But, NO, it does NOT taste like mushrooms… ew, lol, that would be GROSS.

I'm not a "coffee person". I'm one of those aliens who doesn't drink it every day. Like, I maybe have coffee once every 2-3 weeks on a weekend... if that! But all of that is behind me. I have been converted and now worship at the altar of that basic little bean.

All thanks to mushrooms.

I saw Glossier's "She-E-O" and all-around New York "cool girl" Emily Weiss post on insta about a healthy hot chocolate drink she has before bed. Throw the word "healthy" in there and it doesn't take much to get me on board, or at least get me into a deep Google dive. A few clicks later, and the healthy hot chocolate was in my cart along with two other boxes of MUSHROOM COFFEE.

The little packets are instant coffees… They have real coffee in them, as well as mushrooms and adaptogenic herbs. And they are great! So get on board, and thank me later. Here are the deets...

LION'S MANE

Lion's Mane is a mushroom! Buddhist monks have been using it for years to help them focus during their meditations, so I'm pretty sure it'll get you through your workday. This is definitely the case for me, and I notice a difference on days I don’t have it vs days I do. But probs my favorite reason for drinking this coffee is that the Lion’s Mane mushroom properties REALLY affect my MOOD. In a good way. It decreases anxiety and gives me this “happy for no reason, roll down your windows and sing your heart out on the way to work” feeling. YES.

CHAGA

Chaga is known as the King of Mushrooms, because it provides immune support and has antioxidant properties. I literally love ANYTHING that has anything to do with antioxidants, so I’m very here for this.

RHODIOLA

Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb. ((We talked about those a while back with my natural adderall and the "dopamine bean" post)). Rhodiola supports concentration and memory. Comes in handy when you need to not forget things ;)

WHAT TO DO

When I want it hot, or when I’m lazy, I empty one packet and 1 small scoop of inulin power into a mug and pour hot water over it. Easy as. Inulin powder is fiber, so you get a hit of fiber + fuel first thing in the morning. Perf!

But, because it’s been pretty hot lately ((Summer is NOT over!!)), I’ve been making a fun little cold coffee cocktail in the mornings to sip on my way to work. Out of a metal straw, of course…

THE YUMMIEST ICED COFFEE DRINK IN THE WORLD

INGREDS

• 1 Packet of FourSigmatic Lion's Mane & Chaga

• A spash of 100% coconut milk. No filler, please. I order Aroy-D on Amazon

• 1 scoop of Pure Inulin - I've been liking this brand

• Cinnamon

• Sometimes I do a little squeeze of local buckwheat honey

WHAT TO DO

1. Heat up some water and mix in the coffee and fiber until they dissolve

2. Throw some ice in a cocktail shaker, add all ingredients - including the coffee - and shake, shake, SHAKE

3. Serve over ice

ALL ABOUT THE FUN ADD-INS 

PURE INULIN

So, I'm Gluten Free, which if you've ever had bread, you know is a real bummer. Aside from bread deprivation, it's also a little tough to get in lots of fiber without any whole grain. This stuff is pure fiber, from artichokes! It's low in calories, but high in fiber so it keeps you feeling fuller for longer. It also helps with your gut bacteria. Lot's of people take a probiotic to help with their gut, but don't realize that those bacteria you ingest need something to "feed on", or else they're not doing much. Inulin acts as food for those probiotics, to help the good bacteria take root.

LOCAL BUCKWHEAT HONEY

Local honey can truly be your best friend. It immunizes you to all pollen, dust, etc. in your area to rid you of allergies. Don't fall for the fake stuff in the grocery store. Your farmer's market is the best place to find high quality local honey. I chose a buckwheat honey because buckwheat is a superfood that promotes healing in the body. Me and my little gut can use all the help we can get!

CINNAMON

Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, oh my! Also balances blood sugar. 

If all of that doesn’t convince you to eat your mushies, there is no hope for you. Sorry!

xo

WELLNESS

We went into detox mode. Clean eating only. A day of meals for me looked like this... 

Pre-Brekky - Celery juice on an empty stomach, followed by either a cup of mushroom coffee w fiber, or a hot green tea w lemon + ginger

Brekky - Protein shake or smoothie. Either a chocolate version using Primal Kitchen Coconut Chocolate Collagen or a green version using Sakara's Life Source. 

Lunch - Always tried to make this my biggest meal of the day. Lean protein ((hard boiled eggs, grilled chicken, turkey, salmon)) with lots of greens, cucumber, avo and a few GF crackers for fiber ((I like Mary's Gone Crackers))

Dinner - As light as possible. I've become obsessed with Kettle + Fire's Bone Broth soups ((I'm on their subscription program)) so I'd either have that, or blend my own veggie soup, or a small salad.

Post-Dinner - Ended most nights with hot tea: either ginger, peppermint, or a detox blend

Alcohol - Tried to avoid it, but then again, there is a lot of celebrating pre-wedding, and also seating charts are really hard. What I'm saying is alcohol necessary. Not exactly what you think of when you hear "clean eating only", right? So we mostly drank Fresh + Frisky's... 100% de agave tequila is our new jam. So basically, leave the canoli, take the tequila.

Supplements - We have both been taking and loving Silver Fern's probiotic. Also got really obsessed with these antioxidant Skin Gummies. I've also been seeing a doctor to help with my gut issues and she gave me a whole workup of supplements/vitamins that I've been taking.

Magic Potions - 2 things here worth a MAJOR mention. ONE, we discovered CBD in the form of Sunday Scaries and Vybes - helped a TON with pre-wedding stress + anxiety. Honestly better than melatonin for a good night's sleep. TWO, mushroom coffee. All the benefits of coffee without the shakes, stress + jitters. Sipping it makes me feel focused, clear, and improves my mood. And it’s yummy!

THE BOD

Yoga - We're both Core Power Yoga addicts. The "Sculpt" class, specifically. An intense heated yoga class with weights + cardio. Addicted because nothing feels better than sweating out toxins and working your muscles.

Lymphatic Drainage - A week before the wedding, we had a spa day at Hylunia Wellness Spa, a Balinese-style spa in Newport Beach. We did a scrub to slough off dead skin and encourage circulation. Then we had a full body massage for lymphatic drainage and to relax tense muscles.  

Glow - For a consistent summer glow throughout all bridal showers and the bachelorette, we went through a few bottles of Clarins Self tanning lotion. I've been a longggg time fan of St Tropez Mousse, so for me to recommend ANYTHING else is a huge deal. But this is a MUCH cleaner, less toxic formula. And I love that it's a lotion and not a real tanning solution... it doesn't get on any clothes or sheets, it keeps you moisturized, and it's very easy to maintain a consistent color. Obviously for the actual wedding, we needed to visit the pros and get sprayed. We visited the cute gals at Honey's in Santa Barbara and had AMAZING results. 

THE SKIN

Clean eating def helped us here. But we stuck to our DDG peel pads for ultimate skin brightness and clarity, Laneige Sleep Mask + Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre for ultimate hydration and plumpness, and obviously TONS of sunscreen. Seriously, we laid it on THICK. We love Super Goop's Sunscreen.

The week before the wedding, my mom sister and I saw our fave facialist, Alex Beshoff, for an illuminizing peel and dermaplaning. 

The morning of the wedding, I slapped some oil on the little bride's face and massaged her with a little gua sha board to drain excess liquid in her face and contour up her jawline... I'd say it worked, eh?

HAIR, LASHES + BROWS

A week before the wedding, we saw Monica at David Salon in Costa Mesa for our hair. She trimmed us up and gave us each a clear gloss. This makes your hair extra soft + shiny!

There is only one lady we trust with the hairs on our face and that's Suzie Moldavon. She's the best in the biz. A week before the wedding, she shaped our brows, then tinted both our brows + lashes. I've been tinting my brows for years ((I do it myself - see here, so easy!)), I think it makes a WORLD of difference. 

For the months leading up to the wedding, we used GrandeLash MD, an eyelash serum - I swear this stuff works just like latisse... Use it every day and in two weeks you will have bangin bambi lashes.

There you have it! It takes a village, as they say.

xo

And ain't it the truth...!! 

But as it turns out, dating a few nuts here and there IS good for something... Stories, and apparently tasty little bars!

INGREDS

• 1 cup of GF oats
• 1 TBSP of chia seeds
• 1 TBSP of quinoa (raw)
• 1 cup of any chopped nuts you like (I did half almonds and pistachios)
• 12 dates
• 1/4 cup of coconut oil
• Salt and Pepper
• Spices

WHAT TO DO

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Chop up all your nuts, and pour all the ingreds except dates and oil into a bowl.
3. Melt the coconut oil and pour over the nut mixture, mix it all up.
4. Add a few turns of salt and pepper, and spices if you're keen. I like cinnamon, turmeric, and sometimes ground ginger. Mix it up.
5. Pour out onto a sheetpan and spread out so everything can cook evenly.
6. Bake for 8 minutes, take it out and shake it up. Spread it out again and bake for another 8 minutes. You want it to turn into crunchy granola. It should be golden brown, maybe a teeeeny bit burnt in some places.
7. While it bakes, take the seeds out of your dates and chop them up. The finer you chop them, the easier your life will be in a sec.
8. Mash up the dates as best you can. Your goal is to turn them into a paste.
9. When the granola is done, pour it while hot over the date paste and mix, mix, mix! You want to dry and get rid of any big date chunks.
10. Then press into a little pan ((lined with paper)) and refrigerate overnight, or at least a good 2-3 hours.
11. After that, you can cut them into bars. Keep 'em stored in the fridge though.

A WORD ON DATES

They get things MOVING. Are you picking up what I'm putting down? This is not a warning, so much as a little heads up. And maybe a helpful tip if things are feeling... sluggish? Also, they are sweet, sweet, sweet. I would call this more of a dessert bar, than a breakfast-y/granola bar. I like a little bite or two after dinner. And I served them as the "dessert" yesterday for the Fourth of July BBQ.

So there you have it! You can either date nuts in bars, or eat a date nut bar!

xo

It came about when I was freshly back from a bachelorette weekend in Miami. A wild time to be sure, but eating clean, we were NOT. I came back with great memories, sleep deprivation, and a fully inflamed digestive system. Fun, right? I had ingested many of the ingredients I am supposed to be avoiding in order to heal my poor little gut, and now I was in trouble. I immediately put an end to gluten + dairy ((again.... *eye roll*)), marched my little butt over to Whole Foods for some clean ingreds, referenced this post many times, but still felt like I needed more.

Then I remembered what I had been told when I was first diagnosed with my tummy troubs. Celery Juice. Every morning on an empty stomach. I had ignored it at the time because it kinda seemed like a big effort ((aka NOT ready in five minutes)), buttt desperate times!! I promptly ordered this cheese cloth strainer bag and went BACK to Whole Foods for some ORGANIC celery.

THE HOW

It's pretty simple. You blend celery with water, then strain it. 3 cups of cubed, chopped celery and 1/2-1ish cups of water make 2 servings for me. So you can do it every other day!

• Make sure your celery is ORGANIC + WASHED. Celery is on the Dirty Dozen list, so I only ever buy organic, but you gotta wash it. I use this stuff.
• Chop up the celery just to make it easy on your blender
• Use filtered water
• Drink on an EMPTY stomach, first thing in the morning, 45-ish minutes before you eat anything else
• It works best when you drink it consistently. My hot tip is to buy one bunch of celery and wash and chop the whole thing up. I store my clean little celery cubes in a bag in the fridge for when I'm ready to make a batch. Then when you want to make a batch, dump 3 cups of the cubed up celery and 1/2-1 cup of water into the blender, and you have enough for two days! Or two people ;) This gets us reallll close to being ready in five minutes, since you only have to do the prep one time.

THE WHY

It's SOOOO gut healing due to it's highly anti-inflammatory nature. It balances the friendly and unfriendly bacteria in your gut, improves digestion, banishes bloat, and has some goodies like Vitamin K, potassium, and B12. It's also kind of like nature's Gatorade... it replenishes mineral salts in your bod.

THE VERDICT

HIGHLY recommend. It's amazing for any gut related/stomach issues. But I recommend it even if your gut is in fighting form. They say your gut is like your second brain, because it supports so many other functions in the bod. So it's best to keep it in tip top shape!

Since coming back from Miami, I have had it every single day, for just over a week. I noticed a difference in about 3 days, maybe less, it was right away.  My bloating is subsiding significantly, my digestive system seems to have gotten a kick in the pants, and I'm starting to feel just generally less inflamed all around, ya know? LOV-ING this and don't see myself stopping anytime soon! 

OTHER HELPFUL HEALTH GUT TIPS

I've been eating a lot of other pro- and pre-biotic foods.

• Kefir in the mornings with some GF, fiber + protein heavy granola ((this granola)), ((this kefir))
• Saurkraut
• Asparagus - I usually roast or steam it and blend it with bone broth for an easy soup ((see below)) or dip it in cilantro sauce yummmm
• Bone Broth - I sip it with a squeeze of lemon + garlic, or make a veggie soup
• Kombucha - I LOVE sipping it on ice and pretending it's a cocktail ;) Make sure to get one low in sugar ((they really sneak it in there)), and only have 1 serving ((usually half the bottle or less!)) I love this kind.

WHAT TO DO WITH THE PULP

I mean, I'm open to ideas....? It's all fiber, so it's sad for it to go to waste. I make veggie soup pretty often, so if I remember to plan, I'll throw it in that. I know people also throw it in green smoothies, but smoothies haven't been part of my routine as of late.

For this little cup of soup, I sauteed asparagus and onion together, then threw it in the blender with the celery pulp, bone broth, turmeric, salt and pepper. Topped it with green onion and raw sunflower seeds. Easy peasy!

Now we can all have healthy guts!

xo

ANYWAYS

I have the YUMMIEST, FRESHEST cocktail recipe. It's more of a guide than a recipe I guess, because I'm not exact about many things. But the bottom line is that you should MOST DEF make it and take it outside.

INGREDS

• 100% Agave Tequila
• Soda Water (not tonic)
• Fresh Basil
• Fresh Cilantro
• Fresh Lime Juice
• A jalapeno

WHAT TO DO

I make them in twos.

1. Juice half a lime into a cocktail shaker
2. Throw in tons of fresh basil and cilantro ((I told you this wasn't exact))
3. Add some jalapeno - don't add any seeds or any white pith if you don't want it spicy. 
4. Muddle it all up. I used the handle of a wooden spoon for the muddlin
5. Add two shots of tequila, fill with ice and shake, shake, shake.
6. Fill two glasses with ice
7. Strain the mixture and divide between the two glasses
8. Top with a few splashes of soda water

It's seriously SO GOOD. The first word that comes to mind is FRESH. The second is FRISKY. It is tequila, after all. And I like mine with a little kick.

Since this is a wellness blog...

I once read that Suzanne Somers drinks 100% agave tequila almost every day for "medicinal purposes", and no she wasn't joking. Well, not completely. She likes it because it's natural, organic, low in sugar, doesn't make you fat, and also acts as a probiotic in your GI tract. Seems pretty great as far as choosing alcohol goes. When I read it, I decided to make the switch myself... but completely forgot about it and just carried on with my vodka sodas. UNTIL! I got super sick and was diagnosed with a super fun roster of stomach problems. I've had to give up a lot of foods and have had to cool it with the alcohol. But life is all about balance, right? And a small dose of living on the edge? So I decided I would give up all the gluten and dairy in the name of healing myself, but NOT alcohol. I mean a girl's gotta live, you know? So now I'm just smarter about it. I was told that my best option is 100% agave tequila. Which immediately brought me back to good old Suzanne, the queen of aging gracefully and naturally.

Also, I don't have any science to back this up, but I do feel like wine is aging... anybody else? I know there's the argument out there about wine and antioxidants ((I think I've even used it myself)), but a lot of wine makes me feel super dehydrated... like a little grape that got left in the sun instead of being plucked and turned into a nice velvety cab. Tequila will leave me with a few regrets maybe, but I don't have that same feeling of being shriveled up. So I'm making the switch! And you should, too!

I hope everybody has a great Fourth! Let's get fresh + frisky together, ya?

xo

They are gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, and vegan... Did I lose you?? I swear somehow they are still yummy.

INGREDS

• 1/3 Cup of Almond flour ((its just finely ground up almonds))
• 1/3 Cup of Almond butter ((you can use any seed/nut butter you like if you want to switch up the almond, this was just all I had))
• 1/3 Cup of Gluten Free Oats
• A few drops of Vanilla Stevia ((I have this one - also GREAT for a clean coffee/matcha sweetener))
• Lily's dark chocolate chips ((cleanest choc chips around, also great with a raspberry))
• Pinch of salt ((pink Himalayan for me, always))

WHAT TO DO

1. Mix up all the ingredients and taste for sweetness.
2. Form into little balls and pop them into the freezer on wax paper for an hour
3. Melt some of the Lily's chocolate chips in a double boiler and roll the balls around to get them all coated
4. Place back on wax paper and add a little sea salt flake on top if you're keen
5. Back in the freezer to set.

It makes about 12 balls, but it's hard to be sure because they went so fast!

IF YOU WANT TO BE EXTRA

I've seen a lot of people add fun stuff like protein powder or collagen powder to their little fridge balls. I wasn't trying to disguise mine as anything good for me, I was just trying to avoid the bad stuff. But adding these could be fun!

xo

I listened to an in-depth interview with Dr. Dennis Gross where he shared a lot of the motivation and technology that goes into his products. I was struck by the fact that before delving into skincare, he was an actual SKIN SCIENTIST who specialized in skin cancer research. This was HUGE news to me, because I tend to make the blanket assumption that many high end skincare lines have toxic properties. 

So over the past few months, I've been testing out his favorite product... The peel pads. ((We chatted a bit about my obsession with peels over here)). It's a two-step at home daily treatment that using a gentle chemical exfoliation to target all your skin probs - fine lines, dullness, breakouts, uneven tone.  After a month of regular use with the peel pads, you can graduate to his Extra Strength Peel Pads, which are a little stronger. They're also more expensive, surprise surprise...

SO HERE'S MY HACK...

The Doctor's Kit. It comes with 14 of the Extra Strength Peel Pads and 2 serums - one for day, one for night ((they're not full size, but bigger than a sample size)). Both aim to brighten and even out skin tone... And we all know I feel about bright skin....!! 

ROUTINE

I only use them at night. Here's how I fit them into my routine...

Cleanse ((cream or oil based)) >> Cleanse again ((water based)) with this cloth >> PEEL PAD >> Essence ((deets here)) >> Night Serum from DDG Doctor Kit >> Eye Cream >> Moisturizer

And sunscreen ALWAYS ((obvs)), but especially when using this peel/serum combo because of the retinol.

MY TIPS

• Because they're extra strength, I don't feel the need to use every night like I did with the regular peel pads... I'll do every other night, or sometimes every third night, so they last me a while
• On my "off nights", I use an exfoliating toner in place of a peel pad ((currently LOVING Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid, PIXI Glow Tonic is also a great option))

RESULTS

It didn't take long to start getting comments on my skin. I had some discoloration on my cheeks that has been rapidly disappearing, there's not a breakout in sight ((knock on wood)), and everything is generally evening out and brightening UP. Not to mention when I run my ((clean)) hands over my skin, the texture rivals a baby's cute little butt. 

The left photo is from this post when I raved about my new fave sheet mask. I had just started using the Extra Strength peel pads. The right photo I just took, after using the Extra Strength Peel Pads + DDG serums for a month. No makeup in either, just my fave tinted mineral sunscreen ((this one)).

I HIGHLY recommend incorporating some chemical exfoliation into your routine if you haven't already!! 

xo

I can't take all the credit, because it was def inspired by this recipe on Goop. And the only reason I didn't follow it to a T is because 1. What is Harissa, and where do I get it?? 2. I can't have dairy, so had to get a bit creative with the dressing/sauce and 3. I just like to simplify where I can. So follow mine or follow GP's, either way, I'm sure it'll turn out AMAZING!!!

INGREDS

• 1 sweet potato, chopped up into small cubes
• 1 head of cauliflower, chopped up into florets ((or a bag of cauli florets))
• 1 can of chickpeas, drained
• Curry paste ((I used this one, it's GF, But you could probs also just season with curry powder, turmeric, warm spices, etc.))
• 1 really ripe avocado
• Splash of coconut milk
• Fresh Cilantro
• Fresh Green Onion/Scallion

THE HOW TO

1. Preheat oven to 400 degress, and grease a lined sheet pan with your neutral oil of choice ((I did olive))
2. Throw the cauli, potato and chickpeas into a big bowl and add a big dollop of the curry paste and mix it all up until every veg has a good amount of the curry
3. Dump the veg onto the prepared pan and spread 'em all out evenly. I ended up adding turmeric and cracked black pepper, but waited to add salt
4. Bake for 45 minutes
5. While it's baking, mash up the avocado as best you can, and then added little splashes of coconut milk until the consistency is like that of an "avocado crema"
6. When the veggies are done, drizzle your crema on top and add fresh cilantro and green onions

Seriously, the combo of warm spicy veggies + cool crema is out of this world!! This is my new fave meal of the moment. Hope you enjoy! Tag me if you make it, I love to see your Five Minute Inspired creations!!

xo

This is the next product in line I SWEAR by to help me achieve my skincare goals of having a face that looks like there's a little lightbulb inside my head. ((The first two products were this serum and this mask))

WHAT IS IT

It's a sheet mask by the Korean brand COMMON LABS. This mask is GENIUS and SO EFFECTIVE because it combines two of my favorite things into one mask: Chemical exfoliation + sheet masking.

• Step one is a little peel pad soaked in AHAs and BHAs. Peels are the answer for pretty much any complexion complaint... Fine lines? Peel. Dullness? Peel. Breakouts? Peel. Aging skin? Peel. Hyper-pigmentation? Peel. It's full of ((safe)) acids that work to exfoliate skin chemically instead of physically. Your skin isn't going to actually peel off, this is not a Samantha-Jones-burnt-orange-face peel. But it will be rid of dead skin and grime and be perfectly prepped to soak up all the goodness from the sheet mask.
• Step Two is a gel sheet mask soaked in Vitamin C and honey. It is soothing, calming, and intensely hydrating.

RESULTS

The compliments you will get on your skin after this mask are enough to make you click "add to cart" over and over again. My skin is left plump, glowy, hydrated and just all around happy. I've been running around town in nothing but a lightly tinted sunscreen ((Mineral, obvs. Loving this one at the mo)). I've been out of my regular "makeup makeup" for forever now, but have just left it sitting in my Amazon cart, because honestly I just don't feel like I need it...!

This is me in terrible fluorescent lighting ((ughh)) with no makeup on the morning after I did the mask...

SOLD - Where do I Buy?

You can buy a single mask for $4 here, but I promise you will want more than one. I buy the 10 pack for $30 on Amazon.

HOT TIPS

1. Sheet masks always come with a ton of extra goop. I use this to my advantage in two ways: 1. Before I take the mask out, I squeeze out some of the goop and pat it onto my skin. I cover every inch of my face before I take the mask out and put it on. Because then once the mask is on, I know my whole face is covered with a good, thick layer of the mask. 2. I'll use the what's left in the package after I take the mask out to cover my neck and chest. Even after all that, there's usually still some leftover and I will pat that on to my face as a sleep mask ((as in, I won't wash it off)) the next night.
2. My other pro tip is to swap out the mini peel pad for a more intense version... I've been using the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel pads over the course of the last two months. I recently listened to Dr. Dennis Gross talk about skincare on a podcast and became obsessed. The man not only knows how to achieve beautiful skin, but he started as skincare scientist who focused on skin cancer research. He knows what will make our little skin cells happy and what will likely cause them harm. So even though the ingredients do not fall in the "Natural Beauty" category, I trust the man with my face. I like to combine the peel with this mask. I just swap out the Step 1 pad the mask comes with for the Dr. DG one. I save the mask's little peel pad for a different, more chill skincare day.

I absolutely LOVE this mask. It is brightening in the most gentle way. Let me know if you try it!!

xo

But then....! I started seeing the #FabFourSmoothie trending everywhere on social. A holistic nutritionist named Kelly ((from BeWellbyKelly)) created it and it breaks down how much of what type of ingredient you should do to build your own smoothie recipe! I LOVE easy breakdowns like this!! Here's what Kelly says...

So here's how I made mine...

Lean Clean Green Smoothie

• 20g of PROTEIN: 2 scoops of Moonjuice Vanilla Protein Powder 20g protein, 3g fiber
• 10g of FIBER: 2 heaping Tbsp. of ground flaxseed. I get 6g of fiber from the flaxseed and make up the rest of the 10g in my protein, veggies, and fruit. You could also do avo, but I like my avo where I can taste it :)
• Handful of GREENS: 1 cup kale, 1 cup of ORGANIC spinach ((seriously, regs spinach is full of pesticides, aka chemicals, aka you DON'T want)), 1/2 of a peeled cucumber
• 1 Tbsp of FAT: I use Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil, use whatever MCT oil you love. If you went with avo for fiber, you don't need to add more fat. Also, some mornings I have a bulletproof matcha or coffee before my shake - If I did, then I'd leave out the oil from my smoothie
• 1/4 Cup of FRUIT: 3 small cubes of pineapple, 1/3 of a banana
• SUPERFOODS: My favorite part!! I've been adding Beauty Chef's Hydration liquid ((LOVING this)), an inch of peeled ginger, the juice of a whole lemon, 1 scoop of Organifi Greens Powder ((Also SO obsessed with this - you can also just mix it in water to make a green juice)), Moonjuice Beauty Dust + Pearl Dust. Another super I would add but am currently out of is Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides.
• LIQUID: I just do water! I don't think this combo needs anything else. I think the Organifi Greens Powder helps make the base more like a green juice, so there is a lot of flavor!

***UPDATE: Feb 7th

So I've made the smoothie every single day since almost the start of the year (("addicted" doesn't begin to cover it!!)). I made it exactly as the directions above say for the first two weeks-ish. And then I ditched the bananas. I just found them to be unnecessary and don't want the added fructose sugar. I thought I needed them for texture and a little sweetness, but found I actually like the smoothie better without them!

I also threw a major CURVE BALL into the mix... I add a pretty big splash of apple cider vinegar. The benefits of ACV are endless... detoxification, natural energy, improved digestion... I usually mix it with lemon water in the mornings ((see my majorly liquid morning routine here)), but its easier to just throw it in the smoothie... and it keeps the smoothie tasting light and zingy, rather than sweet, which I LOVE. 

METAL STRAWS

I drink all my shakes and smoothies ((and cocktails)) out of straws. IDK why, I just prefer it. It's usually a cleaner situation for me.... Anyways, I couldn't bring myself to buy one more bag of plastic... So I finally converted. And I'm here to say it's SO MUCH BETTER!! Make the switch if you need straws!! Or even if you don't... I think they're kind of fun, no?? These are the ones I have ((and love)).

THOUGHTS

A roaring success! I made a goal of trying to start every day with greens and the Lean Clean Green Smoothie is making it a cinch! I get lots of natural energy after I drink it and just generally feel really good, ya know? Also it's super yummy and it's making my skin glow. I really like intermittent fasting ((deets here)) to give my digestive system a break and a chance to do its thing, and this smoothie is the perfect things to break that fast. Choc-full of nutritional goodness, it's the perfect reward for my bod after it did all that hard work while I was sleeping :)

xo

I've been traveling a ton ((hence why it's been a minute since we've seen each other here on I"ll Be Ready...)) and my immune system took a BEATING. I employed all of the witch doctor-y potions in my arsenal and literally lived off of this soup to get through it. But also, it's just so yummy in the cold weather - literally heats you from the inside out!

I would preface this recipe post by saying it's literally so simple, it shouldn't get it's own post, blah blah blah, but I'm going to go ahead and make the assumption that you didn't come here for some fancy gourmet recipe inspo...

Healing Bone Broth Ramen

INGREDS

• Coconut Oil
• Sesame Oil
• Liquid Aminos ((a GMO-free soy sauce substitute))
• Yellow onion
• big chunk of ginger, peeled and grated or chopped up small ((I don't mind chunks of ginger))
• 2 bags of frozen bone broth ((thawed at least a little to make your life easier))
• A big bunch of organic spinach ((spinach is one of the Dirty Dozen foods that you should NEVER eat unless organic - PESTICIDES))
• 2ish heads of broccoli 
• ((Carrots would be good in here too))
• Buckwheat noodles
• Green onion
• Fresh basil
• Some hard boiled eggs ((1 per person))
• 2 limes, maybe one more for garnish

THE HOW TO

1. We'll start with a hot tip: When you get home from the market, put the frozen bone broth bags in the fridge to thaw out. If you're making the soup immediately ((which I did every time)) you'll just have to work a little harder for your food: I used scissors to cut the frozen broth out of their bags and popped them in a separate sauce pan to start melting down
2. Saute your onion and ginger in coconut oil with a little splash of sesame oil 
3. If adding carrots, throw them in now so they soften up
4. When onions are soft and translucent, add in chopped broc ((stems, too!)) + spinach and douse them with the liquid aminos. Mix around for a second, but don't let them burn or anything
5. Add in bone broth and turn up heat so the soup gets hot
6. Juice the limes
7. Add in the buckwheat noodles ((I like to break them in half first)), mix around and cover the pot.
8. The noodles take like 2 minutes to soften up. Serve right away with a hard boiled egg, sliced in half, and a bunch of green onion + fresh basil on top ((Option to add sriracha!))

**Notice I didn't add any salt. Between the bone broth and the liquid aminos, it doesn't usually need much, if any. But the saltiness of bone broth can vary, so just make sure you hold off adding any until you taste it. Just to be safe!

So why is it "healing"?

So glad you asked! A heap of reasons...

• Bone Broth - It's seriously so healing. When consumed hot it helps break up mucus + inflammation. It is CHOC FULL of antioxidants, vitamins + minerals AND it helps increase the absorption of nutrients of other foods you eat it with. Also it's got gelatin which gives you plump skin, shiny hair + strong nails ((So you can still look cute while sick))
• Ginger - this spicy little root helps to heal a sore throat quickly while also killing off the viruses that cause the common cold. In case you had any doubt "ginger" and "badass" go together.
• Spinach - No questions here, right? Spinach is the OG health food, the "original kale" if you will... Eat up, buttercup
• Broccoli - See above. But also, lots of great fiber in broc! Helps with digestion and eliminating toxins in the bod.
• Buckwheat - Don't let the "wheat" in "buckwheat" scare you off... Buckwheat is like... SUPER healthy. It's actually not even a real wheat ((Imposter)). It's gluten free, Full of vitamin B ((hello, energy)) and has minerals like magnesium, zinc, and iron ((ever heard of zinc when you're sick?))

I HIGHLY recommend pairing it with a detox bath for some extra healing power.

So there you have it! If you, or someone you like know, is sick, now you know how to quickly and easily handle it!

((P.S. In case you want to switch it up, I also love these veggie soups... Broccoli + Carrot))

xo

"If you do this mask twice a week, you'll never age."

That is response I was given by an all-business Greek woman who's been whipping other peoples' skin in to shape for 40 years ((yet looks like she's only been on this planet for half as long)) when I asked about the $60 bottle on her shelf. I promptly handed over my credit card, barely blinking when she called out the total. Because with a tagline like that, I couldn't NOT try it, right? 

To be fair, I know the line very well and know it to be of super high quality. Their cult product - Lotion P50 - is like everyone's favorite toner EVER. It's a real game-changer and I HIGHLY recommend if you've got the wallet for it. But anyway, back to the mask...

THE INGREDS

Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant Active ingredients include: yeast extract, lactic acid, cucumber extract, St. John's wort extract and witch hazel extract.

Yeast Extract (Faex Extract), Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Bentonite, Kaolin, Alcohol Denat., Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Vinegar (acetum), Lactic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum.

Some of the standout ingredients I really like...

• Yeast - draws out impurities and unclogs pores ((Also makes the mask very smelly; smells like Vegemite))
• Bentonite Clay - detoxifies ((everyone knows clay is all the rage if you're looking to detox))
• Lactic acid - exfoliates, but like gently
• Cucumber extract - calms + hydrates

THE VERDICT

I mean, I haven't aged in the 2 months I've been using this mask, so she wasn't wrong...! In all seriousness, it an amazing product that DELIVERS. My skin glows afterwards in a way that doesn't feel superficial or fleeting. It feels really restorative - probs all that fermented yeast + amino acids. I usually do the mask as part of my nightly routine, and the next morning my skin appears to have transformed into an even-toned, luminous lightbulb overnight. YES. 

Here's a sleepy selfie I snapped about 2 hours post masque... Very even tone + lots of luminosity...

WHERE TO BUY

Here's where it gets a little tricky You can only buy it online from one place in the US... a beauty retailer called Rescue Spa based in Philadelphia. It's also sold in some high end skin spas, which is how I got mine. I'd recommend searching "biologique recherche" on Yelp in your city to see who's stocking the line nearby. 

And if you're in Orange County, I HIGHLY recommend paying a visit to Alexis at Athenian Skin Care!!

EXTRA CREDIT

While this mask aims to purify, restore, + brighten ((and allegedly freeze in time)), I had actually walked into my Greek skin guru's office to complain about some hormonal breakouts. She handed me the exfoliating toner, Lotion P50, ((which I promptly purchased)), before I got curious about this mask. When I asked about the mask and breakouts, she said, "Easy. Baking soda." 

I squeeze a dollop of the mask into my fingers, sprinkle with a teaspoon of baking soda, and mix it together with wet hands. If it feels really thick, I'll add a little water. The baking soda helps to further clear out pores; eliminating blackheads and future breakouts. 

MY WHOLE ROUTINE

I do the mask twice a week, usually at night. Sometimes during a lazy weekend day. Here's what my whole routine looks likes when I use it...

• CLEANSE - I love a gentle cleanser; currently using IS Clinical Cleansing Complex ((I do this step twice)).
• CLEANSE - I swipe on a generous amount of Bioderma Micellar water with a giant cotton pad after cleansing - I make sure every single trace of makeup, dirt, oil, etc. is G-O-N-E.
• TONE - I obsess over Thayer's Witch Hazel Toner - I love the rose one.
• MASK - Biologique Mask Vivant - I leave it on for 30 minutes, then take it off with a warm washcloth.
• SERUM - IS Clinical Active Serum - I apply a few drops of this and then "slap it in".
• EYE CREAM - SkinMedica eye cream - Apply using only my ring fingers.
• NIGHT CREAM - Avene Cicalfate - A French pharmacy find I just can't quit. 

xo

CAR

First things first - Keep things tidy. Clean car = clean face. Clean face = beautiful face! I keep these little hand wipes in my center console and give my hands, arms + anything else I touch while driving a good rub down. Elimination of bacteria is KEY. These are also great to have on hand for when you spill your bulletproof matcha latte all over yourself. 

FACE

Three products here that come in clutch... ((that was a car joke in case you missed it)).

Clean: Bioderma wipes

I rave about the micellar water all the time and the wipe version is just as amaze, just more car friendly! These babies remove ALL makeup and veryyyy gently cleanse. I keep these in here because I race ((at 45mph)) from work to pilates and can't STAND the thought of sweating in my makeup + sunscreen.

Refresh: Avene thermal water

I LOVE a good face spray. Sometimes I have my rose water in here, sometimes it's my pocket bunny ((not a sex toy)), but lately it's Avene's thermal water. I like to give my face a little spritz whenever I need a pick-me-up. And I also like to kind of DRENCH my face with it before I use the makeup wipes. It's also really nice when you're super hot and need to cool down.

Hydrate: Lucas Papaw

Picked up my obsession for this product on my first trip down unda. It's a wonderful skin salve that has more uses than the girl's dad has for Windex in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I swipe it on my lips, cuticles, undereyes + anywhere that needs a little love.

BOD

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!! Can't emphasize this one enough and it's CRAZY to me how many people are going without it! I keep a roll on mineral sunscreen in my car - it's sooo easy, seriously! I rub it on any exposed skin, and always make sure to give extra love to the backs of my hands - no sun spots for me thanks!! The roll-on aspect is IDEAL, because it doesn't get everywhere like a spray, and you don't have to use the palm of your hands and get your steering wheel all gross. YES. 

SPIRIT

Is it cheesy to say "spirit"? Whatevs, it sounds chic-er than saying NOSE, right? Anyway, I love things that smell good, obviously. But I'm not into perfume-y scents which is mostly what's out there in terms of room sprays, etc. I like clean, natural yummy smells. So I make my own! At Whole Foods or Amazon.com you can buy little glass spray bottles.

I fill the spray bottle up about 75% with the rose water and then add about 10 drops of the oil. Just shake + spray when you want to feel refreshed and energized.

I'm currently into Bergamot... It has a citrus-y-ish scent and uplifting vibes. I spray on my way to work in the morning to pump myself up... and then also when I get in the car after pilates because i'm gross + sweaty..!

xo

I know that my personal skincare routine is on the far end of the "maybe-you're-overdoing-it" spectrum, but I had thought that everyone was doing ((what I consider to be)) the basics... Cleanser, Toner, Serum, Moisturizer. My shock came from the major distress I felt for this girl who had been going years without what I consider to be the base hitter of skincare...!

So, let's dive in shall we??

WHAT'S A SERUM?

A serum is the step in skincare that delivers super concentrated active ingredients to your skin. It's molecular makeup is much smaller, allowing it to penetrate deeep into the skin. Because of this, it can target SUPER specific skincare needs ((wrinkles, acne, dry skin, etc.)). Find a serum that tackles whatever you feel like you need!

WHEN DO I USE IT?

After cleansing + toning // Before moisturizing.

((A good rule of thumb when layering products is to go thinnest --> thickest. A toner has a watery consistency; Serum is slightly thicker; Moisturizer is the thickest.))

HOW TO APPLY

Best approach is the push + press... Drop a few drops of the serum in your ((CLEAN)) hands, then PUSH and PRESS the serum into your skin. You know that dorky dance move people do where they box their head? You kind of do that, but with hands flat on your face....

MY CURRENT FAVE...

I LOVE a good vitamin C serum. I'm past the point of needing anything to manage regular breakouts, but don't yet have "mature" skin. A vitamin C serum is great because it targets skintone! It brightens you up and evens out your complexion. My skincare goals include looking like I have a little lightbulb inside my head that shoots sunbeam-like rays out of my face, so when I came across COSRX's Triple Lightning Serum, I figured I was close.

I've tweaked my skincare routine A LOT over the years and have fallen in love with a small arsenal of products that pack a serious PUNCH and have actually changed my skin. This little lightning bibi takes the cake. He is helping me achieve my lightbulb dreams and also allowed me to easily transition to going make-up free on a regular basis... as in, no face makeup at work! Quite the feat if you ask me. 

TIPS + TRICKS

• I like to wait 5 minutes after pressing in my serum before I put on my moisturizer - I want to give it a sec to all sink in + get absorbed
• Most serums ((especially Vitamin C)) don't have a long shelf life, so DO NOT leave your bottle open. I have a habit of opening and closing it as fast as possible in order to preserve it.
• First time serum users may want to start by adding a few drops to your night cream. They can be pretty potent, so this is a good way to ease your skin into it.

BOTTOM LINE

Whatever you feel like you need - hydration, wrinkle-release, blemish-control - find a serum that targets it! And if you have lightbulb dreams like me, this lightning baby will get you there!

xo