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.