Gift Guide Spotlight: What Comes Inside Anima Mundi’s Sacred Heart Kit

It's Cyber Monday | Get 25% off Your Entire Anima Mundi Purchase! 

Our Gift Guide this year is a tighter curation than ever: just a dozen absolutely incredible gift ideas for almost everyone on your list -- including you.

Anima Mundi's Sacred Heart Kit is one of them, a collection of mood-boosting superherbs, teas and elixirs that will delight any wellness lover. Check out what's inside the kit below or, if you want to create your own gift set, explore the site to discover their Coconut Cream, Rose powder, Chai and more!

We love the Sacred Heart Kit for a tea lover that loves to explore (they've likely never had blue lotus!) and latte lovers' like us who are constantly whipping new functional ingredients into our morning coffee.

Herbalist Adriana Ayales notes that this gift set is "a compilation of aphrodisiac and mood enhancing herbs, flowers, berries and barks known to awaken the heart. When alchemized, these plants awaken deep lucidity and euphoria in the mind and body, also gently nourishing emotional health."

Inside The Sacred Heart Kit

Cacao powder: Let's start with the most familiar inclusions in the kit! Cacao powder is absolutely delicious added to morning lattes, afternoon smoothies, and endless baking recipes. Did you know that cacao is also one of the richest antioxidant sources found in nature and one of the highest plant based sources of iron?

Cacao has been extensively studied for its cardio-protective properties and has touted aphrodisiac qualities thanks to tryptophan, a building block of serotonin, and phenylethylamine, a stimulant often released in the brain when people fall in love.

Mix 1Tbsp of this Heirloom Cacao into hot water, milk or Blue Lotus tea for an extra divine beverage.

Mucuna: Have you heard of Mucuna? It's quickly becoming more popular at juice bars and wellness shops as it is a natural source of levodopa (L-dopa), a precursor to dopamine. Since ancient times mucuna has been used as a revitalizer and rejuvenator, having some adaptogenic properties that help the body handle stress and the oxidative damages from it.

Mix 1/2-1tsp of Mucuna into coffee, tea, smoothies or even mocktails.

Euphoria Elixir: This elixir is a combination of Central and South American traditionally appreciated for their aphrodisiac and mood elevating effects. Red berries and herbs like goji berries, hibiscus and shizandra berries make a delightful elixir to sip directly or combine into teas, cocktails, and beyond.

Mix 1tsp of Euphoria Elixir into matcha, tea, or sparkling water. Adriana says it can also be gently sipped as needed throughout the day and night to keep the elevated mood just right.

Blue Lotus: Now, this inclusion is something really new to most of us. We recently shared more about Blue Lotus here. Blue Lotus petals are as gorgeous as they sound and are used to make a delicious tea with both floral and cacao notes.

According to Adriana, "Blue Lotus is a sacred flower recognized by the Egyptians, Mayans and Aztecs as the flower that contains transformational essence and were believed to boost the libido and increase sexual stamina."

To make tea, use about 1Tbsp of Blue Lotus petals per cup of hot water. Pour almost boiling water over the flowers and allow it to infuse for about 5-7min. Don't steep too long as more time just makes it taste bitter, while losing the subtle taste and feel it provides.

Palo Myst Protection Myst: Lastly, the kit contains a room mist to elevate your mood even further. Palo Santo is a treasured scent thought to clear, protect and uplift the energy of a space. As Palo Santo has become so popular of late, Anima Mundi's Palo Santo is carefully sourced from a small family in Northern Peru that ethically wildcrafts Palo Santo and is devoted to re-planting it back in the wild.

Shop the Kit for yourself of someone you love!

This story is brought to you in partnership with Anima Mundi.. From time to time, TCM editors choose to partner with brands we believe in to bring our readers special offers. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. 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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Living Well with French Makeup Artist Violette: On Oysters, Diet Culture + A Red Lip

Meet Violette_Fr, the French makeup artist with a cult following -- and now, her own makeup line. Taking off where the French film stars of the '60's left off, women like Violette are part of a fresh troupe of French women reviving American women's obsession with all things Parisian. Something about their break with contouring, diet culture and fast fashion has many of us inspired.

We asked Violette to talk to us about her take on the holidays, including the return of actual parties. Champagne, oysters, cashmere and an indulgent take on body image this season? This is exactly what we hoped the French beauty would serve up...

Name: Violette of VIOLETTE_FR

Favorite thing about the holiday season: Since I had my daughter, I have loved to create magic around this time of the year for her. This season carries a special kind of magic and I love being at home with my husband and my daughter. It’s cozy time under a soft blanket with good wine and a good movie.

fashion essentials during the holidays: A cashmere set. This year I am obsessed with this one in blue from Tory Burch.

Makeup MVP for holiday parties? Our VIOLETTE_FR Petal Bouche lipstick, Shiseido concealer, Terracotta from Guerlain, and always a bit of glitter!

Healthy holiday tip: Have fun! Diet culture is not healthy. Enjoy life and release any pressure you are putting on yourself to be better, look better, feel better etc. You are PERFECT.

Signature holiday party look: Glitter always -- on my eyes or lips.

Depends on the mood, but I often like to keep the skin natural, focusing on one statement. For example, I will apply a bit of Shiseido concealer, a pink blush from Jouer, and our Baume Shine Universal Highlighter as the base. From there I will color my lashline with a black pencil from Guerlain, add a touch of Terracotta that’s also from Guerlain to warm up my complexion, and add on our Yeux Paint liquid eyeshadow and eyeliner in Ciel de Nuit on my eyelids (close to the lashline).

As a final step, I will add a bit of blue glitter on top of it and layer on some black mascara to seal the look. I’ll always have my perfume Avec Amour close by as well.

When in doubt, you can never go wrong with… Jeans, a cashmere top and a blazer. Topped off with a beautiful perfume.

Go-to celebratory drink: I am not a champagne person, but somehow during the holiday season, I love a good vintage champagne. There’s just something about it.

Food you most look forward to: Oysters!

Coziest tradition? No tradition really, unless you count eating lots of delicious food in our cozy home.

Favorite warm winter drink: Mariage Freres teas in general, I especially love Lapsang Souchong tea.

Gift I'm giving this year: I am building my daughter a dollhouse by myself, which I am so excited about.

Gift I've given many times: Heal Your Wounds & Find Your True Self by Lise Bourbeau. It really helped me and so many of my friends.

Gift I'm wanting for myself: A matcha set, a scarf and gloves and a puffy coat for the cold weather.

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Our 11 Best Healthy Holiday Cookie Recipes of All Time – Updated!

Holiday cookies are a highlight of the season. The only thing more satisfying than spending cozy nights baking up a storm is sharing the fruits of our labor with family and friends.

There's nothing wrong with a tower of traditional chocolate chip cookies or butter-blasted shortbread, but if we're going to keep cookies around why not make them clean too?

We're sharing our all-time favorite healthy-ish cookie recipes that give all the satisfaction of holiday baking (and snacking) but with nutrient-rich superfood ingredients in place of some of the more common, and less gut-friendly ones. Even your most indulgent friend will love sinking their teeth into one of these beautiful babies.

From gluten-free thumbprint cookies to ashwagandha shortbread, channel your inner Julia Child and dive deep into this lineup of healthy holiday cookies...

Our 11 Best Healthy Holiday Cookies

Hazelnut Cookies Dipped in Salted Cacao Ganache | These cacao ganache dipped hazelnut cookies are made all the more magical with these sugared sage leaves – absolutely stunning on the table and surprisingly easy to make. The cookies are as adaptable as they are adorable. Get The Recipe

Not-So-Naughty Thumbprint Cookies | These thumbprint cookies from Laurel Gallucci of Sweet Laurel Bakery capture all the cuteness and crave-ability of the classic version, but without any naughty ingredients. Holiday miracle or just the kitchen wizardry of our fave grain-free, dairy-free baking babe, Laurel? We’d guess it’s a bit of both. Get The Recipe

Cannelle et Vanille's Gluten-free Crinkle Cookies | We're in love with Cannelle et Vanille's new cookbook. See our recipe with the gluten-free baker in the link below. Originally, the recipe is made with fennel, which we love, but we asked the baker and it can be skipped! Get The Recipe ‘

Cafe Gratitude Spiced Shortbread Cookies | These clean, gluten-free holiday cookies come from California's ultimate (and original?) healthy restaurant chain, Cafe Gratitude. Packed with pecans and spices they manage to avoid wheat altogether. Get The Recipe 

Raw Cookies Made In The Dehydrator | This protein-rich cookie recipe is adapted from Raw: The Uncook Book. Try them raw as cookie dough balls (they’re totally safe) or dehydrate them for a more traditional cookie – the cookies are rich in nutrients that don’t get diluted through the baking process.  Get The Recipe

Clean Cookie Dough Truffles | These lovely little cookie dough bites from plant-based food blogger Laura Wright of The First Mess capture the flavor and texture of classic cookie dough, but with clean, real ingredients that give us every excuse to enjoy with abandon. Get The Recipe

Turmeric + Ashwagandha Shortbread Cookies | We were blown away by these superfood-infused shortbread cookies while on the farm with Gaia Herbs. The enormous organic farm’s chef whipped them up for us using a secret ingredient – Gaia’s Golden Milk – including ashwagandha grown right there on the property. Get The Recipe

Molasses Oatmeal Whoopie Pies | Veggie-blogger Jessica Murnane of One Part Plant surveyed the vegetarian food scene to collect all the best tips and recipes for plant-based cookies she could find, including these plant-based beauties. Get The Recipe

Oreo-esque Raw Sandwich Cookies | In this classic cookie re-boot, almonds and hazelnuts offer protein and healthy fats, and our fave almond milk cream cheese makes a luscious dairy-free filling. Best of all, there’s no refined sugar or dubious baking process to hold us back from snack perfection… Get The Recipe

keto sugar cookies | I know, it's the last food group we expected to see go keto, but Vibrant & Pure made it happen! Get the recipe, make the peppermint frosting and be amazed! Get The Recipe 

Paleo Raspberry Cookie Crumb Bars | These paleo raspberry crumble bars deliver everything you may be missing on a paleo diet. (Hello, crumbling crust!) These bars come from British ballerina and wellness blogger, Saskia Gregson-Williams of Naturally Sassy whose ballet-inspired online workouts we've been loving. Get The Recipe

Pink Peppercorn Shortbread with Pressed Herbs | For a chic and natural twist on decorated cookies, Lori Stern taught us to press fresh herbs from rosemary to pink peppercorns right into the peppercorn shortbread (the cookies can easily be made gluten-free). Get The Recipe

Want to take the look of your healthy holiday cookies to the next level? We've got an incredible guide to decorating cookies with edible flowers, thanks to the one and only Martha Stewart!

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A Lesson in Friendship: 4 Ways To Support A Friend Grieving Pregnancy or Infant Loss

Last month, we fell in love with the lesson learned from the viral post below. Whether you have a friend grieving pregnancy loss or a loss of any kind, here are incredible tips for how to truly help from Box for Loss co-founder, Bryn Young...

We've all done it—asked a friend, “please let me know if you need anything.” While the intention is always earnest, that question places the burden on the receiver to ask for help, which can be difficult during difficult times.

When Ashlee Gadd experienced a miscarriage, her friend Anna Quinlan showed up in a simple yet heartfelt way. The now-viral Instagram post “Friendship: a thread,” Gadd shows what supporting a friend who’s experienced a miscarriage can look like and with more than 23k likes, it’s touched the hearts of people everywhere.

Instead of asking how her friend was doing, Quinlan texted Gadd a multiple-choice questionnaire. The text read:

"Checking on you. Please choose from the following: 1. I pick your kids up anytime after 3:30 today & show them a good time through dinner (which would be at Chick-fil-A, obvi, & would include takeout brought back for you). 2. I send DoorDash dinner of your choice to you (This offer is valid any day this week. Also next week.) 3. I have to go to Target today, I can pick up anything you need & drop it on your doorstep & not talk to you at all. 4. I can send prayers & good vibes & you can politely decline any tangible services at this time."

This friend offered simple, tangible options without requiring her grieving and emotionally fatigued friend to come up with something. There are many different ways we can show up for our friends and loved ones who may be grieving pregnancy or infant loss and sometimes the simplest gestures are often the best and most meaningful.

Offer to-do daily tasks. Offer to-do specific tasks for the family. When grieving, people are not often able to identify how they could use help and will not usually have the strength to call someone who has offered to help. For example: “May I deliver dinner to your doorstep tomorrow evening?”. Other tasks could include caring for other children, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, washing the car, doing laundry, picking up family members or calling others on their behalf.

Gift a keepsake or memorial item. Flowers, trees, figurines or jewelry/crystals are examples of items that can be a source of comfort, support, and remembrance—planting a tree in honor of the lost baby or gifting jewelry to commemorate the loss.

Gift them a Box for Loss, a physical and emotional support box designed specifically to nurture mothers and families going through the loss of a pregnancy. Co-founded by midwives, Box for Loss features products that are holistic, non-toxic, organic, and sustainably created by women-owned, small businesses (womb warmers, handcrafted tinctures, herbal vaginal steams help ease the pain and discomfort of cramping, essential oil rollers, medicinal tea and more). The box also includes informational guides with an open line to their support networks, thus becoming part of a community.

Treat them to a wellness experience. Gifting a health + wellness ritual to support them emotionally like a massage, belly binding or a womb meditation healing session.

It’s important to avoid statements that minimize their emotions, tell them how to feel, or rely on religious or spiritual beliefs unless you are certain it aligns with how the family is feeling such as: “It’s probably for the best,” “God only takes the best,” “Now you have an angel,” “At least they didn’t suffer,” or “At least you didn’t know them well.”

Box for Loss, Co-Founder, Torie Borrelli Hall shares, “One out of every four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, and most women go through it alone, if I can help even one woman feel less scared, isolated, or ashamed it will be worth it.”

Everyone grieves in their own way and loss affects each person differently. Remember these parents dreamt about sharing special moments with this baby, so this loss includes the loss of these dreams. Give them time and space to grieve. Know that they will find joy and hope again and your support will be an essential tool for them as they progress through the grieving process.

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The Best New Skincare Tool We’ve Found Under $200 (And Their Crazy Cyber Monday Deal)

Hello, gorgeous. We’re talking beauty tech in this week’s TCM Item of Week spotlight-- a topic on which we honestly have so much to say. The SolaWave is already one of the most affordable skincare tech tools out there and is now also running a ‘buy one, get one’ sale for the holidays which is pretty insane! Here’s our take…

TCM Item of the Week: The SolaWave

Anyone who’s had a great facial in the past few years knows that a significant change in skin clarity, tone or glow comes from far more than just a professionally applied mask or cleanser. Beauty technologies are blowing our minds lately, from microcurrent facials to the latest LED lights and lasers. They’re definitely effective, but they’re not cheap and, for most of us, they’re a rare treat.

Meet The SolaWave | A hand-held facial wand that combines four of the best-known in-office skin treatments -- microcurrent, red light therapy, lifting massage, and therapeutic warmth -- into a daily 5-minute treatment.

The SolaWave combines some of the most coveted modern derm treatments into an accessible and enjoyable experience at home (or wherever -- the wand is super portable!). And it’s just $150 -- the most affordable skincare tech we’ve seen.

Why you need it | Over the years we’ve met some of the best derms and facialists in LA and NYC and have learned a lot about beauty technology. We’ve tried most of the top tech ourselves and have heard an earful about it from pros who take their work very seriously. Our top learning? That LED and microcurrent therapies really work -- and work big time. However, too few of us use them often enough to see the full impact.

Professional LED and microcurrent therapies are expensive. And consistent treatment is key which adds up even further.

When it comes to at-home devices, a top Hollywood facialist once admitted to us that most of them were highly effective, but that she could never get clients to stick with a consistent regimen and see results. Relatable.

We’ve owned all the full face LED masks and microcurrent devices, but consistent use of both is an undertaking that only the most devoted beauty junkies can take on.

The Experience | Once we unboxed the Solawave, we got the appeal right away; the stick is about the size of a toothbrush and just as light. It could fit into your WFH desk or travel bag to use at any time, no excuses. It’s USB-powered and powers on with a light touch.

Since the tool is so small, light and takes just 5 minutes a day to use, it’s impossible not to get into a habit of using it. The warm vibrations are just near addictive and a great way to treat yourself without dragging out a lot of equipment.

Although we’ve focused on the SolaWave’s red light and microcurrent benefits because they’re so high-impact, we really shouldn’t underplay the tool’s other two functions: heat therapy and vibration. There are actually more expensive beauty tools out there that provide vibration only. Vibrating skincare tools have become popular with good reason, they quell puffiness fast and feel amazing. Together the heat and vibration also help skincare ingredients absorb well into the skin to deepen your glow.

The vibration in SolaWave also stimulates circulation for lymphatic health. We’ve spoken with a ton of lymphatic health pros and you’d be surprised by the ‘feather light’ touch that’s required to help support lymph flow in the face (read: lift and depuff!). A vibrational massage does just that, helping the lymphatic fluid just beneath the surface of your skin flow for better circulation and a more sculpted look.

SolaWave also makes a blue light wand designed to fight breakouts. It doesn’t use microcurrent, but does use therapeutic heat and vibration. We wish we had this tool when we were fourteen!

The Get | If you’re interested in beauty technology, but not interested or able to drop the north of $500 it usually costs to invest in a tool (or a series of pro appointments), the SolaWave is a great way to get started and actually stay consistent. The tool delivers four therapies in one five minute treatment time:

+ The combined therapies of microcurrent, red LED light therapy, therapeutic warming, and facial massage make the tool worth the effort.
+ The warmth and vibration make the SolaWave a joy to use. Bring the lightweight tool with you on 5 minute breaks while reading, watching YouTube or obsessing over your skin in the mirror. (Just don’t take it in the shower as it’s not water-proof.)
+ The brand also makes an aloe-based Renew Complex Serum with skincare superstars blue tansy and hyaluronic acid. As with any skincare tool, providing slip is key to avoid pulling at your skin.

SolaWave ’s buy one, get one offer this holiday makes gifting a no-brainer. Get the tool for yourself and a friend. Is there a better way to shop?

This story is brought to you in partnership with Solawave. 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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Leftover Heaven: Brussels Sprout Hash with Crispy Parmesan

Hash it out. Making a veggie hash is the ultimate way to remix leftovers or use up the last bits of your farmers market finds. We love this colorful, cruciferous version from Cookie & Kate's, Kathryne Taylor.

Her debut cookbook, Love Real Food is a vegetarian recipe bible loaded with nourishing, ingredient-driven dishes that will inspire you to fall back in love with home-cooking...

Oh, how I love extra-crispy diner hash browns. Here’s a more colorful and redeeming option, which is just as addictive. Shredded cabbage, Brussels sprouts, carrots and kale are tossed with a little Parmesan cheese and olive oil. The combination becomes tender and crisp when roasted on a couple of large sheet pans. This hash is a great side for any savory breakfast in my cookbook. It’s also fantastic with a fried egg on top and a side of whole-grain toast, with your favorite hot sauce on the side.

The easiest way to shred all those veggies is by using a food processor. Otherwise, it can be a time-consuming endeavor. Use your food processor’s slicing disc for the cabbage, sprouts and kale; use the shredding disc for the carrots and cheese. You can also use a sharp knife or mandoline; please be careful. (Or else buy pre-shredded veggies at the grocery store.) It will seem like you have a ton of veggies, but they shrink down significantly in the oven.

Brussels Sprout Hash With Crispy Parmesan

Makes 4 side servings

INGREDIENTS:

8 cups shredded veggies*
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 ½ ounces)
2 to 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
¼ tsp fine sea salt

*I like equal parts red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale and carrots

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 425°F with racks in the middle and upper third of the oven.

Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking. On one of the prepared sheets, combine all of the shredded vegetables. Top with the Parmesan, 2 tablespoons olive oil and the salt. Toss until all of the vegetables are lightly coated in olive oil, adding another tablespoon of oil, if necessary.

Transfer half of the mixture to the other prepared baking sheet. Spread the mixture evenly over the pans.

Place one pan on the upper rack and the other on the middle rack. Bake until the hash is crisp and golden, 16 to 22 minutes, tossing and switching the pans halfway.

Serve immediately. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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Living Well In Yucca Valley: Life On A Holistic Horse Rescue Ranch with Nicole Granato

A few years ago, we ran a series of features on women's health with wellness contributor, Nicole Granato. Nicole had taken a natural approach to healing her own PCOS and went on to champion natural options for treating the condition for women everywhere.

We lost touch when Nicole got married, pregnant with her first child (a testament to her wellness efforts!) and moved to London. In a 'second life' sort of twist, we recently reconnected with Nicole and her young family when they moved back to California, where they were giving a sweet herd of horses their second life nestled out in the Yucca desert. They also just opened a new general store for their community that has our name written all over it (figuratively speaking).

The Holistic Ranch is the name of both the horse ranch and the well-curated store and we asked Nicole to bring us up to speed on all of it...

Name: Nicole Granato

Business: Holistic Ranch Natural Grocer and General Store

Why yucca valley?

We found this amazing space we fell in love with on Craigslist one day. We had been looking for something for about two years and never found anything that just felt right. To be honest, we didn’t really know what we were going to do on the land, but we knew it would be something! We signed the lease and had six months to figure it out.

yucca in 3 words: Historic, iconic, exciting.

Previously you were here in LA, then London - what's been the biggest adjustment?

Yes! We have taken a few adventures in the last years. When we got pregnant with our son we had an amazing opportunity in London and decided to let life take us on that adventure. We chose to come home after a year and focus on building out our dream project! We moved from LA to the desert in 2018 and Holistic Ranch took form.

I think our biggest adjustment has been finding a way to do everything with no help and being full-time parents and business owners. It’s a lot of juggle, but we wouldn’t change it!

Tell us how the horse rescue began. Almost by accident?

The weekend we moved to Joshua Tree my husband and i went to look for a truck. On our way, we drove past a horse barn and stopped in. I'd grown up with horses and have a deep love and connection to them.

What we saw horrified us. We'd stumbled into a race horse breeding barn and our hearts just broke. We met a horse (now named Chief) as he was about to be sold off to a slaughter truck and we bought him from them. In the past three years, we've now saved about 30 horses, all of who were slaughter bought before we found them!

What's the biggest lesson the horses have taught you thus far?

Resilience, forgiveness and patience.

Best part of the horse rescues? There is truly no greater joy in rescuing horses than watching them heal and begin to thrive. A few of our horses have had no trust in humans, which is totally normal and fair, but when they do begin to trust us and open their hearts to us it is truly magic.

The toughest part:The ones we have lost or the ones we have had to put down. We had a horse die in our arms and it is something i will never forget! Every time we save a new horse, I feel like that horse we lost is somehow a part of it. It was our first big save and we took in nine horses at one time.

It was really really hard. I feel grateful that he got the love he did and that he made it to us to pass peacefully.

How do you recommend animal lovers support these kinds of horses and this type of work?

I would say volunteer at a barn, help with chores and any work that needs to be done for the horses. If you see a fundraiser set up tp save horses, donate if you can! Anything even the tiniest bit helps.

Love that you've created a shop in what is likely an *actual* food desert. What's the mission behind the shop?

We have some food options here, but nothing hits the quality that we are bringing to this community now. We are a regenerative and organic-focused store supporting as many small farms and small businesses as possible.

When I was curating the store, I wanted it to be a place people could really trust. There are so many great brands in the “wellness world”, but so much of it is good marketing. I wanted to create a space that would focus on the tradition of holistic living, something I grew up with and feel is missing from our wellness industry today.

 what are a few of the most cool products you stock? Hmm, so many! We also just launched our own natural shampoo and conditioner that we sell in the store.

Christy Dawn's Farm to closet line, Spring Sunrise Biodynamic honey and ghee, Zenbunny Biodynamic Coffee & Incense, Alexandre Farms Regenerative Milk, Fauna Regenerative Certified Skin balm, Dark Horse condiments.

What's next for you, the store and the horses?

We are really working on growing the brand and hope to open another location in the near future. Our goal is really to educate people on the importance of not just knowing where their food comes from, but on the health of the soil, the people growing it and the operations in place.

We want to help people shop with more consideration; are you supporting a company that cares about our planet? Or are you supporting a company that is conventionally farming your food, underpaying employees and continuing the system that is destroying our health and our planet?

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Claire Thomas’ Bourbon Caramel Apple Crostata Recipe

Baking a traditional pie can be a pretty major undertaking. If you're not a pro baker (or simply have a million other recipes to make this week), we suggest trying your hand at a rustic crostata instead.

This version by creative multi-hyphenate, Claire Thomas shows just how simple, but visually stunning a good crostata can be. Add the spiked caramel and a good cup of coffee or chai and your dinner guests will be begging for the recipe.

Claire made this crostata with us at the home of Betsy Simon -- a full-on baking class for a few women we love like designer Rachel Pally, brow maven Kristie Streicher and women's health advocate, Brandi Sellers Jackson.

Apples were peeled, bourbon was sipped and later everyone enjoyed a little fireside taste of all that hard work. In person gatherings still feel like something to treasure these days don't they? Make this recipe an excuse for an extra hang with neighbors or friends this week or add it to your holiday table.

While using whole, organic ingredients arguably makes this dessert recipe pretty clean, if you want or need to avoid grains and white sugar, Earthy Andy's gluten-free crumble is an amazing option as well.

Claire Thomas’s Bourbon Caramel Apple Crostata

The flavors of tart apples, sweet boozy caramel, and a hint of rosemary taste like pure fall. I used apples with the Apeel label here to make sure my produce was super-fresh and Off Hours bourbon -- which also makes a great accompaniment as a cocktail.

Ingredients
4 medium apples (baking apples like granny smith, pink lady or honey crisp work best), peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup bourbon caramel, recipe below, plus more for drizzling
1 pie crust, recipe below
1/2 teaspoon chopped rosemary
1 egg for egg wash

Crostata Preparation
Mix together apple slices, caramel, and lemon juice in a bowl. Set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to about 12 inches wide (between 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch thick). Sprinkle with rosemary and gently roll to press it in. Roll up the dough on your rolling pin to flip it, so the rosemary is on the underside of the dough. Trim the edge of the dough if you want a cleaner look.

Pour the apple mixture into the middle of the dough, and pull the edges (about 2 inches) up over the apples, sealing them in.

Mix the egg with a bit of water and brush onto the dough.

Bake at 400F for about 30-35 minutes, until golden brown.

Drizzle with caramel.

For Crust:

1 1/4 cup AP flour
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1/4 tablespoon kosher salt
4oz grass-fed butter, very cold and chopped

Combine dry ingredients, add the butter. Using your fingertips, quickly work the butter into the flour, until the size of small peas. Add up to a 1/4 cup of icy cold water. Mix until it forms a rough dough. Pull into a ball and place on plastic wrap. Wrap well and press into a disk. Let rest in fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 days.

For Bourbon Caramel:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup heavy organic cream, warm
1 oz bourbon
1 tablespoons unsalted grass-fed butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste

Heat up sugar with 2 tablespoons water in a pot over medium heat until sugar is a dark amber hue, about 8-10 minutes. Do not stir. Add cream, followed by bourbon (careful it bubbles!), and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add the butter, vanilla, and salt. Let cool before using.

The post Claire Thomas’ Bourbon Caramel Apple Crostata Recipe appeared first on The Chalkboard.

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Athena Caldrone’s Roasted Delicata Squash Recipe

This beautiful recipe for roasted delicata first ran in 2013, but we loved it so much we brought it back!

In a follow up to this feature of Eyeswoon's trip to the farm, we're sharing Athena Caldrone's roasted delicata squash recipe that we just had to have...

We were delighted to see all the beautiful on-the-farm photos earlier this week, but when we saw the images of these maple-drenched fruits, we knew we couldn't live another day without the recipe!

Athena is famed for her design skills, but make no mistake: She is no slouch in the kitchen either! Enjoy this recipe any night of the week or save for special holiday dinners.

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Only the Wild Ones: L.A. Gets A New Natural Wine Bar

There was a time in the beauty world when things got deathly boring. Then, along came clean beauty and everything was revived. Perhaps I'm drinking the organic Kool-aid here, but I think that's exactly what's happening with bars and cocktails. Especially in markets like L.A.where food and cocktail trends take off so fast, the locals are bored with them years before the international influencer set has had a chance to visit and pose in the latest hotspots.

It's hard to argue that clean food and drinks are new to anyone living in L.A., but a wine bar solely devoted to clean wine and low ABV drinks? It's new enough for us to devote an entire story to -- and we hope it's a trend that catches on.

We've been big fans of Heather Tierney and The Butcher’s Daughter, Abbott Kinney's glossiest wellness hang, from the top. Her latest venture, Only the Wild Ones is the natural wine bar opening this weekend with major promise.

Only the Wild Ones wiine bar s the latest hotspot to open on Abbott Kinney, serving natural, biodynamic and sustainable wines by the glass only, along with low-ABV cocktails and craft beers.

We're been talking about biodynamic wines for more than a decade, but it's incredible to see an entire (well-designed) wine bar devoted to clean bottles and brews.

The first and last date-worthy atmosphere inside OTWO has all the Tulum-meets-California vibes we'e craving lately. Just as you'd expect, bar-goers are able to order orange, white, red and rose wines by the glass, alongside trending -- but actually satisfying -- bites like cheese plates with beets, chickpeas and figs, gluten-free pesto 'pizzetas', hummus, olives and truffled potato chips. Their cocktail menu includes inventive deliciousness like the natty 75 cocktail ($14), a blend of fennel cordial and sparkling pet nat spiked with lemon and juniper berry.

Like everything in the world of wellness, we're happy for this trend to catch on - as bougie as it may be. Our whole goal is to further education and encourage the creation of more excellent choices apart from toxic or potentially-toxic ingredients.

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Fashion Icon Norma Kamali is A Vision At 76 (And Thinks You Need More Sleep)

At age 76, Norma Kamali is the fashion designer behind au courant street style looks (hello, Carrie Bradshaw) and an inspiration to wellness devotees everywhere with her svelte frame, clean lifestyle and through-the-roof energy levels. That's what we like to call 'goals'.

As a designer, Norma serves timeless looks that women from 20 to 80 are wearing to dinner (it's all about this asymmetrical dress). And as a wellness icon, she's a non-stop source of information and inspiration, recently formalizing her influence through a virtual Wellness Cafe.

The cafe began inside her NYC store in 2001, a hybrid toolkit slash marketplace inspired by Norma’s decades' long love affair with wellness. Now 20 years later -- as a testament to the longevity of her personal healthy values -- Norma's 'cafe' offers content from her best-selling book, I Am Invincible, insights from holistic experts, and a curated marketplace of authentic recommendations from Norma. The cafe will also offer exclusive access to her personal workout - The Routine - developed by Norma and her trainer, a former Physique 57 instructor.

We needed to know as much as possible from the beloved lifestyle icon and asked her to join our Living Well With... series. Read on for Kamali's practical, accessible advice...

Living Well with Norma Kamali

Daily breakfast: Warm lemon water

My health philosophy in one sentence: Sleep, Diet, Exercise

Can’t live without: Wally Kamali, my doxie

Once a week for my health I: Have a Thai massage + acupuncture

Healthiest meal I eat on repeat: My smoothie recipe includes blueberries, greens, avocado, and green powder.

Crazy health idea that actually works: (No health idea is crazy.) Active meditation.

Simplest way to improve health: Pretend your life depends on it.

Fave workouts:Gyrokinesis Yoga and Physique 57

what I love about fitness: I am committed to aging with power. What I like about fitness is the mind-body connection.

My daily supplements include: Zinc, Vitamins C, D3, B1-12 and Calcium

wellness ideas I wish more people understood: It doesn’t cost more. Walking and climbing stairs are free. Sleep, embrace a ritual-based practice, eat less (but better) food.

Health trend to skip: All trends.

Smartest healthy snack: Frozen blueberries.

3 clean beauty products I can’t live without: The Skinline Kit, including the soft moisturizer, smooth exfoliant, and glow color enhancer.

Ingredient in products I always avoid: Red Dye 40

If I could give just one piece of health advice it would be… Find timeless products that work and stay focused with sleep, diet, and exercise.

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Give, Host, Cook: The 8 Most Gift-Worthy Cookbooks of 2021

Like our headlines lately, it seems that cookbook names are getting longer and longer. We're here for it, as the cheeky, stylized, yet remarkably practical nature of these modern cookbooks is everything we're after in the kitchen lately.

Gift them, buy them for yourself -- just be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to cook with all eight of these incredible chefs...

For the hard-core foodie: That Sounds So Good: 100 Real-Life Recipes for Every Day of the Week: A Cookbook |Carla Lalli Music, formerly the food director of Bon Appétit and author of the James Beard award-winning, Where Cooking Begins just published this brand new guide. We can get behind the one-liner here 100%: "Great food is an achievable part of every day, no matter how busy you are; the key is to have go-to recipes for every situation and for whatever you have on hand."

For the minimalist: Food52 Big Little Recipes: Good Food with Minimal Ingredients and Maximal Flavor | We've been big fans of Food52 from day one. Inspired by their regular column of the same name, their latest cookbook features 60 recipes with minimal ingredients.

The cult classic: Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love: Recipes to Unlock the Secrets of Your Pantry, Fridge, and Freezer: A Cookbook | Flexible recipes seems to be a theme more than ever in this year's best cookbooks. Ottolenghi and team come through with tons of 'accessible, yet innovative Middle Eastern-inspired' recipes and we're ready to make each and every one.

in the know eats: Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes, and Stories | If 90's and Aught's fashion is back in style, let's bring back with it everything about Nigella Lawson. This Brit brought her hedonistic-realistic style of cooking to TV eons ago, yet we're still ready for anything she's got to offer. This homey cookbook is filled with the kind of deliciously adaptable recipes you'd expect.

the cover we can't resist: Antoni: Let's Do Dinner | But, really -- the Queer Eye star, Antoni Porowski brings fun, easy and crowd-pleasing recipes to every page. Most of it is healthy, all of it is fun to entertain with.

 

Plant-based dreams: Milk Street Vegetables: 250 Bold, Simple Recipes for Every Season | Christopher Kimball is the James Beard and IACP award winner behind Boston's Milk Street. And this cookbook details how Kimball has placed plant-based cooking in the center of the plate. Think "Chili-spiked carrots. Skillet-charred Brussels sprouts.  Mashed potatoes brightened with harissa and pistachios..."

the craving you didn't know you had: The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma's Kitchen | Meet Joanne Lee Molinaro, @thekoreanvegan your most in-the-know friend is already obsessed with her. This book went NYT-bestseller immediately thanks to Molinaro's wildly personal and unique take on Korean food.

You had us at hello: Italian Street Food: Recipes from Italy's Bars and Hidden Laneways | Since Italian bars and alleys are the stuff of dreams, we assume we don't need to tell you much about this cookbook, but to offer that it serves up everything you're dreaming of recreating from that Italian vacay, plus a few under-the-radar recipes that'll impress your well-traveled friends.

What did we miss? Tell us your favorite cookbook of the year in the comments!

 

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6 Ways To Make Your Kitchen More Magical This Holiday Season

The kitchen is our happy place...in theory. It's the hub of all our healthful endeavors, where nourishment becomes personal, tangible and fun. But during during busy seasons, things can take a dark turn. Think stacks of unwashed dishes, piles of cookie crumbs from our late night tasting session and a dining table turned into a gift wrapping station. Elise Museles, certified ‘Eating Psychology’ and nutrition expert, is showing us how to bring the magic back into our kitchens -- and why it matters more than just on the aesthetic front..

There’s no doubt about it: The kitchen is the heart and soul of a home. It’s a place for good food, even better conversation and filled with moments of creativity and face-to-face connection. We nourish our families from our kitchens — and all that is even truer during the holidays, when food is central to so many of our traditions. But, let’s face it… it’s a busy time of year, which means that mealtimes can feel extra stressful and even more chaotic.

How To Make Your Kitchen More Magical Right NowInstead of all the craziness that goes along with the season, take a moment to transform your kitchen into a sanctuary, worthy of the memories that you’ll create inside. It only takes a little time and attention to make your kitchen functional and welcoming — your family will thank you (and you’ll thank yourself!) when your kitchen feels like a calming and centering place to be. Here are some easy (and fun!) ways to make your kitchen more magical right now:

Declutter your cooking (and eating) space to declutter your mind. It’s not easy to sit down to a meal when all you see is a big mess and tons of stuff everywhere. While it's fun to acquire new superfoods, cookbooks and, of course, kitchen gadgets, all that can ultimately weigh you down.

Get in the holiday spirit and set aside an hour to toss or donate foods and appliances you no longer use. When you clean out your physical environment, your internal environment will naturally feel lighter as a result. Make room in your kitchen for you.

Sit down to eat. Sitting down for meals can do wonders for your sanity — especially during the hectic holiday season. And your kitchen should be the first place that comes to mind. Standing up like a short-order cook while your friends and family make requests keeps you from relaxing over a shared meal and connecting with them in conversation. Commit to spending mealtime at the table. After all, you belong with your guests and family at the table — end of story. Take a seat.

Entertaining does not mean entertainment. Inviting guests into your home can be a source of great pleasure, but for too many of us, it’s also a source of great stress.

Your guests aren’t there to see you turning your back to them as you pull a perfectly risen soufflé out of the oven, worrying about whether it will fall. They want to be with you, in your element, relaxed and happy. They’re just as satisfied with an easy meal, capping off the evening with your tried-and-true festive cookies — and a face-to-face conversation.

Simplify planning, whip up favorite crowd pleasers, let it go and be fully present.

Me time in the kitchen is like meditation. The kitchen isn’t just a place to bring people together — it is also a valued place to escape. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, head to the kitchen for a soothing latte and a few moments away from all your screens.

If you need to destress, pull out the cutting board and prep veggies for salads and fruit for smoothies. The rhythmic motion of chopping is an instant stress release, with the added benefit of getting food ready to eat ahead of the holidays. Make your kitchen a place of respite — even if that just means some time alone washing the dishes and looking out the window. Find your peace (and savor the result!).

You deserve a place at the table. (Your devices do not.) Your kitchen is a space built around the comforts of social interaction: cooking for yourself and others and sharing meals together, and the holiday table is no exception. That’s why it’s so important to take the time to treat it like the special place that it is. Remove phones and other devices that serve to take you farther from the loved ones you have gathered around you to celebrate the season. Disconnect — and connect.

From stories told around our tables to meals cooked in our ovens to glasses raised among friends, our kitchens have the power to bring us together and create incredible memories. And what could be more valuable during the holiday season than having a calm place to experience those sacred times? Make your kitchen your sanctuary, and then enjoy the peaceful and delicious results.

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Leanne Citrone’s Savory Onion Tart with Fresh Herbs

Sometimes simple is better. Especially if you're working with a little butter.

This savory onion tart recipe is a drool-worthy follow up to last month's oven-roasted tomato soup from L.A. creative, Leanne Citrone. We wanted more -- and Leanne didn't disappoint with this simple and fun to make appetizer or accompaniment to said soup.

With more of us cooking for pure pleasure, stress relief, and, of course, sustenance this season, a simple recipe like this one gives us all the feels. Here's how to make Leanne's simple tarts for an impromptu gathering or holiday soirée. Note: there are gluten-free puff pastry doughs available, but we suggest testing them beforehand to see if they hold up!

Leanne's Savory Onion Tart with Fresh Herbs

Ingredients:
1 sheet of puff pastry, defrosted (I love Dufour)
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
7 onions (I use a combo of yellow and red)
4 thyme sprigs
3 tablespoons Madeira
Pink or grey salt
1 small egg
1 1/2 cups mixed herbs, I use celery leaves, fennel fronds, tarragon, oregano
1 tablespoon aged thick balsamic
Maldon salt for seasoning

Instructions:
Roll out your puff pastry, lay it onto a baking sheet with parchment paper, take a fork and gently poke your puff pastry all over. This will keep it from puffing up too much as you bake your tart. Leave in the fridge until needed.

Heat your oven to 400 degrees.

Cut the stem of the onion leaving the root intact. Place the onion with the cut stem side down on the cutting board. This will keep it stable. Cut the onion in half through the root end. Peel back the onion skin and place the onion half cut side down and slice straight down so you have half-moon slices.

Heat your olive oil and butter in a wide-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add your onions and thyme, season with salt and cook for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring often, until the onions are golden. Be careful that the onions don't burn, you may need to adjust your heat accordingly.

Once the onions are golden and delicious add your Madera and deglaze the pan.

Remove your puff pastry from the fridge. Spoon the onions onto the center of the pastry, leaving 1/2 inch around the edge as a border. Brush the border with your egg wash and bake in the oven for 30 minutes until the pastry is cooked and golden.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

Chop or hand tear your herbs and sprinkle them on top with a drizzle of the aged balsamic and light sprinkle of Maldon salt.

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Trending: Foria’s Quickie Kit Is Making Bedrooms Buzz Everywhere

If you’re lucky, you’ve heard the buzz about Foria, the plant-based, hemp-infused brand closing the pleasure gap for women.

Women in the know have been passing on the good word about Foria for a few years now and we are starting to see the game-changing L.A.-based brand everywhere now. After their first purchase, most women we know are instant devotees to these experiential products --new modern staples for bedrooms everywhere.

Foria has become a leader in the personal wellness space, bringing real-talk into a space that often provides too little practical education about what men and women are really experiencing in the bedroom.

Their latest offering caught our eye: a kit of modern essentials named for the good ‘ol fashioned quickie.

Foria utilizes clean formulations designed to unlock tension, remove the mental and physical barriers that can hold us back, and free us into our more relaxed and connected self.

TCM Obsessions: The Quickie Kit

Here’s what’s in their cleverly named The Quickie Kit…

Awaken Arousal Oil (15ml) | Also known as their pleasure pre-game.

Awaken is a cult favorite in the Foria-verse and the product that’s gotten Foria so much buzz over the years. With broad-spectrum hemp and organic warming botanicals like kava root, cinnamon, ginger, cacao, and peppermint, this sensation-bringing topical oil helps to enhance pleasure and increase sensitivity before the fun has even begun. This is a must-try product for everyone: if you’re a ‘slow starter’ in the bedroom this may just change the game for you. And if you have no problem being ready to go? Try this to take things to the next level!

Sex Oil (15ml) | Say “hello” to the cleanest lube on the market.

Your skincare is clean but what about all the stuff in your nightstand? Unlike so many lubes on the market, Foria is made with safer, cleaner ingredients. Foria’s Sex Oil has literally only two ingredients — organic MCT coconut oil and twice the amount of hemp as their OG Lube. Use this oil to soothe your most precious parts and prepare them for some serious lovin’.

Intimacy Suppositories (x2) | You’re just going to have a little faith on this one...

So, the word “suppository” doesn’t ignite your libido? We get it. However, Foria has taken the lead in harnessing this effective form of application for optimal personal health. (They make one to alleviate period pain too!)

Crafted with fair-trade cocoa butter and broad-spectrum hemp, these simple inserts provide thorough lubrication and support overall relaxation.

Word to the wise: Don’t insert these until you’re about to engage in some good times. They aren’t designed for long-term wear unless you’re prepared for some serious leakage.

Now go on! Cut your meetings short! Cancel your plans! It’s time for a quickie.

Get 20% off your first order with code THEQUICKIE20. Consider starting with Awaken and Sex Oil as your basics — Awaken should be applied 15-20 minutes before while Sex Oil can be applied as needed — and the Intimacy Suppositories can make their debut when you’re ready for an intensified experience.

Need more guidance, Foria shares these tips n’ tricks.

This story is brought to you in partnership with Foria. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. 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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