Margaritaville

When I lived in Chicago, I got more exposure to Mexican food and there was this cute Mom and Pop restraunt that served some delicious blended Margaritas. The fact that it was during my College years, they had $15 pitcher specials, and not to mention were conveniently located down the street, my friends and I became weekly regulars. Our favorite selection was a Strawberry Mango concoction that was like drinking a smoothie that left a good buzz. I never felt too guilty about it as I figured I was at least getting a full serving of my daily fruit right? WRONG! Little did I know that those seemingly innocent margaritas had more calories in them than I should have throughout a whole day, not to mention a ridiculous amount of sugar! Luckily I have created a healthier, satisfying, and hang over free selection just in time for a Cino De Mayo celebration. Save some calories, and drink in moderation because you know what they say about Tequila….(it makes your clothes come off)

Recipe:

1 oz Tequila

Soda Water

Splash Pineapple

Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

Move over Dairy Queen for Holland's Healthy version of the classic parfait

Growing up in Minnesota, dinner was never complete without a pit stop at Dairy Queen on the way home for a ice cream parfait. Little did I know that this habit was costing me unnecessary calories, fat, and sugar in my daily diet. Below is a healthier Hollywood style recipe I came across that is nutritious and delicious.

Greek Yogurt Parfait:

1 Cup Greek Yogurt

1 Cup Chopped Apples and Strawberries

1/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts

1 Tsp Cinnamon

Cutting back and splurging on a fitter bod

Over the weekend as I waited in line with a friend at Pete's coffee for our daily $4 latte my friend starts to complain and tell me how unhappy she is that she can no longer fit into her "skinny" jeans. I tell her not to worry and that we will start working out together on a daily basis. She then tells me of a gym that she wants to join but it is out of her price range and she just can not afford it at the moment.

As we grab our over priced cup of coffee, we realize that the gym membership is really not out of the question. In reality, all she needs to do is prioritize where she is spending her money and what is most important. We then come to the conclusion if she starts making her own cup of coffee at home, skips her weekly visit to the nail salon, and eats dinner at home once a week it will add up to more than enough for the membership! Best of all ,she will be able to rock her skinny jeans once again :)

Broccoli Avocado Salad

Living in a fast pace city like LA I am always looking for a healthy meal on the go. A top nutritionist recommended the following quick recipe for a Broccoli Avocado salad:

-1 lb Broccoli

-1 ripe Avocado

-2 Tblsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

-2 Tblsp Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

-1 Tblsp grainy Mustard

St.Patrick's Day and Melon Martini's

In spirit of St.Patrick's Day I decided to make my festive green melon martini's. 

The main ingredient happens to be the hottest new Asian liqueurs: Ty Ku (Some of Ty Ku's celebrity following include Jessica Biel, Perez Hilton, Kate Hudson, Jay-Z, Leonardo DiCaprio, etc)

Ty Ku is the worlds only all natural sake based Asian liqueur. The blend of healthy ingredients used to flavor Ty Ku include melon citrus (vitamin C) and antioxidant packed oolong and green tea. The spirit is then sweetened with all natural elderflower which reduces the sugar content associated with most liqueurs. 

Bottoms up!

Ingredients: 

1-2 Oz Ty Ku Liqueur

2 Oz Lemon Juice

Drop of Midori Liqueur

Ice and Shaker

Show Some Gratitude

In a fast paced city like Los Angeles, it is easy to get so caught up with a busy schedule or trying to achieve a higher goal that sometimes we forget to slow down and take time to show gratitude for what we already have.


A new restaurant in LA open for only a week now combines the concept of showing gratitude with healthy eating. Cafe Gratitudes mission is to celebrate our aliveness by loving our life, adoring ourselves, and being generous and grateful everyday.  The menu is 100% organic vegan that specializes in gourmet raw and cooked cuisines.


The atmosphere is hip, warm, and inviting. I literally even made friends while waiting in line for my table.  Celebrity spotting is never uncommon from singers Jason Mraz, Alanis Morisett, and actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Woody Harrelson.


Below are a couple of dishes that are must try's. They were delicious, fulfilling, and left me feeling incredibly healthy and grateful.


"I Am Pure"
Large salad consisting of seaweed, kale, carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, scallions, teriyaki almonds, and ginger sesame dressing.

"I Am Transformed"

Hand made corn tacos with quinoa, black beans, salsa, guacamole, and cashew nacho cheese

"I Am Fortified"

Seasonal vegetables, kale, quinoa, topped with sesame ginger sauce

Don't forget to stop by the Cafe Gratitude gift shop on your way out for:

1) Some amazing gratitude cookbooks

2) A I am grateful T-shirt (Yes I am a sucker for these)

3) I am grateful bowls to remind myself every morning as I eat my oatmeal!

What are you grateful for?

www.cafegratitude.com

Organic Facial and Make Up Application

I just discovered the best place for a healthy facial in Beverly Hills. Hot spot Evolue,  features organic, natural, and non-toxic beauty products and facials.

 Evolué is the only beauty boutique in Southern California to offer a revolutionary line of pure organic make-up, created by celebrity make-up artist, Rose-Marie Swift.

A celeb favorite, Evoluve is the makeup of choice by models Gisele Bundchen, Miranda Kerr, Karolina Kurkova and actress Zoe Saldana.  It's free of harmful chemicals, and provides a healing, nourishing effect. 

The salon also carries The W3ll People mineral makeup line--a small batch of  products, with  live, active natural ingredients, every bit as effective as their evil counterparts - while leaving as gentle a footprint on the planet as possible.

Addition shelf products include  Arcona;  Brad Pitt's and Kate Winslet's favorite skin care products by Tracie Martyn; Hamadi's hair care products(tested on actresses, never animals) and the exclusive Rare Elements keratin-based shampoo, conditioner and treatment serum, aptly named for using nature's rarest elements (Kalahari oil, black seed oil).

Évolué is also one of the first places in the country to carry the newly launched Nature line of body care products by Red Flower as well the upscale French line Nuxe.

Evolue is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 AM until 7:30 PM,  at 357 1/2 Robertson Blvd. Beverly Hills CA, check out the web site at: www.evoluebeauty.com  or call 310.289.1560.

Sunday Brunch

After the success of my girls potluck dinner I decided to host a Sunday brunch. Its a great way to end the weekend and unwind as well as clears my head for a great weekend ahead. Some of the things on the menu: homemade sangria, artichoke and spinach dip, vegan scones & muffins, kale salad, and quiche.

Charlie Sheen: Talk of the Town

Charlie Sheen has been the talk of the town not just in LA but around the world. Mr.Sheen has worn down his bosses with years of heavy partying, frightening domestic disputes, rehab, hospitalizations that CBS and Warner Bros. could no longer justify doing business with TV's highest-paid actor, even if he did star on TV's highest-rated comedy. 


I spoke with Gloria Allred who is a founding partner of Allred, Maroko & Goldberg, one of the pre-eminent employment law firms in the country. With the other attorneys of her firm, Gloria has been involved in some of the most defining cases of our day, including O.J. Simpson, Michael Jackson, Scott Peterson, and Robert Blake, as well as one of the earliest sexual abuse suits against the Catholic Church.


What are your thoughts on Charlie?

Girls Night In

In LA getting together and trying to plan a girls night where everyone can come together can be hard since the city is so spread out, traffic is insane, and work schedules can be crazy. Although, girls nights are essential in order to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, have a chance to unwind with some girl gossip, laughs, and a good meal.

Starting last week I have decided to host a girls potluck style dinner every Wednesday night. The kick off was extremely successful. Every girl brought a dish where some of those included rosemary vegetables, broccoli cheese cassorole, chicken pizza, caprese salad, deviled eggs, and strawberries with whipped cream for dessert.

It was a memorable evening, wonderful ladies, conversation, and home cooked meal. I have to say it is the best way to get over "hump day".

Getting Fit with Pole Fitness

What comes to your mind when your hear the term "Pole Dancing"? Automatically things that come to my mind are strip clubs and Las Vegas. However, pole dancing is actually a great work out and is a fun hot way to get a fit bod. It is literally a full body challenging workout that triggers every muscle in your body. Pole dancing also improves confidence and self-esteem.

I had my first chance to check out a local LA studio "Pole Dance Allure". I interviewed the founder Nicole Williams who calls the pole the new "dumbbell".  Nicole trains popular athletes, celebrities, and everyone in between at Allure. She says that the pole has revolutionized the fitness scene and adds an element that leaves women feeling sexy, strong, and empowered.

www.poledanceallure.com

Running to Runyon

I have lost all motivation to drive to the gym and hop on a treadmill for 30 minutes. I just can not do it anymore I get so bored and with the weather in LA so nice and sunny who wants to be cooped up indoors?

One of my favorite place to take an afternoon hike is Runyon Canyon in West Hollywood. I usually will bring a friend with me to walk the trails, catch up on gossip, and even run into some Hollywood stars along the way. The view of the city at the top is amazing with a clear picture of the famous Hollywood sign. The trail is even dog friendly :)

MMMM Spaghetti Squash

With my on the go busy lifestyle I have made it a point to stay home at least one night a week and cook up a delicious meal. Over the weekend with all of the Superbowl festivities and grazing I decided it was a good idea to keep it light and simple. I was in the mood for some Italian food sans all the carbs. A great nutritious way to substitute spaghetti noodles is replacing them with spaghetti squash.

What is spaghetti squash??? It is a winter squash with inside flesh that resembles spaghetti.

Here is the delicious recipe I cooked up:

Ingredients

• 1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
• 10-20 cooked shrimp
• 3 tablespoons sliced black olives
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Place spaghetti squash cut sides down on the prepared baking sheet, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a sharp knife can be inserted with only a little resistance. Remove squash from oven, and set aside to cool enough to be easily handled.
3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic, and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, and cook only until tomatoes are warm.
4. Use a large spoon to scoop the stringy pulp from the squash, and place in a medium bowl. Toss with the sauteed vegetables, feta cheese, olives, and basil. Serve warm.

Why buy when you can rent?

They say you can't buy happiness, but it is now possible to rent it with "Rent the Runway", a clothing rental store carrying trendy styles most women look at and say, "Oh my gosh, I've always wanted to wear that, but I know I'll only wear it once." A classic designer black cocktail dress retailing for $525 can be rented for four days at only $75. Every girl can be a celebrity now, and never be seen in the same dress twice.
Best of all "Rent the Runway"will ship your rental to anywhere throughout the country and new customers receive a kit containing mascara, fashion tape, deoderant-stain eliminator, lint-removing sheets, and a tape measurer.
You can save so much money and feel like a million dollars.

www.RentTheRunway.com

Never be Fashionably Late Again

Good news for all of you girls out there who tend to be late, because watches are a major must have accessory right now. I have to admit I usually rely on my cell phone to check the time, but watches are now a major fashion statement and a great way to spice up any outfit. 

Some of the trends in watches right now for women are:

 Masculine chunky watches (think old grandpa style)

Michael Kors (www.michaelkors.com)

Bright colored rubber watches

Kawasaki Kawi Girl Watch (www.amazon.com)

Wrap watches (watches that wrap around your wrist like a bracelet)

Armani (www.Macys.com)

Who said GEEKY isn't HOT

When I hear the word "Geek" the things that pop into my mind are unattractive, unwanted, nerdy, and unappealing. However, Geek Eyewear is taking Geek from un-cool to hip and happening with their Geek Eyewear line.

The Geek glasses are appearing on major Hollywood starlets and personalities including spokesmodel for the line LA Clippers Al-Farouq Aminu.

The Geek glasses consist of thicker frames created to salute and recognize people with high IQ's and the rest of us who want to look intelligent and stylish.

Check it out at www.GeekEyewear.com

Keeping it real at Real Food Daily

One of my favorite feel good restaurants in LA is "Real Food Daily."


Real Food Daily is the premiere organic vegan restaurant in Los Angeles. Real Food Daily is the place to be to enjoy delicious, balanced meals made with fresh organic ingredients. RFD attracts the someday to the everyday vegetarian, celebrities and trendsetting young eaters. 


Before coming to RFD, I never thought I could enjoy the taste of vegan or vegetarian food, as I had a pre-conceived notion that the food would be boring and tasteless. To my surprise however, the food at RFD is so delicious and truly makes you feel good after eating it. I love it so much that I bought their cookbook and will try to make some amazing dishes on my own.


I definitely recommend stopping into RFD and definitely try the Salisbury Seitan mmmmm


www.realfood.com

Feeling Under the Weather? Stop by the LA Flea Market

Over the weekend I was feeling pretty under the weather. It seems like there is a bug going around LA as everyone I talk to lately is feeling blue. It was so nice out over the weekend that I just couldn't stand to stay in bed so I ventured over to the LA flea market and discovered a Chakra Energy Massage stand. With the lack of energy I was feeling I jumped at the opportunity.

The Chakra Energy Massage is a form of Asian Medicinal Therapy designed to awaken the body's energy systems to natural forces of energy and healing. The purpose is to make the patient feel more energetic and rejuvenate the body's natural healing processes.

The Massage Therapist uses swift motions while making a "Shhh" sound with their mouth to awaken natural energy.

Call me crazy but I seriously felt 100 times better the next morning with tons of energy. Some may  be skeptical but next time I am feeling blue you know where to find me: The Flea Market!

Breakfast of Champions

No matter how early I set my alarm clock it always seems like I am making a mad dash out of the house every morning. I know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but I just do not have time to sit down and eat let alone cook up some eggs.

Thankfully with the help from a close friend who happens to be a nutritionist and trainer here in LA, we created what I call the "Breakfast of Champions". It is a delicious berry smoothie that has plenty of antioxidants and 20 grams of protein to keep me fully charged and satisfied all morning long.

Combine the following ingredients in a blender, fill in a to go cup and drink it on the go:

Ingredients:

1 Cup Frozen Mixed Berries
1 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 Tbsp Almond Butter
2 Scoops Vanilla Whey Protein Powder
1 Tsp Cinnamon

Enjoy!

Vitamin C Please

All of the recent changes in weather from cold to hot then hot to cold has literally given me a cold as well as many of my local friends. Whenever I get sick I am always looking for new remedies that will speed up my recovery.

Today during my run into Whole Foods, I was introduced to Zand Orange C Herbalozenge which is a good for you lozenge that contains 100% daily Vitamin C in just one lozenge. These tasty orange flavored drops Contain NO cane sugar, fructose, sucrose, or artificial sweeteners.  In a base of Western and Chinese herbs to enhance effectiveness. 


We all know that getting lots of Vitamin C is one of the best ways to bounce back when your feeling under the weather. These Zand Orange C Herbalozenges are one of the most delicious and convenient ways to do it! 


http://www.zand.com/product_individual.asp?productid=615

Custom Luxury Ride

This 80 degrees sunny weather in the middle of January is definitely something I never take for granted, having moved to LA from negative below Minnesota.  One of the most popular things to do on a nice sunny LA day is to take your beach bike cruiser for a ride along the beach in Santa Monica or the Venice Boardwalk.

I love my beach bike it matches me so well. A pink cruiser with a basket, horn, and streamers. Rediculous I know!  However I am not the only one riding in style.

A handful of LA riders are turning to Republic Bike to use their inner artist to design their own bikes. Best of all Republic Bike will build, box, and ship it right to your door! Now thats riding in style!

www.RepublicBike.com

Out With The Old In With The New

With the start of a new year, it is the perfect time to clean out your closet and update it with a couple fresh new items.  I personally can't stand when my closet gets too cramped with things I haven't worn for ages but hold on to for a slim chance I may change my mind.

One of the best places to go to get rid of items cramping your closet is Celebrity Owned in Westwood, CA.  Not only can you drop off your items but you can also refresh your wardrobe with resale luxury accessories and apparel straight from the closets of Hollywood stars, designers, and producers.

http://www.celebrityowned.com/

Start the New Year off with a sweat

Happy New Year! Its a new year and a new you. There is no better time to start a routine fitness regimen than today. One of the most popular mind/body routines that has all Angelinos working up a sweat is Hot Yoga.

I am a big fan of yoga, but Hot Yoga is a unique yoga practice that takes yoga to a whole other level. Hot Yoga incorporates varying degrees of heat and humidity which allows you to deepen the yoga postures, boost metabolism, and detoxify the body. Not only is it a great workout for the body, but Hot Yoga is designed to heal, detoxify, and exhilarate the mind. This workout will shape, tone, improve your body, reduce stress, control weight, relieve lower back pain, improve skin quality, and detoxify.

One of the most popular Hot Yoga studios is Hot8 Yoga in Santa Monica. Hot8 Yoga offers a variety of classes focusing on strength, flexibility, and balance with a holistic approach of nurturing the spirit. They offer over 100 different and unique classes.

www.hot8yoga.com

I have found that Hot Yoga creates an almost addictive feeling of well being. It is also refreshing to get into a heated room during these gloomy, cold, winter days.