Beauty, Wellness, Recipes, Food
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Digestion is an interplay between your body and your food. The food you eat directly impacts your digestive health. This means that every bite is an opportunity to heal, protect, and support digestion.
Wonderful digestion is the centerpiece of health. Healthy digestion makes you feel lighter, boosts immunity, reduces inflammation, improves metabolism, and gives you more energy. Promoting healthy digestion is at the center of jolie. What can we add to our nourishment to support digestion? Adding flavor with herbs, spices, and ingredient diversity is an easy boost to digestive health. It won’t require will power, taking anything out, or deprivation. Even for the non-cook, small adds can make a profound difference without overcomplicating meal preparation. For complete beginners: add a squeeze of lemon and a little chopped parsley. Both will improve digestive enzymes and settle your stomach. For many, digestive issues can be resolved at the start by making sure food is able to be broken down properly. For extra credit, try not to drink too much during your meals - hydrate 30 minutes before or after your meal. Ready to take it a bit farther: add a light sprinkle of the jolie Digestive Spice blend or make your own by blending cumin, cardamom, coriander, and ginger to your desired flavor profile. Sprinkle this on anything - it will not dramatically alter the core flavor of your dish. Use no more than ¼ teaspoon per four person serving if you would like only the benefits and not the flavor. These medicinal spices help heal your stomach and gut. They have been used for centuries to balance digestive enzymes, heal gut lining, and reduce bloating. Variety is another important aspect of digestive health. When I plan the weekly menu for the jolieLife meal delivery, I am looking to address the six tastes that are central to Ayurveda. This is an ancient way of eating that balances your digestion and hormones while ensuring nutritional depth. As a benefit, you can eat less and feel more satisfied for longer. You can use the six tastes and apply them using foods from the farmer’s market or supermarket. Ideally in each meal you want the six tastes represented. I aim for four or more. Here is a list of the six tastes and examples of what foods provide them: Sweet - carrots, sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, sautéed onions Sour - lemon, vinegar, grapefruit, berries Salty - sea salt, olives, miso, seaweed, nori (these also improve hormone balance) Bitter - kale, brussels sprouts, green tea, sprouts, cacao, coffee, turmeric, radishes, arugula Pungent - onions, garlic, chilies, mustard, ginger Astringent - all tea, chickpeas, rosemary, oregano, coriander, turmeric, bay leaf, raw leafy vegetables At the cafe, the soups showcase variety, spices, and herbs. Here is a recipe for the Moroccan Carrot Soup which provides the six tastes, herbs, and spices for digestive health. Moroccan Carrot Soup Recipe Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 yellow onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon ground coriander ½ teaspoon ground cardamom ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric 3 pounds of carrots peeled and cut into 3 inch chunks 6 cups mineral broth Zest of one lemon 1 teaspoon lemon juice Sea salt Black pepper Directions
Julia xo Finding hormonal balance comes with diet, surrender, and movement. This September we will offer a 5 day hormone balancing reset to put you on the path to balance. The food and menu will be geared toward healing with superfoods such as maca, turmeric, ginger, flax, and ashwaganda. We will daily enjoy the jolie Health & Wellness broth which has over twenty herbs to balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion. We will use nori, nuts, seeds, and a rainbow of vegetables to address deficiencies.
Food is a huge part of balance - BUT not the only important aspect. Just like we were forced to yield to the hormonal changes of our teenage years and find new ways to care for our skin, growing selves, and menstrual cycle, in this other part of our life we also must surrender to and find new ways to take care of our bodies. Rest is more important during times of hormonal shift. These times include menopause, as well as menstruation, childbirth, and puberty. If you find yourself off balance or low libido, rest is important to restoring you. Rest includes sleep. Rest is also wind down time, a chance to take a deep breath during the day. Meditation lowers cortisol; it takes you out of fight or flight. Resting your adrenals and allowing the nervous system to relax allows your sex hormones to return to normal levels. Reproductive hormones are not the only ones to benefit - it will benefit blood sugar and reduce insulin levels. You will feel calmer, more in control, and centered. Deep breathing, sitting unplugged outdoors, sipping hot tea, or a bath can be meditation if a sitting meditation is not your thing. Movement - especially gentle, rhythmic movement like walking, dancing, mindful yoga, jogging, or swimming - provides many of the same benefits as meditation. Movement has the additional benefit of burning off energy. Releasing energy will help your nervous system access calm more easily. As such, allow your meditation to follow exercise. Balancing out your hormones begins with openness to change. It's an opportunity to learn new ways of caring for yourself, a new life rhythm, and refocusing your self care to serve you. To join the 5 Day Hormone Rescue, sign up here. Look out for upcoming cafe events to support you during the rescue and after. You wake up and immediately begin making decisions about food. Whether to eat now or later? What kind of coffee to have? Should I have coffee at all? Is decaf better? Is it better to eat something first? When I eat what should I have? What kind of protein? Fruit or no fruit? Smoothie or banana bread?
It’s estimated we make 200 decisions a day regarding food. When you are trying to change your life, health, or body, these choices can be overwhelming. Ultimately, however, your choices determine your outcome. So, it’s important that we make it easier to make good choices for ourselves by creating a framework of how we nourish ourselves. Creating an eating philosophy is a huge help. An eating philosophy is built around 1 - how you want to feel; 2- your wellness goals; and 3, your likes, dislikes, and habits. When creating your philosophy all three are important. We create from where we are now looking at where we want to go. Your eating philosophy is tailor made meaning it has to be rooted in you and needs to fit like a well formed garment. So, if you have date night or a regular food ritual or something you can’t give up that you think you should - remember there are no shoulds that come from outside you - you want your framework to be your guidance in all situations. I will be hosting a workshop on Saturday, September 18th at 11am on creating your eating philosophy for yourself at jolie. To get you started, begin to write down what foods, habits, and food routines make you feel best. Note areas of challenge, confusion, or frustration. If you can, notice triggers for positive action as well as triggers that lead to food choices you regret or that are not aligned with your goals. All the above is vital information to use to create your eating philosophy. Then, look at when you like to eat, what you like yourself to eat, and what times or situations are challenging. With this we begin to create your food philosophy. Join us on Saturday to create your own framework from start to finish to help you soar through fall into the holidays. Love, Julia xo A big salad at lunch is a game changer for health. I remember reading The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes and her confession that, “what happened is, is that you change what your palate wants. I'm suddenly craving fish and salad."
A huge part of jolie is The Salad. It is also one of the most challenging for clients. Somehow - I think it was the iceberg salads of the 80s - salads are seen as the quintessential diet, deprivation food. But, it’s all in your mindset. Let’s talk about mindset. The mindset that gets me to eating another salad, to actually craving my salad, is first, I look forward to it. As 11 rolls around I start anticipating my salad. I look forward to sitting down, taking a break, and enjoying my lunch. I look forward to seeing the beautiful colors, to all the crunchiness, to the taste of olive oil, the creaminess of avocado or sweetness of fruit. I look forward to the nuts or seeds. I look forward to the variety of lettuce, herbs, and veggies. I look forward to what is seasonal in the salad that I can only have at that time. I also have a ritual around my salad. I get out a large silver bowl. I dump the salad in and pour the seeds, nuts, and dressing over it and toss with two spoons. Then I sprinkle a pinch of sea salt and pile it on to my favorite white (great color contrast), shallow salad bowl. I sit down. I take a moment of gratitude and enjoy. I love how full, but light I feel afterwards. I love the variety of flavors. I love how clean my palate feels. Ummm. You can look at your salad like that. Or, you can say to yourself, “Another salad. I know it’s good for me. It’s going to make me healthier. It helps my digestion. I know my skin loves it. It will help me get these pounds off. They say it will bring down my inflammation.” That too is a mindset. Choose to cultivate a mindset that makes you feel good and excited about the choices you make. Choose to look at your food in a way that supports your choice to give yourself the best. When you set down to your next salad, think about how awesome it is that you are gifting yourself this bowl of amazingness that is going to energize you and make you feel great. Learning to take on a mindset that supports you is a tool you can use over and over - whether it is making financial changes so you can switch jobs, training for a marathon, or going back to school. Mindset and self talk is a power tool we can use FOR us! Love, Julia xo On the road to health transformation, our food rituals sometimes need to be reframed. One ritual common to many is using food or drink to relax, release frustration, or as an end of the day reward. Often, however, these habits don’t support our health goals or add a few unwanted pounds.
One of my “relearns” when losing weight after Eli was learning to relax without food or wine. Learning to uncouple food and relaxation allowed me to reach health goals faster, grow as a person as I learned new ways to nurture myself, and I began to relax in ways that I didn’t regret later. When we want to relax, we are looking for relief -from the day, a feeling, or tiredness. I looked at how I felt toward the end of the day from both the cause and effect level. By 7 I was exhausted, so I looked for ways to make my day less exhausting, stressful, and draining. Then I looked at what was available to me as other ways to relax. Out of the first inquiry came the ever changing list I wrote about last week, “How to Make My Life Easier.” If you missed it, you can find it on our blog. Hopefully, you made your own list and are on the road to making your life easier. I also made a Pleasure List for new ways to unwind. These are things that give me joy, that are easily accessible (like food), make me feel good (like food), and have no potential downside (unlike relaxation snacking). Some of the items on the Pleasure List are:
Now write your own Pleasure List of easily accessible ways to relax. Actively use your two lists. As the day winds down today choose a new way to relax and reward yourself for all your efforts today. Learning new ways to nourish yourself and stay aligned to your goals will build your momentum of showing up for yourself and trusting your ability to nurture yourself. Love, Julia xo If you think you don't have time to take care of yourself or work on your goals, I suggest you begin to look at ways to free up the physical and mental time you need.
I frequently ask myself, “How Can I Make My Life Easier.” Making life easier translates into more efficiency, smoother flow, and less decision making time spent throughout the day. Doing this gives you mental space to take care of the things you want to focus on now. It's the only way I find time to take care of myself. Here is my list: 1. Don’t make life harder than it needs to be. This is the cardinal rule. If something doesn’t fit, feels like it’s more work than it needs to be, causes needless aggravation, or drains you - hit the eject button. There is always something better for you. 2. Make pleasure a priority. Whatever you are doing use your mindset and environment to make it fun - it will go faster and the "doing" won't drain you as much. If you have to run around all day - you want to enjoy the running. Hating it makes it drudgery. If you have a lot to do, don’t complain and moan about it. That makes it worse. If we have learned anything from lockdown, it's a privilege to have things to do. Life can seem like groundhogs day, but music, laughter, dancing, smiling, and self care elevate life. 3. Delegating to the soldiers as my daughter says. Ask for help. Ask for help with errands, cooking, cleaning, laundry. Give up carrying your cross by yourself and being the martyr. Everyone benefits - the home runs smoother and everyone feels like part of a community. Praise all the help given - even when not exactly what you expected. Praise gets us so much farther than “constructive criticism.” 4. Automate as much as possible. I have standing appointments for all my regular self care like nails for instance. I sign up for dry cleaning pick up and delivery, coffee bean subscriptions, and automatic refills. All doctors appointments I group - so everything gets done in a 2-3 week period. 5. Get as much support as you can afford. You know your pain points. For me it’s housekeeping, so I schedule as much as I can. When the kids were not driving, I hired someone to help with the driving. When they were younger, it was childcare so I didn’t have to take everyone, everywhere. It is okay to not do everything yourself. If lightening the load, makes you lighter - it benefits everyone. 6. Create uniforms for yourself or a capsule wardrobe. I recently came back to this as I was spending too much time figuring out what to wear on Sundays; but, when I was a young mom, my “uniform” was my daily shortcut to fabulous. Last year, I worked on a capsule wardrobe so that everything in the closet coordinates, fits, and compliments. It is a game changer. 7. Schedule yourself for efficiency. Group errands, tasks, or activities together in a way that it’s easier to knock them out. 8. Clear out energy frequently. I clear my own energy with journaling and meditation. Holding on to things drains your focus and mental energy. I also clear the house with palo santo or sage regularly. 9. Take a Saturday to declutter, then take a few minutes a day to declutter. A Princeton study showed that decluttering can cut housekeeping time by 40%. Take a moment now to make your own list. Use mine for inspiration and tailor your list with specifics you can implement now to lighten you load. Love, Julia xo Being uncomfortable is a quality of change in progress. I work with many clients who are healing their bodies through food. Most come with the expectation of deprivation - needing to cut out tasty food and their favorite foods.
The knee jerk reaction we have when our doctor says our cholesterol is out of whack, or we get pre-diabetic numbers, or the scale goes into scary territory is to cut, eliminate, and forbid certain foods. Our actions are the equivalent to slash and burn agriculture. Unfortunately, the results are similar too. We end up in a cycle in unsustainability where our willpower is depleted, and like the used up land, we abandon our goals. I want you to know you don’t have to go into deprivation. Deprivation is not a sustainable way to live. There is no joy there. It leaves us seeking cheat days, binge weekends, and eventually we get close enough to our goal that the pain of continuing our diet of deprivation is worse than the angst that started us off. When that happens, we stop and end up back where we started. I want you to be willing to be uncomfortable. But here is the key, the discomfort that needs to come and be worked through is mental - you will have to change your mindset. My most successful clients are willing to take the dietary changes that need to be made slowly. The pace allows them to do the mental work that reteaches them how to eat, changes the relationship they have with themselves, and gives them a way of eating they can commit to for the rest of their lives. If you are reading this, you probably have a health goal right now. I am going to help you see some small changes you can make now. Think of all the foods you eat that are not aligned with your health goals. Make a list of them. These are your yellow light foods. Now think of all the foods you eat that are aligned with your health goals. Make a list of those - these are your green light foods. From a place of love, decide what you are eating tomorrow. What can you decide to eat tomorrow that will support you in moving closer to your goal? Write down all your meals and your snacks that you are choosing for yourself. You can include as many green light foods as you want to eat tomorrow; then choose something from the yellow light list that you choose to eat tomorrow. Tomorrow you will eat your pre-decided foods. The list is not one of deprivation, but of choice. Now, we get uncomfortable There will be things you want to eat tomorrow that are not on your plan. But, we are going to show up for ourselves. The next day we can include them if we want. Food is tied with emotions. So, as you sit in discomfort know that it is okay, it is normal, and you are being there for yourself. Frustration, tiredness, exhaustion, restlessness may all come. It’s okay. You will gently hold yourself through it. Taking each day as described above will create lasting change. Love, Julia xo Choosing your word for the year frames the year and sets intention into the year which shapes how you show up throughout the year, what you manifest, and the opportunities that arise. The word I chose during the Seeing into 2021 retreat we had on Tuesday is GENEROSITY.
That word will manifest for me in a variety of ways, but one of the ways I am going to be intentional about is sharing with you how you can transform your health and how I changed my own over 10 years ago. I want you to know that transformation is essentially an easy process - the challenge comes as we work on our mindset, habits, and relationship with ourselves. I want to help you through the hard stuff and along the way teach you how to better feed yourself. I wanted to transform my health because I was the heaviest I had ever been, I felt sluggish, I had small children and wanted to model good habits, I had daughters watching me and I didn’t want them to struggle with body image, I wanted to shop wherever I wanted, I wanted to fit the clothes already in my closet, I was tired of shopping at Eileen Fisher, I didn’t want achy joints as I got older. That is just the beginning of the list. I had at least 20-30 more. As I got thinner, I found new reasons to transform my health. I found different reasons kept me on track in some circumstances, but not others. I developed more reasons so I could talk myself through different situations and challenges. To begin your transformation, spend some time writing dwn all the reasons you want to transform your health. Think of the situations you find challenging. Develop reasons for losing weight, dropping gluten, eating more plant based, or (filll in the blank) that will help you in various situations. Think of reasons that might motivate you when you’re tired, when you’ve had a bad day, or on Saturday date night. One challenge I have for myself to help you through is to do more Instagram lives and write more to help you. We also have the Glow Up coming which will focus a lot on the mental side of transformation to make it easier for you to reach your goals. You can find information about that on our website. Tune in and Happy 2021! Love, Julia xo  My capsule wardrobe has been such a joy to create. I have clothes for every occasion and season; everything matches and mixes - BUT what gives me the most joy is that over half of the collection is second hand and 30% of the pieces I’ve had for over 10 years.
Sustainable fashion is a passion of mine. Discarded clothing is extremely damaging to the earth. A dress made out of manmade materials is estimated to take 200 years to decompose according to Fashion Revolution Most of the clothing we throw away or put in clothing collection bins ends up in landfills - I was so disappointed to find that one out, but clothing is so cheap in America most people opt for new over used. One trash truck worth of clothing is burned every second. Living beautifully extends to dressing beautifully and thoughtfully. To guide myself toward sustainability and earth friendly fashion, I created a list of standards to direct my clothing choices toward conservation.
xoxo, Julia  In my body transformation, my first commitment was to exercise daily for 20 minutes. My second commitment was to eat the plants first. Every time I sat down for a meal, I first had to eat all the vegetables and fruits and then I could enjoy everything else.
This goal was twofold. First, I found that I was attracted to the meat or carb on the plate first. When I finished those, I had little desire for the plants and usually left them on the plate. So by eating the plants first, I was ensuring that I get the “good for my body” stuff first. The plants contain the immune fortifying, age defying, and gut nourishing substance you need. The second benefit was that I filled up first on the nutritionally dense, but calorically low foods. .So after having my vegetables, I always ended up eating less high calorie food such as meat, fats, and carbs. The end result was that I lost weight and ensured my body was getting everything It needed nutritionally. Julia xo  Your home is your sacred space to relax, enjoy, and nowadays work. Creating a home that is beautiful and comfortable is important for your emotional health regardless of the size or ownership status.
Begin with the entrance of your home. Allow that space to give you a welcome. Some ideas which will enhance the welcome is a bowl for your keys; a place for items you regularly bring into the house such as your coat or bag; greenery, flowers, or a pretty ornament to greet you. Over the next two weeks I am taking 5-10 minutes a day to care for the outside of my home. Today I cleared the entrance of pumpkin bits left from a squirrel who is eating the decorative pumpkins. I added some seasonal dried flowers like broom corn and sorghum, and put all the patio furniture in its place. Five minutes and coming home feels so much better. with joy, Julia  We sometimes make things harder for ourselves than necessary. Last year, 2019, my theme for the year was EASE. My goal was to create as much ease in my life as possible.
One thing I discovered is that we often forget to create an environment that supports our goals and desires. I wanted to SoulCycle at 5:30am every morning. Scheduling a weekly call at 8:30pm did not support my desire and made it impossible to get to bed at a time that would support waking up a 4:45. Putting an 8 pm hard stop on activities made it so much easier. Trying to do, achieve, or create change without modifying your surroundings and life creates unnecessary demands on willpower and obstacles. During the Lean Out program, healthy food is supplied; daily habits and rituals of wellness are emphasized; and Bar Method classes provided. Why? To make success easier. We took out food choice, we added easy access Zoom classes, and we set up daily routines to make us feel good so we are less tempted by food as a pick me up. Let’s say your goal is to get more sleep. What are some environmental changes you can put in place to support you?
These environmental changes set you up to be successful. They do not insure success, but get you at least half way there with little effort. So let’s do this together.
Now implement what you have come up with over the next week. See how it creates more momentum behind your goals. Love, Julia xo P.S. We have much to achieve. Being in the flow, creates ease and achievement - and when you get there, you still have energy left for others and yourself. Body confidence is a gift I have not because it came naturally to me, but because I cultivate it. I expect health and I appreciate the shape and curves of my body. Simone de Beauvoir, a wonderful French groundbreaking feminist, said, “To lose confidence in one's body is to lose confidence in oneself.” I am ultimately all I have, so if I lose confidence in myself, I lose my connection to my inner wisdom and God. That I cannot let happen. So I developed a personal practice which reconnects me to confidence.
It is not an overnight transformation, but with daily practice of expectation, cooperation, and adoration you will develop more body confidence and find yourself moving through the world more confidently. As you develop confidence, you will see greater health, ease in making changes you desire for yourself, and more outward confidence. with love, Julia xo
As the weather cools, they become less bitter, but still are great support for your digestive flora and help detoxify the liver. I use dandelion sprouts for me and my clients because they are more nutritionally potent and have a softer texture. I also use them in salads chopped finely. This year I grew an Italian variety in the garden for a steady supply.
doingHeart Opener is my favorite yoga pose. It allows you to clear your head, release stress, and to feel more open to the light and love which surround you. 10-15 minutes a day is transformative. I am focusing on my ability to receive more, so I wish to increase my energetic openness to the love and support of the universe.
To do it place a yoga block on a cushion. Gently lower yourself with the lower edge of the block hitting where your bra strap comes across.your back. Relax for 10-15 minutes.
Love, Julia xo Ginger and turmeric are my staple as I head into fall. As you get older, inflammation can wreak havoc on your body. I am trying to sneak it in wherever possible to feel my best. This Labor Day whip a Ginger Turmeric Mocktail for 2.
 Wellness is a practice of taking care of yourself in private so that in the rest of your life you feel better and can do all the things you want. It is a lifelong commitment built on individual actions and choices. One way that I keep myself on track is throughout the year, I do various projects and challenges that support my wellness.
For fall, I chose to focus on being my best self - in all the ways: mindset, body, happiness, purpose, nutrition. I invite you to join me or create a challenge of your own. Here is how you begin to hone in on what, at this moment and time, it means to be your best self. Complete the sentence: ”I want to feel” as many times as you can. Choose 3-4 statements that feel really exciting or good to you. There are no wrong choices. Remember when you work on something, it automatically elevates all the areas of your life. The four statements I chose were: I want to feel more limber and flexible. I want to feel balanced. I want to feel focused. I want to feel vibrant. Now think of habits, foods, activities, places, or experiences that support the statements you chose. This is a brainstorm. When you are done you will choose a few which you will integrate into the next few months. Here is what I did. I want to feel more limber and flexible. Eat more turmeric & ginger - anti-inflammatories. Do a weekly self massage or receive a massage. Daily take time to stretch. I want to feel balanced. Schedule acupuncture to balance energy. Spend time in nature. Each morning spend 20 minutes in meditation and prayer. I want to feel focused. Create a written hourly schedule. Remove the clutter in my space and schedule. Spend less time with people that distract me from my goals. I want to feel vibrant. Change my routines to add freshness. Prioritize sleep. Dance every day. Eat lots of raw foods. Once you complete this practice, you have goals and definitions of what it means to be your best self. From here we begin and let me inspire and cheer you on. Love, Julia xo So many times people who loved me told me no. I expressed something I wanted to do, a goal, a dream. Then came the reasons why it was not possible, practical, prudent, or acceptable. Unfortunately, the person who told me no most often was me. This too is true for many of my clients and women I encounter in group programs.
Why do we disapprove of ourselves so willingly? Partly it’s an internalization of what is expected of us. We also naturally seek what is familiar and safe. Our desires by definition lead us into unfamiliar territory with the risk of failure or disappointment. We are so used to looking after others and the needs of friends and family, that we easily dismiss doing anything which may jeopardize their acceptance and conflict with their needs. To be truthful - there are expectations of us - but not as many as we think. Write down something you wish to do or wish to have now. Then write down all the expectations that are blocking you. In my own life, when I wanted to return to work after being a stay at home mom for 14 years, I had a list of why I couldn’t. The kids needed me to be available, what if they got sick and needed to stay home, how will I fit in all the extracurriculars, how could I continue my routine of self care which would demand more time when I was already taking time away to work. Basically, I was disapproving of my desire out of fear that my children would see me as a bad mom. Most expectations are like a mirage. We feel internally like we are expected to do something or be available for someone, but in reality most people are in support of our happiness, can accommodate change, and are willing to support you in living a full life. You must support you too! My children were actually fine. They knew how to tend for themselves more than I realized. Sick days were few and manageable. And, they loved the happiness and joy it brought me. All the apprehension I had was simply my internal resistance based in fear and judgement. Expanding yourself frequently triggers a no. We internally say no because we feel underprepared, undeserving, or not enough. When I feel this, I stop and approve of my desire and my fears. To do this, I follow the subsequent steps. I acknowledge my feelings and resistance. I am thankful for them. I affirm that I can only desire to do that which was made for me or I was made for it. Desires arise from your heart. I approve of my heart desires. I examine them to see if there is anything to learn from the “nos” I feel. For example, one thing that helped the transition was streamlining life by decluttering both space and schedules. I spend time feeling into how good it feels or will feels in the experience of that desire. Then I choose one small action to take in the direction of my dream. This gentle path will guide you forward.  Skin care begins with what you are eating and how you treat your skin every morning and night. Sunday I began a 3 day jolieLife juice cleanse with the prescriptive intention of boosting glow, skin elasticity, and firmness. I wanted to share what plants I use to support beautiful skin and how plants can be used in skincare.
The plants I eat to build beautiful skin are: Maca is an ancient Peruvian root which has been used medicinally for 2000 years to promote overall vitality. For the skin, it helps protect against UV damage and increase elasticity. Tocos is soluble rice bran which is exceptionally high in vitamin E - an antioxidant which improves skin clarity, moisture, eczema, and psoriasis; vitamin E is also key in combating oxidative stress - one of the key factors that affect the speed of wrinkle formation. Carrots, beets, oranges, blood oranges are high in Vitamin A which converts to retinol and beta-carotene in the body. I prefer to eat my retinol - it is more effective with none of the negative side effects of topical retinol. Beta-carotene builds natural glow that no highlighter can produce. Dark leafy vegetables and sea vegetables provide chlorophyll which not only increases your energy, but helps resolve breakouts and reduces inflammation. Skin irritation, redness, scarring, and uneven skin tones are the result of skin inflammation. Turmeric is a super powerful anti-inflammatory. I use it not only in cooked food, but pressed juices, smoothies, and elixirs. Turmeric is easily broken down by the liver, so daily use is best. I use fresh turmeric as well as dried turmeric. Skin Routine for Your Best Skin I use plants throughout my skin care. Matcha and Honey I routinely use for a face mask. The matcha reduces inflammation, brightens the skin, and provides topical antioxidants. Honey is the perfect pair to the matcha - it deeply moisturizes the skin and prevents breakouts with its antibacterial action. Morning and evening skin care is absolutely necessary. Usually my evening routine is more involved because I have less time in the morning. However, create your routine to work within your time constraints. Evening - I exfoliate/cleanse with a clay and botanical or honey based cleanser. I allow the cleanser to stay on for 5-10 minutes as a mini nourishing mask to detoxify and purify my skin. I then tone with plant essences and moisturize with plant oils like those found in Pomona face oil. Morning - the routine is similar with the exception of a simple oil based cleanse followed by plant essences and oil based moisturizer. The products I use vary based on the season and what my skin needs in the moment. For summer, clay works better to keep my pores clear, mineral sunscreen is a must, and a few drops of the Pomona face oil keeps me moisturized. Love, Julia xo P.S. Whenever caring for you face do not forget your neck and chest - with neglect they do not age well.  By eating jolieLife you are doing more good than you realize, you are participating in the amazing work that goes on at Lani Farm for the earth and humanity.
Yesterday I toured the main farm that supplies us wth vegetables and fruits. The tour could not have come at a better time - a gift I needed. I choose all the suppliers for jolieLife based on their farming practices and the spirit of the people because I want jolieLife food to feed your body, but also in doing so, to be an act of good in the world and to the earth. I encountered Lani farm at the Union Square Farmers’ Market and have been receiving food from Lani Farm since jolieLife started, but I had not gone to the farm. Yesterday’s tour was proof that you can draw to yourself exactly your perfect match. Lani Farm was created by Steve and Dusan - Steve began farming in Korea and Dusan in the former Yugoslavia. They are both a gift - passionate, innovative, and forces of good. First off, all the farming practices go further than organic requirements and are kind to the earth. The farm itself is as self sustaining as possible producing it’s own compost, mulch, and water sources. The prepared Korean food and flours they sell are all with vegetables grown on the farm - if they don’t grow it, they do not sell it. Vegetables are grown in mixed communities of plants so that pests are kept at bay, soil nutrients are built up, and plants are allowed to grow as strongly as possible. This all means more nutrition in your food. The plant varieties are chosen for health, performance, and taste - many of them heirlooms. For example, they grow ancient wheat. Un-genetically modified wheat has extremely low yields. But it tastes better, and is better digested by the body. Crops are constantly rotated, cover crops are turned into the soil to maintain and improve soil health with each planting, fields are allowed to rest. This practice, even in organic farms, is frequently ignored in favor of higher profits. But more than anything, the will to do good is so evident. There is a pervasive desire to work in cooperation with the earth, the individuals who work on the farm are provided with amazing housing and leisure spaces that reflect their worth and value as equal human beings - most farms provide what I consider sub-humane living conditions. And, this is the pièce de résistance, the farm is in the process of constructing a retreat space, a housing community for the elderly, and low income housing where Lani Farm absorbs all housing expenses for the people living there. And, within the farm is farmland allocated for growing crops purely for donation to food pantries, I know of other farms that donate their surplus, but this level of generosity is unmatched The spirit and actions of generosity and social responsibility were exactly what I needed when the world looks so dark with Covid, financial crisis, and the murder of George Floyd. There is still a lot of light and love in the world. And when we desire to be a force of love and light, we often are already in cooperation with love in ways we do not even realize. Love, Julia xo  Staying centered and happy is necessary as the anchor of the family. Moms do set the tone of the house and of experiences, even for adult children sheltering at home during quarantine.
My meditation practice is my own anchor and is what keeps me joyful and hopeful during all the ups and downs of the last few months. However, it has changed a lot during quarantine. I find myself resistant to doing a sitting mediation and moving has been the key for me. I think because life has gotten slower, sitting is not the relief it once was. We are more seeking things to do than paring down the activities of our lives. My alternative meditations have me meditating far more these last months than I did in “normal life.”
Love, Julia xo P.S.Tea has the added benefit of being a strong antioxidant. It keeps mind, cells, and skin glowing. The challenge derailed yesterday. I planned a love drive to create more positive energy. I planned an amazing meal day - jolieLife. Instead, I procrastinated on the love drive and chose to eat what the kids had for lunch which left me feeling heavy, instead of light and refreshed. In the evening I was left me asking myself why was I so resistant to pleasure?
The love drive always leave me feeling wonderful and eating a scrumptious salad is heaven to me. Why do we resist pleasure? To define a love drive: they are short, 10-15 minute drives by myself to focus on what I love. I spend the time saying aloud what I love. It is a wonderful practice. It makes you glow! My self examination revealed I did the things that seemed like work, but undervalued the aspects of the challenge that were pleasure. It is a common theme. However, I am certain if I had done the pleasure, the work would have been easier and I would have felt very happy and satisfied at the end of the day because I would have done the things that feed my soul. So today, I vowed to leave nothing on the table - to do the pleasure. Result: I am writing this because I feel energized from eating well, spending time in meditation, and taking my Masterclasses. On top of that, I had more energy, focus, and efficiency in doing the tasks of the day. Lesson learned: do pleasure first and you fuel everything else. with light + love, Julia Today I begin a 60 day challenge for myself.
I want to spend the next 60 days dedicated to meditation, diving deeper into positive thought patterns, gardening, physical movement and exercise, creative pursuits, and exclusive plant based eating. I decided to count down, so today is 60/60. Today I struggled with my chosen workout - the Class. Before opening jolie I would frequently attend the Class in Tribeca and, then, Flatiron. It is a magical blend of physical, spiritual, and soul work. I stood a long time in judgement of my choice because it was not non-stop cardio which has been my routine for awhile. Am I wasting my time? Maybe I should just row? Ok, I will row after this - these were my thoughts, until I felt my body. I could feel the energy flowing beneath the skin. I decide to fall into it. Actually, it was an answer to prayer. In my other workouts, the movements are small, the spaces confined. For the first time in a long time, I was asked to be big, to take up more space, to stretch and use as much space as I could. This falls right in line with my meditation intention to increase my aura. I felt like I had worked out, meditated, and gone to church by the time it was done. Join me, spend some time in meditation. Ask yourself what you would like to experience or focus on for the next 60 days. Decide one thing to do tomorrow aligned with your intention. with light, Julia  We are fighting coronavirus now. My hope in all this uncertainty is that it will focus our attention to how important our immune system is. Now and always, when our immune system falters it is an open door to infection. That is why washing our hands and social distancing is not enough, we have to keep our immune system healthy.
We are trying to protect ourselves and those that our vulnerable. The danger to older people is evidence of the decline that happens in our immune system as we age. It is interesting to read the science on this. It is clear that our immune system declines. The question is why? Is this a consequence of aging - a natural progression? Or is there another factor at play here? Under-nutrition is an important factor. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that increasing the daily servings of fruits and vegetables from 3 to at least 5 servings a day created an 82% greater production of protective antibodies in adults over 65. Antibodies are the very, very specific immune agents the body creates for each individual pathogen. This change happened in a matter of weeks. Decrease in immune system function is heavily influenced by nutrition. So, in light of COVID-19, you can start turning the tide now with more fruits and vegetables and helping those at high risk, the elderly or those with underlying health challenges, get more fruits and vegetables. How can you easily up your intake? I put every meal on a bed of greens or veggies - that will get you 1-2 more servings a day. The jolieLife pizza I posted on Instagram today is made of veggies with more vegetables on top. Use fruit and vegetables as dessert or snack food. A bowl of berries is a wonderful end to a meal. Baby cucumbers give the crunch mouth feel we often seek in snacks. Have berries or some other fruit every morning with your breakfast. At jolie, we usually choose berries because they have the biggest immune boosting punch, second to that we choose citrus or tropical fruits because they are high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Each effort counts and makes a difference! Love, Julia xo  One of my favorite jolieLife soups is the Power Green soup, but it should be renamed the Wellness Soup because it has everything in it to keep you well.
All the current health concerns underline for me how we take for granted our immune system and how important it is. Your immune system is like gold - a natural resource of great value.. Every choice you make which strengthens it, builds for your wellness and longevity. Of all we put in our mouth, plants have the most impact on our immune system. So I share this fabulous soup with you. Eat or drink it liberally throughout the next month. I even have clients who eat it as a slushy. You can tweak it as you like. The recipe below is pared down to make it super easy for you. Simple Power Green Soup 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion diced 2 cloves garlic diced 6 cups mineral or vegetable broth 8 cups of kale, spinach, swiss chard, or any dark green leafy vegetable you have stemmed and roughly chopped Lemon juice to taste Salt and pepper to taste
To your health! Julia  When there is illness afoot, it reminds me of my grandmother - mother of 13 - who would say, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” I think she was trying to preserve her sanity, but cleanliness definitely helps out the universal pull to wellness. So, in the current climate it is good to keep sanitation priority.
At the same time, humans have always lived with germs and the human body is a wonderful infection fighter when given the right tools - food, sleep, water, sun. Here are my five tips for boosting your immune system:
Julia xo |
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