by Christina | Nov 1, 2016 | Wellness
We all know I’m a creature of habit. As a foodie, that gets me into trouble. I love love love trying new restaurants, but I also easily become obsessed with really good restaurants when I find them. Because I’m so content with my fave spots, I don’t always feel the urge to try anywhere new. Just in case it’s not as good, ya know? Anyways, I feel like I’ve been in a bit of a restaurant rut recently. I revisit my go-to’s over and over again, and even though I love them, I needed a change. I have an excessively long restaurant to-do list, and I need to cross some more things off.
It was my friend Alison‘s birthday a few weeks ago, so I suggested Crossroads Kitchen as a potential birthday dinner destination. Alison is my go-to foodie friend, and she’s always down to try out a new place. I was extremely excited to finally try their food – Crossroads has been at the top of my list for about a year. The chefs, Tal Ronnen and Scot Jones, having amazing reputations. I needed to taste their creations.
I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about Crossroads Kitchen, and stalking the menu online just made me even more desperate to go. Don’t get me started on the Yelp photos. Crossroads is a plant-based restaurant, and most of their options are gluten-free as well. The restaurant is located in West Hollywood off of Sunset, so you already know it’s trendy. They have valet, so parking wasn’t a problem, thankfully.
Definitely very chic. I loved the vibes. I usually don’t like dimly lit restaurants because they make me sleepy and make everything feel very slow, but it totally worked with the sophisticated atmosphere. It wasn’t sleepy-dark… It was romantic-dark. The moody lighting, gorgeous chandeliers, stunning flowers, high ceilings, and elegant bar created the perfect ambiance. Very birthday appropriate.
I also always worry that the hosts and servers are going to be a little rude at nice restaurants. Do you ever notice that sometimes they make you feel like you shouldn’t be there? Maybe just me when I try to be fancy in L.A. Anyways, all of the hosts and servers were extremely gracious, welcoming, and upbeat. I was thoroughly impressed, and I felt very attended to.
Speaking of fanciness levels, definitely dress nicely. This isn’t a place for sweats. Who doesn’t love a reason to dress up, anyways? Crossroads is also an excellent location for people-watching. Upscale vibes, delicious food, fascinating people. We had a great time watching the couple across from us have a very awkward-looking date. In all seriousness, though, this is the perfect restaurant for a date. It will definitely set the mood. In general, this restaurant is ideal for bringing anyone you want to impress or have a nice night out with. It’s on the fancier side of things without making you feel like you’re too casual or shouldn’t be there.
We started off with the Kite Hill cheese plate, and we opted for the gluten-free option (the birthday girl is gluten intolerant, too). It came with an assortment of dairy-free cheeses, some nuts, house-made jam, and gluten-free bread. Half of the girls at the table didn’t even realize it wasn’t regular cheese until about 20 minutes later. It was a definite winner.
Our waitress explained to us that the restaurant serves smaller portions, so most people order 2-3 things each in order to fill up. I don’t usually like small portions, but I love multiple courses! It ended up being a lot of fun because the smaller portions allow you to try different things on the menu. No big commitments to one main entree. YAAAS. The first salad shown above was the Bloomsdale Spinach Salad. It’s gluten-free and had smoked crispy mushrooms, almond ricotta, crispy shallots, and a black garlic vinaigrette. Our friend said it was the best salad she’s ever had in her life. I got the gluten-free Kale Caesar, which was beyond amazing. One of the best Caesars I’ve ever had. Definitely get it!
The birthday girl got this gluten-free pizza with alllll the goods. She was completely obsessed and said it was the best thing she ate all night (that’s a big statement). It was their Fall Squash Puree pizza, which featured crispy brussels sprout leaves, caramelized onions, mustard greens, almond ricotta, and spicy toasted pumpkin seeds. They had me at “fall.”
Next up was their lasagna, which everyone and their mother raved about on Yelp. Hard to believe it’s plant-based, right? The lasagna is made with almond ricotta, basil, and marinara. It’s not gluten-free so I couldn’t taste it, but the smell killed me. So homey and warm.
The birthday queen also tried out this fettuccine carbonara, which is gluten-free. We were fascinated by the egg-looking food on top. That’s not an egg. It’s actually a yellow tomato! Crazy, right? The waitress explained to us how they make the tomato look like that, but I honestly don’t remember what the process was. Very fancy, though.
I also ordered the Porcini Crusted Eggplant, which came with caramelized onions, celery salad, and rossini sauce. This was unreal. It did not taste like vegetables – it tasted like meat. Kind of looks like it too, right? This dish was warm and hearty without being heavy or making me feel gross. I was obsessed with the rossini sauce and literally wanted to lick my plate clean.
The desserts were divine. I started with the Pumpkin Mascarpone Semifreddo. I honestly had no idea what it was, but it was gluten-free and had pumpkin in it, so I had to order it. This was INCREDIBLE. Little blocks of pumpkin ice cream paired with spiced creme anglaise, pistachio, and pomegranate. The flavor combo was complete perfection, and I loved the pairing of the ice cream with a thick and creamy texture. I think this is a seasonal dessert, so definitely order it if you visit this restaurant in the fall!
We also ordered their hot fudge sundae, which was made with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, toasted hazelnuts, and banana. When you have food intolerances like gluten and dairy, a lot of times you have to miss out on the classics. This was the perfect substitute, and it honestly tasted better than what I remember regular ole’ dairy-filled hot fudge sundaes tasting like. Who doesn’t love a classic sundae?
I also got the Apple Pie Sundae, which had me weak at the knees. This was made with vanilla bean ice cream, brown sugar roasted apples, and mulled wine reduction. If you get the non-GF version, it also comes with an apple oat streusel. This was extremely unique, and I was obsessed. It’s like a deconstructed apple pie, and the vegan ice cream was amazing. Not icy or coconutty. A true, rich vanilla. And caramelized apples? They make my heart skip a beat.
If you’re looking for the perfect restaurant to eat incredible food and have a classy night out, this is it. Any food restrictions can be accommodated here, and you will not be disappointed. Your not-so-healthy friends will adore this place, too! I would absolutely eat here again – I actually can’t wait to! New obsession? I think yes.
by Christina | Oct 27, 2016 | Wellness
I’m SO excited to be back with another installment in my “Lovely Humans” series, and this week I’m featuring one of my favorite wellness babes – Britt Martin from Fitbrittnutrition! Britt’s inspirational captions, drool-worthy recipes, and overall positive vibes got me hooked as soon as I stumbled across her Instagram account a few months ago. There’s nothing I respect more than someone who is genuine, creative, and dedicated to improving the lives of others – and Britt is all of those things, plus more. Her recipes are to die for, and she has a way of simplifying wellness in a way that makes a healthy lifestyle attainable for everybody. From cooking to workouts to self-care, Britt has it all covered. A visit to her blog or Instagram account never fails to inspire me.
One of the things I love most about Britt is her balanced approach to health. It’s not just about eating right or getting enough exercise. She has a holistic, realistic approach, and her work is all about helping her clients find balance in every aspect of their lives. Loving yourself, feeling motivated, working hard, resting, pursuing your passions, eating delicious food, spending time with the people you love, showing gratitude – they’re all pieces to the puzzle. On her blog, you’ll find everything from recipes to exercise advice to anti-bloating tips! One of my absolute favorite posts from Britt is all about having “splurge meals” rather than “cheat meals” — I’d highly recommend you read it here!
This girl is beautiful inside and out, and I knew I needed to have her in this series. She’s totally killin’ it in the wellness world, so you NEED to get to know her. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Tell me a bit about yourself!
Hi! I grew up in California, and I’ve lived in LA with my boyfriend and our rescue dog/child Logan the past 3+ years. I’m in school to become a Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist and am actually almost done with my schooling – I have about 4-5 months left of my 2 year program…Super exciting! I currently have my own nutrition consulting company, Fitbrittnutrition, and work with clients to help them achieve their health goals, form healthier relationships with food, and get to the root causes of their health concerns and symptoms. I love hiking, traveling, yoga, meditating, and going to farmer’s and flea markets. I’m definitely a health foodie, so I love trying new healthy restaurants in the area and experimenting with recipes in the kitchen at home!
When did you first get into healthy living? What got you interested?
As a child, my mom was always a healthy eater and worked out regularly, so I was lucky enough to have a great example growing up. I was always in sports as a child (mostly I played roller hockey) and loved vegetables, but I probably started to became more conscious about my health when I was 18. Before this time I could eat whatever I wanted without having to worry about gaining weight. So when I started gaining weight, I became more conscious of what I was eating. While I thought I was eating healthy at the time, GMOs and organic foods weren’t hot topics then, so I would eat Lean Cuisines and sugar-free Jello and think I was eating “healthy”.
In my early 20s I read Kimberly Snyder’s first book, The Beauty Detox Solution, and that really changed everything for me! That’s when I finally understood what it meant to eat healthy. It wasn’t about fat-free, sugar-free, or tiny meals of 300 calories, it was about feeding my body organic, whole foods. Her book really made me look at nutrition in a whole new light, and I’d say this is when I fell in love with nutrition. Since reading this book, my philosophy around healthy living and eating has changed and evolved, but I think that will continue to happen as science continues to learn more and more about the human body and the role foods play in our health.
Tell me about the beginning of your blog! What inspired you and how did you get started?
I always wanted a blog and had even dabbled in it years back in college (this was before Instagram or blogging were really mainstream). But once I shifted careers and went back to school for nutrition I knew I wanted to have a platform I could point my clients to and just have for anyone looking for holistic lifestyle inspiration or advice. I purchased my domain name, got a Squarespace account, and have continued to build on it and learn all of its capabilities since then. To anyone starting out, I highly recommend using Squarespace to build your blog – it is super user-friendly.
What’s your “food philosophy,” and what led you to it?
Well it’s definitely evolved over the years…I’ve explored vegetarian, vegan, raw-vegan, and pescetarian diets, but today I try not to label how I eat. I think labeling or confining yourself to a specific diet of foods you can and can’t eat can cause restrictions, and you may end up depriving your body of nutrients it needs.
So today, I just focus on quality (organic/grass-fed, local, and seasonal), whole foods as much as possible, including clean protein, healthy fats and oils, fresh veggies, leafy greens, some fruits, and nuts and seeds.
When working with clients I recognize that each body is unique and different, so what may work for one person, may not work for another. I think it’s really important to listen to your body, cue into those signs and symptoms and eat in a way that makes you feel your best.
I think it’s amazing that you decided to switch over from your corporate career and pursue your passions in health and nutrition. What was it like making that decision? Did you ever have any doubts?
It was scary! I was leaving something secure and going into the unknown, but I knew if I didn’t pursue my passion for nutrition I would without a doubt regret it down the road. I really weighed my pros and cons and did a lot of research before landing on a college program and deciding to leave my prior career, but I couldn’t be happier today. It’s still scary in aspects, but I believe when you are aligned with your purpose the Universe is on your side and everything will unfold how it should.
What’s your exercise routine like?
I like to switch it up between weight training, HIIT workouts, hiking, running my dog, and yoga. I think it’s important to find exercises you truly love doing. Working out shouldn’t be something you dread! I usually workout 5-6 days a week, but always give myself a rest day (sometimes more) when I feel I need it.
I know you looove self-care. What’s your favorite form of self-care?
I do! It’s so important. Many people treat it as a luxury, when it should be part of our daily lives. I think it’s important to remember there are tons of self-care practices you can do at home that don’t cost money! I really look forward to my early mornings of journaling when I can reflect on my feelings and goals while enjoying a tea or a warm elixir and starting my morning off with 10-20 minutes of meditation. That’s my go-to. I also LOVE massages, although I don’t get those as much as I should or would like to!
What’s your beauty routine like?
I use organic and nontoxic products as much as possible. I love using oils to moisturize and masks from my favorite skin care brands like OSEA Malibu, Franklin and Whitman, and Cocokind organic skincare.
What’s one health belief that you wish people would stop buying into?
Just the whole diet thing. I think people in the health world get that diets don’t work and have a common dislike for the act of dieting, but I still hear people (and even new clients) refer to getting healthy as dieting. Healthy should be a lifestyle, and it’s about eating an array of healthy, whole foods. Diets are restricting and usually don’t last because they aren’t realistic, nor necessarily healthy. I also wish people would stop counting calories, and realize it’s more important to focus on what ingredients they are feeding their bodies rather than the calories in their food.
What’s one beauty or health tip that you swear by?
For beauty: Dry brushing before a shower and coconut oil after a shower. I love that dry brushing can help your body eliminate toxins, and that I can slather coconut oil on my body to moisturize without worrying about harmful chemicals.
For health: Always be prepared with healthy food/snacks and water! Even if you are just running errands for a few hours, you never know when you are going to get hungry, and it’s so much better to be prepared with a healthy option than be left having to eat something you normally wouldn’t or skip eating altogether.
What’s your favorite go-to, quick and easy meal?
A nourishing bowl! I usually have some things prepped in my fridge ahead of time, so it’s super easy to throw together. I add: a grain like quinoa and brown rice, whatever greens I’m using for that week, a few cooked and raw veggies, sauerkraut, herbs like cilantro or parsley, possibly a bean or hummus, and a protein like tempeh, organic chicken, or pastured eggs drizzled with tahini sauce. Hits the spot every time!
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Podcasts! I so prefer them over watching TV – I love getting to learn while cleaning house or unwinding after a long day.
What are some of your other favorite blogs to read?
I love Mindbodygreen, Well + Good, Mystic Mamma, and The Numinous.
Favorite restaurants?
Cafe Gratitude, Sun Cafe, Gracias Madre, True Food Kitchen, and Moon Juice – I could live off of these.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned on your health journey?
It’s not about being perfect. So often people beat themselves up over having a few bites of a brownie and think this “ruined” their healthy eating. At the end of the day, it’s what you do MOST of the time that’s going to make or break your healthy lifestyle. So there’s no need to dwell on the small stuff, like a few bites of a brownie, or even having the whole brownie! We are too hard on ourselves.
Whenever I indulge, I mindfully do so, I ENJOY it, and I move on. Simple as that.
3 foods you can’t live without?
Pastured + organic eggs, avocado, sweet potatoes, and nut butter. Oops that’s 4!
What advice would you give someone who is interested in living a healthier lifestyle but doesn’t know where to start?
Ditch the diet and just focus on eating quality, whole foods. Fill your refrigerator with foods that CAN expire instead of filling your pantry with foods that come packaged and don’t expire until 2030.
What’s the most common piece of advice you give to clients to help them live healthier lives?
Each client is different, but I really encourage all of my clients to be mindful by being aware of what is on their plates and asking themselves how those ingredients are nourishing their body. This helps them to start being aware of what they are eating, and also helps them make the connection of the impact of their food choices on their health. I also think it’s important to practice mindful eating. We are so rushed all of the time that we scarf our meals down without thoroughly chewing them, which is awful for our digestion. So I encourage them to make meal time sacred (although I could be better at practicing what I preach here, but I try my best). I am also big on encouraging them to find workout activities they truly enjoy doing, practicing self-love, and making time for self-care.
What are your goals for the future?
I’m working on an ebook that I hope will be out in early 2017. I’m also looking into getting my yoga teacher certification to expand my scope of practice while still getting to help people live healthier, happier lives, and I’d love to own a health cafe or wellness center one day.
Tell me what your current favorite recipe is!
I’m crushing on my golden milk elixir (recipe can be found on my blog). It’s energizing and has some of my favorite ingredients in it like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, coconut milk, and medicinal powders. I get so happy after having a warm cup of it in the morning.
She’s fab, amirite?! I’m crushing hard on that golden milk elixir too…I’m actually about to go make it tonight! Huge thanks to Britt for this interview – it was so much fun getting to know more about her! To learn even more about Britt and her services, head to her website, Fitbrittnutrition, and make sure you follow her on Instagram (@fitbrittnutrition)!
by Christina | Oct 25, 2016 | Recipes, Wellness
MORE PUMPKIN! Are you surprised?
Usually at this time of year, I’m pumpin’ out chocolate recipes like no other. I don’t normally get really into pumpkin until after Halloween. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always associated Halloween with chocolate and Thanksgiving with pumpkin. Probably from all of those years gorging on chocolate candy bars after trick-or-treating. I definitely never got any pumpkin baked goods in my candy bag.
This year, though, pumpkin has definitely been the theme of my October. And it will be the theme of my November, too. I’m not complaining, and my roommates definitely aren’t either. Perks of rooming with someone who loves to bake! It’s been on my October to-do list to create a pumpkin cookie recipe. There are already five million pumpkin cookie recipes on the Internet that are all pretty similar, so I wanted to do something different. I think I nailed it. These are definitely not your average pumpkin cookies!
I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I thoroughly impressed myself with these. It’s difficult to bake a cookie with this kind of texture. These cookies are fluffy, with a perfectly crunchy outside and a soft and chewy center. The center is also incredibly moist (#sorrynotsorry if you hate that word). One of my pet peeves is a dry cookie, and this is the total opposite.
These are like the cookie version of pumpkin bread. They obviously taste like pumpkin, but it’s not that artificial pumpkin flavor. Kinda reminds me of gingerbread, too.
The glaze is totally optional, of course, but I think it rounds everything out really nicely. There’s something super satisfying about having a bunch of different textures and complimentary flavors all wrapped up in one cookie, ya know? Anyways, it’s a maple glaze with a hint of pumpkin spice. We all know cream cheese frosting paired with pumpkin is DELISH, but you’d be surprised at how fabulously maple compliments pumpkin as well.
The other thing I’m very particular about, as you know, is the having the perfect level of sweetness. I do not like it when things are so sweet that they make me feel sick or crave more and more sugar. At the same time, though, I want to make sure someone who likes “normal person junk food” would love these too. And it passed the test, according to my friends!
And, of course, they meet all of my health standards. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, refined-sugar free, soy-free… you know the deal. But trust me, you’d never guess these are so healthy. The only sweetener used is maple syrup, which has a lot of health benefits – lots of antioxidants, low on the glycemic index, fights inflammation, promotes skin health… the list goes on.
These cookies lasted about a day and a half in my apartment, just sayin’. They’re sweet, comforting, and very fall. Eat ’em warm, fresh out da oven, and you’ll die.
Fluffy Pumpkin Cookies with Spiced Maple Glaze (Vegan/Gluten-free)
Makes: 15 cookies
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
Cookies:
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt
- 1.5 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup 100% organic maple syrup
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
Spiced Maple Glaze
- 1/3 cup coconut butter
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350*F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Add all of the cookie ingredients into a bowl and mix them together thoroughly. It won’t be as dry as regular cookie dough.
- Plop the dough into cookie-sized balls onto the parchment paper, leaving room in between each.
- Bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes, or until the bottoms start to brown.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the frosting ingredients. If your coconut butter is really dry, then you might want to heat it up in the microwave for a few seconds first. You can store the glaze in the fridge until the cookies are done.
- When the cookies are done baking, let them cool for about 20 minutes. You can use a spoon or knife to plop some glaze onto each cookie. If you want to be fancy, pour the glaze into a ziplock bag, cut the corner, and pipe it out onto each cookie for more control!
- EAT.
If you make these and take a picture, please tag me (@addicted_to_lovely)! And let me know what you think! XO
by Christina | Oct 14, 2016 | Wellness
This post was genuinely painful for me to write, because picking my favorite products felt like picking my favorite child. I thought, Okay, just grab everything you’re obsessed with/absolutely NEED in your life and throw it in a pile. Well, I did, and the pile was HUGE. I really need to start being more of a minimalist, but let’s be real…probably not going to happen anytime soon.
As I mentioned in my last post about why I made the switch to safer beauty and why I became a Consultant for Beautycounter (read it if you haven’t!), I’ve never used this many products from a single line before. I’m shocked. And trust me when I say I have tried an absurd number of beauty products in my life. I’ve been a Sephora VIB Rouge member for five years now, which means I’ve spent/wasted an obscene amount of money on makeup products and tried almost every major brand out there. (And of course I’ve tried a million products NOT from Sephora, too – just trying to make the point that I’m a HUGE product junkie.)
What I’ve been most impressed with is the fact that Beautycounter products have totally stolen the show when it comes to a lot of items I thought I would never replace. Things I’ve been using daily for years, and I thought nothing would ever change that. Especially skin. My skin is extremely sensitive and acne prone. It doesn’t like much. The only thing that kept my skin manageable was to just wash it with plain warm water and pile on a shit ton of Benzoyl Peroxide every night. That obviously was not the best for my skin, so I’m so relieved to have finally found something that works. THAT’S THE POWER OF CLEAN INGREDIENTS, PEOPLE. I can’t tell you how many of my friends have told me the exact same thing – they’re all shocked at how these products perform. I’ve had friends tell me every foundation makes them break out, every cleanser irritates their skin, every oil bothers them, they can only use one mascara…and then they try Beautycounter. BAM.
I worked really hard and whittled this list down to as small as I could possibly make it. I feel like I’m cheating on my other Beautycounter products that I’m obsessed with but didn’t include, but I had to make a cut somewhere.
Let’s start with mascara. As you guys know, I’ve been obsessed with Maybelline the Falsies and Benefit Roller Lash for a long time. I try other mascaras all the time, but I always go back to those two staples. When I first saw Beautycounter’s Lengthening Mascara, I did not have high hopes. I usually don’t vibe with smaller mascara wands. Then I tried it, and OH MY GOD. My lashes have literally never been so long in my life. NEVER. What I love about this mascara is how buildable and natural it looks. You can put lighter layers on for an everyday, natural lash look, or you can build this up to have super long, voluminous, glam lashes. What I love most is that when you do build it up (as I do pretty much every day), your lashes still somehow look natural and real. It doesn’t clump up, and it lasts all day long. Lasting power of a waterproof mascara, for sure. I’m gonna be honest, whenever I wear this, I can’t stop looking at my lashes in the mirror. #Narcisstic
There are a lot of bronzers I like, but few that I really LOVE. I have a very hard time finding a good bronzer because my skin is very pale and cool-toned, so most bronzers look too warm and orange on my skin. I use them anyways. Whoops. The Color Contour Matte Bronzer (I’m in No.1) has quickly became my ride-or-die bronzer. This is a perfectly neutral tone, which means it will work with every single skin tone. And because it’s so neutral, it can double as a bronzer and a contour, which is what I’ve been on the hunt for for years. This is very similar to Benefit Hoola bronzer, which was previously my all-time fave, but this has way better ingredients and does the same thing, so I like it better. If you like Hoola, you’ll love this.
I use and love all of the Beautycounter brushes, but the Powder Brush is my absolute favorite. IT IS SO SOFT. And it’s literally the perfect size, which means you can use it for multiple things. I’m into multi-purpose brushes. It’s perfect for setting powder, contour, bronzer, or blush. I actually don’t have another brush that I can use for ALL of those things. Usually brushes are good for bronzer and blush but not face, or good for face and blush but not contour, etc. Also, the bristles are synthetic, so no animal hairs. LOVE.
Beautycounter’s Lip Sheers are straight up perfection. I love lipsticks, but I like them for how they look. In other words, I kinda hate actually having them on my lips. NOT ANYMORE. The Lip Sheer in Twig has become my #1 fave everyday lip color. Lip Sheers are kinda like a cross between a lipstick and a lip balm. They’re super moisturizing and don’t have an offensive scent or taste like most other lip products. This shade is seriously amazing. It’s a “my lips but better” color, and it doesn’t look like you’re trying to hard. This is perfect for class, work, errands, whatever.
The Charcoal Cleansing Bar is my obsession. Charcoal is known for its ability to draw out impurities, and this does just that. Nothing leaves my skin feeling as clean as this does. It detoxifies my skin without drying it out, and it’s perfect for face and body. Anyone could use this, but if you’re acne prone and sensitive, I would especially recommend this cleanser.
Similarly, the Purifying Charcoal Mask is a GAME CHANGER. I don’t know a single person who doesn’t like this product. This stuff gets allllll the gunk out. I have the most frustrating blackheads on my nose that never go away – but this stuff actually gets the job done. It’s crazy. If your skin is congested and needs some exfoliation, YOU NEED THIS.
The Cleansing Balm is a lifesaver. It removes makeup and leaves your skin feeling brighter, softer, and more hydrated than before. It makes my face feel like a baby’s butt. It has Vitamin C in it, so it visibly brightens your skin. You can also leave it on as a hydrating face mask, and your skin will be totally rejuvenated and extra moisturized afterwards. I also like to use it on my lips or any other areas of my body that feel dry. NECESSARY, especially with winter coming.
I cannot begin to tell you how many face oils I have tried throughout my life. I’ve been desperate to jump on the face oil hype for a long time, but every single oil broke me out and left my skin a greasy mess. I tried a number of different brands, different mixtures, plain oils from Whole Foods, just everything. I was skeptical to try another face oil because I had given up, but I fell in love with Beautycounter’s Balancing Face Oil. A little goes a long way, and it really does balance out your skin. I have combination skin – an oily T-zone with a dry perimeter, and this has really helped to balance it out. I use this every night in place of a moisturizer, and it never leaves my skin feeling greasy or congested like other oils have.
The Rejuvenating Radiance Serum helps even out your skin tone, hydrate your skin, and brighten your complexion thanks to some good ole’ Vitamin C. I know I’m only 21, but I use anti-aging products. I don’t think you can start too early, to be honest. This is a tad thicker than a regular serum, so it’s not just a runny liquid that you slap on your face. This will really sink into your skin and leave it feeling plump and supple. I’ve been looking for a good Vitamin C serum for years now, but everything I’ve tried has either broken me out or left me with sticky skin. This does neither of those things. If you’re looking for a good Vitamin C serum, I’d highly recommend this one!
The Rejuvenating Day Cream is my ultimate obsession. It was the first thing I used from the line that got me hooked. This came into my life at the perfect time because, I kid you not, I have been looking for a new moisturizer for two years now. I’ve tried moisturizer after moisturizer and wasted so much money, and everything left my skin extra oily or dried it out. I couldn’t believe how hard it was to just find something that would just normalize my skin. The Rejuvenating Day Cream balances my skin out perfectly. It provides moisture to the areas that need moisture, and it hydrates my T-zone enough so my skin doesn’t get oily throughout the day. It also brightens and softens the skin, thanks to the anti-aging ingredients inside. SCORE.
Last, but not least, the Enrich Body Butter. The skin on the rest of my body is just as sensitive as the skin on my face. I’ve never found a body lotion that doesn’t give me a rash when I use it. Never. But your girl still has to hydrate her skin, especially post-shaving, so I’ve been using coconut oil for about a year now and it’s worked wonders without giving me any skin irritation. The only problem with coconut oil is that it’s greasy. Like, I can’t sit down or wear pants for a few hours after I apply it because it takes so long to soak in. I figured I’d give the body butter a try, and I was SHOCKED. This is thick and luxurious, but it absorbs really quickly. It leaves my body silky smooth and hydrated, and it soothes any irritation I get from shaving. Plus, the Citrus Mimosa scent is seriously to die for. Swoon.
Those are definitely not all of my favorites, but those are the products I would kinda die without right now. It’s still crazy to me that so many products from one line work for me, but I’m not complaining. It’s so nice to finally use products that aren’t harming my skin, my digestive system, my hormones…everything. Peace of mind. If you’re interested in buying any of these products, head over to beautycounter.com/christinarice and shop around! If you have any questions about products or want any suggestions, let me know! I am more than happy to help! XO
by Christina | Oct 11, 2016 | Wellness
It all started with my lip products.
The very first time I realized what I put on my body could affect my health in other ways was when I went gluten-free. I was confused as to why I was still having symptoms when there was no gluten in my diet, and it was extremely frustrating. After awhile, I finally connected the dots and discovered that I got symptoms whenever I used a lip product containing gluten. Severe gastrointestinal distress, bumps and rashes all over my body, brain fog, nausea…It wasn’t fun.
After I made that connection, I had a major freakout. I went through all of my lip products, called and emailed different brands, and tried to sort out what contained gluten and what didn’t. Through my research, I realized how many companies didn’t even know what was in their own products. I also realized how much extra crap was in the products I was putting on my mouth every day. And then I thought about how much lipstick I must ingest on a daily basis. I ended up giving up the majority of my lippies, and the whole ordeal devastated me.
For awhile, I just avoided all lip products so I wouldn’t have to deal with the gluten issue. Then I tried finding “clean” brands, but got frustrated with the quality of most “natural” products. I stuck with the few lipsticks I knew were safe and decided I would figure something else out later.
At the same time, I became extremely frustrated with my skincare routine. After completely changing my diet and starting to eat healthy, my skin improved immensely. Still, I wasn’t totally happy with it. I never really liked using the harsh products my dermatologist prescribed because I couldn’t help but feel guilty and uncomfortable about putting all of those chemicals on my skin every day. But every time I tried to use something more natural, I broke out. My skin has always been my biggest insecurity, so I couldn’t handle the breakouts. I felt like prescription products were the only things I could depend on to actually work, so I stuck with them.
I finally started working with my functional medicine doctor, which meant a lot of very in-depth bloodwork. Sometimes, a little too in-depth for my liking. While going over one of my 30 page reports, my doctor asked me, “What the hell are you using on your skin?”
My eyes got wide with fear. Normal stuff, I assured him. “Yeah, normal toxic stuff. You need to start using better products.”
He explained to me that the toxic ingredients in my makeup and skincare were not only hindering my stomach from fully healing, but also putting me at risk for major problems down the line. Hormone dysfunction, cancer… From my makeup?! What?!
I went home and studied those test results very intensely, not really wanting to face them. My head was spinning as I realized I was going to have to clean up my makeup and skincare the same way I had to clean up my diet.
I was very stressed out about what to do. I love makeup, and I have a lot of it. It’s my thing. I’ve always been a product junkie, but at this point I finally realized that those products really were junk. I had a problem, though. I started dabbling in “natural” makeup and skincare, but nothing seemed to perform as well as the products with shitty ingredients.
I felt like I had to make a choice that I did not want to make. I could switch over to all-natural makeup and skincare so that I felt better about my health, but I would be using products that didn’t really give me the results I wanted. OR I could just keep using products that perform well, but feel unsettled about the horrible ingredients entering my body and putting me at risk for future health problems. I don’t compromise when it comes to my food – I don’t eat junk. But I felt like when it came to makeup and skincare, I was definitely going to have to make a compromise.
Decisions, decisions.
I kept trying different makeup and skincare brands, but not much was passing the test. I kept hearing about Beautycounter on some of my favorite podcasts and through different bloggers I follow, and I grew very curious because it was loved by many people whose opinions I trust. I found myself looking at the website a lot, debating if I should buy some to try. Honestly, though, I had given up hope. I just didn’t believe that the products could be any good, simply because the ingredients were good.
I commented on a blogger’s post about Beautycounter, saying I wanted to try it, and luckily a Beautycounter Consultant saw my comment. She offered to send me some samples, and I happily said yes.
Alright, so not to sound dramatic, but those samples changed my life. It was the first time I had ever used a cleanser without breaking out. Throughout my entire life, I’ve only been able to wash my face with plain water. The charcoal mask literally pulled out all of my blackheads – blackheads my aesthetician has been trying to squeeze out for years (sorry, if that’s graphic, but I can’t make this up!). My skin was smooth, soft, and just felt good. I was hooked.
After that, I tried more of the products and only fell more deeply in love. I made sure to give my skin more than enough time to adjust. I was very skeptical about the whole thing, and I thought for sure I would break out. Nope. Meanwhile, I was getting lots of compliments on my lashes, my contour, and my new lip color, from people who don’t usually give me compliments. Um…yes!
As I used more of Beautycounter’s products, I learned more about the company and the whole movement. My passion only grew stronger.
Let me give you the lowdown. The last time Congress passed a law regulating the cosmetics industry was in 1938. There are about 1,400 harmful cosmetics ingredients banned in the European Union, but only 11 in the U.S. 90% of people who will get cancer in their lifetime will get it from environmental factors – which means household items, skincare, and beauty products are all serious risk factors. There are over 80,000 chemicals on the market today, but only 10% have ever been tested for safety. The FDA doesn’t require that cosmetics’ ingredients are approved before they go on the market, and they can’t take an item off the shelves once its out there. Those products that are labeled “all natural” and “organic”? Yeah, most likely not. Even if you look at the ingredient list, it’s very possible that the company is not disclosing all of the ingredients inside. UGH.
Beautycounter has banned the use of over 1,500 harmful or potentially harmful chemicals in their products. You can find those ingredients on their “Never List.” Beautycounter is completely transparent about their ingredients and has one of the, if not the, strictest ingredient selection processes in the industry. Not only that, but Beautycounter is fighting in Washington to get the industry finally regulated again. Just a few weeks ago, Congress finally had its first hearing since the 70s about the issue – thanks to Beautycounter’s efforts. (I would highly encourage you to watch this quick Youtube vid, too, if you’re interested.)
This issue has quickly become one that I am extremely passionate about, which is why I became a Consultant. Basically, that just means that I get the word out about the company’s mission and the products, and that I get them into YOUR hands if you’re interested. If I’m your Consultant, I’m your girl if you have any Beautycounter-related questions! (Or really, any questions at all. You know I love when you reach out!)
If this speaks to you, GET INVOLVED. It is so important that we all work together to get safer products into everyone’s hands. There are four different ways you can join the movement.
- Shop for SAFE products! Switch out as many products as you can so that you and your family are protected from all of those harmful chemicals found in most other products. It can be hard to really grasp how much those harmful ingredients put us at risk in the long run, because the repercussions aren’t currently staring us in the face. You don’t want to wait until you’re 60 and have a cancer diagnosis to make a change. I know not everyone gets in-depth bloodwork done, so LEARN FROM MINE. It’s affecting your body even if you can’t see it, and your body will thank you later on the sooner you start using safer products.
- Become a Band of Beauty Member! It costs $29, and you get free shipping on orders over $100, a free gift with purchase, 15% product credit with every order (basically free money), and other exclusive member offers. It completely pays for itself.
- Become a Consultant, like me! You can grow this into a full-on business, or it can just be a little side project. It’s whatever you want! If you’re passionate about this issue, becoming a consultant is a great way to create change. It is so rewarding, and I would highly recommend it. You have nothing to lose!
- Host a social! Let me know if you want to host a “social” over Facebook or in-person, and I’ll help you get the word out about Beautycounter to your friends. Plus, if you host a social, you get products 50% off or even some completely free!
Okay, I realize that was a lot. But I’m really in love with this company and the products, and I’m so excited for more people to find out about it. If you want to shop, head over to beautycounter.com/christinarice and look around. If you have ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL about anything I said – the products, Band of Beauty, becoming a consultant, hosting a social – DO NOT hesitate to ask me! You can message me, email me, leave me a comment, whatever!
That was a lot of information, so I’m going to cap it off right here. I know it’s kind of overwhelming, and I don’t want to scare you. But it’s just about making little changes where you can. If you can just switch one product over (to any product with clean ingredients – not just Beautycounter), that’s a positive difference. I like to use the Healthy Living app on my phone and also look up products on this site to see if they’re safe.
I also just wanted to clarify – I don’t only use Beautycounter products! But I do use almost all of the products they sell. It’s very rare for me to like so much of one line. It’s important to me that the products I use most often, on a daily basis, are safe, and I can finally do that now that I’ve found products with good ingredients that actually perform to my standards. And I can really feel the difference in my skin from those ingredients. Anytime I use one of my old skincare products or try something from a spa, my skin feels stripped, tight, and chemical-y.
I also don’t only use products with safe ingredients, although I want to get there eventually. I’m just being honest. I am trying my hardest to switch everything over, but it’s a long process. I’m switching over as much as I can right now, and slowly working on the rest. Any change is better than none. It’s a process!
Later this week I’ll be posting a part 2 of this. In that post, I’ll talk about my absolute favorite Beautycounter products so you can get a sense of my must-haves from the collection in case you’re curious! I’ve never used this many products from the same brand before, so it’s very exciting.
I would love to hear what your experience has been when it comes to using products with safe ingredients! Let me know in the comments! XO
