NYC Bite of the Month: Inday’s Shredded Cauliflower Bowl

We're still deep in comfort food mode, but beginning to take a gander at just this kind of dish below from Inday in New York. Eater Drinks editor, Kat Odell is scoping out this brand new hotspot for a little Ayurvedic-friendly bowl action. We love that these bowls are light on the grains and heavy on the veg. Check out the best thing we ate in NYC at new healthy lunch staple, Inday. We're loving this chic Indian cafe with a bowl-centric menu and Ayurveda meets modern feels... What I ate: Inday's customizable bowl. Why I ate it: I love the idea of healthy bowls - both sweet and savory. But to be honest, I don't want a huge amount of grain in there, even if it's rice and it's gluten free. And then I met newbie Inday, a fast casual healthy Indian-ish cafe that's doing things a little bit differently. This is, indeed, a customizable-bowl spot, but here you'll find "not rice" (my preferred base) made from shredded cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, to which I add a medley of pickled, roasted, and charred seasonal veggies - plus a protein like salmon or steak. Why you need it: Think Ayurveda. Indian cuisine is, by nature, often very healthy on its own. And Inday gives traditional flavors a healthy, seasonal boost.

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Epic Mushroom Toast from Inside The Gjelina Cookbook

There's really no place like Gjelina, one of L.A.'s coziest hotspots. From the dark, but fresh-feeling dining room to the rustic chic patio, this little Abbott Kinney restaurant is always packed - and half of the guests are there for this mushroom toast.  We can't deny Gjelina's ever-lasting cool factor. Some hotspots get so hot we tire of them quickly - or at least feign disinterest. This is not that. We're thrilled to feature Chef Travis Lett's obsession-worthy mushroom toast, a recipe that's packed in between nine other chapters full of killer recipes in the new Gjelina Cooking From Venice, California cookbook.   This recipe is no simple matter. But trust us when we say that all the fuss will be worth the trouble. Start here with these instructions for Gjelina's Garlic confit:  In a small baking dish, add eight peeled heads of garlic, 12 thyme sprigs and 3 bruised bay leaves and cover with about one inch of extra-virgin olive oil:. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour until garlic cloves are soft and lightly browned but still hold their shape. Our customers freak out over this dish, and there is a good reason why — seared mushrooms, lashed with house-made crème fraîche, a splash of wine, and a few herbs, mounded on top of grilled bread is always a crowd-pleaser. We make no claims for inventing this combination, but we proudly carry the torch. There’s a classic version that calls for brioche and wild spring morels, with an optional shower of black truffles. A similar, far less opulent version, can be made with everyday cremini mushrooms and simple ciabatta or a baguette. We opt for a variety of mushrooms supplied by our friend Matt Parker at Shiitake Happens, including nameko, clamshell, pioppini, chanterelle, and hen of the woods, in addition to porcini, matsutake, and the seasonal morels we occasionally score. Buttermilk stirred into good-quality heavy cream left out to culture for a few days yields a decadent crème fraîche with limitless possibilities. Real farmstead raw-milk crème fraîche is very difficult to come by, but if you are lucky enough to have access to it, by all means use it here. Do not substitute store-bought sour cream. It doesn’t hold up to the heat and may break and curdle the sauce. When our guests ask me for a recipe and find out that it calls for homemade crème fraîche, they’re often hesitant, imagining that making crème fraîche is a complicated process. The reality is that it’s very easy to make, but simply requires a few days of waiting to pull off. The plus side is that crème fraîche keeps well in the refrigerator and can be used to enrich pasta dishes, risotto, soups, vegetables — anything you want to bring a little richness to. Whip it gently to serve over desserts, slightly sweetened or not, in place of standard whipped cream. Unlike the other toasts in the Gjelina cookbook, this is best served piping hot, before the crème fraîche starts to set. Small portions can be served as an appetizer, but a large slab of this toast alongside a glass of earthy red is the way I prefer to take it down.

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New Year’s Eve In A Glass: The Prosecco + Juice Cocktail

This cocktail defines New Year's Eve: we're thinking about juice, but still drinking champagne. Mixologist Vincent Anter of The Fig at the Fairmont here in Santa Monica helped us strike the perfect balance with this juice cocktail. On one hand, there's Pressed Juicery's fresh pomegranate persimmon juice, on the other, prosecco and aperol. It's our New Year's Eve state of mind in a glass.  Here's Vincent with deets on concocting this delicious drink... After experimenting with many spirits, I found this delicate-tasting juice was too easily masked by strong spirits. I opted for a sparkling wine cocktail. It's kind of a combination of a mimosa and an aperol spritz. The aperol accentuates the bitterness and red fruit found in the juice, while the prosecco has a bit of residual sugar to balance, and of course, bubbles for texture. Mint adds to the freshness (and happens to work really well with both apple and pomegranate) and the bitters gives some color and gives an herbal bitterness as well.

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With Love From Tulum: Gorgeous Veggies from Hartwood Tulum

we've barely taken off our ugly Christmas sweaters and winter is still very much here, but that's not keeping us from fantasizing about being in a warm tropical paradise and planning our next getaway. Tulum is one of those magical places that makes us wish we could just pick up our lives, throw on a coconut bra, and stay forever. Hartwood restaurant, nestled on the shore of the Caribbean Sea in Tulum, is one such place that romanticizes living in the best way possible. Owners, Eric Werner and Mya Henry, have rooted themselves in a world of local produce and ingredients, sustainable practices and open wood-fire cooking. While the recipes aren't complex or complicated, the flavors are, and whether dining in or creating recipes from their new cookbook, their food transports us to another world. We're daydreaming of Tulum with each page of the new book, filled with useful recipes. This inventive roasted beet and avocado-habanero crema recipe is so much more than it seems and worth the effort. Here are Eric and Mya... We keep stalks of sugarcane in a galvanized bucket on the table in front of the wood-burning stove, using them to flavor a roast the way other restaurants might use a few sprigs of thyme or rosemary. We split open a piece and throw it into the pan to highlight whatever natural sweetness will be brought out by the fire. When we get a delivery of sugarcane, we hack the long stalks in 2-foot pieces with a machete; you might be able to find smaller pieces in a Mexican grocery or even at Whole Foods. Our version of a finishing salt, the chile lime salt brings a note of intrigue to any dish. It’s simple to make: Toast dried árbol chiles in a cast-iron pan, pulverize them in a spice grinder, and mix in lime zest and salt. That’s it. The smoky, spicy, tangy salt is just the right flourish for grilled fish, but you can use it in or on just about any dish. We sprinkle it over the odd-shaped pieces left over when we make jicama salad, or you could use it on radishes or eggs.

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Parsnip Noodles with Coconut Alfredo and Wild Mushrooms

Wellness pro and cookbook author of Coconut Kitchen, Meredith Baird, is no stranger to the delicious complexities coconuts can bring to nearly any dish. Entirely vegan, this decadent, but balanced-feeling recipe is a perfectly timed winter dinner, combining the flavors and health benefits of parsnips, miso, garlic, wild mushrooms and, of course, coconuts together in one elegant meal. Cook it up, eat it up and stay healthy throughout these chilly months without feeling deprived... This nut-free coconut alfredo sauce is great with the parsnip noodles, but works well with any type of noodle - your favorite cooked pasta, vegetable 'noodles' or kelp noodles. Wild sautéed mushrooms warm everything up and make it hearty enough for these winter months. If you're really feeling adventurous, I wouldn't be opposed to the idea of adding a poached egg on top either...

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The Mexi-gram: Our Foodie Flashback From An Exotic Mexican Resort

Follow along as we reminisce on trip to the Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico for the ultimate culinary experience. Every year, the Four Seasons and the St. Regis resorts, which live side-by-side on the same fabulous stretch of white beach in Riviera Nayarit, throw the American Express Gourmet & Golf Classic featuring some of the country's best chefs and winemakers in an elegant celebration that marries the best in food and wine with an unbelievable beachfront setting...

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Channel Your Inner Misty: The 5 Most Powerful Barre Moves

Barre workouts are still one of our favorite picks for a hardcore workout that strengthens, lengthens and tones our bodies into that of a prima ballerina - but rest assured, you don't have to be a pro to master these barre moves. Our girl, blogger Lauren Gores puts the moves to the test at Pure Barre's Beverly Hills studio. Don't have the time, money or space? Pull on those leg warmers, throw your hair in a bun and master these basic core poses at home for that all-kinds-of-good, muscle burn. ‘Tis the season of working off holiday treats and sweets! Our bodies certainly deserve a good sweat session. I stepped into Beverly Hills’ Pure Barre studio expecting to channel my inner Misty Copeland. Turns out, you don’t need a ballerina’s background to take a class. Rather, you need a willingness to squeeze your bum and feel the burn! Pure Barre combines stretches and small movements to build lean muscle. The movements are slight, but you’ll feel each position targeting precise areas of your body. You’ll leave feeling motivated, clear-minded… and sore. The good kind! I worked alongside instructor Kelsey J. Patel at her Pure Barre studio to learn five signature moves and their benefits. Best part? You can replicate these positions from home if you don’t have a Pure Barre nearby.

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Make Your Own Mala Beads + Wear Your Resolutions

This week we are all about turning over a new leaf and getting motivated for 2016 in any way we can. Katie Horwitch, the body positive blogger behind WANT: Women Against Negative Talk, sat down with Blooming Lotus Jewelry founder, Jennifer Ciraulo to find out more about mala beads - the jewelry item we are sure you've seen, but may never have known the meaning behind.  Here's Katie on these mindful and beautiful wearable resolutions, and how to make your own... Christmas is over, the new year is upon us, and we’re officially shifting gears from 'holiday cheer' to 'resolution' mode. I know that for me, coming down from the high that is the holiday season usually means turning inward, reflecting on the twelve months past, and working to quiet the hustle and bustle that’s been brewing all December long. It can be a challenge to shift gears so suddenly, especially when the tree’s still up and there may or may not still be gingerbread men in the fridge calling my name (no comment). I love the holidays and hate for them to end… which is why it’s extra important for me to surround myself with things that remind me of who I am and where I’m going in order to prep for an intention-filled new year. Blooming Lotus Jewelry is a brand that specializes in just that: mala beads that each carry a special meaning and intention. Think of a mala as a wearable resolution. Malas have been used for centuries to help their owners set intentions, meditate in the moment and get in touch with what they truly want to manifest in their lives. Just wearing my mala makes me feel more grounded in who I am, and gives me a visual reminder to keep my daily intentions in check – quite the feat for just a little string of beads. I recently sat down with Blooming Lotus’ lovely founder Jennifer Ciraulo to find out more about the malas I love so much – and how you can DIY your own for the brand new year. Mala beads recently have been surfacing all over the place as a beautiful fashion accessory. But there’s so much more to a mala than a stylish beaded necklace with a bohemian vibe. Mala, meaning “garland” in Sanskrit, have been used for centuries for meditation and prayer. Traditionally, a mala has 108 beads, which assists in counting your mantras during Japa meditation. You’ll often see gemstones as part of (or all) of the 108 beads. Each gemstone adds meaning. Once learning of their special meaning, people are drawn to them even more. Wearing your mala around your neck or wrist serves as a gentle reminder of what your intentions and goals are. A glance or holding it in your hand can bring it back to you, your dreams, and where you want to be. Katie Horwitch: What’s the significance of 108 beads? Jennifer Ciraulo: It is said that there are 108 reasons why 108 is a sacred number. Here are just a few: -it is said that there are 108 energy lines that converge to form the heart chakra. -it is said that there are 108 Indian Goddess names -the diameter of the sun is 108 times the diameter of the earth -there are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet…each having a masculine and feminine (Shiva and Shakti). 54 times 2 is 108. -in astrology, silver is thought to represent the moon…the atomic weight of the silver is 108. KH: What is the Guru bead? JC: The Guru bead represents your teacher(s) in life and also the teacher within yourself. During a Japa meditation cycle, this is where you pause, reflect and give thanks to your teachers and the teacher within you. If you choose to do another cycle of meditation, you reverse the direction and never cross over the Guru bead as that would be seen as stepping on your teacher. KH: How can I meditate with my mala? JC: Mala beads can be used to help keep count of your mantras during what’s called a Japa meditation cycle. During Japa meditation, you recite your mantra on each bead, going around the entire mala to reach 108 repetitions of that mantra. Through Japa meditation, you will become more aware of your intentions. Want to make one? Let me show you how to craft your very own set of mala beads from beginning to end! This version is a hand-knotted tassel mala but you can choose the 108 beads that fit your intention. There is a lot of labor that goes into a hand-knotted mala. Expect to spend 1 to 1.5 hours or more if this is your first time making a mala. Your mala is a physical reminder of your intention! You will be surprised how attached you will be to your mala and the energy it brings. Sometimes when life gets crazy, you need to bring it back to you! Wear your mala, meditate with your mala or place it in a special place as a reminder of your intentions, dreams and where you want to go. Wear your intention and let it support your soul. They are gentle reminders that will keep you feeling like you! Let’s begin!

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Toxic Timeout: Squalene

WHAT IT IS: Squalene is an organic compound that all plants and animals contain. Originally, and quite controversially, it was (and still can be) sourced from shark liver oil. Researchers were intrigued by the fact that sharks didn't develop cancer - they later discovered the high levels of squalene in their livers and began to source it for this reason. Today squalene is used for its emollient properties in many beauty products for its soothing and anti-aging benefits, as well as enhancing the absorption and penetration of other ingredients deeper into the skin. WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: Squalene is an integral part of our skin tissue. As we age, our levels of squalene in our bodies and skin greatly diminish, which can lead to aging, sagging skin and age spots. Naturally high in antioxidants, squalene reverses signs of aging, helps the skin hold onto moisture without a greasy or heavy feel and promotes cell growth - making it a sought after addition to many skin care formulations. Equally important, squalene is naturally found in human sebum. This waxy substance is secreted by the sebaceous glands and helps protect the skin from external invaders like bacteria. As a substance nearly identical to the natural oils we already produce, we can use it without disrupting the natural skin ecology or causing outbreaks. To make it more stable, squal-ene is converted into a hydrogenated squal-ane, a term you may hear used interchangeably, but this hydrogenation processing is the key difference between terms. While we certainly don't want to ingest hydrogenated oils, it's this processing that makes the oils more shelf stable. How to Source Correctly: Squalene's big boom in the cosmetic industry has caused many shark species to be overfished (in some cases, near extinction), making it that much more important to read labels and ensure the squalene and squalane in our beauty products are sourced from plants, not animals! Thankfully, many companies have turned to alternative sources, creating squalene and squalane from 100% plant-derived oils, including olive oil, wheat germ and sugarcane. Biossance is one such company we've discovered that's developed a 100% plant-derived squalane. In collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, scientists of their parent company developed one of the world's leading anti-malarial treatments. Having treated over 3,000,000 people to date, this company is dedicated to using science to make the rarified accessible and the natural sustainable. Get your glow on and source our squalane pick, here.

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Out Of The Mirror, Into The Heart: 6 Simple Beauty Routines With Benshen

Ah, the quest for beauty - the endless search for the one product that will give us that eternal inner glow or the silver bullet that will erase all wrinkles. Desiree Pais, natural beauty and creator of the uber-natural skincare line, Benshen, suggests that rather than spending all our time searching for that one fix, perhaps it's time we look inward and create beauty rituals that allow inner beauty to shine through. Though she does have her go-to natural products, her secrets to beauty lie in what she doesn't do, rather than what she lathers on. Read on for her take on creating a daily ritual to create beauty... It took me a while to write this article on beauty rituals because I realized, as a busy New Yorker, most of my rituals were actually quick-fix, despite being natural. Oh, the irony. It got me questioning, once again, the whole concept of beauty and how rituals, in my opinion, are the catalyst for radiance. The most beautiful women I know radiate from the inside out. They have a sparkle in their eyes, their skin glows and they always seem to be smiling. I started thinking about ancient beauties, how they spent so much time engaged in rituals around beauty. I began daydreaming about movie stars from the 1930s and how much time they spent pampering. I’ll never forget an article I read on one who said she never ever picked her face so she could maintain her crystal clear complexion. My mind went to Paris where I imagined French women renowned for their love of beauty, products and the luxury of self-care. While it may seem like these are all vain or superficial examples, it made me realize that no matter what the reason, the more love and attention you give to your body, the more beautiful you look, feel and radiate in return. I took the last month to slow down and actually incorporate consistent, daily rituals into my life in order to experience true beauty. The changes, which are still unfolding, have shown me that the more effort we put into taking care of the one body we ever get, the more beauty and vitality the body will radiate outward. Light some candles, burn some sage, play some nice music and get real romantic with yourself as you dive into the art of simple beauty.

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Chai Spiced Toast With Apple Butter + Ricotta

Mmm, chai...the spice blend that could fuel the entire winter season. We're sharing a recipe from our gals at Darling that is just too good (and easy) to pass up, merging two of our favorite obsessions, chai spice and our beloved layered toast - hold the avocado, add a creamy ricotta. You'll crave this for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert... While it may be the spice of the season, it can get pretty repetitive when it's just on repeat in a mug. Amy Rothstein of Brooklyn-based Dona Chai (a current favorite around the office for its subtle, not-too-sweet flavor) put together this complete morning-to-night menu using chai in some rather inventive ways. We're sharing the recipe for chai apple butter ricotta toast to get the most out of this delicious spice. [olists num=1]

Want more chai recipes? Check out the full story from Darling, here!

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The Balance Sheet: Getting It Right with Erin Heatherton

We love the quiet, reflective week or so between Christmas and New Year's Day. Our guest editor and top model, Erin Heatherton is dishing on all the balanced healthy habits and tricks that keep this girl looking and feeling her best. From Erin's go-to healthy breakfasts, daily supplements and favorite blogs to the items she can't live without, we're bringing in the new year strong thanks to a few tips from Erin's list and setting the tone for a great year ahead.

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Last Minute Treats: Candy Cane Dark Chocolate Bark

Ok, the holidays are bound to bring a bit of temptation, and we're all about indulging (in moderation of course), especially when it's comes to something as tempting and easy to make as Candice Kumai's peppermint chocolate bark from Clean Green Eats. Get ready to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit as your kitchen fills with the aroma of candy canes and chocolate. This simple (and quick!) four-ingredient peppermint bark is a classy and elegant treat for your holiday festivities! Also makes for a perfect DIY holiday gift! Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

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Baskets, Maps + Jars: 5 Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap Ideas We Love

There's nothing quite like unwrapping a good gift, whether it's done with reckless abandon or precious restraint. We're all about ripping up that traditional glossy print wrapping paper, but, whether for the sake of time or eco-friendliness, there are other options for wrapping gifts too. Here are a few smart choices from our friends at Hello, Natural. If you're waited 'til the eleventh hour, these quick and eco ideas just might save the day... [olists num=1]

Looking for more DIY gift ideas? Head on over to Hello Natural and check out these 4 Homemade Holiday Scrub Recipes!

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Living Well In Community: A Holiday Dinner Downtown With Terroni + St. John’s Center

'Tis the season for giving, and this year we're all about giving back and paying it forward. St. John’s Well Child & Family Center, a South LA community health center that serves patients that have nowhere else to go - including the homeless, unaccompanied minors and anyone that lacks access to quality health care, celebrated the holidays a little differently this year.  Instead of throwing a winter fundraising gala, as so many charity's are accustom to doing this time of year, St. John’s decided to partner with one of L.A.'s most iconic Italian restaurants, Terroni in DTLA. Opening the doors to their own local patients and their families, St. John's threw the ultimate dinner party for over two hundred guests with Terroni's classic Italian menu - complete with Santa Claus and gifts. Hoping to share a little more of this holiday spirit, we're sharing Terroni's secret recipe for their famous (and delicious) meatballs along with a few snaps of the heart-warming L.A. gathering...

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TCM Quick Picks: 15 Minute Olive Oil Seed Crackers

We've fallen hard for just about everything (including the gorgeous photos) in Food 52's cookbook, Food52 Baking: 60 Sensational Treats You Can Pull Off in a Snap. From classics to new favorites, these easy to execute recipes are perfect crowd pleasers for the holidays or any time of year. Ever made crackers like these at home? They're surprisingly easy and super chic paired with our recent cheese board DIY from HeirloomLA or our walnut hummus from the Superfood Kitchen class! Yes, those fancy artisan crackers on grocery shelves are delicious, but what the packaging doesn’t tell you is that they’re just as easy to make at home as they are to buy. In the time it would take you to go to the store and pick up a package, you can have wholesome, nutty crackers fresh from the oven. You – or a strong friend – will need to exert some arm power to roll the dough until it’s super thin (cracker-thin, you might say), but the results are worth it: crispy crackers to top with dips and cheeses at your next dinner party – or to eat as a snack to get you through the afternoon.

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8 Staples For the Holiday Medicine Cabinet

as much as we may try to keep our daily health routines on point this time of year, catching one of those winter bugs going around is sometimes inevitable - even for health nerds like us. The holidays are a notoriously stressful time of year and, along with the colder weather, the season creates the perfect storm for our otherwise strong-as-steel immunity. Rather than reach for a quick fix filled with who-knows-what, we recommend stocking up on these natural staples to combat whatever you’ve got! We’ve gathered a list of all the stay-healthy staples we rely on this time of year to remedy colds, flus, hangovers, and tummy troubles. Re-stock your medicine cabinet before extended family arrives or throw these remedies into your travel bag. From oregano oil to herbal bitters, these products can absolutely be relied upon in a fix... [olists num=1] Looking for more natural immunity boosters? Check out our natural antibiotic swaps, here.

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

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Butternut Blink: Make This Squash Cocktail!

We like our cocktails swavory (sweet and savory) and this butternut squash cocktail is the ultimate. We recently shot a few Pressed Juicery juice-based cocktails (stay tuned!) with mixologist Vince Anter of The Fig here in L.A., when he mentioned his experiments with this unusual recipe. We knew we had to try it and, after one (or two) swigs had to share the recipe with readers! Try this incredible cocktail over the holidays and enjoy the sage, nutmeg, orange and, of course, butternut squash amazingness. We guarantee party guests have never had anything like it.  If you're truly ga-ga for this gourd-geous veggie, pair the cocktail with the best butternut squash soup we've ever had.

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14 Stocking Stuffers for Hardcore Health Nerds

There's no shortage of gift guides this month - from fitness guides to foodie finds - there's something for everyone. But often it's those friends with a serious commitment to health that we're not quite sure about. We may stare at the shelves questioning their philosophy on agave this month, and suddenly we aren't sure they'll truly appreciate what we've picked out. We've done a little hunting for you and created the perfect guide to stocking stuffers for all those hard to gift health nerds in your lives. From a relaxing bath soak to a detox from electronic radiation, biodynamic superfood chocolates, to power-packed tonic and mushroom powders, we're confident you and your holistic buds would be happy to receive any of these nutrition-focused finds. Still searching for something a bit more substantial? Check out these seriously healthy finds for only the most hardcore wellness fanatics here.

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With Love + Chocolate: ZenBunni’s Chocolate Chai Tea Recipe

Christmas in a cup? We've got your covered.  With this exotic blend of spices from around the world, local Venice chocolate-makers (and adorable couple!), ZenBunni have created this decadent chai hot chocolate recipe using their own jar of chocolate heaven we found at one of our New York favorites, CAP Beauty. Loaded with high vib'ing biodynamic cacao and seasonal chai spices we could honestly just climb right into a cup of this. Try a big jar of their biodynamic Coco Mix as a hostess gift or whip this up all. Week. Long! Here's Kerrilynn from CAP Beauty with a few details... Zen and Bunni, the geniuses behind the first biodynamic chocolate company in the U.S., created a hot cocoa recipe for us as a perfect way to celebrate the season. It's one that you'll look forward to all year long and will imbibe all winter. High vibe chocolate, a family driven by conscious commerce and an extraordinary palate make for the most exquisite hot chocolate you've ever tasted. Add this to your holiday traditions and get ready to drink it all winter. It's good for you, it makes you feel good and it tastes just like the holidays. Zen and Bunni traveled throughout India and Nepal and found the chai in Kathmandu incredibly magical. They wanted to bring that home with them and infuse it with their biodynamic drinking chocolate. Brew your favorite biodynamic or organic black tea and remove tea leaves. Everyone is uniquely different and has their own palate, so adjust to your liking. Infuse and steep the following ingredients - ideally fresh and organic herbs and spices - into your tea (or simply purchase our ZenBunni Kathmandu Ayurvedic Chai, which has everything in this, and blend into your favorite hot milk tea):

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Home For The Holidays: Gift Ideas + Favorite Moments With Model Erin Heatherton

We've been sharing notes from Erin all month - from her fitness must-haves to daily health and beauty tips. Now that the holidays are in full swing, we're asking the girl who seems to have it all what she wants for Christmas. We love the gift she's giving everyone (genius!) and getting all the feels over her plans for a family holiday. Shop Erin's wishlist for all those last-minute gifts and enjoy getting in the coziest mood of the year...

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In Our Travel Kit: 9 Cool Wellness + Immunity Essentials

No matter where our travels may take us this holiday season, our wellness routines don't have to be left behind. Neither does our immunity. Between the congested airports, cold weather, and heavy foods, we rely on these remedies, supplements, and go-to fixes more than ever when we're out of our own beds and out on the road. Whether they boost our immunity, sooth our nerves, ease digestion, or simply enhance our overall sense of well-being, these essentials are always in our travel wellness kits and we take them with us wherever we go. Stock up and hit the road!

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At Home in LA with Heather Tierney of the Butcher’s Daughter

After serving up more avocado toast than they can recall to a few loyal New Yorkers, The Butcher's Daughter is finally opening doors here in L.A., on Abbot Kinney in Venice. We love it when New York brands with this kind of healthful, relaxed style lands in L.A. - it seems as though they're finally home! We met up with founder and wellness lover Heather Tierney to chat about how she's finding life here in Venice (pretty well we'd say by the look of her gorgeous Venice canal cottage!) The new The Butcher's Daughter location shows off Heather's strong design skills - think airy communal tables, a California-feeling marketplace - and the food in this new location is as strong as ever. We're thinking brunch on the reg'. Read through our chat with Heather as she dishes on her healthy living staples and the perfect recipe for (what else?) avocado toast...

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Eucalyptus, Twine + Winter Fruit: 3 DIY Table Settings We Love

It’s a rare occasion when beautiful design and sustainability go hand in hand, and Local + Lejos is doing just that, providing gorgeous modern handmade goods made by artisans around the world, that help to preserve cultural traditions, grow and empower small businesses, and create sustainable futures for their families. Using a few of our Local + Lejos favorites we’ve created these three beautiful and simple holiday table settings to try at home. If there was ever a time to deck out the table, Christmas is the occasion! Here are three looks we love using just the artisan goods, some seeded eucalyptus, a little twine and fresh winter fruit. We used Local + Lejos' hand block-printed linens from Jaipar, ceramics from Oaxaca, and woven trays and baskets from Rwanda by the Kwizera Cooperative. Each purchase made through Local + Lejos directly advances the progress in their artisan partners’ lives--while providing us with these one-of-a kind design pieces that tell a story from every corner of the globe. Here are 3 DIY table settings to inspire and complete your holiday table…

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Free + Native: How To Travel With All Your Wellness Staples

we’re packing smart and paring down thanks to this genius tip by Free + Native’s Lacy Phillips. Pack up just one superfood powder for travel, instead of filling your carry-on with pills and potions - we love Lacy's personal superfood blend for clients... There used to be a point in time where I’d pack up a woven basket full of 10,000 superfoods, herbs, pink salts, and anything else in my wellness pantry. Then I realized that while traveling for the holidays, or any other time, it’s much easier to strip my normal regime down to the barebones and create my very own custom blend. Since then I've begun recommending this idea to others too - it empowers us to create our own blends of protein or superfood powder exactly the way we want it. One scoop blended with water, warm tea, or your nut mylk of choice - and voila! Here is the recipe I've been creating for my clients. Feel free to get creative and customize your very own. [olists num=2]

The travel blend BENEFITS...

TOCOS - To keep skin bright and happy.

PROTEIN POWDER - For protein after workouts.

CHIA - For extra omega support and lean protein.

MORINGA - To alkalize and include copious amounts of minerals.

PINE POLLEN - For hormonal and circulation support.

REISHI - For immunity and adaptability.

ASHWAGANDHA - For adaptability, happy energy and deeper sleep.

FLAX SEED - To stay regular with fiber and for extra omega support.

Search The Chalkboard to read more about each of these delicious power foods! 

As with all our nutrition content, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.

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You’ve Got Mail: 8 DIY Ideas for Gorgeous Holiday Cards

We're loving all the holiday workshops popping up around town this month helping to pump up all those Christmas feels! Goldpress Paper recently threw a holiday lettering workshop inside the new Shout and About in the Echo Park neighborhood of L.A. Stationery fanatics learned hand-lettering skills A-to-Z, so to speak, while enjoying florals from Wild Roots and treats from Pressed Juicery, Farm Box LA and Milk Jar Cookies. We were so inspired by Goldpress' holiday cards we asked paper goddess, Alisha Sanvicens to let us in on a few tips for Christmas card season. Have about a hundred holiday cards staring at you, waiting to be sent? Grab a cozy drink, pump up the Christmas music and put some of these tips from Goldpress Paper to work to elevate your holiday cards and ephemera...

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3 Days In January: Join Wanderlust’s Ultimate Yoga Soulful Celebration

How serious are you about all that 'New Year's resolution' jazz? Some of us shift gears hard, going straight from Christmas cookies to green juice, others save the resolutions for the summer, and others still keep even keel all through out the year. No matter your normal preference each January, we're loving the idea of Wanderlust Hollywood's first three-day yoga intensive, er, soulful celebration. Called Renew U, this total immersion experience gathers the resolute with local experts and leaders we love for a total yoga, nutrition and meditation free-for-all. Here is everything you need to know... January One | The Wanderlust team isn't joking around. Start the year off right on New Year's Day. Consider how it may feel to start the year right, right from the get go - on the mat, sweating it out, and welcoming a brand new year in vibrant health. Consider the potential alternatives which include sleeping off New Year's Eve - complete with hangover. reflection | The whole affair starts with two hours of reflection and meditation, plus live music and movement with Christi Christensen. The day splits off into multiple sessions with yogis and thought leaders, from super-charged meditations and Ecstatic Breathwork experiences to asana garlands and dance with DJ Sol Rising. Celebration | The evening of the first night includes a celebration with Wanderlust's top yogis - good eats and vision boards included. We're a little excited about how they're going to pull together the vision board session! yoga | Day two rolls out with nutrition classes, movement therapy, sound bath - and a yoga marathon. This long stretch of invigorating, reflective yoga is at the heart of the the whole event. mantras | The final day includes chanting, more yoga, self-massage and more reflection. If you're looking for the ultimate way to start 2016 wide awake, this may be it.

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Pamela Salzman’s Spelt Biscotti With Goji + Cacao Nibs

We're all for sneaking in that pop of nutrition anywhere we can in all of our holiday recipes this year! Holistic health counselor, Pamela Salzman, makes it easy to do with her delicious recipe for superfood biscotti, made with coconut oil, goji berries, raw cacao and shredded coconut. There's little that compares to freshly baked biscotti - especially when served with a cozy and equally beneficial beverage like her turmeric latte!  Here's Pamela... Biscotti are the perfect holiday cookie for entertaining or gift-giving since they hold up beautifully at room temperature for days and freeze very well. But I love them because they are infinitely versatile. This version is chock full of superfoods like goji berries, raw cacao and coconut, making this a decidedly healthful cookie, especially when dunked into a turmeric latte!  Once you have a base recipe that you like, the combinations of flavors and add-ins are endless.

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Pecan Pie Bars + Roses: Inside A Gorgeous L.A. Floral Workshop

We've been wowed before by the gorgeous floral arrangements of Yasmine Khatib (see here!) of Yasmine Floral Designs. This past month Yasmine joined Sweet Laurel Bakery's holiday workshop at Moon & Co. in downtown L.A., where she taught guests how to build these stunning holiday place-settings. Guests took home their gorgeous creations filled with buttercream-colored tulips, perfect garden roses and pops of pomegranates and lush greenery - these photos alone are enough to provide endless inspiration for a few winter wonders of our own at home... Get the incredible dessert recipe from this workshop in our recipe from Sweet Laurel today!

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(No Butter, No White Sugar) Maple Date Pecan Pie Bars To Die For!

Peak inside another gorgeous afternoon workshop with the ladies of Sweet Laurel Bakery and The Kitchy Kitchen. This intimate holiday event spotlighted an all grain-free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free menu including a spread of savory comfort foods like roasted butternut squash with pomegranate and pepitas, but most importantly these grain-free pecan pie bars served alongside a little spicy hot chocolate with rose marshmallows. We asked Laurel and Claire to share this epic recipe and cannot t wait to recreate them for family over the holidays! Pop over to our photo spread inside this workshop to get an eye full of florist, Yasmine Khatib's creations, here.

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Free of All The Things But Flavor: Chocolate Hazelnut Orange Tarts

Healthy desserts just ain't what they used to be. These incredible little tarts from Heather of Eat Real Food NYC are the gift that keeps on giving --they'll make every single person gathered with you for the holidays happy! Everyone around your table, from the gluten-averse to the raw foodie, the dairy intolerant to the chocolate hazelnut obsessed will love these individual tarts. Some of the ingredients may surprise you, but trust us when you say once you try avocado-based chocolate mousse, you'll never be quite the same again... My obsession with the hazelnut and orange combo continues with these deliciously naughty but oh-so-nice raw, gluten- and dairy-free tarts. I came up with the recipe on a whim one fall afternoon during one of my The Treehouse retreats and was so impressed with myself that I called a friend to boast about how amazing they were. I made another and planned on dropping it over to her that evening... then ate it all before it even made it out the door! It's the thought that counts, right? Try this recipe asap...

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Shiva Rose’s Coconut Cream Egg Nog With Vanilla + Turmeric

Leave it to us at The Chalkboard not just to find you an egg nog that's "free" of x, y and z, but is actually packed with next level nutrition. Our ultra-holistic friend Shiva Rose recently had a craving for traditional egg nog and sought out Nitsa Citrine of Sun Potion - our official obsession of 2015! - to make this tonic herb and superfood-packed coconut "nog" that will lift your spirits, nourish that noggin', and protect your winter immunity levels. Here's Shiva with all the beautiful details.  The holidays are about being in the golden light of Christmas energy. The celestial beams of love and light are abundant right now if we tap in and look for it. I, for one, love the traditional taste and smell of good old-fashioned egg nog, however I am quite sensitive to the sugar and dairy that it is made from. Nitsa and I were inspired to create this Celestial Nog that makes us feel healthy, alive and joyful and yet still has that yuletide flavor. Details about this holistic recipe: Using ingredients like coconut cream, vanilla bean and pumpkin seed milk make this nog incredibly rich and creamy. Adding the spices like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and clove add that Christmas feeling and aid in digestion. Sun Potion's tonic herbs pine pollen, he shou wu, mucuna pruriens and astralagus bring vibrant activation and a happy, healthy state of being, as well as enhanced immunity and brain function. Finally, the pine pollen and turmeric give the nog its celestial glow (inside and out) and the Tocos powder imparts the frothy delicacy and beautifying effects. This nog is naturally sweetened with dates, raw honey from my own bee hive and vanilla bean. Enjoy our Celestial Nog and may you shine with golden light!

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Naughty + Nice: The Pressed Juicery Hot Toddy + Other Holiday Bites

We're back with more superfood infused recipes from Julie Morris' new book, Superfood Snacks! Next up, try her delicious stuffed dates and spiked superfood hot toddy.

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TCM Gift Guide: 15 Gorgeous Gifts For Fitness Lovers

Fitnesswear never looked better than it did in 2015. With more high-fashion labels entering the game and cool new brands popping up everywhere with looks we love for the gym, street and studio, we've found ourselves shopping a little more than we'd like to admit for leggings, sports bras and trainers this year. If you're making plans to kick (or lift and tighten) butt in 2016, make out that Christmas wishlist accordingly! We've rounded up a short list of gym-ready pieces that'll have you looking as good as you feel in the new year. Onzie's Sun Ray bra top was a TCM best-seller this year, as was this body-con one-piece catsuit. We're drooling over Spiritual Gangster's brand new sporty, but sweet harem sweatpants and are taking on the printed trend with this palm frond sports top (you've got to see the back.) If it's gear you're looking for, these gorgeous and unique yoga mats will have your yogi bff swooning and this acu-point roller is the ultimate gift for post-workout recovery. Fitness crush Kayla Istines' swears by muscle rolling post-workout and we're totally sold. We've included a water bottle no one else has, a muscle soothing essential oil we're hooked on, and cult classic Flash Tattoos to help that body positive pal of yours show off all that hard work. Be sure to check out all our gift guides for 2015 - there's something for everyone! Have we missed anything fantastic? Tag your Instagrams #TCMlivingwell to show us the chic wellness lifestyle staples we've missed...

 This post is brought to you by Spiritual Gangster. 

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In the Holiday Kitchen with Jenni Kayne + Superfoodie Julie Morris

Julie Morris is the author of a series of superfood cookbooks: Superfood Kitchen, Superfood Smoothies...you get it. We're obsessed with each title (proof!) and struck on the perfect idea for this year's Christmas cooking class with Jenni Kayne and friends: superfood holiday bites! Holiday party food may be the category least associated with superfoods - and yet ripe with potential for a nutrient-dense makeover. Julie blew our socks off with her incredible, decadent-feeling, and nutrition-rich recipes - all pulled from the pages of her most recent book, Superfood Snacks. We gathered at singer-songwriter, Nicole Simone's home tucked up in one of L.A.'s coziest canyons and enjoyed a kitchen and table full of decor by premier design studio, Nickey Kehoe. Find full design details over on Rip and Tan today - we were especially taken with the vintage Japanese mugs used for our Pressed Juicery spiced cider (come back for the drink recipe tomorrow!) For our class, Julie broke down five party-ready recipes: a spiked cider, dark chocolate truffles, goji berry hummus, cashew stuffed dates and a winter soup. The soup recipe is part of her forth-coming book and totally top secret. All other recipes will be shared this week and we can't recommend them highly enough! First up, this simple, but genius hummus. We love that Julie studded our fave dip (already a healthy choice) with beautifying, anti-aging berries and nuts and served atop jicama chips - brilliant. Second, the dark chocolate truffles, again, a superfood on their own, and here packed with macqui, mint, spirulina, coconut and cacao. Instead of the sugar hangover holiday desserts can often leave behind, these chocolates had us feeling incredible! [olists num=1][olists num=2]

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In My Gym Bag: Studio To Street With Erin Heatherton

Erin Heatherton has her gym routine down and we're taking notes. Follow along as one of fashion's top bodies lets us in on a few of her favorite workout tips (yet another vote for Ballet Beautiful!), what's in those ear buds at the gym, how she's hydrating post-workout (Pressed Juicery coconut h2o, duh,) and her favorite body part. We totally love her honesty...

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6 Things To Shop At The Echo Park Craft Fair This Weekend!

The Echo Park Craft Fair is happening this weekend in (where else?) the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles  and it's the perfect opportunity to score some unique finds for holiday gifts while supporting local LA artisans. Heather Taylor of Heather Taylor Home will be there this weekend wrapping up everything from tablerunners to baby blankets for fair goers from her namesake line and has curated this list of must-have items and artists not to be missed this weekend just for us!

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Toasted Hazelnut Honey Brittle with Shaved Chocolate

If you can keep yourself from gobbling up the whole batch while standing in the kitchen, this brittle will make the perfect edible gift for friends this holiday! Blogger Sasha Swerdloff of Tending the Table caught our eye earlier this month on Instagram when she threw a behind-the-scenes shot of this stuff being made in her kitchen. We're not sure just how we stumbled across her feed, but are happy we did! This brittle is still quite sugary, but if candy brittle is a tradition in your house, we love this version for all the added nutrition - mineral-packed dark chocolate, seeds and nuts!

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TCM Travel: The Creative Girl’s Weekend Escape

The promise of a new year fuels us with creative inspiration, but, as 2015 winds down, you may find yourself on the opposite end of the spectrum - creatively drained. We loved this photo essay from painter and photographer Melodi Meadows and our friends at Free People's Bldg 25. Having just returned from the magic of Big Sur ourselves, we thought we'd share these gorgeous images and thoughtful words from Meadows on the creative power of a short escape as we continue our monthly exchange with Bldge 25.  The creative spark…where does it come from? This is a question that has riddled artists for decades. We try to figure out that right formula to trigger that light-bulb moment when everything falls into place. Yet, with years of scientific research, we still don’t quite know where creativity comes from…but, we know it can be cultivated. They say that putting in ten thousand hours of practice will bring you greatness in any field. Yet we continue to ask, what is the origin of creativity and how do we pursue it? We have to be observant in life, to be able to identify what triggers our creativity so that, when it does come, we’re ready. What if you feel artistically drained? Well, I have a few tricks up my sleeve, ready to revive the creative me. Today I want to talk about one in particular: travel. For the creative mind, there is power in a weekend escape. My latest sanctuary has become Big Sur, California. The energy of this place is all-consuming. With no cell service just about anywhere, I am forced to disconnect and live in the moment. My mind starts to entertain itself and observes things that, at any other time, I would hardly notice. From the patterns of the leaves, the colors of the moss on the trees, the sound of birds chatting in the morning — my mind tucks it all away in a mental journal. Travel slows down time, like when you were a kid and every experience was new. You were in “awe” of everything…all the time. Now time seemingly flies by, and the only way to slow down is to travel, to lure in new experience. This combination serves as my perfect fuel — it fills me up with new ideas and empowers me to revisit the studio with fresh eyes and spirit.

Check out the full story on Bldg 25 here. 

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Sorry, I’m Not Sorry: Honesty, Anxiety + First Dates

Contributor Ellie Burrows of New York's brand new MNDFL Meditation is breaking down a common trend she's witnessing among girlfriends - the impulse to make excuses for behavior they're not sure they should have to explain at all. If you're single or are regularly hashing out all those first date details with friends who are, you're sure to relate to everything Ellie has to say... I recently had two separate meals with two of my friends, during which they both shared stories from a recent dating experience: each woman met up with a man for a first date, and after a little back and forth, each went home with him on the first night. But there was something eerily similar about the stories. Two different coasts. Two different friends. Two different dates. Same outcome. Same moment. Same expression. Somewhere en route from the bar to the respective dude’s apartment, both my girlfriends uttered the same expression: “Honestly, I don’t usually do this.” This month, I’m offering a breakdown of why we need to break up with this expression. But before we go any further, let’s pause. I would like to gently remind you of the definition of “usually.” Usually: under normal conditions, generally. Now, to be fair, who knows what “normal” really is anymore, but I think we can all agree that typical conditions of a good date might include enjoying oneself to a point where one would choose to spend more time with her date in a more private environment. Seems natural enough, yes? And sure, it is possible that these two women were simply sharing a data point and don’t regularly go home with their dates. If this was the case, then we can assume that they’re going on more bad dates than good. But upon further reflection, we can also see that this sentence isn’t merely a date statistic. It’s actually rather loaded. See, this wasn’t the first time I heard this expression used in this particular context. If I could gather together all the modern and seemingly sexually-liberated women I know who have sung this refrain, I could form a rather large ensemble called “The Decorous Damsels.” However, immediately after forming this group, my first order of business would be to change the name of their group and teach them some very different tunes. So below are some singles for singles, a tiny collection of substitute songs to belt out in the heat of the my-place-or-your-place moment.

"Sorry, I'm not sorry" There’s something about “honestly, I don’t usually do this” that has a glaringly obvious apologetic subtext. Inherent in that statement is a need to justify, defend and/or rationalize a very natural inclination. I get it. Most of us are afraid of being judged. It’s a natural fear - kind of like going home with someone after a good date is a natural desire. But, are we really apologizing for wanting to spend more time with someone? Are we apologizing for our innate desire to go home with a lover, continue an exciting conversation and possibly touch one another’s parts? And for that matter, who said going home with someone means you must touch parts? More importantly, for the sake of my argument, who said that going home with someone implies that you have touched a billion other parts, too? (The latter of which is most certainly none of your date’s business.) I’d like us to part ways with the unfair judgment that the “I don’t usually do this” expression panders to: If a woman goes home with someone on a first date then she’s [insert: easy/promiscuous/slutty/loose]. There. I said it. Listen up. There is nothing shameful about a woman wanting to spend more time with someone in an effort to get to know him or her better through intimate conversation or body exploration. However, if we can’t help ourselves and are in the mood to be apologetic, let’s try the following. “Sorry, I’m not sorry that I’m a woman who has desires and wants to act upon them.” “Sorry, I’m not sorry that I’m feeling you and want to keep feeling whatever this is.” “Sorry, I’m not sorry that I don’t want this date to end.” "There's no time like the present" Speaking of moments, it’s best to stay in whatever current moment you’re in since that’s the only moment you really have. When we struggle to stay present, more often then not, we’re stressing out about a hypothetical future (a.k.a. the unknown) and all the things that may or may not happen in it. We spend a lot of our emotional resources speculating how to secure future happiness and safety (“I’ll be happy when” syndrome) for our future selves. We are so focused on making decisions that will guarantee seemingly elusive ideals that we often miss the very real beauty of the moment we’re in. Again, I’m not sure why their previous dating behavior is actually relevant to someone that they had each known only a few short hours. And like I said above, it’s really no one else’s business. What is relevant though, is the recognition that my friends were in a new moment, with new people experiencing new sensations, namely: excitement, novelty, arousal and a bit of stranger danger. Classic first date stuff. By staying present and connecting to our feelings and desires as part and parcel of the dating experience, rather than judging our own behavior, we can invite more pleasure into the mix, sexual or otherwise. Think about it: Neither the past nor the future is where pleasure truly exists. Pleasure only knows the present. It’s a dish best served piping hot. The memory of a super sexy make-out sesh or an incredible conversation hardly compares to the sensation of a super sexy make-out sesh or an incredible conversation when it’s actually occurring. So, there is surely no time like the present, because the present is the most pleasurable place there is. Remember that. "HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY." (JUST NOT “HONESTLY”) The etymology of honestly is kind of compelling. The word recently wiggled its way into cultural slang and its meaning has been re-appropriated. It often functions more as “sorry to be the bearer of bad news” rather than “here’s the truth.” For example, “Honestly, honey, gel manicures are the worst for your nails, “ or “Honestly, I’m not sure those jeans are a good idea.” I think we can all agree there is something almost trite about it. If my friends were truly being honest, they might have said something like: “I feel anxious about going home with you. I’m really enjoying our time together but I’m judging myself and I am worried you are going to judge me, too.” “I feel anxious about going home with you because I think you’re supposed to chase me more and I’m supposed to be more chaste.” “I feel anxious about going home with you. I want to keep talking, but the bar is closing and I’m worried that you think this means I am ready to have sex with you.” “I feel anxious about going home with you because it makes me feel out of control.” Anxiety. This was the common thread between my friends. Humans can experience anxiety when we feel unsafe or threatened. Evolutionarily speaking, we’re designed to feel this way so we can stay alive. Thank you, adrenals. I get it. My friends wanted to create safety in a potentially risky (albeit exhilarating) situation. But I’d like you to consider that this sentence did more harm than good in terms of helping them get in touch with their real feelings around the act of being intimate or in someone else’s private space. Instead, “I don’t usually do this” is a sentence that is said to create an illusion of safety, to make them feel like they had a handle on the situation even though they were actually experiencing the act of letting go. Letting go is all about surrender and surrender is a hard thing to choose when we live in a culture that celebrates #winning. Whether we’re letting go of thoughts, patterns, behavior, judgments or, especially, humans, it is tough stuff. Letting go means embracing the unknown, embracing nothingness. Letting go leaves us to ourselves, and with the opportunity to feel a special kind of ecstatic aloneness that gently reminds us that there is, in fact, so very little we can actually control.

Now, we have three tracks worthy of the repeat and shuffle buttons. So it’s time to drop the album. But, first let’s remember to change that name. Bye, "Decorous Damsels." Hello, "Free Femmes." You rock.

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Gluten-Free Chocolate-Covered Almond Marzipan

Our mouths are watering over this delicious cookie recipe that comes just in time for the holidays! Madeline Lu has won our hearts and stomachs once again with a recipe that while flavorful and perfectly seasonal, just happens to check all the boxes when it comes to nutrition - this recipe for chocolate-dipped almond marzipan is vegan, gluten-free, almost completely raw and sugar-free - so indulge without the guilt!

To help execute this recipe to perfection, check out our favorite baking tools and adorable cookie cutters here.  

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Green Goddess Guide: Model Erin Heatherton’s Go-To Beauty Regimen

Obviously Erin Heatherton has been blessed with amazing genes, but we still want to know every freakin' detail how the goddess maintains her natural beauty! From coconut oil body wraps to getting into a tub full of lemons, from pre-runway eats to how she detoxes before a big shoot, check out Erin's answers to our Green Goddess Guide feature and get glowing with this angel's favorite beauty must-haves.    

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How To Warm Up Cold Hands And Feet: 3 Foods to Improve Circulation

Cold hands and feet are more common in the colder winter months, but the truth is that constantly cold hands and feet may be a sign that your blood is not circulating properly. Cold digits are not only a symptom of the chilly winter months, but a sign that our tissues and organs may not be getting enough oxygen or nutrients. If persistent, over time, these seemingly harmless symptoms can lead to some major health issues later on down the road. There are a few foods out there that can actually change the state of those constantly cold toes. Our team here at TCM HQ has been experimenting with a few of the below ingredients with surprising results! Give them a try and don't forget that a few basic health measures help too. To start, staying hydrated, cutting caffeine and soda can help. And of course eating a wholesome diet full of fiber, fresh vegetables, fruits and omega fatty acids from fish like wild salmon helps as well. Avoid foods full of processed ingredients and those high in sugars and starches and instead add anti-inflammatory ingredients to your diet such as warming spices and superfoods like the ones below.

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Inside The Echo Park Craft Fair: Packing Up Organic, Edible Gift Boxes

This weekend, Out of the Box Collective will be showing at one of our favorite holiday markets of the year, the Echo Park Craft Fair (December 12 & 13.) The fair features a gathering of LA's talented and unique artists and is perfectly timed for all our holiday shopping needs. We asked the ladies behind one of our favorite farm delivery services to tell us what farm-to-table discoveries they'll be offering for fair goers and who else they'll be shopping this weekend!  This weekend we’re most excited about stepping away from the farmer’s market to broaden our horizons with a stand at the Echo Park Craft Fair, LA’s "it" destination for holiday shoppers hoping to discover the perfect handcrafted gift for friends and family members. The two-day event will bring together local artists and makers of a wide range of handcrafted gifts! Out of the Box Collective will be there with holiday gifts - and our famous fresh-squeezed orange juice! - to help visitors power through the more than 80 local artisans showcasing their inspired works of art: handbags, designer clothes, artwork, pottery, and more.

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Olives, Citrus + Persimmon Jam: How To Build The Perfect Cheese Plate

When it comes to preparing a delicious holiday spread this holiday season, it's all about sourcing the right ingredients. Heirloom LA is our go-to resource for locally-sourced, responsible - and incredibly delicious - catering and cheese plates are one of the things they do best! Here are Tara Maxey's seven steps for building a knock-out gourmet cheese plate - complete with a recipe for seasonal persimmon jam... December is for entertaining, and with that comes the necessity of providing elegant snacks. Cheese platters are our top sellers at over the holidays because they are so pretty and satisfying. At Heirloom LA we make the choice to source our in-house cheeses from local artisans and we change which ones we feature each month just as we change their fruit accompaniments. For the best pops of colors and flavors, it’s important to keep your produce seasonal. It’s just as easy to make a crowd-pleasing cheese platter yourself as it is to miss the mark. Here are some useful tips to ensure a hit: [olists num=2] [olists num=1]

Feel like skipping the DIY altogether? Order a beautiful cheese platter directly from Heirloom LA, here!

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The Nut Milk Craze: The One Ingredient That Changes Everything

Obsessed with almond milk, hazelnut milk...basically all the "mylks?" Duh. Us too. But things just went to a whole other level thanks to integrative health and food therapy specialist, Christine M. Dionese. Christine is showing us how to add essential oils to nut mylks and we're ready to spiral out of control - you with us? Here is Christine's winter-appropriate pistachio mylk recipe and her tip on using oils in mylk. We love Native American Nutritionals, Young Living and DoTerra for this. Experiment away... If you haven’t added pistachio to your list of alternative mylks, the winter months are the perfect time to cue up my aromatic (and sensual!) steamy pistachio mylk essential oil concoctions to relax and warm up. Super rich in B6, pistachios also offer the thymus and lymph glands a little extra help to stave off infection-causing viruses and bacteria we often become vulnerable to throughout the holiday season. To make that mylk personalized for when you need to relax, feel energized or create a little mix of both to pull you through the holiday stretch, try dropping in my fave essential oils. While you can certainly mix all three together, I suggest trying each oil singularly to experience their stand-out therapeutic effects. When mixed together, you may experience an elated sensation! [olists num=1][olists num=2]

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Superfood Spotlight: The Gingerbread Smoothie

The only thing this holiday smoothie is missing is that fresh-out-of-the-oven cookie smell. Other than that, this smoothie is fresh-baked gingerbread on the nose! While we don't recommend skipping all other forms of gingerbread entirely this season, this smoothie will certainly help you nip those sugar cravings in the bud. Loaded with hemp protein, mood-boosting superfood mucuna powder, warming spices, and Pressed Juicery's seasonal Spiced Almond Milk, this smoothie supplies a solid dose of nutrition you can drink down daily. Keep these ingredients on hand for quick action next time you're tempted to reach for that fifth cookie...

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Maple Syrup + Goji Berries: 10 Healthy Baking Ingredients We Love

Let the baking begin! We're ready to hit the kitchen this holiday season and bake up a storm...or at least one batch of cookies, before we run out of time. We're calling out some of the most fantastic ingredients for holiday baking this year, from impressive extras like edible flowers to carmel-y, healthful white sugar alternatives like coconut sugar, that will keep your baking game strong. Read through our list and make a couple of adjustments to those classic cookie recipes. Need recipes to work with? Check out some of our favorite treats here and here! Does your kitchen arsenal need an upgrade to get you through the holidays? Check out our top picks for our favorite kitchen tools too, here!

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