Farmer's Market Run: Beet Juice, Beet Juice, Beet Juice!

We love going to the Farmer's Markets on weekends, especially the ones close to our studios in Santa Monica and Venice! So this week we want to kick off our new special Farmer's Market blog posts, chronicling our special finds and recipes.

On Saturday we went to the awesome downtown Santa Monica market, right outside of our studio on 2nd and Arizona. We scoped out great veggie prices and we ran home and made a delicious beet juice. The beets are so delicious you don't even need to add any sugar or agave - it's naturally sweet! Add a lemon to soften it up a little bit.

Here's our recipe for your juicer. Try it out next time you find some good beets.

• Raw, fresh beets: take out the gross parts and peel them
• Small or medium raw and fresh carrots
• 1/4 ginger, peeled (watch that you don't add too much, it's got a kick!)
• 1 Medium lemon

 

Healthy Tummy Tuesday: What is Acid Reflux?

One of my good friends was diagnosed with Acid Reflux, or GERD, by her gastroenterologist, and she's had to learn how to eat correctly in order to control her symptoms. Acid Reflux has actually doubled in the last few years (possibly by better diagnosis), and the dangers of finding out you have this includes developing Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. So it's so important to note your symptoms, get diagnosed, and then learn how to eat for your condition.

Some simple foundations for eating if you have acid reflux are the following:

• Stay away from chocolate, caffeine, sodas, anything that's gassy, alcohol, smoking and sometimes random things like tomatoes and very acid fruit like oranges.
• Your diet staples should be simple; rice and veggies or rice, veggies and some type of protein like fish.
• When you go out to eat, stay away from sauces and creamy things - even the soy sauce at sushi places might make your symptoms worse. 
• Stop eating processed foods, and stick to fresh, delicious and nutritious meals
• Don't lie down soon after you eat. Wait at least 30 minutes.
• Drink a lot of water! Try to get 8 glasses of water a day.
• It doesn't hurt to do a juice cleanse once in a while. My friend does BPC cleanses once every so often, especially when her symptoms are acting up. You can also try ZEN  cleanses or  Pressed Juicery.

If you suspect you might have acid reflux, it doesn't hurt to get a simple check up by your gastro doctor, followed by a quick visit to your local nutritionist. Trust us, your tummy will thank you!

Yerba Mate: A South American Surfer's Favorite

The other day, we wrote about the wonders and benefits of green tea. But what if you want to venture out and try some alternatives - something that doesn't involve an energy drink with the sugar content of chocolate cake and the chemicals inside a small UCLA laboratory?

Feast your eyes on a drink that's been used for centuries in South America and that's a tried and true method for getting your energy up.  When we visit those countries we notice that both cowboys and surfers always seem to be sipping on this stuff, so it must be great.

Yerba mate is a species of holly that is popular in Peru, Argentina, Chile and those whereabouts. It tastes a little chalky at first, but if you sweeten it with a little bit of maple syrup or agave, it tastes like strong herbal tea.

You can drink yerba mate as a regular tea (which you can find with the Guayaki Organic brand of tea bags) or do it the fun way and buy yourself a gourd. Either way is fine, but the gourd version isn't free of controversial potential risks.  But as long as you're not drinking 14 glasses of this stuff a day you'll be fine.

Have a Heart, Lend a Hand

We all feel a little blue once in a while - it's normal. When I'm feeling a little bummed I work out to get my endorphins going, and it helps.  But, there are also other ways to feel good and do your part for your community. Volunteering.

 

They say when you give back  you get more back in return. And slowly, you start getting out of your own head because you start to focus on others that need your help. It's true - You feel wonderful. Those happy molecules fill up your spirit.

 

These past few years I have made lunches for the homeless on Christmas, played bingo with the elderly, and made Valentine’s Day cards for the military.  

 

If you're ready to dive it, there are so many places to volunteer in LA, all you have to do is just find out what opportunity speaks to you. You might like working with animals, kids, elderly, the sick or give a little for the environment. Check out Volunteer Los Angeles to start your search.  

 

For an added benefit, invite your friends and have a group volunteering session this next holiday. Your friends will thank you for introducing them to a great cause.

Put Salt On It!

 

What's a great natural, affordable full body relaxation technique that doesn't require a pricey spa appointment? You'll be surprised to know it may be sitting in your kitchen cabinet.  Magnesium Sulfate, or Epson salt, is fantastic for relaxation and for any ailments that might be bothering you, really.

Just hop in a tub and pour a bit of the Epson Salt in, and tight and tense muscles begin to relax and you will soon melt into a soothing relaxation state. It also helps with sprains and even swelling. Epson also makes a great face mask, exfoliator, and hair volumizer. So it really does it all! 

 

Do it this week after a grueling office day or workout  - I guarantee your body will thank you.

Ouch, my foot…

I walk, I bike, I run, I swim, I do cardio barre, spin and of course pilates…I'm super active, particularly because it's part of my career. But once in a while, working out can be a huge pain in the...FOOT! My arches tend to hurt, especially after a few days of intense working out. I

This happens to all of us, and the question on everyone's minds is usually how can you quickly ease the pain? Well, if no one is around to rub your feet (gross!)  an easier way to get a great stretch is to use a golf ball. You heard me right! Put any type of golf ball (doesn’t have to be high-end) and place it in the middle of your arch. Now, take your time and allow the bottom of your foot to move around the ball. Do it hard enough so you feel a stretch. Your feet will thank you for it.

Also make sure you are using great shoes. Head over to your nearest shoe shop and have them fit you for the perfect type of running or cardio shoe - because you may be using the wrong shoe and really hurting your tootsies long term.

How to get your daily "Ds"

How do we all live in California and are still low in Vitamin D?? It's true - many of us are highly deficient in this vitamin.  Just ask your doc to test you to find out. What's the solution? It's actually pretty easy and doesn't cost a thing.

Are you ready?

Okay....Open your door and  go outside for a lovely walk in the sun and your body will produce this wonder Vitamin. Vitamin D helps with bone health. And, we all have bones and would like them to be and stay healthy, right? 

Besides the sun, you can find Vitamin D in fatty fish, eggs, milk, and you can also pop some easy to swallow, vitamins. 

Voila! You'll be vitamin D rockstar in no time.