Looking forward...

Anyone who is very close to me knows that this past year has been quite a journey.  While I have yet to write about it (because I spend so much time dealing with it every day, I am not yet ready to put its uncomfortable energy into my passion and hobby)…but I look forward to someday sharing my story of overcoming all of this, and living a long, healthful, purposeful life full of beautiful and special moments until I grow old and gray (and traveling & eating fabulous meals once again!).  

That said, I read a few quotes today that I wanted to share…written by someone who has gone through a very similar journey to me, and who has become an inspiration in my life.

"I guess you fight through the bad days to earn the best days of your life."

"Best friends are people who make your problems their problems just so you don't have to go through them alone."

"Sometimes God uses our deepest pain as the launching pad of our greatest calling…"

I trust that this last one will be very true for me…and that I will someday look back and see purpose in this long, winding journey that has often brought me to my knees, feeling helpless and confused…only to be lifted up by my dearest friends, my incredible husband and my beautiful baby girl.  They give me the strength and encouragement to get through everyday.

To my husband, my rock.  My clear, stable mind when I can't think for myself.  My everything.

To my baby girl, whose smile, laugh and beautiful personality lights up my life…you are my greatest treasure.

To my girls, you know who you are….I can never thank you enough for all you do for me. It is because of you that I can keep my head above water and see clearly through the fog of self-pity and discouragement that can often weigh me down when I'm not feeling well.  You always throw me the life raft when I need it most.

To Oma, there is no one who I would trust more with our sweet girl, and I know the joy and happiness she experiences with you is unbelievably special and priceless, and will help shape her to be the compassionate, kind, sensitive and sincere person that I already see her becoming.

To my mom, who patiently listens to me after every doctor's appointment and every challenge I face, supporting me and helping me navigate through it all; thank you.  

To my team of doctors, my naturopath and acupuncturist…I finally take comfort that I am with the right team who is doing everything they can to best support me.

While this has turned my world upside-down, the incredible support system I have around me fills me with such gratitude.  

I trust that it's experiences like this that ultimately makes life worth living…creating sincere appreciation for good health, the simple things that already meant so much to me before, and the importance of surrounding myself with people who lift me up and bring beautiful energy into my life.  For this, I am forever grateful.

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl...

My sweet girl is 2 today…going on 13…full of thoughts, opinions, ideas and imagination.  Yesterday, we spent a lovely afternoon baking our special zucchini muffins for today (her favorite).  Elle was such a wonderful helper…she's watched me make them so many times, she jumped right in and put the ingredients together with just a little help from mama.  She was soooo excited about her birthday, we woke up extra early today and started off with a Taylor Swift/Meghan Trainor dance party, followed by opening gifts, enjoying her special birthday muffins and then off on a trip to the local pumpkin patch.  The beginning of a wonderful birthday weekend celebration…

I'm so proud of my little baker!!!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!  

Thank you for choosing me to be your "mammia!"

I love you endlessly.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

DANCE PARTY!!!

Daily practice...

For 21 days, I participated in an online guided meditation with Deepak Chopra, and it was such a wonderful, centering way to start each day.  In effort to remember some of what I've learned, I thought I'd share here…perhaps you, too, will find some of these mantras helpful if you choose to use them.

Deepak says that contentment is the source of true happiness.  He shared that life requires no struggle, fear or resistance; you only need to be.  And to become enlightened, you stop running all the time and you begin to walk…and once you're walking you slow down and stop.  Once you stop, you see who you really are.  

The journey of meditation is a process of relaxing and letting go (and, for most, it takes a lot of practice, but it is well worth the time).  Below are several Sanskrit Mantras that may help take you there.  Choose one, get comfy (sitting on the floor, your couch, upright in your bed), turn on relaxing music if you'd like, close your eyes, breathe slowly and deeply…and silently repeat the mantra, over and over to yourself and let your mind take you away…even as little as 5 minutes a day can provide significant life-changing benefits.  And remember - it's ok if your mind wanders (it will…), but when you realize it, just bring yourself back to your breath and the mantra.  Be patient with yourself.  I usually have to do this almost a dozen times through my 20-min meditations!

Sanskrit Mantra (in bold):
Rabhasa Hum - I am pure delight (my happiness shines everywhere)
Ravaye Hum - I am the light of radiance (my happiness energizes and inspires me)
Karuna Hum - I am compassion (I radiate sympathy and acceptance)
Seva Hum - I am service (my soul expands when I help others)
Prasada Hum - I am devine grace
Shanti Vira - I radiate devine blessings (I am a calming presence)
Purnamindam - I feel fulfilled (I walk in the light of my fulfillment)

In addition, I've also included (below) two 30 minute guided meditations that I have found very helpful during the last few months, as I've continued to explore the power that it has to help heal us, and open us… (thank you Aunt Mary!)

Asking for Nothing and Receiving Everything

Heal Thyself

I hope you enjoy...
xoxo

I just read this, and thought I'd pass along…

Whenever you have insomnia...

"Instead of counting sheep, count your blessings."

Taking a moment to be grateful, everyday, seems like such a blissful way to fall deeply into a peaceful slumber :)

xoxox

So, this is just a re-post of something I wrote a couple years ago…but I continue to be reminded of how fortunate I am to have such kind and genuine people in my life, and I wanted to again share my thoughts about those who are closest and dearest to me.  This still stands so true.

The Beauty of an Old Soul

Growing up, we've all heard the term "old soul." I had never really found myself using it to describe anyone, though, until I met my husband 12 years ago. For the first time, I could truly identify with the words and what they meant. It quickly became clear and is always how I first describe him...for he is, without a doubt, an old, wise soul who has lived many, many lives. While it was after meeting my husband that I first recognized the meaning of this, he was not the first old soul who had been part of my life...he was just the one who made me aware.

I'm not about to launch into religious or spiritual blabber...but it just seems that lately, more than ever before, it's become so clear that there are those who are born with an energy and wisdom from a time before. I, unfortunately, am not one of them. I am full of all things that I believe a "young soul" is guilty of - dramatic, hyper-sensative, and always on a quest to be a better person and more effectively communicate with those around me, just to name a few!

I truly believe that, if you're very lucky, you are connected with people who have lived an enriched existence - they have an understanding of "who they are" at a young age, and they can see situations from all sides, not just their own. They know when to speak, or when to say nothing at all. They are peaceful, gentle and very thoughtful about all that they do. Old souls see the "big picture" and often have the ability to be present more than the rest of us. They articulate themselves in a calm and effective manner, they do not judge or criticise, and are never hot-tempered. They are not insecure and accept all, or most, of who they are - thankful for all they have.

These people are gems. They are our mentors. They are here to help put a mirror in front of the rest of us so we become aware of how to become a better person...to continue the cycle of learning from our mistakes, and developing into stronger, wiser souls. 

I believe many of us encounter very few old souls in our life. We need to embrace those who create positive energy in our lives. I know I'm incredibly fortunate, for I have, without consciously knowing, surrounded myself with teachers of life. It is because of these people that I'm constantly on a quest to learn, grow and give back. 

I've never been particularly religious, but one thing I know from my interactions with others over 34 years...we come back after it all ends. Not as ourselves, and possibly not even in a human form...but I truly believe that some people are born wiser and more thoughtful than others. And I count my blessings that I know so many of those beautiful souls.

Bali, courtesy of Taryn Kent Photography

Peanut has a green thumb...

Today we went over to Oma & Grandpa's house (hubby's parents), and with Oma's loving guidance, our little peanut discovered her new favorite hobby…gardening :)  Oma and Elle planted a tiny tree together and Elle could have spent all afternoon shoveling, digging and exploring…it was so sweet & special.

Looking forward to watching the tiny tree grow…

For today...

"Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

"My goal in life is not to be happy everyday, for that is unrealistic.  My goal is to be present everyday." 

I especially love the second quote.  I believe that if you are capable of being present, every day, you will never miss a moment; you will embrace all of your blessings and live a full and beautiful life.  You will feel connected, grounded and grateful.  This is a  gift that my sweet angel baby gave me...and now I have to do my part in maintaining it.  It takes practice, everyday.

Kiss your life...

Hellllooo!  It's been so long...I will be back to my old blogger-self soon, I promise!  Just been super busy juggling lots of exciting things.  In the meantime, I thought I'd share an image that I found on my beautiful friend Angela's (owner & desinger of Cleobella) facebook, and wanted to share.  It's perfect.

Perspective...

Last year, I did a post that ran through a laundry-list of inspirational life quotes.  Well, as I've continued through my journey here, I am often reminded of the importance of gratitude, and keeping things in perspective; how ATTITUDE is everything. 

I was catching up with a close friend this morning and she was telling me how she was going through a stressful time in her relationship with her boyfriend - much due to the fact that she comes home every night and the second he asks "how was your day?" she launches immediately into how frustrated and unhappy she is at work...spiraling into an evening of additional stress and discomfort; bringing all the negativity that she's encountered at work, into her home; reliving the emotions over and over again.

This is something I learned a long time ago...don't bring work home (funny, since Matt and I both work primarily from home!).  We both have busy days that often contain lots of various challenges (we all do, right?!)...but when it comes to dinner-time every night, neither of us bring any of it to the table.  We consciously choose to be present during our time together, focusing our energy on subjects that don't bring up negative emotion, and rather spend our evenings enjoying each other - knowing well that whatever frustrating thing happened during the day will only continue to bother us if we keep it "alive" by talking about it. 

Now, of course, you want to be able to communicate and share with your partner - and Matt and I do - but we don't bring up our "issues" during our few precious hours together in the evening.  If it's important enough to share, it's typically something we talk about over the weekend...but honestly, most work-related issues are just simply not important enough to talk about, and by the time the weekend rolls around, it's just not worth it.

A few quotes that help me keep things in perspective...

"You are responsible for the energy you create for yourself and for the energy you bring to others."

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.  ATTITUDE is everything."

"Gratitude is the greatest treasure."

Below is a photo from our honeymoon...it reminds me of how grateful I am.  Remind yourself of all the beautiful treasures you have in your life.  xxo

Scrumptious HEALTHY dessert...can it be true!?

My favorite health food store, Mother's Market, has an awesome deli counter packed full of delicious vegetarian & vegan munchies...an incredible assortment of almost anything you can imagine; pasta, sandwiches, side dishes, salad mixes, entrees, desserts and so much more.  A couple years ago, I discovered their super-scrumptious avacado-chocolate pudding.  Yes, avocado.  Sounds crazy...but you would never know it was made with avocado when you take your first bite.  It's a decadent, rich, chocolatey dessert full of flavor, and it quickly became one of my absolute faves. 

Well, a little while ago, I stumbled upon a recipe for my very own avocado pudding!  And it's so, so simple.  I promise, if you try it, it will become one of your faves too (assuming you like regular, thick, rich chocolate pudding!).  Here's the recipe (ideally made in the Vitamix blender but should work in a high-powered regular blender as well):

For 4 small servings:

2 large ripe avocados

4 tbsp cocao powder (no sugar)

1/4 cup agave or honey

1 tsp vanilla
dash of salt

Blend all ingredients until smooth.  Should have same consistency as thick chocolate pudding.  Do not overblend, but make sure there are no chunks.  I typically refrigerate after blending for about an hour, but not necessary if you'd like to enjoy right away :)

Happy Saturday!!

xxo

Get movin'...

Alrighty, so it's that time of year again...the time where you try to get re-focused and aim to reach lofty goals and aspirations.  For many, they are reachable..."get organized" or "read more" or "travel internationally" or, probably most common, "take better care of myself."  And perhaps this is the year that you commit to exercise regularly, eat better, get more sleep...not just for the month of January, but year round!

As you might know by now, I am an avid reader of all the go-to health magazines - Health, Fitness, Self and more - and I want to share the #1 tip of what all the mags have been writing about over the last couple years - something that I've officially put to the test and have seen excellent results. 


Since running a marathon a few months ago, I have not even attempted doing cardio longer than 30 min.  And to be honest, my typical cardio workout is anywhere from 15-25 min, tops...and I think I might even be in better shape now than I was during training!  My big shift - rather than doing long-distance runs, I've switched over to interval training (in, both, cardio & weights). 

In recent years, study upon study has continued to show the incredible cardio and calorie-burning benefits of doing high-speed intervals during all cardio activities (hitting your max speed - you are unable to talk and can barely go over 1-2 min) mixed with slow-paced cool downs (very mellow walking pace for 30 sec-1 min).  Not only are you burning tons of calories during the workout, but you actually burn substantially more calories AFTER workout -what scientists & fitness experts call afterburn. 

Doing intervals rather than steady-paced, longer workouts can completely change your metabolism and kick-start your energy level in the New Year!  According to the latest Fitness magazine, "doing interval training is a quick way to ramp up your body's ability to use fat as fuel; burning 36% more fat during workout."  The same article also states, "Scientists have measured the afterburn for half-hour jog at 35 calories, as opposed to 75 calories for 20 one-minute running sprints (with two-min rests in between)." 

So, what this translates to - whether you're walking, jogging, spinning, on the elliptical - start with your typical warm up, and then do 30 seconds to 2 min (depending on fitness level) of an all-out sprint (or as fast as you can go), and then back to your warm up pace for 30 sec to 2 min (depending on fitness level - shorter rest periods are ideal).  Repeat this for anywhere from 15-30 minutes (if walking, this should always be at least 30 min).  Aim to do the intervals at least 8-12 times, per session.  Do this 3 times a week, and incorporate moderate resistance training 2 x's per week (30 min of weights, Pilates, boot camp, etc), and presto!  You will be on your way to great cardio health, high energy levels and almost-instant physical results. 

And there's no excuse not to do it!  If you only have 20 min to squeeze in and you do the intervals, you will be well on your way to your fitness goals.  I've detailed my personal workout below - I do this 3 x's week, and as mentioned above, I am in better shape now than when I was marathon training!


Treadmill (can be applied to any activity)
Incline of 2.0 (always use incline on treadmill)


2 min slow-paced warm up walk
1 min moderate sprint
30 sec recovery walk
1 min moderate sprint
30 sec recovery walk
1 min full sprint (have increased pace since last sprint)
30 sec recovery walk
1 min full sprint
(repeat recovery/full sprint sessions at least 4 more times, ideally 8-10 more).
Finish:  2-5 min cool down recovery walk

Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!!

A simple hello...pay it forward :)

I recently did a little social experiment along my regular run-route - the Manhattan & Hermosa Beach strand - where I see familiar faces on almost every jog. Over the years, I've noticed that very few people take the time to smile and say "hello," and rather they often glance away when you get just close enough to greet them. Odd, I always think. In a strange way (and in a much larger sense) this simple little lack of connection often makes me feel like I'm not part of a "community," although I've lived here for more than 7 years now.

Well, seeing that we're not moving anywhere anytime soon, I set out to take a step toward building my personal community with the regular strand-goers that I so often see. As I went for my usual morning run, I was so pleasantly surprised at the reactions of my fellow early-risers, as I took greeted them with a smile and a "good morning!" salutation. I found myself instantly connecting with people who I had "seen" for years, and now felt like I was making myself a part of their lives...and they were becoming part of mine. Community. I could tell that many of them were also pleasantly surprised that a stranger was taking a moment to wish them well for the day. It felt so good and filled every step of my run with more energy and more ease.

And so I continued this experiment into my 4th of July weekend, where we spent much of the day at our friend's home on a walk-street just up from the strand. As an older woman and her husband strolled their bikes down the street past us, I glanced up and words flew from my mouth, "Happy 4th of July! Have a great day!" and they smiled back and wished me the same. Shortly after, my friend and I walked down to the strand, and found ourselves next to the couple who I had just greeted.

The woman paused with her bike and in a low and sweet voice, she peered from under her sun-hat and said, "excuse me." She continued, "I have to tell you...I have to tell you that it was so kind what you just did, saying Happy 4th of July to us." She was somewhat breathless, and there was a sadness that carried in her tone. "You see, my mother passed away about an hour ago, and my husband has been trying to get me to go for a bike ride to get out of the house. I feel so strange right now. But when you said hello to me, it was so kind, and it made my day. It made me ok."

I was speechless. I looked at her with a furrowed brow and lightly touched her arm. I apologized for her loss and wished her well, as the sun wrapped its warmth around us and the ocean sparkled cheerfully back. It was the most beautiful day, and I found it incredible that the connection that was created just from a simple "hello" was enough to lift a saddened spirit and make things "ok" for just that moment.

Perhaps I simply wasn't allowing myself to live each moment with an open heart, as I've run back and forth, year after year, on the concrete along the ocean. Perhaps all it takes is a simple "hello" to completely change our sense of community. Perhaps all it takes is a smile to make everything ok. Whatever it is, I'm going to keep doing it because it's working out quite well. And I hope you will pay it forward, as well...

Have a beautiful weekend!

xoxo

Being flexitarian...

Since I can remember, I've wavered back and forth from being a vegetarian, pescatarian (is that even a real type of diet?), chicken-only meat eater, and the eat-anything-I-want without-thinking-about-where-it-came-from diet (when I use the word "diet" I am speaking of "daily diet" - not the "I'm trying to lose weight" diet). Based on my lifestyle, desire to age gracefully (hopefully!), and for personal moral & ethical reasons, I've found that the vegetarian diet with flexibility works best for me.

My body & skin (and sensitive tummy!) loves a veggie diet - lots of dark leafy greens, yams, fruits, antioxidant-packed berries, beans/legumes, high-protein tofu, and whole grains. As I've written before, I've chosen to keep vegetarian-only products in our home (we cook every weeknight), but in an effort to not feel "deprived" when we go out and I feel like enjoying sushi or a fillet of salmon, I go ahead. All in moderation. I never feel restricted in what I eat...I just consider where the food comes from before I take a bite.

Keeping our home full of non-processed, nutrition-packed, organic, all-natural foods, and having limited portions of fish/meat has become a lifestyle for us. Matt and I enjoy cooking together every night and feel good about what we're putting in our bodies - healthy, delicious, disease-fighting, anti-aging foods! Matt's even said that since we've moved in together, he's felt healthier, stronger and had more energy (for paddling, surfing, etc) than ever, and is actually enjoying the primarily veggie-diet (I've found that men have a harder time letting go of meat than most women do!).

I have friends & family who have been doing meatless-Mondays and I think it's FABULOUS! A great way to lean into a healthier lifestyle and save a bit of $$! I encourage the people who are close to me to try a "flexitarian" diet for just a week...and see how you feel. It's amazing what a difference it can make, and how yummy it can be!

Superfoods...sooo yummy!

We've all heard the term "superfood" in recent years...you know, the natural foods that are full of maximum nutrition, helping to fight various cancers, heart disease, signs of aging, and much, much more. I try to incorporate superfoods in my everyday cuisine, and just thought I'd share the top picks so you can also try to include in your daily diet! And buy organic whenever possible - studies show that organic produce can offer up to 50% more nutrition than conventional!!

• Blueberries (raspberries, strawberries, blackberries too!)


• Black beans


• Sweet potatoes


• Salmon


• Spinach (kale & other dark leafy greens)


• Broccoli


• Walnuts


• Tomatoes


• Dark chocolate - woo hoo!!!


• Soy


• Oatmeal


• Onions

In a recent issue of Men's Health, studies show that a sweet potato is actually the healthiest veggie we can eat! Even more than spinach, broccoli and brussel sprouts! And it happens to taste delicious, so I was thrilled to hear...

Oh, and one of my favorite healthy sweet treats - homemade super healthy raspberry wanna-be sorbet:

• 1 cup frozen organic raspberries, let thaw (about 1 hour - or microwave for 15 sec)


• Drizzle 1 tsp of honey once thawed


• For extra sweetness, I sometimes add 1/4 frozen banana (when ripe, I peel, wrap in tinfoil and freeze - then let defrost with raspberries when ready to eat)

Delicious!! And totally curbs the crazy sweet-tooth I have while adding super nutrition!

The beauty of an Old Soul...

Growing up, we've all heard the term "old soul." I had never really found myself using it to describe anyone, though, until I met my husband almost 10 years ago. For the first time, I could truly identify with the words and what they meant. It quickly became clear and is always how I first describe him...for he is, without a doubt, an old, wise soul who has lived many, many lives. While it was after meeting my husband that I first recognized the meaning of this, he was not the first old soul who had been part of my life...he was just the one who made me aware.

I'm not about to launch into religious or spiritual blabber...but it just seems that lately, more than ever before, it's become so clear that there are those who are born with an energy and wisdom from a time before. I, unfortunately, am not one of them. I am full of all things that I believe a "young soul" is guilty of - dramatic, hyper-sensative, and always on a quest to be a better person and more effectively communicate with those around me, just to name a few!

I truly believe that, if you're very lucky, you are connected with people who have lived an enriched existence - they have an understanding of "who they are" at a young age, and they can see situations from all sides, not just their own. They know when to speak, or when to say nothing at all. They are peaceful, gentle and very thoughtful about all that they do. Old souls see the "big picture" and often have the ability to be present more than the rest of us. They articulate themselves in a calm and effective manner, they do not judge or criticise, and are never hot-tempered. They are not insecure and accept all, or most, of who they are - thankful for all they have.

These people are gems. They are our mentors. They are here to help put a mirror in front of the rest of us so we become aware of how to become a better person...to continue the cycle of learning from our mistakes, and developing into stronger, wiser souls.

I believe many of us encounter very few old souls in our life. We need to embrace those who create positive energy in our lives, rather than to succumb to others who create toxicity. I know I'm incredibly fortunate, for I have, without consciously knowing, surrounded myself with teachers of life. It is because of these people that I'm constantly on a quest to learn, grow and give back.

I've never been particularly religious, but one thing I know from my interactions with others over 31 years...we come back after it all ends. Not as ourselves, and possibly not even in a human form...but I truly believe that some people are born wiser and more thoughtful than others. And I count my blessings that I know so many of those beautiful souls.

Smooooooothie...

I've been comparing smoothie recipes with a few friends, and I just thought I'd post ingredients for my ultimate YUMMY smoothie. Matt and I both look forward to starting our day with this delicious treat...I promise you will be more than satisfied :)

Serves 2

1 Cup fresh strawberries
1 Cup frozen or fresh blueberries
1 Banana
1/2 Cup organic OJ
1/2 Cup almond milk
1/2 Cup lowfat milk (or do full cup almond milk if vegan)
Protien powder - my favorite is Biochem Vanilla (Whole Foods, Mother's Market)
1 tbsp coconut butter (NOT oil - it comes in a jar similar to peanut butter, avail @ Whole Foods, Mother's)

And...supplements:
2 tbsp of Flax Oil
2 tsp of Spirulina - superfood full of antioxidents, like eating multiple servings of veggies

Optional but GREAT for super nutrition:
1 Cup frozen broccoli
OR
1 Cup fresh spinach

The coconut butter & flax oil create a super creamy & yummy texture. I blend for at least 30 sec - 1 min to really get everything mixed with no chunks. You can't taste the veggies at all - they just change the texture a bit, and you can expect a funky-looking green drink...but it's so tasty!

Also - the protein powder makes a big difference, so even though Biochem is not cheap, it's totally worth it - the best quality - type of protein and high concentration with lower calories. And it tastes the best!!

Enjoy...xoxo

The power of a hug...

I was watching the Today Show last week (can't start my day without Matt, Meredith & Ann!), and they were featuring a couple of "relationship experts." They ran through some of their top tips to maintain a healthy, strong connection with your significant other, and I found one point to stand out amongst the rest.

Hug your partner for at least 30 seconds a day.

I love this. So simple yet studies show it can create huge impact on the success of a relationship. Matt & I have always been very affectionate toward each other, and hugging has been part of saying good morning and good night for us, every day. Without realizing it before, I can now see how significant this simple action can be in a relationship - whether with your partner, children, friends - hugging creates a positive chemical reaction that increases our connection to others.

So, be sure to hug those you love whenever you have the opportunity - actions speak louder than words!!!

Have a beautiful Super Bowl weekend!

The Formula...

Alrighty...more skin stuff...I think I've finally figured it out, though! After years of personal research and trying almost every product I could get my hands on - natural & chemical - I believe I finally have the anti-aging formula. At least, this is what makes my skin look its best...

• SUNSCREEN - spf 30+ every single day - ideally should contain Zinc Oxide 6% or more. DeVita is a luxurious natural product that adds great moisture, and Clinique City Block spf 40 is another good one, although not all-natural.


• MOISTURE - it's amazing what a difference I see in my fine lines when I use a fabulous moisturizer under my sunscreen. My favorite is Josie Maran's Argan Oil. I did an experiment this weekend where I looked at my skin with basic moisturizer and then used the Argan Oil and there was a substantial difference - fine lines were instantly reduced and my skin had a fresh glow. Love that stuff!


• DIET - we all know it, but for years, I had hoped I could try to make my skin look great while still indulging in my favorite sugary goodies (anything baked - cookies, brownies, cupcakes). Nope. There is almost an immediate difference in my skin when I fill my body with treats. After only a few days of going on a no-sugar (or any processed foods), high omega fatty-acids (fresh salmon, flax oil or fish oil) and lots of antioxidents (fresh berries, kale, spinach) the creases in my forehead disappeared...seriously. Who needs botox!?! You just have to be super disciplined in what you eat...which, for most of us, can pose quite a challenge. But at least before an event or big night out, try doing the no-sugar, heavy omegas/antioxident rich diet for 5-7 days...I promise you will see a difference! The power of diet is pretty incredible. Oh, this also includes absolutely NO alcohol...not even a sip of red wine :(

Like most people, I find Gisele to be absolutely stunning...and what makes her more than just a gorgeous face, is that she is at the forefront of whole, balanced living. She's even created her own all-natural, organic skincare line - Sejaa (I haven't tried it yet), and also maintains an all-organic, fresh, nothing processed, low-sugar diet...and of course is an avid exerciser & yogi.

While no skincare regimen will actually make me look like Gisele (darn!), I've really never seen much of a change in my skin until I followed everything listed above. If you try it, I'd love to hear your results. I actually think you can see a difference in just a few days...so try it for 3-4 days first, and see what you think!

Have a great week! xoxo

More Josie Maran cosmetics...

Another Josie Maran product that I recently started using...and loving...her tinted moisturizer, SPF 30. It's totally fab...feels yummy on your skin...uber moisture...and is light, but enough, coverage. Great for everyday (although you might need to dust a little powder over to avoid shine, depending on skin type). And, as mentioned in my last Josie-post, her entire line is 100% natural, organic, vegan...no toxins or icky stuff! She is so rad.

Pick up on your next trip to Sephora or online here.

No More Dirty Looks...

I stayed home from work today...been fighting off a bug for the last week and it finally got the best of me. I was still up early as usual and started my day with The Today Show, as I often do. There was a great segment this morning featuring two women who, after a couple years of research, wrote a book to "expose" the harmful chemicals and toxins that our everyday beauty products contain. Well, considering I'm a Sephora-junkie who, along with combatting signs of aging and experimenting with every self-tanner ever known to man, I also want to be as natural as possible when it comes to all products I use on myself and in my home, this segment was a must-see for me...both fascinating and informative.

As soon as I'm healthy, I'm going out to buy the book! In the meantime I've been exploring their blog, which is great, too!

NO MORE DIRTY LOOKS: The Truth About Your Beauty Products and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetic is an exciting new book from journalists Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt.

Note from their website: "Your lipstick. Your nail polish. Your conditioner. Most of us don’t realize that the products we use every day can expose us to thousands of chemicals that are readily absorbed through our skin. The impact on your health? It’s not pretty. In this must-read new book, Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt leave no bottle unturned. They found out all kinds of things the cosmetics industry doesn’t want you to know, and now they’re going to share it with you." - Courtesy of http://www.nomoredirtylooks.com/

xox