Lives we're never aware we touch. And we need to be okay with that. Because lasting impact is the one thing we cannot control. Success you can't see is scary ("Does what I do really matter?"), but it's also kind of empowering. Success you can't see is what drives us to be fully and completely self-expressed, for how will we know if we don't even try? If you're one of those people who believes we are all put on Earth for a reason - and I for sure am one of those people who believes we are all put on Earth for a reason - then we must let ourselves fully and completely live our purpose and look for the little signs telling us we're doing the thing that's in our DNA to let live. It might be a smile from a stranger. It might be a comment on your blog or a tweet from a stranger. It might be your best friend's child expressing gratitude or when you hear a family member repeat a word of wisdom you offered up randomly one day. If you keep your eyes open and live your life to its fullest, its fullness, you will start to see signs everywhere that you're a lasting force in this world. It is only those people who actively choose not to create change that don't. Whether you're far along your path or just beginning to let it live, please know and trust that what's right in front of you is just the tip of the ice berg. A star in the sky. One painting in the collection. Simply desiring to make a difference means you've probably already made one.



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Cook and Play: A Gift-Wrapped Fish Recipe For The Whole Family

Carefully wrapped up like a little birthday surprise, this recipe is giving us everything we've been asking for. Any dish wrapped like a gift is a fun novelty, this one as beautiful as it is nutrient-packed. There are a million ways to get your family to eat more healthfully, but wrapping dinner as a parceled gift? Works every time. This recipe comes to us from renowned documentary producer and children's nutrition advocate Laurie David. Laurie's most recent documentary about childhood sugar consumption is a must-watch, and her latest cookbook, The Family Cooks provides all the answers to the questions raised in the film. The Family Cooks teaches us how to make cooking not only easy and accessible, but how to do it with flair as well. We're on board with Laurie's mission to use homemade cooking as a vehicle for changing the health of America, one family at a time. Dive into this fun and simple dish made with local wild fish, shiitake mushrooms, asparagus and bok choy, and join Laurie in revitalizing the magic of home cooking.



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Superfood Spotlight: Camu Camu

What you need to know: Camu camu is a little red and purple cherry-like fruit native to the Amazonian lowlands of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. It is renown for its unusually high vitamin-C content, potent antioxidant composition and overall nutrient density, making it an extremely popular superfood worldwide. With 250 milligrams of vitamin C per teaspoon, camu camu strengthens the immune system, helping to prevent upper respiratory infections and the flu, and promotes collagen production, thereby reducing wrinkles, improving the tone of the skin, while building bone, blood vessels and organ tissue. Camu camu can also promote fat burning in the body, aiding in natural weight loss. Why you should try it: Camu camu is one of the best ways to boost vitamin C levels since it comes from a natural food source. Unlike synthetic forms of ascorbic acid, it has no toxic side effects that can lead to the damaging of tissues. Regular consumption of camu camu can help to brighten the skin, giving you that sought-after youthful glow. As for more therapeutic uses, clinical evidence has shown it to be effective in lessening symptoms of asthma, even stopping attacks once underway. Let's get together: Unique in taste, camu camu has a slightly sweet and mildly tart flavor. Since the fruit is not easily accessible, we love it in powder form. Using Immunoligic's Camu Camu powder, we add a scoop into our morning Stevia-Sweetened Tropical Green Smoothies. And if we aren't in the mood for liquid nourishment, we opt for a camu-packed snack line by Navitas Naturals. Called "Power Snacks," they are loaded with fifteen or more superfoods, and come in many flavors such as Coffee Cacao, Lemon Goldenberry and Citrus Chia. Editor's note: we found this tropical fruit on our recent trip to Maui's beautiful organic farms. Stay tuned for more next month about the tips we learned for farm and garden - and for more of our superfood finds!



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Sister, Sister: The Art of Eating Well With The Hemsley Sisters

Last week, we shared a beet and goat cheese recipe that forever changed your idea of a good girls' night in. This week, we're introducing you to the sisters behind that recipe, as well as several hundred others like it, from their new cookbook, The Art of Eating Well . The Hemsley sisters, Melissa and Jasmine, live in London and cook up more "whole, organic, nutrient filled, delicious homemade foods, free of grain, gluten, high starch and refined sugar" food than you could ever hope to eat. Perfect, right? We love this new cookbook for just that reason. Flip it open to any page and find a delicious, accessible idea for what to eat now. We asked these two adorable sisters to answer a few of our pressing culinary questions. We're keeping it simple, talking good eats, kitchen tools and family biz - really, what else do you need to know? Here they are...



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Season Finale: A Fresh Corn Polenta + Ratatouille For The Big Transition

As one season ends and another begins, we are making a mad dash to get our final fill of our favorite summer recipes. On that short list is this beautiful and delicious polenta recipe by Jodi of What's Cooking Good Looking. We're bidding a fond farewell to all the summer flavors we love by whipping up this savory seasonal dish with eggplant, zucchini, basil and juicy grape tomatoes. Jodi, a professional natural foods chef, knows to only pick the freshest and finest of ingredients for her concoction. Send off summer in style and get ready to embrace all new fall recipes... This time of year in my corner of the world, the corn and tomatoes have been plentiful and so tasty. I am always looking for new ways to prepare summer vegetables, and I recently came across an Ottolenghi recipe for polenta that uses fresh corn kernels instead of packaged processed dried kernels. I was so intrigued and couldn't wait to try it out. Well... after my first try I was hooked and it became a staple in my kitchen all summer, along with this vegetable ratatouille. Fortunately for me, I live in an area where I have plenty of local, organic, GMO-free corn to choose from, but I do feel it is worth mentioning that is it worthwhile to seek out GMO-free or organic corn. Not only is it better for your health and the environment, but it tastes infinitely better too.



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The Shop: Introducing Our Shoppable Guide To Living Well

This fall, we're taking all the wellness, style, home and beauty stories you've come to love from us and squeezing them down into a small selection of items offered in our brand new The Shop. Each month we'll be sharing a new curation of items we know our readers will love - from high-styling fitnesswear and gorgeous natural beauty picks, to holistic tools you've got to have and home goods so gorgeous you'll be rushing home to the kitchen. Join us this month for our September shop, what we're calling The Chalkboard Starter Kit - fifteen goods we're loving for the beginning of this cozy new season, from the perfect fall lip and non-toxic touch-up pen to these minimal leather slides and a piece de resistance sports bra, all of which equip a girl to live that Chalkboard life. Check in each month as we share a new collection of goods you've got to have from brands we love and trust. Watch for curated selections from our monthly Guest Editors and a few other folks whose closets, kitchens and medicine cabinets we're ready to raid!



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Simplest Entertaining Idea Ever: Make These Spanish-Style Bar Jars

We love this genius idea from the new Watertable restaurant in Huntington Beach. Inside the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa, Watertable is serving up local produce with a comfort-food spin, but the way they're dishing out light noshes at the bar is what caught our attention. These Bar Jars - variously sized jam jars filled with house-made snacks are the coolest way to prep munchies for home entertaining. Make them ahead of time, pile them up on the bar or kitchen counter and let party guests or house guests help themselves to whatever they like. Watertable fills their jars with artichoke spread, marinated olives, oven-cured tomatoes and rosemary almonds, but, really, you could fill them with anything you like - think individually-sized hummus and guacamole! To get you thinking in the right direction, we're sharing Chef Lassahn's recipe for marinated pistachios with Manchego cheese. Order up a case of jars and you're half way to ideal hostess status. You're welcome!



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On My Desk: Healthy Living With A Creative Media Mogul

Celine bags and seaweed crackers - that's a strong Chalkboard vibe right there. Chatting with Digital Brand Architects creative head, Karen Robinovitz, it didn't take long for us to realize that she was our kind of girl. We meet thriving creatives and wellness buffs at the top of their game all the time - most of which blow us away with either their great taste and killer carry alongs or their unusual snacks and glowing skin, but when we talked with Karen, we knew we'd met one of our own: someone as obsessed with their raw crackers as they were the handbag they crunched them in to. Design and raw food fixations aside, Karen - with a career that has ranged from fashion to pop culture to art and back, is also someone who can appreciate the balance required to live "well," as we often say. We loved getting a glimpse into this stylish media maven's New York office for a day. A filled with seaweed snacks and good art books, as all solid work days should be...



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The Risk Factor: Vulnerability, Fear + First Dates

Ellie Burrows is an expert on sex, relationships, first dates and everything in between. This week, we're diving into the deep end of a scary yet crucial part of any worthwhile relationship: the risk factor. Here's Ellie on why it's crucial to let your heart lead the way... Risk mitigation. It makes me think of business formal, financial institutions and PowerPoint presentations. However, I am beginning to think it is more prevalent in the dating world than in the finance sector. Lately among my single friends, it’s an epidemic. Last week, I went to lunch with a friend who was fresh off two dates with a pretty sexy guy in the form of a handsome and successful bachelor in his early forties. Despite their age difference, they have some interesting things in common and from what I gathered from her story, it sounded like they enjoyed each others company. Then the strangest thing happened. When she finished dishing the details, she said, “Whatever. I don’t care. I’m not taking it seriously.” I laughed and said, “Bullshit. Can I nail you right now?” Her cheeks flushed. “What?” “You just lied right through your teeth. You like this guy and you totally care." Her eyes got really big. “You’re right Elle. I don’t even know why I just said that.” “Want to try telling the truth?” “Okay. I like him and I care." When I got home I Googled “risk mitigation” and happened upon Mitre.org, a non-profit organization that operates research and development centers sponsored by the federal government. Scrolling through the site, I came across a section called Risk Mitigation Strategies. Perfect. Below are their proposed options for handling potential risks:

Assume/Accept Avoid Control Transfer Watch/Monitor

Mitre may be all business, but when I considered this list in the context of interpersonal relationships, it was eerily relevant. My friend was definitely in the “control” zone. She was totally “implementing actions to minimize the impact or likelihood of the risk.” As long as she could tell herself that she didn’t care, the impact of potential rejection would be less severe. It's totally a bummer when things don't work out the way we want them to. I know unequivocally that at some point I have exercised every single one of those risk mitigation strategies out of fear of heartbreak. I'm exhausted just thinking about all the effort that went into mitigating, managing and preventing the inevitable: I’m alive and so my heart is bound to break. Two of my favorite teachers, Peter Evans and Lisa Lim, like to say,

“The mind protects the heart from the very thing it longs for.”

This is because at some point we know our heart is going to be devastated. Every relationship, as a physical manifestation of love, must end, whether we kill it off after the first date or a spouse dies after sixty years. Knowing this, our mind is our greatest risk mitigator and self-safety mechanism. It is great for checks and balances, but it loses its value when it messes with the heart facts and tampers with the evidence. The more love you allow yourself to feel, the more predisposed you are to disappointment and devastation. Sure it’s scary, but the only thing scarier than that is not feeling the love at all. In the case of my friend, her mind took hold of her fear in an attempt to mitigate the risk of rejection or disappointment and tried to shut her heart up. This is particularly funny considering two weeks after our lunch she traveled to another state to go on additional dates with him. (We all know that the hassle of airline travel is not something one chooses unless they care.) There is no doubt that when it comes to health and the NFL, the best offense is a good defense. But I absolutely loathe that approach when it comes to interpersonal relationships, especially when dishonesty with oneself is the primary form of defense. If that’s your strategy in matters of the heart then the outcome is sure to be a loss. If we can’t be honest with ourselves nor give the heart a voice because we’re too busy protecting it, then we’re not even in the game. We're on the sidelines. We don’t score points and win when we’re sitting on the bench. When it comes to my heart, I want to listen to its whisper amidst all my fear chatter. Sometimes I need to throw out the risk mitigation strategies in order to hear it clearly, and it is in that space of clarity where I can really feel love. Rather than my mind killing the love, I’d rather the love kill me. I guess that falls under assume/accept. Wait, did I just mitigate?



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Living Well with A Raw Nutritionist And Superfood Queen

Open a jar of superfoodgreencoconut butter in our office, and watch a flock converge with the excitement of Christmas morning. The superfoods from Sophie Jaffe's Philosophie, has each of us relishing her health-inspired foodie brilliance. From a superberry manuka honey blend to a cacao reishi maca powder, Sophie is the Willy Wonka of superfoods. With a background as a certified raw food nutritionist and chef, Sophie is developing a line of nutrient-packed foods that make being healthy painless. Each product in her line can be added seamlessly into any concoction you are making in the kitchen, whether a smoothie, tea, dessert or simple piece of toast. With each spoonful packing in more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than we could hope to get in a week's time, the only thing more surprising is how good they taste. We took a moment to peep inside a day in the life of Sophie, in hopes that her culinary magic would rub off on us.



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Superfood Spotlight: Matcha Tea

What you need to know: Matcha is green tea on another level. Made from whole green tea leaves, the entire leaf is delicately and finely ground into a silky smooth powder, as a way of maintaining the highest levels of nutrients. Matcha is a traditional part of Japanese culture, having been used in tea ceremonies since the 12th century. It is also commonly consumed by Buddhist monks to keep them alert, awake and focused during long days of meditation and practice. Matcha is known for its health-promoting properties, boosting the metabolism, aiding in weight loss, calming the mood and cleansing the body. It is rich in chlorophyll, a powerful detoxifier that helps to eliminate both chemicals and heavy metals from the body. In addition, matcha is one of the highest sources of antioxidants, possessing as much as twenty times more antioxidants than pomegranates or blueberries. Why you should try it: One of the reasons matcha tea is considered a superfood is its catechin content, containing high levels of EGCg (epigallocatechin gallate). Research has indicated that EGCg provides potent cancer-fighting properties while also protecting the body from chemotherapy. Most importantly though, EGCg counteracts the damage done on the cell's DNA from chemical, UV ray, and radiation exposure. Matcha is also rich in L-theanine, a rare amino acid that acts on the brain's functioning to promote a state of relaxation and well-being. In addition, research has shown that L-theanine may help improve memory and the ability to learn. While L-theanine is common in all tea, matcha can contain up to five times more than common black and green teas. Let's get together: Matcha is naturally quite bitter, so it is best blended into a drink or latte. A common favorite here at The Chalkboard is a matcha latte, which we make by adding DoMatcha's organic matcha powder to Pressed Juicery Vanilla Almond Milk. Since it is naturally sweetened with dates, the bitter aspect of the matcha is toned down just enough to make it one of our most treasured afternoon pick-me-ups. And if you are looking for a more refreshing way to enjoy matcha, try this sparkling matcha tea drink by Motto. Made with sparkling water, honey, lemon and apple-cider vinegar, it's an inventive spin on the traditional tea drinks.



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Stack ‘Em Up: Beet And Goat Cheese Heaven With Two Foodie Sisters

These ridiculously good-looking sisters have made a ridiculously good-looking cookbook we're ready to display with our collection of art books. With a school bus yellow-colored hardcover the size of an old school textbook, The Art of Eating Well is perfect for styling up any fall coffee table. A cookbook for the coffee table? Why not! It's gorgeous, interesting, and may just get you up from your OITNB marathon long enough for a healthy home-cooked dinner. The Hemsley sisters are already known for ultra-accessible and stylish home-cooking through their namesake online platform, and, now, with dozens of their recipes in one place along with a sprinkling of healthy eating tips and pantry-stocking ideas, their book makes the perfect resource for everyone from take-out addicts who need a healthy kickstart to homecooks with an overflow of produce to utilize. We can't imagine a Chalkboarder on the interweb who won't swoon over this beet and goat cheese terrrine recipe - either for a shockingly fancy girl's night in or for any of the holiday tables you'll be cooking for this season. Win your own copy below, then stay tuned next week for more on these stylish, kitchen-dominating Brits... When we were younger we loved a certain brand of garlic-and-herb cream cheese, which we’ve recreated here using goats’ cheese. It’s always good to “vary the dairy” and goats’ dairy is one of the easiest to digest. Look for the best-quality goats’ cheese you can find – full-fat for flavor and nourishment. We’ve paired the cheese with layers of colorful beet slices, which are beautiful to behold! Try to get as many colors of beets as you can: golden, purple, and candy-colored Chioggia. We love how every time we make this terrine it looks different. Make this the night before a picnic or dinner party − this dish has the wow factor.



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Local Life NYC: Swooning with Lifestyle Maven Athena Calderone

"I would send you a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils if I knew your name..." Have we quoted this line before? It's a goodie delivered by Tom Hanks in the 90's classic You've Got Mail and conjurs up everything we love about September - the excitement of a new season, fall's romantic crispness, and, especially, New York City. To give us a fresh dose of New York thrills, we've asked Athena Calderone, with her impeccable taste and well-planted NYC roots, to let us in on everything turning her on this fall in the Big Apple. From Dumbo's best grocery stores to her favorite kitchen ceramics, discover a few new fall must-haves to swoon over below. Enjoy Athena's picks, then head over to our feature with Athena from last fall: upstate farms, apple-picking...basically pure autumnal heaven. Make Athena's fall squash recipe from her visit to the farm. We've got photos so gorgeous you might just drop what you're doing and hit the farmer's market!



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Read Your Labels: Top 13 Things to Avoid in A Supplement

Reading nutrition labels when shopping for cosmetics, personal care products and food items is something we have become quite accustomed to... but what about supplements? Most of us have jumped on board with the idea that we need to take supplements to improve our health, but do we really know what we are buying? With over 29,000 nutritional supplements on the market these days, choosing the right ones has become increasingly difficult. The truth is not all supplements are created equal. Just as there are varying grades of meat and varying quality in canned and boxed foods, there is a wide range of quality in supplements. In fact, some supplements may even be harmful to the body rather than beneficial. Reading labels and understanding a bit about how supplements are made is key. In the market for a nutritional supplement? Don't assume that by popping a healthy pill, you're automatically doing your body good. Take a moment to browse through this list of things to watch out for when reading those labels...



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Breakthrough Beauty: 7 New Natural Must-Haves For Fall

Yes, fall is about fashion, but we also look to our favorite September Issues and backstage runway coverage for new ideas when it comes to beauty. After A Night For Green Beauty this August in LA, we were overwhelmed with so many cool new beauty products, we just had to round them up and share. From hair perfume to a cult-level new concealer pen, discover a few of these game-changers and add them to your fall beauty routine stat!



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Trends Vs. Classics with Katherine + Hillary of Who What Wear

Half of fashion is about trends, the other half about timelessness. The same is true for the world of wellness - quinoa and kale are our floral micro-prints, and good hydration is our little black dress. With the idea of classics and trends in mind, we asked the stylish founders of Who What Wear, our go-to daily style report, to tell us about their daily habits, must-have staples and fashion "uniforms", as well as the trends in fitnesswear and sustainable fashion that they're loving now. We love Katherine and Hillary's responses, revealing both their great taste and different personalities...



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Yummy Supper’s Pomegranate Fish Tacos

Pomegranates, with their rich vibrant red color, makes them one of our favorite ingredients to work with, adding just the right amount of sweetness to balance their tart undertones. While pomegranate makes a classic addition to fall dishes like our go-to roasted eggplant, blogger Erin Scott is showing us that those little pomegranate arils enhance just about everything! These tacos are utterly divine, breaking the rules on what can be thrown into a warm corn tortilla. Erin is a talented home cook, photographer, and Berkeley dweller with an obsession for great food. Joy, freshness, and seasonal abundance are the magical combination that make the meals found on her foodie blog, Yummy Supper so delightful. With her new gluten-free cookbook of the same name just hitting shelves, these tacos are the epitome of what the book has to offer - family-friendly meals built upon seasonal, vibrant, natural ingredients. Here's Erin with a few notes on these killer tacos... Otis, our gregarious middle-schooler, loves his independence. He feels totally at ease roaming our Berkeley neighborhood with his buddies. At the end of every week, the dudes ride their bikes all over town to celebrate "Bro Friday." After an epic ride, the guys are starving, and sometimes the hungry hoard ends up at our house. Thanks to their time spent at the Edible Schoolyard, the "bros" are excellent helpers in the kitchen: They gamely whip up corn tortillas from scratch, and Otis had the idea for pomegranate salsa. Gotta love teenage boys who scarf fish tacos and love to cook! These tacos make a fantastic meal on their own, or they can serve as a delectable part of a bigger spread. Warm black beans, Quick-Pickled Onions, and a simple arugula salad with Citrus Garlic Dressing (all recipes in the book!) make for quite a feast. Fish tacos are a good way to feed any crowd of friends, family, or middle-school dudes.



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Breaking Out Of Fear Of Failure

I'm one of those people who gets high off of pragmatic possibility. Those ideas and visions that are actually attainable and feel like they're in the bag, they light me up from the inside out and keep my fire fueled. To some I might seem stubborn because I am so sure of what I'm after, but to me that done-deal feeling inside is unwavering and actually quite grounded. I am fearless. But here's the thing: I feel some sort of fear on almost a daily basis. Kind of contradictory, huh? Well...not really. Fear of failure is what stops most of us in our tracks while we're on our personal quest towards self-actualization. We get hung up on the idea of failure and what we've been taught it represents: being less-than, being "the loser," being robbed of something and left empty-handed. And those outdated definitions are what get us stuck, what keep us from being fulfilled, and what make us put limits our own possibilities and potential. Breaking out of your fear of failure isn't about "getting over" that fear. What is life without those nervous butterflies? Those scary-ish sparks of action that create those kinda-cool feelings in our heart? Who would want to get over those? Fear is a very human emotion; it means there’s something going on on a deeper level than we realize. The trick is not to avoid feeling fear, but feel the fear and do it anyway. I’m not talking about putting yourself in situations that you viscerally dislike. If you don’t like roller coasters, you don’t need to go visit Magic Mountain. If you’re heights make you sick, you don’t have to sign up for a skydiving course. In order to be fearless, you don’t have to do anything that goes against who you are. Actually, just the opposite – being fearless, at least to me, means that you move forward, on your own path, without getting in your own way and ending up at a standstill. Being fearless is subjective. Being fearless is personal. Being fearless is a mindset. If you're reading The Chalkboard, to "go for it" is in your nature...whether you realize it or not. You're the type of person who actively seeks out newness, a fresh start in even the smallest way. You see opportunities and seize them - whether they present themselves in the form of trying a new superfood or healing method to the chance to get your best body ever. Every day is a tiny risk; every moment is a grand adventure. On the outside it might not look like much, but on the inside it's like skydiving for your soul. This feeling of risk is what keeps us seeking out new information, new ideas, and new ways to move ourselves forward. Half the work when it comes to breaking out of fear of failure is to recognize these moments as such. Gather in your mind all the moments, big and small, when you've embarked on something new: the times you started a new job, made a new friend, owned a new workout, or even made a new life. You've done it before. You will do it again. You have the proof. Reframe those seized opportunities as unknowns that have been conquered - as successes. That fear of failure you're experiencing is a sign you're on the verge of something big. You've got a whole track record to prove it. If you find yourself constantly paralyzed from taking action, there are three little gateway questions you can ask yourself: What's the best that could happen? What's the worst that could happen? Will either matter six months from now? Usually we’re most afraid of pursuing the things that are most life altering. Asking yourself these questions shifts your focus onto the outcomes that matter - and the outcomes that don't. In six months, will you have gotten over your so-called failure and moved forward? Probably. Will you just be back where you started? Probably not. Basically, when you put yourself out there and make a leap, you either gain a step forward or a lesson you can use to help propel you forward. Either way, you win. Not even trying? You’re stuck with more of the same and that vague void left by inaction. I am often scared of failing. But in the thick of that fear, I remind myself that I've got this. I remind myself that I've never felt right about something that's wrong, or wrong about something that's right. I listen to my gut and I act. I might be too much for some, but I am always just right for me...whatever that looks and feels like, whether I'm aware of it or not. I'm on a very specific path that's all my own, and those little sparks of fear are signals that I'm about to hit another benchmark. I was feeling particularly vulnerable the other evening, having just applied to be a part of an event to which I so desperately wanted to contribute. It had been a few days and there was no response. The illogical doubts were starting to pour into my brain, and that idea that I might have failed started to creep in: I added an extra paragraph, how silly! Why did I use that email address? Immediately, I stopped myself and asked what would have happened if I did not apply – a few months from now, would it have mattered? Hell yes, it would have. I would have regretted every second and cursed the missed opportunity. I knew that by acting, by just going for it, I had gained so much whether I got the gig or not. In that little moment, I felt fearless. The very second I felt that power, just like clockwork - 'cause that’s how the universe works, after all – my phone buzzed. Someone had sent me a quote they’d seen on Facebook. “Reminded me of you,” the message read. I opened the file and smiled.

“’What if I fall?’ Oh but my darling, ...What if you fly?”

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In My Gym Bag: One Fashionable Fitnesswear Designer’s Workout Must-Haves

Whether we're sprinting and lifting in the wee hours pre-work or popping over to barre class the second the clock strikes five, it's a rare day at The Chalkboard when one of our team members isn't fitting fitness in wherever we can. Our typical day involves a good sweat, some creative strategizing, and the eminent superfood-tasting sesh - so naturally, we need a wardrobe that multitasks just as well as we do! Thank goodness for this season's fashion-inspired fitnesswear brands that takes us from workout to work and back again in style - Nesh NYC being right in the midst of the movement. Nesh NYC was born when founder Bree Chambers' yoga teacher training took an unexpected turn: she soon realized that there was a need for not just cute yoga clothes, but a lifestyle brand that could help women keep things simple without sacrificing style. Nesh seamlessly fuses the best elements of activewear, loungewear, and New York style to create a luxurious lifestyle line that can take you through your entire day from start to finish. Just like Bree herself, Nesh NYC focuses on the sophisticated details - like mesh-paneled leggings with "seams" and lingerie-inspired sports bras to the chicest sweats we've ever seen - that create a holistic vision of what it truly means to live an active lifestyle. Inspired to perspire? Take a cue from Bree's well-rounded workouts, gym bag essentials, and the mantras that keep her centered long after she rolls up her yoga mat...



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Inside Our Brentwood Bash: Pressed Juicery Celebrates It’s Delicious New Book

Pressed Juicery's new book Juice: Recipes for Juicing, Cleansing, and Living Well has been front and center in many of our kitchens this month. After hitting bookstores last month, this uncookbook full of the co-founders' tips for juicing, detox and a slew of healthy juice recipes has had us juicing double-time with recipes like this one for spicy tomato and fennel. What better place to celebrate the new Juice book than the neighborhood where our very first Pressed Juicery shop opened it's (tiny, swinging) door? Inside the iconic Brentwood Country Mart, alongside many of our favorite neighbors, from Jenni Kayne to Botany Flowers (who provided these gorgeous blooms,) we mingled with friends, family and other juice-lovers as the founders signed books, munched on treats by Kitchensurfing chef Tehra Thorp, and sipped on - what else? - Pressed Juicery cocktails. Having recently launched our very first Neighborhood Guide in Brentwood, the Country Mart - in all it's old-fashioned charm - played the perfect backdrop to our juicy, farm-to-table gathering. Summerland's bountiful fall produce boxes filled the space and those juice urns filled with citrusy, last-days-of-summer cocktails were enough to make anyone's weekend. One of our favorite elements of the afternoon were hors dourves by Kitchensurfing LA chef, Tehra Thorp. After our delicious sunny yoga brunch and DTLA cocktail soiree with Kitchensurfing's incredible chefs, we know we had to have them for our gathering. This incredible recipe by Tehra is whipped up with one of our fave juices of all time, gingery, neon pink Roots 3. Try your hand at this Roots-spiked couscous salad that left us all with beautifully beet-stained lips!



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The Shop Guest: Sassy Pants

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Superfood Spotlight: Starfruit

What you need to know: Also known as carambola, starfruit is grown everywhere from Sri Lanka and the Moluccas to southeast Asia and Malaysia. We even found the fruit growing in Hawaii this week (as shown above before we devoured it). With five (sometimes four or six) sides, this bright yellow fruit gets its name from its star-like shape. It has a crisp, juicy center with a sour to mildly sweet taste. Low in sugar but rich in potassium and vitamin C, starfruit helps to build collagen for youthful skin and strong bones, protects the lungs, and maintains normal blood pressure. Why you should try it: The starfruit has both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, making it a serious player in disease prevention. Research has shown that its antimicrobial agents are effective against bacterias such as E.coli, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas. Traditionally, starfruit is used to counteract a fever, due to its cooling nature, and is believed to stop vomiting, diarrhea and even symptoms of a hangover. It is also used as a diuretic to assuage conditions of the kidney and bladder, while reducing water weight from an overindulgent weekend - the perfect Monday morning pick-me-up. Let's get together: When choosing starfruit it is important to recognize that there are two types. One type is green and tart, while the other with a golden yellow skin is sweet. Both can be used for different dishes. The tart variation is commonly salted and pickled, used as a condiment with various meat and poultry dishes. As for the sweeter (brighter yellow) kind, it is best eaten whole like an apple or in a fruit salad. Starfruit also makes an excellent fresh pressed juice or dessert accompaniment, similar to the taste of pear. Try swapping out your usual apples and pears for this unique, tropical treat in your next juicy concoction!



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Yes, Whey: How To Make Fresh Ricotta Cheese At Home

It turns out, Little Miss Muffet was really onto something! The value of whey goes far beyond just protein powders and nursery rhymes - it's actually one of the most multitasking foods around. Get ready to get domestic with our friends at Cultures for Health as they teach us all about this protein (and probiotic) packed superfood and how to turn it into this drool-worthy homemade ricotta cheese! Here's our cultured friend, Rosalyn... Have you ever opened up a container of yogurt or sour cream that’s been sitting in the refrigerator for a few days, and you see a watery liquid on top? That liquid is whey and though it may seem unwelcome in our world of modern foods and their uniform appearance, but whey is simply the part of a cultured milk product that does not contain the milk proteins and fats! It does contain protein, though, called whey proteins, and it is loaded with probiotics. Any time you culture milk, whether you’re making yogurt, milk kefir, buttermilk, sour cream, or cheese, what happens is that the milk becomes more acid, and the acid breaks down the cell membranes in the proteins, making them stick together. That’s why the milk becomes more solid. As the solids start to form, the liquid is left behind, and that’s the whey. The proteins in whey are less likely to clump, so they hang around in the liquid. Whey can be dried, leaving behind just the whey proteins. You often see “whey protein” as an ingredient in processed foods, or protein powders. It’s a very efficient way of adding protein to your diet without a lot of calories! What else can you use whey for? Whey is fairly acid, and it also contains a lot of the bacteria that caused the milk to ferment in the first place. You can use that acid and bacteria to do some extra duty in fermenting other foods! If you heat up the whey, it will turn into a soft cheese. Here is a recipe for making ricotta cheese, using the whey that is strained off from yogurt or cheese-making. [olists num=1] There are lots of other things you can do with the leftover whey! Add it to a protein shake for an extra boost and for a little flavor. Keep feta cheese fresh by storing it in a bath of whey. Use it instead of chicken or vegetable broth in cooking or add whey to hummus or pesto to thin it out. Whey will keep up to six months in the refrigerator, and up to a year in the freezer.



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Make The Switch: 13 Gluten-free Alternatives To Your Favorite Indulgences

Life without pasta primavera, ciabatta paninis, wood-fire pizza, chocolate-chip cookies and vegetable tempura may seem just short of a death sentence. But with the right know-how - and maybe a vegetable spiralizer, bag of buckwheat, cup full of nuts and a fresh head of cauliflower - you can have an array of gluten-free alternatives right at your fingertips. The switch is both easy and fun to make, opening the door to new uses of your favorite ingredients! With people adopting the gluten-free diet as quickly as they are signing up for juice cleanses, new products are keeping up with the onslaught of consumers. Don't worry if a DIY gluten-free dish is not in your near future - healthy gluten-free options are easily accessed in most grocery stores and restaurants. From kelp noodles and quinoa pasta to buckwheat cereal and cauliflower crust pizza, sometimes the gluten-free alternative is actually more attractive than the real thing (just make sure to read your labels and keep it simple)! Try some of these substitutes and fall in love with gluten-free living...



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Win Our Fall Pin-Off: Our Who What Wear Contest With Carbon38

Fall into the new season in style! From mesh cutouts to the latest designer collabs, we're pining away for this season's fitnesswear essentials to help us get fit for fall...and, of course, pinning away all our faves! With three quarters of the year behind us and a seasonal shift mere days away, now more than ever is the time to start fresh and feel fabulous. To get you amped up for all things autumn - and to celebrate our Who What Wear guest editors' Chalkboard debut - we're hosting a Pinterest contest for you to win some serious seasonal swag: a $500 gift card from Carbon38 to blow on all your favorite Fall fitness fashions, and a three-month subscription to Pressed Juicery (a post-run and post-runway fave alike!) to help keep you hydrated all the way until the holidays! Get ready to burn off those summer barbeques in style by pinning your healthy fall must-haves - everything from bright, bold leggings to fall-friendly recipes - then sharing your board with us to enter! We can't wait to see what you're coveting, what inspires you, and pick up a few healthy tips along the way. Here's what you need to do to score everything you need to sweat in style...

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DIY Chai: How To Make The Perfect Spiced Chai Latte

It's September. Iced cold-brew coffee is behind us...yet holiday hot chocolate is still a few months out. That's why we're declaring this month the official season of the chai latte. At the top of the chai-making food chain, baker extraordinaire Zoe Nathan has a recipe we're loving. Zoe certainly knows the value of a good cup of hot tea to match her drool-worthy creations, and we're loving this fresh spice-infused version made with Pressed Juicery almond milk. Whip up this warm Autumn treat for the coziest morning ever - and be sure not to miss Zoe's pancake recipe we're sharing today!



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Huckleberry At Home: Flipping Pancakes With Chef Zoe Nathan

Just around the corner from The Chalkboard HQ, farm-fresh breakfast-seekers and from-scratch pastry-lovers spill out onto the sidewalk every morning from Huckleberry's double french doors. L.A. is a city filled with sidewalk cafes, but few are more charming than Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan's Huckleberry Bakery and Cafe. Josh and Zoe have transformed this L.A. neighborhood with knock-out concept restaurants like Milo & Olive, Rustic Canyon, and Sweet Rose Creamery (read more in our very first Neighborhood Guide), but to us, a morning spent inside this homey cafe, complete with a map of local farms used to build their epic veggie salads and quinoa bowls, is the perfect Santa Monica experience. With Zoe's very first cookbook hitting shelves next week, we seized the opportunity to cozy up at home with one of our favorite local chef and bakers. In Huckleberry: Stories, Secrets, and Recipes From Our Kitchen Zoe is dishing out over 100 sweet and savory recipes using whole grains, natural sugars and from-scratch methods. There are even a few gluten-free options tucked in there. Peek in on our morning with Zoe, pop over to get her chai tea latter recipe, then pop back to bookmark this pancake recipe for later this weekend! [olists num=1] [olists num=2]



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Trend Report: 17 Fashion-Forward Fitness Trends

In honor of our very fashionable Guest Editors this month - and because we're obsessed with the breakout level of fitnesswear happening in the fashion world this year - we've gathered a Chalkboard fitness trend report detailing through 17 stunning, fashion-forward workout pieces you need in your life this season. From jumpsuits and jackets to cutouts and crops, these runway-ready activewear must-haves might just change the way you think about gym clothes...



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Superfood Spotlight: Saffron

What you need to know: One of the most prized spices since ancient times, saffron's medicinal qualities are as vibrant as its bright red color. The saffron plant bears lavender-colored flowers that bloom each season between October and November. These flowers contain three orange-yellow stigmas, which are connected to a stalk. These stigmas and stalks are what we know as saffron, the spice. Despite its small size, saffron contains a high vitamin and mineral content, including vitamin A and C, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, and manganese, copper and iron. This makes saffron an important player in maintaining a strong immune and cardiovascular system, while also aiding in red blood cell production. Why you should try it: The most notable feature of saffron is its unique volatile oils and carotenoid compounds. Both have shown to have powerful antioxidant capabilities, slowing and/or even inhibiting the growth of tumors. Research has also shown that saffron is helpful in protecting the kidneys from toxin damage, and can reduce the side effects of the chemotherapy drug called cisplatin. Saffron may also improve neurological conditions such as memory loss by boosting glutathione levels and protecting the fatty tissue that composes the brain. Let's get together: Look for dried, whole pieces of saffron instead of the powdered version. This helps to ensure the medicinal qualities are in tact. A good indication of freshness is a bright red hue that is left on the fingertips after rubbing. Store in a dark, cool place to prevent oxidation (rancidity). A little goes a long way, so don't be put off by the hefty price tag! Our favorite saffron-rich recipe? This unique recipe for dessert paella with dried figs and apricots.



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Super, Man: The 12 Best Foods Men Should Eat Weekly

Whether you're pulling tires at the local CrossFit, pedaling to work on your fixie bike, or getting your cardio by chasing your kids around the house, you need nutritional support. As men, your bodies were designed to withstand major stress, both physical and mental. That does not mean though, that your non-stop, 24/7 routine is not taking its toll! And while you may not know it at first, those nagging symptoms are your body's way of calling for help. Enter the high-octane fuel to get you there: the right nutrition. With a little love and care, it is possible to feel as strong, push as hard, all while feeling as calm and centered as you did in your earlier years. Check out our list of the top twelve foods that all men should eat weekly to become the high-performance machines you were meant to be...



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Basic Kneads: White Pizza with Arugula and Prosciutto

Life is more colorful when taking a detour from the straight-and-narrow route from time to time. This is what leads us to the glass of perfectly chilled rosé, fresh baked gluten-free brownies, and of course, homemade pizza. With the flawless balance between a crisp crust, and the rich cheesy texture, pizza hits the spot each and every time. So if we have to add an extra kale salad and Greens 1 into the day to maintain health symmetry, it is worth it, especially when this White Pizza is on the menu. Pairing the bitterness of arugula with the sweeter notes of ricotta, as well as the buttery nature of prosciutto with the saltiness of the dough, ambrosia is born. Created by Laura B. Russell for her latest cookbook, Brassicas, we couldn't be more excited to share a piece of the pie. You are likely more familiar with arugula as a simple salad green than as a salad-on-top-of-a-pizza green. Here, the residual heat from the crust and creamy warmth of the ricotta temper the peppery bite of the arugula, which is why pizzas like this one are popular on menus throughout the country. Many grocery stores and pizza parlors sell premade pizza dough, which makes this recipe perfect for weeknight cooking. If you are following a gluten-free diet, look for a gluten-free box mix or frozen crust and follow the package directions. If the crust needs longer than 10 to 12 minutes in the oven, pre bake the crust partially, then add the cheese topping for the final 10 minutes.



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Venice Vibes: In The Studio With A Cool New Jeweler

Recycled gold, conflict-free diamonds, and the cutest jeweler this side of the 405. Yep, we're tucked into the Venice, California studio of Jess Hannah this morning talking Moleskines (obsession-level), Fleetwood Mac and the coolest snake ring out there. Jess' new brand jewelry line, J. Hannah, is a little sassy, simple, and full of meaning. Drool over her work (pictured above), enjoy a glimpse into a day-in-the-life of an independent jeweler, then get to shopping with our special offer for readers below! Maybe it was being around my mother’s constant crafting, or maybe it was my father’s appreciation for finely constructed furniture and automobiles, but for as long as I can remember, working with my hands and expressing my creativity has been a part of my daily routine.I first discovered my love for jewelry early on when I inherited some incredible pieces after my grandmother passed away. These weren’t simple costume rings and necklaces, they were elegant and exceptionally crafted, timeless, and held the charm of a different era. When I began working with gold, I found inspiration in these pieces and today they are still some of my favorites in my jewelry box.I believe jewelry should be designed to make you feel connected to it. So I aspire to create jewelry for how it should be worn, never taken off. From the designing to the naming of my pieces, I hope to bring beauty, confidence and power of celestial proportions to the modern woman.Global consciousness is a priority for me. When it comes to my work, I only use recycled solid 14kt gold and conflict-free diamonds. When it comes to my brand, I make a point of highlighting women-run businesses (you go girls!) and featuring items only handmade in the USA. [olists num=1]

Love Jess' jewelry creations as much as we do? Use promo code 20OFF4U ("twenty off for you") for 20% off your first purchase on JHannahJewelry.com !

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Meet our September Guest Editors: Hillary and Katherine of Who What Wear

As hard as it is to say goodbye to long summer days and short summer shorts, we're always delighted when September finally rolls in, in all it's stylish splendor. You may have noticed our fixation with great design here at The Chalkboard and, while we're decidedly normcore over here, we love a good fashion moment as much as the next girl. With fall being the height of all things fashion - from the timeless, classic coats to the latest and strangest in bootie/shootie trends - we knew there were only two girls we could host as our September guests. Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr are the founders of WhoWhatWear, our first stop for all things street style and a game-changer for the digital future of all things fashion. This month, between New York Fashion Week and the whirl of trend-reporting and wardrobe-building here in LA, Katherine and Hillary will be dishing with us about classics vs. trends, mornings in their offices, and how they stay healthy and balanced amidst the fast pace of their growing online empire. Here are the ladies of Who What Wear on what they love most about this fresh new season... Dear Chalkboard readers, We are absolutely thrilled that it’s September, and truly honored that our friends at The Chalkboard invited us to guest edit our favorite month of the year. There’s so much to be excited about right now: all of fall’s amazing clothing and accessories are finally in stores, and we’re already deep into planning our upcoming purchases (and dreaming about things like Saint Laurent’s studded bucket bag and one of Burberry Prorsum’s color-blocked ponchos). September also means another international fashion-show circuit is about to start; first with New York Fashion Week, which begins in just a few days, followed by London, Milan and Paris. But best of all, this month always feels like a new beginning for us. Maybe it’s just our long-lingering back-to-school spirit showing, but there’s something about the start of fall that always inspires us to freshen up our day-to-day lives, whether that’s trying a richer hair color, updating and organizing our closets or simply learning to cook something gloriously good from the farmer’s market (hello, produce!). It’s not that we’re trying to totally reinvent ourselves, but there’s something about this time of year that makes us feel like anything is possible, like change is possible. Sometimes change gets a bad rap in this #iwokeuplikethis world. We’re all for embracing yourself, just the way you are—of course!—but that said, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to try something different, too. In fact, one of things we love most about the fashion world is that it’s always changing and evolving. And lately, it’s become more inclusive and open to interpretation than ever before. For fall, for example, we can honestly report that there are truly trends for every type of body, budget and personal style. And even better: There aren’t any real fashion rules! Look at any major fashion or street-style website and you’ll see that, these days, anything goes. Sequins during the day? Sure! White after Labor Day? Absolutely! Crop tops for all shapes and sizes? Yup, it’s a thing. So this September, why not try something a little different? Maybe it’s a new pair of jeans or cooking a type of squash you’ve never used before or trying out that meditation class you were thinking about. The point is: don’t get stuck in your routine, especially when there’s so much out there to see and experience. Whatever you do this month—whether it’s a big change or a little one—stretching yourself, in any area of your life, should be applauded, and hopefully make you feel great too. And that’s important, because at the end of the day, we really believe that when you feel good, you look good. It’s as simple as that. Much love, Hillary & Katherine



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