Clean on the Inside, Clean on the Outside

The skin is the largest organ of the body. In order to truly detoxify and treat your body in a clean and natural way, you apparently cannot slather toxins on your body. That's what I was told a few years ago when my beauty blogging pals at Tall Short Blog gasped as I dabbed, drizzled and doused myself in parabans as a nightly ritual. 

After a thorough explanation of the damage I was not only doing to the outside, but also inside of my body by using these chemicals on a regular basis, I began to slowly but surely take their advice on clean beauty products and venture into the rabbit hole of green beauty. 

A couple of years later, I am still playing around with what my favorite products are but have many favorites that I have tried and tested. I have tried a range of prices and compared them to other less green products that I have used in the past and still occasionally use. 

The green beauty Mecca, Credo, recently opened a gorgeous location in SoHo. Many of the products below have been purchased from there and can be found on their, or the product company's website.

Face: 

Cleanser- After testing a few face oils and washes One Love Organics Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil is by far my favorite. In the past I used the Boscia one from Sephora, and have recently tried the coveted Marie Veronique Daily Exfoliating Cleanser. While I liked her cleanser, I could not get it to lather the way that was demonstrated at Credo. I also thought the oil felt a little thicker than the OLO one and was harder to rinse off. I learned from Elizabeth at Credo that it is key to really give any of these oils time to break down makeup. Giving yourself an extensive face massage will do just that. 

Exfoliator- I do not use a scrub on my face because my skin is so sensitive, however still need to exfoliate. The best product that I have found that is gentle and exfoliates for cheap is the OLO Cleansing Sponge.  It is a much less harsh and more affordable alternative to the clarion if, which I used to use religiously until I realized it was too harsh for my skin, and getting way too expensive. According to Credo, massage your face with it once a day in conjunction with your cleansing oil and rinse and ring it out. It should last up to 3 months with  proper care. I tried the Herbivore Blue Tansy Mask to decongest my pores. It felt really great on my skin, however I did not see any improvement. I love exfoliating my lips with this local Moss Hill Sugar Lip Scrub. 

Hydrating- I use a prescription retinol at night, though I would like to eventually switch to one with more natural ingredients. Therefore I need my other products to be very gentle. I love OLO's Vitamin C facial serum. It is quite pricey though, so combining it with tea tree or jojoba oil makes it last longer. I used to use a retinol eye cream with lots of scary ingredients because I didn't believe that an all natural one could really work as anti-aging. Elizabeth at Credo explained the benefits of each ingredient in Skin Owl Eye Plus and more importantly suggested how to use it. She recommended storing it in the fridge and applying it with a depuffing eye massage. After I gently dab it on with my ring finger, I carefully and gently roll my finger from one side to the other until I have covered the entire area. My eye puffiness is completely gone and the coloring has improved drastically. Andalou Naturals has a nice quick rose water moisturizing mask that feels and smells great. My go mask is simply Greek yogurt and raw honey though. 

Spotlight on: Affordable "Drugstore Products" These can all be purchased at organic groceries.

Body:

Wash- I sometimes shower multiple times a day, but know how bad it is to strip the oils from your skin and hair, so I like using olive oil soap to avoid this. I also sometimes use the Acure Clarifying Body Wash. I am obsessed with Acure's products and have tried and tested them against many more expensive organic products. They work great, are affordable, have great ingredients, and are convenient since they are sold in most organic grocery stores. When I am on the go and don't have time to shower after a workout, I absolutely love Yuni Instant Shower Sheets. They leave my skin feeling clean, soft and smelling good with no scary ingredients. 

Moisturizer- I am addicted to the OLO Antioxidant Body Serum. I got it as a treat for myself before my wedding to get my skin really glowing and hydrated and got hooked. It's splurge worthy and lasts a while since it's a spray bottle. I like to finish hydrating with Acure moisturizers. I used to be hooked on Aveeno moisturizer, but the Acure Cocoa Butter one is unscented and feels even better (plus is all natural). Los Poblanos Lavender Salve is the best all natural substitute for Vaseline. I keep it next to my bed and put it on my hands and lips every night. 

Deodorant- I tried this calming lavender deodorant, which smells amazing, but have to go back to  the Dove one I have always used until I find a more effective alternative. It could not last the day, especially through workouts. 

Hair:

Shower Products- After thorough research on organic shampoo and conditioner, I settled on testing the most popular inexpensive versus expensive product. I used the Rahua products for a while, then Acure products. I noticed no difference and the Acure products are way cheaper and easy to purchase locally. I like all of their shampoo and conditioners, just depends on your hair type (I use the volume one).

Post-Shower Products- I am addicted to the Oribe Detangling Primer, so attempted to trade in for the Acure equivalent. They are just not the same! The Oribe is still my very favorite. I use the Oribe when I am about to heat style my hair and the Acure otherwise on a regular basis. I was sent OLO's dry shampoo as a gift when I made my last purchase, but have yet to try it.

📷 taken in Credo Beauty SoHo. How everyone should feel about what they put on the inside and outside of their body.

Next I need to take the plunge into all natural makeup products. Please comment with organic beauty product favorites!

Lessons in #mealprep

In the past I had occasionally "mealprepped" on Mondays by choosing to cook some sort of Meatless Monday dinner that could be portioned into lunches for the remainder of the week. When living in DC, I had endless neighborhood healthy fast food restaurants to choose from open  late into the night. I never had a motivation to prep bowl ingredients that were so accessible. After moving to Louisville and no longer having access to the same healthy fast food choices, I realized that prepping similar options to these restaurants in my fridge is not only more convenient, but so much more cost efficient.

Now I take a couple of hours at the beginning of the week to prep breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the rest of the week.  I'll run through some of my go to's for stocking the fridge.

Breakfast:

• Mini frittatas- whisk 10 eggs and toppings of choice (I usually do chopped spinach or kale, a light cheese like goat, parm or feta and another veggie like roasted squash or raw peppers. Ladle into an oiled muffin tin and bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until there is no more egg liquid sitting on top.

• Overnight oats

• Portion out Greek (or dairy substitute) yogurt into containers. Make ziplocks of toppings (berries, nuts, chia or hemp seeds, cacao nibs, etc.)

Lunch/Dinner (All ingredients can be used for a bowl with added protein if desired):

• Grain- I usually make a cup to a cup and a half of a grain such as quinoa or farro. Follow instructions for preparing, however I recommend using low sodium vegetable broth rather than water for extra flavor.

• Sweet potatoes or Butternut Squash- my favorite is to cube and roast until tender with coconut oil+salt/pepper at 375 degrees. Use cinnamon or cumin for an extra kick.

• Garlicky Broccoli- Cut into small florets and roast with a chopped clove of garlic, olive oil+salt/pepper at 375 degrees. Sometimes I save the roasted garlic for a hummus.

• Salad base- I usually keep a variety of greens that have multiple purposes like salads, smoothies or sautéing. Sometimes I will get a half head of purple cabbage or radicchio to chop and save for added texture and digestive benefits.

• Chickpeas- I open, rinse and put a can of them in a Tupperware container for easy access.

• Tomatoes/cucumbers- Despite knowing that tomatoes are best stored out of the fridge and cucumbers unchopped until use, I usually chop up a cucumber and halve cherry tomatoes in containers for easy access.

• Shaved or chopped carrots and radish (these stay fresh longer and will usually last me 2 weeks)

• Nuts- I usually buy nuts in bulk and chop them up myself using a knife or food processor then store them in containers to use for the week for portion control. I try to keep them raw and unsalted but have an obsession with shelled, roasted and salted pistachios as a chopped up added flavor kick/crunch especially to grain bowls.

• Dressing- I always make my own dressings. They are so easy and give you control over flavor and ingredients. I usually make enough to fill this and keep it in the fridge to use for the week.

• Extra protein options: hummus, smoked salmon, grilled chicken or tuna to top.

Hacking Packing

Since I published this post in January 2016, I have developed my own travel kits available for purchase! Click here to learn more. 

Did you know that ice packs are TSA friendly (as long as their frozen)? This totally changed my long day travel game. I used to bring food to eat pretty immediate upon airport arrival, but now even an early morning departure works for bringing an on the go healthy lunch.

I have a two-fold motivation when it comes to toting along mysterious ziplocs of kitchen goods anywhere I travel. Without getting into too much detail (and as I have learned is more commonly the norm than not), I have 'stomach issues.' Issues that I obviously try to take all measures to avoid, especially during travel. So while I am motivated to keep up a healthy routine while away, I have also learned that my body always thanks me later when I have a portable pantry in tow. 

I have a basic list I bring regardless of my access to a kitchen and a slightly more expansive one if my accommodations come blender ready. My one rule is that nut butter is the only travel size ingredient I allow myself to purchase. It is just too complicated to try to transport individual servings of it otherwise. While the fun and handy travel size hemp heart packs and alike are tempting, they end up being so much more expensive than simply going ziploc crazy. 

Basic Packing List (with or without kitchen access):

• Overnight oats base for AM flight (nut milk+chia seeds+oats)

• Ovenight oats toppings of AM flight (fruit+nuts+any other toppings below)

• Chia seeds

• Hemp seeds

• Cacao nibs

• Raw or sprouted nuts

• Dates or other dried fruit (with no added sugar)

• Nut butter packets

• A container of grain based salad that can stay at room temperature for PM flight

• Fruit/raw veggies/a healthy dipper (can be used with nut butter or airport hummus/dips)

• Powdered fiber (add to hot beverages)

• Granola (my current favorite is flavored with maple syrup/honey)

• Energy squares

• A good-for-you bar

Additional Items for Kitchen Access

• Maca and/or Cacao powder (blend in smoothies for morning energy)

• Serving size ziplocs of oatmeal

• Serving size ziplocs of protein powder for smoothies

• Raw shredded coconut

• Any other superfoods or adaptogens you use regularly

Detox 411

What do you think when you hear the word "detox"? Let me guess- you conjure up formidable images of drinking potent green juices all day and shaking your head no to all of your favorite treats? If you are committing to detoxing, you have chosen a different goal from dieting. By definition, detoxification is a process of removing toxic substances or qualities. Here is my tested guide for what you can add, rather than take away, to let the detoxification begin. 

Seaweed- The "new kale", this superfood packs chlorophyll, fiber and vitamins. Always a fan of seaweed, I prefer to add it to a bowl of greens.

Burdock Root- You digestive system's new BFF, this super-root can be found in juices and teas. It aides your digestive system, especially minimizing bloating. 

Fennel Seed- Can be grounded up in smoothies or simply sprinkled into sales and soups, fennel seed is easy to find in the spices section of health food stores. Licoricey in taste, it will also help aide digestive purification.

Dandelion Root- Ever think you'd be consuming this bright little weed? This super-root is a key ingredient to reducing inflammation. I prefer adding the mild tasting extract to my tea 1-2 times a day.

Peppermint Leaf- Another perfect addition to tea or even smoothies. Peppermint tea or extract in your favorite tea has a refreshing taste and benefits detoxification of the digestive system. Recently I had a holiday smoothie that included peppermint extract which was another fun way to access the leaf. 

Ginger- Ginger can be added to your favorite recipes for dressings, soups and juices. Try a butternut squash or sweet potato + ginger pureed soup recipe for a detoxifying lunch. Ginger tea is another way to get the inflammation reducing, antioxidant packed and intestinal settling detoxifier. 

Milk Thistle- This liver cleanser can be easily added to smoothies and teas by simply using its extracted form. It is one of many detoxifiers listed in this article that can be found in The Republic of Tea's cleansing line. 

Slippery Elm Bark- I have tried both the extract and powder of SEB. I find the powder to be more potent and work effectively. Used for years in ancient medicines, this detoxifier soothes the digestive system and aides in cleansing the system. I have heard that it is so quick working that it should not be taken around the same time as medications. Another perk which I have found to work is that SEB coats the throat and therefore can be a great addition to your usual vitamin C when trying to fight a cold. 

Spirulina- Packed with protein and antioxidants, spirulina has been known to detoxify our body's largest organ, the skin. Best accessed by adding the power to green smoothies. 

Wheatgrass- Until recently, Wheatgrass shots were my favorite energy boosting cleanser that could only be accessed at juice shops. Now I can get their detoxifying benefits whenever by keeping WOW Wheatgrass frozen wheatgrass shots in my freezer. 

All forms of the super cleansers in this article can be found at your local health food store in the supplements, produce or frozen food section. 

Fast Food Nation but Make it Healthy

All we every wanted was everything. And now. Or generation has been both blessed with and spoiled by having literally anything imaginable at our fingertips' immediately. From Postmates to JSwipe, we literally can press a button and have a tin of caviar or Jewish husband at our doorstep, pronto. 

Naturally, it was only a matter of time before our obsession with #local and #farmtotable would form a marriage with our seemingly innate need to have our every desire at our fingertips. I was first introduced to this 'counter culture' when I had just moved to the district. My roommate was anxious to bring me to a new pinkberry competitor sweetgreen. Not one to say no to a froyo trip, we made our way to the tiny house nestled on the busy Georgetown's M street. Upon entering, I was greeted with a massive chalkboard donning a lengthy list of local ingredients that could be found in both the yogurt and salad bar. 

Now a city with a sweetgreen on every corner, we have come to fully embrace the farm to table counter culture. Or latest local gem prides itself on the concept 'veggies unleashed.' It's featured 'dish' if you will, is the beefsteak burger. Before you veg heads stop reading, please understand that Jose Andres clearly has a punny side, as the only juicy part of the burger you will sink your teeth into is a thick slice of local beefsteak tomato. Beefsteak currently has a location in the West End as well as DuPont Circle. 

My real estate value went way up when The Little Beet and Cava Grill were reported to open on Connecticut Ave. NW. The former being a Manhattan chain health foodie bloggers had long praised, and the latter being the creator of the local hummus I worship. Fortunately, these chains know how to hook us and keep us coming by using rewards apps to further motivate our patronage. It is slowly but surely becoming more worth my time and dime to let these 'fast-casual' chains take over my kitchen.