The Smart Girl’s Guide To Indulgence Through The Holidays

fall and winter are filled with a nonstop lineup of holidays that make this a truly sweet time of year - in every sense. From Halloween right through New Year's Eve, we're bombarded by sugar-laden offerings everywhere we go. Naturally, there's a time and place to indulge, but there's a fine line between embracing the season and tumbling right off the wellness wagon.

Wellness pro and yogi, Sophie Jaffe, has the balance as close to mastered as possible. Here are a few practical tips (and a totally clean recipe) from Sophie to help you stay balanced in the face of all that sugar this season...

My guess is you found yourself here because you are someone who cares about personal well-being and nourishing the body from the inside out. Me too. Just because it’s the season of indulgence doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice that sense of well-being most of us get from eating clean. None of us should feel guilt or shame around indulging during the holidays as long as we do it from a place of self-love and celebration.

A lot of fear around food comes up during the holiday season. Between all the tips and tricks for avoiding sweets, we end up setting ourselves up for failure the second we eat a cookie or have a slice of pie. Some of us end up feeling guilty which does more harm to our bodies than satisfying a craving. Make a choice to change your perspective around holiday eating. It’s okay to enjoy a slice of home-baked warm pumpkin pie or chocolate goodness. If we want to feel our vibrant best, it’s all about balance.

This holiday season, remind yourself of all the good you’ve done, and all the good you’ll continue to do. Step into the present and fully embrace time with friends or family. Indulge a little and enjoy with love and kindness.

5 Tips To Indulge + Still Feel Vibrant During The Holidays

To help maintain balance during the holidays, and in order to truly enjoy a few indulgences, here are my tips for navigating the holiday season:

Nourish yourself | All throughout the day and whenever you can. Before going to a holiday party, fuel your body with whole, nutrient-dense meals. Eat gently and flood your body with organic fruits and veggies. Superfoods and adaptogens are a great way to give your body a boost when you need it.

Hydrate, constantly | Keeping yourself well-hydrated keeps your body feeling full longer. Our snack cravings often come from dehydration. Enjoying a cool glass of high-quality water will also help you tap into what your body is actually craving. I love making herbal water infusions when I’m craving a little more than just water.

Get plenty of rest | Another body cue that people mistake for hunger is exhaustion. When you aren’t getting an adequate amount of sleep, blood sugar and hormones that affect appetite can be affected in ways that lead you to feel hungrier than usual. People who are sleep deprived also tend to have more intense cravings for sugary foods and simple carbs as the body seeks a quick energy boost. Be sure to get a full night of restful sleep or take a mid-afternoon nap to avoid rampant ravenousness. Create a sleep ritual that keeps you grounded and balanced. I love diffusing essential oils, taking a bath with a detox bath soak and putting my phone on airplane mode in my bathroom (away from my body).

Make substitutions + create recipes with love | Volunteer to bring a dessert to a holiday get together and make a recipe that may seem like a sweetness overload but is actually nourishing for the body and full of vitamins and nutrients. I love making healthy dishes disguised as desserts because it not only feels good making it, but it tastes amazing and you feel just as good after. Try Nice Cream, Dark Chocolate Bites or my own Immunity Chocolate—they are all ways to satisfy a sweet tooth but also feed your body with things it loves. Make sugar substitutions when you can and use intentional ingredients (like the Fall Vibes Pumpkin Pie Superfood Blend) which is loaded with superfoods and adaptogens combined with the traditional pumpkin spice flavor we all love.

Above all, enjoy it | The holidays are a beautiful time of the year, and over before you know it. When you enjoy a little sweet here and there throughout the season, really take time to enjoy it. Savor each delicious bite. By tuning into the beauty of the experience, you’ll truly feel satisfied and actually pretty good about yourself. Remember, when we deprive ourselves and restrict foods, it triggers a mechanism of survival in our brains. Cravings, overeating and binge-eating happens when we deprive and neglect ourselves from simply enjoying our food, our lives and the moment.

The below holiday loaf recipe is not only delicious, but also dairy-free, gluten-free and refined sugar-free. We used our cacao superfood blend for an energizing nutrient boost that tastes absolutely mouth-watering divine. Add pumpkin spice (or our pumpkin pie superfood blend) to turn this into a pumpkin loaf. Enjoy!

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Beauty Alert: In-Office Laser and MicroNeedling – For Your Scalp?

People are seeing their dermatologists for more and more interesting technologies these days and we’re all about it. We pay attention to what’s happening in the aesthetics space, because some of this tech holds promise for future application in alternative medicine.

Over the last few years, both microneedling and laser have become an incredibly popular treatment for the face, but also now for the scalp. Notable derms like hair loss specialist, Dr. Craig Ziering and Dr. Karen Grossman both here in LA and in NYC are using microneedling and a laser treatment called KeraLase to deliver a peptide-rich complex called KeraFactor to the scalp to restore scalp health and encourage hair restoration.

These in-office treatments are promising, but potentially hard to access for those of us not frequenting exclusive doctors for our regular maintenance.

We talked to the founders of KeraFactor, Amy Forman Taub, MD, FAAD and James Bartholomeusz about their peptide complex, why it’s become so popular in these high-tech treatments, and how to effectively use their solution at home for those of us who aren’t ready to hit the doctor’s office…

The Chalkboard: First, why peptides? Most of us are vaguely familiar with peptides from our skincare products, but why are they so useful for scalp health and hair growth?

Dr. Amy Taub: Peptides and polypeptides are both important here. Peptides consist of short chains of amino acids. Polypeptides consist of longer chain amino acids, also known as proteins.

While both have multiple different biological functions, we’re utilizing specific peptides with biological functions that are advantageous for hair growth.

James Bartholomeusz: For KeraFactor, we synthetically manufactured very specific peptides to the exact concentration needed to be effective in the scalp. Not to get too science-y here, but we also wrap those peptides in individual nanoliposome for the most optimal absorption possible.

It took years of testing and technological advancements to develop our final KeraFactor products. My personal journey started in 2012 when I started experiencing dramatic hair loss myself. My own needs led me to research as much as I could about the multiple causes of loss and looking into various growth factors like peptides. That’s how we discovered the approach we use with KeraFactor now.

TCM: 95% of our hair is keratin protein. Anything that damages keratin is also dangerous for general hair growth, correct? How does KeraFactor behave in relationship with keratin production?

James Bartholomeusz: There is a specific polypeptide to address the secretion of keratin. And there are key growth factors that influence the health and circulatory system of the scalp. In turn, those factors increase the flow of blood and other nutrients to the hair to support keratin.

Dr. Amy Taub: Yes, the specific growth factor that stimulates the production of keratin leads to a thickening of the hair diameter specifically.

TCM: What kind of in-office results are you and the dermatologists you’re working with seeing?

Dr. Amy Taub: The in-office results are there, but we’re actually seeing great results from the at-home use of KeraFactor. Later, some of our customers are adding those in-office procedures to jumpstart the process of hair regrowth which can be slow and frustrating if you’re really determined to see quick results.

KeraFactor can be delivered to the scalp at home and then also in a concentrated sterile solution immediately after laser microdermabrasion or micro-needling.

Client Before & After 2 Treatments

In terms of results, we are seeing a definite improvement in the thickness of the hair itself -- the quality of the hair looks better and also the density improves. Understand that this will not work well for people with severe forms of hair loss including scarring hair loss or autoimmune hair loss.

James Bartholomeusz: We’re especially excited about the laser-assisted delivery of KeraFactor, an in-office treatment called KeraLase. We’re finding that it provides much needed resurfacing and remodeling of the scalp with less discomfort and no open wounds that need to heal unlike microneedling.

TCM: You’ve mentioned that dermatologists are seeing a dramatic increase in hair loss and poor scalp health patients. I’m sure you could attribute that to many factors, but which factors are of note?

Dr. Amy Taub: There has definitely been an increase in stress-related hair loss during the pandemic, but I don’t believe the incidence of androgenetic alopecia (which is due to genetics) has increased.

I believe the main factor causing this increase is the way we’re shifting our thinking about age. More of us are healthy into older age and are more interested in our appearance than past generations were. That means more of us are solving for hair loss issues that previous generations may have just accepted. The key is in understanding that treatments exist that can improve the hair and scalp.

TCM: We know your team is on board with a holistic approach to dermatology and hair health. If someone is suffering from hair loss, what are a few of the most important lifestyle factors you would advise them to look at?

Dr. Amy Taub: Nutrition plays a big role in our overall well-being and hair health is no different. That said, you can have the best diet in the world and still have hair loss.

One key nutrient missing from many modern diets is iron. The body needs iron daily for healthy hair growth and our bodies can become depleted if iron isn’t replaced through diet. So many people have become vegan or are eating less red meat. For those individuals, it is important to ensure that you’re getting a daily allowance of iron in your diet or taking an iron supplement.

Stress may also be a big factor in hair loss, but is very difficult to control. Some nutraceuticals use anti-stress and antioxidant ingredients to try to mitigate the effects of stress which could be helpful to some.

TCM: Let’s talk about using your solution at home. Of course, we can’t implement lasers or microneedling, but how do you recommend we use it?

James Bartholomeusz: Actually, there is an at-home combination approach that involves laser! Similar to the LED face masks that have become so popular, a lot of our customers are combining KeraFactor with an LED laser cap. This helps increase absorption of the KeraFactor Solution and the cap itself can drastically improve scalp circulation for scalp health and hair growth.

Dr. Amy Taub: To use KeraFactor solution at home, you would apply at least a dropperful of solution to the affected areas of the scalp twice a day. Rub the solution in vigorously with your fingers.

Alternatively, we offer a scalp stimulating shampoo and conditioner. For that treatment, you would use the shampoo/conditioner once a day, letting it sit for one minute while you shower. Then apply the KeraFactor solution in the evening.

We have many many patients who feel it has helped them and many who receive in-office treatments on top of this routine to boost their results. On average, we’re seeing results at about three month, but it can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to notice improvement.

On a personal note, my son unfortunately started losing hair on the top of his head while in his 20’s. He started using KeraFactor at home and it has filled in. He stopped using it for a couple of months and it started to appear worse again. He restarted and it worked again. It requires maintenance to get those consistent results.

I also use it myself. As an aging woman, my hair was thinning and I hated seeing my scalp through my hair. I no longer look in the mirror and stress over the lack of hair coverage.

This story is brought to you in partnership with KeraFactor. 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 Gabby Reece: On Ice Baths, Podcasts + Spirituality

Gabby Reece is a legend in two arenas. First, as a world-class volleyball player (fun fact: she was the first female athlete to design a shoe for Nike!). Second, as a lifelong wellness devotee, model (including the covers or Vogue, ELLE, Shape and Self!), author and speaker who plays an important role in the wellness lifestyle space.

Married to another sports legend, surf god Laird Hamilton, the couple are champions for athletic excellence and a peak performance lifestyle. Gabby and Laird are the definition of 'living well' in Malibu, where they surf, train and raise their family for most of the year.

We couldn't wait to catch up with Gabby and hear her take on the ever-expanding (and low-key controversial) wellness space. From the spiritual aspects of sports to what's next in wellness tech, here's our interview with Gabby...

The Chalkboard: How would you describe your true wellness passion in a nutshell? 

Gabby Reece: It’s all about lifestyle. I’ve been in wellness for such a long time from the performance side, but I really consider wellness to be a spiritual quest. It’s not necessarily about being able to do the splits or achieve a certain athletic benchmark, I’m looking for tools that can help me get to my true essence. I want my outer self to reflect my inner heart, my authentic self. That boils down to 3 things:

One, approaching it all through the lens of spirituality so that we’re coming to the work and to each other with love and compassion.

Two, personal accountability is what it’s all about. Part of this accountability comes through relationship. The truth is that learning from each other and becoming our best selves is a commitment to uncomfortable conversations. Life can be pretty brutal. Honest dialogue with our community helps us arm each other to be at our best.

Three, nothing important happens without a true practice. You have to have a practice. Some say that knowledge is ‘power in action’ and I agree. Putting our best ideas into action requires intentional daily practices.

TCM: Wow, I didn’t expect you to flag spirituality as such an essential, but it’s true that the wellness space is getting much deeper. These three tenets give us a lot to ponder...

GR: I think that the depth is in response to how complex the world is getting. We’re looking for less BS and to achieve true personal freedom for ourselves.

TCM: It’s been years since we featured you and Laird as guest editors -- your influence as sources of cutting edge wellness advice has only grown since. I think people trust you guys because you’re such high-functioning humans. They know you’re putting your bodies to the test each day. What are your thoughts on why you guys resonate with so many?

GR: It’s really simple. Laird and I have been together 26 years and both of us have been incredibly consistent in our lifestyles. People have seen us doing this for a long time. The hardest thing in life is to be consistent. That said, we’re both still very curious and keep an open mind about how we approach wellness overall.

TCM: You guys famously host workouts for your community at your home in Malibu that include ice baths, weighted pool dives and more. In that sense, you’re leading the way in wellness for so many…

GB: Sure. We have a sauna, a pool and an ice maker, so we love stewarding those things and opening that up to our community of friends. Honestly, it’s not just because we’re nice, it keeps us accountable as well when we know we’ve got people joining our morning trainings!

TCM: What 3 wellness trends are peaking now that you find most significant?

GR: A lot of groups are now measuring biological results with technology which is interesting.
Gadgets keep it fun too.

Many of the ‘trends’ these days -- bone broth, heat and cold therapy, breathwork -- are a return to time-honored traditions. They are full circle.

We all think we’re so clever, but it’s not always so. We’re actually returning to things we’ve lost. Anything cultures have done for a long time interests me right now. What can we learn?

TCM: We talked about trends and I know that you also have a Somavedic at home. Where does the issue of EMF mediation and the Somavedic come in here? It’s still a new topic to so many people…

GR: For me personally, I consider the Somavedic to be functional art. I’m actually not a big trend chaser, but they make me feel good. I keep one in my daughter’s room. I’m often thinking about how everything in my life can support me, even the objects in my home. I have one red Somavedic in my bathroom and, at night, the glow is really soothing, while still potentially protecting me from any electronic devices I have near where I sleep.

The devices are a little expensive which is important to acknowledge, but they are hand-blown in the Czech Republic and, for me, while the science on EMF radiation is still pending, if the worst thing something can do to you is ‘nothing’ while the potential benefits are there, I consider it worth a try.

This is a space that’s emerging. We keep one in the living room. They are enjoyable. One more thing to support yourself.

When it comes to protecting ourselves from EMF radiation, the whole topic can get daunting and overwhelming for some of us. Tech is going to create an effect or response on our bodies and we still don't know exactly what that is. First and foremost, it’s key to fortify yourself against any of these potential modern threats -- get good sleep and boost the immune system.

TCM: Here we are talking about Somavedic and EMF mitigation. Wellness needs change with technology and the times. What other modern wellness issues are you addressing that wern’t a thing for you years ago?

GR: I recently saw John Tew for a facial that was actually more of fascia massage -- and as intense as any sports massage I’ve ever received in my athletic career. It starts with your back and chest, then addresses your neck, mouth and jaw to address the effects of “tech neck” and all the time we spend hunched over our phones.

It’s key to elongate the frontline of the neck! All our screentime, especially on the phone, takes a toll on our posture that can lead to pain and a potentially unflattering shoulder hunch. The head actually doubles in weight the more forward it’s position.

TCM: How do you start your day most days? Which A.M. wellness habits are most important?

GR: I don’t always wake up ready to go. Some mornings, you may even say I was grumpy.

Before the day has a chance to get a hold of me, I spend those first moments re-orienting myself with my intentions. What have I mapped out for myself? By the time I brush my teeth, I try to shift my energy in the morning to match that plan. It’s a long-term discipline.

I also spend about 30 minute each morning syncing with Laird and having coffee, then we train right away. Otherwise, my day will eat up all my time and focus.

TCM: Who is inspiring you when it comes to wellness lately?

GR: I find myself drawn to people who have a mix of both science and spirituality.

Dr. Peter Attia has a smart and interesting take on longevity. Recently on my podcast, Dr. Dayan Goodenowe his take on Alzheimers was fascinating. I love the book Anxiety Rx by Dr Russ Kennedy, a neuroscientist who took a somewhat ‘woo-wo’ approach to his own anxiety. I also think Atomic Habits is also a book everyone should read.

TCM: As a female athlete in the spotlight for all of your adult life, you’ve seen so much change around body image in public discourse. What are you happy to see shifting?

GR: I think consumers feel they should shop brands that reflect themselves, whether with sizing or body type, but so many companies are latching on to a more size-inclusive trend in a ‘placating’ way. I have an allergic reaction to that. It bugs me.

When it comes to changing ideas about body image, it’s not for me to say what someone else’s body should look like, but I want people to feel good. It’s really about functionality. We’re going to be here a long time, our bodies need to help get us around. We need to empower ourselves to be functional into old age.

Want to learn more about augmenting EMF radiation at home? TCM readers get 10% off at Somavedic with code ZENHOME.

This story is brought to you in partnership with Somavedic . 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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Do You Have A Hormonal Imbalance? Start with Dr. Jolene Brighten’s Quiz

Hormonal imbalance can be a confusing thing to decode. Our hormones drive every function in our bodies, and when something is out of whack our bodies will let us know -- frequently in the form of common symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, and painful periods. Learning how to identify imbalance gives us major power over the state of our well-being.

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a women's naturopathic medical doctor, author and leading expert in hormonal birth control-related problems. Her latest book, Beyond The Pill is an educational guide to understanding hormonal imbalance and claiming back our hormonal health. It's by no means anti-birth control, but rather a toolbox of information and resources to help women make the best decision for themselves and support their body whatever stage they are at.

Below is an abbreviated version of the hormone quiz Dr. Brighten uses to help determine which hormonal imbalances you might be struggling with. Once you understand your hormones you can seek out the right kind of help, and begin your journey to resetting them and reaching better health.

The Hormonal Imbalance Quiz

Here's how to take the quiz: As you read through the eight categories, mark down the symptoms that apply to you currently. Total up your symptoms in each category, note how many apply to you and jot down the number in the box next to "TOTAL". Once you've gone through each of the categories, take a look at Dr. Brighten's results at the end.

Category A

I experience bloating or puffiness.

I feel irritable or experience mood swings.

I experience heavy, painful periods.

I have gained weight or have difficulty losing weight, especially around my hips, butt, and thighs.

I’ve been told I have fibroids.

TOTAL:  

Category B

I’m emotionally fragile and/or I feel nostalgic about the past.

I have difficulty with memory.

My periods are fewer than three days.

I struggle with depression, anxiety, or lethargy.

I have night sweats and/or hot flashes.

TOTAL:  

Category C

I experience PMS seven to ten days before my period.

I get headaches or migraines around my period.

I feel anxious often.

I have painful, heavy, or difficult periods.

My breasts are painful or swollen before my period.

TOTAL:  

Category D

I have abnormal hair growth on my face, chest and/or abdomen.

I have acne.

I have oily skin and/or hair.

I have areas of darker skin (e.g., armpits)

I’ve noticed thinning hair on my head.

TOTAL:  

Category E

I have a low libido or diminished sex drive.

I struggle with depression, have mood swings or cry easily.

I have no motivation.

I am tired or fatigued throughout the day or have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.

I’m unable to gain muscle, and I’m losing muscle mass.

TOTAL:  

Category F

I feel tired in the morning, even after a full night’s sleep.

I depend on caffeine to get through my day.

I want to take naps most days.

My energy crashes in the afternoon.

I crave salty or sweet food.

TOTAL:  

Category G

My life is crazy stressful.

I feel overwhelmed by stress.

I have extra weight around my midsection.

I have difficulty falling or staying asleep.

My body is tired at night, but my mind is going a mile a minute—“wired and tired.”

TOTAL:  

Category H

I have brain fog or feel like my memory isn’t quite what it used to be.

I’m losing hair (scalp, body, outer third of the eyebrows).

I’m tired no matter how much I sleep.

I’m constipated often and need a stimulant (like caffeine) to get a bowel movement.

I’m cold and/or have cold hands and feet.

TOTAL:  

Hormone Quiz Answer Key

0 or 1 box checked in a category = This category is unlikely to be a culprit in the symptoms you’re experiencing.
2 to 3 boxes checked = This just might be your troublemaker, meaning right now this is likely the dominant hormone aggravating your symptoms.

Category A: Too Much Estrogen

Category B: Too Little Estrogen

Category C: Too Little Progesterone

Category D: Too Much Testosterone

Category E: Too Little Testosterone

Category F: Too Little Cortisol

Category G: Too Much Cortisol

Category H: Too Little Thyroid Hormone

Dr. Brighten’s complete Hormone Quiz can be found in her book, BEYOND THE PILL:

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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We’re Drooling For This Ashwagandha Latte with Chocolate + Roasted Hazelnuts

No highly-processed, quasi-dairy hot chocolates for us, thanks. We're looking to one of our favorite herbalists, Adriana Ayales of Anima Mundi in NYC for recipes like the one below this season.

Blend luscious cacao with roasted hazelnuts and a kick of the highly-revered adaptogen, ashwagandha into a frothy latte you'll soon consider a winter tradition.

Herbalist Adriana Ayales on Ashwagandha...

Ashwagandha is one of those heavily researched herbs that has put herbalism into the forefront of allopathic medicine. The enlightened Rishis —ancient Hindu holy men—considered ashwagandha to be one of the finest herbal medicines known to man. It is traditionally valued to positively impact almost every system in the body.

Revered for over 4,000 years in the Ayurvedic medical tradition in India, ashwagandha is one of the world’s most powerful adaptogenic herbs, which means that it could support the restoration of balance to the body and mind.

If you are one who is anxious or constantly fatigued, this herb is revered by the Rishis for both it's calming and stamina-boosting qualities. That's what adaptogens are all about.

Ashwagandha is considered to be a rasayana in the Ayurvedic tradition, which loosely translates to “rejuvenative herb”. In fact, some scientific studies have clearly demonstrated that it extends lifespan in mice (which typically suggests similar effects in most mammals) and had an effect on center types of cancer cell growth.

+ Ashwagandha is specifically used to calm the nerves. In several human based clinical trials, 300mg 2x per day showed to improve acute and chronic stress and positively effect mood. [R, R].

+ In two human trials, ashwagandha was able to decrease blood sugar levels similar to diabetic medication. It also helped reduce blood sugar levels in several animal studies. [R, R, R, R, R].

+ Ashwagandha has shown to effectively reduce pain. 10g of ashwagandha reduced pain and joint tenderness and swelling in a study conducted with 86 people with rheumatoid arthritis, also greatly reducing symptoms and potential side-effects with common medications. [R, R]

+ Due to its protective effects from oxidative stress, it has shown to boost longevity. In many animal based studies, it has greatly extended the lifespan of several kind of animals. The leaf extract, has also shown to contain anti-aging properties on cells. [R, R, R, R]

Ashwaghanda Latte
with Cacao + Roasted Hazelnuts

(Makes 2 servings)

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup roasted hazelnuts (roast at 350F for 8-10min)
1 ½ cup your choice plant milk
½ cup coffee or 2 shots of espresso
3 dates
1 tsp ashwaghanda powder
1 tbsp cacao powder

METHOD

Remove the pit from the dates.

Add the dates into a high speed blender together with all of the ingredients.
Blend on high speed until creamy. If you have a friction heat function on your blender you can blend it until it's warm. Otherwise, pour into a saucepan and carefully warm it up.

Enjoy! (It can be enjoyed both warm and over ice).

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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Make This Vegan Cinnamon Roll Holiday Wreath

Hannah of Two Spoons is on a mission to bring more plant-based recipes to the masses. Whether you're strictly vegan or just looking to incorporate more plants into your diet, her recipes are accessible, delicious and fun.

This recipe for vegan cinnamon rolls is so adorable we could barely resist making them right away. The key? A good vegan butter. Hannah's favorite is MIYOKO's and we agree since its base is coconut and cashew, rather than canola oil.

This recipe makes two wreaths!

Vegan Cinnamon Roll Holiday Wreath

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup warm water
1 teaspoon coconut sugar
1 packet active dry yeast
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (+ 1/2-3/4 more for kneading)
1/3 cup vegan butter melted
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/3 cup coconut sugar
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 tbsp neutral oil
1/2 cup vegan butter room temp
2/3 cup coconut sugar
2 tbsp cinnamon

Optional: powdered sugar, star sprinkles for decoration

INSTRUCTIONS
In a small bowl add warm water. Stir in coconut sugar until mostly dissolved. Then add yeast and stir. Set aside for about 7 minutes, or until yeast is dissolved and liquid mixture creates foamy bubbles on top.
(If bubbles do not form, toss and try again. Water should be warm but not boiling or it will kill the yeast).

Add 2 cups flour to a large mixing bowl. In a separate mixing bowl, combine melted butter, almond milk, coconut sugar, and sea salt. Pour in yeast mixture and stir to combine.

Pour wet mixture over your flour and stir with a large wooden spoon. Mix until combined and resembling batter consistency. Then add remaining 3/4 cups flour. Mix together.

Knead mixture until it comes together in a shaggy and sticky dough. Flour work surface and place dough on top. Knead the dough, adding small handfuls of flour as needed, until it’s no longer sticky to the touch, approx. 3-4 minutes. The dough should be smooth and elastic. (Don’t be afraid to add lots more flour. Adding 1/2 cup to 3/4 cups while kneading is normal). When dough is no longer sticky to the touch, shape it into a big ball.

Wash mixing bowl and dry it. Lightly oil the bowl with 1 tbsp neutral oil (or melted vegan butter) and place dough inside. Flip the dough around so it gets lightly coated in the oil. Then, tightly cover the bowl with bees wrap and place in a draft-free area. Let the dough rise for at least 1 hour. (It should almost double in size).

Meanwhile, make the cinnamon sugar filling. In a small bowl combine vegan butter, coconut sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.

When dough has risen, divide it into 2 equal portions (to make 2 dough balls). Place on a clean work surface to the side.

Preheat oven to 400F (200C). On a floured work surface, taking one dough ball at at a time, roll the dough into a rectangle as best you can, about 1/8 inch thick. Don't worry if it's not a perfect rectangle, my edges were wiggly.

Lather cinnamon filling over dough in an even layer, leaving a clean 1/2-inch border around the edges. Then roll the dough away from you to form a log.

Rotate log so that the end side is nearest you and using a sharp knife, cut the log in half vertically (from top to bottom) leaving about 1/2 inch at the top uncut.

Start braiding the two pieces, one over the other, trying to keep the open layers exposed so the cut side remains on top (this is what makes this braid effect). When you've braided the entire log pinch the ends together, and form a circular wreath. Gently transfer braided cinnamon wreath to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Rolling out your second dough ball, and continue steps for lathering with cinnamon filling, rolling, slicing and braiding. Forming a wreath. Place on same baking tray, ensuring there is at least 2-3 inches between both wreaths. They will expand as they cook. (If you have remaining cinnamon filling you can serve with cinnamon buns as a buttery spread)

Bake cinnamon buns for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm with remaining cinnamon filling.

Cinnamon bun wreaths can be frozen. Let cool completely, wrap well and freeze for up to two weeks. Let thaw completely before serving. Optional to pop in oven at 300C/150F for 15 minutes to warm.

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7 Clean Makeup Musts For Holiday Party Season

Bury those supply chain woes, swipe on a good red lip and head for the canapes. We're looking forward to holiday party season this year and we know you are too.

We're rounded up seven essential clean makeup picks for holiday party season like no other...

7 Clean Makeup Musts For Holiday Parties

La Bouche Rouge Matte Red Refill | If there's ever been a year to throw on a classic red lip, this is it. Pull off a matte red lip with our French makeup obsession, the chic and refillable, La Bouche Rouge. These sustainable, leather-bound beauty essentials make great gifts, but they're too good to skip for nights out ourselves. 

AXIOLOGY SUPER FAN PACK | Axiology made a big move a few years ago and cut their packaging down big time. By reducing waste they accidentally created the cutest lipsticks ever in these pastel crayon-like chubbies. You get the same amount or product (see the chart), but none of the extra packaging. Do we need this Super Fan Pack of fourteen shades? No. Do we want it? Oh, yes.

Pai the Impossible Glow |This hydrating bronzer made The Detox Market’s Best of 2021 Box this year and we agree! Get a hydrating dose of warmth and radiance from liquid bronzing drops designed for sensitive skin. Pai's product can also be found in this incredible beauty set in our 2021 Gift Guide. 

KJAER WEIS Lip Pencil | If you're going to do a bold lip this season, start with a good lip liner to keep everything in place. Seal with the lightest layer of translucent powder to set color so it won’t fade or travel! Kjaer Weis' pencil is one of the best in the business. 

RITUEL DE FILLE Ash and Ember Eye Soot | Little in the clean beauty world says 'night out' like Rituel de Fille's Ember eye soot. Each smudgy color is better than the next in flattering tones (as shown in the lead image) and housed in pots covered in starry nights.

LILY LOLO Laid Bare Eye Palette | Who can resist a palette? Lily Lolo creates our favorite versions -- perfect for a smoky eye as tame or dramatic as you choose. Bonus points: the formula is free of all the nasties in conventional eye shadow (you'd be surprised).

One Love Organics Vitamin B Cleanser | Think ahead to the end of the night and make it as easy as possible to peel that party face off. Our forever favorite, One Love Organics cleanser will remove every trace of makeup without a big to-do and will bless your skin with vitamins at the same time. 

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

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