I Tried Delta-8 Gummies: Here’s What You Should Know

THE FIRST TIME I ever smoked “the pot,” as my mom says, I was 17, laced with braces and in the back of my friend's car as we listened to Fergie’s Glamorous. I started yelling that I couldn’t feel my tongue, and my friends swiftly shuffled me into the Century City Mall to see Marie Antoinette, where I sat in the front row — alone — eating popcorn covered in cheddar cheese powder with peanut M&Ms sprinkled throughout.

To call me a “hot mess” was an understatement.

As I continued to dabble in weed throughout my 20s, I often felt like a muted version of myself when I smoked or consumed it in edible form — paranoia here, silence there, I was just slower in a way I didn’t love. That time I got back to my college apartment only to discover my door knob was missing?? (We’ll talk about that another time).

Now that I’m pretty sober-curious (aka I really haven’t drank since #2020 hit), I still need a way to wind down and soothe my anxiety without needing to get ultra high to do so. I’ve down-shifted into the world of CBD (and love it, of course), but have stayed open to something that would be able to take me a little more outside of my thoughts and feelings and into the present. So when I found out about Delta-8 THC, I was “stoked.”

DankeSuper, a brand making super highly-concentrated tinctures and products for those of us who are already experienced in the CBD realm, has busted down the doors of the hemp scene. Behind Door no. 1? Delta-8-infused fruit gummies --DankeSuper’s Pate de Fruit to be more specific -- and they deliver the smoothest high you could ever dream of.

Let’s start by understanding what Delta-8 even is.

What is Delta-8 THC?

With everything going on in the world right now, it’s not hard to feel stress when you hear or see the word, “Delta.” However, the Delta we’re talking about is helping to relieve stress, not cause it.

While marijuana has become legal in several states in the US, Delta-9 THC, the psychoactive compound that makes you feel high, is still illegal in many places throughout the country. Therefore, when the 2018 Farm Bill passed, weed and CBD connoisseurs alike discovered that you can derive Delta-8 THC directly from hemp...legally. Enter: A federally legal high available to all made from a cute, minor cannabinoid.

But Delta-8 isn’t the same kind of high as conventional marijuana. Because the Farm Bill stated that cannabis with less than 0.3% THC is technically considered hemp, the Delta-8 high is much less intense than its older sibling, Delta-9. As a result, one can expect a less heady high with lower prevalences of paranoia (and hopefully dry mouth).

While the high might be different, Delta-8’s benefits remain the same as its weed counterparts:

+ May Decrease pain | Delta-8 binds to the pain-regulating receptors in the body with potential analgesic properties.

+ can Improves appetite + digestion | Hangover? Fuggetaboutit. Delta-8 helps fight everyday nausea and indigestion, thanks to being more energizing than numbing.

In research, delta-8 has become a useful tool to some cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who want the anti-nausea benefits of cannabis without delta-9's stronger psychoactive elements.

+ Supports relaxation | Delta-8 provides a mild high that is as uplifting as it is relaxing for a quiet mind and a lively body.

+ may Improve sleep | Aspiring dreamers, fret not. Delta-8 can help relax you without a high that leaves you slammed in the morning.

So how do you consume it? We’ve got a bright idea...

The DSquared8 Pate de Fruit

DankeSuper has entered the Delta-8 THC scene with high standards in mind. Every product carries with it a full third-party breakdown of the final product and its phytochemical / phytonutrient profile of raw extract, terpene, contaminant, and final product concentrations. Now that’s high maintenance (ba dun dun).

Their DSquared8 Pate de Fruit is the perfect entry point for those who are curious about getting high without having to say, “I’m not high, you’re high” to their roommates, friends, or significant other (or parents, who knows?!).

With 30mg of Delta-8, these squares are made to be as perfectly balanced as they are potent.

Expertly Made | This high-class (I’m not going to stop with the high puns) selection is more than just your good ol’ fashioned weed gummies. Prepared by Alan Kaufman of Shibumi Farms with guidance from some of the most celebrated names in the culinary world, this textured fruit edible is delivering a sumptuous taste of a high we can all get behind.

All SuperDanke's hemp is organic and non-GMO, sourced through the transparent 'seed-to-shelf' PSC .

High-End Flavor Pairings | Blood Orange, Meyer Lemon, Mango, Strawberry, Pina Colada, and Guava are just some of the few expertly made flavors that deliver the delicacy of Delta-8, using fruit sourced from fair trade relationships in Central America.

A Timely High | Even though these edibles are likely to hit you a lot sooner than the usual weed edibles, DankeSuper still recommends that you start off slow like you normally would and give yourself about an hour in between each dose. Start with a half a square and then increase mindfully (but still don’t go beyond one square initially).

Let that one time in Amsterdam, when you ate the entire space cake even though they told you only to eat one piece every 15 minutes be your lesson. No? Just me?

What Happened When I Ate Delta-8

I went out of my way to make my Pate de Fruit a MOMENT.

I had a whole plan, and the plan was that I had no plans, which meant that I would be indulging in a marathon of Sex and the City reruns, a face mask, and a luxurious square (or two) of my Pate de Fruit. The episode would be Hot Child in the City, where Carrie gets caught smoking a doobie in her man of the moment’s parent’s Upper East Side pied-à-terre. “Yes, Mrs. Adams,” you know the one I’m talking about.

Just as DankeSuper suggested, I started off with half a square of the Guava flavor and waited with baited breath.

I kept anticipating the moment where that “high” feeling would hit me all at once and then I’d have to sit down in a corner somewhere. But NO. Instead, within about 15 minutes, I felt a touch of euphoria coming on. Still dubious (yes, another weed pun) of this high, I suspected I’d feel more and more high as time went on, but that heavy feeling just never came.

I decided to just “go for it” and have the other half. The incessant fluttering feeling in my chest (that I always have) started to wane and I felt very present and in the moment without the dissociative feeling I’d normally get with weed.

After indulging in my evening routine, as well as the last of the night’s SATC, I was able to ease into immediate REM without racing thoughts or the need to repeat meditative phrases so I could fall asleep. The best part: I stayed asleep and felt rested when I woke up the next morning.

The DankeSuper Dose

Long story high, DankeSuper is doing something really cool here. Their products are made thoughtfully, artisanally, and for a full spectrum of hemp users.

While they’re really mastering this whole “Delta-8” thing, they also have an entire portfolio of hemp-based products that are reinventing the cannabinoid wheel.

Other products I’m really digging at the moment (yes, I was lucky enough to try):

DS SERIES TINCTURES | These three very beautifully designed tinctures are a bathroom shelf must-have. With three distinct flavor profiles and purposes, these tinctures come in the form of daily Balance, Clarity, and Decompression, with 800mg of full-spectrum CBD.

BODY CREAM | This easily-absorbed, smells-great-on-your-skin body cream is jam packed with skin-loving ingredients like shea butter, bisabolol, whole hemp extract, and jojoba and avocado seed oil. My skin was left feeling hydrated, but not so hydrated that I couldn’t get dressed after showering. Jeans + lotion? The worst! Add to cart. 

Final Thoughts + Feelings

While I was nervous to lose a sense of control to Delta-8, I found that I never once felt like I couldn’t manage my surroundings or that I was somehow “out of my head.” Being able to enjoy being in your body and mind while high is revelatory, and I’ll excitedly dive into my delicious DankeSuper flavor squares in the future.

This story is brought to you in partnership with DankeSuper . From time to time, TCM editors choose to partner with brands we believe in to bring our readers special offers. 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 programs.

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The 10 Best Vegan Cheese Recipes We’ve Ever Featured From Queso To Cheesecake

Did you know that Kite Hill, the plant-based cheese brand that has every vegan we know obsessed, was founded in part by Chef Tal Ronnen of Melrose hotspot, Crossroards Kitchen?

If you're a long-time Chalkboard reader, you met Chef Tal in this 2013 interview as we celebrated his new project. It wasn't hard to imagine given the taste of this 'cheese' board, but the product line has gone on to become the gold standard in plant-based cheeses and help to expand the gourmet vegan category like few brands have.

We stumbled onto the piece recently, which got us thinking about all the incredible vegan cheese recipes we've featured over the years! Here are a few of the very best...

The 10 Best Vegan Cheese Recipes We've Ever Featured
(From Queso To Cheesecake)

Vegan Shaved Parmesan  | One nut and a fancy kitchen tool will give you that experience you're craving.
A Vegan Dupe For Freshly Shaved Parmesan From Crossroads Kitchen

Vegan Queso  | Make this for someone you love.
Sweet Potato Nachos With Vegan Queso – This Changes Everything

Vegan smoked Cheddar | A serious at-home recipe you'll live on.
This Cheese Is Nuts: Smoked Almond Cheddar So Good It's Spiritual

Vegan Cream cheese | From the best plant-based spot in NYC.
NYC Bite Of The Month: How To Make Monty's Cashew Cream Cheese At Home

Vegan Cashew Sour Cream | Put this stuff on everything.
Make This Vegan Cashew Sour Cream Recipe On Repeat

Vegan Ricotta | Need we say more?
Vegan For The Summer: Make This Stone Fruit Lemon “Ricotta" Toast

Vegan Mac n' Cheese | Bookmark for the first day of fall!
A butternut squash version...
We Cannot Even: Vegan Mac And Cheese With Butternut Squash
...plus a sweet potato version we love.
Game Changer: This Healthy Mac And Cheese Will Blow Your Mind

Vegan spinach dip | Usually a dairy-laden mess.
Cafe Gratitude's Warm Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

Vegan Cheesecake
Go for this classic recipe...
Red, White, And Blueberry: A Raw Cheesecake Recipe Perfect For The Fourth
...or try this pistachio version
How To Make Pistachio Rose Vegan Cheesecake Bars

Have a great plant-based cheese recipe we don't know about? Share with us all below!
Want a quick way to try a vegan cheese without a lot of leg work? Give Kite Hill a try!

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Composting For Beginners: Everything You Need to Know To Get Started

Do you compost? What was once a routine part of life at home -- back before fast food and other conveniences took the lead in our lives -- composting can now seem like an extreme eco-effort. The truth is that composting is pretty easy and doesn't have to be a big ordeal.

If you've got your own garden, this guide to composting for beginners is a must. If you aspire to have an edible garden one day in the future, learn about composting now as part of your journey. And if you live in the city and have little use for compost at all, consider finding a community garden near you that does (in California; elsewhere).

Start with a simple kitchen composter like this one and read our straightforward story with sustainability expert,
Lauren Olson, the Zero Waste Manager for leading compostable tableware provider, World Centric...

A Guide to Composting For Beginners

Learning how to compost is a great way to get outside, connect with nature and introduce environmental practices into daily life.

There are many misconceptions about at-home composting – things like cost, time commitment, smell -- the list goes on. The truth is that, when done correctly, composting is a simple, cost-effective way to reduce waste and keep your yard and garden healthy. Here are all the simple steps you need to understand the basics of composting for beginners...

What the Heck Is Compost?

Compost is organic material that has decomposed. It is made by combining “green” items like food scraps and grass cuttings with “brown” items like leaves and wood chips, which then break down over time. The resulting material is nutrient-rich and can be used in gardens as a soil conditioner and natural pesticide.

Organic matter like food, food-soiled paper, and yard waste serves for more than a third of what gets thrown into the garbage. When sent to the landfill, these items creates methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

Gardening at home with the Edible Gardener

By composting, whether in your own backyard or with a local program you can save all those items and put them to good use, protecting our environment, savings landfill space,  enriching soil -- even creating jobs. And it’s easier than you might think.

Types of Home Composters

With a pretty small investment, you can turn your compostable scraps into nutrient-rich soil at home. There are several different kinds of home composters:

+ Manufactured compost bins, typically made out of plastic
+ Compost tumblers that can be easily turned by a handle for easy stirring
+ Wooden and pallet bins with compartments
+ Worm composting (vermi-composting) that use nature to help break down composted materials more quickly

Beginning to Compost:
Here's What You Need to Know

To get started, follow these steps:

Step 1: Collect your “brown” and “green” compostable materials.

Browns – dry materials like wood chips, dried leaves, grass, and plants. It works even better when you rip or cut items into smaller pieces.
Greens – fresh, moist materials like grass cuttings and food scraps.

Step 2: Put an approximately equal amount of browns and greens into your composter. To ensure that your pile does not smell, add more browns (1 part green, 2 parts brown).

Step 3: Soak the compost pile with water -- but don’t over soak; it should be about as damp as a wrung-out sponge.

Step 4: Wait a week, then add water, turn, and stir the pile.

Step 5: Keep adding, soaking, and stirring! Your compost should be ready to use in gardening in 3-6 months.

Be aware that many home composting systems are not well-suited for dairy, fish, meats, fats, or oil/grease, as these products take longer to break down and can attract pests.

Collecting Compostables in Your Kitchen

Collecting food and food-soiled paper in your kitchen doesn’t have to be a big hassle. There are many types of countertop containers, which you can line with a certified compostable bag, or simply rinse to keep clean.

As you clean up, you can scrape leftovers directly into the bin. Once the container is full, dump it into your outdoor collection bin or composting system. During the warmer months, you can keep your food scraps in the fridge or freezer, where they won’t smell or attract fruit flies. Editor's Pick: Bamboozle Terracotta Composter

How To Fix Common Compost Issues

Home composting is easy, but there a few common issues that first-time composters run into...

Funny smells? Turn the pile and add some browns
Compost pile too dry? Spray some water, add in greens, and mix thoroughly
Fruit flies? Stir and add leaves or grass
Insects, raccoons, rats? There might be some meat or fatty food scraps in your bin. First, remove the meat or fats. You can also cover the pile with a heavy layer of soil, leaves or sawdust, or use an animal-proof composter.

What To Do With Takeout Containers + Compostable Products

If you eat out, you may bring home packaging labeled “compostable.” Containers, cups, and utensils like those made by World Centric are certified compostable in commercial composting systems by BPI, a third-party certification. This certification ensures that a product has been tested to revert to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass at a rate similar to paper.

Compostable products can be made from renewable plant fibers, wood paper, or compostable plastics. Products made from plant fibers or paper are not certified to break down at home, but you can experiment to see how they perform in your system.

PLA (or polylactic acid) is a compostable bio-plastic made from corn starch

It helps to cut or rip them into smaller pieces. Compostable plastics should not be put into your home composting system, since they require higher heat to break down. Once you have an outdoor composter and a kitchen container for collecting material, you’ll be well on your way to turning waste into black gold.

Composting For Restaurants + the Foodservice Industry

Composting isn’t just something you can do at home or for your own garden! Our society has an urgent need for more widespread commercial composting facilities to keep food waste out of landfills, where it does harm to the environment by releasing methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases.

Across North America, many restaurants are discovering small-scale community composters that are stepping up to help local residents and foodservice operators reduce their waste.

Compostable products are designed to be part of a circular economy. This is a system in which plant-based products biodegrade to become compost, and we use that compost to grow plants and subsequently create the products again.

The Circular Economy

An example of composting for beginners on the commercial side of things is Snowy Owl Coffee, a local Massachusetts coffee shop that uses and diverts all their compostable World Centric cups, napkins, lids, and straws to Black Earth Compost -- instead of the landfill. Black Earth Compost collects all organic waste and compostable packaging, composts it and sells the finished compost back to garden centers throughout the local area - creating a completely closed loop.

Another example is Las Olas, a seaside Mexican restaurant that’s been operating sustainably in San Diego, California for over 40 years. Las Olas partnered with The Compost Group and became the first full-service restaurant in North County San Diego to compost food waste. Each month, Las Olas diverts over 5,000 lbs of food waste and compostables from the landfill. “We do everything we can to be an environmentally conscious operation in an effort to protect 'la tierra' (the land), and 'las olas' (the waves).”

Las Olas uses only compostable foodservice ware for takeout operations, recycles all cooking oil to help fuel local school buses, and hosts yearly community beach cleanups. A strong advocate for environmental and city developmental issues, Las Olas had been leading the way in sustainability and setting an example for the local community on how to run a business and respect the environment since the early 80's.

Naomi Wentworth is the founder of The Compost Group in San Diego. Frustrated by the lack of composting options for food waste in San Diego County, and with a background in climate policy, Naomi saw an opportunity to start a business picking up food scraps from local restaurants and residential communities and composting them.

“Moving into an apartment in Encinitas where I could not compost in my backyard, I would just feel my heart sink every time I put those beautiful coffee grounds, egg shells, and vegetable trimmings into the garbage to go to landfill,” explains Naomi. “I started The Compost Group because I was frustrated by the amount of food waste being sent to landfills in my community.”

The Compost Group is helping divert food scraps and compostable packaging from landfills. In 2020 alone, they turned 59,187 pounds of organic waste into soil.

“Of all the difficult solutions to complex problems we are facing as a society,”says Naomi, “returning our nutrients to the soil is a really simple and easy solution.”

Author Bio: Lauren K. Olson is the Zero Waste Manager at World Centric. Lauren holds a Master's degree in Community Sustainability specializing in decision-making about waste, and a Bachelor of Science's degree in Environmental Economics-- both degrees from Michigan State University.

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Cafe Gratitude’s Warm Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

In theory, spinach artichoke dip sounds like an innocent vegan party snack. In real life, it's usually more of a calorie bomb filled with processed cream, cheese and highly questionable preservatives. One bite might be innocent enough, but who ever has just one?

We're all about making over our favorite recipes with clean ingredients. If spinach artichoke dip is a regular on rotation at your summer or holiday party table, consider making a few modifications based on this recipe from one of L.A.'s most cherished hotspots. Cafe Gratitude is known for turning otherwise less-than-virtuous dishes into Chalkboard-friendly faves. This warm, vegan spinach artichoke dip is a perfect example of what they do best...

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Dr. Steven Gundry On Olive Oil, Blue Zones + Polyphenols

We first met cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Steven Gundry when he was launching his (now NYT best-selling) book, The Plant Paradox. The Plant Paradox was, arguably, the modern wellness world's first look at the issue of lectins, plant substances that have since become as controversial as gluten.

If you haven't read the book, it's definitely worth a read. While we commiserate with anyone who is overwhelmed by nutrition rules and contradicting wellness philosophies, we are all best-served by digesting the latest research for ourselves!

All that said, the other plant substances that Dr. Gundry champions are polyphenols.

Polyphonols are found in many of our favorite superfoods, but especially olive oil -- a food Gundry has told us in many interviews to be a main staple in his diet.

We just received the doctor's new line of olive oil products made in Morocco, whose harsh desert environment "triggers a 'nutrient surge' that can give olive oil 30x more hydroxytyrosol polyphenols than conventional brands."¹

His Polyphenol-Rich Olive Oil is spicier and more bitter than what you'd expect from an extra virgin olive oil -- we recommend blending it into herb-rich salad dressings and potent recipes like pesto -- and his weirdly delicious Polyphenol Pearls are like vegan caviar, a mixture of olive leaf extract in oil that Gundry claims are "like getting the benefits of 2.5 gallons of regular olive oil in a teaspoon".

Here's Dr. Gundry with the basics on polyphenols, olives and the golden oils we're putting on everything these days. If you want to take your education further, nerd out with his polyphenol podcast here. 

Dr. Gundy On Polyphenols, Blue Zones + Olive Oil

The Chalkboard Mag: Let's start with the basics. Would you give us the low down on polyphenols for those who are not familiar?

Dr. Gundry: Olive oil, chocolate, dark berries, artichokes, chicory, walnuts, green tea and spices are some of the richest food sources of polyphenols.

These compounds are critical for protecting the plant from the damaging effects of sunlight. While plants have to have sunlight to make energy, the old saying “can’t live with it and can’t live without it” sums up the role of polyphenols for plants.

Polyphenols are used by the plant to protect its leaves and fruit from sunlight damage and insects or other predators. The beautiful fall colors are actually the polyphenols in leaves that are always there, but hidden by the green chlorophyll during the warmer months.

We now know that most plant polyphenols are not “antioxidants” when eaten by humans, but instead are remarkable prebiotics that improve the diversity of our gut microbiome. The gut microbiome, in turn, makes these compounds into absorbable mitochondrial protective and anti-cancer compounds.

Remarkably, the Spice Trade of the Middle Ages was based on the polyphenol content of the popular spices! So, if it’s a spice or an herb, you can bet the polyphenol content is high. Moreover, the coffee and tea trade, as well as cocoa, owes their popularity to the polyphenol benefits of these compounds. Same with olive oil. If a leaf or fruit is orange, yellow, red, purple, or dark blue, you can bet one or more forms of polyphenols will be in there.

Fun fact: in general, the leaves of fruit trees have more polyphenols than the fruit itself.

TCM: Back when we interviewed you for your first book, you mentioned just how much olive oil you eat daily.  Still true? Tell us  how much you recommend for most?

DG: I try to use a liter of olive oil per week, but, thanks to my discovery of the high-polyphenol olive oil from Morocco that we bottle for GundryMD, a shot a day will give you the equivalent of a liter per week of regular olive oils!

Moreover, our Olive Oil Pearls are a “vegan caviar” of pressed olive leaves, olives, and olive oil. The Pearls are so concentrated with polyphenols that a teaspoon a day is all you need. And it’s delicious!

TCM: A shot or teaspoon a day seems best to incorporate into daily meals. What's your favorite way to enjoy olive oil?

DG: Remember my saying: “The only purpose of food is to get olive oil into your mouth!” I love olive oil on any food. Remember to not only cook with it (it has the least oxidation of any cooking oil, even though it has a low smoke point), but bring it to the table and pour it on anything you are eating. I'm including one of my favorite recipes below.

TCM: Let's talk about the famous 'Blue Zones' and the polyphenol connection...

DG: Yes, two of the longest living people groups in the “Blue Zones” (coined by Dan Buettner) use a liter or olive oil per week!

As I mentioned above, not only is olive oil a great source of polyphenols among many of the Blue Zones, but other Blue Zones have their own polyphenol bounty, like the purple sweet potato of the Okinowans, for instance.

TCM: Beyond olive oil, what are other high-polyphenol foods you like to enjoy?

DG: One of my favorite tricks to get more polyphenols is “reverse juicing.” Use the pulp leftover from juicing your favorite fruits and use it to stir into coconut or goat yogurt. I like to put that fruit pulp into salad dressings,or freeze into cubes and add to smoothies and sauces as well.

This is a recipe for one of my favorite polyphenol-rich salads topped, naturally, with plenty of olive oil...

A Nutrient-Dense Polyphenol Salad

Salad

1 head of radicchio, thinly sliced

2 c. shredded Brussels sprouts

2 c. broccoli slaw

1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced

½ red onion, thinly sliced

¼ c. parsley, roughly chopped

1 c. toasted hazelnuts, chopped

1 c. blackberries or pomegranate seeds (when in season)

¼ c. sesame seeds

Dressing

Zest of 1 orange

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

2 shallots, minced

1 tsp black pepper

2 tsp Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp aged balsamic vinegar

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

In a large bowl, add salad ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix vigorously together all dressing ingredients until emulsified or use a blender or emulsifier wand or small food processor. Pour dressing over the salad, put some kitchen gloves on and rub the dressing into the vegetables to ensure every bite has flavor. Toss and serve with a glass of red wine for extra polyphenols! Serves 4.

¹ Hrncirik, K. and Fritsche, S. 2004. Comparability and reliability of different techniques for the determination of phenolic compounds in virgin olive oil. Eur. J. Lipid Sci. Technol. 106: 540–549.

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This Functional Hot Chocolate Just Revolutionized Our Bedtime Routine

WHEN DID bedtime become less about sleeping and more about endless scrolling? We’re first to admit that binging an addictive series or falling into an anxiety spiral about tomorrow’s to-do list has led more than one of us to join a morning Zoom call sideways.

We all need time to rest, but somehow our brains don’t always get the memo.

Those night owl habits come with a price: rough mornings, loss of energy the following day and a general case of brain fog. Sound familiar?

Beam makes Functional Hot Chocolate For Better Sleep
- And We’re Here for It

Recently, our friends at Beam sent us their magnesium, CBD and l-theanine-packed ‘Dream Powder’ and we tried it right away. This bedtime blend of sleep-enhancing vitamins, minerals, and THC-free nano CBD mixes into a warm, cozy cup of hot chocolate that is essentially peaceful slumbering gold.

Everything You Need To Know...

Beam’s Dream Powder is a carefully curated blend of sleep-supporting nutrients with a delicious organic cacao and organic cinnamon flavor...

MAGNESIUM | Magnesium is sometimes called ‘the master mineral’ for its key role in our overall health, yet most women are deficient. Magnesium aids the body in falling asleep by producing melatonin and regulating our nervous systems.

REISHI | Reishi is trending hard in wellness, and with good reason. The stress-relieving mushroom is an adaptogen that helps to support the body’s sleep cycle as well as manage stress.

L-THEANINE | This under-the-radar nervous system support is a team TCM favorite. L-theanine is a calming amino acid that steadies our nerves, promotes relaxation, and helps improve sleep quality.

MELATONIN | Probably the most famous of all the natural sleep supports, melatonin is non-addictive and can be used daily to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, promoting restful sleep

NANO CBD | Non-THC cannabidiol provides a safe and clean calm. (By the way, ‘No THC’ means no high whatsoever for those of you who are looking to avoid!).

The “nano” means that the CBD itself is broken down to the size of oil molecules, which helps to enhance water solubility and increase bodily absorption.

At first glance, reading the Dream Powder label gave us a pretty good indication that the team at beam was on to something. We were familiar with all these ingredients, but had never tried them synergistically before. Pretty genius.

A Rest-Supportive Evening Ritual

We’re all about those morning and evening rituals, so incorporating Dream Powder into our bedtime routine has created a bit of light structure that we needed.

Popping a helpful pill or supplement is one thing, but creating a wind-down beverage is actually fun -- and a great way to signal to our brain and nervous system that we’re starting to think about bed.

If you’re the type to take an evening shower, blend up a mug of Dream afterward as you airdry your hair or mask up. If you prefer to spend a few minutes reading or meditating, take a mug of Dream with you as you start to unwind!

The Bedtime Dream ‘Latte’

Making the Dream ‘Latte’ (no coffee included. We just like the way it sounds!) is simple. Mix one scoop of the chocolatey powder with hot water or warm milk -- we prefer almond or coconut milk -- and enjoy about 20 to 30 minutes before bedtime. That way, the Dream Powder has time to kick in and do its thing.

By the time you hit the sack, you’re primed for the most restful sleep possible. Bonus: If you sign up for a subscription, you’ll receive a handheld frother and glass mug that makes whipping up your drink easy -- and a bit more fun.

We have to admit that, as we most often are, we were a little skeptical at first sip -- especially because the brand claims that ‘99% of people feel an improvement in quality of sleep’ after trying Dream Powder. That’s a hefty statistic!

The lure of getting a few more hours of deep, quality sleep was too good -- and all it required of us was adding chocolate to our P.M. routine, so, honestly…. The results were indeed undeniable. Not only did we find we fell asleep faster (as do those 98% of Beam Dream Powder users), but after hours of undisturbed slumber, we didn’t find ourselves groggy or out of it. After getting a solid night of uninterrupted sleep, we awoke completely refreshed and energized. Remember that feeling?

Maybe you don’t! Too many of us -- even those who love wellness -- neglect this super-crucial area of our health and think we can ‘push through’ our tiredness. But many recent studies have actually connected sleep loss with inflammation and many of our go-to wellness practitioners have been urging us to pay as much attention to our sleep routines as we do our fitness routines.

Products like Beam’s Dream Powder are a pretty big deal for those of us who look to natural products first. Other forms of sleep aids can leave you feeling foggy the following day. Beam Dream Powder delivers the ideal balance of sleep-supporting supplements to help your body get the rest it needs for a full overnight recharge fog-free. Not only are more of us trying the nightly routine, but we’re making a note to pack this stuff next time we travel, too.

Overall Verdict: To Zzz or Not To Zzz?

Maybe you’re still working from home and trying to find your new normal. Maybe the wildness of your newsfeed has your mind racing more than usual. There’s no denying that these days are pretty hectic and we invite you to, like us, embrace new tools to support yourself through heightened stress and seasons of change.

We are so grateful to our wellness community and brands like Beam for creating modern products like this that taste good, work with our routines, are safe and (most importantly) non-habit forming!

Maybe you’ve never even used a “sleep aid” before and we can relate.

Products like Beam Dream are for a new generation of conscious consumers looking for clean ingredients and modern rituals that fit right into our lifestyles.

We’ve been enjoying our chocolatey new evening ritual that’s packed with nutrients like magnesium that we need more of in our daily diets anyway. And it’s also helped us cut back on that late night glass of red wine habit some of us slip into to help us unwind.

Don’t give up on your white noise machine, favorite cozy socks or lavender oil spritz -- just add Dream to your routine and notice how you feel after just a couple nights of the functional bev.

The fine print details on Beam Dream Powder are that it’s dairy-free, gluten-free, non-gmo, contains no added sugar and a total of ZERO calories. Beam also offers Dream as a monthly subscription to make your nightly ritual seamless.

When you order Dream as a subscription, the product comes to you every 30 days with their signature glass mug and frother. Subscription is also 20% off the single purchase price -- a significant savings! Pop over to Beam to try just one bag of Dream Powder to start or take advantage of the savings and get the cute gear with subscription!

This story is brought to you in partnership with Beam. From time to time, TCM editors choose to partner with brands we believe in to bring our readers special offers. 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 programs.

The post This Functional Hot Chocolate Just Revolutionized Our Bedtime Routine appeared first on The Chalkboard.

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Julie Sariñana of Sincerely Jules On Bike Shorts, Pasta + Knowing Your Angles

While being a successful fashion influencer requires creating a constant stream of new content, our favorite women have a signature look that they share on repeat. Julie Sariñana of Sincerely Jules is one of those women, and her consistently casual chic looks help shape the way we think about what we wear and how we wear it.

To celebrate Julie's second collection launch with fashion-meets-fitnesswear brand, Bandier, we caught up with Julie to talk about how her summer is going -- and how to take better photos while we're soaking up more time outside the house...

Name: Julie Sariñana of Sincerely Jules

Current mood: Extra, extra happy (upside down emoji face).

Trend I love most right now: Color! I love that we are all leaving our homes and embracing the colors of summer through our outfits. I think this collection encompasses the California summer vibes perfectly through our saturated, fun hues. An outfit should make you smile and this collection does just that!

Trend I'm ready to see go: Right now, I am embracing everything and trying to look at trends in a different fresh perspective and adding my own twist.

The bike shorts trend had a slow start. Did it take you time to fall in love with?I fell in love with Bandier’s All Access biker shorts years ago! Biker shorts are a closet staple and create an effortless outfit. What I was always missing with my biker shorts was print and color! In my Sincerely Jules for Bandier collections, I turned up the color and added unexpected prints to create the ultimate, fashion-forward biker shorts I was always looking for.

Favorite way to wear the shorts: My favorite way to wear the shorts is pared back with a matching bra and a colorful sweatshirt over my shoulders for a sporty-preppy vibe. It instantly gives you a bright, vibrant look perfect for summer nights in California. But for a more street-style look, I opt for an oversized white button up shirt, gold jewelry and kitten heels!

Best tip ever for taking a great photo: Be you! Pose in a way that make you feel beautiful and confident. Know your angles, play with different lighting (natural lighting is the best!) and just have fun! Take pictures in an outfit that makes you feel the most like yourself. For this collection, I loved shooting the active and posing differently than I normally do! The fabric is amazing and I felt so confident in it!

Best tip ever on dealing with social media noise + negativity: People will always have something to say, so it’s best to block, delete and move on. Don’t let anyone rain on your parade! Surround yourself with supportive friends/people that will always be there to uplift you and keep pushing you to move forward!

Do you have a favorite outfit in the new collection? It is tough to choose a favorite! Our printed sets may be the ones -- a gingham set and tie-dye with floral set. They are so unique and we spent months perfecting them. I also love that I can throw on the Aster Tee at any time and know it will complete my outfit whether it’s an active look or street-style one.

Tool or habit you use to keep your spirits up? Sitting outside to get some sun. It helps me brighten up my mood and see things in a different way!

Best things you've eaten this summer so far? All the food on my European vacation -- too much pasta, white wine and pastries!

Any new wellness discoveries this summer? Color Dept! My new clean, vegan and cruelty free nail line is the perfect accessory.

The post Julie Sariñana of Sincerely Jules On Bike Shorts, Pasta + Knowing Your Angles appeared first on The Chalkboard.

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Do I Have Leaky Gut Syndrome? 14 Signs You May Need To Address

GUT HEALTH IS THE GATEWAY to next-level wellness. Donna Gates M.Ed., ABAAHP is the best-selling author of The Body Ecology Diet and has helped millions of people get their health in order with this philosophy in mind. A pioneer in the natural foods industry and proven expert on how to best care for our “inner ecosystem”, we trust Donna and the holistic lifestyle she stands for.

One modern health issue that's key to address for so many is 'leaky gut syndrome'. So, what is it, do you have it, and how should you address it? Donna is unpacking everything you need to know below...

How to Tell if You Have Leaky Gut Syndrome:
Signs, Symptoms + Treatment

The term 'leaky gut syndrome' is often used to describe a condition that occurs when the lining of the intestines becomes inflamed (or “wounded”) and porous - some even say, permeable.

If you were to rub poison ivy on your arm, your external skin would soon become inflamed and irritated. The internal skin of your intestines can indeed become quite inflamed and irritated as well. 

While adults who have an inflamed or wounded gut may experience discomfort and health issues, a “leaky,” permeable gut is a good thing early in life. All babies are born with a permeable gut lining so that they can fully benefit from the nourishment of their mother’s colostrum.

What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

The inner ecosystem of your digestive tract is a rich community. It is bustling with bacteria and yeast. These bacteria and yeast do more than help digest food and manufacture nutrients. The bugs in your gut also interact with your immune system, the chemicals in your brain, and your hormones.

When functioning properly, the gut mucosal layer protects the interior of the body from large food particles, other large molecules, and opportunistic microorganisms like bacteria, parasites, and viruses.

This activates the immune system. Messenger chemicals, called cytokines, tell the rest of the body to respond. In the same way that motorists respond to an ambulance rushing down a street, sirens sounding and lights flashing, the immune system sends out biochemical “sirens”, and this alerts the rest of the body.

Usually, the response involves inflammation, which dilates vessels and creates blood flow while also recruiting white blood cells to fight off the foreign invaders.

So when your gut lining is permeable and inflamed, bacteria, toxins and food can leak through your gut wall into the blood causing a systemic issue. Your body must then deal with these foreign invaders, and react to them by creating antibodies against the food, leading to food allergies, fatigue, aching and other symptoms of ill health.

Signs + Symptoms of Leaky Gut

It’s important to note that if you have a few of these symptoms, or even have alot of them, that doesn’t necessarily mean YOU have leaky gut.  I am a big proponent of being informed, not scaring those into running to their nearest functional medicine doctor to get tested ASAP.  There are some people that aren’t affected by symptoms as much (goes back to the Principle of Uniqueness and/or our genetic makeup) so wouldn’t even think they had it.  Yet, you should be particularly aware of these signs in the event you have an autoimmune disease, candida, unexplained symptoms or chronic illness.    

Fatigue/lethargy/drowsiness/”drained”

Poor memory

Feeling “spacey” or “unreal”

Inability to concentrate or make decisions

Numbness, burning or tingling

Insomnia/trouble sleeping

Muscle aches, weakness or paralysis

Pain and/or swelling in joints

Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea

Bloating, belching or gas

Anxiety/panic attacks 

Irritability or jitteriness

Incoordination

Frequent mood swings

Headaches

Dizziness/loss of balance

Food sensitivity or intolerance

Carrying extra weight 

Weakened immune system

What Factors Contribute to Leaky Gut?

A permeable gut is not caused by one single factor. There are many reasons why you might be suffering from an inflamed and leaking gut. Perhaps you were not “inoculated” with a vibrant inner ecosystem at birth to protect you throughout your life.

Or maybe you weren’t breastfed as a child and the beneficial microflora weren’t fed the sugars found in breast milk that allowed them to grow and form a civilization of beneficial microflora inside you to protect your gut lining. Even if you did develop a healthy inner ecosystem at birth, years of stress and the Standard American Diet could have depleted your microflora.

Stress alone kills microflora and is a major cause of inflammation in your gut. Alcohol, wine and coffee contribute to gut inflammation.  Contributing factors can also include:

Mental, emotional, or physical stress

Stress hormones, hormone imbalance

Continued use of NSAIDs, antibiotics or steroids

Exposure to chemical toxins

Candida overgrowth

Gut infection

Foods that irritate the lining of the digestive tract (ex. gluten)

Environmental triggers 

Genetics (the FUT2 gene)  

How Do You Get Rid of Leaky Gut?

Because gut bacteria have such a close relationship with your immune system and intestinal cells, the inner ecosystem is your target when healing a leaky gut. Your gut wall is more than a barrier. It’s the pathway that your gut bacteria and immune system use to hold conversation. 

Often, several variables need to be considered while going through the process of healing a leaky gut in the event you have several issues going on at once.  Regardless of where you are, here are two of my most highly suggested ways to try to strengthen your gut wall and soothe your immune system by supporting healthy communities of good gut bacteria:

Eat Probiotic Foods.Probiotic foods are foods that have been inoculated with good bacteria and then allowed to ferment. During the fermentation process, good bacteria consume the sugars in food and form robust communities.

When you eat probiotic foods like cultured vegetables and kefir, you escort these robust communities of probiotics into your colon, where they do the most good.

For those with SIBO, if cultured vegetables don’t work for you initially, try young coconut kefir instead - it provides a wonderful source of easily assimilated nutrients and is full of beneficial bacteria that aid digestion and build immunity. Usually cultured vegetables are a good first probiotic to add back in to a diet if made with a culture starter.  

Bifidobacteria is one of the best probiotic bacteria to use to target leaky gut (and candida), which has been shown to help balance the immune system and control the expression of pro-inflammatory messages (repairing leaky gut and protecting against Candida overgrowth).

As babies, most of us have an inner ecosystem teaming with bifidobacteria—especially if we are breastfed. But as we age, the numbers of bifidobacteria decline. 

Studies show that bifidobacteria produce special fats that feed intestinal cells. These fats, called short-chain fatty acids, also team up with the immune system and get rid of inflammation. 

And here’s where genetics can come in to play too.  The FUT2 gene controls how much bifidobacteria you carry in your digestive tract.  It decides whether or not the body will show blood type tags in bodily secretions (like saliva, gastric juice, and breast milk) and in the lining of the gut. Everyone has a blood type, but not all of us communicate our blood type in saliva and in the mucus lining the gut.

These secretions (and whether or not they contain tags for our blood type) influence the kind of bacteria that grow in the gut.

Roughly 20% of people carry a variation of the FUT2 gene that does not allow the body to reveal its blood type in secretions and in the lining of the gut. This 20%, called non-secretors, is also unable to house a robust community of bifidobacteria.  This may leave those vulnerable to autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, Candidiasis, or even B12 deficiency. 

Eat Prebiotic Foods. Prebiotic foods nourish healthy communities of gut bacteria. These are high-fiber foods that aren’t readily broken down by enzymes—but they are broken down in the colon by your gut bacteria and can survive the harsh environment of your intestine. 

As healthy gut bacteria consume fiber-rich foods, they produce short-chain fatty acids. Short-chain fatty acids promote a healthy intestinal lining and give the right amount of stimulation to the immune system. Overall, their impact is anti-inflammatory.

Examples of prebiotic foods include:

Dandelion greens, asparagus

Onions, garlic

Green tea 

Grain-like seeds, such as quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, and millet

Prebiotic dietary fiber in powder form with chicory root also acts as food for the good bacteria, and is great for when you’re on the go and want to throw into an anti-inflammatory smoothie or drink.

Digestive Enzymes.  Many times, leaky gut and candida go hand in hand.  One usually isn’t there without the other.   And depending on how long the candida overgrowth has been around for, it may need a powerful force to get rid of it since it’s so resistant.  Full spectrum enzymes that contain cellulase and hemicellulase are key enzymes that may break down the cell wall of Candida and destroy its protective biofilm, thus preventing digestive overload and Candida overgrowth in the gut.

Always remember, when healing leaky gut, do your best to avoid gluten, dairy, sugar (incl. carb like flours) and processed and refined foods.  Think about calming the inflammation.  Also, steer clear of conventionally raised animal products that contain traces of antibiotics.

Remember, ratios matter too. You can optimize your digestion (and avoid bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine) by following certain principles of food combining.

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 programs.

The post Do I Have Leaky Gut Syndrome? 14 Signs You May Need To Address appeared first on The Chalkboard.

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5 Sustainable Sneakers To Wear with Everything

Sneakers, trainers, tennis shoes...whatever you call the quasi-athletic shoes you wear on the street, shop them sustainably. There are a few ways to go about this, depending on your definition of 'sustainable', but one thing is for sure: unlike some sustainable fashion categories, the options are all great.

Shop five of our recent faves below and take the time to explore each brand's sustainability pages linked within the shoe description for a true education!

5 Sustainable Sneakers We're Wearing Now

AVRE Swift Icon Shoe in Jet Black and Bright White | This pair was a recent find and we're thrilled for the discovery. Avre's shoes are knit with fibers from recycled P.E.T plastic (8-10 water bottles a pair). The Swift Icon is super-stretchy with a sock-like top and we're hooked on the subtly graphic speckled style. SHOP NOW 

Veja Esplar | Like everyone, we're obsessed with this shoe. Perhaps second to Adidas by Stella McCartney, Veja was the first sustainable sneaker to make it onto the fashion map in a significant way. The Esplar and Campo styles have become modern classics and the brand's commitment to sustainability is thorough, including their responsibly-sourced wild rubber. SHOP NOW 

able Zell High Top | A minimalistic canvas high top you'll wear everywhere. ABLE's real claim to fame is their effort toward workers rights, protections, and wages, but they also use sustainable materials and low-waste packaging. SHOP NOW 

Allbirds Wool Runners | We were one of the first sites to cover this NZ-born brand, now beloved for it's unique, no-socks-required wool runners, The California techies seem to have especially taken to this brand,. We're still wearing Allbirds for their effortless wear, wooly softness and commitment to sustainability. SHOP NOW 

Cariuma Oca Low | These classic low-top sneakers come in every possible color and are handmade with premium natural materials like organic cotton, natural rubber, sugarcane and bamboo. The unique insoles are made from vegan organic mamona oil and cork. Check out the brand's thorough Sustainability page to learn more and consider shopping for the whole family. SHOP NOW  

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The Founder of Pause Studio On The Benefits of Float Tank Therapy

Imagine this: you leave the craziness of your day and -- instead of heading for a massage -- you slip into a warm float pod filled with muscle-melting magnesium salts and meditate near gravity-free. Afterward, you wrap up in a towel for a therapeutic sweat in a private infrared sauna, then finish off with a few minutes of cryotherapy to super-power your nervous system and crush any aches and pains.

That's the experience at Pause Studio, and if, like most of us these days, your nervous system is shot and your senses are at max. capacity, this therapeutic sequence is a dream come true.

If you've tried cryo, infrared and float therapy before, you know what we're talking about. But, if you have no idea what we're talking about right now, we get that too.

Jeff Ono is the co-founder of Pause, the experiential wellness studios here in L.A. that offer float therapy, infrared sauna therapy, cryo, IV vitamin therapy and more. We asked him to chat with us about the benefits of these timely therapies for us in plain English...

The Founder of Pause Studio On The Benefits of Float Therapy

TCM Exclusive |The first 50 PEOPLE to book Pause with code CHALKBOARD can try a FREE SESSION (limited to float, contrast therapy, infrared sauna). First-time customers only. 

The Chalkboard: Jeff, for those who are totally uninitiated and have never climbed into a float pod, would you break down the benefits of the therapy? 

Jeff Ono: When floating, there are three main components at work: magnesium, sensory depravation and floating near gravity free. Each one enhances the benefits of the others and all support one’s mental and physical state...

Let’s start with the 1200+ lbs of magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate, an essential mineral that most of us are deficient in, supports the cardiovascular system, combats fatigue, positively affects bone mineral balance, relaxes muscles and helps promote ATP production.

Epsom salt baths are commonly used by athletes to promote muscle recovery and millions of others use it to stimulate relaxation. A typical Epsom bath contains just a cup or two of Epsom salts, but when floating you are basking in over 1200 lbs!

The next property at work is the near gravity-free environment that is created when you mix the requisite amount of water with the Epsom salt. When you lay back in the water you effortlessly eliminate the constant pressure of gravity on your body. Every inch of your body receives the benefits of full circulation. Your joints, tendons, ligaments unwind and relax. Your spine relaxes and expands and nutrients are delivered via unencumbered circulation.

The third component of this therapy is the sensory-deprived environment that is created when floating. We are bombarded with constant distractions and rarely disconnect from life to tune into our bodies. When floating you are basically forcing your mind and body to stop processing external stimuli. This often leads to a deep state of rest, a deep meditation. When this occurs, the stress hormones stop being produced and feel-good endorphins are stimulated. In this place of true rest, your mind and body are able to focus on areas of need and this can lead to elevated mood, reduction of anxiety, increased creativity, better sleep, brain optimization and more.

I'm sharing some health benefit studies at the end of our interview below. We are also kicking off our own study with UCLA Neuroscience soon!

TCM: Your water quality inside the pods at Pause is really interesting. Talk to us about that?

JO: The water in our pods is cleaner than any swimming pool you’ve ever been in. The purification systems on our float tanks are the most advanced available.

After each float, the water is recirculated through our filtration system three times. There are four core processes that keep our water clean.

01. The filtration system is able to filter particles from the water to 1 micron in size and are FDA compliant for drinking water (Class 1 Filtration). By comparison, standard pool and spa filter cartridges filter to 20-30 microns.

02. The water is blasted with ozone each time the water is filtered. Ozone transforms dirty water to drinking and water and it is 50 times more powerful then chlorine, while also killing bacteria 3,000 times faster. Ozone eliminates bacteria, mold and yeast, as well as organic material and viruses.

03. The water is also with UV light during the filtration process. UV works to purify by damaging cellular DNA. When anything undesirable in the pod meets these purifying rays, they are killed.

And remember, there is a reason why the Dead Sea has it's name. -- salt is an extremely hostile environment for any living organism. It has been shown in scientific literature that pathogenic microorganism cannot survive in concentrations higher than 10% salt and the concentration in our float pods solution is approximately 25% salt.

TCM: What really turned you on to this business and therapy personally?

JO: As a former executive in the health and fitness industry and former athlete, I had heard of flotation therapy and the myriad of benefits, however I never felt compelled to try it. In 2014, I felt that I had balance and was living in the present, but my soul was telling me something different. I abruptly left my job, my amazing wife and I were struggling to get pregnant -- life had gotten to me and I wasn’t present anymore. I was tired, depleted and stressed.

Enter flotation therapy. Being in the health and fitness industry for 15+ years, I had grown skeptical of many new wellness modalities, especially those that espoused the mind body connection. My first session was at the end of a long day. I was told to "expect nothing, embrace nothing". That concept was so damn foreign to me that it was difficult to grasp. When I emerged from the float pod afterward, I couldn’t account for the time I was in the pod. What was crystal clear was that I felt different.

As I was driving home I vividly remember looking at myself in the rear-view mirror and saying, “Holy shit.” I felt light. Giddy. My body felt refreshed. It felt as though I had awakened from a deep night’s sleep, but I also felt the endorphin-induced haze experienced after a competitive event. I was hooked.

TCM: Any great tips for making the most of a float session?

JO: Floating is literally the art of doing nothing and being at peace with it. The most important piece of advice that I have is to expect nothing.

Many come in with an expectation of how they are supposed to feel while floating and if that enters your mind perish the thought. Be free to accept whatever happens. There is no right way and no wrong way. The only thing to expect is that for 60 minutes you will be in a place where literally no outside noise, chatter or people can bother you.

There are many more tactical tips as well, including:

+ No caffeine (we know its hard!) for 4 to 6 hours prior to your session. You definitely don’t want that stimulant coursing through your body.

+ Hydrate well and definitely don’t come in full nor hungry as you don’t want your digestion system activated during your float

+ Don't shave. Shaving prior to the session is definitely a no-no.  Epsom salt is a magical mineral that hydrates, balances your internal organs, increases circulation and induces relaxation, but it can also sting if one has recently shaved.

We highly encourage everyone to turn off the light and music/meditation at least for a bit. Although both are comforting, there is no doubt that when all stimuli is eliminated the chance of a more profound, transformative experience is greatly increased.

TCM: What else does Pause offer that you're excited about right now?

JO: All of our services have multiple benefits, most of which are synergistic. And the benefits are consistent with what I need right now: stress reduction, better sleep, mental clarity, physical recover, enhanced immunity and overall health optimization.

IV Vitamin Drip I am obsessed with our IV Vitamin Drip. I religiously receive an IV drip every Friday with Dr. Charles Tabone, our in-house Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

It is tough to consistently receive optimal vitamins, minerals and amino acids via diet. Each time I drip, I know that high-potency vitamin C, magnesium, zinc are getting to my blood. With each IV drip, I add 100mg of NAD+ which literally makes the mitochondrial process in my cells more effective. I wholeheartedly agree with those that state that NAD+ is the fountain of youth.

Contrast therapy  is the marriage of our infrared sauna and cold plunge, another service that I am loving right now. The ability to jump back and forth between extreme heat and cold in the luxury of my own private room allows me the freedom to experiment with the trending modality on my own terms. It’s fun and I know that I am detoxing, increasing muscle recovery, elevating my immunity and I always leave with a fresh, clear state of mind.

Float therapy benefit references: On mental health | On depression | On sleep | On muscle pain | On recovery

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Melting Or Glowing? The Hot Weather Guide To Good Summer Skin

Does changing your skincare through the seasons seem like a high-maintenance habit for product junkies only?

Let's just remind you about the last time you hit the beach with your layered skincare and broke out. Or the time your favorite concealer dripped from your face while on vacation?

That's right -- 'summer-izing' your skincare is a legitimate thing if you want to even basically maintain good summer skin, especially when the temps are record-breaking!

We've pulled a few lightweight moisturizers, flexible luminizers, plus a break-out potion we swear by for you to check out. We hope they'll help you through this season of heat waves...

6 Key Products for Good Summer Skin

KORA organics Noni Glow Body Oil | Miranda Kerr's body oil is light-weight, but power-packed. We love this oil for it's clean, skin-strengthening ingredients. Keep up a good post-shower routine with this stuff while skin is still barely damp and arrive in the fall with skin that's healthy, not parched as can be. SHOP NOW

PAI's the impossible glow | Isn't this bottle irresistible? This is what we want to see on our bathroom vanity's this season and tucked into all our summer luggage.

Everything Pai makes is specifically designed for sensitive skin which makes the Impossible Glow the perfect product for overly warm months. Lightweight and illuminating, these bronzing drops can be mixed with sunscreen or daily moisturizer for a glow that's also wrapped up in hyaluronic acid. SHOP NOW 

 

OSEA Hyaluronic sea serum | Speaking of hyaluronic acid, we know you've heard the hype, but if you've never tried -- this is the serum for you. We always return to this gel-like serum for the perfect layer of moisture under cream or oil or on it's own very super-sticky days. SHOP NOW 

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint | ILIA was a TCM team favorite far before they launched Super Serum Skin Tint, but this product seems to have sky rocketed the clean beauty brands status big time! This moisturizing oil is richly tinted with the color and coverage you need (with 30 available shades!) and a potent SPF 40. SHOP NOW 

KYprIS beauty Clearing Serum | This breakout-quelling superstuff is hand's down the best clearing serum we've tried. The tiniest drop quickly banishes breakouts without irritation or peeling. We've featured it so many times here on TCM, but just can't stop. A blend of soothing and clearing herbal ingredients are just what every face needs this summer. SHOP NOW 

Herbivore After Sun Soothing Mist | Take this lightly hydrating and soothing mist to the beach and keep it in the cooler. Mint, lavender and aloe will soothe and hydrate, plus refresh your senses, which is half the battle in the heat. Use it at home to soothe skin at the end of a hot day. SHOP NOW 

This story is brought to you in partnership with The Detox Market. From time to time, TCM editors choose to partner with brands we believe in to bring our readers special offers. 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 programs.

The post Melting Or Glowing? The Hot Weather Guide To Good Summer Skin appeared first on The Chalkboard.

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5 Ridiculously Fun Delivery Orders To Make In L.A. This Week

Here are five orders we cannot stop repeating in L.A. currently! From Lady & Larder's stunning, farm-fresh boards to the viral olive oil cake that just won't quit.

Not in LA? Get inspired with our guide to matcha in NYC or this wellnessy cafe review in Austin, Texas!

boards from Lady & Larder | (Shown above) If you're big on playing hostess, you probably already know about this incredible drop-in spot for crudite boards and other fresh treats beyond your wildest tablescaping dreams.

The celeb-adored, sister-owned shop just moved to a new location packed with florals, artisan cheeses, farmy sandwiches, and boards of all sizes.

fresh cocktails at cult santa monica | This modern cafe on the 3rd Street Promenade acted fast during quarantine and began canning these adorable cocktails, made fresh (and strong!) in their own kitchen. Pick up a few for a playful and hassle-free addition to your next backyard hang.

Everything from Gjusta | We've never met a plate, dish or house-made condiment we didn't love from Venice's most beloved market and cafe, Gjusta. Treat yourself to a special dinner in from their full menu (a timeless mix of locally-sourced plates for omnivores) or place a catering order for their inventive pizzas, toasts or famous grain and vegetable salads.

Little House Confections Bomb Ass Olive Oil Cake | It's the viral olive oil cake that swept the city in 2020 -- and yes, it's still available. What started as a charitable baking project has now become a full-fledged business that has designer turned baker, Liz Roth up to her elbows in daily cake orders. Order and enjoy!

dips + desserts from Botanica | For the Eastsiders, there is always Botanica whose to-go and delivery menu is just as epic as their dining-in menu. We adore the women of Botanica for making magic out of an inventive blend of plant-based ingredients. A meal from this hotspot never disappoints. Order the berry crostada while it's still in season!

Far from L.A., but want in on the fun? Try recipes from our cooking class with Botanica here! 

The post 5 Ridiculously Fun Delivery Orders To Make In L.A. This Week appeared first on The Chalkboard.

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