I’m forever trying to find great smoothie and juice recipes in an attempt to eat a little better and rectify my snacking ways. I even got a juicer last December and still have not used it. I’m almost intimidated by it, I don’t know why. It makes no sense because they really are the easiest things you can put together in the kitchen, but I haven’t gotten around to experimenting yet. I’m currently visiting my brother and his family in Michigan, and the other night, he made the most delicious smoothie for me. It reminded me a lot of the smoothies you can get at Blue Dog (one of my favorite healthy joints in the city). He told me he actually stole the recipe from our cousin, Sabeen…so we can all thank her for this tasty and nutritious treat . My brother made it again for me so I can share it with you all here:

BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups green grapes (note: make sure you get green grapes — you can use red grapes too, but it will taste a little more tart)
1/2 orange
1 banana
1 slice Pineapple
1 handful fresh spinach
5-6 mint leaves
1 cup ice
Run on High for 35-40 seconds

Total side note, but my family is completely obsessed with the Vitamix blender. It’s a little pricey, but so worth it. I’ll write about it again in my Mother’s Day Gift Guide .

Try it and let me know what you think . Do any of you have any other tips/recipes for healthy smoothies or juices? Share in the comments! I’m always looking for more!

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ABC Kitchen, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways:

1. The rustic and warm settings, beautiful light fixtures and placement, cozy wooden furnishings, and mismatched antique plates gives me a peaceful escape from the bustling city outside.


2. Your fresh, farm-to-table, organic, gorgeous food keeps me coming back for more (note: I can’t wait for you to bring back that seasonal juicy, organic strawberry salad back!).



3. THIS Roasted Kabocha Squash Toast. I didn’t even know what kabocha was, but I learned from your flannel-wearing waitress that it’s a winter squash that tastes like heaven. Paired with ricotta and apple vinegar cider, it’s perfection (trust me on this, and order this for sure!)

4. Your healthy food options that make me feel like I’m a better person overall, or at least a little more conscious about slightly surpressing my inner-fat girl urges when I dine with Cali natives like Sadia and Mehran. Mehran works out before and after dinner and often brings his gym bag to place on the designated chair next to him. Sadia is a regular kickboxer (you may also find her doing strange plies and other ballerina-esque split moves at the gym while holding her phone in safe distance, but don’t ask why). She also carries a bottle of water wherever she goes. In comparison, I like to pre-game with pizza and stare at the ceiling thinking about how much food I’m going to consume while I count down the minutes to dinner.


5. And then I order more pizza. But I digress…

6. The cheeseburger is one that only a friend like Mehran can mess up by ordering with jalapenos on the side. WHO puts jalapenos on the side? The rosemary fries though were beyond perfection, and even such an insolent patron as he could not mess this up.

7. THE BRUSSELS SPROUTS. Do any of you understand how much I LOVE brussels sprouts? I legit fantasize about them throughout the day, and ABC is another culprit as to why. I’m a horrible person and fake offer these to people, which after they have their bite, I carry on to inhale the rest. As I did that night..cooked to perfection on a bed of chipotle-type mayo sauce.

Mayhaps the only time we were underwhelmed was dessert: The apple pie with cinnamon ice cream wasn’t special or memorable enough (maybe warming the apple pie part would help) but we at least got our sweet fix in.

This place is quite special. Jean-Georges, we tip our hat to you.

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As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve embarked on a three-week cleanse that has totally turned my eating habits upside-down (in a good way). It focuses on eating a lot of non-processed, fresh veggies and fruits and cutting out other mostly-bad-for-you things (caffeine, dairy, etc.). The first week was rough — but I’ve slowly adapted and I’ve been feeling pretty amazing. I’ve had more energy, fitting into my jeans better, even my skin has been responding positively. In the past week I’ve had two people comment on its ‘glow’ (shucks!).

The hardest part I found has simply been A) finding time to do groceries and prepare my meals; B) when I’m short on time, finding places that will serve food that fit the parameters of the cleanse and still taste good. I’ve relied on Blue Dog for healthy, organic shakes some mornings, and anywhere I can get my hands on a salad. After working out with my friend Hamid last weekend, he took me to a cafe I probably would have never found on my own: JivamukTea Cafe. He tends to always show me some hidden gems in the city.

The “hidden” cafe lives on the 2nd floor of the Jivamuktea Yoga School in Union Square (right smack in between Max Brenner and Cosi!). With no sign or indication of a cafe up there, you may very well pass right by it.

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I used to think New Year’s Resolutions were pointless. I’d make a generic list in my head of what I wanted to work on, but without definite goals, they would be long forgotten. But after this past year, I realized they can be beneficial especially if you have concrete goals. January 1st is technically just a day like any other but I like the idea of having a marker to reflect and take stock of the past year. Among my resolutions last year were to visit South America (check!) and sign up for a dance class (well, I did sign up, I still have to go…I’m just carrying it over to this year). That said, I’m still working out my list of resolutions this year…2012 kind of crept up on me and I didn’t necessarily plan ahead…

That said, one of the things I have been more cognizant of lately is my physical health and what I put in my body. Thus, I just started this cleanse with some friends and I’m hoping to keep it up for the next three weeks. Normally, I would find this type of thing terrifying, but after experiencing my very first cleanse with Ritual Cleanse last year, I’m a little less intimidated…excited if anything.

Mid-last year, I was not feeling my best. I was working ALL the time, and barely found time to even go to the gym which I always felt I had been good about before. I needed to “reset,” and I wanted to start with my diet. At that point, I had heard of cleanses, and was curious but have never really tried one before. It was a bit serendipitous actually, because when I started asking people if they recommended any, my friend Kristan told me about her obsession with Ritual Cleanse. It’s basically a liquid detox cleanse, where depending on which program you choose, you are sent fresh, 100% organic fruit and vegetable juices that act as meal replacements to rid your body of toxins and nourish it with vitamins and minerals. While I think a lot of people associate cleanses with weight loss, I was in it for other benefits — mostly for energy and mental clarity (I was starting to experience a bit of brain fog at work and was finding it hard to just focus).

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Last weekend, I was trying — trying — to get some writing done bright and early in the morning right when I woke up at 11 AM. But on an empty stomach, I could barely get myself to write out a sentence. And it was one of those occasions in my kitchen where I had like five boxes of cereal but no milk, butter but no bread, pancake mix and no energy, etc. I wanted something quick too since I had a whole day planned that required me to be out and about, not sitting in front of my computer.

I asked my cousin/roomie, Safia, where we can grab a quick breakfast and her eyes lit up as if she’s been waiting for me to ask her this all morning:

“Oh Shy! There’s this place I pass by everyday to work called Blue Dog Café and I’ve been meaning to check it out! Let’s go!” {direct quote}

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By Sadia Khawaja

You’re nobody in Hollywood ’till you’ve successfully mastered the art of multi-tasking. And you’re nobody in any ‘wood ’till you’ve successfully mastered the art of being Fabulous, Fit and Fun. So when E! News Correspondent Giuliana Rancic (master of all of the above), launched her new initiative, FabFitFun, it’s only fitting that I was pumped up in my kicks and inspired to feel fabulous, fit and fun at the aptly titled FFF Spotlight Event at the beautiful Oceana Hotel in Santa Monica, CA last Thursday evening.

Full of all the ingredients for a healthy and fabulous evening with great sponsors, primo company, and an amazing swag bag, this event had me moving and shaking all night. What I thought would be a ‘light’ 15 minute Zumba session, ended up being an intensely amazing full-on Zumba course right on the beach as the sun set.

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