Category Archives: CHOW

What I learned from being with my kids 24/7 in NYC last week. OH and some amazing new beauty brand discoveries.

April 25, 2014

I took both kids to my mom’s in NYC for a good 9 days.  It was the best week I’ve had in – I don’t know how long.  Something about having no choice but to full take over and just immerse myself with my kiddos was incredible.  I didn’t do a lick a work.  Maybe a beat here and there but that’s it.  I feel empowered, a much better parent and my patience and tolerance muscles were so seriously flexed, that I feel like I can parent with total calm in any situation.  I was stress-free, relaxed and gave my kids the best parenting they’ve had from me – ever.  Something to say for throwing yourself in the fire and going away alone with kids. DO IT.  And you’ll be a pro. That being said, I came home to boxes of goodies on my desk to report on and some stuff I have been dying to share with you! Some gorgeously packaged goodies from the GOLDFADEN skincare line.  (PACKAGE CRUSH) I cannot wait to try.  They have been raved about big time.  High end. Good stuff. The real deal.

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The new flavors from QUEST NUTRITION (the bars I am not only addicted to, I can honestly say I have a “habit” and the new flavors like COOKIES AND CREAM are downright psychotically addictive, just ask the girl at the gym – I spend a ridiculous amount a month on them ).  If you are bar-crazed then you may have caught wind of the RAVE about these.  People are fff-reaking out about them.  Go online and look.  They are SICK!  OH, and some other goodies from themarrived – their new gulf free pasta line!

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Two beauty nectars you drink TAUT and BEAUTY NECTAR from Ashieda jammed packed with .sliderUnknown

I am speechless about Verso Dark Spot Fix from Stockholm.  First of all it WINS my packaging and website awards of 2014.  Check out their website. Perfection.

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Hey VERSO, if you are hiring a designer, let’s talk.  It’s so outrageously stunning it’s hard for me to get past the beauty of the bottle (yes, I kept the box too).   And, it’s a fantastic product.  Get it. Stare at it. Bring it out at parties. But most of all, use it.

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Oh, this Bite Beauty Agave lip mask – let’s just say, I took it out during a branding/client meeting, and the two women were ordering it via their iPhones within ten minutes.

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This gorgeous Hydracontinue bottle of Phytomer:

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So stay tuned!

SOMA: sustainable, chic water filters and it’s a gift that gives back (read on!)

April 5, 2014

The key to great skin is…drum roll…WATER.

Design cursh.

Product crsuh.

Slightly obsessed.

With Soma, the beautifully designed, 100% biodegradable water filter and glass carafe.

The glass is also drop-proof.  Uh yah.  You heard me.  Which is perfect for me.

Two small kids.  Clutz.  Wants fresh water.

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Perfect prezzie.  Stylish, sustainable and a gift that gives back.  Read this part.  Amazing

They partner with charity: water

800 million people don’t have access to clean and safe drinking water. charity: water is working to solve this. Every filter you buy from Soma includes a donation to charity: water to help support their essential work around the globe.

Hello, $49. Totally do-able.

Taste Savant’s vegan fix round up!

March 26, 2014

We are rounding up the best restaurants to get your vegan fix in Los Angeles. We’ve enlisted Taste Savant to help us. If you haven’t heard of them – Taste Savant is THE place to start any search before dining out. They compile all the best critic, chef, and now fitness experts for reviews of only the very best restaurants. They’re based in New York and have added Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles to their restaurant discovery repertoire. Taste Savant makes everything easier for us providing menus, reservations through Open Table, delivery by GrubHub Seamless. You name it. Keep your eyes peeled for more food-centric cities from Taste Savant this year and an iOS app on the way.

1. Café Gratitude

Café Gratitude is the royal throne of the LA vegan food scene. Part of the Eater 38, it’s a local favorite for organic raw & vegan cuisine. While not a new addition to any vegan list in LA, Café Gratitude deserves to be on the list over and over again. Check out both their Larchmont and Venice locations.

Vegan highlights: The LA Times loves their Polenta, Potatoes, Pizza, Chocolate Mint Cheesecake, and Key Lime Pie

2. Crossroads

Vegan food can be fancy too! Tal Ronnen is chef to the stars and as of last year, all of us can now enjoy his delicious plant-based food. Crossroads has solid reviews from many of the critics including industry vet and carnivore, Jason Berkowitz. Be sure to check out their very popular pre-fixe Sunday Supper.

Vegan highlights: LA Weekly likes the Tortelloni. Time Out and LA Mag touts the “Meaty” Lasagna and Crab Cakes.

3. Sage Vegan Bistro

 With 2 locations in Echo Park and Culver City, Sage Vegan Bistro is one delicious destination for vegans without sacrificing flavor. One of the best parts of Sage Vegan is they have live music every Thursday and Sunday. Don’t miss it! The folks at Sage describe themselves as all things to all people, satisfying all walks of life while being decadently healthy. Sage Vegan’s fans include Flywheel’s Jesse Brune.

4. Greenleaf ChopShop

LA doesn’t lack in salad hot spots, but Greenleaf is taking the formula to another level by revolutionizing salads with their clean principles. And they don’t stop there. Come into Greenleaf for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And even stick around for their daily happy hour with half-off small plates. Barry’s Bootcamp instructors, Joey Gonzalez and Astrid McGuire, can’t stop raving about Greenleaf.

Vegan highlights: Grilled Vegetable Salad and tons of vegan friendly sides.

5. M Cafe

Both Flywheel’s Jesse Brune & Barry’s Joey Gonzalez recommend M Café. There are tons of vegan options at this contemporary macrobiotic staple. M Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a great outdoor space at all locations.  With a fresh deli bar as well, M Café also caters to healthy eats on the go!

Vegan highlights: Jesse’s favorite is the Spicy Peanut Kale Salad.

 6. Suncafe

Flywheel’s Jesse Brune loves Suncafe which isn’t just vegan but it’s also raw and all organic. Many dishes are gluten free or can be made gluten free. This restaurant accommodates everyone.  For anyone coming down from an exhausting hike at Runyan Canyon or Griffith Park, this is a great spot to relax and recharge.

Vegan Highlights: Jesse’s favorite is the cream of mushroom soup.

So much to share! Magnolia Tropical Ice Cream

As you can see we have been a bit outta commish as we moved to WordPress from Typepad – personally I am finding it a massive headache and I miss Typepad so much.  WP gives me anxiety!

That being said – let me try to get you up to speed with what’s been going on the past month!

First – food for thought.

 

Tropical ice- cream – what?!  www.magnoliaplease.com.  This passed the kiddo taste test – yes, even the Avacado!  And while it’s milk based, I am giving the brand props for offering a vegan line.  When I eat ice-cream I am strictly a chocolate and caramel and well, anything in THAT category, kinda girl – but I love getting my kids hooked on fruit flavors!

It was recently featured in SELF Magazine as the go-to tropical ice-cream.  
Magnolia is a tropical ice-cream made in the US with real California milk and 33% fresh fruit purees (like avocado, lychee, mango and baby coconut.)
 

Guava Ice Cream: Light pink ice cream made from the sweet guava fruits, grown on trees in tropical climates.

Calamnsi Ice Pops: Golden Lime, aka Calamansi is a small citrus fruit that looks like a mandarin orange, is smaller than a lime, and is bursting with a tangy sweetness. Ramar Foods created this Icepop flavor from their best selling juice – Calamansi.

Magnolia All Natural Products include:

• Magnolia Ice Cream: Guava, Mango, Coconut, Lychee, Thai Tea, Avocado and Purple Yam

• Magnolia Single-Serve Novelty Milkbars: Azuki Red Bean, Halo Halo, Coconut, and Mango

• Magnolia Icepops (vegan-friendly): 

  • All natural, made without use of any synthetic hormones.
  • Made with real California pasture-raised premium dairy milk.
  • Gluten Free
  • Kosher certified by Earth Kosher
  • 30% fresh fruit purees from exotic fruits, sourced mostly from family farms on islands of Southeast Asia.
  • Magnolia’s new tropical packaging design wins 2013 American Graphic Design Awards by editors of Graphic Design USA ( i love this obviously!)