Fortunately, more and more restaurants understand diners with healthy eating needs are increasing and are offering options to accommodate demand.
While it’s now common to see a vegetarian or vegan option on menus, some restaurants are emerging that are focused on all healthy options. Most of these that we've seen are in the fast casual category, such as Freshii or Lyfe Kitchen, and Amy's.
But what if you are looking for a dining experience that is a step up from fast casual? You may be looking for a restaurant in a beautiful atmosphere with friends and family, enjoy table service and order from a menu of all healthy options.
Our largest organ, our skin, the barrier protecting us from the world, eats. Now “eats” isn't exactly correct, but I want to emphasize that our skin absorbs what is put on it.
According to the American Journal of Public Health, our skin absorbs an average of 64% of total contaminants. I've read other reports that state absorption is closer to 70% of what is applied to our skin.
Therefore, any contaminants in our lotions/perfumes can enter our bodies and have systemic effects on our health.
We want to avoid toxic chemicals and additives in our skin care, just as we do with our food, given the majority of what is put on our skin is absorbed.
A good moisturizer is one that you can feel safe about having absorbed into your body as it contains no harmful natural ingredients, chemical additives or harsh preservatives.
The easiest way to ensure you have a healthy, nontoxic body moisturizer is to make it yourself.
That is why I am excited to share one of my favorite DIY body moisturizer recipes below.
Our hearts are with the millions affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Tonight Rachel Maddow reported that this is the “single largest effort to restore electric power in all of U.S. history.” We are especially thinking of our friends and family who call these areas home.
As the world continues to warm slowly, and we see an increase in flooding, storms, hurricanes and devastation on shorelines, I feel sentimental. My mind goes to some of the amazing times I've had and places I’ve been lucky enough visit including St. Maarten, St. Thomas, the Florida Keys, the U.S. Virgin and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and many other Florida cities.
If you’re feeling emotions as well, sentimental or otherwise, or simply wondering how to help, there are several options.
One of my most favorite and unique organic juice & smoothie shops in Chicago is Infiniteus Rocks and Juice located in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.
However, they are not solely an organic juice & smoothie bar, they are also a “metaphysical boutique” with a crystal shop in the back of the organic juice bar.
They were actually offering their metaphysical crystals and stones for sale two years before their delicious and organic juices, smoothies, cleanses, healthy snacks, super-foods and supplements. The “rocks” shop opened four years ago, and the juice bar two years ago.
Essential Oils (EOs) are an essential component of my life journey. They have become an integral part of my wellness and beauty routine with my usage including, but not limited to, the following:
Skin Care - I mix EOs such as Lavender, Helichrysum Italicum or Gymnocephalum, Frankincense, Myrrh, and so on every day with the oils I apply to my face and body.
Oral Care - I put a drop of Peppermint or Frankincense on my lemon Earthpaste to brush my teeth (peppermint is strong but so refreshing!).
Medicine - EOs are my first line of medicinal defense against any ailment.
Wellness / Aromatherapy - I use EOs via aromatherapy for restful sleep, general mental health, and relaxation, and for delightful smells in my home.
Household Care - I add EOs to non-toxic cleaning agents I buy and plan to make more household care products myself in the future. For instance, I made an EO bug spray that is non-toxic (compared to highly toxic store bought bug sprays), which I will share later on this blog.
My own experience in using the power of these oils on myself and my incredible darling late husband (my inspiration) the last couple of years led me to want to study Essential Oils further. I am currently studying to become a Certified Essential Oils Coach by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) over the next twelve weeks. During this time I will bring easy and helpful guides to using EOs each week to Journey to Good from that week’s coursework. So, stayed tuned for beneficial DIY recipes for using Essential Oils in your daily lives.
Read on to learn more about Essential Oils and the company I have chosen for all of my oils.
It's Labor Day in the United States, and if you like shopping as much as we do, it's easy to get caught up in your inbox full of deals and coupon codes. But we should also take time to consider the historical reason we have this holiday, and news flash: it isn't so everyone can go shopping.
Today I visited The Kombucha Room, a cafe located in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago that offers 20 varieties of kombucha, on tap.
This intimate space is a laid-back neighborhood gem. If you’ve never tried kombucha, this would be a great place to start exploring this probiotic tea drink that can help with healthy digestion.
Last week as I walked into a client meeting with a co-worker, we were greeted with a, “Hi girls.”
Inwardly, I cringed. I’m well over the age of 12 (I point that out because many people consider either 12 or 18 the oldest age of a girl).
Not everyone seems to know (or care) that it’s not ok to use the word “girl” to describe an adult in a professional setting.
It’s not news that there’s an awareness problem surrounding this subject and it applies to people of different generations, backgrounds and genders. People have been talking about this for years, and not just Mayim Bialik, but she’s talking about it too.
My priority is to only buy non-toxic and cruelty-free cosmetics. Fortunately, we live in a time where there are numerous natural brands producing safe makeup.
I have never been an extensive makeup wearer. I’ve had my makeup professionally done, and I love the way it looks, but heavy makeup is just not for me. I never learned how to use foundation or powder, nor do I care for how it feels, so I never use it. I don’t know how to contour my face or do fancy eye shadow looks. BUT, the one makeup item I can say I am an expert in is mascara.
I was loyal to a few toxic brands before my journey to switching to natural makeup. When I began trying non-toxic brands, I had mixed and sometimes disappointing results.
However, I am happy to share that I’ve found the best non-toxic and cruelty-free mascara I’ve ever used called “Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mineral Mascara” by Pacifica.
Read on to learn more about why I’m sharing my recommendation this product.
Xinalani Retreat (pronounced Shee-nah-lah-knee) is claimed to be “A Sanctuary for Self Discovery,” and we agree.
We journeyed to Xinalani Retreat, located in Quimixto, Mexico, together in April. Colleen has been two additional times in 2017.
If you’re looking for an all inclusive yoga retreat where you can grow your practice, enjoy nature and eat incredible clean food, this is the spot.
Living a long, healthy life is a goal for many of us. So it should come as no surprise that people have studied the pockets around the world where the most centenarians live.
In case you are wondering, a centenarian is a person who lives to be 100 years old or older. #Lifegoals, people.
Rothy’s “The Point” flat is the most comfortable flat shoe I have ever worn, and I’ve worn a lot. But they not only feel good on my feet, they also make me feel good for supporting an environmentally-conscious product.
I recently needed a new pair of black flats, and as part of my journey to good, I only wanted to buy a pair I found to be ethical and sustainable.
In my search, I found Rothy’s, and I love them.
I believe Rothy’s are trending now, and for good reasons.
I recommend adding these incredible sustainable shoes to your wardrobe for the many reasons I list below.
We like to Netflix and chill at times. Though for us, it’s not just about entertainment… It’s also about education.
That's why we're big fans of documentaries, which can be entertaining vehicles for important information that can and have inspired major change.
See an example of what happened to Seaworld after Blackfish was released.
If a single film could have such a dramatic impact on a large corporation, think of how one great documentary on Netflix might affect you personally.
If you're interested in opening your eyes to pressing issues and new strategies for better living, then check out our list of 4 powerful documentaries on Netflix now that you can watch to better your life today.
Colleen had been searching for the best restaurants in Barcelona for our short trip there when she stumbled upon a well-reviewed “restaurant” called the Santa Rita Experience.
The dinner description noted it would be a chance to meet new people in a vibrant and relaxed environment while enjoying the tasting menu if we opted for the shared table.
It sounded too intriguing to pass up. We had only two nights in Spain’s historic Barcelona, and we were ready for adventure. Colleen booked the shared table reservation and we looked forward to whatever came with the “experience”.
For innovative craft lattes, smoothies and confections made with organic ingredients and superfoods, journey to Oromo Cafe located at 4703 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, open 7 days a week.
I'd been wanting to try Oromo since I was desperately searching for an organic, healthy latte in Chicago, and found them in a Google search. As soon as I read they had house-made nut milk and were using some of my favorite superfoods in their lattes (such as turmeric and maca), I knew I had to go into the cafe as soon as possible.
Dipping into the world of natural makeup can be overwhelming. More and more natural brands hit the market each year and the benefits vary.
Whether you seek organic, cruelty-free, vegan, gluten free, sulfate-free, all of the above, or if you simply want to start using natural makeup for your health, you’ve got options.
Last night we found ourselves standing in Warrior I looking out above Chicago skyscrapers at the beautiful blue sky. We were listening to mellow beats with fresh air gently blowing in our faces at Bender's fantastic sunset skyline yoga event.
My dirty little habit for about 10 years was drinking a Starbucks latte every day (venti chai latte with soymilk or venti vanilla latte with soymilk).
On days where I had a lot of work to complete and low energy (due to poor diet and sleep), I would drink at least 2.
A couple years ago, I switched over to an expensive but delicious cold brew coffee and almond milk juice from Owen & Alchemy. Unfortunately, they're now permanently closed. During that time, I would still rotate Starbucks into my daily routine.
I had to find a solution that allowed me to prioritize my health and avoid Starbucks altogether (for health and ethical reasons).
Luckily for us, I found it:
Over the last few years, we’ve become increasingly aware and interested in combating unethical practices in the fashion industry including unfair wages, unsafe working conditions, toxicity in materials, low-quality “fast fashion” items that fill landfills quickly, and so on.
We’ll be posting more on these issues during our journey to good, but for now we wanted to let you all know about an app we’ve both found helpful for using resale fashion to expand and clean out our wardrobes: Poshmark.
If walking from the west on Fulton Market to reach the newest Beatrix location - aptly named Beatrix Fulton Market, you may risk a little dirt in your eye or a close encounter with a forklift, but grin and bear it.