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Everything You Need To Make Fresh Pasta with Zucchini + Toasted Walnuts

We just killed every excuse you had not to cook for you mom this spring. Farm-to-doorstep delivery service, Out of The Box Collective, is offering everything necessary to make an elegant spring dinner, perfect for Mother's Day...

Gratitude is everything. It’s how we give and how we create more rich experiences in our lives. Mother’s Day is that first day of the year when we collectively try to set aside our grumblings and shortcomings, as we turn crumbs and the smallest of positive thoughts into powerful (and delicious) gifts and meals.We celebrate that first love through food, memories and associations. Whether or not we can cook as amazingly well as mom, she relishes the joy of our own personal magic in the kitchen.

Mother’s Day represents a feeling of comfort, good food, and the coziness of home. To honor that feeling, we want to celebrate moms, guardians and the great people in our lives who let us know that we belong. And in case dad, kids, uncle, and family friends don’t know it already, this is the perfect week to take over the kitchen and spoil the moms in our lives. A full week of meals prepared by the special people in mom’s life is definitely well-earned![olists num=2][olists num=1]

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We’ll Be Making This Gorgeous Plant-Based Sashimi All Summer

A mind-blowing recipe doesn't have to contain two-hundred ingredients. Case in point: this stunning watermelon sashimi from the masters of plant-based catering, Haute Chefs LA.

With just four ingredients, a simple prep plan, and a stunning table presentation, your vegan friends will adore you -- and even the carnivores will be impressed with this fresh take on this Japanese and Californian classic.

 

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Inside The Queen of Cupcakes’ Modern New Pizza Spot

What happens when the queen of cupcakes makes pizza? Obviously, we needed to find out.

We don't eat pizza everyday, but when we do, we love going all in on a traditionally fermented crust piled with hyper local ingredients like the trending new pies at the recently opened Pizzana in Brentwood.

Tucked into a beautiful new space in L.A., Pizzana is already a celebrity haunt and is serving up pizza in a modern way we love.We asked new founder and food alum, Candace Nelson of Sprinkles Cupcakes fame, to tell us everything about the delicious new project. Here's what the foodie mastermind (she invented the cupcake ATM after all!) had to say about the new menu, her favorite order, and how the team nailed that gluten-free crust...

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I have big cups and I cannot lie - Shop our D+ cup swim...

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How To Make A Unicorn Smoothie With Superfoods

Mythical creature, real ingredients. In case you've been deep in a digital detox, unicorn smoothies are having a moment -- as are mermaid toast and rainbow bowls if you were truly off the grid.

Our unicorn smoothie recipe is a hot mess of magical hues, but made with entirely body-benefitting ingredients that come from nature, not someone's imagination. That includes our fave naturally neon lemonades, powered by superfoods like camu camu, pitaya, blue algae and lemongrass. Talk about real magic...

 

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3 Fashion-Friendly Fitness Trackers At Every Price Point

Fitness is a lifestyle... but "gym style" has it's time and place. When we're in meetings or hitting up a fave new dinner spot we're not looking to rock the same look we did at kickboxing or barre -- shouldn't our fitness tracker follow suit?

We appreciate wearable tech for all the obvious reasons -- goal setting, movement tracking, sleep data etc. -- but the ones that really catch our attention are the ones that blend right in with our everyday accessories. They're subtle, they're adaptable, they're pretty and there's one at every price point...

Low: Fitbit Flex
This one looks the most "tracker-y" of the bunch, but we love it all the same. It's skinny design means no gimmicks, just business, and doesn't clash with our style any more than a hairband on our wrist. The FitBit tracks movement and sleep, is waterproof, has a long battery life and syncs easily with our phones for easy access to our stats. It also has a million interchangeable accessories, including a rose gold bangle we'd actually want to wear. Yes these pieces make the whole situation cost a bit more, but they're cute and legitimately wearable -- what more could we want?

MID: BELLABEAT Urban LEAF
This cute little gadget amps up the usual features of fitness tracking with a unique mind-body element. In addition to monitoring physical activity and sleep, it learns to predict stress based on our lifestyle habits, and alerts us about oncoming stress. It also offers guided breathwork and meditation when we need it (which it might know before we do). It's also amazingly versatile -- and not ugly. We can wear it as a necklace, bracelet or pin, or change the color of the metal clip entirely.

High: RINGLY
Oh, you fancy huh? Then this is the best fitness tracker for you. Ringly has managed to create the most covert wearable tech we've come across. Their bracelets and rings record steps, distance, calories and helps us set and track movement goals. It's water resistant and syncs with over 100 health and wellness apps. Functional? Very. But what sets it apart is that it's actually cute. Like, really cute.

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The Sunshine Supplement: How To Beat A Vitamin D Deficiency

each of us varies when it comes to the right supplements that match our body types, but one place almost all of us fall short is in the department of vitamin D. This essential nutrient -- which is actually a hormone! -- is known for reducing depression, boosting our mood and our immunity. As we can't all move our office situation beach-side, we're talking to functional medicine pro, Dr. Mark Hyman, about realities of vitamin D deficiency, and simple ways we can counter it...

What vitamin deficiency affects over half our population, is rarely diagnosed, has connections to many cancers, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic muscle pain, bone loss and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis? The correct answer would be vitamin D, which actually isn’t a vitamin or nutrient; it’s a hormone produced from a photolytic reaction with ultraviolet (UV) light.

 

Many of us live in more northern latitudes (in 2017, that would be pretty much anywhere north of Florida), where ample sunlight is not available year round. Even for those who do have year-round sunlight, many spend most time indoors or slather on sunscreen when they do go out.That means we probably need to get vitamin D from our diet.

I prefer patients get nutrition from food whenever possible, but vitamin D presents some obstacles. Food sources are minimal, which is why manufacturers fortify dairy and other food products with vitamin D. Some plants contain small amounts of the non-biologically active form of vitamin D, such as fungi-yeast, molds and mushrooms. The best animal sources are liver, and especially cod, herring, and sardines. Still, unless we’re eating 30 ounces of wild salmon a day or downing 10 tablespoons of cod liver oil a day (highly doubtful!), we should supplement with vitamin D to get optimal amounts.

Among the obstacles for your body to make sufficient vitamin D include age. The average 70-year-old creates only 25 percent of the vitamin D a 20-year-old does. The government recommends 200 to 600 IUs of vitamin D a day. That amount prevents rickets, a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency. But that begs a very serious question: How much vitamin D do we need for optimal health, not just deficiencies?

Much more than we think.

When my patients reach optimal levels, they frequently tell me how much better they feel. I see major improvements in their health. That’s why I put nearly every patient on vitamin D supplements, which are inexpensive and easy to take via softgels or liquid drops. At the same time, more vitamin D is not always better and very high levels can become toxic. These five strategies can optimize our levels to get all of this workhorse hormone’s benefits. [olists num=1]

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

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Bombshell Bride: 23 Wedding Beauty Tips From Our Favorite Pros

From brand founders to top bloggers, we asked natural beauty experts to give us their best 'get gorgeous' advice, and the result is a text-book status guide to wedding makeup and beauty guaranteed to ease any overwhelm!

From a celebrity makeup artist's two-month program for perfect skin, to Shiva Rose's sweet glow-inducing ritual for the morning of, look flawless and feel amazing with these wedding makeup and bridal beauty game changers...

For Your SKIN

The Two Month Mark. Starting one to two months in advance, schedule a visit with a facialist for evaluation of what your skin needs most: microderm, chemical peel, etc., and stick with whatever regimen your facialist prescribes to get your skin glowing! If money is too tight for a few visits to an aesthetician, start a few months in advance, and put yourself on a regimen of gentle enzyme-based peel masks - something to get that top layer of dead skin cells off so that you really do have that lit-from-within look. Do not start experimenting with at-home peels the week before your wedding, on the off chance that your skin has a negative reaction. Some of my favorite enzymatic peels are from True Botanicals, Juice Beauty, Kypris and Marie Veronique. -- Katey Denno, celebrity makeup artist

Ancient Traditions. For glowing skin on their wedding day, brides in India exfoliate their faces with chickpea flour. I created the Saffron Rose Face Scrub with this in mind. Also a lovely beauty ritual is for maids of honor to cleans the bride’s feet and hands with rose blossom water. -- Shiva Rose, The Local Rose

Calm The Skin. My best advice is to not stress about the small stuff. Nothing leads to inflammation more than stress and many times it can show up in your skin. Simplify as much as possible, including your skincare. Use fewer, but better products. Active Botanical Serum is a great example. It is one product that feeds your skin optimal ratios of the most nutrient-dense organic and wildcrafted botanicals. Skin becomes balanced, healthy and glowing in one easy step. -- April Gargiulo, Vintner's Daughter

Tall Order. Minimize Stress. Taller order: Avoid alcohol at least three days before to minimize redness, puffiness and fatigued skin. Amplify your hydration internally and externally. Sleep! And don’t do anything new, drastic or unfamiliar before your wedding -- Shirley Pinkson, W3ll People

Mask It Up. Okay, so my number one tip: Buy the Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask...and literally do a mask every day for seven days leading up to the wedding. I brought a few jars home with me before my wedding (they are expensive, but hey, you only get married once) and I gave one to my mom and dad and they used them with me, before the Thursday, Friday and Saturday events. They are legit the best natural masks and make a huge difference. I usually fall asleep in them or wear them until they dry out. I always bring a jar with me when I travel. For general skincare, my favorite product at the moment is May Lindstrom's Blue Cocoon. I use it as my morning and evening moisturizer for a really beautiful glow. -- Annie Atkinson, She's In The Glow

Get Hydrated. I got a lot of facials before my wedding, but mainly for hydrating and collagen building. Oxygen is your best friend, so try to do get some super hydrating treatments as often as possible when you are like six weeks out. -- Annie Atkinson, She's In The Glow

Eat For The Skin... based on your dosha! Vata constitutions – when experiencing a vata imbalance, such as flaky skin or eczema (even milia) - should avoid dry fruits, apples, melons, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, beef and peas, as these aggravate vata further. Consumption of avocados, sweet fruits, cherries and oranges will help bring your vata back into balance. Pitta skins will benefit from sprouts, green salads, sunflower seeds, mangoes, pears, plums and mushrooms, while avoiding tomatoes, garlic, sour fruits, bananas, peanuts and spicy foods. This will help those of us who experience rosacea and redness, and frequent sensitivity / allergies. Dry fruits, pomegranate, cranberries and basmati rice will help bring kapha into balance. Coconut, dates, pineapples and dairy products should be avoided by those experiencing a kapha imbalance. This is wonderful for those of us who constantly experience congestion and acne (especially the deep cystic variety). -- Shrankhla Holecek, Uma Oils

For Your  BROWS

Grow 'Em Out. About three months before my wedding I went into operation "grow out my brows." I didn't touch them, literally not a single hair for three months - and I used Plume brow and lash serum on my brows and lashes religiously, like every morning and night. This made a world of difference. Then right before my wedding I had them cleaned up and trimmed and tinted just ever so slightly and they were in the best shape they had even been in. -- Annie Atkinson, She's In The Glow

Get In Shape. Wax, thread or sugar your brows one to two weeks prior to the wedding. The thin skin around the eye does not take well to makeup directly after shaping. -- Shirley Pinkson, W3ll People

For Your FACE

All In The Eyes. Religiously use your eye cream/gel. You'll be smiling an awful lot on your big day and the very delicate skin around your eyes is prone to crinkling, no matter how close to 20 you may still be. Giving that skin an extra little hydration will mean a smoother look in photos, and less chance of shadow and/or concealer settling into fine lines -- Katey Denno, celebrity makeup artist

Shine Bright. Make sure your teeth are looking their best. The cameras will be clicking away and you will have these photos forever to look back on. You want the whitest smile possible so I recommend using Dr. Brite’s Ultimate Whitening Collection - my favorite natural and cruelty-free brand certified by Leaping Bunny and formulated without harmful chemicals, preservatives or artificial flavors. -- Britanie Faith, Beauty by Britanie

Perfect Pout. The skin on your lips needs to be at its best on your wedding day. Begin getting it in shape by practicing daily exfoliation rituals - whether that means gently scrubbing small circles with a fine grain wash cloth in the shower over your lips, or using a packaged lip scrub to slough off that top layer of dry skin. Follow it up with your favorite non-petroleum balm, and reapply numerous times throughout the day. -- Katey Denno, celebrity makeup artist

For Your Wedding MAKEUP

The Two Week Trial. Do a makeup trial (or two) before your wedding. Make sure to bring photos or images that can convey your desired bridal look. You want to ensure that both you and your artist are on the same page. Wash your brushes! We don’t want to risk an unwanted break out. Also, let your bronzer warm your complexion, and stay out of the sun to avoid unwanted redness and dryness. -- Shirley Pinkson, W3ll People

Lock Your Look. Secure your makeup look a few weeks before your wedding. Vapour Organic Beauty makes the perfect wedding-day makeup. I love the colors in the Artist Multi-Use Palette “Afterglow 530.” It delivers a feminine flush and irresistible glow with a bouquet of cool roses (my favorite). For my upcoming wedding, I will use the Mesmerize Eyeliner in Truffle and the Atmosphere Luminous Foundation in 123. For my lipgloss it will be Modern Minerals Makeup “B of Love” Lotus Wei Infused Lip Gloss. The perfect pink with just a hint of lavender iridescent shimmer. -- Britanie Faith, Beauty By Britanie

Mist Like Mad. Leading up to the wedding, keep a beauty mist at your desk, in your purse and car and just spray all the time. It's good for hydrating and to keep your skin balanced. The Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist is really incredible. Have your makeup artist use it and spray before, during and after makeup application. -- Annie Atkinson, She's In The Glow

For Your BODY

The Three Month Mark. Beginning as early as three months prior to the big day, allow yourself to indulge in some nourishing self-care. Make time for bodywork and inner personal work. Take mineral salt baths and add your favorite calming essential oils, like lavender and Roman camomile. -- Paula Mallis, WMN Center

Get Scented. Choose your perfume two months before your wedding. You will want to have your special scent chosen well in advance. Scent is a memory trigger and you will want to test a few before making your final decision. I chose Bohemia by One Seed Perfumes (made in Australia) because it’s natural, sensual and playful. Made for the gypsy, the rogue, the traveler and the free-thinker. Bohemia has a composition of amber, smoked tea, dark chocolate set against luscious blood orange and vanilla tones. It’s perfect for me and it’s what I’ll be wearing. -- Britany Faith, Beauty by Britanie

All Hands. Don't neglect your hands! Use a hand moisturizer because one day you will look at your hands and notice that they look so old. And who wants old hands with that sparkly new ring. I swear no one cares about their hands until it's too late. I like Weleda SkinFood, but only at night because it's so thick. -- Annie Atkinson, She's In The Glow

Body Love. If you're showing any skin other than your face (décolletage, arms, back, legs), it's time to amp up your oil/serums/lotion application on these special parts. The more you hydrate, the deeper layers are quenched, leading to tighter, firmer skin tone. -- Katey Denno, celebrity makeup artist

Bathe For Calm. Herbal baths will keep your skin in top shape, as it relaxes your nerves! Use 10-12 drops of your favorite essential oil as a soothing addition to your bath. Alternatively, you can use fresh herbs wrapped in a muslin bag. Almond oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, walnut oil and grapeseed oil can also be added to your bath on account of their deeply moisturizing properties. -- Shrankhla Holecek , Uma Oils

Exfoliate Twice. Go for a full body exfoliation two times a week the month of your wedding to slough away dry skin for soft, glowy skin. I often make my own recipe using organic sugar, jojoba, sunflower and coconut oils and a mixture of essential oils. But for special times like this, I’m using Osmia Himalayan Body Buff because it’s perfect for my sensitive skin, and with the scent of Bulgarian lavender and Canadian fir, it’s so relaxing. -- Britanie Faith, Beauty by Britanie

Massage Oils. Massages using the right oil for your type are hugely beneficial. Vata types benefit from sesame oil, while pitta types would do well with sandalwood or sunflower oil. Calamus root oil or corn oil are indicated to be ideal for kapha constitutions. Massaging towards the heart will help boost your circulation for glowing skin. UMA's Absolute Anti Aging Body Oil makes for the perfect indulgence - nourishing skin with vitamin-E rich botanicals, while also energizing skin cells to fight cellulite via a beautiful dose of grapefruit oil! -- Shrankhla Holecek , Uma Oils

Lymph Massage Must. You should get a lymphatic massage on your body and your face before your wedding. It literally drains all the excess water out. I did this, so worth it. -- Annie Atkinson, She's In The Glow

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One Celeb Nutritionist’s Healthy Wedding Day Diet

It's morning of. You look gorgeous in your dream gown, but you still have a million things on your mind. You've likely planned just about every detail of this moment -- except for what to eat on your wedding day. To feel like the best version of yourself morning through night, the right nutrition is key.

Hardcore body chemistry nerd and holistic nutritionist, Kelly LeVeque, has prepped many a celebrity client for their big day and she's created the foolproof plan we're sharing below. Pass it on to the bride-to-be in your life!

It's important to eat right on your wedding day. No one wants to fight bloating, indigestion or gas on her big day! Be sure you don’t forget to eat! You might end up tipsier than you want. My sample wedding-day diet will help you feel calm, nourished and tight...

Breakfast: Fructose-free Smoothie

This liquid protein, fat and fiber-based meal is easy to digest and quickly balances blood sugar. My smoothie formula guarantees to nourish your body with what it needs while turning down hunger hormones, keeping you satisfied for hours and limiting excessive sugar. Why fructose-free? Fructose feeds gut bacteria that can contribute to bloat. Not to mention, fructose is metabolized in the liver and if you plan to drink alcohol it’s best to give your liver a break. Added fiber from chia or flax helps ensure you have a BM before you slip into your dress and slows the absorption of glucose to prevent a blood-sugar roller coaster.

Lunch: "Fab Four" omega-3-rich meal

Eat the "Fab Four" for lunch: protein, fat, fiber and greens. Nourishing your body with essential omega-3 fatty acids and protein prior to a night of drinking can help slow the absorption of ethanol into the circulatory system to avoid being a super tipsy bride. Choose a fatty fish like salmon over easy-to-digest greens like spinach or mixed greens, with ½ of an avocado and lemon juice or avocado oil for dressing. If you don’t like salmon, consider a cheese-free lettuce-wrapped bison burger with avocado. Either way, a high-protein high-fat lunch will keep your blood sugar balanced and help prevent a hangover.

4 key tips for feeling great:

Just One Cup of Coffee: Limit caffeine! When nerves and adrenaline are high, one comforting cup of coffee is enough. Instead, focus on hydrating with water throughout the morning while you get ready.

Take Your Enzymes: Take an enzyme supplement before your #bewellsmoothie and #bwbkfab4 lunch to support your body in breaking down the macronutrients in your meal and to help easily convert your food to energy. An added bonus: Taking enzymes can reduce bloating!

Drink Lemon Water: Hydrate with enzyme-rich water! Adding cucumber and/or lemon to your water will help your body to stay hydrated and encourage urination to prevent water retention and swelling on the day of your wedding and leading up.

Low-Sugar Cocktails: If you want to toast/drink alcohol while you are getting ready, consider low-sugar options such as vodka or silver tequila with double soda water instead of champagne.

Avoid Foods That Bloat: Steer clear of cheese, gluten and any white or empty carbohydrates for ten days before your wedding; all of these will make you bloat.

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Keep Calm + Say I Do: The Bride’s Guide To Pre-Wedding Wellness

First comes love, then comes planning. And invites and caterers and dress shopping and more planning...

Breathe!  We know the big day comes with big decisions (lots of them). We also know that in high-stress times a little wellness wisdom can make a huge impact! We've asked a few of our favorite health pros to share their top tips for pre-wedding prep and, from simple fitness habits to a mindfulness practice to stay present, we think they nailed it.

We're also gifting one lucky bride-to-be with a 3-day juice cleanse from Pressed Juicery! Enter to win over on our Instagram today.

HYDRATE + DESTRESS

My best advice is to drink lots of water and get a good amount of sleep! Feeling rested and getting the appropriate hours of sleep will help you feel less stressed, assist your diet and keep your skin looking fabulous! I would also throw in an extra ten minutes of jump rope each day. Jump roping tones your entire body, especially your arms! Exercise also helps to reduce stress! -- Amanda Kloots, The Rope

GET YOUR SMOOTHIE ON

My girls do 21 to 30 days of double-smoothie days at some point around two to three months out from their wedding. I am actually getting Emmy Rossum ready for her wedding now and she is on my cleanse. It’s a fruit-free smoothie for breakfast and dinner, then fish and veggies with avocado/olive oil for lunch. -- Kelly LeVeque, Be Well by Kelly

SET INTENTIONS

In creating a sacred space, setting intentions prior to your wedding day can inspire you to attune and be present with your wedding day experience. Referring back to your intentions the morning of your big day can support you in letting go of any expectations or stress that might come forward.

Setting intentions together can support you and your partner; avoid getting caught up in the details and the tendency to control the outcome of the day and others attending the wedding - especially family members. The practice of setting intentions can support “letting go” of the things that are blocking you or limiting beliefs that are keeping your intentions from manifesting. When we come from an authentic heartfelt place while we are setting intentions from this place within, we open ourselves, our higher self, to an authentic intention to manifest, versus one from our ego. We have to be willing to let go of what no longer serves us to manifest what is truly for our highest good. An example of an intention is, “I am gracefully finding myself ______.” And fill in the blank. Write it as if it is already happening (present time), while at the same time letting go of attachments to the outcome.

As a bride to be, it is an opportunity to stand more fully in the feminine self as you prepare to say "I do.” Connecting with your partner, coming together and writing out your living vision for the years to come can be a reference point to come back to when challenges arise. -- Paula Mallis, WMN Center

DETOX BODY + MIND

Detoxing is foundational to many regimens, and can range from simple daily practices to more intense (and periodic) interventions. Two of my favorite daily rituals are drinking a glass of warm water with lemon on an empty stomach in the mornings, and oil pulling. The ayurvedic procedure of oil pulling involves cleansing the mouth with virgin coconut or sesame oil. Simply take 10 ml of oil, swish it inside the mouth for about 20 minutes and spit out. Rinse well with warm water. This ritual removes toxins from the body, eliminates bad breath and naturally whitens teeth.

For a serious abdominal cleanse try ayurvedic favorites like senna, prunes, bran, dandelion root, psyllium seeds and flaxseed husk - to cleanse the body and blood, and eliminate them through the bowel pathways.

Detoxing isn’t just physical, either. Repressed emotions are the seat of physical imbalance and disease, which is why managing your stress is also a crucial part of ayurvedic wedding preparation. Stress will wreak havoc on your skin, weight and poor fiancé leading up to the wedding. Approach stress management head on with the practice of meditation, eating right and the use of topicals such as the right essential oils. For an extra therapeutic boost, try Uma’s Pure Calm Wellness oil, which integrates all nine essential oils in an age-old formula that promotes physical and mental peace. -- Shrankhla Holecek , Uma Oils

The post Keep Calm + Say I Do: The Bride’s Guide To Pre-Wedding Wellness appeared first on The Chalkboard.

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There is no wifi in the desert but you will find a better...

There is no wifi in the desert but you will find a better connection 🌵☀️ #bestswimwear #regram : @TaylorMBarbour http://ift.tt/2oIIUIl

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Sugarfina Is Launching “Green Juice” Gummy Bears Inspired By Pressed Juicery

Are you even on the gummy bear cleanse? We don't consider ourselves candy people per se, but add some spinach and turmeric to the mix and you've got our attention!

Starting today, we're amping up our green juice obsession with the love child of Pressed Juicery green juices and luxe candy from Sugarfina. Last year, Sugarfina blew the world's mind with rosé gummy bears and we're pretty sure this is the only way they could top it.

These green juice-inspired gummy bears taste like our favorite green juice with a blend of spinach, apple, lemon, ginger, and a hint of spirulina and turmeric. The vitamin A and C-rich gummies come packed in adorable Pressed Juicery bottles and are available for a limited time at all Pressed Juicery and Sugarfina locations.

If you're looking for a clean way to rock that sweet tooth, these artificial flavor, color and ingredient-free bears are the best thing to happen to you this spring. They're even available as a Freeze topping!

Want to be one of the first to try these green juice-inspired babies? Find out how to join us on both coasts as we celebrate this delicious launch here...

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Join Us For Our Sugarfit Series With SoulCycle, Sugarfina + Pressed Juicery

To celebrate the launch of Pressed Juicery and Sugarfina's green juice-inspired gummy bears, we're throwing a series of fitness events from coast to coast. Follow us on Instagram stories today as we sweat it out with some of our most fitfluential friends for our Sugarfit Series in LA and NYC. We'll be hosting these events again this weekend for Chalkboard readers and Sugarfina lovers too -- find out how to join us below!

Meanwhile, we'll be breaking a sweat at Soulcycle and refueling with Pressed Juicery juices and Sugarfina gummies, including the brand new spinach-spiked gummy bears! Angeleno attendees will also enjoy a Drybar blowout to get that post-spin glow in check. Get in on the action over on Instagram.

Gummy bear-green with envy? Good news: we're throwing these event again and welcome you to join us. Come cycle and hang with us if you're in LA or NYC! Mingle with other Chalkboarders and be one of the first to try the new green-powered gummy bears we can't get enough of. Reserve your ride below -- seats are limited, so sign up stat...

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All That Glitters: 6 Unicorn Trend-Inspired Beauty Picks

Toast? Check. Lattes? Check. Beauty? Yup, that too. It was only a matter of time before the unicorn trend of Insta-fame made its way into our makeup bags -- and we're not talking about body glitter.

Take a peek at these six rainbow chic beauty products that'll let you tap into the unicorn trend without any toxic ingredients, including an iridescent body scrub suitable for the most magical creatures out there...

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It’s a beautiful day to shop in our Hermosa Beach store 🌴...

It’s a beautiful day to shop in our Hermosa Beach store 🌴 #bestswimwear #hermosabeach http://ift.tt/2pYqHHq

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11 Herbs For Daily Detox + A Morning Smoothie That Has Them All

Our bodies are smart. They're built to detox on their own, but for most of us, a little boost can go a long way. Lately, in the spirit of spring cleaning, we've been including this herbal Detox blend from one of our favorite holistic wellness coaches, Nicole Granato. Read up on the blend of eleven ingredients that make the stuff this powerful, then snag a bottle in our Shop...

Our digestive system is essentially the core of our entire body system, but when detoxing it's important to target our kidneys and liver as well. These organs help us process food, liquid herbs and any toxins that come into contact with our body. Detox is the perfect blend for cleansing all these organs, breaking up stagnation in the body and building blood.

I recommend taking a tablespoon of Detox in your smoothie, juice or even water first thing in the morning for increased energy, hormone balance, blood building and digestive ease. Below is a breakdown to some of these unique herbs and superfoods in Detox and the ways they will assist your body in doing so daily... [olists num=1][olists num=2]

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Inside Dave Asprey’s Fridge: How A Pro Biohacker Stocks Up

A bulletproof fridge can be two things: either an appliance for people who are very concerned about the safety of their groceries -- or a clean selection of edible fuel that powers our April Guest Editor, Dave Asprey.

The founder of Bulletproof has made a name for himself by using his own mind and body as an ongoing wellness experiment, so we're not surprised that this professional biohacker's fridge is full of upgraded eats: think brain-enhancing guacamole, natural sweetener that fights cavities and antioxidant-rich herbs with maxed-out bioavailability.

We love learning about the healthy habits of wellness pros by peeking into their kitchens (you are what you eat, after all), and Dave is no exception. From the probably-obvious (he buys 30 avocados at a time) to the surprisingly-surprising (white flour and white rice all the way!), we're sharing a glimpse of the Bulletproof way of life from the fridge-side out... [olists num=1][olists num=2]

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How Worried Should We Be About Mercury Toxicity?

Heavy metal is so eighties, and we think it has no place on our plates. It's fair to be concerned about mercury toxicity, but there's no need to cancel that sushi date just yet! We're talking to holistic nutritionist and wellness pro, Kelly LeVeque, all about it: what consuming this potentially dangerous metal means for our health and simple ways we can support our wellbeing without sacrificing our fave sashimi...

What is Mercury Toxicity? Mercury is a global pollutant and well-known neurotoxin that has raised great fear in the scientific community. Mercury toxicity is a form of heavy metal poisoning that can affect the nervous system resulting in behavioral changes, irritability, high blood pressure,[1] fatigue, behavioral changes, headaches, cognitive loss, hallucinations, hearing loss, tremors and even death.

How do you get it? After oral exposure, the intestines absorb approximately 95% percent of ingested mercury; by inhalation 80% of the mercury present in vapor is absorbed. Thankfully, in liquid form, mercury is poorly absorbed. Once exposed to mercury, distribution from blood to tissue is slow and occurs at approximately four days and predominantly distributes to your kidneys and central nervous system. However, because it easily passes through most cell membranes concentrations of mercury have been found to occur [2] in the brain, liver, kidneys, placenta and fetus, especially in the fetal brain, as well as in peripheral nerves and bone marrow.

Are you sure you have it? Mercury poising is serious business, not only is it highly toxic to us as humans but it’s becoming a pretty lucrative business. My question to you is, “Are you sure you have it?“ It seems like every other week I am meeting with a new client that is being treated by their doctor for mercury toxicity, told to avoid fish consumption, especially sushi and encouraged to sign up for a dozen expensive IVs full of chelating agents worth thousands of dollars. Chelation is a type of bonding of ions and molecules to metal ions, which help the body, remove heavy metals from cells and can be done orally or through IV therapy.

Get the Appropriate Testing. Analysis of the levels of toxic metals in urine after the administration of a metal detoxification agent is an objective way to evaluate the accumulation of toxic metals but not after administering EDTA, DMSA or DMPS (chelating drugs). The standard way to measure urinary mercury and lead levels is by collecting a non-provoked urine sample over a 24-hour period. If your doctor is administering chelating agents, these tests are called "provoked." A provoked test can show a "higher than expected" level when no problem exists, leading to chelation therapy when it might not be needed.

fish might not be the real issue. Did you know selenium has a high binding affinity for mercury? When selenium and mercury are found together in nature, they bind to one another, forming an entirely new substance that humans poorly absorb. Most of the fish known for mercury, like tuna, contains more selenium than mercury - and if a fish has more selenium, it is safe to eat. Most mercury toxicity articles look at mercury levels without comparing selenium levels.

Check Yourself

Get your glutathione levels checked!
Glutathione is one of the most powerful detoxifiers and antioxidants in your body, in fact, glutathione neutralizes the free radicals producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), protects cells against damage resulting from exposure to many external agents and oxidative stress. You can only excrete mercury when it’s bound with glutathione and it is essential to heal the damage within the cells. If you have low glutathione levels consider getting genetic testing to uncover potential polymorphisms in GST genes.

Ensure your fillings don’t contain mercury!
The FDA warns that, “mercury from dental amalgam and other sources is bioaccumulative. Studies of healthy subjects with amalgam fillings have shown that mercury from exposure to mercury vapor bioaccumulates in certain tissues of the body including kidneys and brain.”

Support Yourself

+ Avoid fish with high mercury, low selenium levels like swordfish and shark! Choose fish naturally low in mercury like salmon, sardines and anchovies.

+ Eat leafy greens and herbs. Cilantro and green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach and parsley naturally chelate the body and support the liver to detox.

+ Eat vegetables and citrus rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C can reduce the damage caused by heavy metal toxicity by acting as an antioxidant.

+ Eat alliums: Sulfur rich alliums (like onion and garlic) help your liver detoxify heavy metals like lead and arsenic.

+ Increase your fiber to keep things moving and increase natural detoxification of the colon by adding leafy greens, flax or chia to your smoothie.

References:
[1] http://ift.tt/2pWMP7Y
[2] http://ift.tt/2p8KIen

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Pretty in Pink 💋 #bestswimwear #vitamina #shoplinkinbio...

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Green Juice In Paris: Basil + Elderflower Juice At The George V

You can find us tossing back bottles of green juice all day, every day -- and we'll admit, our standards for the stuff are high. When our favorite foodie, Kat Odell, reported back from a the culinarily-prestigious George V in Paris raving about their glass of greens, naturally we had to know more. The Michelin 3-starred, Le Cinq serves up an elderflower-spiked tonic we're dreaming of geting our hands on...

What I Ate: Four Seasons Hotel George V’s Go Green Detox juice.

Why I Ate It: I had been traveling for nearly six weeks straight and was about to embark on another multi-course tasting menu. In France - the home of butter, foie and overall excessive culinary decadence — nonetheless. I sat in the plush, opulent lounge prior to my meal at the restaurant’s legendary three-Michelin-star restaurant Le Cinq, and when I was offered a flute of Champagne; instead, I reached for a green juice. Specifically what I asked for - knowing that my dinner would be paired along with a series of wines — was a booze-free beverage which would wake me up, and was likewise refreshing. And so I landed...

Why You Need It: George V’s Go Green Detox juice is a melange of basil, lemongrass, elderflower, lime juice, cucumber, ginger beer and sparkling water. By now, I’ve probably tasted hundreds of different takes on green juice. I feel like I’ve tried them all, especially since so many taste nearly the same. But this version offered a freshness and vibrancy that’s been missing.

There’s something to be said about how a wildly famous hotel with its wildly famous restaurant, Le Cinq - certainly a proper white-table-cloth French dining affair — decides to present juice, green, in this case. The Go Green absolutely has a chef’s touch, with a strong ginger bite that’s brightened with carbonation and lime and given complexity through elderflower (never had that in a green juice before!). The basil offers a welcome spice, while the lemongrass jumps in with floral notes. Cucumber adds that clean spa-water quality. Three-star-Michelin green juice? It’s this right here.

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4 Clever Ways To Detox Your Life During Your Commute

Are we there yet? said no one ever on their way to work. The downtime before a long day can offer much needed time to chill, but it could also serve as so much more. These simple mind-body tips from the lady bosses behind Career Contessa -- a career site built just for women -- are guaranteed to upgrade a standard commute to full-blown wellness-status, and can make a world of difference for work-life balance...

There are endless wellness bloggers, Instagram fitness fanatics and juice companies telling us to go on some kind of detox, whether it be dietary, cutting out iPhone screen time, or the old standby, Dry January. But while these health gurus surely have the best of intentions, they aren’t accounting for one little thing that gets in the way of most detoxes: time that’s not your own.

For many busy working women, and trust us, we get working women, perfect meal planning, not checking phones after work, or not indulging in a glass of wine on Friday night is not an option. Especially that last one. But there is a way to sneak a detox into even the busiest of schedules. You can do it on your commute.

For your Mind

Your public transportation of choice is no Canyon Ranch, we get that. But you can still find a little mental clarity during your commute. After a busy day, try clearing your mind with a guided meditation app and feel all the stress of the day start to melt away.

If meditation isn’t your thing, you can still enrich your mind with a little education on the go. If you commute by train, use the time to watch an educational video or webinar. If you’re the career climber type, try one that will help you with your career. By car or on foot? Listen to a wellness audiobook or even a self-help podcast like "Help Me Be Me". You’ll feel more productive knowing you spent your commute learning something new instead of counting the minutes until it’s over.

For Your Body

Be real with yourself; it’s unlikely that you’ll successfully pull off a juice cleanse on days you have back-to-back meetings scheduled and being hangry isn’t an option. But you can start your day off by skipping the caffeine and squeezing in a few servings of fruits and veggies.

Blending up a healthy smoothie or picking up a green juice in the mornings means you can start the day with a real breakfast and make up for all the hydration you lost in the night. Plus, drinking it on-the-go saves time sitting at the breakfast table.

For Your (Digital) Soul

If you take public transportation, your phone is your saving grace, whether you prefer listening to music that blocks out the people coughing next to you or getting lost in an Instagram scrolling session to pass the time. We know you aren’t going to turn it off in favor of journaling or reading every day, but you can do a digital detox without parting from your handheld companion. This way, you won’t miss any incoming emails.

It’s time to clean up your digital life. Go through your phone and delete any old contacts so you never accidentally Facetime your ex again. Do the same with all those photos that weren’t worthy of posting. Delete apps you never use, old text-message chains and podcasts you’ve already listened to. You know you need the extra storage.

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Here’s Looking At You: Mexican Fusion In Koreatown

If you want a read of LA's food scene -- where it is now, and where it's heading -- search no further than Here's Looking At You in Koreatown. This Mexican-Asian fusion spot serves the kind of ingredient-driven, intimately inspired hybrid food we're lusting over lately, and we don't plan on quitting any time soon.

While we love everything on the sexy seasonal menu, we can't help but be impressed by the elegant complexity of the salads, one of which we're sharing below. Yes, there are a lot of ingredients, but Chef Jonathan swears it's actually easy to make. And if his restaurant has taught us anything it's that a little detail can go a long way...

What we ate: Golden beets served with spicy feta, sumac, rye and lemon; shishito peppers with tonnato sauce and huamei; avocado dressed with farmers market citrus, nori, hazelnut, kohlrabi and champagne vinaigrette; yellowtail crudo with tamarind, serrano, cilantro and banana blossom; Persistent Rose cocktail made with Jamacian rum, verjus, pickled rose petals, lime and rosewater.

Why we ate it: Because this is the kind of restaurant where you'll want a little of everything -- and can do just that. The seasonal menu is divided into quadrants: veggies, seafood, meat and desserts. Each dish, inspired by Chef Jonathan Whitener's culturally-colorful upbringing, is alive with punchy flavor and deep layers of creative ideation, resulting in food that feels as fresh and deeply personal as the restaurant space itself. It's like eating reading an artist's diary; one page just wont do.

Why you need it: Going for dinner at the 50-seat HLAY feels like finding a buried treasure. Designed by chef Jonathan and his partner, Lien Ta -- both veterans of the LA food scene -- HLAY's moody Mid-Century interior that is both intimate and energized: think rainbow jars of pickled veggies, vintage rock memorabilia and a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf tucked behind their long wooden bar, populated with books, bottles and ceramic tableware we honestly want to steal. The real star of the show, naturally, is the menu, but it's the combination of these elements that makes HLAY a dining experience. Powered by pure creative expression and culinary expertise, this restaurant truly embodies the best of LA's food scene.

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Tan lines we are ok with 👌 Ruffles + High Leg = SO MUCH YES...

Tan lines we are ok with 👌 Ruffles + High Leg = SO MUCH YES #bestswimwear #lspace #highleg #bestfest17 #coachella http://ift.tt/2o9Blhi

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Make This Popular Brooklyn Hotspot’s Healthy Lavender Cake

Jamie Erikson's cool NYC catering company believes in real food: while not strictly clean per se, every dish is designed to showcase top-quality, locally-sourced seasonal ingredients in a simple, thoughtful and always-beautiful way. With a heavenly shop filled with local food ingredients, Poppy's Brooklyn location is something of a fashion crowd hotspot. We asked Jamie to share their popular recipe for egg-free, dairy-free chocolate lavender cake and can't wait to whip it up over here on the Left Coast... 

Our executive baker, Caren, uses herbs in so many of our baked goods. Her recipes are inspired and governed by the seasons and utilizing produce at its peak. Caren enjoys borrowing ingredients and flavor combinations typically considered savory, and reworking them into sweet, comforting classics.

This chocolate lavender cake that we make is vegan and an absolute favorite. We often serve this as a breakfast cake or loaf and customers are blown away that it’s vegan. In New York, winters are long and leave us without seasonal fruits and berries for many months, so herbs play a big part in what we make at this time of year - this recipe included.

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How To Smell Amazing: 7 Natural Fragrances We Can’t Get Enough Of

Fragrances are one of the most swampy areas of the cosmetic and personal care industries; there's a lot of muck mixed in and it's usually unclear what's really lurking there. That's because a delicious fragrance is considered a trade secret and is allowed to be kept under tight wraps. The unintended result is that all kinds of mystery ingredients can end up inside your perfume bottle and - if you've learned anything from us - you know that it ain't all good.

Transparency and health consciousness are key for perfume makers that are interested in reaching our wellnessy crowd and we've picked seven products that are especially remarkable. This is a much requested story from you, our readers! We hope you try a few of our favorite picks. Leave a note on your on favorites in the comments...

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Are Your Leggings Ending Up In A Landfill? Let’s Talk About It

When we're looking for a "clean sports bra" rarely do we mean one that is eco-friendly. Sustainability may be at the bottom of your priority list when it comes to activewear, but Cora Hilts, co-founder of green retailer, Rêve En Vert and Darling Magazine contributor, is breaking down what to look for in sustainable activewear and why it matters...

First, the bad news.

It turns out that activewear is one of our closet’s biggest sources of harsh toxins and chemicals. Public health advocates, including Greenpeace and European regulatory bodies that oversee chemical safety, are becoming increasingly concerned by evidence that shows a possible link between sportswear and health issues such as cancer, obesity and developmental disabilities.

While toxic chemicals are a longstanding issue in various types of apparel, sportswear presents a particular problem because sweat and friction can prompt more rapid absorption of toxins into the body (not to mention what goes into a product to make it sweat or stain-resistant to begin with). The list of nasties hiding in our favorite workout gear is mind-boggling: phthalates, PFCs, nanoparticle silver, and dimethylformamide, to name just a few. The high chemical concentration paired with the conditions in which they come into contact with our skin presents unknown consequences for our health.

Despite such chemicals being linked to these diseases and health issues, brands are hastily reassuring us that their products carry no real risk. But can they be so certain when “athleisure” wear has become an acceptable everyday uniform?

Deciding to pull on those lush yoga leggings, for example, rather than a pair of stiff jeans is becoming the norm. This super-comfortable trend undoubtedly has it perks, but with increasing our daily exposure to activewear, perhaps it is time to start considering what the long-term effects could really be. Not just for us, but also for the planet. Both the production and end-of-life processes for activewear are harsh on the environment; commonly used materials such as polyester, rayon and nylon can take decades to break down. As they do, the chemicals they’re made from make their way into the land. The fundamental impact on eco-systems remains unknown.

Now, some good news.

Information overload, I know. But no need to panic. The good news is that there is a host of brilliant brands that have made it their mission to make activewear without toxins. From Teeki’s playful leggings crafted from recycled water bottles, to elegant graphics printed with non-toxic dyes from yoga brand Vyayama, there are pieces to suit every personality and budget.

Rêve En Vert is an online retailer that sells sustainable style pieces and addresses the discrepancies between fashion and ethics. As co-founder, I’ve learned an incredible amount about the issues behind the fashion industry in just the past three years. Rêve En Vert wants to share these stories with you so consumers can start the subtle change in becoming more conscious shoppers.

Activewear, in particular, is something I feel strongly about as a devoted yogi. It just didn’t made sense to be doing something I thought of as connecting me to people and the planet while wearing clothing so at odds with both of those things.

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It’s that time of day where you should start online...

It’s that time of day where you should start online shopping… #bestswimwear #bestfest17 #lspaceswim #quay http://ift.tt/2phtWg6

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Perfectly Roasted Veggies From The Bowls Of Plenty Cookbook

There's nothing like hauling home a tote brimming with farmers market produce -- except for the feeling of devouring a beautiful bowl made from those finds! Bowls of Plenty, a stunning seasonal cookbook by James Beard Award-winning food writer, Carolynn Carreño is an A-Z guide to doing just that for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Carolynn has co-authored, count 'em, twelve cookbooks in total, including a couple of volumes with restaurant goddess, Nancy Silverton like Mozza At Home. 

If, like us, you're obsessing over meals in bowls these days, this little book is a trusted, foodie-approved guide to keeping things simple, fresh, healthy and innovative. Here's a recipe from the book to whet your appetite...

The beauty of the squash and carrots in this bowl is the color you achieve when they’re roasted. The color is the result of caramelization - the root of this word being ‘caramel’ is no coincidence. Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness. Winter squash keeps at room temperature for weeks, if not months. During the fall and winter, I keep a display of assorted squash in my house, so I can admire their beauty while also having them to cook for hunger emergencies. You can roast cauliflower, fennel or sliced sweet potatoes — in place of the vegetables called for here. This recipe is vegetarian. To make it vegan, skip the egg and dress the bowl with a tahini dressing in place of the yogurt green goddess.

Yogurt Green Goddess: A little yogurt turns a simple lemony vinaigrette into something totally original — and really flavorful. We used a similar vinaigrette in Nancy Silverton’s Mozza at Home, which we were finishing up at the time I started working on this one. I had a jar of the dressing in my refrigerator and found myself drizzling it onto all kinds of salad and roasted vegetable bowls. Make this once and you’ll see for yourself.

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Healthy Meal Prep 101: The Ultimate Plan According To Nutrition Stripped

Meal Prep masters know that a life of healthy eating comes down to a strong plan from week to week. If like us, you find yourself over-relying on meal delivery services more than once a week, McKel Hill of Nutrition Stripped has the solution. McKel's meal prep 101 is everything you need to take your mise en place to the next level, plus three craveably clean recipes to get you started.

This registered dietitian is about to launch NS Society's guide to mastering meal planning, which features simple dishes from her cookbook and blog, cooking videos and other tools to make meal prep easy. Registration for NS Society is open from from 4/20-5/3 only, but peek below for a comprehensive intro to meal prep 101...

Meal Prep 101

As a dietitian nutritionist, I teach clients daily about the rule of simplicity and how important it is for staying on track with healthy eating. But...what if you don't have enough time to pursue healthy eating? Or what if you spend more time thinking of what to eat than actually cooking what you eat? Or what if you’re overwhelmed with all the elixirs and superfoods and don't know how to actually get back to basics with just eating real food?

Well, you have the time, but you just might not know it yet! I’m going to share some of my time-saving tricks for meal prep that will create more space in your life to eat healthy and do more of the things you love. Like you, I work 40 sometimes 60 hours a week and it can be exhausting. The last thing I want to do is come home hungry, think about what I want to make for dinner, cook and then clean up. Or even worse, I don’t want to start my morning without having a clear game plan for breakfast, lunch and snacks to keep me feeling really good all day long and energized. Meal prep is my secret weapon when it comes to staying nourished and on track during a busy week! We all want more time - more time to spend with our friends and family and time for doing activities we love. It’s just about creating the time.

Step 1: Plan!

Use productivity and planning tools like journals, your calendar, etc. and block off time for your non-negotiables (i.e. your hot yoga sesh followed by meal planning). Following a meal plan program like my NS Society can help save time by having ready-made grocery lists, recipes and batch cooking plans.

Step 2: Shop like a pro

Make a list ahead of time with everything you’ll need for the week and go into the grocery store with a plan. Nerd alert: I like to organize my list in the order of my path in the grocery store to be even more efficient. You can also reuse your lists in the future to save even more time. Find some healthy grocery shopping inspiration here.

STEP 3: Cook it

A well executed batch cooking session can take as little as one to two hours. Start by making a list of items you want to cook and note how you're going to cook them, i.e. roasting, boiling, baking, etc. It might look like this:

+ Preheat oven.
+ Wash/chop all veggies and season any proteins.
+ Roast veggies and cook proteins in the oven at the same time.
+ While veggies/proteins are cooking, cook any grains on the stovetop like quinoa, rice, etc.
+ While veggies are cooking and grains are roasting, prep smoothie ingredients in Ziploc bags for the freezer so you can put them straight in the blender with an added liquid in the morning.

Step 4: Make it happen

No excuses! Mark your batch cooking day on your calendar (I like Sundays) and prioritize it as you would any other appointment. Make it one of your non-negotiables. What are “non-negotiables” and why do we all need to identify these in our life? Non-negotiables are, simply put, things that are not up for negotiating. Meaning we don’t dabble, waver or move these in and out of our life. They’re a constant, and they can be compromised to fit schedules and our lifestyle, but they should never be compromised at the core. Establishing your set of non-negotiables can be a powerful and helpful tool at maintaining balance and achieving greater success in your life and with meal prep!

Step 5: Be efficient

Are there times of the week or a time of the day where you can bulk task grocery shopping and cooking all at once? Is there a time of day where the grocery store is less popular/busy so it enables you to maximize your time there? Take a look at where you can take some shortcuts with your time and utilize those. Try out meal prep for yourself using these three simple recipes designed to be meal-prep friendly! [olists num=1] [olists num=2] [olists num=3]

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7 Serving Pieces For That Stunning Farmers Market Haul

If you've ever arrived home from the farmer's market with a pretty-enough-to-go-viral haul, you know how satisfying it can be to have a few natural, organically inspired pieces to serve or display it all in.

That moment is part of the romance of shifting to a more whole foods, plant-based diet and we squeeze all the joy we can out of it. From these whitewashed bowls begging to be blessed with vibrant veggies, to wooden servers that will kickstart a salad obsession, these seven pieces will help you celebrate spring produce the best way we know how...

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Black is the new black is the new black 🎩 #bestswimwear...

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Fuel To Fire: What To Look For In Pre-Workout Supplements

Stretch, hydrate, kick ass, repeat. Sometimes it feels like fitness is more about what we do before and after a sweat sesh -- but these little details can majorly accelerate our fitness goals. Pre-workout supplements offer a natural way to boost our burn, and functional medicine doctor, Josh Axe, is educating us on the best ingredients to try and one's we should definitely avoid...

Often, committing to a regular exercise routine is the hardest part of getting fit. So once you make that step, it's only natural to want to get the most out of every workout. And starting with a pre-workout supplement can be one of the best ways to do that.

The right supplement or snack before a workout will give you the energy you need to make it through an intense sweat session and also supply your body with the nutrients it requires to burn fat, tone up and build lean muscle. In fact, scientific research shows that a quality supplement can lead to “significant improvements in anaerobic peak and mean power values.” Simply put, a pre-workout supplement can give you the energy and power you need to blast through that last set of reps when you’d otherwise feel like quitting.

Now, it’s important to note that you can’t eat a bag of potato chips before you hit the gym and think you’ll see optimum results. After we’ve discussed the “good” in pre-workout supplements, we’ll go over the “bad.” [olists num=1][olists num=2]

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

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Boom, Pop, Kiss: The 5 Most Flattering Lip Colors This Spring

Spring has sprung. And, lately, we're manifesting all things spring with light creamy clothing, nearly nude skin and a bold, flower-hued lip as the ultimate seasonal accessory. We asked celeb-adored green beauty guru, Katey Denno, to dish on her natural picks for spring lip color perfection. We'll take one of each...

Nothing says welcome to spring like adding a pop of color to your lips. Last season we saw nudes dominating the market, and while that perfect non-color color that complements your skin tone isn't going anywhere, it doesn't hold a candle to how the right pop of a springtime-infused lip color makes you feel. It brightens your face and your mood. Here are a few of my favorites...

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Nauli: The Weird Yoga Practice (With Big Benefits) You’ve Got To See

Um, What just happened? We asked that too when we first watched this video by Alo Yoga of yogi, Aubry Marie rolling those abs like nobody's business. Turns out, this technique is an ancient yoga practice called nauli, and it offers some incredible cleansing and toning benefits.

Through a crazy-looking, side-to-side rolling motion of our abdominal muscles, nauli can: cleanse and massage our internal organs, strengthen our core, increase ab definition, create core awareness, and activate essential muscle engagement for stronger, lighter and balanced inversions like handstands.

Nauli is not widely taught in most Western yoga classes and can be difficult to perfect, but Aubry promises it can be learned -- for absolutely any body type -- with perseverance and patience. Weird? Yes. Will we be trying it? Also, definitely, yes. Here's how...

The post Nauli: The Weird Yoga Practice (With Big Benefits) You’ve Got To See appeared first on The Chalkboard.

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Check out the Gemini Jumpsuit from @vitaminaswim on the fabulous @_lilikoi #bestswimwear #bestfest17 #coachella #vitamina http://ift.tt/2oFNUhj

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Dave Asprey’s Top 10 Biohacking Tips For A Superior Brain + Body

Dave Asprey's flavor of wellness isn't just about 'not being sick', it's about optimizing life on all fronts -- mind, body and brain.

Our April Guest Editor has made a name for himself by taking a self-experimented scientific approach to wellness, and coined the term "biohacking" to define the concept. The results speak for themselves: Dave has boosted his IQ by 20 points, dropped 100 pounds without dieting, and launched the Bulletproof empire including his unique line of health products, popular podcast and best-selling books.

Luckily for the less hardcore among us (are you there?) the secret to biohacking isn't so much about starting new habits, but about finding the most efficient ways to upgrade them for maximum impact. That means if you've ever added butter to your coffee (Bulletproof's claim to fame) or adaptogens to a morning smoothie, you're already on the right track!

We asked Dave to share a few of his favorite biohacking tips for optimal brain health and from stress-busting "forest bathing" to a cool trick for tackling inflammation, we're stoked on all of his notes...

Neurofeedback:
Meditation + Mindfulness

Neurofeedback targets and trains the brain’s deep-control sites, increasing overall brain coherence, resulting in more creativity, more focus and deeper levels of intelligence. Like you, only more.

Meditation and mindfulness are actually considered neurofeedback. Upgrade your meditation practice with some deep breathing. Whether I’m using my heart-wave variability trainer, finding time for a short meditation or just taking some short deep breaths, I use breathing techniques to train my nervous system to remain calm and composed to keep stress levels low, in “rest and digest” rather than in “fight or flight.” Another free hack is simply walking in nature or “forest bathing,” which can reduce stress, improve your mood and increase brain function.

I also created 40 Years of Zen, a personalized brain mapping and monitoring technology to get the benefits of 40 years of deep meditation in just five days. This offers all the benefits of meditation and mindfulness, but on steroids. I use this technology once every quarter at the 40 Years of Zen facility in Seattle to put myself in an advanced meditation with computer feedback.

You’ll be amazed at the creative flow that results from even ten minutes of normal meditation.

Heart-Rate Variability:
Listen to Your heart (Literally)

Heart-rate variability (HRV) training is a type of biofeedback that you can keep in your pocket. It helps you to hack (or control) your automatic stress response with a little piece of technology and simple breathing techniques.

Heart-rate variability actually refers to the variation in the time between your heartbeats. When you’re nervous, scared or stressed, the intervals between beats becomes shorter and/or more erratic. When you’re calm, the opposite occurs. HRV training uses technology to track your heart rate, then you use your consciousness and breathing to control the speed of your heart rate. This teaches you to control your stress response in real time. It takes some practice, but over time, you will learn how to keep calm, cool and collected during stressful situations. Reduced stress means more mental clarity and physical endurance, plus less pain and better sleep!

Cold Thermogenesis:
Cold Showers + Cryo Spas

Technically “cryotherapy” could refer to any kind of cold exposure - like cold baths, cold showers and “polar plunges” in freshly frozen snow. An easy, free hack is to simply expose your whole body to an ice-cold shower for about 30 seconds every day. Cold therapy can curb pain and inflammation, decrease muscle soreness, increase recovery time and fat burning and even boost mood and improve sleep.

This might be why whole body cryotherapy (WBC) spas are popping up all over the country. WBC involves short exposure to extreme cold via a cryochamber – a human-sized tank filled with liquid nitrogen-cooled air. Exposure can vary from two to three minutes in temperatures that plummet to -130°C (-266°F). If you want to try a free version, try an ice bath for up to an hour in water temperatures of about 19°C (66°F).

Blueblocking:
Limit all light At Night

Light, especially the blue light spectrum from your TV, computer and phone screens, can break your sleep cycle and even lead to lower quality sleep. Limiting light in the evenings can change your life. I use TrueDark glasses with optical filters that go far beyond what orange “blue blocking” glasses can do. I also switched the light bulbs in most of my house to red spectrum light only.

Breathing exercises:
box breath

Box breathing is a super low-tech hack to get you from a stress, flight-or-fight state to a more relaxed rest-and-digest state. You can practice this anytime, anywhere without looking too crazy. You simply inhale to a count of 5, hold for a count of 5, exhale to a count of 5 and hold for a count of 5. Repeat until your heart rate has slowed and you’re in a more relaxed state.

Eat Clean:
Pile on the vegetables

Get a lot more polyphenols from herbs, spices, coffee, tea and chocolate to make your mitochondria sing.

Intermittent fasting (IF):
Use Fat To Hack The Hunger

Traditional IF is famous for fat loss and longevity. But going many hours without food can make you hangry. Bulletproof IF, on the other hand, involves quality fat from Brain Octane and grass-fed butter or ghee, which keeps you full (read: happier) for hours. You get the biological benefits of IF without the hunger pangs.

Brain Octane gives you external ketones so you even experience mild ketosis (when your body runs off of fat) when you’ve eaten some carbohydrates. This lets your brain run on glucose and fat energy (ketones) at the same time for maximum performance.

HIIT Training:
Quick + Dirty Cardio

High-intensity interval training once a week and a 20-minute walk daily will improve brain function and keep muscles toned.

Find a Vibe:
Vibration Plates To Maximize Movement

Whole body vibration is a way to get more movement in less time. Vibration plates are beneficial for everyone from professional athletes to the elderly. They’re used for increased muscle building and fat loss, and can even lower stress hormones and increase sex hormones like testosterone!

The neurotrophic factor:
Boost your brain naturally

The more brain-derived neurothrophic factor (BDNF) the better - this stuff encourages neuron growth and an increase in communication between neurons so you’ll think more clearly and have more focus as you age. Exercise and meditation are amazing for a boost in BDNF - and you can get four times more BDNF than exercise from a supplement called Neuromaster.

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

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Mornings With The ODells: Lattes, Love + Life Well Styled

Family comes first for Laura and Jason O'Dell, so it helps that they run their biz together. This adorable couple designs and operates as The ODells, a California bohemian line of clothing for the whole family and a namesake lifestyle boutique in Silver Lake (where the bar for hipness is set very high).

We're loving these cozy shots of the family at home in their Big Bear A-frame and we're also excited to get a glimpse inside the new Silver Lake shop for a good dose of well-curated shopping bliss, from hand-painted wallpaper to their own California cool caftans and smocks. From the sweetest latte ritual to a shared mantra we love, take a peek below at a morning with the ODells...

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Life Buttah: How To Make Bulletproof Coffee The Right Way

WE talk about coffee a lot. And so does our April Guest, Bulletproof's Dave Asprey. Chances are you've heard of his buzz-worthy Bulletproof coffee recipe, maybe you're even making your own version -- but are you making the version that set fire to the trend? We're sharing how to make Bulletproof Coffee the right way from the OG himself.

Dave has single-handedly made coffee loaded with butter and coconut a bonafide wellness trend, and we're all about it. The brain-boosting benefits of this brew are very real, including potential brain cell protection, mental clarity, a major energy boost that doesn't dip, a jolt to the metabolism, appetite reduction and a strong dose of polyphenols (super-important; read more about this in Dave's new book Head Strong.)

The quality of each of these ingredients makes a big difference here. It's key that the coffee used is mold-free (yes, this is a thing! And mold has a big connection to 'brain fog'), the ghee comes from grass-fed cows, and the coconut oil is MCT oil (read Superfood Spotlight: MCT Oil). For the real deal, Bulletproof's own coconut-derived products are very good.

Whether you've never tried this delicious morning bev or have been slouching along with a version that you're not sure is right, learn how to make the original Bulletproof Coffee properly with this simple yet powerful recipe...

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Why Jaw Tension Might Be To Blame For Your Breakouts

Just when we thought our acne days died with everything else terrible about being a teen, our skin starts breaking out with a vengeance. Of course, now that we're savvy adults we know to check our diets, wash our pillows and be picky about beauty products -- but if that's not enough, there might be another unexpectedly common cause at play: jaw tension.

Sadie Adams of the celeb-treasured facial studio Take Care here in L.A. and NYC, stresses the importance of stress management when it comes to skincare (because a build-up in the face often means breakouts on it). We asked this holistic esthetician and SONAGE Skincare pro to talk us though how jaw tension could be sabotaging our complexion, and a few daily DIY solutions to work into our beauty routines...

Q: How does jaw tension inhibit skin clarity?

A: Excessive contractions in muscles can lead to tightness in all of the tissues, restricting the flow of lymph. A healthy lymph system supports a fluid membrane balance throughout the whole body; any condition of pathology can be traced back to a fluid-membrane imbalance. Skin conditions such as acne, rash, cellulite and, in extreme cases, lymphedema can result from poor lymphatic drainage.

Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system -- an important aspect of the immune system -- responsible for the differentiation of 'self' from 'other', as well as what serves from that which doesn’t. This network carries fluid, nutrients and waste material between the body tissues and the blood. Lymph nodes filter the fluid - trapping bacteria, viruses and foreign substances (anything deemed unsupportive to the organism) - and the lymphocytes (specialized white blood cells) destroy them. Stagnation or blockages in these nodes can mitigate the filtration process, therefore increasing the amount of toxins in the blood and lymph. An excess of toxins in these fluids can cause acne in skin that has increased levels of sebum and blockages in its pores.

Using a non-abrasive exfoliator  once or twice a week can prevent this stagnation from occurring (I love SONAGE's Gommage Exfoliating Gel). Its antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions, as well as the mechanical efforts of the application process, can support clarity in the tissue and healthy circulation of lymph fluid. Good circulation and coherence in the various layers of tissue are reflected in healthy, glowing skin.

Q: What are common causes of jaw tension?

A: Favoring one side while sleeping or sleeping without consideration of alignment and support; grinding or gripping with teeth and/or a misaligned bite; scoliosis; leading with sensory organs/carrying the head forward of the spine; trauma or injury; repression and suppression: unexpressed thoughts, feelings and emotions, and unprocessed experiences can create holding patterns in the jaw, as well as physical strain and emotional stress. Stress can trigger excess hormone production and lead to various imbalances, including muscle tension and acne.

Q: What are the immediate benefits of Releasing Jaw Tension?

A:After releasing jaw tension, clients report feeling more relaxed, calm and centered after a session. Usually there is an immediate flush of stagnation and more clarity in the lymph. Depending on the condition, self-care techniques and applications may be required for long term re-patterning.

Q: What are the best DIY Practices for REleasing Jaw Tension?

A: A daily self-massage focusing around the sides of the head, the ear, jawline and down to the collarbones can be helpful in clearing blockages.

When exploring facial massage, consider that normal massage oil that works well for the body may be too heavy for certain skin types and conditions. Try working with pressure points without oil or use a high quality facial serum with a good slip. I recommend the Vitality nourishing facial serum from SONAGE -- it's an antioxidant that is antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging. It also contains ginkgo biloba leaf and rosemary oil to stimulate circulation, making it a perfect choice to help relieve tension.

Ease tight muscles in the jaw by sitting with elbows resting on the knees and the cheekbones resting on the heals of the hands, then letting the jaw open towards the earth. As much as possible, feeling the disk at the TMJ moving forward and down, while opening the mouth.

Another simple exercise: rather then moving the jaw away from the head, as in chewing, stabilize the jawbone and open the mouth by moving the head up and back. Feel the space around the disk in the joint.

Q: How can we reduce jaw tension during our day-to-day?

A: When shampooing the scalp, one can spend extra time massaging the muscles, in order to drain accumulated fluids around tight areas. I suggest taking one’s time and being sensitive. Approach this from a place of wanting to support and cleanse. This allows one to hear the timing of the tissue and what is needed to release tightness and stagnation.

Be mindful of alignment while walking, working and exercising. Noticing and correcting forward head carriage and unnecessary holding in the jaw while engaging in day-to-day activities requires attention and commitment, and will support the health of the joints.

Fully resting the weight of one’s head on the pillow before sleeping can be a way to tell your body that it doesn’t need to take the stresses of the day into the night. Feel the fluids inside of the head registering gravity and space. While actively yielding the head, soften the TMJ and release any perceived tension in the facial muscles and tongue.

Self-contentedness leads to happiness and fluid-membrane balance. Choosing gratitude and contentment can greatly decrease tension. A regular meditation practice can cultivate presence and peace, in body and mind. Meditation and breath awareness are powerful and empowering tools help to dramatically reduce day-to-day tension and stress.

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