(Because 10 wasn't enough - it's SPRING!)
1. Vitamix Professional Series 750
I have an announcement,
readers. My happy family has expanded. We’re filled with so much joy. We’ve
adopted… the Vitamix Professional Series 750. Just when I thought I couldn’t
love a child – er, blender, sorry I do tend to get carried away when talking
about my favorite appliance ever – more, enter… the next offspring in the
Vitamix family: the Professional Series 750. Now, I don’t want my Vitamix 5200
to get jealous of its younger sister, but the Pro Series 750 is truly
beautiful… even if it is shorter and fatter (and thus, more kitchen-friendly). The
Pro Series 750 is perfect for the professional chef or the home chef (I
consider myself to be somewhere in between). It’s all the same blending
perfection of the Vitamix, only this time, there are pre-programmed settings
complete with corresponding icons for cleaning, smoothies, frozen desserts,
soups and purées. When I make my morning (green, of course) smoothie, I simply
add all of the ingredients, turn to the smoothie icon, turn the machine on,
and, seconds later, I have a perfectly blended smoothie. It’s like having my
own personal chef… who cleans up after himself, may I add. That said, I still
adore my Vitamix 5200 and have been using both machines several times a day for
different things. I love the smaller sized containers for making individual portions
of nut milks, smoothies, soups, purées and puddings and certain preparations
necessitate a more hands-on approach. Plus, for the average home chef (and by
“average,” I of course mean wonderfully talented, beautiful and fabulously
amazing, but perhaps neither in the kitchen all the time nor able to splurge
for the pricier professional model) the 5200 and other standard series machines
are just perfect. That said, I have really been enjoying my perfectly smooth
smoothies, perfectly puréed purées and perfectly SOUPer soups à la Pro 750. I
also find that the new shorter, fatter container is easier to clean and to
scrape every last bite or drop out with a spatula (“no banana pudding left
behind!”) – who said taller and skinnier is better? I like my Vitamix petite
and pudgy, personally.
A few of my recent
Vitamix-friendly (and by “Vitamix-friendly,” I mean that if you attempt this
with any other blender, be warned, it will be far less creamy and delicious …
not to mention healthy since the Vitamix breaks down plant walls and
pre-digests the food for us for optimal digestion) recipes. Remember that
personal chef who also cleans up after himself? Yes, he’s also a doctor. Incredible.
Here are some ideas for family fun à la Dr. Vitamix:
Green Smoothie à la Rebecca
This can easily be turned
into the Green Smoothie à la…INSERT YOUR NAME HERE. Just add your favorite
greens, favorite fruits, a banana and/or avocado for texture, your liquid of
choice (and by liquid, I do NOT mean soda, sugary drinks or dairy milk – think:
coconut water, almond milk, hemp milk, coconut milk or even plain old H20), and
any protein powders or superfoods or spices you wish. I’ve been enjoying Matcha
powder and vanilla bean lately or I love the mix of maca, cinnamon and mesquite
(plus a little bit of cacao is great for an extra energy and antioxidant boost
in the morning) or some fresh bee pollen if you can get your wings – I mean,
hands! – on some.
Serves 1 Leffler (or 2 people with less crazy appetites in the morning)
2 handfuls of greens, 1 piece
of ginger (to taste), a pinch of vanilla power, 1 teaspoon of Matcha powder, 1
banana, 1 small apple, ¼ avocado, juice of one lemon, 1 cup of coconut water.
Blend, baby, blend!
(Red) Maca Mousse
Add two tablespoons of
chia seeds to a bowl. In your Vitamix, blend together: 1 teaspoon of red maca
powder (see below), 1 teaspoon of Mesquite powder, 1 Medjool date, a pinch of
vanilla powder, a pinch of cinnamon powder, 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds and 1
cup of coconut water or water. Pour over the chia, mix with a spoon and let sit
until the liquid is absorbed. You can add 1-2 teaspoons of cacao powder to that
as well.
Lefflersauce
Everyone I’ve made this
for absolutely adores it. This sauce is great drizzled on (and by “drizzled” I
of course mean DROWNED in then licked until your plate is clean) some cooked
quinoa, millet or brown rice and steamed or sautéed veggies or as a dipping
sauce for Nori rolls or even as a salad dressing.
Add ¼ cup of almond
butter, 1 cup of coconut milk, 1 teaspoon of coconut aminos, 1 teaspoon of miso
(I like a subtle white chickpea miso), the juice of one lemon and/or lime, ½
garlic clove and some fresh ginger to the Vitamix and blend together until a
creamy sauce is formed.
M.A.K.E. cosmetics
I’ve been writing a lot
about foods that make us beautiful from the inside out. Now, I’ve found a
makeup that makes us beautiful from the outside… in! M.A.K.E. Cosmetics is a
for-benefit cosmetics line, part of the We See Beauty Foundation that will
launch this summer. (More details to come on that, bien sûr, mes amis.)
M.A.K.E. is a brand new
cosmetics line featuring skin care and color products with 33.3% of every sale
donated directly to the We See Beauty Foundation. M.A.K.E. will feature both a
permanent collection and limited-edition concept collections in partnership
with artists from the design, music, art and even gaming worlds. The makeup is
très chic, but also très affordable – prices range from $5 - $42. I admit that
I was surprised at how wearable the products are since I find that, in the
past, I’ve had to choose between non-toxic, eco-friendly products that are good
for the earth, good for my skin, but don’t really make me look pretty and
chemical-infused, very UNgreen products that do “work” from a solely aesthetic
perspective. Enter, M.A.K.E.! These products LOOK good and they’re good for me
– for my skin, for the earth and for humanity. Plus, I am convinced that I look
prettier after contributing to a charitable cause. We all do. I love the
packaging, the colors and, most importantly, the philosophy behind the company.
The “skin illuminator” does what it says it will, the “silk satin lipsick” made
my lips so silky I am sure men on the street were dying to M.A.K.E. out with me
and the “defining mascara” is now appropriately the defining item in my purse
at all times. The hydrating toner is like getting a facial every morning. The
products aren’t tested on animals, are cruelty-free, vegan, paraben-free and
hypoallergenic. And yes, I promise, all that and they “work” / look great on. Check
out their website weeseebeauty.com – it’s one of the best I’ve seen, especially
in the beauty world. You can try out different looks and learn everything you
want to know about the products and the artists (it’s perfect for the curious
and obsessive among us – cough cough.) In a world where the government doesn’t
have to tell us that they’re putting chemicals into our food (see: this week’s
Monsanto decision), isn’t it great to know exactly what is going onto our faces
and where our money is going? (to a good cause, that is) I love that this is
where the cosmetic industry is moving. We See Beauty hopes to “establish a more
equitable and beautiful society for all.” Glowing skin, radiant color, art and
a worthy cause all in one? Now that’s true beauty.
Red Maca
“What’s black and white
and red all over?” Answer: My bowl of chia pudding. I’ve been doing the
Maca-rena for awhile now – the Peruvian superfood is a powerful adaptogen that
can balance the body. It’s an amazing source of natural energy, boosts immunity
and can really help to balance hormones. Legend has it that Incan warriors ate
maca before entering into battle. I totally get it. I haven’t been entering
into any battles (although, does taking the train at Penn station during rush
hour count?) but do feel like I can conquer the world after a bowl of chia
pudding with maca. “Regular” maca is wonderful, but I just discovered Sunfood’s
fabulous red maca powder and find it a bit more nutty, subtle, sweet and
smooth. It’s perfect for adding to smoothies, desserts (it’s a match made in
chocolate heaven when combined with cacao) and my new favorite chia pudding
concoction (see above). Maca is perfect for a morning energy kick that lasts
all day long and, unlike caffeine, doesn’t make you jump up and down like a
crazy person then crash hours later. Maca
is a powerful aphrodisiac so add it to anything you – or your lover – are
eating or drinking for a natural Love Potion. Sing it with me now : “Heeeeey,
(red) Maca-rena!”
LULU’S CHOCOLATE
BIG announcement. I’m madly
in love. The object of my affection is a bit square, but filled with goodness,
is always there for me and loves me and my body in return. Don’t worry about
sending me wedding wishes, readers, I’m still – le sigh! – a Mademoiselle. I’ve
fallen truly, madly, deeply in love with… Lulu’s Chocolate.
There are suddenly so many
healthy chocolate bars out there now. I feel like everywhere I turn, there’s a
new “healthy,” even “raw” chocolate company sprouting up to offer cacao-infused
goodness. However, to be honest, I’ve been disappointed by many of them. First
of all, my definition of “healthy” is not a processed bar drowning in agave
syrup or other sugar nor do I want to bite into a chocolate bar whose
consistency more closely resembles a piece of cardboard covered in mortar than
a melt-in-your-mouth sweet treat. Enter… Lulu’s. It was love at first bite. And
second. And third…and, well, needless to say the box of chocolate bars and
truffles on my kitchen counter is no longer with us after just a few days and
there have been no other accomplices to my chocolate crimes. How do I love
thee, Lulu’s? Let me count the ways.
1. You’re actually healthy. Lulu’s claims to use only
the finest organic, fair trade ingredients in their chocolate and I believe
them. Why? Because I can taste the difference. Raw! Vegan! Low-glycemic!
Organic! Fair trade! Gluten free! It sounded so good to be true that I expected
it to taste like … well, I didn’t actually expect it to have any taste with
that description. I have since been proven wrong. Although, while I do believe
Lulu’s uses only the best products Ecuadorian cacao, wildcrafted Maca,
environmentally-friendly packaging, etc., I DON’T believe that there are no
drugs in their chocolate. Seriously, these babies induce some hard-core
euphoria. I can’t believe they’re legal.
2. You taste good. These chocolates really do
“melt-in-your-mouth-not-in-your-hand.” They’re “simple but elegant” with just a
few quality ingredients so you can really taste each one. The cacao nibs in the
Aztec and Maca bars add crunch, but aren’t too overwhelming. The Raw Love bar
(perhaps my favorite – I’ve always been a simple girl you know…) adds just a
bit of quality vanilla for a creamy chocolaty texture that is neither bitter
nor too sugary. The Smoked Salty Almond bars use sprouted almonds so they are
easy to digest and the Maca Love combined my love for white chocolate with the
hormone-balancing, energizing effects of maca – truly amazing. The Maca
buttercups are a gourmet, adult way to eat your Reese’s peanut butter cups with
a healthy conscience. And the coffee cr—oh sorry I didn’t get past the first
bite before I was interrupted by running three marathons, doing 467 pushups and
saving the world (I exaggerate, but the energy kick in those was enough to make
me feel like I could do all of the above).
3. You’re perfect just the way you are. The 1 oz. bars
are really the perfect size. Not too big and not too small. The ½ bar serving
size is just enough to get your chocolate fix after a meal or with a tea and
the full bar isn’t too fat, calorie or caffeine-heavy for a mid-day indulgence
(or, if you’re brave, a before bedtime treat).
4. You tell me it’s OK to
slather my body in chocolate. Lulu’s also makes an edible body butter featuring
cacao butter, coconut oil and cacao essence. It’s like taking a chocolate bath.
Sorry, it IS taking a chocolate bath. It is an orgasmic experience – whether alone
or à deux (or à trois I imagine, but I’ll leave that part to you dear readers
;) ).
Strala Yoga
Modelesque women decked
head-to-toe in lululemon looking you up and down and discussing their latest
spiritual awakening in broken Hindi as the instructor tells you to plant your
hands into the floor with a specific radius and turn your knees to a 43°
circumference and, oh by the way, you’re breathing wrong (yes, breathing.
Wrong.) Sound familiar? I’ve certainly been to yoga classes like that. I love
yoga, I love spirituality, I love learning new Hindi words and hey – luluemon
clothing is comfortable and flattering (if not see-through). That said, classes
at Strala Yoga are the opposite of this scenario. I admit that I was a bit wary
of heading to a studio not only in New York City (scary!), but also in the
heart of trendy Soho (scarier!) with classes taught by a former model turned
yoga celebrity (scariest!). Yet from the moment I walked through the doors at
Strala Yoga, I have felt nothing but happiness. (well, I did feel my abs
burning during Mike Taylor’s Strong class recently, but you get the idea.) Strala’s
yoga room is a vast space filled with light (I mean that both literally and
figuratively of course) and, even though many of the regulars there are totally
advanced yogis and yoginis, no one is there to prove anything or show off their
bending skills. It’s all about letting each person express themselves no matter
what their yoga level and no matter who they are or where they come from or what
they’re wearing (though they SHOULD be wearing Tara Stiles’ new yoga collection
from Reebok which I must admit is FABULOUS. The “Who Made the Rules” tank,
really comfy bra and short-sleeved tees are SO comfy and wearable and somehow
manage to look good on everyone, all shapes and sizes and even … Lefflers!)
Their “Strong” classes definitely
live up to their name, but aren’t overwhelming and the “Relax” classes can be
as dynamic as one wants to make them. All of the different instructors take
each other’s classes and what’s amazing is that they slip so effortlessly and
modestly through the poses that it’s hard to spot them with an untrained eye
(unless you are Heidi Kristoffer whose signature bright blue yoga pants and
contagious smile are hard to miss – can’t wait to take her class soon!) I
always leave feeling both strong AND relaxed. Strala is my drug du jour. Look what I can do now!
Just kidding, just wanted to see if you were paying attention. THIS more closely resembles me doing yoga:
I have
also been enjoying Stiles’ podcasts and online videos for quick yoga fixes when
I don’t have time for longer yoga classes at a studio. This routine is amazing
to literally get you out of bed in the morning – enjoy!
Two Guys from Woodbridge
“It’s easy being
microgreen.” –Kermit the Healthy Frog
Microgreens provide more
nutrients than pretty much any food out there. They are the young seedlings of
vegetables that are harvested just days after germination. Microgreens are high
in protein, chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants
and they are packed with living cells. Microgreens are pre-digested by the
sprouting process and are rich in natural enzymes. They also happen to be
crunchy and delicious, not to mention pretty in pink…and green… and other
colors. I recently discovered my two favorite guys from Woodbridge, CT. (OK, so
they’re the only two guys I know from Woodbridge, CT, but still, I’m a huge
fan.) This company based in – you guessed it – Woodbridge, CT is a fixture at
the Union Square Farmers Market in NYC. I stumbled upon them last weekend
during a glorious sunny Spring day and was overwhelmed by how beautiful their
array of greens looked…and tasted! Their watercress was divine and their
bouquets of mesclun even more beautiful than the flowers at the stand nearby.
Speaking of flowers, Two Guys sells a gorgeous mélange of mesclun with edible
flowers that taste as good as they look. Of course, La Fleur de Paris had to
get her hands on some edible fleurs. I also stocked up on sunflower sprouts, a
very delicate swiss chard, some rainbow microgreens (a mix of several
varieties) and perhaps the most beautiful and delicious basil I have ever
tasted in my life. I had Spring in my step all day long thanks to the blue sky
NYC day then, thanks to my two new guy friends from Woodbridge, had Spring on
my plate when I got home!
(This oeuvre d’art is a mélange – that’s a fancy word
for mix, but hey, look at this plate, I’m fancy ! – of quinoa mixed with curly
and lacinto kale, grated carrots, English peas, Two Guys’ swiss chard and
broccoli sautéed in (lots of) coconut oil and garlic and topped with Two Guy’s
microgreens and basil, some fresh mint and chives and some creamy mustard and
lemon dressing.) Welcome to Café de Fleur!
Can’t wait to try more of their beautiful greens now that Spring has sprung – I love to support local farmers, especially ones who feed me so well. I leave you with the wise words of dear Kermit :
Can’t wait to try more of their beautiful greens now that Spring has sprung – I love to support local farmers, especially ones who feed me so well. I leave you with the wise words of dear Kermit :
“But green's the color of
Spring
And green can be cool and
friendly-like
And green can be big like
an ocean, or important
Like a mountain, or tall
like a tree
When green is all there is
to be
It could make you wonder
why, but why wonder why
Wonder, I am green and
it'll do fine, it's beautiful
And I think it's what I
want to be…”
Detox à la Hollywood
So, mes amis, there is not
one, but DEUX books out about detox and Hollywood. Thankfully, one is en
français and the other in English so there will be no food fights or
cruciferous crusades.
“The Beauty Detox Foods.” I have been anxiously anticipating the release of this book ever since I first read Snyder’s last book “The Beauty Detox Solution.” Since then, I’ve enjoyed reading Snyder’s informative blog posts and watching her rapid rise to success from the page to the small screen. Snyder is known for her work with Hollywood heavyweights – or, in this case, LIGHTweights – like Drew Barrymore, Josh Duhamel, Fergie, Kerry Washington and other celebrities. She also just launched a new juice/smoothie bar in L.A. that I hope to try one day. I love Snyder’s philosophy that includes a light-to-heavy daily eating plan, lots of water with lemon juice, probiotics and gluten and dairy-free meals. She also shares my passion (/obsession?) for coconut, avocado, kale, chia and sweet potato and is on the anti-agave team – love this lady already. Her latest book is all about beauty from the inside out and features a long list of 50 foods with superpowers that affect the entire body from head to toe. Think: avocado and sweet potato for glowing skin, pumpkin seeds or nutritional yeast for thick hair or bananas to get rid of under-eye circles. Snyder proves that you don’t need to sacrifice flavor for nutrition – that you can have your (dairy-free, gluten-free, raw, soy-free, alkaline) cake and eat it too. Her book is also very accessible to everyone – most of the foods on her list can be found in the average neighborhood grocery store and her recipes aren’t complicated, nor do they feature esoteric ingredients like many vegan cookbooks today. Her book also sets itself apart from others in the genre in that it is a health book AND a gourmet cookbook. So many vegan cookbooks sacrifice health for flavor (think: recipes drowning in soy, vegan junk food and sugar) and others are so healthy they are not only unrealistic in today’s busy society, but, well, the recipes taste like cardboard. Snyder does a great job of explaining the health benefits of the different foods on her list without being too didactic. This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend for both those gradually easing their way into a healthier lifestyle and those already there and looking for more creative ideas for mealtime. I am totally (coco)nuts about this book that is beautiful from page 1 until the end.
“Ma Detox Made in
Hollywood.” A book about detox, Hollywood and in the French language? Bien sur
this was le livre for moi. The lovely Elsa Launay translates the concept of
detox Hollywood-style into a whimsical and colorful French “oeuvre d’art.” This
day-by-day guide to health is based on Launay’s experiences in the City of
Angels and features some detox-friendly, but also taste bud-friendly
concoctions. Many of the recipes are vegan and gluten-free and include some of
my all-time favorites like almond butter, kale chips, almond milk yogurt and
quinoa and green bean salad. The 10-day program is easy to follow and even
includes detox-friendly tips to accompany the recipes like yoga, morning walks
(likely much more enjoyable under the California sun than Paris, France in the
dead of winter) and even musical selections from Launay’s personal playlist. This
is a great transition diet for anyone needing a detox. Would have loved to see
less meat and fish-based options, but hey, bébé steps, my French friends, I’ll
take it!
Blue flowers
I keep seeing different
varieties of blue flowers everywhere. In French, the expression “blue flower”
refers to someone who is a bit naïve and sees the world through rose-colored
lenses. These varieties spotted at the market recently are instant happiness
and a reminder that Spring has sprung!
Coconut aminos
Just when I (and you, I
imagine) thought I couldn’t get any more obsessed with coconut…enter: coconut
aminos! Some other Liquid Aminos are somewhat controversial in the health food
world, with some claiming that they contain MSG. I personally have been
sensitive to them. However, nama shoyu isn’t gluten free and tamari is still
soy-based albeit fermented. So what’s a girl to do? Simply give up the salty
goodness of soy sauce and its cousins forever? What will become of my Asian-themed
meals henceforth? Have no fear, coconut aminos are here. When I first heard
“coconut aminos,” I pictured body-building Thai warriors. In fact, coconut
aminos resemble traditional soy sauce in texture and flavor, but they are MUCH
healthier (and, as it turns out, have no relation whatsoever to gym rats in
Bangkok). Coconut aminos are organic, raw, soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free
and vegan and they boast 17 naturally-occuring aminos acids to boot. The
coconut aminos come from the sap of the coconut tree that is very low glycemic
and packed with amino acids, minerals and vitamins AND has a very neutral pH
unlike soy sauces. Use it just like soy sauce in salad dressings, marinades,
stir frys and sushi. I’ve literally been pouring it over everything lately. It
adds a nice salty flavor without the salt to all cuisines, Asian-themed or
other.
Try these sushi rolls
courtesy of Rebeccasan, sushi warrior:
Top nori sheets with some
cooked quinoa, steamed slices of sweet potato, avocado and spinach or greens,
some miso, coconut aminos, fresh ginger, lemon juice and chives then roll up.
Dip into some coconut aminos or make a dipping sauce out of almond butter or
tahini, lemon juice, ginger and coconut aminos.
Oz: The Gatekeepers and Powerful Place Beyond the
Pines
‘Tis NOT the season for good
movies. Christmas is over, the Academy has named its victors and summer
blockbuster season is far away. These early months are usually packed with
unexciting fare both from the major studios and the independents. That said, a
few titles have snuck into a theater near you and me that I think are
definitely worth checking out namely thought-provoking documentary The
Gatekeepers, prequel to perhaps my favorite film of all time Oz: the Great and
Powerful and the talented Derek Cianfrance’s latest project starring the two
loves of my life in one movie (Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper) The Place
Beyond the Pines. Sit down, relax, and enjoy these shows.
90s on 9
This Sirius XM channel has
gotten me through these last days of winter with a huge smile on my face. It is
my daily blast from the past complete with musical interludes from that amazing
decade that was the 90s. Oh how I missed you Ace of Base, the Spin Doctors and Blessid
Union of Souls. And you too Naughty By Nature, Meat Loaf and 10,000 Maniacs. Welcome
back to my life.
PS My New Favorite Song by Justin Timberlake
No, it’s not “Suit &
Tie.”
PPS Just a reminder in case you forgot today:
PPPS Last one, promise: Here's to a happy, smiling, shining Spring to all!
