HYLYT

June 8, 2017

On Body Confidence + The Power of a Photo

Hey, hey 🙂

Long time no chat, and I will totally own up to my absence on b&b. We all have those busy seasons where life happens, and I am finally seeing the light at the end of my “first year of grad school” tunnel. Out with the research papers and in with the recipes and all the lovely things!

A lot of changes have happened in the past 5 months, both on an internal and interpersonal level. I have started a new job working as the creative manager for Natiya Guin, of Natiya Guin Photography. Natiya is such a talented photographer, and she took the images of me featured in today’s post! We will be working together as her business expands and flourishes. Lots of exciting new changes are in the works as we prepare to unveil her new business, so stay tuned!!

Without relaying my whole life story on here, I did want to open up and catch up, and I feel like this is a safe space where I can share the good, the bad, and the real. Let’s focus on the good and real today. Also, read til the end for a special on photography sessions that will be live for the next 48 hours!

So, body confidence…what does that mean? I think it means something different for everyone, but for me it is feeling genuinely happy in my skin. I might not feel fabulous every minute of the day, I might have insecurities, but I am thankful for the shell I’m in, and I love it regardless. We ALL have issues and mind games and fluctuations (physically and mentally) that we deal with. In my experience as a dietitian, I see so, so often people who are broken and defeated, and the luster in their eyes has gone away. Negativity is a nasty thing, because it creeps up and consumes you little by little until it is so ingrained in your mind that it becomes a part of how you see yourself.

I’ve been there myself. There was a season where my luster was gone, and my self- worth was diminished. I hid it well, on the outside happy enough, but on the inside scared and insecure. Always beating myself up, feeling stuck in that spiral of negativity. Climbing out of the pit was a series of ups and downs. Steps forward, leaps back. If you are feeling like your in a pit and not on the peak, I’m sharing tips that helped me get to where I am today.

Stop comparing

This was always a major downfall for me, and social media doesn’t help. For my confidence and wellbeing, I stopped following people on social media who left me feeling worse about myself. Don’t feel bad about cutting that ish out, because keeping it around will weigh on you. Also remember that people only show the best moments and not the unfiltered realness. I walk with blinders on, paying no mind to how fit/pretty/successful someone else is, and I focus on how I can improve myself and empower others.

Move

So much of my confidence came flooding over when I starting going to the gym. I’ve always been active, running and doing pilates or HIIT workouts from the comfort of my home. But I was scared to enter the gym space, worried about how other would perceive me. Curiosity and empowerment eventually won- I started going to the gym in January and I’ve never looked back. It’s made me feel strong and powerful. I get in there with my music blaring and block everything out except for paying attention to all the amazing things my body can do. Bottom line: Find the activity lights your fire, and run with it. Take care of your body, and appreciate all that you are capable of.

Content, but Continuing

Content but Continuing: Be happy where you are in the present moment. You are worthy regardless of the outside and you are capable of achieving amazing things. But also, don’t feel bad about wanting to strive for improvement. I call it “content but continuing” because that mindset allows for you to be happy and joyful in the “now” while still pushing forward to achieving new goals. Want to work on toning those abs? Yes, babe, go for it! But guess what? You can eat the cookie, you can have a belly pooch, and you can still be happy (and are still worthy and deserving of a happy life, 6-pack or not!)

Visual Reminders

I am a HIGHLY visual person. I put sticky notes around my house, on my mirrors to remind myself how fab I am, no matter what. It’s all about infusing those messages of positivity, even if it’s subliminally. Another way to capture that confidence and happiness is through photos. Keep photos around your home of times where you were just free, happy, and radiant. That’s why I’m so happy to have just done a photography session with Natiya. It was so fun, and now I have the photographs to remind myself how far I have come. I can see that twinkle restored in my eyes!

To celebrate body confidence and empowerment, Natiya is holding a FLASH SALE on photography sessions for the next 48 hours! Here are the deets:

–Shoot includes two looks/one location- Priced at $200 for b&b readers!!!!

–Must book via paypal or Venmo within 48 hours…

–Can book as far out as 3 months

–For Natiya’s portfolio and more about her, visit natiya.com

If you are interested in booking or have any questions, email me at bouquetsandbaguettes@gmail.com

I would love to get a conversation going around the topic of body confidence. How do you deal?? If you are interested in working with me on any nutrition and wellness goals, email me- I would love to work with you!

XO,

Alexandra

April 23, 2017

Current Obsessions in Natural Skincare

Hey, hey, hey! Currently having a relaxing Sunday night catching up on my DVR (anyone a fan of The Arrangement??). It has been an amazing Earth Day weekend here in San Diego- the weather was flawless. I spent plenty of time enjoying the sunshine and walking barefoot on the beach while watching the sunset. SUCH a rare occurrence for me cuz I’m normally crazy busy, but it was just too perfect outside to do HW indoors.

Now I’m craving summer like crazy! Just gotta get through 2 more months of school. 5 million projects and tests. ahah. I’m fine. (Send help!)

Now let’s talk skincare and makeup. I have shared some of my skincare life savers before, but not all of them were natural. I’ve switched several of the products in my regimen in the past few months, and I have had great results. It is so important to know what ingredients are going on your skin, because many ingredients have a small enough particle size that they can get absorbed and enter the bloodstream. Hence, keep it natural as much as you can. Buh-bye endocrine disruptors and carcinogenic garbage.

It’s easy for me to think very carefully about what I eat to take care of my body, but the world of natural skincare and makeup is another beast. Gotta be honest, sometimes the natural stuff doesn’t work too well. I can think of soooo many times a natural face serum has made my skin worse, or a natural concealer made me look like a pale zombie and then slid right off my face an hour later (no coverage, which is not ideal when the whole point is to conceal!) The struggle is over, though, because I’ve found the ride-or-dies you need in your arsenal of natural skincare and makeup.

Don’t even get me started on natural deodorant. I was convinced that a good, natural deodorant did not exist. Would there ever be one that minimized perspiration and actually kept you smelling fresh through a sweaty workout? The answer is a hallelujah YES!! I found the holy deodorant grail, and I’m sharing that today.

Found this beaut at a boutique in Venice Beach, but you can totally find it online. TMI maybe, but I am a sweat-er. My gym babes can vouch that I sweat, er, sparkle like crazy. I also get nervous for tests. SO between both of these occurrences that happen very often (tests and working out), this deodorant is the only one that has ever held up. I smell amazing alllllll day, and I actually don’t even remember what BO smells like??! GAME CHANGER.

One of my besties introduced me to 100% pure. All of their products are organic and 100% natural, toxin-free, and cruelty free. Love it! This serum contains a stable form of vitamin C and other antioxidants like vitamin E to boost collagen production. I have seen a major improvement in my skin tone and post-acne discoloration from using this. Bonus is that it goes on very light and does not cause breakouts.

Pimples. They are straight up awful . Blackheads. Also straight up awful. I smear a dot of this magic mask and it makes all the woes disappear. I literally threw away all the chemical-filled drugstore spot treatments. No more benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid drying out my skin cuz this stuff works even better. The craziest part is that it’s made from 2 ingredients: rasul clay and distilled water. My theory is that the distilled water comes from a magical well in Sweden with healing properties cuz there is just no scientific explanation to how this works so dang well.

Last, but definitely not least is this little power couple from 100% pure (did I mention I loved this brand). Natural face makeup is notoriously awful at covering up imperfections, evening skin tone, mattifying shine, staying in place, or even just making you look better-HA. After I tried this foundation powder (made from fruit pigments, with SPF nonetheless) and this concealer stick, I was sold. As in tossed-all-the-other-makeup sold. Stays in place, hides what needs to be hidden, and actually makes me look like a better, more flawless version of myself, naturally. #goals.

My whole objective with today’s post was to just share the natural products that I’m obsessed with right now because they work like no other, and they do it without a nasty ingredient list. I’m a picky, picky lady when it comes to skincare and makeup, so I only vouch for the products that work miracles.

What are your holy grail skincare products? Any natural gems I need to check out! Let me know.

Talk soon! XO,

Alexandra

April 14, 2017

Venice Beach Diaries, Part One

A few weeks ago, I took my first day trip to Venice Beach. FINALLY! I have been dying to go for a very long time, and I can say it was one hundred percent worth the wait. If you are a foodie and a wellness-obsessed babe like me, put VB on your list of places to travel.

I only spent a half day there, but still tried to squeeze in as much goodness as possible. I’m breaking down the list of places I highly recommend based off my trip. Another visit is essential, because you really can’t hit all the best places for brunch/lunch/potions/smoothies/elixirs in one day. Let’s talk VB!

Salt Air

The lunch situation at Salt Air has all the airy coastal California vibes you could ask for. The menu focuses on seasonal and coastal cuisine, so naturally I had to go for some oysters (the best I’ve ever had guys!). And since it was a weekend brunch, of course I decided to try the fresh-made mimosa. There is something so romantic about a bartender squeezing the fruit juice right in front of you. I almost wonder if I could have hand-selected my oranges and grapefruits straight from the countertop bowls! Doesn’t get any better than that!

Salt Air gets a lot of buzz for their pea tartine- talk about the epitome of spring! I love a good toast moment, and this one did not disappoint! Smashed peas, creamy ricotta, lemon, and pea tendrils on a toasty slice of sourdough. Get it. You won’t want to share!

If you are in a seafood/sandwich mood, my brunch date (hey mama) ordered the lobster roll. What more could you want than a mountain of lobster piled into a brioche bun? It tasted nice and light since it was brightened up with fresh herbs and the cooling crunch of celery. Very east coast -meets-west coast.

For a little afternoon pep, we ordered espresso. A strong and simple ending to our fab meal. Salt Air gets busy, so if you can’t nab a table, don’t hesitate to sit at the bar- the light from the skylights is so cheery, and it’s a bit quieter than the tables at the front of the restaurant (perfect for insta-storying your meal).

Erewhon

I could gush on and on about this place for years. Shall I name my firstborn after it? (Or sell my firstborn to pay for the grocery bill, which is probably more likely.) And if I didn’t live in San Diego, Erewhon Market would be my grocery store bae. It’s a true wellness- lover’s paradise. In a word, it is the grocery store mecca for superfoods, elixirs, and the healthiest pre-made deli selections. Picnic #goals would be to pick up some of the various salads and proteins, then hit the beach.

I stocked up on miso-fermented kale chips, pearl powder, coconut rose water, and a reishi-cacao “cappuccino” for the road. Holyyyy cow, if you stop in for one thing, head straight to the elixir bar and order a hot tonic- matcha, turmeric lattes, and cacao with MCT oils- the amazing list goes on.

Zenbunni

In a somewhat hidden “rabbit hole” off of Abbot Kinney lies Zenbunni chocolate. They sell their own handmade, biodynamic, organic, vegan, refined sugar-free (yes, all the things) chocolate creations. You can find everything from drinking chocolates to bite-sized bars. Try the Shiva Rose (like eating chocolate straight from the garden) or the Abuela Azteca chocolate (spicy and smoky, like Mexican hot chocolate).

So, what are the next stops on the VB bucket list? I hope to venture north soon to hit up these beauts, obvi still within the theme of wellness and pure foodie delight:

Moon Juice

I’m an avid user and lover of their “moon dusts”, especially the beauty dust. I would love to try some of their fresh pressed bevvies and maybe their plant protein powder to experiment with at home. Have you tried the Moon Juice products before? Would love to know what you think!

Kreation Juicery

OH MY LANTA, I have been to Kreation one time at the location in Manhattan beach, and it was smoothie/juice heaven. I distinctly remember falling in love with their vegan dessert pots (chocolate and matcha were involved) and the unique variety of green juices they have. The Venice Beach location is a lot larger and boasts a dreamy cafe menu for when you feel like dining in.

Gjelina

Need to get here for dinner! This place will be worthy of a blog post in and of itself. The menu is inventive and artistic, and I can hardly stand the anticipation of someday trying it for myself. Any Gjelina fans out there? I must know how your experience was!

Have you tried any of these glorious stops in Venice Beach? Did I miss any that need to be added to the list? I’m headed to Wanderlust tomorrow, so it will be a day full of running, yoga, mediation, and pure bliss. Can’t think of a better way to enjoy a Saturday!

XO,
Alexandra

April 8, 2017

Almond and Olive Stuffed Squash Blossoms

Well hello there! Time has passed by and spring is here! I had a very relaxing two weeks of spring break, and along with refraining from any academic activity, I seem to have also taken a brief vacay from posting on B&B. The creative juices and inspiration are flowing again, and boy oh boy do I have some fun posts in the works. Starting with today’s bomb recipe that is simply the epitome of spring.

While I was recently exploring the local Farmer’s Market, the heavens opened up and shined a glorious, beaming light on these beauties-SQUASH BLOSSOMS (of the zucchini variety). Ughhhhh squash blossoms are one of those rare delicacies that just make me do a happy dance- the OG squash blossom recipe on the blog can be found here. They are available in the spring and early summer, before summer squash season. Cuz, ya know, first comes squash blossoms then comes squash.

Major question: Have you ever had a squash blossom before??? I remember my first squash blossom experience at around 13 years old. It was stuffed to the brim with ricotta cheese, tempura battered, and pan fried. Was it delicious? Duhhhh. But did it really let the squash blossom shine? No. Was it healthy and nourishing? Heckkkk noooooo.

So as any nutrition-oriented foodie would do, I set out on making an alternative that was fresher, lighter, and let the blossom do its thang. The result is gluten-free and vegan, but you ain’t gonna miss the dairy or the gluten, promise! Bonus- no deep frying required! Just a quick roast in the oven is all these babies need.

I would go as far to say that this is one of the best, most blissfully perfect recipes on the blog to date. The squash blossoms are savory, salty, and fresh. And if you have never tasted, let alone made a stuffed squash blossom, it’s your lucky day. Your tastebuds won’t even know what hit em.

Sooooo quick side note, since I was feeling extra resourceful and inspired with this particular recipe, it makes use of the leftover almond meal in the nut-milk bag from making homemade almond milk. (That you might normally look at and have no clue what to do with.) Stop throwing the almond meal away, and make these instead.

If you don’t have leftover post-almy milk almond meal, you can totally sub almond flour (finely ground almonds) for this recipe. You will just have to get the flour a little bit more wet with a sprinkle of water. Easy peasy! And let’s be honest, if you whip these out as an app at your next dinner party, everyone will be convinced that 1: you are fancy, 2: you are chef-y, and 3: you can adult like nobody’s business.

Almond and Olive Stuffed Squash Blossoms

Makes 16 stuffed squash blossoms

16 squash blossoms

1 cup of almond meal

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons chopped herbs (I used thyme, rosemary, oregano)

1/3 cup chopped kalamata olives

1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Olive oil, for drizzling

Lemon zest for garnish

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. If using “leftover” almond meal from making homemade almond milk, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to almond meal in a large bowl. (If using dry almond flour, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a few tablespoons of water so that the almond meal holds together in a ball.)

Add chopped herbs, olives, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper to the almond meal, and mix until well combined. To stuff each squash blossom, carefully open the flower, pushing a small spoonful of the almond mixture into the blossom. Gently press the petals together to seal the blossom.

Place squash blossoms on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and bake for 18-20 minutes. To serve, garnish with fresh lemon zest.

Do tell- have you had squash blossoms before? Let me know if you try this recipe! Squash blossoms can seem like an intimidating ingredient to work with, but I promise, they are pretty low maintenance as long as you treat them with a little TLC.

Have a great weekend!

XO,

Alexandra

March 8, 2017

Mediterranean Egg Skillet

I love dishes that can work as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Even better if said dish only takes one pan to make and you can eat it straight out of the pan, because why dirty another dish? Especially if it’s brunch on a weekend and you just cannot be bothered to do any more dishes than necessary. This recipe is looking out for you. 😉

I’m all about the eggplant lately. I never really ate it growing up (no idea why, I was never a picky eater), but now it’s become part of my rotation from time to time. If you prepare it right, it is so.good. Eggplant gets a bad reputation for being slimy, rubbery, or greasy, and the veggie is mostly reduced to a very sad deep fried eggplant parmesan dish.

I promise you, eggplant is so much better than that! It’s creamy and hearty, and contains some fiber, copper, and thiamin. It is a great low-carb veggie swap when you are craving something like mashed potatoes or ravioli. Research shows that a phytonutrient in the eggplant skin called nasunin has powerful antioxidant properties. So keep that skin on those purple eggplants for an added benefit! Your cell membranes will thank you, haha!

This recipe was inspired by a Friday night cooking sesh. Wild, I know. I had bought an eggplant on a whim. I had a can of tomatoes waiting for its 15 minutes of fame. I was also feeling lazy (minimal dishes, please), didn’t want to turn the oven on, and had some eggs that needed to be used. Half an hour later, this baby was born. Throw on some pesto for good measure, and you are golden.

Nothing is better than cracking into the runny egg on top, but if eggs aren’t your thang, it’s just as good without them, and would be a perfect pairing for a protein like chicken, fish, or even tempeh. But I’m on team #putaneggonit. If you are, too go for organic, certified humane, pasture-raised eggs; I love Vital Farms eggs (sold at most grocery stores, at least in California). Jealous if you have a friend with chickens!

I can see this being an easy weeknight dinner, or a weekend breakfast/brunch. The presentation is wow-worthy if you are having guests over. Bringing a cast-iron skillet to the table just gets everyone excited to dig in!

Mediterranean Egg Skillet

Serves 3-4

1 medium eggplant, cut into discs

1 tablespoon olive oil

Pinch of salt and pepper

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp dried basil

5-6 whole, peeled tomatoes, plus 1/4 cup juice from the can

3-4 eggs

Pesto and balsamic vinegar, for serving

In a circular, fanned out shape, add eggplant to a skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil. Add salt, pepper, and herbs. Cover and cook for 7-8 minutes. Add tomatoes and reserved tomato juice on top, evenly distributing in the pan. Lower heat to medium, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Using the back of a spoon, slightly crush the tomatoes until they release their juice.

Add eggs on top, cover, and cook for 2-3 minutes for “runny” eggs. To serve, add dollops of pesto and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Serve straight out of the skillet, if desired.

How do you feel about eggplant? Love it or hate it? It seems like it’s one of those things like Brussels sprouts where people don’t like it because they haven’t had it prepared well. This recipe is proof that eggplant can be bomb without having to be breaded, smothered in cheese, and deep fried. Would love to know your favorite ways to enjoy eggplant!

Have a fab week! I’m about to go conquer finals week, then it’s Spring Break beach days and adventures for me!

XO,

Alexandra

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