Superfood Spotlight: Umeboshi Plums

Did you know there was a fruit even more alkalizing than lemon? Got your attention now. This traditional Japanese snack, the umeboshi plum, has finally fallen into the spotlight for it’s incredibly alkalizing effects. These little plums provide intense flavor and an equally substantial punch of health benefits, making them a new staple in our wellness pantry. What you should Know: Umeboshi plums, or pickled ume plums, are an Asian superfood prized for their alkalizing benefits. They have been consumed in Japan, China and Korea for centuries, both as a culinary staple and common medicinal remedy, containing sour, salty and sweet flavors and helping to combat fatigue, stimulate digestion, and promote the elimination of toxins. Traditionally, umeboshis are dried and then preserved in a salty brine using shiso leaves, that have many health benefits themselves and contribute to some of the anti-microbial components of this superfood. Adding to the list of benefits, umeboshi plums are good sources of iron, thiamin, potassium and riboflavin - all essential for the proper functionality of the immune system, nervous system, metabolism and digestion. Umeboshis are said to have been eaten by the samurai before and after battle to keep their stamina up and heal in-between. Today, they are still consumed for their health benefits and additionally add that pop of sour, sweet and salty flavors that is inherent in traditional Asian cuisine. Why you should try it: 1000 years ago in ancient Japan, umeboshi plums were used to purify water and treat typhoid and dysentery. Today, this superfood is still valued as a potent digestion stimulant, promoting the elimination of toxins and erasing fatigue. Just sucking on an umeboshi plum can help to settle a stomach or headache. Loaded with antioxidant content, one a day can help to improve your immunity and help keep colds away. Umeboshis have been used to effectively treat symptoms of fatigue, infection, colds, vomiting, diarrhea and dysentery, alcohol poisoning and hangovers, liver toxicity and prevent the oxidation of cells. Umeboshis have an extremely concentrated acidic, tart flavor, and like lemons, they have an amazingly alkalizing effect on the body. In their extracted versions, these potent superfoods contain 25 times the citric acid content of lemon juice. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is high in acid-producing, refined foods, like sugars and red meat, which produce inflammation and contribute to fatigue and digestive issues as well potential chronic diseases over time. By adding alkalizing foods to our diets like the umeboshi, we can help to restore balance and alkalize the body, reverse chronic disease or simply relieve a simple headache or cold symptoms. Let’s Get together: The addition of umeboshis to you diet may seem a little misplaced at first, but they are actually pretty easy to incorporate. Here are some easy ways to do so: - An easy and natural opportunity to use this superfood is by adding umeboshis to your rice dishes as either a condiment or including them into the cooking water.  - Try eating an umeboshi before breakfast every morning, paired with your lemon water to help promote detoxification and provide your body with energy for the day. - Eat one before every meal to help stimulate digestion and reduce acidifying properties of the foods you are eating. Or, make a tea by soaking the plums in hot water. - Try eating a couple umeboshis before and after a night of partying or traveling to combat hangovers and jet lag. - The plums are also found in a paste form which can easily be added into sauces, and soups as a great pop of flavor. The paste is also great in sushi, and may even help prevent food poisoning if you happen to eat a piece of bad fish. - Because of its unique and intense umami flavor, umeboshi vinegar is a great vegan substitute for fish sauce.

Final tip: Read the ingredients when sourcing umeboshi plums. Traditionally they are created by lactic fermentation using only the plums, shiso leaves and salt, but it is common to find artificial dyes and preservatives among their listed ingredients. We recommend using Eden Foods, whose umeboshis are still produced using traditional techniques.

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A Cup Of Glow: Our 6 Ingredient Beautifying Hot Chocolate

There’s nothing more satisfying and cozy than snuggling up this winter with a cup of hot cacao in front of a burning fire. Instead of reaching for a basic mix of sugar, cocoa powder and goodness knows what else, why not upgrade with a rich, warm drink that can satisfy that chocolate craving while adding a kick of good nutrition too? Look more beautiful by drinking hot chocolate? We knew you'd be into this. Our version of hot cocoa has skin-beautifying power and tasty tonic superfoods like tocos, collagen and pine pollen. Make this little cuppa part of your winter beauty regimen! [olists num=1] [olists num=2]

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The Pre-Party Smoothie + 6 Other Healthy Holiday Tricks

Nutritionist Kelly Leveque just gets us. She's a girl's girl to the core, full of useful ideas for balanced living like the below, and a little nerdy about the science of nutrition (we get it!) As a holistic health coach, Kelly helps everyone from A-list celebs to brides-to-be to prep for big events. Here, she's helping us to prep and stay balanced throughout the "big event" that is December. We're determined to enjoy ourselves fully this month (per our Guest Editor's advice,) but want to feel balanced at the same time! Take note of Kelly's great tips for navigating holiday party season - we love all six, especially her pre-party smoothie: order an Uber, blend up your fave protein shake, and arrive at your destination less likely to maul an entire tray of chocolate truffles...

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Meet Our December Guest Editor: Erin Heatherton

Is Erin Heatherton our first six foot tall Guest Editor? We're not one hundred percent sure, but she's sure one of the easiest to spot in a crowd. This all-American beauty is actually our third model to serve as a monthly Guest Editor this year! What can we say? These genetically blessed gals have made a career out of staying well in every way and we love what we're learning from them. While we embrace the idea that every woman should aim to look and feel like her best self (and no one else!) Elle, Lily, and now, Erin have all shared truly inspiring insights with us - from self-care to great nutrition - that we think help each of us head in that "best self" direction. Not many of us have the kind of pressure attached to our physical appearance as these ladies do, and each of them have handled that unique challenge with grace and a commitment to true health. We're spending the holidays with sweet, smart and charming Erin who knows a thing or two about how to hit the gym in the most effective way possible and how to find the perfect gift (Um, perfume-laden earrings? Genius!) This girl is a hard-core Chalkboarder - from the infrared sauna in her home to the way she accepts herself no hold's barred. We love Erin's attitude toward life. Here she is with a note on this month full of celebration. Join us all month long as we embrace the season!  Lovely readers of The Chalkboard, I feel like I practically know you guys. As a loyal fan, I am so excited to be the guest editor of The Chalkboard Mag this month. To my fellow Chalkboard lovers reading this, happy holidays (finally!) To all of you who creatively enrich yourselves, sprinkle your lives with positive vibes, seek out healthy ideas from inspiring people, and get excited about everything from nutrition to travel - and lets not forget gifts - this is a magical time of year. It is a special time of reflection, family, friends, and, hopefully, celebration. Seeing as you are my friends and it is the holiday season, I will keep it brief! The year is coming to a close. Naturally, as peer pressure would have it, many of us are frantically planning how, when, and where we can cozy up with the ones we love. You may find yourself braving the cold (hopefully, safely in the company of a giant hot chocolate) in a place that feels like home, or someplace you would normally only find in your daydreams - a perfect beach perhaps? Wherever you may find yourself, before you run off, I have one piece of advice. Being that it is the end of the year, and all, December is a time to reflect. A time to honor all of the beautiful blessings that lay behind and ahead of us. If you are going to be counting anything this holiday, let me suggest blessings. I hope to share with you the feelings which I treasure above all others: self-acceptance and joy. No matter what you did or did not accomplish this year, I can assure you that there is not much else to put higher on your priority list. I think you can agree that we can ALWAYS be better, and if you stay committed this year, I have no doubt The Chalkboard will help guide you there. As far as I am concerned, I feel that we are all perfect this month. Why? Because I am the Guest Editor, and well, frankly, I say so. If you are looking to stay on top of your game this holiday season, I feel you. Consider all of my most secret and effective tips and tricks yours. However, please feel free to leave the planning and execution of next year’s dreams to the January Guest Editor. Don’t go crazy and self-destructive on me - but, hey, you worked hard this year. Pat yourself on the back. Now time for some fun. All my love, Erin

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In The Holiday Shop: 2015 Best-Sellers + Editor’s Picks

Here we go, December. It's been one heck of a year and we've been looking forward to this cozy month of celebrations for just about half of it! Ready or not, here comes the deluge of parties, gifts, cocktails, and family gatherings - try to ignore the traffic, itchy sweaters, and bah-humbugs in between.  This month's Gift Guides will be broken down into some of our favorite categories and we'll be sharing them all month. (Remember last year's crunchiest Gift Guide ever?) To kick things off, we've stocked The Shop with twenty-one of 2015's best-sellers and editor's favorites. We've got summer guest, Elle Macpherson's glamorous green powder, the Super Elixir, a farmer's market backpack (adore!), Spiritual Gangster's modern sweatshirt that's become every yogi's staple, and the uber-popular little printer that spits out shots you've taken with your phone (can you think of anyone on your list who wouldn't want this?) Also featured, items we became obsessed with more than ever this year: the veggie spiralizer (we spiraled out of control there for a while, here are all eight recipes,) clean beauty brands like W3ll People and RMS, and wellness staples like Manuka honey (found in CAP Beauty's gift set), and Sun Potion's Prash tonic ambrosia - a stunning blend of tonic herbs, extracts, organic grass-fed biodynamic ghee and honey ("Oooh," said all the Chalkboard girls...) Enjoy our list of TCM best-sellers and editor's picks and watch for more Gift Guides in the coming weeks!

 This post is brought to you by Spiritual Gangster. 

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Holiday Party Bites: Clean Green Matcha Chocolate Truffles

We love everything this inspirational health and wellness goddess and talented chef serves up! What's not to love about these clean-eats, dark chocolate and matcha truffles?  Candice Kumai, author of Clean Green Eats, serves up these decadent, antioxidant-packed superfood chocolates that are flavorful and healthy. Thanks to her, we've got a few stylish ideas started for holiday entertaining that won't uproot our healthy habits... With decadent dark chocolate, rich and earthy matcha powder, and heart-healthy pistachios, this is the perfect dessert for anyone looking for a feel-good antioxidant boost. Pack these truffles for a little midday pick-me-up when you’re craving something sweet! Clean green tip: cocoa is one of the richest sources of flavanols, which are plant compounds that help protect the heart. The more flavanols, the higher the percentage of cocoa and the more bitter the chocolate. Look for at least 60 percent cocoa content when purchasing cocoa or chocolate.

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The Year of Cozy: Watercolor Burlap-Textured DIY Coasters

'Tis the season to get crafty! Who doesn't love gifting or receiving a thoughtful and heartfelt homemade present crafted by yours truly? This year there are literally hundreds of possibilities with Adrianna Adarme's new book, The Year of Cozy, providing endless DIY inspiration and recipes to last you all year long. We can't think of a better way to celebrate the season than with an artsy girl's night in crafting these adorable watercolored burlap-textured coasters.  My friend, ceramicist Lindsay Emery from Suite One Studio, made many of the custom pieces you see in my book. My favorite pieces from her are ones where she presses a sheet of burlap onto the clay, creating a warm and beautiful texture. I wanted to attempt this technique, too, but since I’m not nearly as skilled as Lindsay (she works with porcelain) and I don’t have a kiln in my garage, I used air-dry clay. These coasters couldn’t be simpler to make. You cut out circles of clay, roll the burlap onto them, and wait for them to dry. I think the watercolors look beautiful in the impressions created by the burlap texturing, too.

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