The one thing I cannot miss when in Miami is Glaser Farms, an amazing market of organic raw foods sold every Saturday in Coconut Grove. So naturally it was the first on my weekend to do list… We packed our shopping bag with bee pollen to chocolate almond milk, avocados to mangos, and headed home to prepare the best lunch ever. If you’re in this city or planning a trip here, trust me, this is so worth it!

To relax, go to Glaser Farms, and eat Raw Food with my mom. Peace.

If you’re in a hurry, don’t worry! Just grab what you have in your kitchen and don’t make it such a big deal. I have an event tonight, limited time to make breakfast, so I grabbed this watermelon and cut it up at work. Going to have an early lunch since this thing will run right through me.

Have a beautiful day everyone!

(From http://stureplan.se/bloggar/andrea)

Need a pick-me-up? Buy fresh flowers for your home – that should do the trick or at least put a temporary smile on your face.

Had a beautiful Caesar salad from One Lucky Duck for lunch today. Variation is key, so switch it up once in a while. Don’t eat the same thing every single day, you’ll get bored and increase the likelihood of going off track.

Unless it’s Cirque du Soleil (as in ONLY people dangling from the sky), then I say no thanks to the circus. The animals do not want to be there – trust – they would rather be out in wild. Duh!

Olivia you go girl…

There are always going to be a million beverage choices, but do yourself a favor and drink water whenever possible. Second choice should be fresh juice or smoothie. Avoid sodas, vitamin waters, and juices full of sugar. And of course, easy on the alcohol – be mindful of your liver.

Why does your body need water?

Water Protects Your Tissues, Spinal Cord, and Joints: ”Water does more than just quench your thirst and regulate your body’s temperature; it also keeps the tissues in your body moist. You know how it feels when your eyes, nose, or mouth gets dry? Keeping your body hydrated helps it retain optimum levels of moisture in these sensitive areas, as well as in the blood, bones, and the brain. In addition, water helps protect the spinal cord, and it acts as a lubricant and cushion for your joints.”

Water Helps Your Body Remove Waste: ”Adequate water intake enables your body to excrete waste through perspiration, urination, and defecation. The kidneys and liver use it to help flush out waste, as do your intestines. Water can also keep you from getting constipated by softening your stools and helping move the food you’ve eaten through your intestinal tract. However, it should be noted that there is no evidence to prove that increasing your fluid intake will cure constipation.”

Water Aids in Digestion: ”Digestion starts with saliva, the basis of which is water. Digestion relies on enzymes that are found in saliva to help break down food and liquid and to dissolve minerals and other nutrients. Proper digestion makes minerals and nutrients more accessible to the body. Water is also necessary to help you digest soluble fiber. With the help of water, this fiber dissolves easily and benefits your bowel health by making well-formed, soft stools that are easy to pass.”

Water Prevents You From Becoming Dehydrated: ”Your body loses fluids when you engage in vigorous exercise, sweat in high heat, or come down with a fever or contract an illness that causes vomiting or diarrhea. If you’re losing fluids for any of these reasons, it’s important to increase your fluid intake so that you can restore your body’s natural hydration levels. Your doctor may also recommend that you drink more fluids to help treat other health conditions, like bladder infections and urinary tract stones. If you’re pregnant or nursing, you may want to consult with your physician about your fluid intake because your body will be using more fluids than usual, especially if you’re breastfeeding.”

(Info from: http://www.everydayhealth.com/water-health/water-body-health.aspx)

Want to last until lunch and supply your body with the nutrients it needs to get going in the morning? Then try the Omegalicious Smoothie! Got the recipe from my nutritionist Nikki Ostrower.

Omegalicious Smoothie:
Blends the following in a smoothie until the consistancy is nice and creamy: large handful spinach (or other dark green leaf veggies), handful raw pumpkin seeds, 1 tbsp ground flax seeds (or can use flax oil), 1 tbsp hemp seeds, handful blueberries, 1/2 Avocado, 1 cup water (or more/less depending on how thick you want it), 1 tsp bee pollen, and 1 tsp raw honey.

Spent the day on the beach today with a group of friends. After a dip in the Atlantic, a yummy lunch consisting of hummus + vegetables, grapes, and lychees, I took a few minutes to zone in and meditate. Felt so calm and peaceful after. Try it!