Our curated 4th of July Looks are up on the website 🇺🇸 Shop the...

Our curated 4th of July Looks are up on the website 🇺🇸 Shop the look now #bestswimwear #shoplinkinbio #vitamina #lspace http://ift.tt/2u8gbzL

from The BestSwimwear Blog http://ift.tt/2sqHFmE
via IFTTT

Pretty Little Hangover: Shay Mitchell’s Go-To Wellness Cure

Hangovers happen. Hopefully, not too often - but we're not judging. Whether it's the last party favor left after a good evening out or the unintended consequence of a friend's poor mixology skills, we've got you covered.

While hosting Shape Magazine's L.A. Body Shop event earlier this summer Pretty Little Liars actress, Shay Mitchell, told Shape her go-to hangover trick:

"Food, food, and more food to soak it all up. I also suggest reminding yourself during that state of too many beers to order food. And the next day? Loose clothing—just pajamas—and if you can, get in a sweat sesh. Not a workout sweat sesh, but literally sit in a sauna or steam room or go to a Korean spa and literally sweat it out."

We couldn't agree more on the inclusion of high-quality calories when you're planning on drinking and as for the sweating? An infrared sauna sweat is our favorite - learn more from an infrared pro here. Korean spas more your style? You might die laughing over our simple "Korean Spa Rules".

Looking for all the hangover help you can get your hands on? Read our Damage Control piece here, the Thinking Girl's Guide here, and learn to avoid a hangover altogether with these tips to bookmark and note to self!

Have a reliable hangover remedy yourself? Share in the comments!

The post Pretty Little Hangover: Shay Mitchell’s Go-To Wellness Cure appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tsDiaG
via IFTTT

Watermelon Pizza With Coconut Sauce For The Win

There's plenty to love about summer, but watermelon-overload is eternally on top of that list. We've gotten creative in years past -- curing our cravings with watermelon jerky, cocktails, and popsicles -- and this superfood-topped watermelon pizza from Sophie Jaffe is our most recent fave. Here's why you need to make this sweet, simple and nutrient-rich recipe stat...

On a midsummer night that calls for a light, magical dessert, forego the traditional fruit salad for this beautiful treat. All it takes is a crisp watermelon cut into a lovely moon, topped with superfood-infused yogurt, a handful of berries, and walnuts for some added crunch! On top of being simply swoon-worthy, this luscious pie is also abundant in antioxidants, probiotics, and omega-3s...which means that summer dreams should definitely be made of watermelon pizza.

The post Watermelon Pizza With Coconut Sauce For The Win appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tsGcMG
via IFTTT

Southern Charm: Heirloom Tomato Salad With Charred Okra

Hey there, picnic vibes. This simple, colorful and clean dish from Southern food blogger, Robyn Stone, has us wanting to roll out a blanket, plop down a basket and dive in. We love her new cookbook, Add a Pinch, which takes Southern staples like okra and prepares them in fresh, light new ways. Fill your basket with tomatoes this weekend and get to slicing...

The post Southern Charm: Heirloom Tomato Salad With Charred Okra appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2s8k868
via IFTTT

What are you wearing for 4th of July? Check out everything that...

What are you wearing for 4th of July? Check out everything that is new on our site and in store #bestswimwear #4thofjuly http://ift.tt/2u4oCfr

from The BestSwimwear Blog http://ift.tt/2u4BCBA
via IFTTT

Vegan Black Bean Burgers With Scallions + Green Chiles

Once you go black bean, your summer grilling repertoire might never be the same. Beef burger loyalists might roll their eyes, but these protein-packed vegan black bean burgers from Free People chef Greg Glowatz  are so delicious, they could convert even the most committed carnivorous grill nerds.

If your summer schedule is brimming with BBQ plans, be sure to toss this recipe into the mix. It's clean, spiced to perfection and made with ingredients you probably have floating around in your kitchen already. Learn how to make these black beans burger below...

The post Vegan Black Bean Burgers With Scallions + Green Chiles appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2sk6ukv
via IFTTT

Healthy Popsicle Recipes You Need For The Weekend

Detox and desert don't usually go together, but these pretty popsicle recipes from Lily Kunin's new cookbook, Good Clean Food, make it work.

We love all the practical, plant-based dishes from this gorgeous cookbook's pages, but these antioxidant-rich popsicles are the ultimate snack for summer. They're hydrating, packed with superfoods and -- most importantly -- Instagram-ready! Grab Lily's cookbook here for a treasure trove or clean recipes to love daily, and get two of our seasonal faves below...

Berry beet pops: For these pops, the strawberries are blended with coconut water, beets and coconut butter for the most incredible, refreshing treat. Here beets add a superfood boost, and the creamy coconut butter balances out the natural sugars from the fruit. It’s the best of both worlds — a sweet treat and the benefits of a juice all in one.

Blueberry-lime chia pops: This pop is an upgrade to the standard strawberry-shortcake ice cream bar I used to get as a kid. Blueberries are made refreshing when paired with lime, and the coconut water also makes this a hydrating treat on a warm day. Don’t go overboard with the chia seeds though. Too many will turn the mixture into a consistency that won’t fully harden up in the molds. You can substitute other summer berries like strawberries or raspberries for the blueberries if you’d like! [olists num=1][olists num=2]

Which of these popsicle recipes are you making first? Berry-beet or chia-lime?
Share in the comments below!

The post Healthy Popsicle Recipes You Need For The Weekend appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2skRkLP
via IFTTT

Genius Veggie Crudite Cups For Healthier Backyard BBQs

When it comes to hosting summer gatherings, we're always on the hunt for easy ideas that look great and taste clean.

We were impressed with these simple and beautiful crudite cups at Jordana Brewster's garden party recently (take a peek inside her gorgeous garden here!) and loved the idea so much we thought we'd give it a spotlight all it's own.

Throwing fresh veggies into a cup with dressing already in tow, means that your healthy celery sticks get top billing right next to hand-held items like cupcakes and chips. The easy to grab little cups appeal to kids and carnivores alike - making them hard to resist, even for the veggie-averse. Here's how to easily throw them together...

How To Make jordana's easy Crudite Cups: Line a serving tray with glasses or cups. Fill the bottom of each small cup with ranch dressing (we love Primal Kitchen's avocado oil ranch). Slice veggies like carrots, cucumbers, celery and bell peppers into strips and throw into cups. Try stacking cherry tomatoes onto a skewer. Serve and watch them disappear!

Looking for more creative crudite ideas?
Check out our faves here!

The post Genius Veggie Crudite Cups For Healthier Backyard BBQs appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2skRiDH
via IFTTT

Take A Look Inside Actress Jordana Brewster’s Edible Home Garden

We recently joined actress Jordana Brewster for a garden party in her gorgeous Mandeville Canyon home. After spending a year working with Tery Ciarlo, one of the Westside’s go-to landscape designers, the mama and hostess with the mostess opened up her newly-renovated garden space for a sweet summer gathering that still has us beaming.

The highlight of the space is a sustainably constructed, edible garden which inspired the drinks and snacks for the day. While basking in the beauty of fresh blooms and fruiting vines, guests stayed cool with herb-infused white wine cocktails from Sonoma-based Jardesca. Flavor combinations included orange and mint, grapefruit and rosemary, cucumber and basil, or mixed berries and lemon leaf.

Attendees also munched on the cutest veggie appetizers ever (more on that tomorrow) and took home herb and veggie baskets featuring a mix of heirloom tomatoes, mint and Italian peppers along with seeds and copper garden markers from our fave, Terrain.

The ultimate inspo behind Jordana's backyard heaven was to get her children more connected to the earth, their food, and how it grows. Tery Ciarlo shared these charming ideas with us to get kids far from buttons and screens and right into the dirt with the berries and the greens...

11 Ways to Build Garden Memories with Kids

Love + Lemons:  Pick lemons and make lemonade.

Dig the dirt: Buy shovels and small watering cans… then get to work!

Pet projects: Release ladybugs into the soil to eat the pests.

Create ownership: Dedicate a pot or section of the garden to each child to design and maintain.

Get bugged out: Build an earthworm jar to learn about tunneling:
Place pebbles or sand at the bottom of a large jar as a foundation. Place a smaller jar filled with water inside, centered. Fill 1/4 of the large jar with moist soil and add a layer of sand. Add worm food, like apples and oatmeal. Add 3-5 worms collected from your garden, or you can get them at a bait shop. Add another layer of soil, followed by another layer of sand. Cover the jar with a nylon sock or pantyhose, seal with a rubber band, and place a layer of black paper on top to block light. Keep in a cool, dark place.

Sprout right up: Choose quick-maturing vegetables to satisfy short attention spans (like radishes, carrots, spinach and dwarf green beans).

eat dirt candy: Have a picnic in the garden and pick strawberries for dessert.

get wild: Make bird feeders and butterfly feeders to include wildlife:
Prepare butterfly food by mixing 9 parts water with 1 part sugar. Make a small hole in a Mason jar lid. Place a piece of sponge through the hole, so it's sticking out on both sides. Tie string around the neck of the Mason jar to hang outside.

just add art: Pick oranges and draw silly faces on them.

host the class: Invite the classroom over to plant vegetables.

cook from the dirt: Help Mommy pick lettuce and tomatoes, and then help her make the salad.

Is there anything more idyllic sounding than gardening with children?
What's your secret to keeping this more magical, less chaotic?

The post Take A Look Inside Actress Jordana Brewster’s Edible Home Garden appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tjMFsR
via IFTTT

20 Great Ideas for The Best Summer Ever

We've been waiting for summer to come back like all year. Now that it's here, you can bet we'll be making the most of it by beaching, hosting all things al fresco, and under-dressing appropriately as we make our way straight through the season.

On-board for the summer of a lifetime - or at least the best yet? We're sharing our top twenty wellness-inducing tips to ensure you'll look and feel absolutely amazing...

 20 great ideas For The Best Summer Ever

One: Eat your sunscreen. Did you know that your diet can work synergistically with your sunscreen to keep your skin strong? The green beauty gurus of CAP Beauty recommend loading up on these fruits and veggies for an extra protective boost all summer and especially pre-vacation.

Two: Dress to kale. We're in love with this farmers market style guide. Sort of silly, but spot on. Get all the summer feels basking in summer produce bliss with this carry all, minimalist leather sandals and these summer wardrobe essentials.

Three: Chill out and Freeze. It's hot out there! But bikinis and ice cream can be a tough match. Get that bod cooled down and nourished with refreshing, nutrient-infused treats like Pressed Juicery's Freeze, these hydrating DIY popsicles or this superfood-packed nice cream sundae.

Four: Slather on a clean SPF. If you plan on soaking up the sun this summer, be sure to have a great, non-toxic SPF on hand too. We love these chemical-free formulas.

Five: Travel smarter. If you're traveling by plane you will definitely need a few clean beauty essentials including this game-changing moisture mask. Trust us, this is an in-flight game changer.

Six: Green sun recovery. If you've accidentally spent too much time in the sun, this clever matcha sunburn mask is a simple DIY that basically erases the redness, and soothes the pain in a flash.

Seven: Go (nearly) makeup-less. Our summer beauty look is all about ease, simplicity and efficiency. We love this light, clean look from a Hollywood makeup pro that'll keep you feeling glowy til fall.

Eight: Stay Hydrated x 100. Hitting up the beach, BBQ, or a hotel pool? Be sure to keep the hydration happening with mineral water, spicy lemonade, this ultra-hydrating, vacation-flavored nourishing tonic or an herbal infusion packed with minerals.

Nine: Fitness pre-party. Try this yogi's killer five day mind and body reboot pre-vacay to land feeling present, energized and ready to relax like you mean it.

ten: Make excuses to celebrate! Call up the ladies, make a pitcher cocktail like this one and invite 'em all over for a low-maintenance, but high-style hang.

eleven: Keep the cocktails simple. Whether you're lounging by the pool with your ride-or-die, or hosting a gathering for a handful of friends, the right summer cocktail can set the tone. We love these three-ingredient cocktails that are easy to prep and delicious to drink down.

twelve: Ice ice baby.  Make these beautiful edible flower cubes. They're easy, we promise, and look impressive in any drink. Try these minty ones to add a subtle and refreshing wash of flavor.

Thirteen: Be prepared for casual drop-ins. We love these tips for turning home into a hostess playground in just a few minutes. Absolutely necessary for the summer months, if you're hoping to see more friends and still keep your cool.

Fourteen: Try the wedding day diet. Whether you're a bride, guest or just curious, these nutritionist-approved tips will keep you feeling de-puffed, de-stressed and glowing from the inside out for any special summer occasions.

Fifteen: Make friend dates healthy. Turn a beach day into a full-on wellness day, or sneak some fitness in during a social gathering -- take a break from bbq for a little walk. Start your weekend with a hiking friend date or meet up early before work and do this.

Sixteen: Feed your mind. Getting into a great book is the ultimate excuse to lounge around. Discover a summer beach read to get obsessed with by taking this quiz!

seventeen: Upgrade your BBQ. A few of our all-time favorite summer recipes are: this nourishing 4th of July menu, this yogi's awesome maple-portobello burger served alongside these sweet potato fries,  three ways to upgrade classic grilled corn,  this planty charcuterie platter, this stunning sprouted grain salad and of course, this hydrating coconut water cocktail.

Eighteen: Veggies made easy. Summer produce is some of the best all year. Eat more of it by making a delicious sauce to pour over fresh veggies. Some of our faves include: this clean ranch dip, these superfood salad dressing ideas, this neon pink beet dip, this tangy miso sauce, this probiotic-rich crudite creation, and this refreshing rosewater tahini blend.

Nineteen: Beautify slowly, deeply, naturally. Relax, and take it easy. Grounding down and indulging in the simple pleasures of the season are some of the easiest beauty tips ever. Learn more about slow beauty here.

Twenty: Explore! Get out there and live that local life. Find fun activities around town and see things with fresh eyes. These are a few of our favorite things to do around LA.

What are your tips for the having best summer ever?
Share in the comments below!

The post 20 Great Ideas for The Best Summer Ever appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tjK6Xy
via IFTTT

Inside The Fridge of Healthy Gluten-Free Baker, Laurel Gallucci

Laurel Gallucci is our go-to for all things clean baking. The girl's got a magical ability when it comes to hacking the healthy baking equation and we've test driven each of her recipes more than once to be sure the magic is still in tact (this chocolate ganache cake is heaven, same goes for these neon pink hazelnut donuts, but these life-changing almond butter brownies are truly everything.)

Having dealt with her fair share of gut-centric wellness issues, Laurel knows the power of a cleaned up diet, and her whole foods baking company, Sweet Laurel Bakery, is a dream come true for those dealing with sensitivities -- and/or a sweet tooth that won't quit.

Laurels' personal kitchen sitch reflects the same dedication to whole, nourishing ingredients and -- shockingly -- encompasses more than just her crave-worthy cakes. (Although we happen to know she feeds her lucky hubby brownies for breakfast!) Read on for all the delicious inspiration... [olists num=1]

Peek through the kitchens of other wellness pros we love with our In My Fridge series!
Click here to explore.

The post Inside The Fridge of Healthy Gluten-Free Baker, Laurel Gallucci appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tjSRRr
via IFTTT

You are my sunshine @B_Swim ☀️ Shop the Kailua Garden collection...

You are my sunshine @B_Swim ☀️ Shop the Kailua Garden collection #linkinbio #bestswimwear #bswim http://ift.tt/2rZN6F5

from The BestSwimwear Blog http://ift.tt/2sYXJJw
via IFTTT

Clean Cookie Dough Truffles from Plant-Based Blogger, The First Mess

These lovely little cookie dough bites from plant-based food blogger Laura Wright of The First Mess capture the flavor and texture of classic cookie dough, but with clean, whole food ingredients that give us every excuse to enjoy with abandon. Check out her stunning new cookbook then whip up a batch of these babies. Pop them in the freezer for an extra delicious summer treat...

I make huge batches of these around the holidays to bundle up as healthy, but indulgent, gifts. The mix of coconut butter (a product that contains coconut flesh and oil), vanilla and almond flour makes for a convincing raw cookie dough sensation. Whether or not they admit it, almost everyone loves raw cookie dough. This is the safest (no raw eggs!), most elegant and delicious way to eat it that I’ve come up with so far. [olists num = 1]

Want more of Laura's whole foods magic?
Take a peek inside of The First Mess' fridge here!

The post Clean Cookie Dough Truffles from Plant-Based Blogger, The First Mess appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tgRCSZ
via IFTTT

TCM x Vogue: Living Well With Model Noah Mills

Looking good for a living sounds like a pretty fun gig. But working models have to put full effort into keeping their skin, hair and bod in peak glowing condition.We're used to women in the industry doling out secrets for getting that glow factor. What about the dudes?

Canadian model, Noah Mills, knows a thing or two about professional-level mind-body upkeep. Genetics only go so far; hydration, sleep and juice galore are this male model's real secrets to securing those swoon-inducing looks.

Our summer series celebrating fashion, wellness and Vogue's 125th wouldn't be complete without a bit of model behavior...

The post TCM x Vogue: Living Well With Model Noah Mills appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2thWwQm
via IFTTT

Collagen, Matcha, Pearl: 7 Beauty Powders for A Summer Glow

There's no one single secret ingredient for a radiant summer glow. There's seven. Beauty boosting powders like the products below are easy to integrate into the routine you already have. Collagen and pearl in that morning smoothie. Vitamin C powder in your nightly serum. Matcha into everything.

We can cheat our way to rocking the no makeup look with minimalist beauty tips like these, but nothing compares to the radiance of naked skin that's been nourished from the inside and the outside -- and these powders do the trick...

The post Collagen, Matcha, Pearl: 7 Beauty Powders for A Summer Glow appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tRgmz6
via IFTTT

The Food Stylist Shooting The Coolest Veggies In L.A.

In our world, farmers are stars right along the chefs they work with. Think that purple carrot terrine is all about the sauce? Nah - it's the way it was grown too!

Digital food consultant and stylist, Aliza J Sokolow, knows many of L.A.'s most beloved farmers and chefs well. Recently, when she launched a line of prints that celebrating the produce plucked right from the dirt, we asked Aliza where all this planty goodness was coming from. We loved her stories and are sharing a little bit about each of the fruits, veggies, farmers and restaurants featured in the full line of art prints (see them here!)...

JJ’s Lone Daughter Ranch | Redlands, California
Avocados, citrus, persimmons

Laura Ramirez carries a dozen different varieties of avocados. They can be found in the famous grain bowl at Sqirl. My favorite is the Reed avocado, which comes into season at the end of June/July. It is buttery and I enjoy it best with a squeeze of one of her pink variegated lemons and some salt. In the winter she carries heaps of citrus – my favorite being the cara cara orange which is sweet and is a pinky/orange tone.

Thao Family Farms | Fresno, California
Tomatos, cauliflower

Everything Kong Thao grows is incredible. He is the favorite farmer to many. The tomato and cauliflower prints can be seen as the only thing on the walls at Republique restaurant on La Brea. Walter Manzke is his number one fan. This summer Thao Family Farms will be growing more than 40 types of tomatoes and I can’t wait to make a new print of them.

The Garden Of | Santa Ynez, California
Carrots, rainbow chard

Shu and Debby Takikawa are responisbile for growing your favorite little gems of the little gem salad at Jon & Vinny’s. Their carrots are sweeter than any you’ve ever had and I can always be found eating them as my car snack. All of my friends make fun of me for constantly eating them.

Wesier Family Farms | Tehachapi, California
Beets, watermelon radishes

Watermelon radishes are one of my favorite roots to add color to any dish. I also love the melons and grain that Alex Weiser grows. The best thing happening in Tehachapi right now is their heritage grain, which is bringing ancient grain back to California and has been making wheat and rye easier to digest since 2015.

Murray Family Farms | Bakersfield, California
Exotic citrus

Stephen Murray and his family have had an incredible cherry season. He grows exotic citrus and many of my berries coming up in the next run of cards are in collaboration with Murray Family Farms. Additionally they grow their own Murray Berry, which is exclusive to them - it looks like a raspberry and tastes perfectly sweet and tart.

The post The Food Stylist Shooting The Coolest Veggies In L.A. appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2s8x9QV
via IFTTT

9 Ways to Get Your Floral Print Fix This Summer

Neutral tones are our bread and butter (er... kale and quinoa?), but there's something about floral print that we just can't resist. A little feminine, a little fun and with just the right amount of artfulness -- in spite of our usual chromophobic ways.

Whether you're ready to overdose on blooms this summer (try the removable wallpaper!) or are feeling the floral print pool float is more your speed, find something to love in our print-tastic round-up...

The post 9 Ways to Get Your Floral Print Fix This Summer appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2u6K6r4
via IFTTT

The Ultimate Summer Booty Workout From Tone It Up

We've partnered with Tone It Up's Karena and Katrina to share series of targeted, effective - and relatively straight forward - workouts all summer long. Get ready to burn - or just watch these GIFs on repeat... 

It's ALL about that booty! We love adding lower body toning moves whenever we can to build a tight and perky tush. We're always sharing new ways to sculpt that booty of your dreams! We even squat while waiting in lines. The best part about toning your booty is that you get added perks of sculpting your back and core at the same time. Today, we're sharing 5 of our favorite moves to lift and tone your booty. These workouts will also boost your metabolism for major fat-burning effects. Win, win!

Go through 2-3 circuits.

Skaters: Strengthens legs and increases heartrate!

Begin in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart. Jump to the right with a slight bend in your right knee with your left leg behind you.  From that position, jump to your left with your right foot behind you.

Complete 10 reps on each side, 20 reps total.

Kettlebell Braced Squat: Tones shoulders, core, quads, and booty!

Hold the kettlebell straight in front of your chest. Push your hips back and bend knees down into a squat position. Make sure your knees don't go past your toes and you maintain a neutral curve in your lower back. Return to standing.

Complete 15 reps.

Single Leg Deadlift: Sculpts hamstrings and glutes!

Hold the kettlebell in your left hand. Keeping your right knee slightly bent, hinge forward from the hips, extending your left leg behind you lowering the kettlebell until you are parallel to the ground. Slowly return to start.

Complete 10 reps on each side.

Sumo on Toes: Tones the inner thighs and quads!

Stand with your feet farther than shoulder-width apart, heels lifted off the ground. Lower down until your thighs are parallel to the ground, heels still lifted. Engage your core to keep your balance. Return to standing.

Complete 20 reps.

Elevated Single Leg Bridge Dips: Sculpts the booty and hamstrings!

Lie with your legs bent, feet hip-width apart on an elevated surface, such as yoga block, step or gym bench to get extra booty toning! Raise your right leg in the air, lift your hips and squeeze your booty at the top. Slowly lower back down. Alternate legs with each rep.

Complete 20 reps.

The post The Ultimate Summer Booty Workout From Tone It Up appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2u6BTTP
via IFTTT

Skin Inflammation: Breaking Down The Reason You’re Breaking Out

Everything happens for a reason, acne included. With acne, that reason can almost always be traced back to inflammation. Getting rid of inflammation all together first requires a good understanding of where it comes from in the first place. Check out this insight from Free People beauty guru, Allie White, as she breaks down skin inflammation once and for all...

You know how, in almost every movie ever made, there’s a hero and a villain? The hero, obviously, is the character you root for, the one you become invested in watching succeed. And the villain, well, the villain is the one who does his or her best to thwart the hero’s plans. You love the hero because in most cases, the hero is good and right and deserves to be happy and healthy and successful. And you hate the villain because despite how cool his/her outfits are, he/she is still evil. The villian’s only purpose in the movie is to mess with the hero, thereby messing up any chance at that happiness and health and success.

In the movie of your body—at least for the sake of this analogy—your skin is our hero. And the dastardly villain up to no good? Inflammation. That’s right: When your skin acts up and stops behaving, you can bet that inflammation is the root of the cause.

But wait, there’s a twist! That evil inflammation? It actually has a heart of gold and is only trying to protect your body and let you know there’s a problem that needs addressing. So before we all carry flaming pitchforks up to the spooky castle where inflammation lives, let’s walk through what this all means, starting from the beginning.

What is “inflammation”?

A buzzword in the health world, it seems you can’t turn around without seeing “anti-inflammatory” this or “inflammation-reducing” that. But medically, inflammation is simply your body’s response to anything that’s gone wrong. It’s a built-in defense system meant to combat foreign bacteria, viruses and injuries.

When your body senses something is wrong or that it’s under attack, it responds by triggering an inflammatory process that sends chemicals from white blood cells to the areas at risk. Those white blood cells (leukocytes) recognize and destroy the invader before it can cause real harm. This increase in blood flow to the area of injury or infection can lead to swelling aka inflammation.

Sound all good, right? For the most part, yes. After the infection or injury is treated, the white blood cells are supposed to retreat and the inflammation is supposed to go away. But sometimes that increase in cells and other inflammatory substances can send the system out of whack, leading to chronic, low-level inflammation in blood vessels, joints, organs, or even your skin.

Where does inflammation come from?

As noted earlier, inflammation can be an internal response to something foreign in the body, but it can also be the result of external factors, like stress, lack of sleep, your environment (secondhand smoke, too much sun, polluted air) and diet. Yup, your body can go into inflammation mode because you eat something it doesn’t like.

Internally, it’s hard to control an inflammatory response because it’s hard to control how often you get a cold or give yourself a papercut. But externally? That stuff is much more within the realm of things you have a direct say in.

How does it impact my body? My skin?

Like I said above, chronic, low-level inflammation can affect pretty much any part of your body and any system within it. It can put you at risk for heart disease, arthritis, lung and kidney issues, Alzheimer’s, and even some cancers. But don’t freak just yet: These are all long-term effects of chronic inflammation. In the shorter term, your skin is most likely to take a hit that shows up immediately.

Here’s the deal. Your skin is an organ that serves to keep bad things out of our body and good things in your body. It’s also the often the first sign that something weird is going on internally, as that weirdness makes itself known on your skin as a kind of warning sign.

When you’re stressed, your cortisol (aka the stress hormone) levels rise which causes inflammation. When you eat something your body doesn’t like (refined sugars, fried foods, saturated fats, gluten for some, dairy for others), your body reacts as if it’s an invader, and inflammation occurs. When you’re not sleeping well and your body is fatigued to the point where your organs are having a hard time performing their jobs due to lack of energy…you guessed it: inflammation.

All of this shows up on your skin. Stressed and pumped full of cortisol? Collagen breaks down, which can accelerate the aging process, and make skin look dull and rough. Spending time in the sun or in a highly-polluted environment? Your pores get clogged with excess sebum and dead skin cells, creating a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria that trigger those white knight blood cells to rush in and lead to inflamed skin. Eating crappy food your body isn’t down with? The toxins your body is trying to get rid of will force their way up and out of your skin tissue, promoting inflammation.

How can I deal with inflammation?

Break a Sweat. Excursus regularly, Use an infrared sauna. Whatever you do, just be sure you move. Getting your heart pumping will release endorphins, which are also conveniently anti-inflammatory. \

Go To Sleep. When you’re sleeping, endorphin levels are at their highest and cortisol levels are at their lowest, which means the timeless battle of inflammation seriously favors the anti- camp when your head hits the pillow. Your body is also in repair mode while you snooze, hence that whole “beauty sleep” thing.

Eat Wisely. Foods that contain healthy doses of omega-3 fatty acids (like fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseed, chia seeds and egg yolks) are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, and produce like berries, leafy greens, citrus and kidney beans are antioxidant-rich, meaning they fight inflammation-promoting free radicals. If you’re sensitive to anything—like dairy or gluten—avoid it. Dairy, gluten, refined sugars…try cutting them out of your diet for a few weeks to see if anything clears up. Then add them back in one at a time to find the offender. (This is also called an elimination diet if you want to do more research on how to go about it.)

Supplement It Up. You can also add anti-inflammatory ingredients and supplements into your diet (though this is definitely not a cure-all). Functional foods like turmeric, reishi mushrooms and lucuma (a Peruvian fruit that contains beta carotene, iron, zinc, vitamin B3, calcium, and protein) can help to naturally calm internal inflammation. And probiotic foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, miso, pickles and bio-fermented supplements can aid in helping to create a healthy environment in your gut to promote the growth of the good bacteria you need to better digest food and keep things running smoothly as far as digestion is concerned. (Another plus? A healthy gut full of friendly microbes can boost your body’s immune system, which as we learned earlier, is one of the key culprits of inflammation.)

Get Topical. We’ve really only talked about what’s going on inside your body because as we’ve also discussed, most inflammation takes place internally and then shows up on the skin. And while anti-inflammatory topicals won’t help with internal inflammation issues, they can certainly go a long way when it comes to the surface-level stuff. The key here is to remember to be gentle (nothing harsh that might irritate inflamed skin further), and also that anything you’d eat or drink to help with internal inflammation—like green tea, olive oil and vitamin E—will also help topically. Look for ingredients that soothe, like aloe and chamomile, and ones that play well with angry skin, like milk thistle, camellia seed oil, cranberry seed oil, black cumin and meadowfoam.

There’s nothing wrong with a little inflammation. Remember, it’s your body’s way of fighting off things that don’t belong. But when it starts to affect you long-term or makes its way to your face, it’s time to take action. So pay attention to how you feel and what your body is telling you, and let your skin be the hero that lives happily ever after. (Roll credits)

The post Skin Inflammation: Breaking Down The Reason You’re Breaking Out appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2t1P2Ro
via IFTTT

Mexican, Miso + Mint: How To Make Grilled Corn 3 Ways

There's a fine line between classic and boring. Grilled corn is about as summery as it gets, and we plan on nibbling those ears away all summer. Delicious? Definitely. Repetitive? Possibly.

How to make grilled corn that is neither boring or too weird was a task we gave the farm foodies at Out of the Box Collective. Their solution involves three compound butters dripping in flavor. Grab the recipes or go all-in on OTB's 4th of July Farm Delivery Box before the big day...

With 4th of July just around the corner, grilling corn is an easy way to get a taste of summer’s best. One of our favorite methods is to grill the ears in the husks themselves and then spread a flavored butter over the perfectly steamed and charred kernels. Compound butters can be made ahead of time and chilled in refrigerator until serving! Here are a few tastebud-blasting flavor combinations to play with, but first...

How To Make Grilled Corn Perfectly:Pull away the outer layers of the husks, keeping them on the cob. Strip off the silk from each ear and fold the husks back into place. Soak prepped corn in a bowl filled with water for 5-10 minutes. Shake off excess water and throw them on the grill for about 15 minutes or until corn kernels are tender. (Be sure to turn the husks to prevent from burning.)

Remove from heat, take the husks off and top with your choice of one of our favorite compound butters. Here are three of our favorites...[olists num=2][olists num=3][olists num=4][olists num=5]

The post Mexican, Miso + Mint: How To Make Grilled Corn 3 Ways appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tB9q9m
via IFTTT

Gut Health 101: How to Choose The Right Probiotics

Gut health is at the center of attention these days in the wellness world - and it's about time. There may be no more important topic to master for vital health.  

We asked Dr. Joe Alcock of Pressed Juicery's Medical Advisory Board to break down everything we need to know about the key topic of probiotics - appropriate, since Pressed just launched it's first line of juices with high-quality probiotics added (find 'em here). Here is Dr. Joe's practical guide to gut health, including how to select the right probiotics...

Gut Health 101

Let's frame the topic simply, by casting you in the role of gardener of your gut - which makes sense since you're the only one who can make sure good stuff is growing in there and prevent the bad stuff from taking over. Gut microbes are like plants or the garden, there are good plants and not-so-good ones (weeds). But first, you have to plant these microbes by seeding - probiotics are the seeds. And you can encourage the good microbes to grow with fertilizer - by eating the right foods.

So to review: seeds = probiotics; plants = microbes (weeds = bad microbes), fertilizer = food... and bad-ass gardener = you.

Let's take a deeper look at the history of the seeds (probiotics), the scientific evidence and the best way to be a champion gardener of your gut.

A Mini History of Probiotics

 The idea of using probiotics dates to 1907, when Nobel laureate Elie Metchnikoff observed that people who drank fermented milk had longer lives. He believed that the health benefits of sour milk came from “useful” lactic acid microbes that replaced harmful bacteria in the gut. Two of these lactic acid bacteria – Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria – were discovered to prevent gut infections in the 1910s. Since then, multiple strains of bacteria have been identified that promote health when consumed, satisfying the modern definition of probiotics.

Good Bac vs. Bad Bac

Your Microbes, your garden: Think of the microbes in our guts as a landscape or a garden that needs fertilizer and seeds. Our earliest microbes come from our mothers during birth and breastfeeding. Breast milk contains seeds (microbes) and fertilizer (milk carbohydrates). That combination causes beneficial Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria – the first probiotics - to populate the gut. With the transition to solid food, different kinds of microbes begin to grow in the gut. Unhealthy diets – like those high in sugar and low in fiber – overfertilize the gut and interfere with the immune system. The result: Harmful microbes grow like weeds. Weed species crowd out healthier microbes and change the ecology in the gut. In this way, poor diets pave the way for illness, chronic disease and obesity.

Your Food, your fertilizer: Is it possible to change the landscape of the gut by changing the fertilizer - the food we eat?  The science says yes.  A change in diet has a profound effect on the community of microbes in our guts, and those changes are quick, happening within 24 hours. Healthy diets – those high in dietary fiber, fruits and vegetables – may decrease the growth of weed species, like pathogenic Proteobacteria, while boosting cooperative microbes.

A small nutritional study performed at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA tested whether a fruit juice diet affects the microbiota in 20 volunteers. The fruit-juice diet caused changes in microbe groups linked with healthy metabolism, in line with findings of other researchers. The juice diet also reduced the number of Proteobacteria, a group that contains many pathogens. Molecules known as flavonones in fruit are thought to inhibit the growth of Proteobacteria and other harmful microbes. The ability to shape gut microbes is one way that dietary fruit and vegetables might protect against chronic diseases.

Do Probiotics Even Work?

 The strongest medical evidence supporting probiotics is their ability to prevent diarrhea and gut inflammation (though the benefits of probiotics extend beyond the gut). Should we seed the microbial landscape of the gut with probiotics? Probiotics are safe and can be beneficial, with a couple of caveats: First, the benefits of probiotics depend on the specific strain (see below), so different members of the same microbe species can have different effects. Second, a health benefits of probiotics depend on lots of factors, like age, medical conditions, and which microbes already live in the gut. When choosing a probiotic, it would be wise to take a defined probiotic strain that has been shown to be effective in human studies.

The modern study of probiotics is still pretty new. Most of what is known involves the benefits of dairy probiotics, like Metchnikoff’s lactic acid bacteria. Probiotics in non-dairy drinks often use different microbes that don’t grow until they make it into the intestine. Bacillus coagulans is one such probiotic that has been used in juice and other drinks. Like lactic acid bacteria, B. coagulans has been shown to prevent the growth of gut pathogens, boost numbers of beneficial species and lower inflammation in a variety of small trials. Are these effects long lasting and do they prevent chronic diseases? Well-designed long-term studies are needed to answer that question. Meanwhile, the existing results are promising, so keep a close eye on this space!

How To Choose The Right Probiotics

On the surface it may seem like multiple strains of healthy probiotic bacteria would be better than one, right? Not necessarily.

What’s truly important is not the number of strains but rather the quality and safety of a strain in a product. It’s also vital to know how strains interact when blended - some can cancel one another out, for example. Therefore, it is important to use the same level of diligence reviewing blends as it is reviewing a single strain.

• Has the specific blend been studied?
• Are there any possible interactions among a products’ different strains?
• Does the product containing the blend use the exact same number of CFU per strain that is documented in the studies?
• Is the blend guaranteed to provide the documented number of cells at the end of shelf life?
• Does each strain in the blend have GRAS affirmations and related safety data?
• And finally, does the manufacturer have a validated method to test each strain for inclusion, viability and shelf-life guarantees?

One strain of Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086, marketed as GanedenBC³⁰, is prominent in probiotic research and used in many products. GanedenBC³⁰ is a well-studied, safe, and promising probiotic strain.

References:

Understanding Probiotic Health Benefit Claims White Paper by Ganeden BC.

http://ift.tt/2tAJJpd

http://ift.tt/2t1mcRg

David, Lawrence A., et al. "Diet Rapidly and Reproducibly Alters the Human Gut Microbiome." Nature 505.7484 (2014): 559-563.

Nyangale, Edna P., et al. "Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 modulates Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in older men and women." The Journal of Nutrition 145.7 (2015): 1446-1452.

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. 

The post Gut Health 101: How to Choose The Right Probiotics appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tAXZ1l
via IFTTT

We have the ONE piece you need > Shop the Profile by Gottex...

We have the ONE piece you need > Shop the Profile by Gottex Sex on the Beach High Neck One Piece #bestswimwear http://ift.tt/2tUuQgZ

from The BestSwimwear Blog http://ift.tt/2swsIy4
via IFTTT

This App That Tracks Your Cycle Might Just Change Your Life

What if we could better predict when we'll be feeling social, introverted, productive or emotionally depleted all based on our monthly hormonal cycle? We feel like we're close to cracking the code since trying the app by female health pro Alisa Vitti who intends for us to do just that.

Learning about how our hormones shift throughout the month is like obtaining a cheat sheet for all our most subtle (yet significant) needs. Vitti's app MyFLO let's us track our cycles, note symptoms throughout the month and learn what's happening to our bodies in real time - and how we can adjust.

We've been surprised by how much we've gained from using Vitti's simple guidance day to day and asked her to share some basics with us here. It's not just about 'that time of the month'. There are four phases in every woman's monthly hormonal cycle. Learn how to benefit from understanding each... 

One of the biggest myths I find myself busting every day is the notion that periods are nothing more than a monthly inconvenience. Nothing could be further from the truth, and I’ve literally made it my business to debunk that commonly held belief. Not only should your flow be a symptom-free experience, but it should be one of four monthly phases that gives you crucial clues about your overall health.

Don’t believe me? Even the the American Council of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) agrees that your period is as important as your breathing rate and blood pressure in the big picture of your well-being, and that’s why they now consider it a fifth vital sign. That means menstruation matters — a lot.

So many of us are taught that our periods are problems that primarily affect our lady parts. But in reality, understanding your monthly cycle is your ticket to synchronizing your entire life for optimal success in all areas. If you know what’s happening with your hormones all month long, and you have the tools to support your endocrine system, you can plan everything in your life — from food to exercise to career moves — to complement your natural rhythms, eliminate symptoms and be the absolute best you can be. Who wouldn’t want that?

Your menstrual cycle has a profound impact on your mental state — that’s a fact. If you honor your natural hormonal fluctuations during each phase, you can take advantage of your body’s innate wisdom and capitalize on the shifts to make better decisions, strengthen your relationships and achieve more in life. But if you’re like so many women out there, you’re not just out of touch with your natural fluctuations, you’ve completely disconnected from them because your hormones are seriously out of balance. This can happen for so many reasons, from dietary choices to environmental influences and more. But the great news is you can start healing this imbalance right away by learning to eat and live in a way that restores hormonal harmony.

One way to achieve harmony is to start diligently tracking any aches, pains, mood swings, etc. I call this cycle synching, a powerful practice that involves eating, exercising and living in a way that makes perfect sense for your body.

Here’s a sneak peek of the cognitive changes you can expect from phase to phase so you can start tuning into these powerful shifts ASAP:

The follicular phase
(the week after your period ends)

During this week, your estrogen levels will rise, making you more adept at conquering fresh ventures. Start new projects, make new plans and get excited to tackle new challenges. To gain the extra energy you’ll need to power through, be sure to eat healthy, get enough exercise and prioritize your sleep.

The ovulation phase
(mid-cycle for 3-5 days)

Feeling like a rock star? You should! Your estrogen is the highest it’s gonna get all month during the ovulation phase, and this means you’re biologically at the most fertile point of your cycle. When your hormones are balanced, this is the time that you’ll feel super confident, attractive and articulate. Use this time to be social and really put yourself out there.

The luteal/premenstrual phase
(10-12 days before your period starts)

Here’s where you switch gears from being uber-social to getting ultra-organized. Your progesterone is now at its highest point, and you’ll probably feel drawn to detail-oriented tasks. Channel your energy into those more mindful goals and save any unnecessary extroversion for another time.

The menstruation phase
(the 4-7 days of your period)

When it’s time for your period, all your hormones dip to their lowest levels. You shouldn’t be in pain or agony (if you are, that means you have a lot more work to do in healing your hormones and restoring balance), but you might feel extra introspective. It’s a great time to reflect on the events of the month and start setting goals for your next cycle. Rest up and prepare to do it all again!

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. 

The post This App That Tracks Your Cycle Might Just Change Your Life appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2rYCghz
via IFTTT

Snack Attack: How To Make These Gut Healthy Gummies

Don't let these adorable gummies from integrative nutritionist (and snack master), Jennie Miremadi fool you. They may look like candy, but they're refined-sugar free and packed with healing, whole food nutrition. Looking for a food project for a summer Satuday morning? These healthy gummies are the perfect pick...

These coconut nectarine summer gummies are going to be your favorite summer snack! They’re made with whole, natural ingredients, including nectarines, which are rich in beta-carotene and a good source of fiber. They’ve also got healthy fat from coconut milk, and they’re loaded with protein-rich, gut-health boosting, grass-fed beef gelatin. These yummy gummies are simple to prep and make a fun and delicious treat!

The post Snack Attack: How To Make These Gut Healthy Gummies appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2rYf0R6
via IFTTT

5 Ways to Get More Collagen in Your Diet + Why You Should

Health and beauty obsessees are on a collective collagen kick. There are tons of collagen-powered products hitting the shelves in response to the trend. There is also an increasing amount of questions floating around about it too. Is all collagen the same? Should we be taking it in supplement or food form? Does the stuff even work?!

We've asked functional medicine pro, Dr. Josh Axe, to give us the low-down. Here's your definitive guide to collagen, including the best sources to take for major full-body benefits...

The word collagen comes from the Greek word kolla meaning glue. This makes perfect sense. Collagen is literally the substance that holds us together. It reduces joint pain, to helping heal a leaky gut, to strengthening teeth and nails. And, most notably, collagen plays an important role in the health of our skin. You can thank this gelatin-like substance for your skin’s elasticity and firmness. It also helps your body’s ability to efficiently repair and replace old skin cells.

There are over 15 different kinds of collagen in the human body. Approximately 80 to 90 percent is either type I, type II or type III. Types I and III are found mainly in the skin, organs, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Type II collagen primarily helps to build cartilage, which is key to joint health. Unfortunately though, aging triggers a natural decline in collagen production, and we can also lose collagen due a high sugar diet, hormonal changes, drugs, alcohol, hydrogenated oils, overwork, radiation, fluoridated water, excess sun, nutritional deficits, dehydration, stress and trauma.

The good news is that we can fight the effects of aging and less-than-ideal lifestyle factors by making collagen a regular part of our wellness routines. And while there are plenty of topical beauty products out there claiming to be collagen dream creams, the best and most effective approach to boosting your collagen levels is to up your internal intake.

Here are some of my favorite ways to do just that:

Bone Broth

While collagen food sources exist, it can be hard to consume the parts of the animals where the collagen is most concentrated (i.e. the bones and cartilage). High-quality bone broth - made from chicken, beef or fish and preferably homemade - alleviates that issue by drawing collagen from the animal bones directly into the rich, golden broth.

Not only can bone broth’s collagen content improve the appearance of skin (even reducing cellulite for some), it’s also known to help restore the integrity of the gut lining. And it’s the source of bone broth’s immune-boosting properties too. So before you discard that jiggling layer atop your homemade broth, think again. This is the good stuff that contains the collagen and provides many of bone broth’s available benefits. And if you want to accelerate the health-boosting effects of bone broth, consider a bone-broth fast. Learn more about the benefits of bone broth here!

Bone-Broth Protein Powder

Homemade bone broth is awesome. However, not everyone has time for the hours of simmering that go into a really tasty and nutrient-dense broth. So if time isn’t on your side — or you’re just looking for an easier way to get collagen in your diet on a daily basis — bone-broth protein powder has you covered. Like other powdered health supplements, bone-broth protein powder blends easily into shakes and smoothies. Alternately, you can simply add some hot water to the powder and create a completely effortless, yet collagen-rich, broth. It's perfect for sipping, adding to soups or even cooking rice or quinoa.

Bovine Collagen

Bovine collagen is also called bovine cartilage or beef collagen and it’s a naturally-occurring protein found in the cartilage, bones and hides of cows. This type of collagen is very similar to what we have in our bodies and provides a healthy dose of type I and type III collagen.

Since cartilage, bones and hides of cows are not likely to show up on your dinner plate, the next best thing is to find a high-quality, grass-fed bovine collagen supplement — which can be easily consumed in pill or powder form.

Marine Collagen

If you prefer a marine-based source of collagen, fish collagen supplements are another option. Hydrolyzed fish collagen is composed of small, low molecular-weight peptides. These are easily digested, absorbed and distributed by the human body. Research has shown that hydrolyzed collagen is a smart choice in the daily struggle to ward off the visible signs of aging. Choose a supplement that is sustainably sourced from wild-caught fish.

Vitamin C-rich foods

Obviously, citrus fruits like oranges and lemons don’t contain collagen. However, their high vitamin-C content makes them a key part of a collagen-boosting diet. This is because consuming vitamin C-rich foods promotes collagen formation.

Similar to collagen, the skin’s content of vitamin C declines with aging as well as exposure to UV light and pollutants. And because vitamin C is high in antioxidants and a key factor in collagen synthesis, it’s important to consume more of these foods if you want to optimize collagen production and decrease the visible signs of aging.

Do you supplement with collagen? Have you seen the benefits? Tell us in the comments below!

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. 

The post 5 Ways to Get More Collagen in Your Diet + Why You Should appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2rYkviM
via IFTTT

Boxed water is better so is the new black fade High Key Sunnies...

Boxed water is better so is the new black fade High Key Sunnies & Shadow Palm L Space Bikini #bestswimwear #boxedwater #lspaceswim #quayaustralia http://ift.tt/2sVNGIe

from The BestSwimwear Blog http://ift.tt/2rXeaEd
via IFTTT

TCMxVogue Series: Living Well With Eyeswoon’s Athena Calderone

I swoon, you swoon, we all swoon for Athena Calderone's elegant dinner parties, beautiful whole food recipes and stunning design aesthetic. The interior designer, mama and maker of lifestyle blog, EyeSwoon knows how to turn the standard into the extraordinary.

A true tastemaker, Athena has collaborates with designers, cooks and creatives to make every day objects and events a feast for the eyes. We think that's what wellness is at its core: being in love with your life and moving through it in your own inspired way.

Celebrating Vogue's 125 anniversary and their collab with Pressed Juicery, we're chatting with a few favorite figures who blend fashion, beauty and health into every element of their lives. We asked Athena to join the series, and her day-to-day habits are every bit as elegant, aspirational and balanced as we would expect. [olists num=1]

Want more of Athena? Get to know this blogger goddess here!

The post TCMxVogue Series: Living Well With Eyeswoon’s Athena Calderone appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tsDDYa
via IFTTT

6 Easy Pieces for the Ultimate Summer Yoga Wardrobe

Summer has us feeling light, breezy and all-in for a workout that matches our vibe. Whether you're hitting the mat morning and night, or just lounging in leggings and beaming that yogi chillness, we've got a yoga wardrobe with your name on it.

Today is June 21st, International Yoga Day. We're celebrating with a few downward dogs once off the clock and maybe a little light shopping along the lines of the below...

Electric & Rose Chevron Print Leggings | No yoga wardrobe is complete without a wide array of leggings. We've been wearing out our Electric & Rose chevron prints for years and just can't stop.  CHECKOUT

Electric & Rose Reef Stretch-Cotton Jersey Sports Bra | We've been crushing hard on this twist front bra top from the same brand. The available colors are all gorgeous and subtle. The fit is ultra-flattering!  CHECKOUT

Spiritual Gangster Namaste Rainbow Studio Tank | If you've already overdosed on black and white pun T shirts this one will let you stick to your comfort zone, but mix it up a bit. We love the vintage-like print and color. Light and comfortable, this tank is perfect for flowing through vinyasa after vinyasa. CHECKOUT

Free People Twist and Shout Tee | But ARE you the coolest girl in your Bikram class? Maybe you don't love rocking the bra-only look in hot yoga, but find a T to get in the way. This little tee is your perfect solution.  CHECKOUT

Black + Blum Glass Water Bottle with Charcoal Filter | Go ahead and be cutting edge in your speed flow class. Think cooling thoughts, stay hydrated and carry this chic af bottle with it's own charcoal water filter. CHECKOUT

Arete Complete July Bones Yoga Mat Towel | Summer can mean that hot yoga happens more than we intend. Try a light mat towel to keep yourself from turning to a sweaty mess before the end of class. Shavasana can't come soon enough with this adorable mat towel waiting to be laid upon. CHECKOUT

The post 6 Easy Pieces for the Ultimate Summer Yoga Wardrobe appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2sSzQGg
via IFTTT

These Stunning Layered Smoothies Got Us Like Whoa

Smoothies are usually beautiful even when they're plain. But add the artful attention of a design blogger or two and now you've got something next level.

Try the adorable food styling trick we're seeing everywhere in the smoothie-o-sphere by laying sliced fruit into the side of your glass before pouring. Here are a couple of stylish examples we love from bloggers and editors we adore...

, including over this adorable trend as seen  layered smoothies around town since DesignLoveFest partnered with Alison Wu to create two pretty pastel masterpieces below. We spotted the trend again at Cherrybombe Mag's jubilee in LA where they served strawberry rosewater smoothies with an adorable cherry design.

Unfortunately, you can't take a sip off the screen, but can feast your eyes on a few of our favorites....

How cool is Cherrybombe Mag? So cool. We adored these berry-as-cherry designs in smoothies at their Cherry Jubilee here in L.A. Strawberry rosewater smoothies were served with two slices of strawberries on the inside and a flash of Sharpie on the outside (of course!) These adorable smoothies were whipped up by The Jewels of New York and Anita's Yogurt - as delicious to sip on as they were pretty to ogle at. Learn how to make it here!

These modern pastel smoothies are otherwordly! Made in collab by DesignLoveFest and "smoothie artist" wellness blogger, Alison Wu, these colorful drinks are almost too pretty to drink. Almost...

Carefully sliced and laid into the side of the glass, these kiwis turn the layer smoothie look into a full on design experience. Nevermind the edible flowers, bee pollen, and coconut shavings. These  natural accents take an already luscious layered smoothie and turn it into a work of art! Which one is your fave?

Have skills with your post-blender works of art? Show them to us by tagging your social posts with #thechalkboardeats! 

The post These Stunning Layered Smoothies Got Us Like Whoa appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tsqZZ2
via IFTTT

SUMMER you’re finally here ☀️ 🙌 #bestswimwear...

SUMMER you’re finally here ☀️ 🙌 #bestswimwear http://ift.tt/2rNtxUy

from The BestSwimwear Blog http://ift.tt/2tpWSBz
via IFTTT

This Ayurvedic Spa Menu Is Blowing Our Minds

Of all the spa experiences we've ever tried in Los Angeles, Surya Spa has been the most incredible. Surya Spa, perched in a beautiful residence on the cliffs of the Palisades, has been the insider wellness babe's go-to spot for detoxifying Ayurvedic treatments for years.

Starting this week, and at every change of season throughout the year, Surya's Martha Soffer will be available for this indulgent menu of treatments below exclusively inside the super luxe Four Seasons Beverly Hills.

Offering their mind-blowing seven day Panchakarma Series, along with a series of morning and evening treatments that can be enjoyed on their own, we're not sure there's ever been a more dreamy collaboration on the spa front.

Martha is a world-renowned expert in Ayurveda, specifically the Panchakarma. This ancient traditional method of detoxification and rejuvenation is essentially the most luxurious detox you could ever dream of. While the panchakarma diet usually entails a light diet of kitchari, herbal teas and little else, you'll barely have time to miss any richer meals while enjoying hours of massage given two practitioners at a time with custom blended oils and herbs. Each panchakarma experience is different, depending on personal needs and can include saunas, steams, hand and foot treatments and even colonics.

The full panchakarma experience in this case is pricey - over $5,000 including meals. We'd say it's an incredible investment in vital health, but if the price tag sounds too steep, check out the below menu of morning treatments available a la carte. Emotional cooling? Deep love and deep sleep? Sign us up!

ONE-WEEK PANCHAKARMA SERIES|Total Transformation: Panchakarma is a nourishing, detoxifying and restorative series of therapies that last four hours a day, for seven consecutive days. Two therapists work in synchrony on each guest, with each treatment, along with each guest’s oils, custom designed to rejuvenate and address specific healing needs. These transformative therapies of Panchakamra leave each guest in a enhanced state of health and wellbeing that carries on for many days and weeks. Ayurvedic lunch and dinner are also provided.

ABHYANGA + SHIRODHARA|Nourish & Restore: Abhyanga is a rejuvenating four-handed warm herbal-oil massage designed to nourish your body, open natural energy channels and restore a lasting and youthful glow to your skin. This truly luxurious full-body therapy is followed by a Shirodara, a treatment in which herbalized oil infusions are poured in a gentle, flowing stream over your forehead. Deeply relaxing and restorative, this healing treatment dissolves stress, calms the nervous system and brings warm peace and contentment.

UDVARTANA |Radiant Energy: An energizing four-handed treatment with warm, herbalized oil, followed by an invigorating full-body ayurvedic scrub made of healing herbs, green coffee and sesame oil. An Udvartana promotes weight loss, increases circulation and charges your system with natural energy.

PINDA SWEDANA|Emotional Cooling: Pinda Swedana is a soothing treatment in which four oil-soaked muslin pouches — filled with organic herbs, flowers and milled grain — are massaged by two therapists over your entire body. This therapy rejuvenates muscle tissues, improves circulation and cools excess heat from body and emotions, creating a state of poise and balance.

FULL NASYA|Elevated Vitality: Nasya is an invigorating and clearing therapy that focuses on face, neck and shoulders. Purifying and heavenly at this same time, a Nasya relieves tension with herbalized oils, ancient massage and traditional ayurvedic wood and bone tools. A cleansing aromatic steam helps open sinuses, clear the mind and leave your physiology in a state of enhanced vitality.

ABHYANGA + CHAKRA LIGHT BALANCING|Lights & Bliss: The rejuvenating and nourishing four-handed herbal-oil massage of the Abhyanaga is here followed by traditional ayurvedic color therapy, using the famous light tables of João de Deus from Brazil. Combined with a soothing guided meditation focused on, according to your preference, issues such as your health, karmic situation, relationships or even your spirituality. A profound and transforming experience.

MARMAS + DHARAS + PICHUS|Deep Love & Deep Sleep: Marmas, Dharas and Pichus are gentle ayurvedic therapies that enliven secret ayurvedic energy points through the sense of touch, fragrance, herbalized poultices and customized wells of healing oils, melting you into your own physiology until a sense of love and bliss fills your awareness. These therapies remove accumulated stress so completely that a deep peace settles over you, preparing you for a night of refreshing and even heavenly sleep.

Have you ever done a Panchakarma or other Ayurvedic detox treatments? What was your experience?
Learn more about Ayurveda here. 

The post This Ayurvedic Spa Menu Is Blowing Our Minds appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tnDRQ7
via IFTTT

Why We’re Reading The New Book By Jessica Alba’s Nutritionist

We love long-time contributor Kelly LeVeque, a holistic nutritionist who really aces the ‘holistic’ part of her practice. This summer, Kelly's first book Body Love launches and we're happy to see that some of her celeb clients are as stoked on Kelly's style of clean eating as we are!

Super-client Jessica Alba penned the forward to Body Love and we're sharing her compelling story of working with Kelly -- fluctuating body image and diet overwhelm included.

Enter to win your own copy of Kelly's book below and check out a few of our favorite pieces from Kelly here, including her key philosophy on the 'Fab Four'.

The desire to live the healthiest, most sustainable life that I could is what led me to challenge the status quo and start The Honest Company. And when I met Kelly, I knew I had found a kindred spirit. We connected in 2015, at a time when I was struggling with a few health issues (inflammation being one of them) and just not feeling my best. And, like most women, I wanted to drop a few pounds. Los Angeles has no shortage of nutritionists, health gurus, and wellness experts, but Kelly had worked wonders for one of my best friends, so instinct told me that she was special.

During our first meeting, I peppered Kelly with all sorts of questions (it's who I am, I want to know why) and quickly realized we were operating on the same wavelength. She's a geek for the science behind what we eat and the products we use, just like me. And as we dug through my pantry, dissected my typical grocery list and went through a "day-in-the-life" of what I was eating, she explained things in clear, simple terms, armed me with practical advice, and infused me with a renewed sense of confidence. It's one of the best things about Kelly: she sets you up for self-sustaining success.

Naturally, when I heard she was putting her knowlege and her approach into a book, I was thrilled. Not only because I've had such incredible results working with her, but because I believe in who she is, what she does, and how she does it. She's passionate about her work, dedicated to helping others, conscientious of different lifestyles and always, always, always a spark of positive energy in my life.And Body Love as a title? Killer. How many of us fall out of love with out bodies, our curves and even ourselves? Believe me, as an actress, I've felt the pressure we all feel (times a thousand) to be this weight or that jean size of have those legs. Sorry, but I don't like trying to fit some idealized notion of "perfection". I like me. My husband, Cash, likes me. And the funny thing is, once Kelly helped me let go of that pressure, the results I wanted -- for me -- came quickly and naturally (eleven inches in about six weeks!). It's amazing what a little knowlege, confidence, and body love can do.

At the heart of it, Kelly's approach aligns perfectly with my personal philosophy on food and nutrition. I call it honest eating, but really, it's just about eating clean, organic, and nutrient-dense food. What really clicked for me: Her simple explanation of the science behind it all -- how the right amount of macro-nutrients (her "Fab Four") on my plate or in my smoothie will balance my blood sugar and hunger hormones. I also love what her approach isn't -- it's not about rules, calorie counting, or bland, boring food.

Case in point: I like eating whatever I want (literally, whatever) one day a week. When I mentioned this to Kelly, she didn't judge or lecture me. There wasn't even the slightest bit of guilt. She just smiled and said, "I got you, girl, this isn't all or nothing." It was so refreshing and empowering to hear. Kelly gets it. She's a woman, she's been there, and she's got you, too.

XO Jessica Alba

 

win A Copy of Body Love!
One lucky reader will win their own copy of Body Love by Kelly LeVeque.
Enter to win by leaving us your email in the entry box below!

This giveaway closes July 3rd at 5pm PST and is open to residents of the continental US only.

The post Why We’re Reading The New Book By Jessica Alba’s Nutritionist appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tnAngB
via IFTTT

Take A Peek Inside The Noma Pop-Up In Tulum, Mexico

What happens when one of the most artful, acclaimed restaurants in the world plops their famed culinary experiences into the middle of a jungle? Bliss on earth, obviously. Noma, Chef Rene Redzepi's Copenhagen-based gem, popped up for just a short time in Tulum, Mexico recently and, although it was controversially expensive, reservations at one of their exotic tables was one of the most coveted tickets of the year.

L.A. foodies and co-owners of one of our favorite beach-side dining rooms, Chez Tex, Jesse “Tex” Feldman and Hayley M. Feldman are fortunate to have been able to visit both locations - Copenhagen and Tulum - and we asked Hayley to share her food diary with us. Since we're hooked on the Chez Tex's artful Cali-French cuisine, we knew we could trust this savvy couple to tell us the kind of delicious details we were looking for...

At nine months pregnant, I arose on a cool, December morning. I strategically organized my computer, my iPad and my husband’s laptop like the holy trifecta before me; prepared to secure a coveted dinner reservation. It had been nearly two years since our first experience at Noma in Copenhagen and now I was vying to dine again with one of the world’s greatest chefs. In California, it was all going down at 7 a.m.

There is something to be said about the journey to Denmark’s most famous restaurant. The sheer remoteness of it all; the preposterousness of flying to a country simply for one fantastic meal. I remember descending into a dense fog in December of 2014. I had never even been to Scandinavia before. My husband and I dined there (along with 12 other strangers at a communal table) to celebrate my 30th birthday. It was the most enlightening dining experience of my life. In Copenhagen, our fellow diners were from Stockholm, Hong Kong, and New York. I remember feeling cheated to discover that two of the guests were also from Los Angeles. The point being, that a large part of the Noma appeal, is traveling a great distance to experience something wonderful.

This time, the setting was different. A seven-week pop-up in the jungle of Tulum would cater to approximately 7,000 guests from around the world.

THE FOOD: Noma Tulum may be the most Instagrammed food in recent years. Hoping to preserve the element of surprise, I avoided photos like the plague. Once it was my turn to dine, I snapped every last dish in all shades of light. The meal in Tulum opened your palate with each turn of the plate. Heat played an omnipresent role throughout (the starkest contrast from Copenhagen). Glorious, strange fruits and flowers adorned nearly every plate. Similar to Copenhagen (and true to Mr. Redzepi’s calling card), you were expected to eat bugs. The ants in Copenhagen topped a bit of beef and exploded with a citrus flavor in your mouth. The ant eggs (“Mexican Caviar”) on a tostada in Mexico were reminiscent of something more earthen and nutty.

THE DESIGN: The environment was just as relevant as the food, in both restaurants. There was no forgetting that you were in the jungle, in Tulum. Sand covered the floors, because, you’re outside. Tropical trees shrouded you from the vantage point of other guests. Citronella candles capped each table so that you weren’t eaten alive by mosquitos. By the end of the meal, you certainly felt like kicking your shoes off. Although both restaurants were “informally fancy.” Copenhagen felt chic and official. Housed in an industrial building by the water; elegant, moody colors were disrupted with the texture of lambskin throws. In Tulum, it felt like we were joining the Noma crew on vacation; and in some ways, we probably were.

THE EXPERIENCE: When I checked in at Noma Tulum, an Australian man named James greeted me. He remembered me from Copenhagen, two years prior. This is the sort of attention to detail that Noma is adept at creating, wherever they roam.

Overall, comparing the two is like drawing similarities between two siblings. They may have the same parents, but their underpinning makes them unique. Mr. Redzepi and the Noma team have respected the individuality of Tulum and Copenhagen, while finding inspiration to share with us all in return.

The post Take A Peek Inside The Noma Pop-Up In Tulum, Mexico appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2tnuoIx
via IFTTT