After being peer pressured by my lovely friend, I finally spent a day at our suburban Chicago version of a Korean spa or jjimjilbang. I’ve been avoiding it possibly because that same friend kept referring to it as the “naked spa.” I just kept envisioning Plato’s Retreat circa 1978. Google it and you’ll see why I was apprehensive. I was wrong. The experience turned out to be eye opening and quite enjoyable. I’ll tell you more about that later, I guess, but one of the most enjoyable parts was the restaurant nestled within the spa’s 34,000 square feet. I love a surprise culinary win. My friend and I both ordered…
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I’m a Fromager, Y’all!
Before this plant-based life chose me, I was eating the hell out of some cheese, honey. I’m not talking Sargento either. I was all about the cheese life. I lived for a well curated cheese plate full of sometimes stinky creaminess. But when you know better, you are confronted to do better. Although I loved the fromage, it didn’t love me. I researched and learned more and more about how dairy impacts the body from stomach aches to stuffy noses to acne to even fibroids. And it’s not just my body. I’m no special case. It’s probably yours too since approximately 68 percent of the world’s population can’t digest dairy…
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First Rejuvelac
I first tried Rejuvelac at a local raw vegan restaurant, Chicago Raw, and I won’t lie. It had a weird, like nothing I’ve tasted before flavor that I still find difficult to describe. The flavor is odd, but it’s definitely not offensive in any way. Some folks describe the taste as “tangy lemonade.” Hmmmmm not so sure I feel comfortable sending you off like that. The more accurate description is slightly “wheat-y,” lemony, understatedly sweet and a touch tart. In other words, it’s perfectly fine and plus, the taste isn’t it’s most attractive feature. Once I researched, I was most impressed with the benefits to the gut. As we learn…
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Vegan Peach and Goji Oat Muffins
I had some peaches. I had some goji berries. My vegan Peach & Goji Berries Oat Muffins were born. I prefer breakfasts that really packed a nutritional punch. I don’t like anything too sweet and I want serious nutritional ROI. I like for my breakfast to energize me. After all, starting the day with the itis is no bueno. This muffin does it all. It’s made of oats, so as long as you check your brand, they’re gluten free. Oats are known for lowering cholesterol by providing the fiber we all need. Who doesn’t love peaches? They say summer in the most delicious way possible. They’re also full of vitamins…
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Have You Tried Acids?
If you’re my age, or just simply an American woman inundated with ageist, beauty-obsessed programming, you CARE about your skin A LOT. Although I don’t agree with media and beauty industry’s tactics, I don’t see a thing wrong with being concerned about your face. After all, it’s the thing most people see first when they meet you. Why not give them something dewy and fresh to look at? As I take a quick survey of my skin care tings, I notice that they mostly fall into two lovely categories – oils and acids. This post will focus on my latest love, the acids. Acids have always been a focus because…
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Get Your Wellness Worth
Tips for Staying Sane by Getting the Most Out of Your Gym Membership For the last few years (around four or five to be somewhat exact, with a severe uptick in the last three), I’ve been taking steps to actualize Toni Morrison’s advice in the Song of Solomon. “You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.” This journey landed me smack dab in the middle of the “wellness” and “mindfulness” movement. In some ways, there is a serendipity to it all. I’ve had access to a lot of information that I probably wouldn’t have gotten as conveniently in the past. On the flip, as…
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Vegan Blueberry Lime Oat & Hemp Muffins
These muffins are nutrient bombs! High in protein, antioxidants, and all the other good stuff. (And they're low in sugar!!!)
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Caribbean Collard Green Coleslaw
You would think that as a lover of all things fancy, coleslaw wouldn’t exactly be my thing, especially slaw made from collard greens. Well, you are mistaken. Above all, I am a proud, Black southern lady who possesses good sense, soooooo I love collard greens. I am also from Memphis, so I love BBQ. All good Q needs some slaw and this is the one that gives you more – more flavor and more nutrition. I try to up the real vegetable quotient in everything for a couple of reasons. The first reason is obviously to increase the nutrient factor because I like pleasant doctor’s visits and the lack of…
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Kaftans, always
My lovely and talented friend, Sandria, recently alerted me to Veronique Hyland’s NY Mag article, “How to Get Your Body Caftan-Ready for Summer.” Although I disagree with the author about a few points, mainly that wearing a kaftan means you can skip your bra and neglect basic hygiene. WTF. I do agree with her enthusiasm for kaftans and her desire to extol their virtues. Here are a few of my own tips for wearing kaftans and some amazing ones that you can buy right now. Kaftans are the true definition of GLAAAAM-OOOUUUURRR. They are not shlub wear. They are not for the tired. Find a muumuu for that foolishness. If your breasts…
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Beauty Tips for the Action-Challenged aka Lazy
Some girls come home after a raucous happy hour and still manage to remove their contact lenses and make up. Some of them set aside time every night, no matter what, to pumice their feet, apply moisturizer and cover their tootsies with cotton socks. Some of them even polish their nails to match their ensemble, which they already laid out, for the next day. I am not her. She is not me. I’ve come to terms with it and use these tricks to preserve my pretty despite my lazy. Makeup remover wipes e’rywhere. Near the front door, in the trinket box next to the sofa, at the desk, under pillows… Some disagree and I get…
