Brusha Brusha Brusha

Have you ever heard of Dry Brushing??  Basically, you take one of those stiff bristle brushes that are usually used in the shower and brush your skin in long sweeping movements from ankle to neck.  It's right about now that you may be thinking, "Why…why…would I ever do that?!?!"  Well, not only does this practice detoxify the lymphatic system and promote circulation, but it also improves cellulite and make your skin smooth and lovely.  Ah, now you're listening.  For a more detailed description of Dry Brushing and it's benefits, check out this article on The Well Daily or the instructional video above.  In a perfect world Dry Brushing would be one of those things I do everyday (along with this, this and this).  However, as my mom always says, "life and fruit aren't perfect." ;)

-♥ J :)

P.S. In case you were wondering about the title of this post...

Because some days need a little of this...

You rule, Louis C.K.!!

-♥ J :)

Tone it Up! on the Beach

Happy first day of summer!!  I would love to celebrate this most glorious of seasons by heading to the beach for a workout followed by a swim and a few of these.  However, that plan might be totally slightly unrealistic for a Wednesday afternoon.  At least with this COWABUNGA! Total Body Toning workout from the Tone it Up! girls I can pretend I'm at the beach.

The girls perform this workout on surfboards, but my living room floor will have to do for today.  Only ten minutes long, this is a great video when you are pressed for time.  You can also repeat it three times for a full body workout.  Sadly, a follow up swim and cocktails are not included. (sigh)

-♥ J

P.S. If on the off chance you are headed surf side this afternoon (lucky you!), here is a printable version of the workout for you to take with you.  

P.P.S. For more fun (and free) Tone it Up! workouts, check out their YouTube channel.

Because some days need a little of this...

You rule, Jessica!!

-♥ J :)

The Sweet Fry

Inspired by this video from Weelicious, I decided to make sweet potato fries last night.  I guess technically they would be called  "sweet potato bakes" since I didn't actually fry them.  Not only are these faux-fries surprisingly easy to make, but they are also way healthier than their fast food counterparts.  I think they taste better, too.  Gotta love it when that happens.

-♥ J :)

Sweet and Easy Un-fried Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 2-3 organic sweet potatoes
• olive oil
• cinnamon
• salt

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Wash and peel potatoes.
3. Chop potatoes into desired shape. ( I prefer skinny fries or cubes.)
4. Lay on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
5. Toss potatoes until they are lightly coated with oil.
6. Sprinkle with cinnamon and salt. (optional)
7. Bake in oven for 45 minutes to 1hour (depending on potato thickness and desired crispness).
8. Eat and enjoy!!

Re: Oil Pulling

This morning I got this email from my friend (and hilarious stand-up comic) Shelley:

Hey Jen!

Was wondering if you've heard of this.  I was researching things for my inflamed throat and after seeing a forum about how coconut oil works, I saw this video!  Hope you're well.  

xx

Shell

Good question, Shelley!!  I first heard about oil pulling from this post on The Wellness Warrior.  Since then, I've  been curious about it but never tried it.  Seeing as I'm trying to switch myself back into detox mode, I think now might be a good time to give it a whirl.  I'll let you know how it goes!

-♥ J :)

P.S.  Enjoy laughing??  Check out Shelley's YouTube channel.  For show dates and other musings, follow her on Twitter.

The Weight of the Nation

Has anyone seen The Weight of a Nation, HBO's four part documentary exploring America's obesity epidemic???  Things have been a little hectic lately, so I haven't had a chance to watch it yet.  Even if you don't have HBO you can watch all four episodes right HERE on HBO's website.  How cool is that??

-♥ J :)

P.S. Thomas Jefferson liked vegetables.

The Easy Way to Catch a Cold

Need to catch a cold fast???  Then you should definitely mention on your blog that you don't catch colds anymore.  The universe thinks this sort of bravado is hilarious and will immediately strike you (and your poor unsuspecting husband) with a nagging, poorly timed, all consuming cold that will leave you both trudging through your days foggy headed and drained.  

Now, if you want to get rid of a cold…that's a whole other ball of wax.  I already told you about one of my cold remedies.  The other thing I do at the first sign of sickness is head to Earth Bar for a Cold and Sinus Wellness Shot.  It's a shot as in "hey-we're-in-Vegas-let's-do-a-shot," not a "oh-I-stepped-on-a-rusty-nail-and-now-I-need-a-tetanus-shot" shot.  This is what it looks like:

This is what it tastes like:

It's pretty freakin' terrible.  It does, however, clear out your sinuses like nobody's business.  It may also clear out the sinuses of anyone in a five town radius.  The scent of this bad boy lingers so, again, consume only around your closest and most loyal friends.  If you want to make your own at home version, the ingredients are:

• lemon
• ginger juice
• oregano oil
• aged garlic extract
• horseradish
• echinacea

-♥ J :)

P.S. When I was telling my Dad what was in it he said, "That sounds delicious!!  I would have that even if I wasn't sick!!"  No, you wouldn't Dad.  No, you wouldn't.
P.P.S.  Did you ever see this episode of Friends when Monica won't admit that she's sick??  Cracks me up every time.

Yoga Saves the Day

Amazing.
-♥ J :)

Did someone say Portobello Mushroom Pizza???

Former Miss USA, Susie Castillo did.  This recipe looks fantastic.  To make it vegan, I would substitute Daiya cheese for the goat.  It also would be delicious with no cheese at all.  Awesome video, Susie!!  You rock!!

-♥ J :)

P.S. A little weekend reading…

• Ellen Degeneres on being vegan.
• Bottled water guilt.
• Oh, geez.  Didn't know about this.
• An apple a day melts the pounds away.
• Ah...Europe.
• 30 by 30.
• Are humans natural vegetarians?
• The secret is Umami.
• If you need a jumpstart...

Every day is Earth Day

“Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it -- every, every minute?” 

― Thornton Wilder, Our Town

-♥ J :)

P.S.  Earth Day tips HERE and HERE. 
P.P.S. Earth Day video courtesy of John Highsmith Photography.

Farmageddon Trailer

Yeah, THIS MOVIE is going on my must watch list.

-♥ J :)

Happy Healthy Belly TV: How to Make Broccoli

I made this video for my mom.  She insists on microwaving her broccoli even though I've told her (and told her) that there is an easy, delicious way to make frozen broccoli in just 5 minutes without using the microwave.  So, I decided to make this video to prove exactly how easy it is.  In fact, it is SO easy that you may find yourself thinking, "Really??  You made a video about that???"  Yes.  Yes, I did.  Warning:  In the video I talk with my mouth full and do The Robot.  I'm not sure which is more offensive…

-♥ J :)

P.S.  Love you, Mom!!!

Five Minute Broccoli
Ingredients:

• 1 bag of frozen organic broccoli
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 lemon
• olive oil 
• lemon pepper

Directions:

1. Pour frozen broccoli in a skillet with lid (like THIS ONE) and cover with1/4 cup water.
2. Cover with lid and set stovetop to med/high heat.
3. Cook for 5 minutes.
4. When time is up, turn off the stove.
5. Add olive oil, lemon and lemon pepper to taste.
6. Eat and enjoy!

Tracy Anderson Webisodes

I'm a little late to this party (each of these videos has well over 100,000 views…), but how great are these Tracy Anderson Webisodes?? If you do all three videos at one time, you get a terrific 25 minute workout.  I've always said, Tracy Anderson is the only workout where I've actually seen the shape of my body change.  These videos are a great way to try it out for yourself.  If you stick with it, you'll be hooked!  Then you, too, will be gobbling up every DVD she puts out.  I currently have…um…nine Tracy DVD's and still want to order her new Mini Trampoline Workout and her upcoming workout series for Pregnancy.  It should be noted that I don't own a mini trampoline…and am not pregnant.  Hmmm…maybe I am a tad obsessed.

-♥ J

P.S.  You can start your very own Tracy obsession right HERE.

Getting some zzzZZen

photo via Insadco Photography/Alamy

Until last night, meditation had only ever put me to sleep.  Not the "Oh, how quaint I dozed off for a few minutes" kind of sleep, but rather the "I passed out and missed half the afternoon" kind of sleep.  Having dutifully tried and repeatedly failed, I had pretty much decided that meditation was not for me.  That is until last night.  Last night I watched Oprah's one hour special about a community in Iowa and its leading role in the Transcendental Meditation movement.  It was while watching this program that I felt the most unexpected and profound shift in consciousness.  It was a shift that could only be described as…incomprehensible rage.

"This is so stupid!!" I heckled.  "How could that work!!   We're really supposed to believe that just SITTING THERE and doing nothing changes your life.  That doesn't make any sense.  Why would that work???"  John wasn't taking the bait.  By now, he has learned that when the Crazy Train leaves the station you don't jump in front of it.  You let the wack-a-doo in the living room rant and rave until she tires herself out.  But last night, I wasn't tired...

Lets go to the movies...

What are you up to this weekend, Veggies??  In addition to filming a new video for Happy Healthy Belly TV, I (and millions of my closest friends) will be going to see The Hunger Games.  Just in case you couldn't care less couldn't get tickets to The Hunger Games, here are some other movies worth their weight in popcorn.  

-♥ J :)

1. There's No Tomorrow

Usually I try to keep this blog on a positive slant, but I ain't gonna lie to you…this video is DE-PRESS-ING.  It is also MIND BLOWING.  This comprehensive description of the world's energy crisis is scary in the way that only things chock full of unrelenting facts can be.  There's No Tomorrow is a must watch.  But you may want to watch it with a glass of scotch...

2. Hungry For Change

You can watch this inspiring film about transforming your health FOR FREE until midnight on March 31st.  Just click HERE, sign up for the email list and you will receive your free invite to watch the film online.  I saw it yesterday and it is amazing!!

3. Friends with Kids

This movie is what would have happened if Harry and Sally had decided to have a kid together.  Hilarious as it is heartbreaking, this movie explores the trials and misadventures of six friends navigating their way through uncharted adulthood.  As the writer/ director/star of Friends with Kids, Jennifer Westfeldt hits it out of the park!  I have such a girl crush on her.

P.S.  Or if you feel like reading this weekend...

• A fungi that eats plastic.
• Five minute mind detox.
• Fantastic uses for your favorite beauty products.
• THIS is hilarious.  (But it's a joke so don't really do it...)
• From disasters to diamonds.
• Feeling the need...the need to clean??
• A calorie is not just a calorie.
• Jamie Lee Curtis rocks.

Happy Healthy Belly TV: How to paint an accent wall

Happy spring my Veg friends!!!  Do you have  a case of spring fever like I do??  I woke up yesterday all a flutter with new plans, new projects and a flurry of new ideas.  I want shake off winter the way a soaked dog shakes off water.  When I get in a mood like this it only means one thing…I'll be cleaning the shiz-nit out of my apartment.  It always starts with the apartment.  Clearing out my living space just makes everything else feel lighter and brighter.  

In that spirit, I hope you'll enjoy this video that John and I made about how to paint an accent wall.  It always amazes me how adding a touch of color can change the whole feel of a room.  We made this video in the hopes that it will inspire you to bring a little color into your life as well.  Enjoy!

-♥ J :)

John's Five Painting Tips

1. Use blue painter's tape to tape off the perimeter of your wall.  Be sure to use a "safe release tape" (like THIS ONE) on wood.
2. Patch any holes with spackle or joint compound.  Once dry, smooth patches by sanding them with fine grit sandpaper.  You can also use a damp sponge to blend them with the wall's surface.
3. Using a primer, paint over patches, scuffs or marks.  This ensures that spackle will not show through when you paint over it.
4. To give your wall clean crisp lines, first paint the perimeter of the wall with a paint brush.  This is know as "cutting in."
5. Use the "M Technique."  Paint an "M" in an 18 inch x 18 inch square.  Next, fill in the square making sure the paint is spread evenly in that area.  Continue to paint this way, making sure that your squares overlap slightly and are blended together thoroughly. 

Salad Sundays: Bethenny Frankel Tofu Salad

I love the videos that Bethenny Frankel, Real Housewife turned Forbes cover girl, made before she was the multi-millionaire Skinny Girl mogul that we've come to know and love.  Back then she was just a girl with a kitchen, a dream and some really great, easy to make recipes.  This recipe for tofu salad (which begins at 1:40) is delicious on sprouted grain bread but, since this is Salad Sunday, I would eat it over mixed greens tossed with balsamic vinaigrette (like THIS ONE) and garnished with chopped tomato.  Yum!!!

-♥ J :)

P.S. THIS is my other favorite Bethenny Frankel video.

Hungry For Change

"The whole dieting paradigm is flawed."  True dat.

-♥ J :)

For more info on Hungry For Change the documentary click HERE.

Perfect Pina

"Dance, dance...otherwise we are lost."

-Pina Bausch

I saw the Oscar nominated  Wim Wenders documentary Pina last night.  It was so exquisite that I'm not even mad at it for costing me the extra point I needed to win the Oscar pool.  Man, I could have used that point!!  Okay, that's the last time I mention the Oscar pool.  Promise.

-♥ J :)

**More dancing.