On our honeymoon last year Doug and I got as close to a desert island as I will ever get. The heaven-on-earth that is The Maldives is located about a five hour flight from any major land mass. The country is 90% water (and sadly sinking fast). Being the product junkie I am I packed way more lotions and potions than any character on LOST was ever privileged to. Between my makeup (which I rarely wore) and my toiletries I had three cases in all. Crazy and unnecessary.

With our belated anniversary trip to another, slightly less remote island coming up I thought I would challenge myself with the No More Dirty Looks Desert Island Challenge.

Here are the basic rules they set forth:

For three consecutive days, use only five of the same products. That includes all personal care products—hair stuff, leave-ins, shaving cream, face potions, makeup, perfume, cologne, mists, body lotions and scrubs, you get the picture—except toothpaste and deodorant…

My first task was to pick three days where I had no major dates, plans or parties to attend. I wanted to make sure that if this all backfired I did not have to look like a dirty, greasy, un-made up mess in front of anyone. Last week was fairly light on my social calendar so I decided to give it a go.

Next up was to pick my five products. After much debate I settled on:

1. Kahina Giving Beauty Argan Oil 

I used this as a hair conditioner, face, hand and body moisturizer. I found that it worked best if I worked the oil through my hair BEFORE shampooing. This backwards hair washing was another idea I got from No More Dirty Looks. It worked great!  The Argan Oil was great on my face and body, however since it is a dry oil I did find myself missing my hand creme a wee bit.

2. Acure Organics Moroccan Argan Oil+ Argan Stem Cell Shampoo

I love this shampoo! I find that it is rich and moisturizing enough on it’s own that I was ok without a conditioner. I also used it as a body wash, which left my skin feeling nice and hydrated.

3. Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser 

When it comes to washing my face I don’t mess around. I love this cleanser and would be hard pressed to give it up. Desert island or not.

4. RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Modest

RMS is one of my favorite makeup brands. All of the products are very hydrating and the colors are gorgeous. Makeup that is actually GOOD for your skin? The Lip2Cheek was perfect to give my cheeks, lips and even eyes a little color!

5. Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes! Mascara

Mascara is one of those things I just cannot leave the house without. Tarte’s is the best clean option I have found. Even without much else on my face I still felt alive and pretty with a few swabs of this stuff.

I certainly survived just fine for three days with only these five products (plus toothpaste and deodorant). I was clean, moisturized, and even had a little bit of pop to my eyes and cheeks. However, at the end of the challenge I found myself quickly reaching for the conditioner, lotion, hand creme, eye shadow, lip gloss etc. etc. etc. But it sure was nice to know I could deal with much less.

Perhaps when we next head to the beach I will make an effort to only pack my “Desert Island Top Ten”? Hey, even that would be an improvement over the last trip!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As much as I love celebrating Valentine’s Day, I don’t love going out to dinner on February 14^th. Similar to New Year’s Eve every restaurant seems to only offer a bagillion dollar prix fix menu filled with way too much food for my taste. Cooking for others is how I express my love. Why let someone else do it for me on Valentine’s Day?

This salad would be a beautiful centerpiece to a romantic Valentine’s dinner at home. Pair with a little champagne (float some of your pomegranate seeds in the glass to make it extra special) and some homemade truffles and you have the makings of a delicious, romantic, healthful evening. End the evening by making (and using!) some homemade body scrub. You can thank me later.

 

Valentine’s Kale Salad with Beets and Pomegranate

• 1 bunch of kale (about 4 cups)
• 1-2 medium beets roasted (you can either roast your own or use pre-cooked beets like Love Beets)
• 2 T mellow white miso
• 2 T lemon juice
• ½ an avocado
• ½ cup pomegranate seeds

1. If using Love Beets skip to step 5
2. Preheat oven to 350
3. Wash beets thoroughly. Wrap each beet in tin foil and bake at 350 for one hour.
4. When the beets are cool enough to handle, gently rub off the skin using a cloth.
5. Slice beets into very thin rounds, set aside
6. In a bowl “massage” the avocado, lemon juice, and miso into the kale until it is soft and tender.
7. Divide the massaged kale between the center of two plates.
8. Surround the kale with the sliced beets rounds
9. Top each salad with pomegranate seeds

I am a sucker for a Hallmark holiday. I celebrate those I love everyday but cannot help get excited about Valentine’s Day. The hearts, the chocolate, the pink, the red. I love it in all of it’s sugary-sweet, gooey, maudlin goodness!

I have put together a little gift guide of my favorite “heart day” themed items. Feel free to show this to your signifcant other in order to drop a subtle hint. Single? Be your own valentine and treat yourself right. You deserve it.

 Buddha Nose Heart Spray

I love Buddha Nose’s aromatherapy products. I have my first shiatsu session with their founder Amy Galper on Valentine’s Day. I can’t wait!

 Lululemon Stride Jacket in Paris Pink

There are many days when I never change out of my exercise clothes. This cute pink jacket is perfect for all day wear!

SoulCycle Soulmates Kit for her and him

The couple that sweats together, stays together. It doesn’t hurt that Doug looks so darn cute in his tight cycling shorts. He’s my husband. I’m aloud to say that.

Body Deli Dark Chocolate Scrub

My sister in law recently introduced me to this amazing line of raw, natural body products. This decadent scrub is made only once a year in small batches so get some while you still can. After all, what is Valentine’s Day without chocolate?

Me & Ro Silver Love and Compassion Heart Pendant

Me & Ro is a company whose ethics I truly admire. They support human rights worldwide and use only environmentally friendly resources in making their jewelry. The first jewelry gift Doug ever got me was from Me & Ro and I have been a huge fan ever since.

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVE KALE. And not just kale, all greens. Kale, spinach, collards, chard, romaine you name it. I love it all! I try to fit as many greens into my daily routine as possible. Between green juice, green smoothies and large leafy green salads I consume more greens than the average bunny. I am a firm believe that the vitamins, minerals, fiber and enzymes in the greens I consume are what keep me healthy, hydrated, happy and glowing. It is very rare that I am stuck in bed sick. I thank my daily greens for that!

In general I like to have a nutrient dense green smoothie in the afternoon in place of a typical lunch. During the day I am either working in my kitchen, at my desk, or running to various meetings around town. For me, a smoothie is much easier to digest during the day than a salad with the equivalent amount of nutrition. Since the blender does a great deal of the digestion for me I am not tired and weighed down after lunch. Instead I feel light, energized, invigorated, and ready to take on the rest of the day! Smoothies are also a highly portable lunch. I have been known to carry a (pink) thermos full of green smoothie around NYC with me from time to time.

While my lunch smoothie can vary from day to day this Everyday Green Smoothie is one I keep coming back to. It is sweet and creamy with just a hint of almond taste. I truly look forward to drinking it everyday. At my recent smoothie party this one was a huge hit. Most of my guests were shocked that they barely tasted the kale and avocado. Now, why anyone wouldn’t want to taste kale and avocado is beyond me! To each his own.

 Sara’s Everyday Green Smoothie

• 1 cup almond milk
• 3-4 stalks of kale rib removed
• ¼ of an avocado
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp almond extract
• 10-15 drops liquid stevia

1. Combine all ingredients in a Vitamix or blender until smooth and creamy
2. Adjust sweetness to taste
3. Drink immediatly

Yesterday Doug and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. To say the past year has flow by would be a huge understatement. It truly feels like yesterday we were on the beach celebrating with our friends and family.

Since our anniversary beach vacation had been slightly postponed we made yesterday special in a very NYC way. After sleeping in (something Maddy rarely lets us do) we headed to Pure Food and Wine for a special raw vegan anniversary brunch. Pure is one of our favorite spots in the city. Not only is the setting very cozy and romantic, but they truly raise the bar on gourmet raw vegan cuisine. While I love my green smoothies and salads sometimes I need a dish with a little more flair and complexity. The Spinach Florentine really hit the spot. Spinach and mushrooms on manna bread with broccoli pesto and a creamy cashew hollandaise sauce? Wow. It was satisfying in the way only brunch food can be, yet did not weigh me down or leave me begging for a nap.

I also had a delicious cup of coconut chai tea with homemade cashew milk. It was just sweet and creamy enough.

After brunch we headed to Astoria to the Museum of the Moving Image for the Jim Henson’s Fantastic World exhibit. Anyone who knows me knows I am a HUGE Muppets fan. Growing up we lived across the street from the Henson’s and I swear I could see Piggy and Kermit though my childhood bedroom window. A few summers ago I had the honor of meeting Kermit at a benefit honoring Jane Henson. Second to our wedding it was the happiest day of my life so far.

If you are a Muppets fan like me I urge you to visit the Museum of the Moving Image before the exhibit closes on March 4th. It is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Or an Anniversary!

We finished off our first year of marriage by watching the Super Bowl with Doug’s brother at our house. I made Pomegranate Guacamole, Pesto Stuffed Mushroom Bites and Yam Cookies for us to munch on. Sadly for my hubby and brother in law the Patriots did not win. Maybe they knew that would have been too much anniversary goodness in one day?

P.S. Today I start my Desert Island Challenge. Five products. Three days. I will report back on Wednesday!

Due to circumstances beyond our control Doug and I have decided to postpone our anniversary trip for a few weeks. We still have plans to celebrate this weekend with a romantic dinner and a trip to the Jim Henson exhibit but for now the beach will have to wait. To be honest, it has been so sunny and gorgeous in NYC this week I do not feel the need to flee to the Caribbean. Hard to imagine that this time last year our friends and family were clambering to get out of a snowy New York to celebrate with us in Mexico!

Although Manhattan is the only island I will be seeing this weekend, I still plan on relaxing as if I were on the beach. Hey, I may even put a little shark fin on Maddy and have her “swim” at my feet. Or maybe not.

To aid in my “staycation” I plan on having several of these smoothies. Drinking one really does  make me feel like I am on the beach with an “umbrella drink.” Luckily it does not include the nasty hangover. Instead it leaves me energized and satisfied.

Beachside Smoothie

• 1 cup coconut water( I have been using Harmless Harvest 100 % Raw coconut water)
• 1 cup frozen pineapple
• ¼ of an avocado
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 5-10 drops liquid stevia
• pinch of sea salt

 

1. Combine all ingredients in a Vitamix or other high speed blender.
2. Adjust sweetness to taste by adding more stevia
3. Serve immediatly

Once a month I host a Clean, Pure and Simple Party at my home. These parties are a great way for me to get together with friends, teach them new recipes, introduce them to my favorite beauty products, or let them talk with some of my favorite wellness experts. It’s a live version of my blog with wine and great conversation!

This month’s party was all about smoothies. I got to test out some new concoctions, and share some old favorites. Smoothies are so easy I was able to make them in big batches quickly and serve samples to each of my guests. At first, most were skeptical that they would leave my house hungry and need to have dinner later on. I am happy to report that every person commented on how satisfied and full they felt at the end of the night. No late night dinners required!

I usually have a green smoothie for lunch each day. They are easy to make, packed with plant-based nutrition and the blender does a lot of pre-digesting for me. I feel less weighed down and full than if  I had chewed everything that went into my blender. I always make sure to put a big handful or two of dark greens into every smoothie I make. Adding extra greens here and there insures that I am getting all the calcium, iron and protein that I need. Oftentimes I can’t even taste the kale in one of these sweet concoctions. Not that I dislike the taste of kale. I LOVE KALE.

Over the next two weeks I will be posting all of the recipes from my smoothie party so you can try them for yourself.

This first one was the hands down favorite. Who doesn’t like chocolate and mint paired together? Unlike a peppermint patty, this will not load you up with sugar but instead will fill you full of kaley, minty, chocolaty goodness.

Mint Chip Smoothie

• 1 cup almond milk
• 3-4 stalks of kale rib removed
• ¼ of an avocado
• 2 T cacao nibs
• ¼ tsp mint extract
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 15-20 drops liquid stevia

Combine all ingredients in a Vitamix or high-speed blender

Adjust sweetness to taste by adding more stevia if necessary.

Who doesn’t love a Superbowl party? Even if you are not a football fan, everyone I know loves watching the game with a bunch of friends, food, and drinks. Before Doug and I started dating I was not a huge sports fan. I’m still not. However it’s hard not to care just a little when you are married to a die-hard Boston fan. Doug has called NYC home since he was 15, but those Boston roots are incredibly strong. Once a Red Sox-Celtics-Patriots fan, always a Red Sox-Celtics-Patriots fan.

Last year the Superbowl was the day after our wedding. We had big plans to turn our post wedding brunch into a huge Superbowl party complete with tv’s, paraphernalia etc. etc. When it became clear the Patriots were not making it into lasts years game Doug was a little (a lot) crushed.

Fast forward to this year’s game. The Patriots are playing the Giants on our first wedding anniversary. Quite a way to celebrate a year of wedded bliss! Since we will be in the Turks and Caicos on an anniversary trip will not be hosting a party this year. However, Doug managed to find a Boston sports bar (run by a Boston transplant) in TCI to watch the game. A Boston bar on the beach and a possible Patriots Superbowl win? My husband may just die from happiness.

If we were hosting a party you can be sure the snacks would all be healthful. Just because it’s the Superbowl does not mean you have to load up on greasy, fatty food that will make you feel terrible and sluggish for days to come. Here are my suggestions for a delicious Superbowl party that will leave your guests satisfied but not weighed down. Hey, they might not even miss this wings!

Here’s to healthful Superbowl parties and a win for the Patriots! I can’t think of a better anniversary gift for Doug.

Eggplant Truffle Fries 

These “fries” are salty, satifying and perfect for dipping.

• 1 eggplant
• ½ T coconut oil
• 1 tsp truffle salt

1. Pre heat oven to 350
2. Cut eggplant into ½” rounds
3. Square of the sides of each round and cut into “fry like” pieces
4. In a bowl toss eggplant pieces with the coconut oil and truffle salt
5. Spread eggplant in a single layer on a baking sheet lined in parchment paper
6. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minuets until slightly browned.
7. Serve with organic mustard, pesto or dip of choice!

Pesto Stuffed Mushroom Bites

Any extra pesto from these can be used as a dip for your Eggplant Fries!

Pomegranate Gucamole

Guac and football are the perfect combination, especially for a girl who got married Superbowl weekend in Mexico.

Sundried Tomato and Olive Tapanade

This tapanade is great on it’s own, on sliced raw veggies, or as a dip for your Eggplant Fries!

Black Truffle Salted Almond Bark

These are a great chocolate covered pretzel stand in. Salty and sweet. Yum.

Salted Chocolate Almond Cups

Who needs Reeses? Warning: these are slightly addictive!

Yam Cookies

Cookies that are good for you? Touchdown!

 

Two years ago, when Doug and I announced to our friends and family we would be getting married in Mexico we got many varied responses. From “woo hoo tequila!” to “what’s wrong with the Plaza?” to “is Mexico safe?” we heard it all. However, the one comment I heard the most from my family (especially the female members) was “what I am supposed to do about my hair in the humidity?!”

I come from a long line of men and women with a tendency towards THE FRIZZIES. My entire life I have blow-dried, chemically straightened, and basically beaten my hair into submission. I no longer get my hair straightened or endure those Brazilian/Chocolate/Keratin/ what have you blowouts.  These days a little bit of “volume” is the lesser of two evils when it comes to what I dump on my scalp (and subsequently into my bloodstream)

Recently I discovered an amazing, natural solution to my hair dilemma. Argan oil. I originally bought a bottle to try as a face treatment and discovered it worked great on my hair! Seriously this stuff is rockin. I just put a little bit on my hair after I dry and style and it’s shiny and frizz free. For those days when I don’t feel like blow-drying I put a few drops on my wet hair  and it manages to dry into fairly decent  “bedhead-esque” waves.

Best part is argan oil is a serious multi-tasker. Berber women in Morocco have been using it for centuries to protect their skin from the harsh, hot and dry desert environment. I find a little on my face does wonders against New York City winter (mild as it may be so far this year).

Besides taming the frizzies and providing amazing moisture to your face argan oil has many uses:

Minimizes fine lines around your eyes

Heals blemishes, burns and reduces scaring

Conditions cuticles and strengthens nails

Full of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals

What a multi-tasker!

My personal favorite brand of argan oil (there are lots out there) is Kahina Giving Beauty. Kahina works with the Berber women who harvest the argan oil and gives back 25% of their profits to these poverty-stricken communities. The signatures of these women adorn the packaging of Kahina products as artwork. The bottles are made from recyclable violet glass and their paper and packaging comes from recycled materials. Kahina doesn’t use artificial fragrances, colorants, preservatives or parabens and are cruelty-free. My kind of company!

Next week I will truly be putting my argan oil to the test. We are headed to the beach to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. If the argan oil saves my hair from a constant pony tail or messy bun I will be thrilled! Stay tuned for pictures!

 

I have a bit of a sweet tooth. While I don’t eat sugary, buttery desserts I do need something sweet at the end of my night. My usual go to is a few yam cookies with raw honey and a couple of squares of dark chocolate. Nothing too crazy but it keeps me satisfied and happy.

Sometimes I do like to get a little more creative with my desserts. The other night I had roasted a bunch of beets to put on my new favorite dinner salad. I had some left over and decided to turn them into a chocolate beet pudding. Sounds crazy? Beets have always reminded me of dark chocolate, and their natural sweetness is perfect for a veggie based dessert!

After a few experiments I ended up with this pudding. The color reminds me of red velvet cake, and so does the taste. It’s chocolaty, earthy, and just sweet enough. Hey, if you can make a dessert out of vegetables why not? For a little extra fun you could serve this topped with cacao nibs, or small pieces of dark chocolate.

Just a note, if you are not a beet lover like me this pudding probably won’t convert you. However, if you love the AMAZINGNESS that is the beet I urge you to try this pudding. You will thank me later!

Red Velvet Pudding

• 2 cups roasted beets (you can either roast your own or buy pre-cooked beet like Love Beets)
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup almond milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp liquid stevia

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Wash beets thoroughly. Wrap each beet in tin foil and bake at 350 for one hour.
3. When the beets are cool enough to handle, gently rub off the skin using a cloth.
4. Chop beets into small pieces.
5. Combine all ingredients in a Vitamix or high-speed blender.
6. Adjust sweetness to taste
7. Allow to chill in refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before eating