style | wellness | new york city.
For dinner tonight I had chicken salad with grapes and walnuts atop a bowl of romaine.
To make the chicken salad, I combined:
Hi dolls! Is it seriously already Monday…?! The weekend flew by, but that’s probably because I had such a great one 
Yesterday I spent the day downtown visiting my friend Sara (who just so happens to be my supervisor at work too, haha). Isn’t she lovely?
You know, I’ve lived outside of Philadelphia all of my life, but the amount of time I spend in the actual city is seriously lacking. I live right near one of the greatest cities in the county, and I really want to start taking advantage of that. Not to mention that with amazing restaurants and specialty food markets on every corner, it’s pretty much foodie-heaven.
We met at her place (which, is in thee most fun/adorable neighborhood) where I also met these little rascals.
First Sara and I headed to her favorite local cafe where we got coffee and caught up for a bit. I ordered an iced coffee.
And then…we were off! Sara showed me around her neighborhood…aka where all of the best shopping is 😉 We went in a few amazing thrift stores and walked away with some great finds. I also picked up these fun feather earrings from a store on South Street.
We also stopped at Phileo Yogurt for my very first pimped-out-fro-yo experience.
I must admit that I’ve envied other bloggers for the longest time because these fro-yo joints just don’t seem to exist around me. My exact words to Sara: “Wow, I feel like a real food blogger now!” haha 😛 My bowl contained peanut butter and cupcake batter yogurts, topped with fresh fruit, cookie dough, and coconut.
This might not seem like the best of flavor combinations, but it was. Trust me.
After some more shopping and meeting up with Sara’s roommate Elya, we headed to an early dinner. We went to Alma de Cuba, which is arguably one of the best restaurants in the city. Elya is actually a server there, so we didn’t need much help deciding what to order. We ended up getting a hodge-podge of appetizers, each of which were to die.
Truffled Guacamole - Guacamole with red onions, chives, black truffles and plantain chips:
Lobster Ceviche - Pickled coconut and kaffir lime-coconut puree:
Smoked Marlin Tacos - Iceberg, pickled jalepeno and malanga:
Empanada de Verde - Red kale, manchego cheese and artichoke escabeche:
Yellowtail Kingfish - Yuzu, Thai basil, sweet soy glaze and sichimi togarashi:
Royal Palm Dates - Almond-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon with cabrales blue cheese (my favorite!):
Rainbow Ceviche - Tuna, salmon and black bass marinated in lime juice and jalapeno with roasted sweet potato slices:
We also munched on this killer bread. It was crumbly and sweet, and also happens to be gluten free.
This was hands down some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. If you’re ever in the Philly area, you must go to Alma de Cuba!
We rounded out the day with some even more shopping, and then I headed home. All in all it was a really great day I’m definitely going to make it a point to go downtown more often!
All throughout high school and college, I dreaded the thought of writing papers. The only part of the writing process that I actually enjoyed was when it was finished. Even if I was writing about something that was particularly interesting to me, the fact that it was mandatory and going to be graded sucked the life out of any possible enjoyment or fulfillment that there may have been. The thing is, though - based on my grades - writing is something that I’m not half bad at. Regardless, all I could think about when I graduated from college in December was “I’m never writing again.” And now - here I am - writing every single day and loving it.
Even though I’ve been blogging for a couple of months, I just recently made the realization that I do love writing! In fact, it is easily one of my favorite things to do. Being able to choose what *I* want to write about and knowing that people are actually reading is worlds apart from the reflection papers and thesis’ I wrote during school. Not only do I get to write about what I’m passionate about, but writing itself has become a passion of mine. And, after years of thinking that there wasn’t anything that I was truly good at and passionate about - this was quite an exciting realization for me! Here are a few of the reasons why I truly love writing.
1. It challenges me. Writing isn’t always easy. It forces me to really think through particular topics and find the best way to convey my thoughts. And, now that I’m finished with college, I need that challenge in my life. I feel like writing keeps me on my toes, you know?
2. The thrill that comes when a good topic to write about pops into my head. Normally, this happens at completely random moments in the day. I’ve found that I rarely have to brainstorm topics anymore because they’ll eventually show up on their own.
3. There’s nothing like being in the zone and having the words just flow off my fingers. I’m sure you other writers out there know what I’m talking about! Sometimes writing seems forced, but other times it comes like second nature. I’ve learned to really take advantage of those in the zone times; it’s when I can produce the best material that I have to offer.
4. I feel like I’m continually learning - not just about things I research, but about myself. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve written a blog post or journal entry where the words on the paper reveal something about me that I hadn’t already known.
5. I can reach and connect with people that I otherwise wouldn’t have, and potentially help them. If my readers can walk away with at least one piece of advice or sense of positivity…well, I can’t think of anything more fulfilling.
6. I get the opportunity to share my voice. We live in a world where there are so many different beliefs, values, ideologies, interests, etc., and sometimes it’s easy to feel caught in the middle. Writing has allowed me to find *my* voice in the midst of everyone else’s. Even if my voice doesn’t make much of an impact, the fact alone that I have the freedom to share it is priceless.
Hi darlings! I’m glad to hear that you learned a thing or two from the Allure article. Now get ready to learn even more about how to spot potentially dangerous moles. Alex from I Eat Asphalt put together this amazing post to share with you all. Alex actually works at a Dermatology practice, so this lady really knows what she’s talking about! Enjoy =)
Gracie has provided a ton of great info about the dangers of tanning and sun exposure, but I will be the first one to admit that I did the tanning regime while in high school and college. I’m currently working for a Dermatologist, and let’s just say I’ve been scared into lathering myself with SPF 30 every day… even when working in an office with fluorescent lights. If you are guilty of one too many sunburns, start checking your skin periodically. Changing or irregular moles can be serious and should be evaluated by a dermatologist. Identifying a potentially cancerous mole is as easy as A-B-C-D-E.
A = Asymmetry. If you draw a line through the mole, are the two sides equal?
B = Border. Are the borders uneven or scalloped?
C = Color. Is the mole one solid color, or is it several different shades? Is it brown or has it changed to red?
D = Diameter. Cancerous moles are typically larger than the size of a pencil eraser. Does this mole look larger than other moles?
E = Evolving. Has this mole changed in any way (color, size) or started to bleed or itch?
Okay, so maybe your mole is just a little funny looking but isn’t as bad as the descriptions above. Sun exposure can cause several different types of pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions.
A general irregular mole is a Dysplastic Nevus, which is an unusual benign mole that may resemble melanoma. People who have a DN are at an increased risk of developing a skin cancer later in life.
A large, crusty skin lesion is most often an Actinic Keratosis, which develop from chronic sun exposure. AKs develop when ultraviolet light from the sun damages cells in the skin, specifically affecting the keratinocytes which give skin its texture. AKs are the most common pre-cancerous lesion.
The most common type of skin cancer is Basal Cell Carcinoma occurring the basal cells, which line the deepest layer of the epidermis. Nearly all reported basal cells occur on areas of the body that were chronically exposed to the sun, such at the face, neck, back and shoulders. Basal cells often do not resemble other irregular moles and have a separate class of characteristics.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. SCC arises in the squamous cells that make up most of the skin’s epidermis. Squamous cell carcinomas may occur on all areas of the body, but is most commonly seen in areas with high sun exposure. Here’s a startling fact: Frequent use of tanning beds multiplies the risk of developing a squamous cell by 2.5 times. Squamous cell carcinomas typically appear as a thick, rough, scaly patch that can bleed if irritated.
So let’s say that your dermatologist has identified a suspicious lesion and confirmed the diagnosis with a biopsy. What are your treatment options? Most pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions are removed through a local surgery. These procedures can be completed in the doctor’s office without anesthesia, and often have both short healing times and minimal complications. The only major side effect is scaring from stitches. Several other options exist to treat lesions, which are evaluated based upon the patients past medical history, medications and age.
The only way to prevent these lesions is protective skin measures. This means applying an SPF of at least 15 every day. This will not only help prevent a nasty growth, but will also help to keep you wrinkle free. And that is a beautiful thing my friends.
Sources
Skin Cancer Foundation: http://www.skincancer.org/
American Academy of Dermatology: http://www.aad.org/public/
A HUGE thanks goes out to Alex for this wonderful post. You’re the best, girl!
Back when I first began addressing the issue of tanning, my girl Emily (aka my go-to beauty expert) told me that there was an article about tanning in the latest issue of Allure.
The other day I finally picked up a copy and was so excited to see how much great information was provided. I even caught myself highlighting certain phrases a la my college days 😛 I’m going to do my best to point out what I thought was some of the most interesting and helpful advice provided in the article, titled Sun Haze.
“When ultraviolet rays burn us, they a) suppress the immune system of the skin, weakening its defenses against toxic pollutants, viruses, and bacteria and b) damage or cell’s DNA.”
“SPF numbers don’t tell you anything concerning protection against UVA rays…look for a sunscreen that promises broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB.”
“Never apply less than a teaspoon of sunscreen for the face…aim for at least one tablespoon for each arm and each leg and use even more on the chest and the back. The key is to slather, not just dab.”
‘The sunscreen should be applied thickly enough that it takes about five minutes to sink in…put it on about a half-hour before you go into the sun.”
“The spots we [usually] miss: the back of the neck, ears, lips, hands, upper lip, temples, between the eyes, and the tops of the feet.”
“Sunburns even once a year can increase the risk of melanoma.”
“Let’s put it this way: How bad are cigarettes, mustard gas, and arsenic? Last July, the International Agency for Research on Cancer equated tanning beds to these dangers, and added them to its highest-risk category - unequivocally carcinogenic to humans. ‘One burn in a tanning bed equals 10 to 12 sunburns,’ [David] Bank says.”
“People who use tanning beds before age 30 increase their lifetime risk of melanoma by 75 percent.”
This red box provided what I thought to be some of the most interesting information.
The article also suggested the following skin-care products for sun damage protection/repair.
….I’m personally interested in the Coppertone Sensitive Skin Faces and Skineuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense. The oil and stickiness of sunscreen is what I dislike the most, so I’m glad to see products coming out that are more application-friendly =)
I hope you all found this article helpful! If you want more information feel free to email me, or pick up your own copy of this month’s Allure!
Newman, J. (2010, May). Sun haze. Allure, 114-122. Contributing health experts: David Bank, Linda Franks, David J. Leffell, Ellen Marmur, Robert Schiestl, Ava Shamban, Howard Sobel.
Yesterday afternoon I got what I’m now going to refer to as the Sunday baking itch. I wanted to keep it simple, but the result looked and tasted anything but.
Usually I have this weird thing where I only like to eat pumpkin-y things during the Fall/holiday season (yeah, I’m weird like that), but believe me when I say that there is always room for Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with cream cheese icing. And really believe me when I say that this is the easiest recipe ever!
cupcake ingredients:
icing ingredients:
To make the cupcakes, combine the cake mix and pumpkin - and that’s it! I got this idea from one of Hungry Girl’s chocolate cupcake recipes and figured it’d be just as good (if not better) with spice cake mix. The pumpkin replaces the oil, eggs, etc. that the box directions calls for, which not only makes the cupcakes healthier, but in my opinion it makes them even more moist and flavorful.
Follow the baking directions on the box, which in my case was 18-23 minutes at 325 degrees. My batch was perfectly done at 18 minutes, so be sure not to overcook them.
To make the icing - start by combining the softened butter and cream cheese with a mixer. Then add the sugar and vanilla and beat until smooth.
I thought about using some healthier replacements in the icing, but let’s be honest: you can’t mess with cream cheese icing. And I’m so glad I didn’t.
would you like some cupcake with your icing?
Ice the cupcakes after they’ve cooled for at least 30 minutes.
I also thought about adding raisins or dark chocolate chips to the cupcakes, but there’s just something so perfect about the simplicity of cake + icing, don’t you think?
If you’re looking for an easy, semi-healthy crowd pleaser…or if you’ve been gifted with an ever-present sweet tooth…these cupcakes are for you 😉
