Feed your Face

 

An event called Feed Your Face sounds like fun, right?

Well, this wasn't a normal food fest of sorts. 

 

It was a special blogger event, with healthy food and skin in mind.  As the old saying goes, 'we are what we eat'.  So what we put into our bodies really does shine through on our face. 

 

The night was at Luxe in Hoboken. 

 

And it was hosted by yours truly...
&
Alexandra the Blogonista

 

 

It was our kick off to summer event learning about how to keep your skin looking it's best throughout the warm summer season and easy summer make up tips. 

 

 

To sum up a few of the highlights that I shared that night, here are a few of my healthy summer skin beauty tips.  Most of them are common sense, but it's always nice reminder to eat real food and take care of ourselves body, mind and spirit. 

 

How to keep that Glowing Summer Skin!

 

 

• drink more water
• eat the rainbow
• sunscreen
• eat real food
• add in healthy fats: avocado, nuts & seeds
• fruits & vegetables are very hydrating
• berries full of fiber, vitamins & antioxidants
• have plenty of variety in your diet

 

Foods that age you:

 

•  processed foods
• artificial sweeteners
• sugar
• alcohol
• gluten* for some people, most of us can tolerate wheat

I hope this inspires you to keep filling your grocery basket with healthy and delicious real fresh fruit and vegetables. 

 

If you're interested in learning more, feel free to reach out anytime. 

 

Another Feed Your Face night will be coming back to Luxe in the fall, called 'Falling into Beauty' It will an open event, so join us, the more the merrier.  We'll be keeping you in the loop about dates and details.  So go ahead and feed your face...show the world how beautiful you are, inside & out. 

 

Live well & eat well,

lynda 

xo

Fitness Freak

I was on a packed 126 NJ Transit Hoboken bus when I opened the email.

I instantly started smiling and felt like a giddy school girl who just got invited to the prom.  I had to check myself, and contain my joy because I was standing up with the armpit of another commuter practically in my face.  I suddenly didn't care about his Old Spice was not working anymore...because I felt like a rock star. 

In this 'healthy living blogger land'  I was invited to be part of Fitness Magazine's Meet n Tweet NYC, on what would have been my Dad's birthday, May 16th.  I felt as though I was receiving a special birthday gift from him being asked to take part in such a fun event.  Very cool. 

Having read so many other blog posts last year about the event (and drooling over my computer) I couldn't believe I was going to actually take part in it. I felt so happy and grateful. 

So of course the tweeting about the day of #FitBlogNYC began.  Soon I found a few other 'blends' = blogger friends that I knew who were going as well.  This was shaping up to be a great day. 

Fitness Magazine did an outstanding job organizing a full day of guest blogger panels, health and wellness experts, nutritionists, Dr. Jennifer Ashton, the ABC World News Medical Correspondent and healthy chef, Rocco Dispirito. 

Rocco & I talk healthy Italian food

Dr. Ashton & I on the roof deck

Listening to all of them speak as we sat outside on the roof deck of The Mercedes Club was beyond fabulous.  Who am I?! This was so much fun.  Thank you Fitness Magazine. 

Not only did we learn so much, but we were treated to a healthy lunch that involved kale of course...amen.  Received a huge tote bag of clothes, sneakers and products and got to pick from a choice of workouts in the afternoon.  Yoga, a cardio class or a NYC run...something for everyone. 

Thinking back on that day brings such a smile to my face.  A huge hug to Fitness Magazine for asking me to be part of this.  From start to finish this was so well done. 

What events in your life make you smile and giddy?
Are you looking forward to something this summer? Maybe it's time to plan something special.  


Wishing you a healthy, joyful day.
xo

Sweet Bites

Morning all.  Greetings from me and my breakfast plate. This colorful plate was just the fuel I needed to get me going. 

My weeks have been pretty packed so thanks for reading...it's been awhile since my last post. 

A busy schedule means food on the go.  Pre-packed  healthy food for the win.  Roasted veggie leftovers make a great addition to any meal.  I ate this while waiting for a train, surrounded by fast food, vats of diet soda and sweet gooey Crispy Creme Donuts. 

I thought I'm probably the only weirdo eating roasted sweet potato wedges and broccoli in Penn Station.  I'm OK with that. 

 

 

Meanwhile, back in Hoboken Joe and I snagged a table for two at La Isla one morning for a weekend breakfast date. Simple and delicious.

 

And then these happened..

 

a fresh batch of my vegan chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.

 #dangerous

 

 

 

followed by another work/tea break at the new BWE café.  Great place.  

 

 

Summer seems to be starting off well. 

 

What's blooming in your life?

Hope your days are filled with smiles, laughs and delicious meals. 

What healthy food are you packing these days?

 

wishing you all a happy, healthy week.

xo

Get Grounded

My parents never really punished me or 'grounded' me.  By the time I came along, being the youngest child, they were too tired to deal with that level of parenting.  However, I knew my limits and tried to stay somewhat within them, while still having fun and enjoying teenage life.  Thanks for all that freedom Mom & Dad.

As I've gotten older the term grounded has come to mean something entirely different.  Being grounded in yourself, feeling more grounded and a sense of calm. 

Trying to remain grounded and calm when life throws you some curve balls.  This is something I always try to working on and have learned that life runs smoother when you go with the flow. 



local graffiti artist that pops up around town..so fun!

Today I listened to my body and craved a little quiet.  No noisy treadmill workout or gym class.  My day got off to a good start by going for a city 'nature' walk all by myself.  That's right, no workout buddies, no music, no pod casts.  Just me and my thoughts, it was so peaceful and refreshing. 

I didn't have much time so I squeezed in a brisk run/walk through the city and into some 'nature' at Steven's College.  Whenever I need the feeling of getting out of town, this little campus is my happy place.  I needed to put my feet on the earth, see some green, hear birds and ground myself. 

 

 

In that short little jog I ran into a few people that I knew right around the block...it was so great to feel that, in a city like Hoboken, a real sense of small town community, with all its warmth.  It made me smile.

 That's the type of healthy living that is beyond your dinner plate and the gym.  Connectedness to yourself, your thoughts and your community gives you a feeling of being alive, centered and belonging.  Who doesn't need more of that?  Pretty healthy, right?

Along the way I found this Look at Me 'It Girl' license plate and had to snap a shot.  She clearly feels confident and grounded as a proud Jersey Girl and decided to announce it on her back end everyday.  Good for her!

Today I wish you all peace and feelings of calm grounding energy.  I hope you get a chance to connect with nature and within your own community.  Here's to you, your health and living your best life. 

Welcome summer.

 

 Have a fun & safe Memorial Day weekend!

xo

Salad Rolls

Sometimes don't you just want to sink your teeth into a big messy sandwich and salty chips? I do.  It just makes for a happy lunch, easy dinner and for me brings backs yummy memories of eating at Rein's Deli. 

Well, I think I've found the next best (healthy) thing.  A hand held salad sandwich. 

Using my new favorite rice paper as the wrap around all those beautiful colored veggies.  It's a salad roll.  Now I know what you're saying.  No, it's not a big tuna on rye with classic crunchy potato chips. However it is colorful, healthy, real food and very nutritious.  I make an Asian peanut sauce on the side, to use as a dip. 

These fancy little wrappers are called spring roll skins and I found them at my local health food store, Basic Foods. They are stiff to start, but you soak them in warm water for a minute and then they become soft and easy to use. 

Anyone can do this...but if you're a mom, this is a perfect activity for your kids to get more involved in the kitchen and interested in more vegetables.  It truly is fun to prepare, (once the veggie prepping is done) and very easy to roll up.  Educational and healthy, literally all wrapped up in one meal. 

The idea for this creation came out of what else, a craving I had.  Lately, I've been craving a crunchy salad but was too lazy to make a big bowl. I saw fresh spring rolls in a few cookbooks I have and thought, that doesn't look too hard, and perfect to take on the go.   After eating these rolls for days, I feel as if I'm getting that 'hand held' sandwich craving satisfied however, my stomach is light and happy...just like after a normal salad. 

The joy of working with this super thin, wonder paper reminds me of peeling off my friend's skin after a really nasty sunburn.  I know gross, right?!! Did you ever do that? I had a really boring childhood...we made our own strange fun.  Remember the thrill of peeling off a big piece....well this is the 'edible' variety.  It's edible 'skin' made of rice...pretty cool, huh?!

Not suggesting you would ever eat human skin...but whatever you're into-no judgement here. 

The best part of this clear paper is deciding what will go into your salad rolls.  I've been loving kale, arugula, peppers, thin carrot strips, avocado and sprouts.  The ideas are limitless. 

So if your salad needs a little shake up, or you need a new lunch idea, give these rolls a try.  Simple, healthy and fun to eat and make.  It's a win-win for flavor and nutrition. 

What You'll Need:

Spring roll skins, Veggies strips of your choice, Greens, Avocado

Easy 'Peanut' Sauce: to dip rolls into, or to drizzle over the top

 1 tablespoon almond butter
 1 tablespoon tamari sauce
 1 tablespoon of honey
 1-2 tablespoons of water (to thin it out)
      start out with 1 tablespoon and stir until you like the consistency. 

'Eat food, mostly plants and not too much.' -Michael Pollen

Hope this inspired you to lighten up your plate and add in more color.

 

Enjoy. Cheers! Here's to you and your health. 

green juice on the go...

xo

Spring in a Box

I caught this cute little spring-in-a-box while in the city the other day. 
The weather has certainly been glorious around here. 

Other local spring sightings.  Pollen choking me and tickling my throat...but look at those trees.

Yes, all the trees are waking up and looking so purply.  I love it.  This color inspired me to find more purple in my kitchen. 

 

purple cabbage salad

And yellows, greens, oranges and pinks..

I still find myself chewing away on 'larger than life' grapefruits...the pomelos. (Locals, get them at Sobsey's while you can..they are pink and oh so sweet and juicy)

I didn't have tons of time to chew, so I blended on the go. 

My latest creation...fresh mint, a cup or so of strawberries, one third of the gigantic pomelo and look...

Grapefruit Strawberry & Mint

Spring detox in a glass. 

You won't believe the flavors, the fresh mint really shines.  Who needs a mint julep, when I can drink this beautiful mocktail. 

Hope this inspires you to blend up some fruit and vegetables you have in your kitchen. 

Other ideas sprouting up lately...Salad Cups at a local event

Is there anything cuter than salad in a cup?

This made me happy.

 

Along with a giant batch of these

 

 

my vegan chocolate chip oatmeal cookies...total love fest!!

Happy spring everyone. 

What colors and foods are making you smile?
  

Have a wonderful weekend.

xo

This Girl is on Fire!

 

Ever make homemade candles? Well after burning through my entire candle stash during hurricane Sandy...I really need to have a few more around, just in case. 

 

 I had the pleasure of being part of a special event at Luxe in Hoboken presented by

Niambi from Storyboard Bath & Body. 

It was a vintage tea cup candle making class using pure essential oils infused with soy wax and poured into pretty little tea cups. 

 

Just as Alicia Keys belts out in her song..'this girl is on fire'...Niambi lights it up...literally and hosts amazing DIY classes for candles and more.

Find info here.

 

 

It was so much fun, and it brought me back to a time when I used to pour over old Martha Stewart magazines, and try out one of her sophisticated crafts, making my mom drive all over creation to make it JUST like Martha.  I still have a sister who calls me 'Martha Stewart'...I guess I've been a DIY crafter from way back. 

 

Storyboard Soaps gathered a ton of different tea cups and I supplied the sweets. 

 

Martha approved: Mini Raw Carrot Cakes with Cashew Frosting

Enough said.

 

 

 

And my springy sprout rolls..I can't stop making these things, somebody help me.

 

We even had Kelley from the Tea Cart joining us providing hot herbal teas while we crafted. 

 

Looking forward to the more events with these fun ladies.  

Thanks Luxe for such a perfect backdrop.   

 

xo

Keep it fun & healthy this weekend.

be well.

 

What DIY crafts do you enjoy?