helenowen:Another rad shot by roguefoto in Vitamin A...

helenowen:

Another rad shot by roguefoto in Vitamin A Swim

http://ift.tt/1CDzvEK

from The BestSwimwear Blog http://ift.tt/1IJNLfW

via IFTTT

Goddesses Never Age: 5 Priceless Tips For Growing Older In Style

When did "aging" become such a loaded word? What happened to the good ol' days when we associated another year older with another year wiser? Instead, we look to the future dreading decline, aches, pains, and a whole host of health problems. Dr. Christiane Northrup, ob/gyn, NYT bestselling author, and the ultimate women's wellness warrior, is determined to change all that. After spending decades helping women redefine how they understand their bodies and processes, Dr. Northrup has taken her extensive knowledge and expertise one step further with Goddesses Never Age: The Secret Prescription for Radiance, Vitality, and Well-Being, teaching women to embrace a new mindset and thrive at every stage of life. From tips on vibrant nutrition and joyful movement to advice on how to love others without losing ourselves in the process, this ain't your mama's (or grandmama's) book on how to access the Fountain Of Youth. Rather, it's a manifesto for women of all stages of life - from 22 to 82 - on what we are entitled to as we move through time. Here's Dr. Northrup with five of her priceless tips on how to be ageless no matter what your age is: I don’t care how old you are right now. It’s never too early - or too late - to change the way you think about growing older or to upgrade your beliefs about the experience. If you are in your 20s, what I have to tell you will likely prolong your life in vital ways. And if you are older than 50, let me spare you from the health-eroding cultural beliefs that would have you thinking your best years are all behind you. Becoming - and remaining - an Ageless Goddess is easier than you think! You were meant to be a powerful, luscious, fertile, healthy, Ageless Goddess. Don’t be afraid to discover and cherish this aspect of yourself. There’s no need to live small. An Ageless Goddess has many ways to express her creativity and experience the pleasures in life, like feeling good in her body, embracing or recapturing her sexuality and beginning a new relationship, project, or way of living. These five simple tips have the power to change the way you move through time:



from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/19XK5vE

via IFTTT

Yoga Girl: Yoga Matters With Rachel Brathen

Rachel Brathen - otherwise known as "Yoga Girl" to her 1.2 million Instagram followers - is the number-one yoga star of the internet. And not for the reasons you'd think. We can't deny that this Sweden native's on-the-mat practice is #flawless. And her home base in Aruba definitely isn't an eyesore. But the main thing that's made this beach babe such an infectious Insta follow is her ever-positive yet pragmatic outlook on life. Her inspirational wisdom is spot-on and soulful, proving that the best yoga practice really does start from the inside out. Rachel leads yoga workshops all across the globe, in which she focuses on vinyasa essentials, handstands, arm balances, and what it means to live fearlessly. This week, Rachel's first book hit shelves: part memoir, part yoga how-to, we've already devoured Yoga Girl cover to cover. To celebrate, we sat down with our ultimate yogi girl crush and picked her brain about the cause she's most passionate about, the power of intention, and her bucket list items (Top of the list? Hug a sloth). Read on, then enter to win a copy of Rachel's book for yourself! Roll out your mat, pour a glass of green juice, and get to know the Yoga Girl: [olists num=1] [olists num=2]



from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/1E3mTJ4

via IFTTT

10 Quirky Yoga Mats For All The Personality Types

Some people find themselves on the mat. We like to take it one step further and be one with the mat. Seriously though, the notion of having a heart-opening practice that helps you understand yourself better can start with simply choosing a mat that's a reflection of who you are. Just like with colorful leggings and bold fitnesswear, we're no longer confined to blahsé prints and basic black when it comes to our yoga mats. Whether you're into intricate artwork and adventure-seeking or prefer LBDs all day every day, your yoga gear should reflect who you are not only on the mat, but off the mat as well. Busybody? Optimist? Addicted to sweat? There's a mat for that. We've got the lowdown on 10 mats for all the personality types out there...



from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/1ybu9v7

via IFTTT

Make Perfect Bone Broth: 3 Tips From The Expert We Trust Most

There are countless ways to improve your health, but sipping on bone broth is one practice that's been all over our radar lately. Bone broth has deeply nourishing and healing properties that are missing from many of our modern diets. It is rich in gelatin, essential amino acids such as glycine, proline and glutamine, vitamins, minerals, and essential healing sugars known as proteoglycans. Through these nutrients, bone broth can improve sleep quality, lessen fatigue, boost well-being, stimulate cartilage production and inhibit cartilage degradation. Its amino acids are also essential for healthy skin and connective tissue and for maintaining muscle-tissue mass. As if that wasn't enough, it's an excellent source of collagen as well. Collagen is a vital building block of tendons, ligaments, arteries, veins, and muscles - including the heart muscle. It keeps our tissues strong and elastic, helping to reduce the aging of skin (think sagging and wrinkling), and keeps our joints flexible. It is an important component of wound healing and the building of cartilage, making it a great food for preventing osteoarthritis. Incorporating bone broth into your daily routine is simple: with a bit of foresight, a large enamel stockpot, this recipe, and the following three essential tips from the Nourishing Broth cookbook, you'll be trading in your ritual cup of coffee for a pipping hot mug of bone broth in no time:



from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/1bsuW6d

via IFTTT

12 Stunning Essentials For The Modern Boho Babe

Some people like to roll out their yoga mat, some people get out into nature - while others get back to the basics with Chinese medicine or crystal healing. Whatever your brand of spiritual gangster-ness, it's only right to surround yourself with the kinds of things that stir up your soulful side. We've rounded up twelve of our fave mind-body essentials for the modern day boho babe. From singing bowls to lapis malas, there's a little something for every personality type. We're not saying these quasi-hippie-dippie finds will change the color of your aura or summon up your spirit animal , but they might just help you feel a little more in tune with your intuitive side. [olists num=1] [olists num=2]



from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/1ClgAOU

via IFTTT

Dessert First: A Berry Meringue Recipe From Malibu Farm

This is one of the most fun-to-make dessert recipes we've seen in a while! Last week, Helene of Malibu Farm showed us how to whip up this meringue dessert inside Jenni Kayne's kitchen and it was so fun to watch we can't wait to make it at home. The meringue is whipped, spread on a baking sheet, tossed with gorgeous fillings and gently folded up like a jelly roll. The creamy insides and perfectly toasted meringue edges are the perfect way to show off spring's new crop of berries. Consider this for Easter brunch or for your first al fresco dinner of the season. Be sure to check out all the other recipes here and over on ripplustan!



from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/1N3WAnx

via IFTTT

helenowen:Vitamin A in Cabo. Having the time of my life Shop the...

helenowen:

Vitamin A in Cabo. Having the time of my life Shop the kini here: http://ift.tt/19vMkGn

Shot by Derren Versoza ig: derrenversoza

from The BestSwimwear Blog http://ift.tt/1N6Vi9m

via IFTTT

Having A Moment: The Pursuit By Equinox Has Us Powered Up

It takes a lot for a new fitness class to really blow our minds. When that Chalkboard life involves mini trampolines, beachside yoga, and a Pilates reformer on steroids, we've become pretty picky when it comes to new workouts that really wow us. So you can imagine our surprise when we walked out of Equinox's newest indoor cycling class, The Pursuit, utterly speechless. Lets' break it down: The Pursuit by Equinox is an immersive, highly competitive indoor cycling class that combines in-class challenges with real-time data to create a fitness experience that's kind of like gaming-gone-gym-rat. There are two different class types to choose from, The Pursuit: Burn and The Pursuit: Build. Burn focuses on maximizing performance and optimize how you burn calories, while Build focuses on improving endurance, increasing strength, and improving your ability to work harder for longer - in other words, build your power, strength, and focus strategically. Each bike console (which displays your pace, power, distance, and calories burned right in front of you) is connected to a digital leaderboard at the front of class, and as your power builds, it shows up for the whole room to see. This means that with each challenge, each class, and each turn of the resistance knob, you know exactly how hand you're working compared to the rest of the class. If this sounds too cutthroat Jets-and-Sharks-on-bikes for you, you should know that The Pursuit is specifically crafted to foster community. Coaching is encouraging (to say the least), and instructors cheer you on along with the rest of the class right to the finish line (even if you come in last place on a challenge...not that we know from experience...). Besides solo challenges, there are tons of games you'll play teamed up with the rider next to you, or even your entire side of the room. Not only that, but you get a specific number that's tied to your accomplishments for the day: so if you're one of those goal-setting types (we are!), you can literally track your progress from class to class, setting and crushing smart goals that are specific to you, not just some general number or rumor you heard on the gym floor about what you should or shouldn't be accomplishing. Note to selves: it's about you own progress, not someone else's version of perfection. Why are we so head-over-heels-over-pedals for The Pursuit? Well, besides the goal-setting aspect and the fact that you get to revisit your early '90s obsession with Nintendos and SEGAs, The Pursuit encourages you to focus on how much power you're generating, not how fast you're going. With cycling classes still topping fitness trend charts and new studios popping up on every block like coffee shops, sometimes the quality of work that you feel on the inside can get totally lost in the quantitative, external "show" of riding at lightning speed with little resistance (along those lines, read the truth about that "bulky legs" fit myth here). So whether you're an avid devotee of The Pursuit or only pursue it every so often, you can be honest with yourself about your work and progress no matter what cycling class you take.

Try it!The Pursuit is slowly being rolled out in Equinox Fitness Clubs nationwide. Get in on the action and find the club nearest you by clicking over here!



from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/1B42k89

via IFTTT

Strained Yogurt “Cheese” With Caramelized Tomato Bruschetta

It's love at first sight: a lightly toasted olive oil-drizzled baguette topped with caramelized roasted tomatoes, and finished with a schmear of tangy cheese made from yogurt. There are a hundred and one ways in which we can imagine enjoying this recipe from our latest cookbook obsession, the aptly named Yogurt by Janet Fletcher. Far more nutrient-dense and easy on the waistline than its conventional counterpart, yogurt cheese isn’t really cheese at all, but yogurt that is thickened to a soft, cream cheese-like consistency. This is a fantastic recipe to have in your toolbox as a healthier, low-fat alternative to sour cream or cream cheese - just be sure to make extra, since you'll want to slather it on everything. Our suggestion? Try it with Fletcher's ridiculously amazing roasted tomato bruschetta - then let your imagination run wild! I often drain yogurt, especially homemade yogurt, even if only for an hour. Draining dramatically improves the texture, making any yogurt thicker, creamier, and more mellow by removing whey. Draining also extends the yogurt’s life by removing water and lactose. Reducing the yogurt’s lactose deprives bacteria of their food source. And if you are lactose-sensitive, you should find drained yogurt more digestible. This creates a "yogurt cheese" that can be used in countless recipes, like the bruschetta below. Enjoy! [olists num=2] [olists num=1]



from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/18W0u2u

via IFTTT

Forget Florals: Succulents Installations On Another Level

Forget florals - we want to learn how to arrange succulents. Whether they're adorning a wall, lining a pathway, or brightening up a windowsill, trendy-yet-classy succulents add a dash of personality to any space. Plus, you don't need to be a gardenista to master the art of succulent keeping: the fact that they're low-maintenance is an added bonus! Darling Magazine recently interviewed succulent expert Tamar Sahakian of Searoon Succulents about what inspires her most about working with these trend-setting botanical beauties... Succulents have been ruling the trends in the plant world for their vibrancy, sustainability and distinctive shapes. That's why Tamar Sahakian of Searoon Succulents finds beauty in cultivating her own and constructing unique plant installations, inspired by the challenge of repurposing old vessels with new life. We had the opportunity to ask Tamar more about her artistry and process. Read on below to learn the story: Darling Magazine: Tell us about Searoon Succulents. Tamar Sahakian: I had a group of friends over for dinner and we were playing with names for my company. At first we were set on Sahakullents, which is a combo of my last name and the word succulents. I found it to be too silly and none of us could say it without laughing. My middle name is Searoon, it is an Armenian word that means beautiful. It is a sweet word that is used to describe many things in a loving way. I also like the way the word looks. My parents actually spell the English translation incorrectly, it should be spelled Sirun when translated to English. I love how mine is spelled, incorporating the 'sea' in the word. So we all decided that would be a good company name: sea, beauty and plants all mixed in one. DM: What makes succulents the most fun or interesting to work with? How do they lend themselves to creativity in a way that other plants don't? TS: I love succulents because they are so forgiving, tough and beautiful at the same time! First of all they are so resilient, they can survive in such a wide range of places and off so little. Although they are part of the cactus family their characteristics are diverse. I love propagating my own succulents. I met an old woman on a walk one day tending to her sidewalk succulent garden. I loved her space and asked her where she got her plants. She told me she goes to the "midnight nursery" and started cracking up. I realized that was her driving around at night taking clippings from around town. I loved it and followed suit shortly after. That is the beauty of succulents. They are easily shared, you can pick a piece of one plant and it will grow and become yours to share. I love creating my "babies", propagating my own succulents. If you remove the leaves from one and just throw them on some soil, new little buds will start to grow. They grow from themselves; its really amazing and their roots are usually hot pink - so fun. I love working with succulents because they can be manipulated and roughed around and still look good. When making a piece, I like to change my mind, play with colors and textures. The vessels usually lend me inspiration of color and texture, but I have to execute my vision fully before I am satisfied. I tend to move the plants around a lot looking back, walking away and changing them again before I am satisfied. I spend every morning looking at my breeding grounds and pieces and will move around plants long after they have been complete. Months after making finished product, I can go in, tear a plant out and put a replacement. I feel the creativity is so continuous with them due to their survival nature. DM: Where do you draw your inspiration from? Do you collaborate with other artists on your installations? TS: I draw my inspiration from many things. I mean, the vessels are inspiring themselves. They have certain colors and feels to them that I like to fulfill. I feel as though their shapes really inspire my work. Nature inspires me. I collaborate with and discuss my work with a friend, Billy Dole, who is my plant master. He tells me what will work together and how the plants will grow. I try to be more conscious of what types of succulents I put in the pieces, how they will grow and not just how they look. I like to think of my work in a year and make sure I use plants that will hold the pieces character still in that time. Some plants grow up, some grow wide, it is important to see their future when installing them. I call them friends; I try to match succulent friends in a pretty way. I also collaborate with my buddy, Freeman. He's an all around crafter and artist, he taught me how to make my first frame and helps me keep my sculptures structurally sound.

To read the rest of the interview, visit Darling Magazine by clicking through here!

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/1MxEk5B

via IFTTT

The 10 Day Detox: A Detoxifying Wild Mushroom Recipe From Dr. Hyman

Crazy blood sugar levels are at the root of more health problems than we can count. From diabetes to dementia, having sky-high blood sugar levels has become a national, if not worldwide epidemic. We're so thankful to have health pro Mark Hyman, M.D. on the front lines of this battle against one of the top villains in the wellness world. Last year, Dr. Hyman released his #1 New York Times bestselling book, The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet, giving us a course map for getting this health hazard under control. Now he's gone one step further and created an entire cookbook to guide you to healthier blood sugar levels and a more vibrant life. The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet Cookbook is filled with more than 150 recipes all aimed at reducing insulin and inflammation levels, activating your natural ability to burn fat, soothing stress, and completely reprogramming your metabolism. This sauteed wild mushroom recipe is straight from the book's pages and is filled with four different mushrooms that pack quite the nutritional punch. Give the recipe a try, then enter to win a copy of the 10-Day Detox Diet Cookbook below signed by Dr. Hyman himself... [olists num=1] [olists num=2]



from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/1MxEjPg

via IFTTT

helenowen:Kini season is (almost) upon us - and there’s a new...

helenowen:

Kini season is (almost) upon us - and there’s a new bikini brand I’m a little giddy over. Vitamin A Swimwear, ya nailed it.

Have a looksy: http://ift.tt/1EOpl4B

Shot by roguefoto in Malibu

from The BestSwimwear Blog http://ift.tt/1Bah990

via IFTTT

First Look: Our Top 10 Eco-Chic Picks From Expo West 2015

Athletes have the Olympics, movie buffs have Sundance - and health junkies have Natural Products Expo West. Known simply as "Expo West" to its devoted fan base, this five-day extravaganza is like Whole Foods on (all-natural) steroids: think every single eco food, supplement, skincare, and apparel brand you love under one roof, plus literally hundreds of companies you've never even heard of. This is the place trends are born and new products come to life: with 2,700 companies exhibiting and almost 700 of them first-timers, we almost cried tears of joy when we saw the plethora of new products on display, many of which haven't even hit stores yet. Since this is basically the dream destination of anyone living that Chalkboard life, we had our nutritionista gal pal Alexa of Super Food Super Life (remeber her aura photography interview?) give our readers the inside scoop on the top 10 brand-new snacks, sips, and skincare goodies you're going to need in your life this year... People come from all over the world to see what’s trending for the coming year at Expo West. My top product picks care so much about their products, where they are sourced from and how they affect the consumer. We are in a new paradigm with so much transparency. Here is the best of what I found behind the curtain...



from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/1C8jxm8

via IFTTT

Overcome Depression + Stress: How Toxic Emotions Can Make You Sick

"Be who you are and say what you feel" is sage advice from one of our favorite doctors (Dr. Seuss). Letting our feelings live out in the open is the pathway to healthy living and a positive self image, but too many of us don't even allow ourselves to acknowledge those feelings in the first place. Holistic pro Elissa Goodman (whose popular series on TCM has taught us how to remove toxic buildup, what we can do to change our S.A.D. ways, and why oil pulling is more important than you think) is back with us, talking about why overcoming "toxic emotions" matters. Tackle the sneakiest health hazard you didn't even know was dangerous: the way you handle your emotions. Not feeling our feelings has become an epidemic preyed upon by pharmaceutical companies. I believe that psychotherapeutic drugs are needed in certain cases, but antidepressants are the most consumed class of medication in the U.S. These over-prescribed drugs are a clear sign that we’ve got feelings we’re not processing. When we suppress our feelings, they metastasize in our body, leading to cancer. It is very common for those with cancer to have a long-standing tendency to hold on to “toxic emotions” such as resentment and anger. When we are under emotional stress, our organs and our immune function get stressed too, decreasing our bodies' ability to fight cancer. “Health is a state of complete harmony free of the body, mind, and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and distractions, the gates of the soul open.” – B.K.S. Iyengar, founder of Iyengar Yoga

How To Overcome Depression + Stress: How Toxic Emotions Can Make You Sick

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/18ukx7O

via IFTTT

Yoga Matters: Handstands With One of The World’s Best Bodies

Ever scrolled down your Instagram feed and think, How do they do it? Social media is giving acro yoga - the yoga style that's all about handstands, headstands, backbends, and taking flight - a major day in the sun, and we're all watching in awe. Leading the pack of pose pros is Caley Alyssa, an LA-based yoga teacher who is known for her picturesque inversions, vibrant personality - and, most recently, being named by Self magazine as one of the top five best bodies in the world (nbd). We've always been a little intimidated by the acro scene, but Caley makes it completely accessible by breaking it down step by step - so your asana is not only picture perfect, it's in perfect form, too. She's recently joined the ranks of Udaya pros like Rudy Mettia and Ali Owens, and is sharing with our readers this challenging, yet super-fun flow to get your handstand game going. Read this beauty's words of wisdom below (the biggest lesson yoga taught her? Love it.), then roll out your mat and take flight - in your best body ever.



from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/1w6qLWO

via IFTTT

In My Gym Bag: 12 Beauty Essentials For The Workout Warrior

Your In-The-Gym Style: You're on the go, and your gym regimen needs to be able to keep up. There's no time for dilly-dallying - you mean business. And not just in the spin room. A successful sweat sesh means efficiency in the locker room, too. You like to look your best in and out of the gym, meaning that having the proper products and beauty essentials on hand is all a part of the routine. What You Need in Your Bag: You don't want to do even more heavy listing after you're done with your workout. For you, minimalistic and multitasking versions of your at-home faves is key: dry shampoo that also pumps up the volume, a foundation that does double duty as a moisturizer, even a tiny flat iron you can stash in a side pocket. Whether you're heading to a meeting, meet-up, or the farmer's market, here are the twelve beauty essentials to stash in your gym bag to primp in record time...



from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/1B9YEF0

via IFTTT