Yes Way Rosé: Rose Coconut Water + 12 Other Floral Fixations

You love roses, you love coconut water and you love rosé? Right. Welcome to a whole new world: Pressed Juicery's newest coconut water is laced with the flavor of freshly picked roses and we honestly can't get over it. Our first taste of this sweet new hydrator landed us somewhere between elation and deep sobs of joy and it's all we can do to keep ourselves from drinking our weight in coconut water each day. We're celebrating our new found love with this round up of all things rose-related. Shop for a few florals with us below. Find roses for your skin, roses for your home and, of course, one of our favorite sparkling rosés...



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Superfood Spotlight: Dragon Bone

What you need to know: Dragon bone, also known as long gu, is a tonic herb from traditional Chinese medicine. It is made from the fossilized bones of prehistoric animals such as mastodon, hairy rhinoceros, hipparion, deer and oxen. The bones are cooked and ground into a powder, which are then combined with complimentary herbs such as bupleurum, eucommia bark and licorice root to create a supplement. Dragon bone is utilized for its rich mineral content, which includes calcium, potassium, sodium and trace elements. These minerals help support structural tissues such as teeth and bones, and promote an alkaline pH in the body. They also help to remedy conditions affected by mineral deficiencies such as heart palpitations, restless leg syndrome and headaches. Why you should try it: Dragon bone is mainly used for its ability to calm the spirit (shen), relaxing the nerves. It does this by opening up the heart and liver meridians, stabilizing mood. It can be used as a mild sedative to reduce stress, anxiety, irritability and acute anger and can be helpful in cases of insomnia, tension and manic behavior. It has also proven effective for addictive/compulsive behavior, easing symptoms of withdrawal, and improving willpower when paired with the herb bupleurum. Let’s get together: Dragon bone is best taken in combination with other herbs in order to balance and increase its effectiveness in the body. The most famous herbal formulations of dragon bone traditionally include bupleurum root, oyster shell, and poria sclerotium. This formulation can be found in the supplement Bupleurum & Dragon Bone by Dragon Herbs. In our experience, taking this formula daily helps manage stress and maintain balance and focus, despite any challenges that may lie ahead.



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Trick Or Treat: The 12 Scariest Health Foods to Avoid

Things are not always as they seem. When dreaming up a Halloween costume, a little playful deception is key. And although misleading appearances may make for the best disguises and haunted houses, they're downright scary when it comes to the health industry - and not the fun kind of scary. Nutrition and wellness are trending hard. From kale and kombucha to sports drinks and nutrition bars, food brands far and wide are hard at work to get in on the latest health trends. As a consumer, its important to remember that cost and profit margins lead the way for most companies - not the mission to heal with food. With that said, be advised: not all foods labelled or marketed as healthy are. The good news is that there are plenty of dependable brands and foods that do in fact heal; you just have to know what to look for. Move beyond the make-believe and check out our list of the worst "health" foods out there - take the "scary" out of your next trip to the grocery store by noting our list of health foods to avoid...



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Trick Or Treadmill: 15 Costume-Ready Fitnesswear Ideas For Halloween

As you hit the gym this Halloween week, don't leave your holiday spirit at the door. Use a little ingenuity to give your fitness 'fit a trick-or-treat twist. We've got cheeky, cheerful, and downright creep-tastic ideas for Halloween fun at the gym. Here are our fifteen favorite pieces to make this Friday's workout a bit more spooky. As if a super-set of burpees wasn't scary enough...



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Unbake This: Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cacao Cashew Cream

Stop everything - your world is about to be rocked. These raw carrot cake cupcakes are no ordinary dessert: instead of flour, eggs, sugar, cream, and butter, this recipe relies on ingredients that are crazy good for you. In addition to carrots, walnuts, and cashews, you'll pack a metabolism-boosting, blood-sugar-balancing punch from the combo of coconut oil and cinnamon. And if that wasn't impressive enough, these tiny treats aren't heated, baked, or fried - they're refrigerated. This means that all enzymes, vitamins, minerals, fats and antioxidants remain intact, making these the healthiest cupcakes ever! You're thinking they probably taste like cardboard, right? Think again. These cupcakes are just as decadent, moist and sweet as their customary counterpart, but without the guilt. We owe this mind-blowing recipe to the talented Emily von Euw of This Rawsome Vegan Life: a food blog filled with nutrient-dense raw desserts that can bring even the biggest sugar addicts to their knees. If you have a relentless sweet tooth but an inclination to keep things healthy, give these cupcakes a try. And if - or rather, when - you fall in love with them, go snatch up her cookbook Rawsome Vegan Baking (which includes this insane Tahini Cups with Coffee Cream recipe - a TCM fave). Grab your blender, your food processor, and get to un-baking! Woah. Let's slow things down for a second to acknowledge that these cupcakes are vegan, gluten-free, and made with whole foods. Thank you, Earth. They're also made with leftovers. Yup. I bought a bag of carrots from the farmers market last week and juiced them, then I was left with all this beautiful carrot pulp. I didn't want to just compost it, so I thought, "Hey! I could make carrot cupcakes!" So I did just that. I know, my stories are always so exciting. The cupcake recipe is pretty basic - mostly carrots, nuts, raisins and spices - but that doesn't stop some epic flavors from being created. Then I topped 'em off with "vegan gold," aka whipped cashew cream, and swirled the cream with raw chocolate sauce, because...honestly, is there anything that doesn't taste better with raw chocolate sauce?



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The Shop Guest: Kristen Bell’s Favorite Things

We know she wants to head to Macchu Piccu, loves to sing Motown between voice overs and musicals, and especially enjoys eating a mystery pasta made by her husband Dax. But do you want to know what Kristen Bell wears while traveling and eats on snack breaks? We thought you'd never ask. For Kristen, it's all about the kale chips, This Bar Saves Lives in blueberry, and a great big blarf (see below for deets.) Shop Kristen's favorite things with us below in our brand new The Shop, then head on over to the October Shop for spooky home goods and costume-worthy yoga pants!



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Simplest Fit Tip Ever: Take Your BCAAs

The Lowdown: If you're into being active, you've probably heard people tell you to make sure to get enough protein. What they really mean is to make sure you get your fill of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein - the little molecules that help us go harder, better, faster, and yes, stronger in all aspects of our active lives. Out of the 20 amino acids in our bodies that help pump up protein, there are nine considered essential: the ones that are non-negotiable to our survival. And out of those nine? Three are BCAAs - branched-chain amino acids - and make up a whopping 33% of muscle tissue: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. BCAAs are metabolized in the muscle rather than the liver, meaning they play a critical role in muscle development because they reach muscle tissue faster than their other amino acid siblings. To get all scientific, the unique carbon chains on the sides of these molecules are what make it easy for your body to metabolize them into into energy during exercise. In other words? BCAAs are easy-access fuel for your hungry muscle tissue. The Benefits: If you're looking to keep your hard-earned muscle - and who isn't? - get some BCAAs into your workout routine asap. Exercise, as beneficial as it is, puts our bodies in a state of stress. Our bodies have a threshold as to how much stress we can handle - and once we reach that threshold, we start to fatigue. Too much exercise-induced stress can cause burnout, leaving you tired, weak, even prone to injury if you attempt to suck it up and push through - never a smart choice when your body is hurting and screaming for rest! The beauty of BCAAs is that they help keep your muscular system a lean, mean, fitness machine by helping you recover more efficiently after each workout and ensuring you keep that tough muscle intact. What's more? BCAAs reduce the amount of tryptophan that enters the brain during physical exertion, which is what's responsible for your perception of fatigue - and usually our brains give up way before our bodies. By supplementing with BCAAs, you might finally be able to work out to your fullest potential, a level of excellence you didn't even know existed. How To: The best way to take a BCAA supplement is during your workout. Post-recovery will work wonders as well, since that's when BCAA levels start to decline the most. They're super easy for your bod to absorb: simply drop a couple scoops of BCAA powder into your water bottle, shake it up, and get moving! TCM Pick: Pure Encapsulations BCAA Powder



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At All Costs: The 3 Best Natural Sweeteners at Every Price

The holiday season is quickly approaching, bringing with it not only the anticipation of house guests and crowded shopping centers, but endless food temptations. While we breezed through summer with ease, happily adhering to a diet filled with fresh locally sourced produce, these fall and winter months pose a new challenge: from Halloween candy and pumpkin pie, to gingerbread cookies and hot toddies, sugar is everywhere, showing its pretty face at every turn. We're here to help you reinvent these sugary treats, transforming them from major health hazards to nutrient-packed guiltless goodies. This season we'll be swapping out white sugar and corn syrup for our fave natural sweeteners: stevia, yacon syrup and coconut sugar. Unlike white sugar and corn syrup, these sweeteners are GMO-free, unrefined, and don't burden the system. They hit the same sweet notes as their processed counterparts - but without the sour side effects of acne, irritability, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and weight gain. Choose from our list of dry and liquid natural sweeteners, and change the way you experience sweets this holiday season:

High: Liquid Stevia by Omica

Extracts from the stevia plant are commonly used as a sweetener. Stevia has up to three hundred times the sweetness of sugar, without having any impact on glucose levels. It is also free of calories, making it one of the best sugar alternatives for those looking to maintain their weight. Many brands add fillers and preservatives, which is why we are huge fans of Omica. Made with organic stevia, they only use organic glycerin and certified organic alcohol to help preserve and extend the shelf life, which is a rare among stevia products. Stevia has a distinct taste, so we recommend using it sparingly. It goes best in cocktails, coffee drinks and other holiday beverages.

Midpoint: Yacon Syrup by Navitas Naturals Yacon syrup is a liquid sweetener that comes from a root vegetable popular in South America. With a taste similar to molasses, it contains half the calories of sugar, as well as an array of health-boosting nutrients. It has a high concentration of indigestible inulin, which is a complex sugar that breaks down slowly in the body. This way it does not spike your blood sugar, making it a great sweetener for diabetics and those with blood-sugar imbalances. Plus, inulin serves as a pre-biotic, feeding the healthy bacteria in the gut. Yacon is also an excellent source of minerals, including potassium, calcium, phosphorous and iron, as well as 20 amino acids. Yacon syrup is the perfect sweetener to replace corn syrup or any other liquid sugar.

Low: Coconut Sugar by Nutiva Coconut sugar has long been a staple in East Asia where it is extracted from the sap of coconut flower buds. It is naturally sweet, with a flavor profile similar to brown sugar, but contains far more nutrients. Coconut sugar is a good source of minerals such as phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, potassium and iron, and contains vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6. It is also a low-glycemic sweetener that does not spike insulin levels or contribute to weight gain. Use coconut sugar instead of white or brown sugar in recipes, including baked goods, cakes and pies.



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A Harvest Dinner: In The Cook’s Garden with Tender Greens

There's a jungle growing wildly on Abbot Kinney - one of L.A's coolest streets. The Cook's Garden by HGEL is actually an organized, high-functioning urban farm at closer look, but at first glance, to passer's by in the asphalt jungle, the effect is pure green wildness. Although an evening on Abbot Kinney is usually characterized by it's famously minimal-industrial restaurant dining rooms, recently, we joined master gardener Geri Miller for an evening inside this charming urban farm for an incredible dinner by local Tender Greens chefs that made us feel a million miles away from the city. Tender Greens chef Charlie Knowles is just one of many L.A. culinary pro with their own plot at The Cook's Garden. We spotted plots reserved for many of our favorite L.A restos and even for farm-to-glass bar wizard Matthew Biancaniello. Now that's Chalkboard living: a garden plot just for the bar. The dinner menu featured a salad picked from the garden by guests during cocktail hour, butternut squash with farro, brown butter and sage, a main course straight from nearby ReRide Ranch, Drake's Farm goat cheeses, local wines, and apple pies served with sweet cream that we're still dreaming about. Chef Knowles is sharing the below recipe from the evening, the key to which is the best, seasonal, farmer's-market-fresh ingredients you can find so that not much has to be done to them. Just a little salt, pepper, good quality olive oil and the flavors of the ingredients will shine. This is one of many garden events the The Cook's Garden and we hope you're inspired to visit for yourself. Our host and the garden's owner, Geri Miller is one of the city's best edible landscape consultants and we'll be sharing a few of her incredible home gardens throughout the year.



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Superfood Spotlight: Yerba Mate

What you need to know: Yerba mate leaves are traditionally brewed into a tea and enjoyed for their unique nutritional profile and natural source of caffeine. Originating in the subtropics of South America, yerba mate contains 24 important vitamins and minerals - such as vitamin A, B, C and E, calcium, iron, potassium and zinc - and an array of amino acids, as well as antioxidants. Yerba mate's high antioxidant content, which includes carotenes, flavonols and polyphenols, makes it an important food for disease prevention, in addition to helping ease the signs of aging. Why you should try it: Unlike other sources of caffeine, yerba mate is both relaxing and stimulating. It is a favorite coffee alternative because it does not cause jitters, anxiety or irritability, but is found to increase attention, focus, mood and concentration. Containing theophylline and theobromine, yerba mate is said to have the strength of caffeine and the health benefits of tea, as well as the euphoric effects of chocolate. In addition, research has shown that it is an appetite suppressant, can help lower the risk for diabetes, and can reduce cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Let's get together: Yerba mate has quite a distinct flavor, one that resembles an infusion of herbs and grass. Due to its strong taste, we find it takes some getting used to, much like your very first cup of coffee or bottle of kombucha. Our remedy to ease the earthiness and to balance out the bitterness, is to make our favorite: yerba mate lattes. We simply steam up Pressed Juicery's Vanilla Almond, and pour it over a freshly brewed cup of Guayaki's Yerba Mate and add a dash of cinnamon and clove. We then enjoy it like the South American locals by drinking it straight out of the traditional mate gourd. "Yerba" means herb, and "Mate" is derived from the word "Mati," which is the name for gourd. So literally, yerba mate means "herb cup." It is believed that the act of drinking yerba out of the gourd helps one to receive the healing properties of the yerba, while also maintaining its history as being a symbol for friendship and community.



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You’re Invited: Pressed Juicery Soup In Manhattan Beach This Weekend

Say "cheers!" with Pressed Juicery this Sunday to celebrate their Manhattan Beach location's first anniversary! It seems like just yesterday the South Bay got its first taste of Greens, Roots, Citrus and Fruits - and now, one year later, Pressed Juicery Manhattan Beach has turned into one of the coastal community's hottest spots to go green. It's become such a hot spot in Pressed's nineteen-store lineup, in fact, that it's become the launching pad for a juicy concoction like you've never experienced: Pressed Juicery soup. To say we're swooning would be a gross understatement. After begging and pleading for a hearty-yet-healthful addition to the lineup, we've now got not one but two new soups to sip on - a Green Soup and a Tomato Soup - that take this typical comfort food to a whole new level. Trust us when we tell you this might be the best soup that's ever hit your lips, greens-filled or otherwise. You heard it here first, folks. Welcome to your new addiction. Come sample the new Green Soup and Tomato Soup - as well as Pressed Juicery's entire new menu and a fruit smoothie that's to die for - at the Manhattan Beach location this Sunday, October 19th from 10am-2pm. You'll receive a free cold-pressed juice just for showing up (score!), and if you're one of the first 50 people to walk through Pressed Juicery's doors, you'll snag a free $25 gift card for your loyalty! There will be tons of giveaways throughout the day, plus a chance to win free juice for a whole year.Get your party hats on, it's time to celebrate! Here's what you need to know:



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Balancing Act: The Messy Gal’s Guide To Creating Order

On One Hand: You are a mess - and you're feeling overwhelmed. Your car, your room, your desk; it's all become a whirlwind of who-knows-what. There's controlled chaos...and then there's this No Man's Land of clutter you have on hand that would make Mr. Clean do a double-take. Laundry from last week. Scribbled-on Post-Its. Birthday cards and opened mail. You haven't seen your table top in weeks, and you've started to vacuum around the piles. And it's affecting your state of well-being. On The Other Hand: What's scarier than a tornado of a mess? A nook so neat you could eat off the floor. Whether it's your bedroom or your workspace, a clear, clean space feels...sterile. Boring. And so not you. You're a messy jumble of enthusiasm and energy, a fine cocktail of love and longing. It's not that you don't take pride in your things; far from it. But life just seems so much more personal when it feels lived-in. When it feels like a sanctuary instead of a tricked-out showroom. And for you, that means that things sometimes get jumbled up. You're not willing to give up that internal feeling of home for an exterior that looks shiny. Balancing Act: While others might tell you to "get your act together," becoming a neat freak overnight (or at least looking like one) is not in your DNA. Some of the most creative minds were notoriously messy - Steve Jobs, Mark Twain - and a little mess can go a long way when it comes to fueling your creative fires. Einstein famously said "If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” There's a fine line between too much mess and too much order, and it differs for everyone. Before we dive too deep into the trenches of piled papers and laundry loads, take an honest look at your Messy Gal tendencies from the inside out. Is your affinity for clutter a by-product of your vibrant and creative life...or is it a way to keep you distracted from what really matters? When there's a constant (unintentional) mess right in front of your eyes, there's a constant problem that needs to be solved. Stewing over it takes up brain space and emotional energy, giving you something to worry about, and enables the part of your that likes to formulate excuses. Furthermore, a crazy amount of clutter could be a sign of something deeper, like avoidance of forward-motion. If you dig deep and get real with yourself and find that this is you - create a game plan. Think big. Start small. Step now. Here's an Empower Point that can help you out, and a Breaking Out that might just be what catapults you into fearlessness. Right now is the perfect time to find your balancing act - while the changes of the season are signaling it's time for a change in us (for now, those transitional Fall leaves are here to stay!), before fall holidays start to jam up our schedules, and, let's be honest, before the upcoming winter weather make us want nothing more than to crawl under a blanket and binge watch Scandal. Here are a few ways for you to find order in the chaos...and a little chaos in the order: [olists num=1]

TCM Reader Tips: Did this Balancing Act strike a chord? In the comments, tell us how you've learned to embrace "controlled chaos" in your life - whether it's your paper-filled desk or your bathroom drawers - or, share one step you'll take today to bless your mess!

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Superfood Spotlight: Oil of Oregano

What you need to know: Oregano oil is the extract from the flowers and leaves of the oregano plant. It contains over fifty active compounds which all have immune promoting activities. Among those compounds is carvacrol, which has been found to be the most potent antimicrobial. It has shown in research to be a powerful anti-infective, helping to boost immunity while warding off invading bacteria, fungi and viruses. Oregano oil acts as an antioxidant in the body, preventing damage from toxins on a cellular level while inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and lowering systemic inflammation. It may be helpful as an antihistamine, lowering the incidence of asthma, and environmental allergies. Oil of oregano has also been used for osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis and metabolic syndrome. Why you should try it: Oil of oregano is one of the best lines of defense against all forms of infection and can easily be carried with you while traveling. When taken internally, studies reveal its ability to fight food-borne illnesses such as listeria, salmonella, E. coli, and Shigella dysenteria, plus the superbug MRSA. Oregano oil may also help fight upper respiratory and urinary tract infections, and both yeast and parasitic infections. When used externally, it can bring relief from athlete's foot, dandruff, canker sores, warts, and ringworm, and can even act as a bug repellant. Let's get together: Oil of oregano can be used both internally and externally. When taken internally it must be used sparingly - only one or two drops at a time. It's a very hot and spicy oil, so it must either be diluted into water or juice, or taken off a spoon. Our favorite (and least painful) way to take oregano oil is to add a drop into Pressed Juicery's Citrus 2 - the sweet flavors of the apple and pineapple offset the heat of the oregano, giving it just enough zest to make it pleasurable. If you want to use oregano oil for respiratory infections, we suggest putting it in a vaporizer. To use oregano oil externally, mix a couple drops into coconut, olive or sesame oil, then rub it directly onto the skin and wait for it to dissolve. And be mindful of labels when buying oregano oil: many brands don't use real oregano but hybrid versions or thyme, neither of which are therapeutic. For an oil of oregano you can trust, check out this one by Premier Research Labs.



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Sweet Dreams: 10 Healthy Late-Night Snacks

We always seem to veer a little more toward the naughty than the nice once the sun sets. Our iron-clad discipline starts to wane, our cravings come out to play, and those "naughty" treats begin to take on a whole new appeal. A quart of ice cream with a box of cookies start to seem like a good idea...and soon enough we are left with melted chocolate on our fingers, crumbs in our bed, and a restless night's sleep. Upon waking, the guilt forms like a cloud over our heads, leaving us regretful about decisions made. While the guilt of eating naughty foods is bad enough, the food itself does a number on its own. The foods that we choose - if they're loaded with refined sugar, trans-fatty acids, sodium, or chemicals - are usually difficult to digest. Here's the deal: once the body goes into sleep mode, its goal is to focus on repairing and cleansing, not on digesting. Therefore, the consumption of hard-to-process foods taxes the system, pushing the body into stress mode. The food is often not properly digested, which creates a slew of toxins in the system. Blood sugar is spiked, adrenaline is released, toxins are stored in adipose tissue (fat), and rebuilding and detoxifying processes are impaired. As a result, weight gain and bloating ensue, sleep issues begin, and the stage is set for a list of nagging symptoms and ailments. The consequences of poorly chosen late-night snacks are far more distressing than expected, but here's the good news: you don't have to quit your nighttime snacking habit, just tweak it a bit. Choosing foods that are easy to digest, naturally sweetened, and full of whole nutrients can actually help the body repair and cleanse. Take a look at our top ten healthy late-night snacks that will undoubtedly satisfy your belly without expanding your waistline...



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Coco Culture: Make Raw Coconut Yogurt At Home

the Coconut, in all it's forms, has become a healthy household staple, with each and every element being put to culinary use. We have coconut water down pat (have you seen the new Green Coconut H20?), are nuts for coconut oil and butter, and now we're on to the mastery of coconut yogurt. Coconut yogurt is the best non-dairy alternative, in our humble opinion, because it mimics the texture and rich flavor of dairy so well. Coconut meat is rich in medium chain fatty acids, which are vital for supporting thyroid functioning, and is free of the common allergen found in cow's dairy called lactose. Coconut yogurt is not only easier to digest for most, but is highly nutritious, helping to boost the metabolism, slim the waist-line, support mood and give skin a glow. Making coconut yogurt at home is easier than you'd think. We're keeping the recipe super simple and clean. Unlike many of the store-bought versions, we can avoid the slew of preservatives and additives that are commonly included. In addition, we can keep the sugar content extremely low. Most store-bought brands have tons of added sugar, with even the 'plain' flavors containing upwards of 8 grams per serving. Another advantage of culturing coconut yogurt at home is the control of the fermentation process. By fermenting at home, we can amp up the probiotic culture content, making the yogurt even more therapeutic. The more probiotics, the healthier our digestion, the clearer our skin, and the more stable and uplifted our mood. Don't be intimidated by trying this recipe yourself - we promise you it is fool proof. All you need is a few ingredients, a jar and a warm place to store it. The rest of the magic happens on its own. Whip up a large batch - this coconut yogurt won't last long!



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Natural Selection: Blood Orange Bars With A Brown Butter Crust

Modern recipes focus on what is fresh, what is local, and what is both beautiful and delicious. Modern foodies no longer take their ingredients hidden or masked, but prefer to let ingredients like fresh produce shine for themselves. One blog we love who really gets this modern way of cooking right is husband and wife duo, Todd Porter and Diane Cu, the "White on Rice Couple." Todd and Diane, with their backgrounds as pro food stylists and photographers, are perfecting the fresh and local recipe trend. In their new cookbook Bountiful, they follow the innate knowledge of nature, picking each individual ingredient for its dimensionality and structure. Each recipe invites us to taste food in a whole new way. Reading Bountiful is an active experience, full of produce-picking and thoughtful perspectives that make us look twice at what's for dinner. These seasonal blood orange bars are the perfect recipe for mid-October. Todd and Diane's recipe maintains the vibrancy of the fruit's color while building upon the foundation of a classic dessert. The sweet yet tart flavor of the orange plays off the rich quality of the crust, both echoing and amplifying one another. As delicious as they are beautiful, these bars deserve to be your centerpiece dessert this fall! Here's more from the couple on how to make these gorgeous treats... The recipe is enough to make the bars in a quarter-sheet pan, however, we know for most, blood oranges can be a bit expensive, so a reduced recipe may be a better option. The recipe works perfectly if you halve it and make the bars in a four-by fourteen-inch tart pan (the size used in the photos), or use individual three- or four-inch tart pans. Or you can always substitute in some tangerine juice for the blood orange juice. The color will pale more toward the orange side, but it will still be delicious - promise. Also, make sure to taste the sweetness of the curd as you are making it. Blood oranges can vary quite a bit on their sweetness, so adjust the sugar quantities to your desired taste. Enjoy!



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The Shop: 12 Stylishly Sustainable Must-Haves That Give Back

What's better than shopping for an adorable new fall dress like this one from Faircloth & Supply? Not much! But the twelve brands below have managed to improve upon one of our favorite past-times. In honor of our October Guest, Kristen Bell, we're adding these 12 crucially stylish items to The Shop - each of which supports a community or cause we find compelling. Included in the mix is This Bar Saves Lives, a charitable snack bar company we love, and one Kristen is a vocal advocate for. This Bar gives vital nutrition to children in need with the purchase of each bar. We love that - and the missions behind all twelve of these brands (roll over each shopping item to read more.) The causes are diverse and the shopping is really good. Shop our favorites like the new farmer's market-ready baskets from The Little Market and this dress from Faircloth & Supply - every dress in their collection helps provide uniforms for girls in Nepal who need the clothing in order to attend school. Great idea or what? When you're through here, hop on over to our October shop where you'll find cozy DIY kits, obsession-level fitnesswear, and the yogamat no one has been able to get over...



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Succulents And Seaweed: 9 Beauty Ingredients To Change Your Skin

There's just a little more romance in using products that contain beauty ingredients straight from the sea, forest, and earth. We're lucky to have laboratory-made ingredients available these days, but we love the idea of fresh flowers, herbs and fruits in our skincare too! Here are nine products with highly-effective beauty ingredients straight from the earth. Find your fave, from silver to blue-green algae...



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Garden School In Session: Make This Autumn Risotto From Heirloom LA

On an acre of green at the 24th Street Elementary School, The Garden School Foundation runs their own Garden Classroom, a permanent learning place for their programs designed to teach kids in L.A. more about cooking, nutrition, health and community. Complete with orchards, veggie beds and a garden shed, GSF's Garden Classroom made a storybook-setting for their recent start-of-fall gathering featuring our culinary obsession, Heirloom LA. Guests arrived to fresh peach mocktails and garden-fresh bites by Chef Matt Poley and were later sat at gorgeously dressed tables with Casa de Perrin settings and wooden bowls over-flowing with Moon Canyon's florals and fruit. We can't think of a more perfect match than this foundation that teaches kids about all things garden and this team of catering wonder-workers who pull straight from their own garden and work with the best farmers in the region. Guests left the evening with gift bags made by the children with little thank you notes and seed packets, but not before being treated to a few courses of Chef Poley's drool-worthy creations, including this special cauliflower risotto. Below, Heirloom LA owner, Tara Maxey, shares the recipe... Koda Rice is really special and can be found at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market on Wednesday mornings. It is a local rice that is so creamy that it tastes like it was cooked with butter. Any rice for risotto can be substituted, but the Koda Rice will make it over the top. Also arugula with a lot more lemon can be substituted for the purslane, but purslane grows like a weed and is pretty enough to use as garnish, so plant some in a pot! We love to use multi-colored cauliflower here, but white, while less dramatic, can certainly be substituted in. Enjoy!



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Hair Raising: Backstage Beauty Insights From A Green Celeb Stylist

Jon Reyman is the fashion-week hair whisperer designers across the globe rely on to prep models to perfection on the fly. Whether in Milan, London or New York this last September, Jon could be found prepping runway looks for designers across the globe. We love that Jon is obsessed with great styling that is healthy and natural too. We share his love for Aveda products – the real deal, people – and wanted to know what this hard-core vegan yogi had to say about traveling to all these shows in health, his fave spots on both coasts (his new salon Spoke & Weal just opened this year on West 3rd in LA - see the crazy deal for readers below!) and a few of his inside secrets about styling so well in so little time. Here’s Jon… [olists num=1] [olists num=2]



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Upgrade Your Coffee: 7 Ways We Drink Our Coffee Green

A liquid diet is certainly not what we intend for ourselves each morning. We love our soaked oats, chia pudding and avocado toast. But, one way or another, we wind up with a desk full of glassware - coconut water, coffee, green juice. Get our team together for a meeting, and there is never a shortage of a perfect dozen glasses, bottles, cups and carafes. Some of this has to do with our lemon water ritual, some with our green-juice obsession, and, lately, it's the coconut water that's to blame. But, for the most part, this "beverage overwhelm" has to do with coffee. We're choosy about how it's brewed, what we pair it with and, most importantly, where it's from, but coffee is always in the mix. Here are a few factors that go into how we choose our brew and how to upgrade your own...[olists num=1] This post is brought to you by Target. With helping hands, Target is committed to building healthy and sustainable communities.



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Detox Your Office: 11 Steps To A More Vibrant Workplace

Like it or not, we spend the majority of our lives at work - 10.3 years to be exact. We're ready to show you how to detox your office so that those years are healthful, more vibrant, and quite possibly more fun.Whether your office is in a sky-high building in the center of downtown, an hourly rental space, or a custom-built room in your home, it's important to be mindful of how your space is affecting your health - both mentally and physically. From the air we breathe and the office snacks we indulge in, to the computer screens we glare at and fluorescent lights we sit under, there are a multitude of factors influencing not only how we feel, but more relevantly, how we work. A toxic environment can lead to chronic fatigue, poor eyesight, migraines and anxiety, making the work day more harmful and less productive than desired. And while we may think that these factors are out of our control, there are actually plenty of things we can do to detox our offices. With the simple addition of a few items such as air-purifying plants and energy-clearing candles, here's how to quickly transform your health-depressing office space into a life (and soul!) enhancing one...



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Green Coconut Water + 8 New Juices That Will Change Your Life

In just a few short years, the team at Pressed Juicery has watched as Los Angeles, and then the whole country, has gone ga-ga for green juice. What was once a healthful rarity has now become a daily staple for so many - and it's been a thrill to watch. Not a day goes by that we don't pound a Greens 1, and we're no longer shocked to see well-loved bottles of Greens 3 and Citrus 4 in the offices, inside the cars, and in the background of Instagram shots everywhere we turn. This month, Pressed Juicery is launching a brand new menu and introducing nine new flavors to their classic lineup. There are a few improved standards (don't worry, no one's touched the Greens!), a couple of basics never before offered, and - most importantly - mind-blowing new flavors that are going to change our lives. Here they are below. Get to your nearest Pressed location and let us know which of these flavors you love most using the hashtag #PRESSEDnewmenu! [olists num=1]

Which juice is your favorite new flavor? Head to your nearest Pressed Juicery location to check out all the juicy changes for yourself - then leave a comment to tell us what you're loving!

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Choosing Life: Thoughts From A Survivor

We all have moments we feel down in the dumps, but when those dark days become our norm it's a red flag that something more serious is going on under the surface. Fortunately, there are many resources you can turn to for support. Whether you've got a family member or friend going through a tough time, or you are experiencing depression yourself, this article on Darling Magazine by Allie Marie Smith (founder of Wonderfully Made and creator of the Body Beautiful iPhone app) reinforces the fact that no one is alone. When it comes to dark days and nights I get it. I am a survivor. Nine years ago severe clinical depression was violently destroying my picture-perfect world. Deep-seated insecurity, stress, perfectionism, and grave hormonal and physiological imbalances collided, shattering my world into bits of broken pieces. There are moments like right now when I second guess why I continue to share the ashes of my life instead of forever bury them beneath false appearances of someone who has always had it together. But I’m alive and full of joy so I will not be silent. I’ve known the feeling of death and dying within a body that keeps on living. I’ve known the ruminating, relentless thoughts of self-hate. I’ve known what it’s like to want to disappear forever and to believe the lie that world is better off without you in it. But I also know that hope is real. And that such pain doesn’t equal permanence. I believe that mental illnesses are real, but very treatable. Through support from my loved ones, counseling, prayer and medication I have been able to find healing and help. If you are suffering, know you are not alone and that there is hope for you too. Do not give up. Believe that you are irreplaceable and, in the words of To Write Love On Her Arms, that better days are ahead. You cannot be replaced. Here are some helpful tips for anyone who is struggling... [olists num=1]

For more tips and helpful resources to help you or a loved one who is struggling, read the rest of Allie's piece on Darling by clicking over here.

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Veggie And The Beast: Gluten-Free Chia Burgers

Chia - oh how we love you! We use chia to whip up our breakfast banana parfait, our decadent chocolate chia pudding, and our morning blueberry pie green smoothie - so why not step outside of the box and add chia to to savory dishes as well? These simple seeds contain more nutrition than most people eat in one day's time: eight times more omega-3 fatty acids than salmon, six times more calcium than milk, a higher antioxidant content than pomegranates, more magnesium than broccoli, and more fiber than flaxseeds. Plus chia turns into a gel when mixed with liquid, making it the ultimate egg and gluten replacement for use in any and every vegan recipe. These Curry Chia Burgers are the invention of convivial couple Katie and Ryan from the foodie blog Veggie and the Beast. Katie is a veggie-loving vegetarian, and her other half is a carnivorous bow hunter - literally. Creating meals that satisfy both needs and palates, most of their recipes are vegan and gluten-free adaptations of classic comfort foods. And just to give you an idea of how creative their minds can be, they have made healthy gluten-free spin offs like Coconut Macaroon Waffles, Pumpkin Butter Maple Pecan Granola, and Kale Pesto and Tomato Linguine. Gather up your ingredients, brace yourself for the ultimate vegan and gluten-free burger-making experience, and see how these curry chia burgers can change your health - and just maybe your life, too!



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In The Shop: October’s Crazy Prints + Cozy Home Activities

october's grey fall skies and sidewalks are most beautiful when spiked with bright fall leaves...and bold fall fitnesswear. We can't wait to jam our feet into a brand new pair of these fun, printed Stella McC's and hit the pavement! This month in The Shop you'll find a much bolder, brighter collection of goods than last month's neutral, norm-core TCM 'starter kit'. October is all about the printed legging, bold lip, and neon-adjacent nail color. A deep purple matte lip in a non-toxic formula is our beauty uniform this fall! We're also breaking out the fun and cozy cooking activities to do at home, from making your own kombucha to a charming cooking set that helps you make old world style hand-made pasta. And then of course, there's the candy. Sweets from Quin are all-natural and made by hand in Portland, Oregon - delicious and pretty much a hipster must. For the home, we've found a few incredible decor pieces that feel just a little bit spooky, and still totally obsession-worthy. Brass and ceramic wind chimes, anyone? The mysterious sound of chimes could be the opening of a Halloween thriller, or the opening entryway of a cool guest house in Venice. Either way, we're loving it. This month's October spin on The Shop, our new curated collection of items from our favorite online retailers, is one we know our readers will love. We hope you'll discover something new to help you "live well." Check in with us each month as we share a new set of Chalkboard approved beauty picks, fitnesswear styles, wellness items and other things we love. Have something you'd love to see in The Shop? We want to hear about it! We love getting the word out about the natural beauty brands we love most and those holistic supplements you might not be hearing about anywhere else. Watch for new additions to The Shop later this month when we share Guest Editor Kristen Bell's favorite things and a slew of Halloween costume options that may or may not be appropriate for the gym.



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Trampolines + Turnouts: Our 7 Fave Workout Trends For Fall Fitness

Fall is the perfect time to start fresh: revamping your wardrobe, resetting your goals, and rebooting your workout! With the holidays right around the corner (we know, we can't believe it either) now is the time to find your perfect fitness fit before the craziness of next season's festivities set in. Last month we talked a lot about fashion making its way into the fitness world; runway-worthy, wearable trends that could take you from work to workout in a heartbeat. This month, we're putting those fitnesswear finds to good use by giving this season's workout trends a shot! From trampolines to turnouts, from short and sweet to stress relief, there's a little something to help everyone find their fitness groove. Here's what's making us jump (and run, and flow, and lift) for joy this October:



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Superfood Spotlight: Pink Sea Salt

What you need to know: Pink sea salt is an unrefined form of salt that comes from naturally formed sea and mountain beds. It is commonly found in the Himalayas, Mediterranean, and Hawaiian islands. Unlike table salt, pink salt contains, on average, over ninety health-promoting trace minerals, including phosphorus, bromine, boron, zinc, iron, manganese, copper and silicon. It is not processed like table salt, making it free of anti-clumping agents, some of which include aluminum and fluoride, and bleaching chemicals such as chlorine. As a result, pink sea salt, much like grey sea salt, is not toxic to the body like table salt is, and has been found to be essential to almost all physiological functions. Why you should try it: Pink sea salt is an important source of chloride. Chloride is a mineral that is necessary for producing HCL, hydrochloric acid, in the body. HCL is used by the stomach to digest foods. Without proper HCL production, food rots in the digestive system leading to a host of issues ranging from eczema, psoriasis, acne, fatigue, acid reflux, bloating and indigestion. Furthermore, HCL is a natural disinfectant, protecting us from any ingested pathogens including food-borne illnesses, bacterias and parasites. Without proper HCL production, we are more susceptible to infection. Finally, the regular consumption of sea salt is necessary for nerve transmission, fluid/electrolyte balance, energy production, skin and digestive health, an alkaline pH and kidney health. The introduction of sea salt can be used to remedy constipation, muscle cramps and insomnia, improve hair growth and bone density, reduce stress and inflammation, improve skin quality, reduce thirst, aid in weight loss, and be a part of reducing asthma symptoms, and even clearing parasites in animals. Let's get together: Once you're given the green light, finding ways to add salt into the diet is super easy, especially when you're willing to expand your boundaries. Sea salt brightens up any fresh-pressed juice or sliced fruit (like watermelon), adds an extra dimension to a myriad of chocolate desserts (especially this raw pudding pie), and is the key ingredient for making your own electrolyte drink. Our therapeutic concoction that helps us ramp up our salt intake is blending Pressed Juicery's Coconut H20 with one tablespoon apple cider vinegar, a squeeze of lime juice and a few pinches of Pink Salt by Premier Research Labs (one of our personal faves in the office)!



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Green Kitchen Travels: New York + San Francisco Faves…And These Pumpkin Waffles

If you haven't heard about Green Kitchen Stories yet, don't blame us. We've been obsessing over this couple and their Nordic way of life forever. This month, David and Luise (and baby Elsa!) are launching their latest cookbook, Green Kitchen Travels, inspired by - what else? - their family travels. Most notably, their time spent up and down the coast of California and on to the culinary epicenter that is New York City. We asked the authors to share a few highlights from their New York and California experiences, along with a recipe from the new book. This one's a killer: gluten-free almond pumpkin waffles! Read their sweet insights and win the book for yourself below... [olists num=2] Before our first visit to the U.S.A., we kept pumpkins only as decoration. They are also grown in Europe, but have never been as popular or as creatively used in recipes as in the States. After spending a few months on the West Coast during pumpkin season, we quickly learned that they can be used in practically any kind of recipe – sweet or savory. On our trip we made sure to try pumpkin pie, cheesecake and muffins, pumpkin soup and salad, pumpkin pancakes and even pumpkin spice coffee. But of all the sweet combinations, we grew most fond of the spiced pumpkin waffles that we tried in a diner just south of Big Sur, California. They were served with a slab of maple butter and after our third plate we were in a food coma for the rest of the day. We created these with a similar mixture of spices but slightly lighter, using almond flour and buttermilk. They are still quite rich, so two waffles are usually enough for one person. If pumpkins are out of season, you can use two cups mashed ripe banana instead of the pumpkin purée. [olists num=1]



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