Category Archives: CHOW

Macaccino

December 24, 2016

Move over matcha. Macaccino is the go to this winter! It’s a caffeine free superfood beverage that is made from the Peruvian maca root and so yum it’ll make you crazy.

 Here’s the deal. We are all looking for ways to get energy and when you are into your fifth cup of coffee by noon, you are headed into afternoon crashes and insomnia, (um guilty).

Macaccino being caffeine free is a healthy and sustainable alternative to this. Macaccino is filled with adaptogens that help the body deal with stress, boosts immunity amongst having other beneficial properties.

Macaccino can be brewed hot or made into a cold drink resembling everyone’s favorite Frappuccino or latte (yes, I also do these in the winter). 

I am guilty of adding this TO my coffee for that yummy maca flavor.

NUTRITION DATA AND BENEFIT BREAKDOWN FOR MACA ROOT

Maca is an amazing superfood that grows in the highest altitudes and in harsher climates with less water than almost any other plant in the world. It’s filled with nutrition and almost seems like it was designed only for human consumption–the benefits it brings are so vast that it’s almost hard to believe that maca root is very real and available to us for use in everything from cooking to energy drinks like our Macaccino.

WHAT’S THE MACA ROOT SECRET? DENSE NUTRITION.

Maca root is best known to deliver its many benefits through its dense makeup of alkaloids, amino acids, beta-ecdysone, calcium, carbohydrates, fatty acids, glucosinolates, iron, magnesium, p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, phosphorus, potassium, protein, saponins, sitosterols, stigmasterol, tannins, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc.

Maca root is also known to contain the chemical p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate. It’s considered to be one of a collection of biologically active aromatic isothiocyanates and is where the aphrodisiac qualities of maca come from. This is not found anywhere but in maca, and is why each cup of our Macaccino organic energy drinks do more than most energy drinks could only dream of.

Fig & Olive takes the cake (and the olive oil) for holiday dining

December 21, 2016

Festive Holiday restaurant conundrum solved. When you need to take out visiting family and you can’t bring them to your local taco truck and you need that little extra oomph of gorgeousness and delish food and excellent service so your in-laws don’t complain book a table at Fig & Olive . All I can see is you will be bedazzled on yummy foods, cocktails and drinking it all in with your eyes. All senses will be celebrating!

FIG & OLIVE’s founder, Laurent Halasz, grew up in Mougins, in the South of France. With his mother, Francine, they have been inspired by this region and ingredients to create the style of cuisine of FIG & OLIVE. This cuisine is based on genuine ingredients and a respect of flavors.

The menu is created around carefully-selected farmers and ingredients for their genuine taste and seasonality. Guests can enjoy shareable plates such as our Zucchini Cappacio, Fig Gorgonzola Tartlet, and crostinis. At lunch, you’ll find a variety of flavorful dishes such as our Shrimp & Salmon Riviera Salad marinated with citrus and fruity olive oil; and our Herbs de Provence Roasted Chicken, finished with Rosemary Olive Oil.

For dinner, signature dishes include Grilled Branzino glazed with a fig balsamic vinegar, served with figs and snow peas finished with a sweet Picholine Olive Oil; and Grilled Lamb Chops smoked with a bouquet of Herbs de Provence and finished with a Rosemary Olive Oil. Desserts include our Chocolate Pot de Creme with crunchy praline financiers and our Dessert Crostini, Amarena cherries, mascarpone, and pistachios on shortbread.

The exceptional wine list at FIG & OLIVE includes over 30 varietals from the South of France, Italy, and Spain that are offered by the glass or bottle along with a selection of champagne.

FIG & OLIVE’s West Coast flagship location is on Melrose Place in West Hollywood, CA. 8,000 square feet of light-filled space, double height ceilings, 50-foot tasting bar and communal table, two floors of dining, bar/lounge, enclosed patio with an abundance of rosemary plants, open kitchen and walls of olive oil and wine make this stunning location perfect for groups or intimate dining, and informal drinks and sharing dishes.

8490 Melrose Place
West Hollywood, CA 90069
310 360 9100
melroseplace@figandolive.com

BIB&SOLA: Glassware As Art And Activism

October 19, 2016

“A stylish way of drinking, an elegant way of giving” 

Available at BURKELMAN. Visit shopburkelman.com

Kira Heuer is doing cool shit. She’s one of those people you ASAP fall in love with upon meeting. She warm, open, funny and downright delightful. Kira is one of those kinds of very special women you feel like you’ve known your whole life. And the fact that she is doing wonderful things for the world fills you with all sorts of warm fuzzies. And then you’ll want to be her BFF. But wait, that’s not all.

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Kira is the mastermind behind Bib&Sola, a line of exquisite glassware that offers a conscious alternative to plastic. Bib&Sola (Latin for “drink and comfort”) evolved from Kira’s devotion to saving the world from so much waste, an intense passion about how we drink water and an uncanny eye for art, beauty and aesthetics.

“Bib&Sola endeavors to replace plastic bottled water with glass in a manner that is both chic and functional and aspires to create a global community where each and every person takes responsibility and action from an inspired position.”

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The handblown drinking vessels and carafes come in a glorious array of colors that look like they’ve been freshly dipped in both rich and muted hues of the color wheel. You’ll hold a glass in your hand and just start spinning it around, marveling at its simple beauty. But it’s not just a sculptural piece to swoon over. It’s much, much more. Besides the fact that holding one in my hand immediately took my experience of drinking water to a whole new level of connection, Bib&Sola is also on a mission to think and live green.

For your holiday gifting, a Bib&Sola set takes the cake. There is not a person on earth who would not drool over it. This is one of those objects of art, environment and wellness that I am most proud to have featured here on Groomed LA as it really is a coming together of so much of what I am about.

Bib&Sola has received a well deserved amount of glorious press and it seems that anyone who comes into contact with it perks up and takes note.

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Bib&Sola also is on a mission to curb the exorbitant amount of plastic pollution created by corporations with its #ONEVERYDESK campaign.

“By purchasing our glassware carafe and drinking sets, one would go on each desk creating a beautiful work atmosphere. The corporation would take responsibility for a water filtration system (we have our own suggested water filtration companies and they are incredibly easy to install.) What happens next? …. the great grand Press story along with a work atmosphere that is both health conscious and positively productive.”

They invite corporations from fashion houses to tech giants to curb their waste and “create an atmosphere for innovative and powerful action. ”

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  • High annual spending on plastic watter bottle usage
  • High annual contribution to wast and ocean pollution
  • Participation in annual increase of 10% of global water bottle consumption
  • Supporting water corporations privatise our most important natural resources
  • CSR impact
  • Relevant press stories
  • A more mindful and positive work atmosphere
  • Annual save on water bottle budget
  • Social impact in action as you no longer contribute to wast factor
  • Mark your company a bright spot in the green business community

Bib&Sola donates 10 percent of proceeds to organizations that provide clean drinking water around the world.

LA River Corp http://lariver.org/
Dig Deep  http://digdeep.org/
Tree People  https://www.treepeople.org

Bib&Sola sets can be purchased here. Stock up now and your holiday shopping list just got 100% shorter. Done and done!

INSTAGRAM: bibandsola | TWITTER: @BibandSola | PINTEREST: bibandsola | 

Kira Heuer
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WelleCo Super Elixir Nourishing Protein

October 13, 2016

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Winter does NOT meant I am giving up my smoothies. I am rethinking how to incorporate my favorite ingredients into warmer seasonal fare. We are LOVING this unique WellCo formula not only added to my pre and post gym smoothies but also a dash in my kids oatmeal, cocoa, muffins, banana bread and pancakes. YES!

WHY? It comes from plants including peas, dandelions and organic sprout brown rice with a TRULY delicious chocolate taste that is derived from Raw Peruvian Cacao (my fave)

Additional benefits of the Nourishing Protein include:

Maintenance of blood sugar levels as a part of a healthy balanced diet

The fiber will keep you feeling full for longer

Acia helps with free radical elimination

B vitamins for anti-stress benefits

Digestive enzymes help boost your metabolism

($39,welleco.com).

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Souping is the new juicing with Splendid Spoon and The Soup Cleanse Book

September 2, 2016

Wow! Bye Juice. Hi Soup!

Fall is here and what better a way to celebrate the new season then a change to season foods.

Nicole Centeno is the founder of Splendid Spoon, the company behind the SOUPING trend )think: home delivery, stunning packaging complete with inspiring quotes and patterns worthy of home decor wall paper).

She has the most amazing recipes for refreshing summertime soups (see you next summer!), healing broths, restorative stews and so much more in her new glorious cook book.

In the Soup Cleanse Cookbook you’ll discover how small tweaks to your weekly meals and mealtime rituals make a big difference in your health.

WHAT: 75 plant-based and gluten-free recipes can be mixed and matched for a customizable weekly plan that includes a dedicated souping day, 5 days of soup for lunch, and an “anything goes” day.

Or, follow one of the soup categories, all designed to address different health needs, like boosting immunity, revving up energy, and encouraging weight loss.

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073611_LetsSpoonOpnr_080A few staff favorites include: 

Spicy Broccoli and Hempseed Stew / Chilled Chickpea Avocado Tahini Puree / Vanilla Pistachio with Oats / Carrot and Turmeric

Check out some recent press: 

Well + Good

MindBodyGreen

About Nicole: 

NICOLE CENTENO is a French Culinary Institute–trained chef and the founder and CEO of Splendid Spoon, an e-commerce business that provides all the tools and meals you need to create a peaceful relationship with food and your body.  At Boston College, she studied diet therapies as treatment for illness and has taught cooking and nutrition courses at Columbia University. Centeno has also cooked in New York City restaurants, managed a catering business and worked in media strategy at Conde Nast. Nicole is the author of the upcoming Soup Cleanse Cookbook, published by Rodale. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her two sons.

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Photo credit: Tara Donne