Obviously as a pregnant person, a huge concern is chemical in the home and body. Once you start to look at labels, you start to realize some of the cleaning and care items you've been using probably need to go. We're pretty good about using natural ingredients regularly, bit sometimes those products lack the same efficacy of the more chemical-heavy products. 

I was excited when Formulary 55 offered to send me some products to try because they are kind of a rad company. Based in Southern Colorado, every product they make - branding from home care to skin care and candles - is vegan, cruelty-free, SLS-free, and paraben-free. Plus, unlike most bigger home care their products are individually handmade with natural ingredients every time, ensuring more care and quality into every product they make!

I was excited to try the products and have to say - I LOVED them. I was sent the Natural Home Care Collection in the Ginger Blossom scent to try, as well as the Gardenia Blossoms Glass Candle. I have been especially loving the hand soap and laundry powder. They smell SO good and work really well, too! The room spray has made a lovely addition to our home as well, and smells AMAZING; so does the candle - Gardenia is one of my favorite scents! I would highly recommend trying Formulary 55 products if you are looking for a cleaner home care brand alternative, especially right now when supporting small businesses is SO important. 

​Formulary 55 has agreed to join me in a giveaway for one lucky reader. Scroll down for enter details!

Giveaway details! We're teaming up to send a bottle of the All-Purpose Cleaner and Natural Laundry Powder in the Ginger Blossom Scent to one lucky winner! To enter, head over to my instagram and follow the simple tag and follow instructions. We'll announce the winner there at the end of the week! 

In the meantime, stay safe and wear a mask out there, cuties. Back soon with my first trimester pregnancy recap. Be well!

I get SO many questions from you guys on what apps I like to use and utilize to edit my Instagram feed. It's super flattering and definitely no secret, so I wanted to craft a little post today on what apps specifically I like to use to edit my photos and stories before I post! I'm not much of a post-scheduler, so I often edit my photos in real time on my phone or on my computer right before I decide to post, and then just post whenever I find time or feel inspired. I think that's how I keep my feed most authentic - not a ton of pre-planning, and just enough cleaning up of the photos that they're still enjoyable to look at and cohesive within the feed. Anyway - would love to hear what you babes think! Have you tried these apps? Are you sitting on some hidden gems I should be using? Let me know in the comments below. Otherwise let's talk editing, friends! 

If you're wondering how most people get that cohesive, similar vibes look on all their photos - chances are they're using Lightroom. I know I am! Part of the Adobe suite, you can use Lightroom on a computer or through a phone app and it is the fastest way to make your photos look more professional. You can edit all facets of a photos light, color, shade, temp, ect - plus create your own filters and presets so you can consistently get the same edited feel on all your photos. I have created a few of my own presets that I like to use to keep things looking clean and similar, so often times I'll start by slapping one of my presets on the photo and then editing whatever else needs it from there!

An oldie but a goodie - almost a must-have-y. VSCO is easily the best go-to photo editor on your phone. Laden with editable presets and filters, with more styles always available for purchase in the store, this app allows you to not only edit but store and share with the world if you so choose. Before I really went for a super consistent look on my feed and started running everything through LR, I used VSCO pretty exclusively. It works great and there's a filter style for everyone's aesthetic, plus you can save your presets for super easy future editing. I feel like VSCO if great for enhancing colors and specific attributes of a photo. My husband basically only uses VSCO when he does any editing - so you know it's easy and quick!

Look I'm really not much of a retoucher, and never on a photo of myself - but sometimes you need a little extra help! In the photo above I specifically used it to edit some cracks out of the wall behind the bars and also edit out a couple darker spots on the wall to prevent from describing. It's super handy! If you are into some subtle retouching, I'm a big fan. It's super easy to use, easy to edit, and even easier to recommend - seriously, the best quick-fix photo editor around AND a cheap download!

The Unfold app has quickly become one of my favorite story and layout editors for instagram. It costs like 99¢ to download and has optional in-app purchases for different styles of frames and layouts. It makes organizing and theming your instagram stories super easy and really fun to do. There are tons of frames and ways to add text and revise your photos and videos within the app. I love using it to highlight specific shots or to bring extra attention to a slide and I ALWAYS get DM's asking how I made it happen. Highly recommend!

HOW FUN IS THIS APP?! It makes all your photos look like they were processed through an old snap and shoot film camera with the colors, light effects and dates of the photos along the sides. Its a total 90's throwback and I LOVE it! Since I try to keep my feed pretty consistent in color and photo type, I usually just use these edits to spice up my stories. Loving it though - especially for a cute retro photoshoot!

This post is sponsored by So Delicious and all opinions are my own. 

Good morning, guys! We’re off to a slow start over here this morning but have a busy day ahead. A planned yoga photoshoot with my favorite photographer on a trail I’ve never hiked before - should be exciting! But first, we’re slowing it down, enjoying the morning, and making a refreshing morning matcha with my new favorite nut milk. Now before I sell you on why this new crafted nut milk makes my morning matcha taste better, let me tell you why I normally avoid store bought nut milks: they’re packed with weird, unpronounceable ingredients and they taste funny. Not good funny, but a little weird funny. Like whatever the bottle is made of, or whatever weird stabilizers they added to the milk to make it shelf stable. Ick.

Lucky for us, food trends keep driving toward cleaner labels and simpler ingredients, and bigger brands with more influence are catching on, too. We’ve become a society that prefers to know where it’s food comes from - and I LOVE that. Even luckier for us, So Delicious Dairy Free is getting in on the clean label game with their brand new 7-ingredient or less Organic Almondmilk with Cashew! It comes in 3 styles - Original, Vanilla and Unsweetened, and all contain quite literally 7 (or less!) super clean, purposeful ingredients and ZERO carrageenan. To paint you a clearer picture, here’s what’s inside the vanilla: organic almondmilk (filtered water, organic almonds), organic cane sugar, organic cashews, sea salt, gellan gum, real vanilla extract. I mean DANG! It doesn’t get much more pronounceable than that, am I right?! These super simple, clean ingredients mean it needs to be refrigerated to stay fresh, so look for their stylish new designs in the refrigerated milk section of your grocery store.

While you’re in that aisle, you may notice that these clean, tall bottles look a little different than most of the other bottles on the shelf and that’s because - HI! - they are! These bottles are super unique - not only is the inside material made of plants, the OUTSIDE is, too! This totally recyclable bottle is made from at least 80% plants - renewable sugarcane, to be exact. This helps to reduce So Delicious’ dependence on fossil fuels, which is great for the planet! I love the rich, creamy texture that combining the almond and cashewmilks gives, and the unsweetened version has quickly become my go-to milk in all of my sweet and savory recipes! Even better, these smooth, light-tasting almondmilks are USDA certified, organic, non-GMO certified, and of course - dairy, soy, and gluten-free! No artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives to be found in these clean, healthy plant milks. Sharing my favorite Almondmilk Matcha Latté recipe below - scroll down for the simple, cozy recipe!

INGREDIENTS:
1-2 teaspoons high quality matcha powder
12 ounces steamed Vanilla So Delicious Almondmilk with Cashew 
3-4 drops stevia OR 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey

DIRECTIONS:
Simply heat your milk until warm, not to a boil. Using a milk frothy or a high-speed blender, been the milk at a high speed until foamy and frothy. Set aside.
In a small bowl combine your matcha powder and a small splash of milk or water using a bamboo whisk. Create a smooth paste with the mixture, then add your additional steamed milk slowly, whisking to combine the matcha all together. Enjoy!

NOTES:
You can add in other powders, oils, and mix-ins if you like, but this my super simple way to enjoy it every morning!
​
Serves 1.

Find So Delicious Dairy Free NEW Organic Almondmilk with Cashew at stores nationwide - head to their website to find a store locator and sign up to receive exclusive product coupons! And let me know in the comments below what YOUR favorite morning drink to get your day started is - I know I can't be the only matcha fan around here, and I'm always looking for new ways to enjoy it. Thanks friends!

The Holidays are here again and that means it's time for our yearly Holiday Gift Guide! This year I've compiled a list of gifts that I would LOVE to open up on Christmas morning - or any morning, let's be honest! Like some of the stuff you see here? All you have to do is share the link with your family members and make shopping that much easier on them. Every product on this list can be purchased online and can be shipped by Christmas (if that's your Holiday of choice!) so no searching through crowded stores or waiting in long store lines. I also included discount codes for you guys when I could - because who doesn't love a good deal?! I'm a real believer in all the things on this list and have tried every single one myself. If you're interested, you can also check out our gift guides from Holidays past: 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, or head over to our SHOP for signed cookbook copies. Let's open some presents! 

1. Canopy Verde Greenpoint Vegan Convertible Backpack 
THIS BAG. You guys - I've been wanting a backpack-style bag for so long now. The 90s are back and so are those adorable black leather bags!  Lucky for all of us, my fave bag brand Canopy Verde has released their Greenpoint Vegan Convertible Backpack just in time for the Holidays and its is THE CUTEST. I'm totally obsessed! It's got all the functionality and comfort of a backpack, with the cute faux leather straps and roomy interior - but has the option of converting into an easy-carry, oversize tote for work or play. I never take it off! I love that I can easily switch from a shoulder bag to an easy carry side tote without having to change anything. And the navy + black style goes with almost everything I wear! Their most popular bag style, it is available in navy, olive, indigo, and stone. And because it's the Holiday season, you can get 10% OFF your order with code: AMBER10. PLUS, when you spend $175, you'll get their chic Carroll Cutch free! The Carroll clutch is a classic foldover clutch made with organic cotton and vegan leather. Makes a great gift - or keep it for yourself! SHOP NOW

2. Cards Against Humanity - The Period Pack
If you haven't played Cards Against Humanity yet, I'll assume you've been living under a rock. It's the most fun, most outrageous and unfiltered game of word and sentence association and it is amazing. I've played with everyone from close friends to my mother-in-law and it's always a good time. These cards are uncensored in the best way - and the Period Pack is no exception. Full of feminine wordplay and menstrual persiflage, this pack will bring hormonal tears of joy to your favorite lady - and it even comes with a wrapped, heart-shaped chocolate, just in case you need it. I thoroughly enjoyed the cleverness of both the cards and the packaging. It's been a rough year for ladies and vaginas in general - but this was a high note in an otherwise crummy year full of pussy jokes. SHOP NOW

3. LL Bean Sweater Fleece Pullover Hoodie
Okay - I already own this. In full disclosure, my sister bought me this for Christmas this year and I ripped into early and have been loving it and keeping cozy ever since! It's the perfect amount of soft & comfortable and makes layering a breeze. I'm a Mainer and have been wearing LL Bean for years - so I can attest to the high quality and incredible return policy. As someone who officially owns three different versions of this fleece, I think the addition of the hood is the best! It keeps your ears nice and toasty, and these new color combos they've come out with are so cute! I'm loving the orange - and this fleece totally matches my snow boots! SHOP NOW

4. LEVO Oil Machine
When I first heard about the LEVO Oil machine I was totally intrigued; a machine that allowed you to create any custom infused oil, at home, with all the conveniences of a countertop coffee pod maker - but easier, cleaner, and sleeker than any other model on the market. Maybe you're wondering, "What kind of infusions could I possibly make?" And friends - the list is so, so long. As a yoga instructor I see value in this machine beyond food infusions, as a tool to help me create my own custom massage oils for practice and teaching. As someone with a love for cooking, I see unlimited infusion possibilities. Everything from garlic-infused olive oil and vanilla-infused vodka to cannabis-infused coconut oil and cinnamon-infused maple syrup. If you can cook with it, you can infuse it! The machine uses controlled heat and time are used to transfer the flavor, scent, color, and nutrients from a variety of ingredients into the carrier of your choice. And it's now sold in 4 colors - but I am LIVING for that rose gold! Use code GOODSAINT to get $10 OFF your LEVO infuser! SHOP NOW

5. The Reversible Mat 3mm from Lululemon
​I'm just obsessed with this mat. I've been using it for at least 6 months now and its my go-to for my everyday yoga practice. They make a slightly more cushioned 5mm version, but I've found this one being slightly smaller makes it perfect for all the traveling I do! It comes in a range of colors (I have one in Emerald Green from last season) and because it's two sided and reversible, is perfect for everything from sweaty hot yoga to a relaxing restore class. I rarely use the extra grippy side because the regular side - made with a polyurethane top layer that absorbs moisture - tends to be grippy enough, but I love the option in my sweatier, slipperier classes! Whenever I need another mat, I'd buy this one again for sure! SHOP NOW

6. Homestyle Vegan Cookbook
I'm not one to push a lot of stuff on you guys, but if you don't already own it and you're looking for a great Holiday gift, my cookbook can still make it to you in time! It's stuffed with 80 original, cozy, comforting dishes - each with a full-page color photo - that'll remind you of what Mama used to make...only healthier! Plus, it's 34% OFF on Amazon right now! SHOP NOW

7. Hydroflask - 40 oz with Straw Lid
We love our Hydroflask bottles and snack containers for iced and hot drinks and for taking warm breakfasts or lunches on the go. We each have a 32 oz bottle with a wide mouth lid, plus a 12 oz and 16 oz snack container and we are literally constantly using them. Now that I'm teaching yoga, having a larger amount of water and an easier way to grab a quick sip would be helpful, so I'm hoping Santa sneaks one of these babies under my tree - I love it in white! SHOP NOW

8. Native AP Mercury Lightknit Shoes 
​I've worn my current pair of Native sneakers almost to death. They're the most comfortable shoes I own! I bought them just before our Honeymoon to Europe and ended up walking at least 20 miles a day in them. I never got blisters and the materials are so incredibly light and breathable that you can wear them with or without socks. The  I can't wait to order my next pair and love the look of these mercury lightknits! They're clean, sporty, and I'm sure just as crazy comfortable. Plus, they're vegan!  SHOP NOW

9. Square Organics Protein Popcorn
I think Square Organics is making some of the best, most innovative, plant-based protein-packed snacks out there right now. They already have an 8-flavor line of SUPER yummy protein bars, and this year they released a line of cashew crisp bars that are like a healthy rice krispies. They're SO yummy! On top of that, they also dropped a line of protein popcorn this year. Let that sink in - snacking on popcorn AND getting a healthy serving of plant-based protein? HECK YES! It comes in three flavors - sweet, spicy, and salty and while I'm a sucker for plain salted, I think the spicy is a gift from the gods. You can use code GOODSAINT to get 20% OFF + FREE SHIPPING on their website! SHOP NOW

10. Healthade Holiday Cheers Kombucha
If you follow me on IG, you know I'm always preaching about probiotics! If you love someone, give them the gift of happy belly bacteria! I know it sounds weird, but I promise - they'll thank you. Plus, it tastes great! Healthade is an incredible company that still brews small batch kombucha in glass jars right here in LA. I love that they're committed to keeping it real and keeping their flavors creative - like this warm, cozy Holiday Cheers flavor! Stay tuned and give us a follow on IG - we're hosting a giveaway with them next week! In the meantime, find your favorite flavor and order a 6-pack on their website! SHOP NOW

11. CorePower Yoga Gift Card
You guys know that I LOVE Corepower Yoga! I got certified in both 200-hr Power Yoga and Yoga Sculpt this year and have nothing but positive things to say about my experiences. I'm made tons of friends and learned an incredible amount - my practice has gotten so much stronger. I still take class ay my home studio at least 4 days a week! They're having an great sale right now, so if you've been thinking about checking out a class - or just want to stock up on some new yoga gear - grab yourself a gift card! Right now, you can get a $100 gift card for just $80. That's a steal! SHOP NOW

I have always had a ton of hair. For years thought I had 'thick' hair, but as I got older and got better hair stylists, I realized that my hair strands were actually really fine - I just grow a ton of it. Which explains why I'm also the kind of girl that has to shave everyday if she wants consistently smooth legs. Haha thanks Dad! Anyway, for years I totally fought against my own hair style and washed my hair EVERY SINGLE DAY. I had convinced myself that because I was an athletic kid, I needed to be washing my hair every day to keep it clean and sweat-free. So I'd get up every morning, take a HOT shower (I grew up in very cold Maine!), then blow dry my hair, straighten it, and then use a bunch of products to smooth down the frizz and flyaways my crazy hair always had. Here's what I was really doing: a LOT of damage. First, your hair doesn't need to be washed everyday. It only needs to be washed when it looks or smells dirty really, which sounds like some hippie sh!t, but bear with me. Your hair has natural oils that keep your scalp healthy and moisturized. These oils travel the length of your hair, obviously more concentrated at the scalp, to keep it moisturized and healthy as well. Because I was washing my hair EVERYDAY, my poor hair oils were getting stripped on the daily with no chance to ever repair; I was washing in super hot water, so my hair and scalp were drying out more they should be; I would get out and towel dry like crazy, rubbing that friction all around my wet strands, trying to get excess water out; I would then heat style my hair with no heat protecting products, and then head out into the freezing cold winter air in Maine and watch it just POP into frizzes and flyaways. And no wonder!

After years of poor hair torture, I met a stylist who really broke it all down for me. I needed to wash less, every couple days. I could style with heat but needed to use protective creams and oils first. I needed to take care of my hair! Especially as someone who doesn't dye or do anything crazy really, hair health is SUPER important to me - and I didn't understand how people with color-treated hair could have nicer locks than I did still! I realized I needed to overhaul my hair routine, starting with how often I was washing it. Even though the salon said every few days, I was having a lot of trouble transitioning from my once-daily washing at first. Because my hair had become so accustomed to my stripping it of it's oils daily, even washing a few times a week left me with greasy looking locks by day two or three. I HATED walking around with the 'greasy' look - I felt so unprofessional looking! - and went back to daily washing. I needed a better solution, and started doing a lot of research into once weekly hair washing online. The best advice I got was from other women who were experimenting the same way and trying to cut back on the 'poo. Their advice? GET OVER IT! Haha. Really! It only takes a few weeks for your hair to really adjust, so if you can be a little oily and wear a baseball cap for a few days, you can transition your hair to once weekly washing. I started utilizing dry shampoo and avoiding social situations for a few weeks, and before you know it, my hair started finding some real balance!

I'm not in the group that coconut oil bombs my hair before I wash because usually by that point in the week, my hair is pretty oily at the roots and doesn't need any help. The most helpful trick I found while transitioning my hair was to stick to a single day of the week for washing your hair - two, if you need it while you work your way down from daily washing. I still shower daily but keep my hair in a shower cap or high ponytail to prevent it from getting wet UNLESS I've been working out, then sometimes I'll rinse my hair clean and let it dry and style as normal. For instance, I might wash my hair on Sunday when I shower, but mid-week I will only rinse my hair after a super sweaty workout session. If I don't rinse my hair of product every two days or so, it gets greasier on it's own due to product build-up. 

So, let's fast-forward to now! I am totally crazy about keeping my hair happy and healthy - and honestly it looks better than it ever has. I feel like I've finally gotten a handle (at almost 30) on how to take care of my hair properly, and how to make to look pretty good, too! Here's my current hair routine: I wash my hair on Sundays. I use Giovanni Tea Tree shampoo above to give myself a good scalp massage and really get my hair clean, then rinse really well before using the corresponding tea tree conditioner above, as well. I use each for about half the length of time it takes me to shower - which isn't very long - maybe two minutes on each. After I'm rinsed and ready to get out, I pull my hair into a low ponytail and squeeze all the excess water down the drain. I flip my head over and wrap it lightly but securely with a towel - not tousling at all. After a few minutes in the towel, I take the towel off and use a Bass wooden comb to gently help my hair part. It naturally parts pretty much right down the middle, but sometimes some of the hair is out of place, so I carefully use the comb so make my part where I want it. I DON'T brush my hair. (Literally EVER. I have pretty fine hair and I never need it. That said, if you have more texture in your hair and need a brush, brush gently and as little as possible. It causes breakage!) I then use my fingers to separate the strands of my hair and sort of arrange them how I want. The less I touch it the better - it dries with more natural wave that way. I usually spritz some Beach Waves Spray from The Gnarly Whale in and occasionally scrunch it in to create some extra waves. (They have a million scents for their beach wave spray and lately I've been hooked on birthday cake!) I always let my hair air-dry these days - I don't even own a blowdryer! Luckily we live in a warm place, but I always plan ahead and allow for dry time if I have to go somewhere. This also helps my natural wave develop as it dries.

​Once my hair has dried, I have a couple options. If it's midweek and my hair is a little oily, I'll sprinkle in some Acure Dry Shampoo and tousle it around. Its my favorite dry shampoo that I've tried and it sops up oil in a second, leading you with fresh looking hair in no time! If I'm already feeling freshly washed with no need for the dry shampoo, I skip right to the Moroccan Oil Dry Texture Spray. It adds a ton of volume to my fine, limp locks and is especially helpful after a few days no washing - it makes my hair look like I've gotten a fresh blow out! To keep the volume and tame any flyaways at my crown, I like Aussie's Headstrong Volume Hairspray. It's probably toxic AF but it's one of the few hairsprays I've tried (and I've tried them all!) that gives me the perfect balance of hold and bounce without being too shiny. And that's it! Occasionally I still straighten my hair, but I really try and keep it to the ends or for touching up the crazy cow lick I get on the right side of my part. ​

And that's it guys! The secret to my hair. Haha, not that its a secret or an at all impressive routine - but I had been getting so many questions, I figured it was time to break it down for you babes. Hope this was helpful! Do you have any killer hair helpers you've discovered? Let me know! I'm always on the hunt for new, rad products! ​

Hi friends! This post has taken me a lot longer to write than it probably should have, between my crippling anxiety that dealing with this particular event gave me and the fact that my wedding was Saturday. If you wanna see some sneak peeks from our gorgeous, perfect wedding (posts coming soon!), check out my instagram page + story. If you're interested in reading more about my anxiety attack and how I am learning, in an ongoing way, to deal with it, you can check out my recent post on both subjects here. If not, then I'm going to dive right into this post and focus on the good: because that's really how I'd prefer to remember it! It wasn't a perfect weekend, but it was pretty great, and I'm really lucky that I had people there that had my back. 

The weekend kicked off in a caravan to Palm Springs and a visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum to see the new Jeffrey Gibson installation in the sculpture gardens. Our ultimate goal that afternoon before our AirBNB check-in would be to visit Desert X, his other running installation just a mile from where we were staying in PS. The sculpture garden was really neat, and I particularly loved the amount of blown glass artwork they had - so cool to see! 

After the museum we headed a little further into town to the Palm Greens Cafe, one of my favorite places to grab a meal whenever I'm in town. They have a great, super vegan-friendly breakfast, brunch, and lunch menu, plus a board full of fresh juices and smoothies that'll keep you cool in the hot desert weather. My favorite is their Pineapple Jalapeño Cucumber juice - it's sweet, spicy, and super refreshing. We met up with most of the rest of our group at the restaurant for lunch, and texted final grocery and alcohol orders to the stragglers meeting us at the house later. At this point I was getting super excited to see where we'd be staying and to finally head over to the Desert X exhibit. We headed to the AirBNB for check-in, and were a little surprised at how small it was; cute - totally! But also super much smaller than it looked in photos (isn't that always the case?) and a little dingier. But it would do the trick! It was a strange setup - like a house with most of the rooms combined, plus two attached in-law apartments.  A strange structure that made for even weirder sleeping arrangements, but it had a pool and hot tub! Not even the semi-creepy on-property manager (yeah, that definitely wasn't in the listing) could kill the vibe.

We split into rooms, my sister and I splitting one of the larger and more personal in-law apartments, and then headed back to the outskirts of town towards Desert X. The exhibit is basically a large house made entirely of mirrors - and it is super cool! Only about half the group made the trip, but we all thought it was rad and made sure to get plenty of cool photos. I mean, we had to! It was incredible to be alone in an entire room of mirrors - which you might've seen behind the scene footage of if you're following my instagram stories. 😉 

Since I want to be super transparent and honest with you guys, you should know that I was lucky enough to have some really great brand support the weekend through product donation from the following brands: Dandies, Eat Pastry, Harmless Harvest, YumEarth, Organic Gemini, Tater Tats, Larabar, Ozery, Juicero, Hippeas, NadaMoo and Utopia Farms. I want to give them all a HUGE shoutout for being involved and for sharing their products with us for the weekend. They kept us fed, hydrated, full and ready to party, and for that I am so thankful. I love and support ALL of these brands, and recommend their products for real: no paid advertisement needed! 

The snacks made the weekend a freaking blast - and saved us a bunch of time and money. Our fridge was fully stocked - it was truly a thing of beauty. I wish I'd gotten a better picture, but the lighting info ur AirBNB was total crap - lots of shade to block out that hot desert sun. There's a picture of every product on here, but the Ozery + Juicero (in the bottom right of the first photo set) are unlabeled - though were maybe the most eaten products! 😝

We loved using Organic Gemini's tigernut-based protein for our morning smoothies along with some fresh fruit (especially those that indulged in alcohol the night before, haha!) and munching on Larabars all day long between meals to keep us full-time on healthy fats. The Harmless Harvest and Juicero kept us hydrated around the pool, and the Dandies, Eat Patsry, YumEarth and NadaMoo made delicious desserts! Most of the attendees had never tried Hippeas before and they were and instant hit at the party. Utopia Farms provided the medicated edibles - which was AWESOME for me because I don't really drink, and Tater Tats gave us the temporary tattoo entertainment!

The first morning we woke up and everyone was a little hungover - except me - so I practiced a little yoga and made morning smoothies for the group. The rest of the day was the perfect pool day - lots of sun, drinking, poolside snacking, and floating around in fruit-shaped inflatables. I brought along a tie dye kit and we made rad, very nineties souvenirs take home. Turns out you can get a super easy, 30-dye kit with easy apply nozzles at Michaels for like $20. It was so worth it! The evening was a blur of games of Cards Against Humanity, late-night hot tubbing, and some serious dance sessions. We headed to bed late and got up early the next day for our 11 am check out. Everyone was sleepy, a little hungover, and tired of being in the sun. 

Lots of long and loving goodbyes later, we were on the road home. I was exhausted from the weekend emotionally and physically, and was so ready to get home to see (my now HUSBAND!) Alex. We cruised back past the Cabazon Dinosaurs and home. Over - a great weekend. My tips? I've got a few!

• Plan activities that everyone can actually commit to. My morning yoga mesh was a major bummer for me because everyone else was hungover and uninterested.
• Bring lots of healthy snacks! We wee lucky that we had help from such great companies. But buying healthy snacks in bulk is a great way to DIY on the cheap.
• Make time for you and your needs during the weekend. I didn't do that enough, and ended up feeling sad and stressed because of it. 
• Ask friends to keep it vegan (or veg-friendly, or whatever your thing is!) because it's your weekend. It's okay to be selfish! 
• Make sure you stay hydrated! That's half the battle in the heat. 
• Accept that things won't always go as planned. And that's okay.

And once it's all over, just remember - no matter how it goes - you are that much closer to marrying your partner and that part is so, so worth it. A snapshot of the crew below - thanks to all my friends for sharing my bachelorette weekend with me! 

Alex and I had the pleasure of attending our very first Southern California Cannabis Cup last weekend at the San Bernardino fairgrounds and had a total blast. We really didn't know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised when, after following respected magazine account High Times on instagram, we saw that tickets were reasonably priced. So we bought them! We arrived in the afternoon (the event went 3 pm to 11 pm) and got checked in pretty easily, barely bag searched, and sent in to get wristbands. Anyone could get in with a ticket, but to get into the sampling + smoking section, you had to have proof of your medical rec on you. After getting into the inner sanctum (and the sampling tents!) we started seeing similarities between this event and something like Expo West. It's basically the same idea - an expo of all the growers, sellers, and products hitting the market in one place, for people who consider themselves connoisseurs. There was everything from flower and bud to smoke, to crumble and shatter to dab, to edibles from every corner of the stoner culinary world - including some really great vegan ones! We scoured the show, taking the occasional dab and sucking down CBD water to stay hydrated, looking for the very best, newest vegan, GF, and better for you edibles at the show and found some really great ones. Scroll down for my list of the best in show - you may find yourself a new must-have treat! 


1. Mary Jane Juice Co. Fresh-pressed Juices + Nut Milks

We found the Mary Jane Juice Co. nearly last at the show (pictured above 👆), but we're so glad we did! They had a sampling of at least 6 flavors at the show, but these two were the stand-outs for us; the 100 mg Vanilla Almond Milk and the 200 mg Ancient Healing Tea. They're both low-sugar, vegan, and totally raw, plus each packs a hearty cannabis punch to help sure whatever's ailing ya! The milk, smaller in dosage size, was $10 and the tea was $20, but it would also be more than one serving for most people. These drinks are packed with good-for-you-ingredients so you can reap the pain relief benefits of the drink along with the inherent nutritive value of the drink itself. They're guilt-free, great on the go, and taste great - no weird marijuana aftertaste. Find more info on their Instagram!

2. Cheef Naturals Chews + Super Fruit Bars

Okay guys, all terrible branding and racism aside (the name Cheef and their branding at the show -- white girls dressed as Native Americans -- realllllly needs to be reconsidered) these edibles are really phenomenal. They're one of the only edibles I've seen on the market with a focus on being super, super healthy. I'd tried their super fruit bars before and loved how they tasted like a raw, flax-y granola bar. The high was great too, but it just felt so nice to eat an edible that aligned with how I eat the rest of the time. The coconut caramel chews are a new product, very similar in texture to Cocomels, but infused with marijuana. And packing a hearty THC punch with 5 doses (100 mg) per chew! Find more on their products here.

3. Half Lit 25 mg THC Pops

These pops just get cooler and cooler! Not only do they taste great, pack a solid little punch, and are made with organic ingredients, but when you finish this pop you can recycle the stick by PLANTING it! It contains cannabis seeds, so when planted and watered will turn your trash into a big, beautiful plant. I love this idea! Such a clever way to cut waste and encourage recycling. Just make sure that if you plant the stick, you live in an area where you won't get in trouble if you get caught. Be smart friends. (Here in CA we are allowed to keep plants, but please check your laws before you plant anything! Duh. 😝) We picked up a pineapple and watermelon pop for later, and hope to start seeing these at more of our local dispensaries soon! Find out more about them here.

4. Zendo Infused Peanut Butter

This was one of my favorite product from the show, and maybe the one I'm most excited about for other people to try. It's literally just an infused peanut butter, which each packet 1 oz packet containing a 50 mg serving of THC (hybrid strains). It's the perfect healthy snack, literally containing just all natural raw peanuts and cannabis. With no added sugar or weird ingredients, this edible is perfect for people looking to stick to a specific diet or who have to eat healthfully because they're not well. Plus, it packs a great punch of protein! (If you have to do chemo and can't get a lot of food down, this may be a great option as well.) This same company also makes a similar single serving packet of coconut oil, perfect for eating raw or cooking with. I can't wait to slather this stuff all over my morning toast, add it to my smoothie, and make a soba noodle salad using this for the peanut sauce. It's so versatile! Find more at ZendoEdibles.com.

5. Cali Gold Genetics Cannabis Infused Body Butter

​This booth caught our attention as we were walking by because they were one of the few advertising as a VEGAN product - which we loved, and of course stopped to check out. These body butters are made with quality, moisturizing ingredients like cupuacu butter, kokum butter, cannabis infused coconut and olive oils and vanilla infused jojoba oil, and rubs on super thick and emollient, but not greasy. There are 4 different types, all designed to alleviate pain, inflammation and irritation and to protect and nourish your skin. It's amazing stuff! I actually talked to the woman at the booth for awhile about my psoriasis and she explained that she actually started making these salves as an alternative to medicated psoriasis creams for her boyfriend. I've started using it on my psoriasis on my thighs and have been loving the results - super moisturized and no flaking! Find more about their salves other website here.

About 4 months ago I officially came out of the GREEN CLOSET with my review of Dr. Raw, a Medicated Edibles company that makes a bunch of great, vegan options. This post, like that one, will quickly become one of those 'if you don't know, now you know' posts. For some of you, it'll be more like uhm, duh! If you know me personally, it's probably the latter. Before I totally shock you with my grand exit from the green closet, let me just remind you that this is my choice. You can make yours. I am very pro-choice, and I want to offer these reviews both for people who may medically need the products and would like an honest review before they try 'em, and because medical marijuana is now legal is 28 states and DC and frankly, it seems like everybody's enjoying it. One more quick note - this is very much a safe space for questions and discussion, but no hate. I'm happy to indulge curiosity but never douchebaggery. If you're more comfortable asking me privately, please feel free to email at and I'll do whatever I can to help you and/or answer your questions.
​
Now, if you're new to the edibles game or you're just looking for more information, let me tell you that I've tried 'em all. Well, just about. I have a great relationship with marijuana and use if often for pain relief, so I'm always trying new products to see what the best options are. Lucky for me, I live in Southern California - where there are no shortage of dispensaries to buy what you need in a safe, healthy environment, much like a doctors office. I've narrowed it down to what I consider the 5 BEST Vegan Medicated Edibles on the market right now! They may only be available in Southern California (or another weed-friendly state like Washington or Colorado), but it's always good to know what to keep an eye out for, and it's fun to see the latest stuff on the market! Now - here's where we get real: I'm surely not promoting drug use for people who shouldn't be using, but I'm also not here to judge friends. You do you. That said, a few notes before we move on.

1. KNOW YOUR DOSAGE. Start small. Most people should start with a 5-10 mg dose of THC and see where that takes them. For many, that'll be plenty. I personally have a tolerance that allows me to take something more along the lines of 50-60 mg of THC to feel really "high". Work your way to that point. Weed won't kill you, but a bad trip is a bad trip, man.

2. Know what you're eating! THC and CBD are different types of cannabinoids. THC is the one that'll make you feel 'high' - spacey, munch, maybe a little paranoid. CBD is all about pain relief, and won't actually get you 'high' at all. This is the most common type used in things like balms and lotions, specifically targeted for topical use. 

3. Once you start talking THC, there are two main types within that category to be aware of; first, Indica, the strain type that will make you feel sleepier, hungrier, lazier. Great for movie nights, help with sleep, relaxing, looking generally 'stoned' - haha, and by that, I just mean melting into the couch with red eyes. Second is Sativa, most people's daytime go-to and the strain that gives you more of a get up and go feeling after using. Most people who actively smoke or ingest marijuana would probably say this one is the more 'productive' of the two, as it usually gives you energy and motivation - the opposite of indica in that way. 

4. Don't be an idiot, follow the law. I mean, I won't tattle but you're also totally on your own if you fuck up, kids. 

Okay, I think that's it! For more background on why I use marijuana, you should start with our review of Dr. Raw's Edibles. Otherwise, read on to find my Top 5 Favorite Vegan Marijuana Edibles. Happy eating friends!

I knew I was going to love Dr. Raw Organics from the second I saw their booth at the Women Grow convention I went to in LA. It was a small event, and their smiling faces and yummy-looking candies, labeled VEGAN, immediately caught my attention! I'm so glad I found them. They make a range of products, but these cute, simple candy hearts are probably my favorite. They're such a simple, discreet way to get your needed dose, and they taste delicious! Plus, if you smoke or have a cold and get a scratchy throat, they give perfect relief - plus a slight numbing of your sore throat. Their hearts come in two dosage sizes, one a little more CBD focused, which is perfect for starting slow and working up to a bigger dose as needed. They have a range of baked goods, including a few vegan ones, and also have yummy low sugar, raw Date Balls - which is an especially great option if you're health conscious or using marijuana for the health benefits. See all their products and use their product locator here.

​Potency: 100 mg THC | 5 mg CBD (LEFT) 50 mg THC | 50 mg CBD (RIGHT)

Also at the convention, these guys are coming out with more vegan products everyday. I tasted some of their stuff to come at the show - including soft and hard vegan caramels - and was blown away. I haven't seen any of that stuff in my local dispensaries yet but I do keep seeing (and loving!) their macaroons. They have them in at least 2 flavors - vanilla and raspberry - and they both taste great. Most edibles will taste and smell at least reminiscent of marijuana, but these macaroons are really on the low end there. They certainly don't look like what most people think an edible looks like either. These are the perfect dosage size for me - about 50 mg per - but if you're just starting out, I'd recommend trying a half or less to start. Love that these are raw, gluten-free and vegan, the perfect option for health-conscious eaters and people looking to keep their habit as healthy as possible. Also, if you are using marijuana for wellness, chances are you're avoiding extra sugar anyway - these are the best option I've found without going homemade. You can find info about Utopia Farms and check out their product locator here.

Potency: 200 mg THC (50 mg per macaroon)

An oldie but a goodie, these bars are one of the first I ever found when I started exploring dispensaries. I actually tried this tangerine-infused chocolate for the first time in San Jose and totally fell in love with how incredibly not like an edible this bar was. The tangerine really helps to mask the marijuana scent and taste in the bar, which makes it easy to eat. Be careful! This is where edibles sneak up on you. It tastes so good you just keep eating and before you know it, you've overdone it! (If that ever DOES happen, drink a big glass of water and go to bed. You'll be fine.) KIVA is a great company, known for their innovative, high-quality products. Their bars are consistent and they offer 5 flavors that are vegan, not including their new mints and chocolate-covered coffee beans. If you're a connoisseur, this bar brings the taste and the solid dose you're looking for to be impressed. Worth picking up if you see one, for sure. The dosage squares are a little large, start small. Find all their product info and locator here.

Potency: 180 mg THC per bar

Korova makes the best TASTING edible for sure. Like a vegan millionaire bar, this bar is three layers of goodness starting with a cookie crust, filled with a crunchy peanut layer and topped with a smooth, fudgy layer of chocolate. It is TOO GOOD. And another one where you can go overboard if you're not careful! Luckily, they keep this bar vegan, gluten-free, AND low sugar, so no guilt if you go a litttttle overboard. Oh, and this edible is totally ORGANIC! Not something most companies seem to strive for, so it's definitely nice to see. I've also had very pleasant, though sleepy, highs with this bar.Also, their logo is so wacky and wonderful - I love it! Find more about their products and where to find them here. 

Potency: 300 mg THC | >36 mg CBD per bar

This is gourmet dark chocolate with a hint of sea salt - an edible for the adult with a refined palette. Made from 61% cacao, this bar is just the right amount of salty sweet and is broken up into convenient serving-sized squares. It does have a bit more of the marijuana scent and flavor than some of the other edibles, but it's parent company VCC Foods is known for making consistent, high quality edibles and this bar won't disappoint. I took about a third of this bar before a red eye, overnight flight to the East Coast and was happy to fall asleep promptly and sleep soundly until I landed comfortable in Boston. They even make this bar in 3 different flavors, if you like it. For more on their products and where to find them, head here. 

Potency: 180mg THC | ≤ 10mg CBD per bar

If you haven't heard of Juicero yet, listen up - because this thing is AMAZING! I was sent one to review, but I wasn't compensated. I just love it! With my wedding quickly approaching (115 days people! 😬), I have been looking for a way to commit to my morning green drink routine, and have also been totally avoiding sugar. It's tricky business, and it can be hard when you're busy to commit to buying and hauling home enough produce to make a morning habit routine. Plus, my regular juicer has been on the fritz for months and cleaning it is such a pain in the butt - I avoid using it for that very reason. And that sucks! 

Juicero is juicing made smarter - quite literally. This app-based juicer is clean, quick, and couldn't be easier to use. When the juicer came, it came wrapped in a big sturdy box. It was fun to open it and I immediately fell in love with how clean it was. All of the wrapping it came in - and ALL of the juice pack - are completely recyclable. That was a main concern of mine before starting, but I was reassured that all of the cardboard, paper and plastic used are 100% recyclable. Not perfect, but a fair trade for the convenience. The process from delivery of the machine to your first glass is juice is simple. Pre-selected packs you order online or through the app are delivered to your door in refrigerated, well wrapped packaging - again, totally recyclable. 

We got a mix of organic juices over the few weeks including the Greens, Sweet Greens, Spicy Greens, Root Renewal, Granate Glow, and Beta Glow. My very favorite is the Spicy Greens - with a kick of jalapeño - for its flavor, and the fact that it only contains 12 natural sugars. Alex is more partial to the sweeter Beta Glow, but we've both been loving waking up and enjoying a glass before we eat breakfast. It gives me little more energy during my morning workout and helps to stave off my hunger for a little longer. It can be hard to get the full 5 cups of fruits and veggies recommended into your diet every day but drinking fresh, cold-pressed 100% juice is a great way to infuse a daily diet with more fresh fruits and vegetables - so if you're on the fence, this may be the perfect solution. Juicero has engineered the first home, cold-press juicing system that makes raw, organic juice at the touch of a button.

One of my favorite things about the Juicer really is all the technology; first, the packs all contain a QR code with information that the juicer reads at each press. It send info about the juice, what farm the produce was collected on, and when to enjoy your pack by right to your cell phone. Expired packs won't be pressed, so you'll never have to guess at the freshness of your packs. Sure you can't SEE the produce inside, but it come out tasting AMAZING! And actually CUTS DOWN on waste because of the lack of food scraps and ability of the packaging to all be recycled again. You can personalize your weekly orders so you're getting a different range of juices each week if you like. Then you just pop your pack in the press, press the button, and watch as your juice is delivered fresh from the Juicero to your glass. You can even open the package up and use the pulp, if that's your thang! 

I have totally loved using the Juicero and will definitely continue use it - at about $7 a pack it costs me the same as going out and buying a green juice, but is absolutely more convenient. Plus, just this morning I saw they added a NEW Mini Greens flavor that I have to try. Juicero isn't available everywhere yet, but it will be soon - get more info + order at Juicero.com. Use code AP10 for 10% OFF! 

**Full disclosure: I was given this product for FREE to review. I was not otherwise compensated in any way. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Brentwood Home is a Los Angeles-based team of artisans and fabricators making some really healthy, comfortable, ethically-sourced products. I fell in love with them originally when I stumbled upon their meditation pillow and then got it for Christmas. It's filled with buckwheat husks and is seriously the most comfortable thing - it totally aligns my spine and has made me meditation practice something I actually look forward to! When they reached out about trying their all-natural pillows, I was SO down! Brentwood Home has been making home and bedding essentials in Los Angeles for over 30 years. From design to development to manufacturing, they handle it all. From natural latex to organic cotton, they make sure your home is taken care of. Think about it, friends – we spend about 1/3 of our lives in our BEDS! To me, it’s important that they’re as natural as possible. Many mattress and bedding companies use chemical fire retardants, phthalates, and heavy metals when manufacturing and processing their products. Those can’t be good to breathe in through the night, right? The good news is Brentwood Home doesn’t use any of them, and that makes me feel like I can sleep safe and sound. Even better? Their products have a 120-night sleep guarantee and a 25-year warranty! That's why I've teamed up with the folks at Brentwood Home for this awesome $275 Sleep Wellness bundle giveaway, with bedroom essentials that’ll change the way you sleep. Read on to win!

We all know that getting a good night's sleep is a necessity for boosting your mood and banishing under-eye circles, but did you know it can also improve your memory, help curb inflammation, keep a healthy weight, and can even help you live longer? Most of us aren't getting enough, and the sleep we get is disjointed and full of tossing and turning. If your pillows and mattress suck - and more often they do than don't - then it's time to upgrade! In this sleep wellness bundle, you’ll receive four pillows that will have you more excited than ever to jump into bed! Two Latex/ Kapok pillows are filled with all-natural latex ribbons that have a responsive feel that provides uplifting support, combined with a silky-smooth plant fiber called kapok. They’ll be the perfect fit for people who switch between multiple sleeping positions, as they easily mold to your neck and head. The cover is made of organic cotton, grown without toxic pesticides or fertilizers, so you can sleep safe and sound. The winner will also receive two Molded Latex Pillows that are bouncy, resilient, and molded to perfectly contour your head and neck. They’re made with healthy materials for your sleep, like a 100% organic cotton cover, and they’re certified free of synthetic materials by the Eco-institute. While Alex prefers the latex/ kapok combo, I've been seriously loving the next support of the molded latex version. It's so nice to have pillows we can BOTH finally enjoy! 

Plus, I love that Brentwood Home keeps their production process as close to their home in California as possible. They operate their own factory, which gives them complete control over the production process. From design to development to manufacturing, everything they do is in-house and up to their own standards. By eliminating middlemen and shipping directly from their factory to the customer, they’re able to cut manufacturing costs and pass the savings on to you and me. I also love how much California inspires the actual design of their products. It’s clear in the neutral colors, modern design, and eco-friendly materials, plus almost everything is named after a West Coast staple or landmark. California has always been first in line when it comes to environmental regulation, implementing policies that are eventually followed by the rest of the country - nothing says California living like being green!

So, want to WIN these awesome pillows for yourself? You can enter by simply entering your email below! We'll choose a winner and email a winner on Wednesday, 2/8 - so be sure to check the email you provide! International entrants welcome. Good luck!

Whether you win or not, be sure to use Brentwood Home Discount Code OURHOME on your next purchase for 10% OFF!