Nadine Levy Redzepi On Portuguese Pomegranates + Cooking From The Heart

When you share a home kitchen with one of the best chefs in the world, you learn to hold your own. No one knows this better than Nadine Levy Redzepi, whose husband is Danish culinary innovator, René Redzepi of Noma fame. While his hyper-local food tends to impress even the most jaded foodie, it's her cooking drawing our attention this spring.

Nadine's debut cookbook, Downtime: Deliciousness At Home, is a recipe capsule of her cozy and intuitive cooking style. While on maternity leave from Noma -- where she met her hub -- Nadine started posting photos of her homecooked meals on Instagram. The habit turned into a hobby and eventually a beautifully-bound compilation of recipes, including everything from a chicken curry inspired by her mother's to a frozen avocado cake.

While normally it's René in the spotlight, in the 2018 Netflix series, Ugly Delicious, we're invited into the Redzepi's home kitchen in Copenhagen where Nadine is the one running the show. The episode gives us a taste of her talent, painting an intimate portrait of her passion for food and the connection it can facilitate. We can't help but feel inspired -- discover why with Nadine's answers to our In The Kitchen interview... [olists num=1]

Explore our full In The Kitchen series here.

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Seaweed Is a Veggie Too – Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Neglect It

Seaweed isn't just for sushi. This oceanic plant, of which there are versatile species, is saturated with minerals our bodies want and need and is easier than one might think to integrate into our regular diets. Explore the health benefits of seaweed and bookmark this nourishing broth recipe from functional medicine and wellness expert, Dr. Mark Hyman's new book, Food: What The Heck Should I Eat?...

You probably ignore seaweed when you think of vegetables. But that’s a mistake. As the Japanese know, it’s one of the most nutrient-rich foods you can eat, containing minerals that are hard to come by in the American diet, like manganese and thyroid-boosting iodine. Seaweed is rich in vitamin C and iron. It fights cancer and inflammation and strengthens the immune system. It contains important nutrients and antioxidants not found in land vegetables. So, if the only time you eat seaweed is when you’re having sushi then you’re missing out.

The most common varieties of seaweed in the United States are wakame, kombu and nori. I recommend using them in salads, stews and soups. One of my favorite recipes is my Ultrabroth, which I make with chopped radishes, greens, cilantro, carrots, celery, fresh ginger and seaweed. Or you can just munch on seaweed as a snack. Many health food stores sell packs of roasted and lightly salted or flavored seaweed. It beats potato chips! Stay away from hijiki, though -- it contains high levels of arsenic.

This UltraBroth recipe is one of my favorite recipes featuring seaweed. It is a delicious way to get many healing nutrients and alkalinize your system. Enjoy! [olists num=1]

Learn to make these seaweed chips for a simple and nourishing snack.

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The Crazy Turmeric Tonic People Are Drinking in Bali

Jamu is a traditional Indonesian herbal drink that's said to promote inner and outer health and beauty -- and we believe it; the ingredients just don't lie. The simple recipe, which includes turmeric and ginger root, honey and sometimes tamarind, has been passed down from generation to generation for over 1,300 years and boasts some major health benefits, earning itself a local reputation as a 'cure-all' elixir.

Jamu only recently landed on our radar thanks to the new season of Chef's Table, in which former NYC pastry chef, Will Goldfarb retreats from the Big Apple to the off-the-grid lifestyle of Bali and gets hooked on the golden elixir. Goldfarb's time in Bali exposes him to a variety of exotic culinary traditions, many of which use food to heal - including jamu. He now preps a daily jug of the stuff which had us drooling for a stockpile of our own.

The healing potential of turmeric is no new news to the wellness obsessed. We regularly take shots of the stuff to reduce inflammation, improve digestion and enhance immunity -- these minis from Pressed Juicery are some of our faves. After hearing that people in Bali are tossing back glassfuls of the juice we just sip out of shot glasses, we were intrigued. We'll be trying the stuff all spring. Want in? Here's the simple recipe... [olists num=1]

Love turmeric? Learn to make the perfect golden milk latte here.

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The Truth About BMI: Is The Body Mass Index Messing With Your Mind?

The Body mass index (BMI) is an estimated measure of body fat based on weight in relation to height. The problem with this method is that the BMI formula doesn't take muscle mass into consideration. That means even if you're as lean as the chicken breast you dine on daily, but have built up a substantial amount of muscle because #fitlife, you might still be categorized as obese -- and that's neither accurate nor fair.

Doctors have used this measure to help guide their patients to better health for decades. Mindfulness-based eating disorder expert, Cori Rosenthal, is sharing the other side of the story of our BMI and offers a more emotionally-balanced way to manage body image.

If you're in LA, be sure to join Cori and a handful of other mind-body experts at an upcoming event hosted by mindfulness app, Evenflow, where we'll explore ways to reclaim a mindful relationship with food and your body. Scroll down for details!

What's The Deal With BMI?
When you go to the doctor, you are weighed to determine your body mass index (BMI) and then immediately divided into one of four categories: underweight, healthy, overweight or obese.

Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet originally developed the BMI formula in the 1830s. The purpose was to determine obesity in the general population and help the government allocate resources. It was never intended as a measure of individual health. It does not take into account proportions of muscle and fat, nor does it account for bone density, age, body type or ethnicity. Because of this, it’s actually possible to be a celebrity and athlete like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and be labeled as obese.

While I doubt very much Dwayne Johnson is all that bothered by this classification, it can be very different for the general public. This faulty information only feeds into an atmosphere of fatphobia and body shaming that adversely affects us no matter what our size. Even more confusing is that authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institute for Health still support the use of the BMI method despite multiple sources questioning its validity.

Why is BMI Problematic?In light of this, it becomes evident that gauging health by your BMI reinforces the diet culture and can be incredibly misleading. When a patient's BMI is above normal, they are usually given recommendations for a diet. This would make sense if dieting for the purposes of weight loss were an effective solution.

According to statistics from the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) 95% of dieters will regain their weight within one to five years. For most people, dieting is something they must do repeatedly, so much so that January has been declared national diet month. Unfortunately, chronic dieting has many physical and psychological consequences, even if one does not develop an eating disorder.

Psychologically, studies have shown chronic dieting can cause a preoccupation with food, distractibility and irritability and can lead to overeating and even binging. According to Linda Bacon’s book, Body Respect, when we diet, our bodies read this behavior as if we are experiencing a famine. During times of famine, our bodies naturally slow down for survival and store extra fat as soon as possible. Consequently, dieting becomes one of the biggest determinants of long-term weight gain.

What's A Better Approach?

As a psychotherapist, mindfulness and mindful-eating educator, my preference is to throw away the scale and focus on tuning into internal cues about when to eat, what to eat and how much to eat. I work with clients to overcome distressing behaviors around food such as obsessive thoughts and binging. For body-image challenges, it is important to become aware of hypercritical self-talk that can undermine one’s self-confidence and self-esteem and can lead to emotional overeating.

Mindfulness, mindful eating and self-compassion are powerful tools to create a healthy relationship with food and your body. Becoming aware of your emotions and offering yourself compassion in the face of difficult emotions and adhering to your internal cues for hunger and satiety can change your relationship with food, your body and yourself. [olists num=1]

Learn about intuitive eating to cultivate a more balanced relationship with food using these pro tips.

 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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At Home in Provence Shirin von Wulffen + Frederic Fekkai

The French word bastide means “a traditional country house in the south of France," one which is likely dolled up in dainty garden blooms that waltz in a fresh spring breeze fragranced by butter (because, France) and homemade ratatouille - or so we would imagine. Bastide is also the name of the non-toxic, natural heritage beauty brand from beauty guru Frédéric Fekkai and his wife, fashion veteran Shirin von Wulffen.

Originally founded 25-years ago in Frederic’s hometown of Aix-en-Provence, Bastide has taken on a new (highly stylish) identity since Frédéric and Shirin acquired and re-booted the brand. This likely has much to do with Shirin's influence and the aesthetic sensibility she's developed through years of working in fashion and beauty. First as a PR pro, then as a fashion director and brand consultant, Shirin has worked alongside such illustrious brands as YSL and Tom Ford.

Bastide is the couple's love letter to life in Provence, directly inspired by their healthy, seasonal way of eating and living in the Mediterranean paradise that is their own personal bastide. We asked Sharon to paint a picture of what it looks like to live well in Provance and we're swooning over every fairy-dusted detail, most of which brings us right back to the kitchen... [olists num=1][olists num=2]

 

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In Her Closet: AYR’s Jac Cameron on Smart People + Ugly Sneakers

'All Year Round', better known as AYR, is NYC-based and female-founded. Aiming to be the antidote to fast-fashion, AYR's sustainable mission spot-on line of easy to wear women's pieces has earned the love of famously-fashionable ladies like Karlie Kloss, Leandra Medine and Chrissy Teigen.

AYR's creative director, Jac Cameron co-founded AYR with Max Bonbrest and Maggie Winter with the intention of creating a more functional label, one with runway-ready style standards suited for everyday wear - hence the name all year round. We fell in love with the brand straight away after a visit to their Abbot Kinney pop-up.

Follow along as Jac talks with us about all things style and sustainability for our fave fashion series, In Her Closet, including essentials for a clean look and the stylish grandmother inspiring her lately... [olists num=1]

Discover more sustainable fashion insight and inspo with our In Her Closet series here. 

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Is Your Skincare Basically Junk Food For Your Skin?

There are foods that you pick up from the farmer's market and there are foods that you order from a drive thru. You know the difference.

Similarly, there are beauty products in your stash that are squeeky clean - and probably a few of what True Botanicals' Hillary Peterson calls "skincare junk food". We love the comparison - it couldn't be more true, and we relate instantly. Before you run off and toss your latest lotion, check out this guide from the founder of one of our favorite luxury botanical skincare brands, True Botanicals...

Are you feeding your skin junk food?If you’re putting empty, non-nourishing, toxic ingredients on your skin, you’re feeding your skin junk food. What you put on your skin is feeding your skin. And because what you put on your skin can end up in your bloodstream, that junk food gets into your body as well.

We’re not opposed to junk food altogether -- there’s a time and a place for french fries. But both our nutritional diets and our skincare diets must be nourishing in order to be meaningful and effective. Some common empty ingredients in skincare? Dimethicone and glycerin. If these are high up on the ingredients list, your money is likely better spent elsewhere.

The trouble with beauty labels...

In skincare, a label that reads “natural” isn’t enough to show that a product is safe. The most important standards for the products we use is that they are safe for both people and the planet. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to understand which ones are.

The lack of regulation in our industry means that not all ingredients must be listed on a product. Hidden sub-ingredients, like preservatives for extracts and toxins in fragrance, are almost entirely missing on ingredient labels - even on products that are labeled natural and organic. We’ve been taught that seeing natural and organic on a label makes something healthy, but that isn’t enough when harmful chemicals can be hidden inside. The only way to know something is safe is to have it independently investigated and verified for non-toxicity. That’s what we do with MADE SAFE.

Three beauty shopping tricks you should know...Here are three great things to know when you shop for beauty products next time around. For our full list of ingredients to avoid, we created this graphic - screenshot it onto your phone and refer to it next time you're out and about.

Vitamin C oxidizes when it sits in water, losing its potency. | It only takes a few hours for vitamin C to lose its potency when it’s combined with water and, even with powerful preservatives, liquid vitamin C serums degrade over time through a process called oxidation. If you apply degraded vitamin C to your skin, you’re applying oxidants instead of antioxidants to your skin -- the opposite of what you want to do. Try this instead: True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster

“Fragrance” on an ingredient list often acts as a cloak for the harmful chemicals. | When you see “fragrance” on an ingredient list, consider it a red flag. Scent is considered proprietary information, so companies don’t have to disclose what’s in it, and most scent formulas include fixatives used to keep the scent around longer. The problem is that phthalates in the fixatives have been linked to reproductive disorders, endocrine disruption, allergies and breast cancer. We prefer whole essential oil blends instead.

Antioxidants are nature’s way of protecting our cells. | Part of living on Earth is being exposed to free radicals. We’re exposed to them every day through sun exposure, pollution and chemicals in our air and water. Free radicals wreak havoc on our skin and bodies, leading to everything from wrinkles and hyperpigmentation to cancer and cardiovascular disease. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing them from damaging our cells and spreading disease, which is one reason why fruits and vegetables, which are high in antioxidants, help prolong our health. It’s the same with our skin. To prolong skin health and vibrancy, skincare should be antioxidant-packed as well. Try this intead: True Botanicals Cellular Repair Serum

Check out this convenient list of beauty ingredients to avoid from True Botanicals.

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Gelcream Is A Vibe: Here’s Why We’re Crushing On The Beauty Instagrammer

Honest, Pretty and unpaid  -- what more could we want from a product review?

We've been crushing on Insta obsession, Gelcream, all year - the simple, unsponsored beauty product review account from Yana Sheptovetskaya, former fashion editor at Vogue Russia and part of the team at avant-garde fashion brand A.W.A.K.E.

Yana posted her first review less than two years ago, with the simple intention of documenting her personal obsession with beauty. Since then, her feed of stunning product images and real-life opinions has cultivated an organic following of over 50k, including many of our favorite digital tastemakers.

Here are a few reviews of our favorite clean beauty picks from Gelcream's feed...

Nuori Perfecting Facial Oil | "The most satisfying thing in this oil is the packaging: it has an unusually wide neck (can I say neck?) and this little detail makes me very excited. I want to keep it in the best spot in my bathroom. Inside — a major blend of oils, I am starting to notice that my skin enjoys oils but only occasionally, so i use this oil once a week in the evening. Also I read this about Nuori: they produce very small batches to insure their product is fresh and all ingredients are still active and products must be used within 6 months from purchase. This made me realize that i need to go through every bottle I own and check the expiration date😬 might be a very sad day for my beauty collection. $69 — 3,5/5. This photograph is part of my collaboration with @needsupply #gelcream_skincare#gelcream_oil #gelcream_nuori" CHECK OUT

Mio Skincare The Mio Body Brush | "Vol. 3 — Transparent Series. Natural dry brush to exfoliate, detoxify and stimulate circulation by Mio @mioskincare, $20 — I only wish I use it more often. #gc_body #gc_mio" CHECK OUT

KLORANE Smoothing and Relaxing Patches | "✨ #gelcream_travel Series Masks on the plane! I know many are confident enough to put a sheet mask on while on the plane and enjoy it. I can't, i still think it is a very personal procedure that should not be exposed to strangers. I do take sheet masks with me when I travel but this time I was more turned on eye patches and used classic moisturizing masks instead. Pictured above - patches by @kloraneusa, I tried them for the first time. In my head Klorane = hair products, so I was very excited to discover this. I used them almost daily and was very happy with the price+quality+result ratio. Pack of 7 pairs is $24 which I think is ok, and price is what stopped me from buying patches before, most of them I find ridiculously expensive. 💡 I would love to hear about your favorite eye masks, what I should try next? #gelcream_eyes #gelcream_mask#gelcream_travel" CHECK OUT

 

Rodin Red Hedy Lipstick | "Color Series -> @rodinoliolusso Lipstick, coolest packaging. I just want to own it, I don’t really care if it’s good or not - ever happened to you? Shot for @needsupply. #gelcream_makeup#gelcream_rodin #gelcream_lips" CHECK OUT

Smith & Cult Nail Polish | "@smithandcult — Nail Polish. Wow! Best application ever. And the brush is basic, I guess it's the formula/consistency. One of few brands that I can actually apply myself and be satisfied (and I am a very bad painter). It also stays for 4-5 days! My friends said I should try this and thank you, friend, you know who you are! The only downside is the price but it's worth it. $18 - 5/5. #gelcream_nails #gelcream_smithandcult #gctop20" CHECK OUT

Explore some of our all-time favorite natural beauty products here.

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The 12 Best Tips Ever From Celeb Nutritionist Kelly LeVeque

Celeb nutritionist Kelly LeVeque knows how to deliver practical nutrition advice that's science-backed and easy to apply, which is why her client list reads like casting for Hollywood's best new projects.

As one of our regular contributors for years and after the success of her debut book, Body Love, we decided to share our favorite learnings from the wellness pro over the years...

Our 12 Favorite Nutrition Tips From Kelly LeVeque

The Fab 4 Formula. Kelly' secret to nutritional balance without overthinking is her Fab 4 Formula, which focuses on having a balance of macronutrients at each meal to keep our bodies nourished, our cravings satisfied, and to balance blood sugar and prevent it from spiking. Learn about the philosophy here, then explore examples of healthy meals Kelly actually eats.

The Airport Smoothie. We'll never fly again without these genius nutrition tips from Kelly LeVeque, because staying healthy while traveling isn't so hard if you plan it right. Our favorite tip is to bring a single-serving packet of protein powder in our carry-on. Mix it in with an airport latte for an instant boost of nutrition. This pre-flight wellness kit will help keep your immunity up and your mood balanced. Discover even more of Kelly's tips for staying healthy while traveling here.

Party Smarter. Nothing is harder than keeping nutrition balanced during celebratory seasons, which is why we love these mindful pre-party tips and these healthy party food ideas. Dive in even deeper with our Holiday season helper: The Smart Girl's Guide: 10 Genius Ideas for a Healthier Holiday. 

Celebrity Wedding Prep Tips. We love this simple plan for feeling great - and looking even better - on the morning of your wedding day, which Kelly has used on countless celebrity clientele.

Supplement Thoughtfully. We can always trust Kelly LeVeque for her hardcore wellness knowledge and thoughtful sense of balance, so when she recommends a product we listen. Explore her daily supplement situation to inspire and perfect your own here.

It's All About Bioavailability. One of the most important and least discussed nutrition topics these days is bioavailability. Find out what you should know in addition to how you should adjust your shopping and cooking habits with this breakdown from Kelly.

Food Affects Our Hormones. We are what we eat. Therefore, if what you are is inexplicably moody, fatigued or blemish-y, a hormonal imbalance may be to blame. Rather than freaking out, find out which common foods you should nix from your diet here. Learn all about how to manage hunger hormones here.

Healthy Fats Are Essential. In a way, it feels counter-intuitive to load up on fats, but they can do amazing things for our health. Kelly taught us about consuming more healthy fats for stronger, glowier skin (learn about it here) and even introduced us to a cocktail recipe using "superfats" like MCT oil and algae oil (get the recipe).

Better Sleep matters. The secret to looking and feeling our absolute best is all comes down to the quality of our sleep. Learn to hack your circadian rhythm with sleep hygiene tips from Kelly here.

How To Make The Perfect Smoothie. Functional superfood smoothies are a staple in Kelly's program, which employs Kelly's Fab 4 formula. These recipes have a perfect balance of clean protein, healthy fat, natural fiber and greens to keep our bellies full and blood sugar up. Kelly's smoothies load up on functional ingredients and include very little fruit but taste like magic nonetheless. Check out our favorites:

Turmeric Lemon Smoothie

Sweet + Savory Basil Avocado Smoothie

Carrot Cake Smoothie

Dark Chocolate Crunch Smoothie

Coconut Creme Pie Smoothie

Fresh Mint + MCT Detox Smoothie

Turmeric, Curcumin + Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Collagen Banana Nut Bread SMoothie

Gingersnap Anti-Oxidant  Smoothie

'THE HAPPY SMOOTHIE' With Macuna Pruriens + Cylon Cinnamon

'THE IMMUNITY SMOOTHIE' With CRANBERRY, CHAGA + FERMENTED HERBS

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Shimmer & Shine in NEW Stardust by B. Swim #bestswimwear...

Shimmer & Shine in NEW Stardust by B. Swim #bestswimwear #dreamy #bswim https://ift.tt/2r00Ccq

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Here’s What A Full Day of Anti-Inflammatory Meals Looks Like

Integrative nutritionist Jennie Miremadi is sharing a full day of anti-inflammatory meals with us - snacks included. The anti-inflammatory diet is a preventative, body-balancing formula for eating well which we've explored in-depth on the site including this piece with Jennie. If you've been wanting to incorporate more foods that fight inflammation into your diet but wern't sure how to go about it, this menu will help you out... 

Now that you’re up to speed on the life changing potential of an anti-inflammatory diet, I want to show you how easy (and delicious) it is to eat this way. So, I’ve put together this day of anti-inflammatory meals for you to try! It not only includes anti-inflammatory foods in every meal and snack, it also excludes the common inflammation-triggering foods I remove in the main elimination diet I use with my clients. Try eating anti-inflammatory meals this way for a day and I think you’ll be hooked!

A Day of Anti-Inflammatory Meals

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A few snack ideas: walnuts; ½ cup of fresh organic berries; organic green olive snack pack; baked kale chips with extra-virgin olive oil

Discover tons of healthy snack recipes from Jennie here.

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Got Food Cravings? You Could Be Deficient In These Amino Acids

We were shocked to learn from The Craving Cure author, Julia Ross that certain chronic food cravings are directly correlated with deficiencies in specific amino acids. 

Take the quiz to determine which type of food cravings you have -- like, are you munching due to stress or is it fatigue? -- then read through below to get the full picture... 

Are you looking for a dietary solution that does not involve starvation, willpower or incarceration? If so, spend the next three minutes filling out The Food Craving Type Questionnaire. Your scores on this questionnaire will identify which of five types of food craving is keeping you trapped in unhealthy eating habits. Once you know exactly what kind of craving problem you’re up against, you can actually solve it with the help of a few appetite-regulating protein supplements called amino acids.

Most people find that, to get complete relief from all food cravings, they need to use individual amino supplement concentrates for a few months in addition to increasing the amount of amino-rich, high protein foods at least three times a day permanently.

As a clinic director working with food cravers for over 30 years, I’ve seen this questionnaire affect thousands of cravers and heard thousands of their amazed reports on the benefits of the amino acids that their questionnaire scores had indicated they needed. Before they try any aminos, of course, my virtual clinic’s staff always educates them about their particular craving type (or types) and makes sure that it is safe for them to take any aminos that seem to be indicated. But you won’t need our clinic’s help, because you can find all of this information in The Craving Cure.

Which Amino Acid Do You Need?

Type 1: Depressed or Anxious Cravers are deficient in the most famous of our natural appetite-controllers, the brain neurotransmitter serotonin. But serotonin lack and the cravings it causes can be remedied. You can promptly lose your afternoon or evening urges for sweets or starchy carbs by taking the nutrient needed to make more serotonin. This amino acid can be easily found as a supplement and comes in two forms: tryptophan or 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-tryptophan). CHECK OUT

Type 2: Crashed Cravers have scores indicating that their blood sugar levels are dropping too low, too often. This drives them to crave and consume sugar, too often. Type twos usually respond beautifully to an amino acid called glutamine. Glutamine can almost instantly restore optimal blood sugar balance to the brain and obliterate these hypoglycemic sweet cravings. CHECK OUT

Type 3: Comfort Cravers have the most common type of food craving. If your score here is high, your brain’s supply of endorphin, your natural source of enjoyment, reward and comfort is probably running too low. Comfort Cravers become dependent on the brief endorphin surge they can get from the drug-like effects of sugar, chocolate or baked goods. Fortunately, they can abolish such cravings with the help of an amino acid called D-phenylalanine. We call it DPA for short. DPA taken as a supplement can be found alone or in a form called DLPA (DL-phenylalanine). Either way, it produces a strong, natural sense of well-being without the “assistance” of ice cream, candy or bread. CHECK OUT

Type 4: Stressed Cravers' scores reveal that they eat badly or too much when they are tense or stressed. They’re typically lacking in GABA, our natural tranquilizer. Luckily for them, GABA is readily available as a supplement and it wipes out both stress and stress-caused cravings. CHECK OUT
Note: When GABA doesn’t work in one out of 10 cases, we’ve found that a different calming amino acid called theanine will. CHECK OUT

Type 5: Fatigued Cravers have become dependent on the energy boost they get from sweetened and caffeinated beverages or pure sugar. Their high scores in this fifth section of the questionnaire point them toward an amino acid supplement that fuels the energizing and rewarding functions of their brains naturally. Called tyrosine, it quickly produces good energy and focus. No more need for colas, lattes, iced tea or energy drinks loaded with fructose. CHECK OUT

As the cravings stop, it’s crucial to begin eating healthy foods, including lots of amino-rich protein, at least three times a day. After a few months of this, the amino supplements will typically no longer be needed.

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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Love It or Hate it: Orange Wine is Having A Moment

Orange wine, also known as skin-contact wine, is basically a natural white wine made like a red. It's often buttery, nutty and rich without being heavy, and takes on a golden hue that you wouldn't expect to find pouring out from a bottle of vino... and we can't keep the cork in this below-the-radar trend any longer.

As with all unexpectedly great things, the pro opinions are split: Helen Johannesen of Helen's Wines called orange wine 'the new rose' during our awesome panel with her (check it out!), while Bon Appetit's spunky wine editor and author, Marissa Ross, recently wrote a mini-manifesto against the orange wine trend.

We asked Brooke Matthias, wine director for Winc wine subscription service, to break down the trend for us in detail. Winc offers their own delicious raw and vegan version of skin-contact wine, Au-Delá Tocai Friulano. Here's why we'll be popping bottles of orange wine all spring...

What the heck is orange wine: Two words are important when it comes to describing orange wine: skin contact. For most white wines, the grapes go directly to the press, the juice is squeezed from them and then immediately separated from the skins. This means little color is extracted from the grape’s skins, which is where a wine's color comes from. For orange wines, the juice is kept with the grape skins for the entirety of fermentation and sometimes longer, until the ‘must’ (combination of juice and skins) is ready to be pressed. This process is the same process we use for making red wines, and applying that process to white grapes is how we get orange wine!

Why do you think it's having a moment? Rosé fatigue? I wouldn't say it is a result of rose fatigue, but if you’re a rosé fan, you will likely appreciate the dryness and high acidity of orange wines! I think orange wine is having a moment because we are seeing consumers become more and more adventurous. This is especially true for millennials - they have the most varied tastes of any wine drinkers in history and are most likely to experiment with new and unique varietals.

What's an average orange-wine tasting profile? With most orange wines, you can still expect to get some similar flavors that you’d find with white wines, like stone fruit, along with a plethora of secondary and tertiary flavors that have developed in the wine. These non-fruit flavors might include vanilla, caramel, nuttiness and herbal notes.

A younger orange wine may have more crispness and fruit flavors, while an older orange wine may have more oxidative characteristics. Depending on what sounds attractive to you, you can choose to try a wine that is a little older or new to the shelf. My advice is to approach orange wines with an open mind. Orange wine is typically made in small batches and there is a lot of variation depending on how much time the juice spent with the skins, what grape variety the wine is made from and how the wine was aged.

recommend any orange wines? Winc's Au-Delá Tocai Friulano is made from an Italian grape varietal that is rarely found in California and will suit white and red wine drinkers alike. Our Au-Delà Pinot Gris is made from 50% skin-contact pinot gris and 50% from traditionally made pinot gris, so it’s a bit brighter and has an incredible color to it.

Anything else you'd like us to know? Orange wines are very versatile for food pairings, because they can stand up to heartier dishes more than most whites can. Orange wine goes great with a range of meat dishes, but is always fun to try with flavorful cuisine like Indian.

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Inside Blake Lively’s Inspiring Post-Pregnancy Workouts

During Blake Lively's pregnancy with second daughter Ines Reynolds not long ago, she shared honestly about the sixty pound weight gain that accompanied her little bundle joy. In February, Lively shared this Instagram update on her postpartum fitness journey in which she lost all sixty one lbs working with her trainer, Don Saladino.

Blake wrote alongside the celebratory snap of her svelte bod: "Turns out you can’t lose the 61 lbs you gained during pregnancy by just scrolling through instragram and wondering why you don’t look like all the bikini models. Thanks @donsaladino for kickin my A double S into shape. 10 months to gain, 14 months to lose. Feeling very proud"

Celebrities and their baby weight gain is a popular topic in pop culture lately. We can't imagine being scrutinized by the press during such a delicate time in life - and we also know that so many famous women's public snap back to size two before the baby has even been diapered is a point of frustration and stress to women out there without the same body type or access to elite wellness pros.

We think the way Blake shared her healthy weight recovery is valuable to the whole discussion on the topic. She was honest about her weight in a way that so many new moms can relate to and she "bounced back" with a trainer we know and trust for his fitness and nutrition philosophies one hundred percent.

Share your thoughts on the topic below, then read about Don Saladino's unique takes on fitness nutrition (he trains Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds both). Dive deep on our full series of workouts with Saladino below - from arms to abs, we've got you covered.

Don Saladino's workouts from the TCM archives...

on nutrition for fitness | full back workout | abs without crunches | legs for days workout | full upper body | Shoulders + Triceps for women

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Ask Merrady: Why Is My Skin Freaking Out + How Can I Fix It?

So you've moved cities and you're happy as a clam - but your skin is not. Believe it or not, moving can cause our skin to majorly freak out and there are a few specific reasons for that. We asked beauty pro and The Detox Market head of content and education, Merrady Wickes to talk to us about why this happens and what to do about it. Merrady made the switch to green beauty herself years ago as a last-ditch effort to clear her own complexion. She had a transformative experience and never looked back - her glowy complexion is all the proof we need. Now, Merrady has made it her mission to educate and inspire more men and women to discover natural beauty.

Q: I've moved and finally have everything in it's place, but why is my skin freaking out? Why is this happening and how do I fix it?

A: As if moving isn’t hard enough, just as you’re getting settled your skin goes totally haywire. I’ll unpack the common culprits while you unpack those last few boxes.

the STRESS. Your body doesn’t know the difference between good stress and bad stress, and change is always stressful. Stress raises your testosterone, which can trigger a number of reactions including new breakouts. It’s easier said than done, but take time to breathe and unwind. My favorite way to decompress is a long bath. Goop’s new “The Martini” smells amazing and takes the edge off when things are crazy. You might want an actual martini, too. I’m not here to judge. While you’re organizing your new place, throw on May Lindstrom’s The Problem Solver mask. You can leave it on as long as you want, and the warming spices and mix of clays will do wonders to calm, smooth and detox fussy skin.

the change in WATER. Yeah, it literally might be something in the water. Every city’s water supply has unique levels of metals, minerals, chlorine and fluoride. Hard water is especially harsh on the skin and hair. If the water is very hard, you can bust out the big guns and get a shower filtration system. If that’s not an option, the best thing you can do is avoid wetting your face in the shower or at the sink. Massage your favorite cleanser on dry skin, then wring out a damp muslin cloth until the excess moisture is gone, and use to remove your cleanser. Follow with a pH balancing mist (like this one from Josh Rosebrook), and immediately apply hydration while your skin is moist.

new POLLUTants. Even if you’re used to living in the city, your skin is now being assaulted by a whole new set of environmental aggressors. It’s time to up your antioxidant protection to neutralize all that ick. I have a couple of favorites for this: The Kypris Antioxidant Dew is a milky serum packed with encapsulated antioxidants and healing tamanu. I also love OSEA’s Atmosphere Protection Cream that stars mineral-rich algae to provide a silky layer of barrier protection.

new CLIMATE. This may seem obvious, but I can’t tell you how many people think they can use the exact same skincare routine in LA, NY, Miami and Paris and get the same results. Any time you move you need to completely reassess your skin’s needs based on the climate. Is it humid or dry? How much sun is there? Are the temperatures more extreme? Do you suddenly have ‘round the clock indoor heating or air conditioning? One of my favorite ways to customize moisture is to have a great face oil. You can wear an oil alone if you live somewhere humid, or you can layer it under or over your favorite moisturizer to add hydration for dry days. Try something simple like the Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil. If you move somewhere sunnier, you definitely need to have an everyday sunscreen. I was terrible with this until I discovered the Hynt Sun Prep, a sheer sunscreen that doubles as a makeup primer. Wherever you’ve landed, take good care of yourself, and enjoy the journey. You’ll get the hang of your new city - and your new skin - soon.

Discover the bestselling green beauty products of all time from The Detox Market here.

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How To Overcome The Addictive Thoughts That Hold Us Back

Insecurity, Self-doubt, procrastination... Why is it that our most negative thought patterns are often the hardest to quit? We asked Sukey and Elizabeth Novogratz, authors of Just Sit: A Meditation Guidebook For People Who Know They Should But Don’t, to talk with us about this and they recommend meditation. Below, they talk to us about breaking the pattern of addictive thoughts that hold us back by a developing simple meditation practice. Learn to manage emotions better in the day to day...

4 Ways to Beat Addictive Thoughts

Meditate to manage emotions |  Our addiction to instant gratification is a self-control problem. Meditate to self-sooth and manage your emotions. Just the small act of taking a breath, connecting and becoming present slows you down and initiates a delay in the craving for instant gratification. That delay is the difference between responding and reacting, and works to stop the autopilot loop of needing whatever it is we think is going to soothe us in that moment. Practicing meditation teaches us to self-soothe so we don’t rely on a bunch of unhelpful externals.

Take Note of blocks | Recognize what’s blocking you from meditation in the first place. Resistance comes in many forms - so pay close attention to your excuses: “I’m too busy… I am too fidgety… My mind won’t slow down… I’ll lose my edge or my creativity or my drive… I’m just not a meditator… I’d rather workout if I have 20 minutes… etc.”

Often we believe our excuses instead of recognizing that they are the mind's tricky way of sabotaging new and helpful habits. Once we begin to see how our mind operates, then we can create the space to ask ourselves, “Is this true? Is it true I don’t have 15 minutes when I just spent the past hour on Facebook?”

Get Focused | Determine where to place your attention (i.e., how to focus your breath, find an anchor and channel your thoughts). Our mind will wander. That is what the mind does. Don’t even think about stopping your thoughts; that is impossible (unless, of course you are dead). What is great about the swirl of thoughts is that as soon as you notice them, you will realize that you have left your breath or your mantra. As soon as you notice, gently return to the breath or mantra and stay there until the thoughts take over again - which will probably be within seconds.

feel the real | Deal with feelings of awkwardness. Most of us feel awkward when we sit for the first few times. That is because it is awkward. We feel vulnerable, self-conscious, weird and exposed (even if no one else can see us). Knowing that this is normal and quite common is usually enough to eliminate the awkwardness.

get comfortable | Here are a few other things that can help:

+ You don’t have to sit in the middle of the floor. You can sit in a chair.

+ Put on some music. Nothing too loud or crazy, but something to keep you company.

+ Use a blanket. This can make you feel cozy and safe, like a baby being swaddled.

+ Download a guided meditation to listen to. It’ll give you something to focus on.

+ Set the timer. This will give you an end point.

Learn how to meditate at work (or anywhere discretion is required)
and not get fired with this guide from Just Sit.

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Inside Candice Kumai’s Japanese-Inspired Fridge

In Japanese culture, there's something called kintsugi: the art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The idea is to allow breakage - and the process of repair - to elevate beauty and wholeness, rather than treating damage as something to disguise. The concept of kintsugi is the inspiration behind Kintsugi Wellness The Japanese Art of Nourishing Mind, Body, and Spirit -- a new book by chef, author, wellness blogger, and prolific TCM contributor, Candice Kumai.

Growing up with a Japanese mother, Candice's approach to wellness is infused with influences from Japanese culture. Balanced by deep nutritional knowledge and squeaky clean kitchen skills, Candice's perspective on holistic health is unique, and one we're always thrilled to learn from.

In celebration of Kintsugi Wellness, we've asked her to join our classic In My Fridge series. If you've tried one of her recipes, you already know what you're in for: from ginger kombucha cocktails and avocado beauty toast to a ramen-in-bed fantasy we can get behind, here's what we learned exploring Candice's kitchen... [olists num=1]

Discover three Japanese-inspired recipes from Candice Kumai here. 

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3 Morning Energy Boosts That Don’t Involve Double Espresso

Some of us struggle to muster up the energy to hit just a few fitness classes each week. This got us wondering: how do studio instructors gather the gusto to not only work out every day, but all day?

While an energy slump is nothing an IV of espresso can't fix, all that extra caffeinated energy can be a nightmare (or lack of -- thanks, insomnia) to deal with later when we're ready to wind down. We asked professional yogi and co-founder of Love Yoga studio in Venice,  Sian Gordon, just how she and her co-founding partner Kyle Miller power up before hitting the mat multiple times a day. Her gentle but effective solutions below might just be game-changers for reaching your fitness goals...

Kapalabhati
We use this ‘skull shining’ breath to wake ourselves up in the morning and to prepare for meditation. Sit up on a yoga block or blanket so that your hips are higher than your knees and you can maintain the natural curves of your spine. Take a deep inhale and complete exhale. Take a small shallow breath and begin to pump out your exhales, feeling your belly snap back as you exhale. Imagine you are blowing into a tissue. Don’t worry about the inhale, which is automatic. Beginners start with 20 and work up to 100 pumps.

Jump up and down
This isn’t technically a traditional yoga move, but it’s one of our favorite things to teach. Start by shaking out your wrists and legs, then just jump up and down for about 20 seconds and shake out the whole body like you were a beach blanket trying to shake off the sand.

Handstands
Even if you can’t get up into a handstand, it’s the act of trying to get up that will really wake you up. It’s a wonderful feeling to have your hands on the earth and to turn your perspective upside down. We recommend bringing your hands about six inches away from the wall. Lift one leg and make that leg straight. Square your hips and gaze forward so that hand, hand, vision creates an equilateral triangle. Kick with the bottom leg and swing with the top. Don’t let your elbows bend. Eventually you will find the wall. Take five deep breaths from the earth up into your heels.

Discover a few inspiring lessons on life, business and wellness that
the Love Yoga founders picked up on their journey.

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Quinoa Bites + Rocker T’s: Working Out With Yogi Kathryn Budig

Our Newest Series, 'Working Out With' gives us a chance to learn about mind-body balance from the people who do it daily - as in, it's their actual profession.

Yogi, podcast host and author Kathryn Budig has practiced yoga since she was a kid, but it wasn't until after bouncing back from a few yoga-related injuries, a divorce and some deep reflection that Kathryn truly found her passion and her purpose: giving the grounding and healing gift of yoga to others. Or, as the title of her latest book notes, to help her students "aim true."

Kathryn's mission reaches well beyond studio walls with her latest endeavor as a featured chef and instructor on YogaGlo. The essential online meditation, nutrition and yoga app offers thousands of classes and recipes, including over 170 yoga classes from Kathryn and at-home cooking tutorials inspired by her mantra to fuel yourself through nourishing, seasonal, and high-quality foods. Discover the app here, then get to know Kathryn Budig just a bit better below...
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What I’ve Learned: Hannah Taylor Skvarla of The Little Market

The best part of a well-intended, well-curated shop is the people behind it. After graduating from FIDM and traveling the world together, stylish friends Hannah Taylor Skvarla and Lauren Conrad were inspired to create The Little Market -- an online marketplace (and soon-to-be brick and mortar) that sells fair trade goods from around the globe to support and empower the female artisans making them.

We've loved getting to know the duo over the years, from their time as our Holiday Guest Editors to the inspiring interview below for our new What I've Learned series. From the importance of female friendships to finding joy through efficiency, we asked Hannah to share some of the lessons she's picked up being a badass business babe working hard to make a difference...

What I've Learned So Far

...on business - You can learn something from everyone. It can be very helpful to find mentors who have more knowledge and experience than you do! I love meeting other female founders and sharing ideas — I truly believe in collaboration over competition. When building a team, look for people who have skills that aren’t your specialty. At The Little Market, our team is made up of mostly women, and everyone’s background is vastly different. It allows for dynamic conversations and creative collaboration. We value everyone's thoughts and ideas, and I think that has helped us enormously.

...About people - Most people want to give back but may not know where to start. In fact, studies have shown that being generous makes us happier. The Little Market gives people a place to shop where every purchase gives back!

...About women - Women can accomplish anything when they have great women by their sides. For example, the idea of public speaking is terrifying to me. Lauren and I recently spoke to more than 1,000 women at Create & Cultivate. Knowing she was by my side had me completely at ease. Having strong female friendships and great female co-workers makes the impossible seem possible.

...About myself - I’m happier when I am efficient in managing my time. I have learned that ultimately it makes all the difference when trying to balance everything. I am more productive when I’ve planned out my calendar. It allows me to fully enjoy being with my family or enjoy a dinner with my girlfriends.

...on self-care - When I take time for myself, it gives me more energy for everything else I need to do. I used to look at self-care as an indulgence, but now I understand that it is a necessity. For me, self-care doesn’t have to be about beauty — although I do love getting mani pedis! Making time to go on a hike with a girlfriend does wonders for me! Taking time to reset and unplug can be all the self-care I need.

...on  confidence - Surrounding yourself with people who build you up and believe in you will build your confidence. I am very lucky to have an incredible group of women in my life who are very supportive, loving and kind. I only spend time with people who allow me to be comfortable being myself.

About wellness - Wellness has become very important to me since becoming a mother. I have learned how much ingredients matter. I now pay attention to every ingredient in the products I buy for our family — everything from cleaning products to beauty products to skin products for my daughter. Eating healthy food is a must for me and my family. My three-year-old daughter and I eat Pressed Juicery Freeze a few times a week. She thinks it is ice cream, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

From brand founders to mind-body warriors, explore our full What I've Learned series here.

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Power of Palette: Why Vapour Organic Beauty Is Dropping 37 New Shades

Inclusivity is all the rage these days. We're thrilled to see it trickling down from the meta-conversation to the brands we love, trust and are proud of for making meaningful shifts -- like Vapour Organic Beauty.

The squeeky clean beauty brand is expanding its complexion shade range to include nineteen shades of their cult-loved Atmosphere Foundation and eighteen shades of their equally-adored Illusionist Concealer. This move makes Vapour the first green brand to offer products for such an extensive spectrum of skin colors.

We think natural beauty should feel accessible to everyone, and launches like this have us excited about the direction we see the industry growing. Sure, we could easily pop into a mega-store like Sephora, shuffle through an endless deck of chemical-laden products and eventually find the right shade. But for those of us seeking ways to live well - naturally and holistically - knowing we can gussy up and feel great about every step of our process is nothing short of a gift.

What do you think of the Vapour Organic Beauty launch? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

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We are done adulting today. Time to take a dip in your favorite...

We are done adulting today. Time to take a dip in your favorite bikini. #bestswimwear #dreamy https://ift.tt/2Hd58PO

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I Feel Pretty: Why We’re Giving Away Tickets To Amy Schumer’s New Movie

Amy Schumer is exploring a few very familiar mind-body themes in her new film, 'I Feel Pretty' and it turns out women have a lot to say about it.

In the new flick, Amy plays a relatable woman with a slew of physical insecurities we found all too familiar. After a life-altering tumble off of a SoulCycle bike (you heard correctly), she suddenly wakes without a self-critical bone in her body. While her appearance hasn't changed, her perception of self has, leading her to feel exponentially more capable, beautiful and confident. The jokes roll from there.

Previews of the film have received a lot of attention by women, some of whom criticized Amy's approach to the topic for a variety of reasons, including the notion that Amy's character is already beautiful as she is and shouldn't be experiencing insecurities. From our point of view - in her own hilariously provocative way - that's exactly the point Schumer is making. What would happen if we lived with the confidence and freedom we think we'd muster up once our external appearance matched our imagined goals?

We've loved watching the conversation around this film evolve, including Amy's ongoing responses in the press.

The most important aspect of our culture's recent conversations on female body image is how women perceive their own bodies. We don't know a way around the topic that doesn't require a little cathartic humor and a whole lot of honesty. And we love what Schumer's bringing to the table.

This week, we're giving you the opportunity to see the film for yourselves. Enter to win a set of four tickets to I Feel Pretty, officially hitting theaters April 20th. We're giving away over thirty giveaway sets, each including four movie tickets and a Pressed Juicery gift card. Check out the clip above featuring a cameo of our favorite green juice flavor, then enter to win our giveaway with Pressed and the film by clicking through below.

 

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The 7 Simplest Things You Can Do For Earth Day 2018

Earth Day is not about politics, it's not about our opinion on global warming, or even our preference for or aversion to caftans and other fashionably bohemian looks. To us, Earth Day 2018 is - a celebration, yes - but also a keen opportunity to take stock of our own daily habits and their impact on the planet.

This year, instead of impressing you with next level ideas and a chic composter (okay, here's one), we thought we'd bring you a few practical reminders of very basic steps we should all be taking to reduce waste and our toxic load. Check out the list, ask yourself if you've skipped any of the basics, and make an effort to make the shift!

are you really recycling? | Recycling for Earth Day? Groundbreaking, we know - but how are you really doing on this point? If you've not yet invested the space in your kitchen for a designated recycling bin, make it happen this month. If you're confused on any recyclable materials, read this for a little refresher.

Move away from fast fashion | This has got to be the toughest challenge facing most fashion-loving women. No matter your clothing budget, many of us sneak in a 'throw away' dress for a night out or cheap extra swimwear for a weekend away. Fast fashion has been rated by some as the second worst industry for the environment, right behind big oil and it's track record on a human rights level isn't so hot either. Take baby steps away from your fast fashion ways and invest in natural pieces that'll last. Check out all our tips on the topic.

cut down on water bottles | We adore the Berkey water filters and they come in every size. Keep a stock of glassware nearby, including bottles with stoppers to take on the go. Keep a few bottles in the fridge for easy access. Invest in a cute reusable bottle like one of these to re-enforce the habit of sipping sustainably (and often).

shop smarter furniture | Most of our healthy living at home coverage has to do with the health of you, not the planet. But it doesn't take long to figure out that the two values are closely linked. Shop paints and furnishings that don't off-gas chemicals into your family's lungs. These materials and the manufacturing processes by which they're made are also usually better for the environment! Learn more: Rugs | Mattresses

Stock up on reusables in the kitchen | ...and anywhere else in life you can get away with it! Reduce waste in your daily kitchen routine: swap out paper towels, plastic wrap, plastic containers and other disposables for linen cloths, glass containers, beautiful ceramics, and these cool beeswax liners for produce.

Switch to green cleaning + personal care products | Reduce the amount of chemicals you're adding to the water supply by swapping to non-toxic cleaners where possible. Still not convinced that non-toxic beauty and personal care is necessary? Read this, this and maybe this too.

Try our 7-day eco-challenges to clean up your self care routine, your closet, your kitchen and your daily home life.

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How To Use CBD: 8 Amazing Products For Head-To-Toe Bliss

CBD is making its way into every corner of the wellness world, and we've fallen hard for this healing plant product.

While heavier research is still emerging, we know that CBD -- a non-psychoactive chemical constituent of cannabis -- interacts with our bodies through an innate network of cannabinoid receptors (as in, our bodies are born to benefit from this plant). Helping to heal everything from chronic pain to anxiety and so much more, we can't find a single reason not to welcome it into our daily routines. Like, for life. Learn more here.

From tonics and tinctures to supplements and skincare, CBD products are popping up in some pretty awesome, unexpected and well-packaged ways. Learn how to use CBD with our fave products of the moment...

Vybes CBD Drink | Not sure how to use CBD? Grab one of these locally-made CBD drinks from the shelves of Erewhon or Earthbar.These light, refreshing bevs are loaded with high-quality CBD and packaged like a perfectly-wellness-millennial present. We've never seen something so "LA" and we're all about it. CHECK OUT

CBD Avocado Honey |  Honey heals -- learn about it -- so we can only expect great things from a hemp-infused opespeciallyically one that comes in such a cute jar). This California-sourced avocado honey is infused with CBD, and is a perfect compliment to coffee or tea, avo toast, or simply by the spoonful. CHECK OUT

Kana K-Beauty CBD Sleep Mask | California-based Korean beauty co, Kana is tapping into the beautifying powers of anti-inflammatory CBD with this overnight mask. Made with 28 active botanicals in small-batches, slather some of this on before bed and get glowing by the AM. CHECK OUT

Body Vibes Hemp Stickers | Programmed with bio-frequencies from the hemp plant, stick one of these cutting-edge patches onto your bod and get ready to soften into a sense of bliss and ease -- without any intoxicating. Learn about the crazy-cool technology behind these stickers here.   CHECK OUT

CAP Beauty The Daily Hit | The signature CBD oil from green beauty paradise, CAP Beauty, is built to pack a punch. Loaded up with mind-body loving adaptogens, this health elevating oil blend is perfect for dropping into smoothies, salad dressings or literally any other food thing you enjoy during your day. CHECK OUT

Sagely Roller Ball | If you want to know about how to use CBD but you're not ready to ingest it, try it topically to explore the benefits. Packed with full-spectrum CBD, and peppermint, rosemary, and eucalyptus essential oils, rolls on smooth and provides instant relief from headaches. CHECK OUT

Foria CBD Lube | This intimate massage oil for women is formulated with full-spectrum hemp oil, botanical and aromatic oils to enhance tactile sensation and pleasure while decreasing tension and a unique ability to pull you into the present moment. CHECK OUT

Ojai Organics CBD Drops | Drop some into your latte, your water, your whatever else to infuse the benefits of CBD into your daily routine. CHECK OUT

How do you use CBD? What does it help with? Share your experience 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. 

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We can barely keep Sunflower in stock! The Gia Triangle +...

We can barely keep Sunflower in stock! The Gia Triangle + California High Leg = sizzling combo #bestswimwear #vitamina #desertvibes https://ift.tt/2HdA6Dm

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13 Kitchen Tools For Cultivating High Vibrational Beauty

Radiant beauty is a holistic endeavor; one which Kerrilynn Pamer and Cindy DiPrima have made beautifully accessible for the rest of us. When the co-founders of NYC's CAP Beauty set out to build a beautifully curated green beauty store, the call for cleaner cosmetics was still a fairly muffled one. They had no idea they would end up making a wellness lifestyle brand with bi-coastal brick and mortars and a (well-deserved) cult following.

Their first book, High Vibrational Beauty: Recipes & Rituals for Radical Self Care, is a gorgeous and thoughtful manifesto on modern natural beauty (shot by Kerrilynn's talented art photographer husband). In addition to seasonal skincare routines and DIY hacks we'd actually bother to try, the book also offers beautifying recipes galore. Why? Because true beauty starts on a cellular level and is sustained by an ongoing effort to nourish from within.

We love the following list of essential kitchen tools from the pages of High Vibrational Beauty. According to the CAP ladies, these gadgets -- from a mini whisk to froth up superfood lattes, to cute glass jars to reduce waste -- makes it easy to integrate health and beauty into daily routines. You can collect all the glow-perfecting recipes your heart desires, but if you don't feel comfortable actually cooking in your own kitchen, all that Pinterest-ing is for naught.
13 Essential Kitchen Tools

We’ve tried to keep this accessible to all, with recipes anyone can make in a conventional home kitchen. But, if you want to go deep, there are upgrades and additions to the typical tools and equipment that most people have on hand. Some are affordable, and others are worth saving for. Here are the tools of our High Vibrational kitchens.

Smoothie Central: HIGH-SPEED BLENDER | Invest in the best, if you can. When you figure out your cost per use, even the most expensive blender will pay for itself, and then some. We love the American made Vitamix and its standard 7-year warranty. We’re amazed to this day by how often we use this powerful machine. From our morning tonics to breakfast smoothies to raw pureed soups for lunch and dinner and even a batch of nut butter, a Vitamix in your kitchen is the easiest route to consuming an abundance of fruits and vegetables on the daily. Save a space for it on your counter. And, take it for a spin.  SHOP NOW 

Get Your Greens: JUICER | Green juice is the holy water of High Vibrational living. And, when we embarked on this journey, a home juicer was essential. But, in the past decade or so, cold pressed juices have come into their own. They’re mainstream now, and their availability has burgeoned. But, when time allows, we still love to press our own, customizing our very own blends and taking it straight from the source. There are countless varieties of juicers at a range of price points. Generally, the more expensive variety will yield a juice that oxidizes more slowly, meaning it will last longer in the fridge and hold onto its nutrients. Sometimes, the price can reflect ease of use, an important factor! Home juicing requires massive quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables, so make sure that you have the fridge space. And, if you take the dive, get creative. We love adding fresh herbs and biting tastes, like radish, to make juices that are truly our own. SHOP NOW

The TOnic Topper: AEROLATTE | This tiny throwback to the 1990s has a new life in our High Vibrational world of tonic drinks. Whip up your adaptogenic herbs, mushrooms and tocotrienols with a big spoonful of coconut butter for a new millennial latte. SHOP NOW

Raw Revelations: DEHYDRATOR | Keep it alive! Dehydrating foods at at low temperatures keeps nutrients and vital minerals intact, making this an important addition to a raw food kitchen. Some use an oven, but a dehydrator allows for more control and multiple recipes to be prepared at once. Raw crackers, cookies and dried fruit are always on hand. Prepare for days-long “cooking” times and its lulling white noise. We’ve grown to love it. SHOP NOW

Veggie Double-Down: BOX GRATER | Simple and old school, the box grater delivers. Grate carrots over your salads and zucchini over your soup. Up your dose of vegetables the easy way. SHOP NOW

Nix The Noodles: SPIRALIZER | Transform your vegetables. This remarkable tool spins vegetables into long spaghetti-like strands that can be lightly cooked or eaten raw. Your favorite sauce has a healthy new home. SHOP NOW

The Clear Solution: GLASS JARS AND STORAGE CONTAINERS | Decanting our High Vibrational staples (often purchased in the bulk aisle) serves more than just aesthetics. When ingredients live in stackable clear glass jars, we always know what’s on hand. Take it a step further and shop with reusable muslin bags, so you can ditch the plastic. And, High Vibrational eating means that we often travel with a smoothie or soup packed to go, so we keep a stash of mason jars or recycled glass containers on hand. If you bake, choose wide-mouthed jars for your flours and other baking staples. This may seem unnecessary, like a purely aesthetic move, but it’s a real game changer. You’ll never wrestle with the mess of measuring again when you can easily get into the mouth of the jar. SHOP NOW

MVP (Most Valuable Processor): FOOD PROCESSOR | Another investment piece, this is similar to a blender, and, in some cases, they’re interchangeable. But, the nuanced differences are real, and they do offer slightly different results. The grater attachment makes grated salads fast and easy, and we definitely prefer a food processor for dips like hummus and our summertime favorite, Banana Nice Cream. SHOP NOW

The Desert Island Tool: KNIVES | A beautiful knife is satisfying on all levels. When you eat more plants, chopping becomes a pastime. Make it one you enjoy. From France to Japan to Brooklyn, there’s a knife for everything and everyone. Find one you love, and let it lead the way. SHOP NOW

Soup SAVANT: IMMERSION BLENDER | This low-investment piece purees cooked soups with minimal cleanup. Great for a small kitchen. SHOP NOW

Ritual Ready: MATCHA WHISK | This pretty Japanese tool elevates your matcha-making magic. You can easily swap it for a classic whisk or even a blender, but we love the ritual and feel of this beautiful tool. SHOP NOW

Better Beverages: NUT MILK BAG | This simple fabric bag is essential for straining the smoothest nut and seed milks. It’s worth its modest price to avoid the mess of using a metal sieve, and the milk will come out its most refined. A tiny investment that you’ll use all the time. SHOP NOW

Do The Slide: MANDOLINE | Another trick for helping us consume our lion’s share of raw, living vegetables is to slice them finely and dress them well. Shaved vegetable salads are a staple in both of our homes. The mandoline makes it easy and fast. Counter-top versions are great, but we also love the simple handheld style with a ceramic blade. It’s also great for making vegetable chips. SHOP NOW

Take a peek inside the daily wellness habits of CAP's founding ladies here.

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