Last night my sister Louise missed her flight in New York (yippi), traveling from Miami to Stockholm, and ended up spending the last 24 hours with me in the city. We had dinner at Spice Market, brunch at Pastis, got our nails done, and of course add a few Victoria Secret locks in our hair at my favorite place – Blow. They do the BEST blowouts – you gotta try ’em.

Sunday is the perfect day to create a meal plan for the rest of the week – that way you’re never stuck, starving, ready to eat our arm off or anything “unhealthy” lying on your kitchen counter. Personally, I love walking around some of my favorite grocery stores, such as Whole Foods Market, shopping for fresh organic produce, seeing what’s in season, and getting inspired.

So where do I go for new recipes? I always have certain books on my coffee table. Some of my favorites include: Healthy Cuisine by Anna Maria Clement, Raw Food Life Force Energy by Natalia Rose, Raw Food Real World by Matthew Kenney & Sarma Melngailis, and Raw Food på Svenska by Erica Palmcrantz.

Had my favorite falafel salad today. It’s on the heavier side, which might be good for those beginning the raw food journey, since feeling full after a meal can be a concern. As your  body gets used to raw food, you’ll want to eat lighter dishes. Just listen to your body and it will guide the way. And if you’re craving certain things – I’m not talking about foods that contain white sugar, like a Kit Kat chocolate bar – I’m talking about certain veggies or fruits, there is a reason, your body is asking for a certain mineral, vitamin, etc.

Be careful about what you put on your body (just as important as what you put in your body). I like a line of products called Alkaitis – available at One Luck Duck – they have everything from facial soaps to shampoo.

“If you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin,” says Dr. Saulius Alkaitis, creator of the raw health food skincare line Dr. Alkaitis Holistic Organic Skin Food. He believes so strongly in that ideal, he even had it trademarked. (stylelist.com)

To purchase, click: http://oneluckyduck.com/store/category-list.php?id=1 OR http://alkaitis.com/

The good thing about going to brunch with friends (rather than dinner), is that there is always a fruit salad on the menu… The Crosby Hotel had an amazing mix of fruit – the mango was perfect. I had that with some green tea. Delicious.

So this morning, Melvin the Juiceman asked me if I wanted to add a little Spirulina in my smoothie. “Why not?” I replied? When I got into the home I opened up a few raw food books that I have lying around and started reading about this fascinating natural supplement. I mean the benefits are endless…

The “super” algae contains the most remarkable concentration of nutrients known in any food, plant, grain or herb. It’s the highest protein food- over 60% all digestible vegetable protein. It has the highest concentration of beta carotene (anit-cancer antioxidant), vitamin B-12, iron and trace minerals and the rare essential fatty acid GLA. These make spirulina a great whole food alternative to isolated vitamin and minerals.

Long time consumers and scientific evidence both suggest 2-5 grams a day bring significant health benefits. This is a teaspoon of powder or 6 to 20 tablets. Take it every day for best results. Because spirulina is a whole food, you can take it alone or with meals.

(Information from healthrecipes.com)

Had a bowl of kiwi this morning for breakfast. Def a fruit I need to buy more often. Originally called the Chinese gooseberry and renamed by New Zealand natives, the fruit is packed with all the Vitamin C you need in one day.

Kiwi also has phytonutrients, which repair DNA, and act as the body’s protection against some cancers, as well as function as antioxidants.

Last night my partner Ashley and I caught up with an old friend, Kristin Breen. Over dinner at the W Hotel Union Square she told me about a new meditation class she was going to on a weekly basis, lead by a young woman who used to be in PR and live a crazy & stressful lifestyle – abusing substances, food, you name it. I walked home through the city in a rapid pace to get to my laptop – just needed to find out who this woman was.

Needless to say, Gabrielle Bernstein is now my new obsession. She has completely turned her life around and is on the lovetarian diet – free from fear, and with focus on love. Loving herself, and those around her. Click on this link to watch a video where she explains her concept: http://gabbyb.tv/vlogging/the-lovetarian-diet

Most of us are very hard on ourselves, including myself. We set high standards, especially as women, and try to live up to all of them.

So take a moment to love yourself and appreciate what you have. When we start to think of the postives, we can easily make a list of at least 10 good things that are currently in our life right now.

Apart from the high level of antioxidants (gotta eat those guys for perfect skin), pomegranate is also packed with vitamin C (helps you fight bacteria – yuck!) and potassium (aids your metabolism & nervous system). Here are a few more benefits you can enjoy from this exotic fruit…

• Lower Risk of Heart Disease
• Lower Risk of Cancer (especially breast cancer)
• Reduce Cholesterol
• Fight Cell Damage

Even if you do not want to give up meat, there are other ways to save the animals and planet. Why not start with the seals in Canada?