NOURISH HEALTH + TASTE + STYLE

Fresh Start to 2012 :: Bon Appetit’s Food Lover’s Cleanse

2012 is officially here!  And with it comes Bon Appetit's 2nd annual Food Lover's Cleanse - perfect timing as most of us (myself included) are coming off of some holiday season over-indulging.  The BA editors, food writer Sara Dickerman, food photographer Kimberley Hasselbrink and myself teamed up again to pull together 14 days of drop-dead gorgeous, clean and fresh eating...with portion sizes, guidelines, grocery lists and simple recipes to go along with it.  A cleanse so doable and delicious, you might not want to get off it when the two weeks are up.  Bring on a happy, healthful year ahead!

Refreshed and Refined :: Rue Magazine Jan. 2012 Does Detox

As usual, I am gushing over the gorgeous pages of Rue Magazine's newest issue that just dropped yesterday.  Airy, fresh and inspiring all over, this issue brings warmth to the cold winter months.  And if you're still reeling from one too many holiday over-indulgences, check out the trusty food column with take-home tips for a quick, cleansing reboot and a refreshing and detoxifying salad recipe by yours truly -- all brought to life by Jen Altman's yummy photos (it's pg. 38-39 if you're looking).

Oh, and a lil side note...the incredible LA-based decor and tabletop rental boutique, Casa de Perrin, blew me away with their dollhouse spread and tasty treats.

Elixir Allure :: Body and Eden

It's not every day I stumble across a new obsession.  Luckily, Body and Eden tonics and elixirs came into my world last week...and I'm hooked.

Not only is their tagline "nourish yourself" -- could it be anymore fitting?! -- but these drinks blend organic fruits and veg with precisely paired superfoods and herbal infusions.  The tonics and elixirs are a refreshing take on the array of calorie-heavy and sugary-sweet juices and smoothies offered by many of the "cleanses" and "detoxes" out on the market.  Founders Aubrey Levitt and Hillary Deppeler wanted to create something that wasn't intended to be another cleanse, but to simply provide a nourishing, nutrient-packed boost to your everyday routine.  And let me tell you, they've hit gold with their seasonal, organic custom blends via local farmers (NYC and LA areas).  As someone who's always been a bit skeptical of green juices (I prefer to chew my kale and spinach most of the time), these tonics and elixirs rock.  Drop dead delicious taste, low calorie (bottles range from 20 to 60 calories), low sugar to keep your energy levels stable, and they just make you feel good, can't get much better than that.  Actually you can, they're packaged in sleek, vintagey apothecary jars and are perfectly portioned.  Return the jar, reuse, revive and repeat.  The drinks are worth every penny in my opinion and they're hot off the presses, literally, just in time for spring.  

*Deliveries available in NYC and LA and soon to be stocked at Marlow & Sons in BK.