Join the Peace Cord

We learned about these fabulous bracelets and wanted to share the love.  Peace Cords are woven by women in Afghanistan - creating local jobs there.  And they're constructed with parachute cord and genuine buttons from U.S. Military uniforms.  Their goal: to empower Afghan women to lift their families out of poverty, and to support the troops there who are trying to help Afghanistan rebuild.  We hear the military guys themselves are starting to wear these - and that if they get in a bind, they can unravel their bracelets and use them like MacGyver.  Ride on this Peace train.

Peace Cord

Deliver Us Daphne

We have had some unusually spectacular weather on the West Coast, and we know our counterparts in the East have had some wild amounts of snow.  Now that the rain has returned here and the East digs out from yet another storm, we thought we would share this wonderful flowering shrub.  Her name is Daphne.  Her scent is dizzingly delightful, she blooms in the Winter out this way, and she gives us all a little dose of sweet freshness while we yearn for Spring.  Consider introducing her to your garden.

{image courtesy of Strange's Garden Center}

A Cure for the Winter Blahs

I don't know about you, but this mama could use a little getaway.  It's cold outside and cabin fever is at a record high.  Well fa la la, luckily there are a few highly-evolved antidotes to the winter blahs.


First, ditch that sad black roller board for something a bit sunnier.  Try this one from Halsea on for size.

Next, call Escape to Shape founder Erica Gragg to see what divine destinations she has cooked up for 2011.  Sicily, Lake Atitlan or Marrakech tickle your fancy?  Each week serves up a powerful one-two punch of fitness and culture wrapped in luxury.

If this isn't your year to go far afield then look no further than Rancho La Puerta.  An hour's drive and a galaxy away from San Diego, it offers a sanctuary from the madness and total rejuvenation.  The organic cuisine has spawned a cult-like following and an award-winning cookbook.

But if the "spa-stay-cation" is your unfortunate reality, we empathize and have been there.  We then suggest a bottle of Swanson's Swell Swill to take the edge off.  Too da loo!

Superfoods That Pack a Punch

We asked our dear friend, America's Green Nutritionist, Kate Geagan, for a little 411 on fast foods that will leave us super-charged.  Here's what she had to say:


Energy, beauty, and health.  This, in a nutshell, is what most of my clients are looking for in that order.  Bite for bite, these superfoods recharge and energize you, are brimming with nutrients so you get a gorgeous glow from the inside out, and are a key to creating immediate and lasting health.


1.  Avocado
1/5 = 50 calories
Why we love it:

• Bite for bite you get nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (like beta sisterol to naturally lower cholesterol, lutein which acts like a sunblock for your eyes).  Plus, 1 serving packs 3 grams of those super healthy monosaturated fats, which keep your skin glowing.  And the creamy, rich flavor will help your brain feel happy and satisfied.
• Tasty tip:  Spread it on your sandwich or pita instead of mayo or mustard for a real nutrient boost, add to salads for staying power and to increase the nutrient absorption of all those other veggies.

2.  Walnuts
1oz = 190 calories (about 7 whole walnuts, 14 halves)
Why we love it:

• Nuts are a superfood - they provide that winning combo of protein, fiber and heart healthy fats that give them staying power - plus you can stash them in a purse, baby bag, gym tote or glove compartment - what could be more convenient?  Walnuts have more omega-3 fat that any other nut - 2.5 grams of ALA (alpha linolenic acid - the plant form of omega-3).  Studies show that noshing on a bit of nuts (1oz./day) each day helps control blood sugar levels, and can help with losing weight or staying slim.
• Tasty Tip:  Toss in salads, add to chicken salad for crunch, blend with cilantro for a sumptuous pesto and swirl into butternut squash soup, or just snack on 'em!

3.  Greek Yogurt
Why we love it:

• Greek yogurt packs 2x the protein of regular yogurt (1 cup provides about 20 grams of protein), and has half the sugar - while still packing the bone building calcium we love.  Best of all, its rich, creamy texture (which comes from the fact that it requires 3x the milk to make authentically strained Greek yogurt) makes you feel sinful and luscious, even though it's nonfat and totally nutritionist approved.  Be sure to choose authentically strained - it should stick to your spoon upside down!  There are many imposters in this category which use cheap fillers - not worthy.  Go organic if you can for an even healthier choice.
• Tasty Tip: Swirl with nuts and fresh chopped fruit for a satisfying breakfast, drizzle with a bit of raw local honey for a vacation in a cup that reminds you of the Greek Isles, put a dollop in your chicken salad instead of mayo for a healthy swap.

4.  Watercress
One of the most under-appreciated foods in the produce aisle!  This power food contains 4x the calcium and 6x the magnesium of milk.
Gram for gram as much vitamin C as oranges and more iron than spinach - and as close to calorie free as you're going to find.  1 cup = just 4 calories!
Why we love it:

• In addition to those immune boosting vitamins, watercress neutralizes carcinogens;  it's a member of superstar cancer-fighting family called brassica (which includes swiss chard, broccoli and cabbage).
• Watercress delivers a triple whammy: it's loaded with a group of phytochemicals called isothiocyanates, which literally fight cancer by neutralizing potential carcinogens and preventing them from becoming active, as well as stimulating your own cell defenses against those same carcinogens.
• Tasty Tip:  Swap it into your salad, put a heaping handful over grilled fish or chicken for a peppery, refreshing twist.

5.  Say "G'day" to Barramundi!

• Bored out of your gourd with salmon?  This uber healthy and delicious dish from Down Under has come to America - and is a woman's best friend for 3 reasons: 1) ounce for ounce, it has almost half the calories of salmon (137 calories for 5oz of barramundi vs. 260 for 5oz salmon), 2) it packs almost as much omega 3 as salmon (important to keep your skin glowing and helps fight depression) but has none of the mercury/pcb concerns that many women who are pregnant or raising kids worry about, and 3)Barramundi has the rich buttery taste of Chilean sea bass people love - but is listed as a "Best Choice" green light on all the sustainable seafood guides (where as Chilean Sea Bass is a red light/do not eat fish).  It's a food for the high chair or the high-end dinner party - perfect for today's modern gal.
• Tasty Tip:  Grill it and top with fresh fruit salsa, or marinate in miso and steam it and serve with brown rice for a light, cleansing meal.

For more healthy eating tips, go to www.kategeagan.com.


And be sure to check your local listings for Kate on the Dr. Oz Show Feb 2nd!

Turning Over a New Leaf

Happy New Year!


In honor of the hangover we likely all have from the holiday madness, we thought we'd kick off the New Year with a site that is adding a refreshing new twist to it all.


It's called Clover by Clover:  and it finally answers how to walk that fine line of giving, giving back, and receiving.  Children's birthdays are a real case in point: you feel as though your family is (fortunately) overflowing in the toy department and you'd rather give to charity, but you still have a small child with a big birthday who is tugging at your sleeve.  Enter Clover by Clover who have set up a tasteful and lovely site that allows the Birthday Boy (or Girl) to choose one special gift and a charity of his or her choice, and it acts as the facilitator between the two.  They offer a fabulous range of charities from Operation Smile and Heifer International, to Doctors without Borders and Water for People.  Share the page you have created with the party attendees, as well as Grandma in Iowa and Auntie in Maine, and they can all give an amount that feels good to them.  Funds donated to the child's CloverPage will first cover the amount for one special gift (rather than 20 smaller ones) and the rest will go to the charity of your choice.  Everyone feels good, no one has a trip to Toys R Us, and Clover by Clover couldn't make it easier.


It's started by two moms who are just like us all - and they were inspired to help us "Give a Gift That Goes Further".  We couldn't agree more!


So start a CloverPage (I'm going to for my son's upcoming 6th birthday) and let's all help pay it forward while still gifting something special.  Celebrate Thoughtfully as Clover by Clover puts it.  Amen to that.

Clover by Clover