Look it’s the weekend, time to lounge on the beach ☀️...

Look it’s the weekend, time to lounge on the beach ☀️ #bestswimwear http://ift.tt/2cMqaos

from The BestSwimwear Blog http://ift.tt/2cFRWiB
via IFTTT

6 Stunning Tablescape Ideas For Parties At Home

L.A. is abuzz with parties every month of the year. The city's impressive caterers, chefs and the like set the bar pretty high for us when we go to throw a dinner party at home - and we're learning from the best.

Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering with a few friends or a large dinner party for the holidays, we love the idea of a gorgeous bar or food station and a well-styled tablescape. Urban Palate’s Creative Director, Wilmarose Orlanes, creates stunning layouts - like the ones shown above - for a living: We asked her to divulge a few keys tips to achieving these beautiful looks at home...

The options are truly endless when it comes to styling a tablescape, as there are many elements to play around with that can enhance the aesthetics of your food (color palettes, textures, props, backdrops, floral, etc.).

We encourage you to have fun with it and explore your creativity! Experiment with different materials, look for design inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram and you’ll find your own way to create a beautiful and eye-catching display.

The post 6 Stunning Tablescape Ideas For Parties At Home appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2ctfOLV
via IFTTT

Signs You’re Experiencing A B12 Deficiency + What To Do

We're sharing more from holistic nutritionist, Elissa Goodman, in our series detailing insights from her important new book, Cancer Hacks: We've covered daily detoxing, tips for reviving an exhausted nervous system and even a powerful lesson on the healing power of compassion. Join us again as we explore the risks of a B12 deficiency and what to do in the case of one (not all supplements are created equal)...

A big change in my life occurred when I started supplementing with B12. My energy skyrocketed. You know that post-workout high you get or post-coffee rush? Imagine that, with no crash.

I refer to B12 as “food for life". I never could have imagined that I would have more energy in my 50’s than I did in my 20’s. I don’t owe it all to B12, but it is a big part of how and why I’m thriving. In fact, a lack of the right amounts B12 might be the only thing standing between you and a life filled with energy and vitality.

B12 has been called “life’s most important nutrient.” Your heart, brain, energy levels, mental health, and cardiovascular system rely on it. B12 bolsters your central nervous system (remember how important that is to overall well-being?), contributes to the formation of your blood cells, nerve cells and even DNA. B12 plays an essential role in white blood cell production, which, in turn, helps your body ward off disease. B12 also supports thyroid health and the production of melatonin and serotonin (sleep good/feel good!).

Approximately 40% of the population is deficient in B12, “life’s most important nutrient.” If you’re feeling tired, confused, unmotivated, depressed, weak, sluggish or anxious, you just might be among those who are deficient. Only a blood test can confirm deficiency; however, if you find yourself in one of the following categories you may be at a higher risk...

You Might Have A B12 deficiency If...

You’re a vegetarian:  B12 is primarily sourced from animal products; the plant foods that are sources of B12 are actually B12 analogs. An analog blocks the uptake of true B12, so your body’s need for the nutrient actually increases.

You Spent Years on processed foods: You may be on a better track now, but years of eating processed foods like MSG, gluten, high-fructose corn syrup, drinking soda, and eating takeout wreak havoc on B12 production.

You're On Long-term hormonal birth control: Studies show that pills higher in estrogen are associated with B12 deficiencies, leading us to assume that estrogen interferes with absorption.

You're over the age of 50: As you age, vitamin absorption decreases due to the decreasing of stomach acid. The depletion of stomach acid, coupled with an increased intake of medications, tend to lead towards deficiency.

You Take heartburn medication: Heartburn medication (Pepcid, Nexium, Zantac) suppresses stomach acid production, which is essential for B12 absorption. If you take these medications regularly, B12 deficiency can be of concern.

You Have A few drinks daily (on average):Frequent alcohol use irritates the stomach lining and contributes to low stomach acid, which contributes to reduced B12 absorption. B12 is produced in the ileum, but stored in the liver; therefore impaired liver function contributes to depletion of B12 stores.

How to Manage A B12 deficiency

It’s important to note that most oral B12 supplements are ineffective, as B12 is not easily absorbed. The body has a very refined system for absorbing this nutrient that involves enzymes and stomach factors. In addition to choosing the right supplement, these are three things crucial for B12 absorption:

Elevated probiotics: Bacterial imbalance will prevent absorption; elevating probiotics can combat this. A daily regimen of either Probulin 20 Billion, Dr. Ohhira’s Professional Strength Formula, Pure Encapsulations 50 Billion or VSL #3 (taken before bed) are recommended.

Enzymes: Taking Enzymedica Digest Gold ATPro with meals is a great way to boost enzyme production.

HCL: Juicing fresh, organic celery daily for two weeks will increase the production of HCL in the stomach, allowing for better absorption of B12. Approximately 16 ounces each morning or a small bunch juiced will do the trick.

The best way to supplement b12

Your B12 supplement should be methocobalamin (the best form to absorb) combined with adenosyclobalmin. This is the perfect combo for supplementation. Avoid any B12 supplement with cynoclobalamin - this is not easily absorbed.

I recommend Global Healing B12. This liquid supplement is a blend of methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, the two most bioactive forms of vitamin B12, that are more absorbable and bioavailable. Plus, this supplement is vegan friendly.

If you need to refill your stores of this nutrient, but worry about taking too much, B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning your body only absorbs a small amount. Large amounts of B12 at one time may cause diarrhea and all-over itchiness, but this is a rare occurrence and can be avoided with proper dosing.

The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. 
All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program. 

The post Signs You’re Experiencing A B12 Deficiency + What To Do appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2ctg7qa
via IFTTT

Green Apple + Butternut Squash Soup with Crème Fraîche

Just the idea of cable-knit sweaters and steamy squash soup has us drowning in fall feels, long before the weather actually justifies it. We're indulging the early start with a delicious collaboration from L.A. farm-to-doorstep delivery service, Out of the Box Collective: Featuring recipes from a new farmers market-inspired cookbook, this box is everything we need to celebrate the emerging season including this incredible green apple and butternut squash soup recipe...

San Luis Obispo (SLO) is home to 20 weekly farmers’ markets, creating a vibrant local food scene of rich cheeses, meats, fish, breads and produce. It’s also fertile ground for chefs, small-batch food makers, restaurateurs and cookbook writers who come together to continue the creative journey of cooking. Out of the Box Collective has curated an inspirational box for food lovers who appreciate local traditions and want a simple dinner experience to reflect the SLOcal bounty of both food and people coming together to create culinary magic.

Our farmers’ market hero in the SLOcal space is Kendra Aronson. The writer and publisher of The SLO Farmers' Market Cookbook, Kendra has compiled a collection of recipes - many by the folks in the community - to showcase the local ingredients that are in several signature dishes from Southern and Central California. By enjoying this box, you'll also get to explore some of the dishes from Kendra’s stunning cookbook.

When we share our cookbook secrets, we all grow that much closer to the beauty of local and less commercial, handmade and less machine manufactured, intimate and less impersonal. We support a local food economy with seasonal produce that’s best for our health and wellbeing. Who doesn’t want to support a food and farming community and culture that is this colorful, bountiful and delicious?

[olists num=2][olists num=1]

The post Green Apple + Butternut Squash Soup with Crème Fraîche appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2cvIhOe
via IFTTT

A Doctor’s Take on The Benefits of Wheatgrass (Get Into It, People!)

Wheatgrass is one of the "greenest" tasting things on the planet - and one of the toughest shots to take! Thankfully, the flavor wizards at Pressed Juicery have created a new fall concoction (including wheatgrass, apple, ginger, yuzu, mint and coconut water) that we're more than happy to drink. Each bottle is stuffed with as much of the green stuff as we'd get from a single shot, which is great news, since a shot of wheatgrass a day is sworn by more health advocates than we care to count!

Dr. Lisa Davis of Pressed Juicery’s Medical Board is brushing up our knowledge on the benefits of wheatgrass below. Still not sold? Check out our piece on fifty reasons to drink it (the comments are filled with extra insights too!)

The color catches you first: a vibrant, tourmaline green. Then there’s the flavor: sweet, strong, fresh, definitely grassy, with a certain note of very-good-for-you. A sip of cold wheatgrass juice is singularly invigorating. Close your eyes and it’s easy to imagine that you live in Malibu and ride your horse along the beach every morning before your three-hour yoga sessions. No wonder A-listers like Drew Barrymore and Angelina Jolie are rumored to be fans! But do the benefits of wheatgrass juice have more weight than just celebrity cred? Let's explore...

What Is Wheatgrass?

It’s definitely a grass, and it actually is related to wheat. It’s grown and harvested raw while it’s still young (learn why young and sprouted plants matter). The tender blades are then pressed into juice that’s amazing on its own, and nutritious and yummy when added to smoothies and juice combos. Learn more about this superfood here.

What DOes Science Say?

Research has put wheatgrass to the formal test in a couple of small studies: One experiment in 2004 tested 32 people with thalassemia, a type of anemia characterized by low production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the compound in red blood cells that helps the cells carry oxygen throughout the body. The subjects in this test who took a daily 100 ml shot of wheatgrass juice were less likely to need blood transfusions. In 2002, another handful of test subjects with ulcerative colitis showed improvement in bowel inflammation after a month of drinking 100 ml of wheatgrass juice a day.

The studies themselves were too small to be conclusive. Testing 20 or 30 people isn’t the same as testing 20,000 or 30,000 people over a long period of time. More (and larger) studies will be needed before science can stand behind these exciting-but-kind-of-premature observations.

A Few Benefits of Wheatgrass

What we do know for sure is that wheatgrass juice delivers a big concentration of nutrients, including iron, calcium, magnesium, amino acids and vitamins A, C and E. Some people find that it tames the appetite as well.

That jewel-like color is a sign of wheatgrass’s high levels of chlorophyll, the pigment that makes green plants green and helps them transform sunlight and water into energy. Chlorophyll sweetens bad breath and digestive odors, and has antioxidant properties, neutralizing the free radicals that cause wear and tear on your cells. Studies suggest that chlorophyll might be useful to counteract certain carcinogens called aflatoxins, which are associated with liver cancer in some populations.

What If I'm NOt Into The Taste?

If you want to use wheatgrass juice to augment a smoothie or juice blend, you’ll find that it’s fantastically versatile. Lemon is a classic accompaniment to wheatgrass juice; shots are often served with a lemon wedge to complement (or cover up) the fresh, vegetal flavor.

The marriage of wheatgrass and mint is also a match made in heaven: Try blending wheatgrass with some chilled peppermint tea for a lovely refresher that leaves you with kiss-worthy breath. Or, throw in a handful of blueberries for a touch of sweetness that boosts the antioxidant factor even further into the healthy zone.

The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. 
All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program. 

The post A Doctor’s Take on The Benefits of Wheatgrass (Get Into It, People!) appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2cHh5x0
via IFTTT

Tracy Anderson’s New Natural Beauty Collab Is Legit

There's a reason Tracy Anderson has become a lasting phenomenon: Her original technique for sculpting women's bodies with her high-energy, limb-contorting routines has everything to do with her deeply intentional focus on self-care and obsession with results.

Recently, Tracy collaborated with classical natural beauty brand, Ecco Bella, for a line of highly effective, obsessively clean products that carry her intentional focus on into a whole new dimension of women's lives. We caught up with Tracy to chat about the beauty project and loved hearing how quickly she fell in love with the products - and their founder. Ecco Bella's Sally Malanga is as hardcore a wellness warrior as one might expect, and we're excited to explore each and every product...

On accidentally discovering Ecco Bella: I get sent product quite frequently and it was only because I'd run out of a few favorite beauty products that I used a few things I'd been sent from Ecco Bella when I was in a pinch. Within the hour I was reaching out to the Ecco Bella team to gush about the products and find out how we could work together!

On finding the perfect collab: While I find so many women, including my clients, have an interest in natural beauty, it's hard to find products that are effective as the L.A. ladies have come to expect.

When I first tried the brand, I used the Age Antidote Day Cream and found my skin looked as diffused and glowy as it had ever looked. The day cream is the best primer and diffuser on the market I've ever tried - conventional, natural or otherwise! What's great is, in talking with EB founder, Sally, all she was after was a highly protective mineral cream - she's all about the integrity of the formula! I told her I wasn't sure she understood just what a gem she had on her hands - I'd discovered the skincare product of my dreams.

the connection between fitness and beauty: Using truly natural products that are responsibly and ethically made (not just slapped with the label "natural") is about becoming your own advocate in this complex world. It's tempting to grab for quick fixes when it comes to beauty and you can have a new face by lunchtime in this city. But what is truly beautiful and meaningful to you? Using natural products is about taking care of the whole self and showing up for yourself, something that I care a lot about and teach my clients and students constantly. You've got to be your own advocate when it comes to non-toxic living.

my Beauty routine in the studio: When I head to the TAMethod studio in the mornings, I throw a few things on my skin. I start with the day cream (my obsession!) and dot most of my face with the concealer. I blend the concealer in with a face brush and follow up with another layer on any spots. I use a little of the bronzer on the tops of my cheeks, curl my lashes and use the mascara with no eyeliner. Mascara is one of the toughest natural products to come by and I like this one. Lastly, I use the lipgloss in Peace and add a touch to the apples of my cheeks too. I know the makeup will wear off after a few sweaty classes, but I like knowing that none of the ingredients are dangerous as they sweat off! The other thing I always keep on hand in studio is the spritzer. I use it all over my face and body between sweats.

The post Tracy Anderson’s New Natural Beauty Collab Is Legit appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2cQ0DYH
via IFTTT

The 7 Best Healthy Snacks for Work According To A Nutritionist

You'd be shocked by how many smoothies we down each day here at HQ, but beyond the blender, scrounging up healthy snacks for work is no easy feat! We begged registered dietitian (and adorable friend), Shira Lenchewski, to come meet us in the office a week or so ago to hack our snack supply and we loved everything she had to say. Moreso, we she changed our lives by making these salted caramel nuts in mere minutes in our toaster oven. Get all Shira's smart tips below... 

As I’ve talked about here before, my food philosophy is pretty simple: Food is nourishment and pleasure, and I honestly don’t believe you can live a happy, healthy life without both. A big part of this is about eating food that is not just healthy, but really delicious as well, and thereby avoiding what I like to call the full-not-satisfied phenomenon.

How many times have we experienced this?: We’ve been snacking on go-to “healthy foods” (plain unsalted nuts, plain yogurt, plain popcorn, etc.), and we’re not hungry anymore per se, but we’re not satisfied either. That’s because so many of these foods are exactly that — plain. And there’s nothing satisfying about plain. I like to focus on ways to amp up flavor and, ultimately, enjoyment, without added sugar and artificial ingredients. Here are my recommendations...

7 Healthy Snacks For Work

Kombucha + Nuts: Kombucha with roasted nuts (my go-tos are the pre-portioned cashew packs at Trader Joe’s). I love this pairing because it’s delicious and satisfying and easy to take on the go. Kombucha is also amazing for your gut and overall health - learn more here!

Healthy Condiments: These technically aren't snacks on their own, but they can turn the simplest natural foods into flavorful, fully-satisfying treats. I always keep the following on hand: Eden Furikake, Garlic Gold seasoning nuggets, hummus and tahini.

Avocado: One half an avocado with furikake or garlic salt. So simple, so flavorful. The healthy fat keeps blood-sugar levels steady and sugar cravings at bay.

Seasoned Cukes: Persian cucumber chips, sea salt, red pepper and olive oil - the olive oil offers healthy fat, while the red pepper gives it an unexpected kick.

Crudités + Hummus: Crudités with hummus were basically made for each other. Plus, they're loaded with fiber, which helps keep us full. Plain hummus is great, but if you're looking for a little excitement, try making this beet hummus or this lemon thyme version.

Crackers with pesto: Gluten-free crackers with dairy-free pesto. The crackers from Mary's Gone Crackers are loaded with fiber and the dairy-free pesto is full of flavor and healthy fat. This snack couldn’t be easier to assemble, and yet it feels more elevated than say, apple and peanut butter. Check out these cracker recipes for a healthy, high-protein DIY option.

Homemade Sweets:Making your own sweet treats means you have total control over what goes into them. For the most indulgent-feeling healthy snack, it’s a toss up between my salted caramel pecans (get the recipe below!), which legitimately taste like the top of a pecan pie, and my paleo chocolate peppermint patties. I also love my grain-free chocolate zucchini cupcakes with matcha frosting - learn to make them here.

[olists num=2]

 

The post The 7 Best Healthy Snacks for Work According To A Nutritionist appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2cHgHP8
via IFTTT