The Health Chic

Beef Prices Climb as Grain Costs Skyrocket

2012-02-01T16:53:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the price of beef lately? It seems like the hot topic at the water cooler these days. For the first time in my retail career I can actually brag that healthier is actually cheaper or at the very least comparable to what the grocery store sells. You see, healthy meat comes from cattle that eats grass not grain. Grain prices just soared and along with it beef. To make matters

Lisa Custer- Tampa, FL, Green Guru Goes Beyond Organic

2011-12-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

Living a green lifestyle is important to Lisa. She has always strongly believed in recycling, reusing and avoiding consumerism. This is one of the reasons she started the website, GoingGreenTampa.com and is a partner in The Recycled Jeans Shop. Lisa wanted to help get the word out about eco-friendly companies and events in the Tampa area in order to attract the mainstream consumer. She has since

Dr. Kim Balas- Casper, WY- Teaching Beyond Organic

2011-12-24T10:42:00.000-08:00

Kimberly Balas is a board certified naturopathic physician with a PhD in Bioresource engineering and a PhD in Nutrition. She has a previous background in aerospace engineering while working at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Dr. Balas is an international lecturer, instructor and author. She conducts research and data analysis on many natural products, equipment and software

Jane Patton, Punta Gorda, FL- Former Chamber Pres Passionate About Health

2011-12-13T15:38:00.001-08:00

Independent Mission Marketer Jane Patton joined Beyond Organic because she loves the company’s nutritious foods and wants to share Beyond Organic’s mission with others. Her path to healthy living has inspired her to grow fruits and vegetables in her organic garden and make her own kombucha. She has discovered the benefits of papaya leaf tea, easily steeped from three or four fresh leaves, so her

Dr. Clarence Brown, Chicago Chiropractor Knows Your Heart

2011-12-08T11:22:00.000-08:00

He knows if you are emotionally eating. He knows if you aren't practicing forgiveness. But most importantly, he knows how to help you. Meet Dr. Brown. Chiropractor, B.E.S.T. practitioner, weight-loss coach, Beyond Organic champion.After graduating from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL in 1998, Dr. Clarence W. Brown III served as a Document Solutions Consultant/Account Manager with the

The Health Chic Beyond Organic Tour

2011-09-03T17:24:00.000-07:00

Here's the route. Hope to meet up with you on the road. Tues, Sept 6th, 6:30pm Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Remedy This Thurs, Sept 8th, 7pmBurke, Virginia Sat, Sept 10th, 1-4pmWinston-Salem, North Carolina, Lizzies Herb Shoppe Tues, Sept 13thBack at The Health Chic House, Haines City Fri, Sept 16th- 7pmHouston, Texas Mon, Sept 19th- 7pmColleyville, Texas (Dallas area) Tues, Sept 20th- 7pmNorth

In Search of Chai

2011-09-03T17:03:00.000-07:00

I leave on Tuesday morning for our Beyond Organic Grand Adventure. I say "our" out of habit, but this trip I'm flying solo so it will definitely be interesting. For those of you that don't know, I am not a morning person, plus I hate to drive. I thought about making this a bus trip and got as far as starting a reservation but the the thought of even a 10 hour day on a bus was a bit

The Health Chic Goes Back on the Road

2011-08-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

The Health Chic Team is happy to announce that we are going back on the road. The Health Chic Beyond Organic Tour kicks off with a pre-launch party at Audubon Park Farmer's Market on Monday night, Sept 5th. First stop is Rocky Mount, NC where will will be back to visit our friends at Remedy This Natural Health Store. We should be rollin in around 6pm and are working out the details with our

Beyond Organic- Delivered Right to Your Door

2011-04-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

Jordan Rubin, best selling author and founder of Garden of Life is embarking on a new adventure in food. And if I know Jordan, he's going to turn things topsy turvy and revolutionize our food system- Jamie Oliver, hang on to your hat!Things started out harmless enough, Jordan wanted good hot dogs for his kids- so he bought a ranch and hired my friend Trish to run it. Well, Trish knows beef- and

Shipyard Brewing Comes to Central Florida

2011-01-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

Please help me welcome the newest addition to our "locavore" community. The grand opening of the new Shipyard Emporium will be held Friday, January 28 from 6:00pm – 10:00pm. The Shipyard Emporium is located at 200 West Fairbanks Avenue (the former site of Strollo’s Cucino Due) in Winter Park, Florida.The Emporium is a local market, bakery, and brew pub featuring a rotating selection of

Know Your Egg

2010-11-03T16:15:00.000-07:00

Natural, free-range, vegetarian fed, organic, local...what's the best egg? Let's start with "natural" which means absolutely nothing. Skip it and save your money. Free-range is nice. I like the fact that the chickens get to go outside once in awhile but this label on it's own is not enough to make a buying decision. How long do they get to go outside, an hour a day, one day a week, two?

We've Gone Social

2010-10-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

Facebook lovers can find updates from me, get class info, shop specials, and recipes at the Herb Shoppe, or become a fan of A Greener Life, our local TV show on WHDO-TV.We also Tweet our favorite news stories, network on Linkedin, post photos on Flikr, and share opinions on everything up close and personal on YouTube.Find it all in one place on our newly updated and socially integrated website.

Finally, A Worthwhile Breast Cancer Charity

2010-10-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

Like many of you, breast cancer has hurt people that I know and love. Of course I support research and a cure but I have very little confidence in the big pink ribbon charities. I have finally found a charity that I feel comfortable supporting, the Breast Cancer Fund. I encourage you to research this group, read their State of Evidence Report and consider them the next time you are asked to

Green Up Your Halloween

2010-10-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

Spooky & Fun Can Be Eco Be Green, Save Green- Find a local Costume SwapFind better Treat IdeasWhile it's too late for this year, next year try Reverse Trick or Treating and help someone in needMore tips

The Health Chic 201 Florida Event Guide

2010-10-28T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Health Chic 2011 Florida Event Guide I am very excited to announce that we are in the final stages of production for the 2011 Florida Event Guide. This wallet size guide is jammed pack full of the best healthy, and sustainable living classes, workshops, and events. It includes my favorite markets, groups, event venues, and fun things to do. It's got local, art, music, film, and unique

TEDxNextGenerationAsheville - Birke Baehr - "What's Wrong With Our Food ...

2010-10-25T15:45:00.000-07:00

Cancer Prevention Tips | Environmental Working Group

2010-10-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

Cancer Prevention Tips | Environmental Working Group

And the Rotten Egg Smell Gets Stronger

2010-08-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

I was getting ready to add my comments about the latest food recall- The Great American Egg, but this came in my email this morning from my friend and underground raw milk source, Steve Moreau. Steve, I couldn't have said it better, so I'd like to share with my readers:Hello everyone:I wanted to add my 2 cents to the egg recall going on across the country. It seems the dark side of "factory

2010 Dirty Dozen List

2010-05-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just released the 2010 Dirty Dozen & 15 Cleanest fruits and veggies list. Listen to what Dr. Andrew Weil has to say: So how do your favorites stack up? Well Celery ranks at the top of the most toxic list and Onions make it to the top of the least toxic. Get your own free Shopper's Guide to Pesticides.Prefer no pesticides but do organic prices get you down

Rich Cream of Asparagus Soup

2010-04-13T12:05:00.001-07:00

Bill just used this recipe to make us lunch. We added a few shreds of organic raw cheddar and served with homemade sour dough bread that we picked up last night at the Audubon Park Community Market.Rich Cream of Asparagus SoupPosted using ShareThis

Avoid Exotics, Choose Native Plants

2010-03-04T17:23:00.000-08:00

Today's challenge is to identify invasive plants in your yard and replace them with natives. Invasives are non-natives with a high growth, reproductive, and dispersal rate. While they may look pretty in your yard their seeds disperse for miles and might be disrupting a delicate eco-system. Contact your local extension agency for a list of invasive plants in your area.

Great American Clean-Up

2010-02-27T14:03:00.000-08:00

The Health Chic House is the check-in location for Haines City events. You can help clean-up downtown, work in the community garden, or help us get ready for Earth Day. Plus, pre-register for great goodies!The Great American Cleanup is a nationwide cleanup initiative led by Keep America Beautiful. This cleanup event has taken place across the country for the past 24 years. Last year, over 5,000

Motor Oil Recycling

2010-02-25T16:59:00.000-08:00

Recycling just 2 gallons of used motor oil can be re-refined and power the average home for a day. But dumping those same 2 gallons down the stormwater drain can just as easily contaminate thousands of gallons of drinking water. Hi-efficiency oils are available for once a year oil changes.

Reuse Your Greeting Cards

2010-02-20T16:56:00.000-08:00

Before discarding used holiday cards try to salvage as much of the card as possible. Then store them in a box and build up a great collection of pieces that can be reused and crafted into gift tags, new cards, or other decorations.

Host an Eco Movie Night

2010-02-15T16:54:00.000-08:00

Start with your favorite eco flick and invite over a group of friends. Be sure to have great snacks on hand like stove popped organic popcorn, drizzled with lots of organic butter and a dash of sea salt...Yummm!

Composting Kitchen Waste

2010-02-10T16:52:00.000-08:00

Turn your kitchen waste into something wonderful for your vegetable garden.

Create a Zero Waste Station

2010-02-07T16:49:00.000-08:00

Recycling is good but Zero Waste is better. Commit to creating a zero waste mentality and habit in your home. Create a system for reuse, reuse, reuse.

Avoid Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

2010-02-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

Learn the other side to compact fluorescent lightbulb story. Energy efficient, yes, but what about the potentially harmful effects of the 5mg of mercury per bulb? Are there better options? Do you know how to properly dispose of your CFL's?

Health and Environmental Hazards of Plastic Water Bottles

2010-01-03T21:54:00.000-08:00

Americans will buy over 30 billion plastic water bottles this year and with a less than 1% recycle rate that means that our landfills will once again be overflowing with plastics. This does not bode well for the Green Generation.Is bottled water even healthier? Depends. Is it from an exotic crystal clean spring or is it among the 25% of bottled water which is simply filtered tap water? Even if

Challenge #2- Salad Greens

2010-01-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

Today's challenge is to eat your salad greens and then pay attention to where they come from. Turns out that my healthy organic greens are not so eco, they travel from California to my home in Florida. I'm headed to the Farmer's Market to find a better option.Are you up for the challenge?Join The Health Chic's 365 Day Green Challenge.Good Luck!

365 Day Green Challenge

2010-01-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

Start 2010 off with a commitment to reduce your carbon footprint. And let The Health Chic help you make it easy and fun to do. Just tune in to our daily challenge on You Tube. Take the challenge and share your results. The best ones will be posted online and at the end of the year we will have some fabulously eco-cool prizes for the winners.It's easy to be part of the challenge, just watch

Shppers Guide to Pesticides

2009-12-09T12:15:00.000-08:00

The Environmental Working Group has released their free guide to helping you choose the best produce options. Spend your dollars frugally without sacrificing the health of your family. Find out about the dirty dozen. You can even download an APP for your iphone.Simple rule of thumb is that the thinner the skin (like a strawberry) the more important it is to find organic options.Grinning Planet

Time to Skip A Week of Lawn Watering

2009-12-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

Overwatering in winter can encourage pests and disease The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently launched a new campaign to encourage residents who irrigate their lawns to "Skip a Week" of watering during the cooler months of December, January and February. According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn't need to be watered as often during

Greening Up Your Halloween

2009-10-28T17:19:00.000-07:00

Candy, costumes, and lots of excess stuff. A fun family tradition for some but why not try to green up your tricks and upgrade your treats.For starters, think about handing out something other than sugar- try stickers, crayons, or healthier snacks like trail mix. If you can't resist the temptation to hand out something sweet, try Bug Bites organic chocolates by Endangered Species, fruit

Veg Fest 2009

2009-10-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Orlando- Central Florida Veg Fest, now in its 4th year, will take place Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 10:00am-6:00pm at Loch Haven Park in Orlando, Florida. Veg Fest is an annual festival that educates attendees about a plant-based lifestyle, and one of sustainability, encompassing health and wellness. The event provides a diverse cross-section of vegetarian cuisine and lifestyle, featuring

TV Show Updates

2009-10-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

A Greener Life with The Health Chic airs this October on WHDO TV. If you don't get WHDO, please call your cable provider and ask them to carry it. Standard policy for cable companies is to log every call, they will verify that you are a current subscriber. It's a numbers game, the more requests the better our chances.We've shot 7 episodes so far and have covered topics from aromatherapy to

The Make-up Scene in Hi-Def

2009-08-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Preparation for my new tv show, Living Green With The Health Chic continues. The next step in my transformation from Granola to Glam is make-up. As you'd probably expect, ordinary make-up just won't do. Normally I wear a dab of tinted moisturizer and lip balm. For special occasions I'll add some lip color and a touch of mascara and eyeliner. Healthier make-up products have always been a

Granola to Glam- Organically of Course!

2009-08-10T13:38:00.000-07:00

Lights! Camera! Organic Hair Color!As preparations begin to create and film my new tv show, Living Green With The Health Chic my attention turned to my look. The harsh reality of having to balance a healthy radiant look under the camera and bright lights brings significant challenges.Natural products work great for an average day in the life of The Health Chic but my granola girl natural

The Health Chic TV Show

2009-08-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

We've got great news at The Health Chic. We start shooting our very own TV show next week. The station is WHDO TV in Central Florida. It is a local station dedicated to community programming. If you don't happen to live in the Orlando area, no worries, you can still catch our program online. Working title for the show is Living Green With The Health Chic. Follow the blog for a behind the

Help Your Favorite Farmer's Market Win $5,000

2009-07-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

Click on the link below to vote for your favorite farmer's market. They could win $5,000. If you don't have a favorite please vote for the one that I manage, the Cagan Crossings Farmer's Market, in Clermont, Florida. I am a very cool market manager and would love your support.

In Memoriam: Craig Winters

2009-07-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

In Memoriam: Craig Winters, Oct. 1, 1951 - July 3, 2009Craig Winters, the founder and principal driving force behind The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods, passed away July 3, 2009, in Seattle, Wash. after a long bout against cancer. Winters was an activist who worked for years to educate people about the problems surrounding "Frankenfoods," and coordinated with Sen. Dennis

Support Local Farmer's Market

2009-07-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

Click on the link below to vote for your favorite farmer's market. They could win $5,0000. If you don't have a favorite please vote for the one that I manage, the Cagan Crossings Farmer's Market, in Clermont, Florida.

Action News Jacksonville Goes Green

2009-06-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

Kudos to fellow green comrade and Girls Gone Green founder Julie Watkins for her part in the new Going Green section of the Action News CBS 47/FOX 30 website. Meteorologist by trade and green guru by inclination, Julie is doing her part to bring the real green revolution to mainstream media. Not one to shy away from the controversial this green chica won't be duped by greenwashing on her

Sustainable Florida Announces Finalists for 2009 Best Practice Awardsd

2009-05-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

Sustainable Florida - Collins Center is a statewide organization committed to the balance of economic interests with the need to be socially and environmentally responsible. They are doing a great job of connecting green leaders in the state of Florida.One of their annual projects is the Best Practice Awards. Now in its 11th year, the event solicits nominations, recognizes and honors businesses,

Improving School Lunches

2009-05-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

As cloned meats, sugary breakfast options, and other nutritionally void foods continue to find their way into school lunches some parents are pushing back.Improving school lunches can be a daunting task. Here are some resources that can save you time.The Appleton school lunch program was featured in the film Super Size Me. Their manual A Roadmap to Healthy Foods in School is a detailed planning

Using Earth Day Principles in the Real World

2009-05-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

Sunday, May 10th, FreeThe Health Chic HouseDid you miss Earth Day? Looking for a unique and useful gift for mom?Plan to spend this Sunday at The Health Chic House and learn about the hottest trends in sustainable living.11am- Rain BarrelsCreate and install a rain barrel from start to finish then learn learn how to attach it to a micro-irrigation system. Hands on demonstration.Barrels are

Earth Day 2009 at The Health Chic House Haines City

2009-01-30T15:17:00.000-08:00

Save the Date!Saturday, April 11, 2009Eco-Greetings!The 2nd Annual Earth Day Celebration at The Health Chic House will take place on Saturday, April 11th, 10am-7pm. There is already a full day of workshops and activities scheduled. See the list at Earth Day 2009.We are currently accepting applications for vendors, workshop presenters, and entertainers. School/civic groups are encouraged to

Renew, Revitalize, Refresh

2009-01-12T08:06:00.000-08:00

Renew, Revitalize, Refresh 2009 - A great year to refocus your attention on YOU and your health. In today’s world of high stress, increased responsibilities and unforeseen circumstances, you need to find ways to care for yourself so you can continue to care for others. There are a few simple habits you can create and incorporate into your daily routine to bring balance, harmony and sanity.·

Healthy Living Cookbooks

2008-12-04T08:33:00.000-08:00

The O'MAMA Report (a newsletter from the Organic Trade Association) just released their favorite cookbooks with an organic component. Many of you know that I am definitely not the cook in our family so I am simply going to share their reviews. If you get a chance to try out any of the recipes please let us know. I was happy to see our friends from Earthbound Farms made the list. Real Food,

Genetically Modified Food Damages Fertility

2008-11-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

Here's one more reason to go organic-In a new Austrian study that will send shock waves through the corridors of power in the EU, and through the offices of the GM corporations, it has been discovered that GM corn has a damaging effect upon the reproductive system.The work was done at the request of the Austrian Health Ministry, and the results were presented yesterday by Professor Jurgen Zentek

Honey Citrus Chicken

2008-11-17T16:39:00.000-08:00

This recipe is courtesy of Uncle Matt's Organic, a family owned, organically grown citrus manufacturer in Florida. Bill is going to make our dish with fresh basil from our new Aquaponic Herb Garden. More about this in a future post. We'll also substitute Bragg's Aminos for the soy sauce. We'll also use raw honey from our local beekeeper. Enjoy!Honey Citrus ChickenThis chicken is sweet from

Disney to Offer Healthier Meal Options

2008-11-16T14:49:00.000-08:00

You know that times are a changin when even Mickey Mouse decides to incorporate wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and kosher options into his diet. Well, not so sure about the mouse himself exactly but at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida special dietary options are now readily available.All four parks are putting healthier meal options right on the menu boards. You

Going Bagless

2008-11-14T14:38:00.000-08:00

Americans are using about 84 billion plastic bags per year. That's about 700 bags per year per person. Considering that I personally only use 2-3 per month, some folks out there must really be addicted to plastic.So what's all the fuss?Well, for starters, only 1% are recycled and the rest end up in landfills and take about 1,000 years to break down, but if that's not enough to get you to make

Chilled Avocado Soup

2008-11-12T17:50:00.000-08:00

Avocados have been very popular around The Health Chic House these days. They are in season in Florida and have been plentiful at our local farmers market. I like mine with a dash of cayenne pepper and sea salt alongside my eggs or on a sesame ezekiel bread sandwich with sliced tomatoes.Nutritionally, avocados have more potassium than bananas, more fiber than any fruit, are an excellent source

Hot Trends at the Farmers Market

2008-11-11T16:05:00.000-08:00

Rising fuel costs, concern over food safety, and simply a desire to reconnect local communities are some of the reasons for the resurgence of the local farmers market. New York City, Boulder, and Seattle all boast markets that draw international attention, destinations themselves.But what about those simple community markets held at the local park along Main Street, USA? What's happening and

Wellness Pavilion at Central Florida Veg Fest

2008-10-23T12:26:00.001-07:00

The Sustainable Synergy Team is heading out to Central Florida Veg Fest this weekend at Loch Haven Park. We are stoked about all the great vegan and vegetarian food choices from Central Florida restaurants. We decided to take the lead and become a main sponsor of this annual event, now in its third year because of the great mission that it provides back to our community. –

Support Reform of the Child Nutrition Act

2008-10-14T07:24:00.000-07:00

Help the Physicians for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) reform the Child Nutrition Act. The USDA is calling for public comments related to the Child Nutrition Act, which is scheduled to be reauthorized next year. Many children do not consume animal products due to ethical, religious, or health reasons. Children of color are especially likely to need an alternative to regular cow`s milk, due to

Organic Race Team Sponsors The Health Chic

2008-10-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

The Health Chic Team is pleased to announce that the Organic Racing Team is our newest sponsor. We already love these folks, so when they said they wanted to sponsor us and put The Health Chic logo on the front of the race car we were a dancin' and a singin' at The Health Chic House.The good ole boys, Roger & Tom, from 97 Country were the first to grab the story and the official announcement and

Aromatherapy – Smell your way to health

2008-10-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

Aromatherapy is recognized by most people as a nice scent that makes them feel good. We can find these scents in candles, cleaning products, bath oils and body sprays. Most people do not realize that there are many chemicals used to make that candle smell “pretty” or aid that air freshener to last for days on end. These chemicals may cause harm to the body as well as congest the lymphatic

Taking That First Step

2008-09-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

When Wendimere, my college roomate, asked me to start writing for her blog, I was really excited. I even had something ready to go but work, sick kids, and a family emergency got in the way. But I'm ready to share my stories of helping my family live healthier. Living a healthier lifestyle doesn’t need to happen overnight. Small, incremental changes are making our transition easier. We still

Slow Food Nation

2008-09-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

We’re back! Slow Food Nation was educational, inspirational and very delicious! Sustainable Food educators, leaders, chefs and farmers from all over the United States gathered in San Francisco last week. This milestone event brought many facets of the food movement together….with the hopes of creating a food revolution. One of the profound messages from the event was a quote by Emma Goldman: “

Asheville Bound

2008-09-03T11:22:00.000-07:00

We're on our way to Asheville for Organicfest, one of the nation's largest regional festivals featuring everything green and organic. This is the seventh year of the event so we are expecting a strong turnout by the eco community.We're meeting up with our friends from the Organic Racing Team, and we will be making an important announcement at the event. For an early sneak preview tune your

Oil Price Rise And So Does The Bicycle Boom

2008-08-31T18:50:00.001-07:00

Check out this recent story from MSNBC-Boom it is...The number of cyclists has doubled in a decade in cities as disparate as Berlin and Bogota. Global bicycle production has increased for six consecutive years, according to a report by the Earth Policy Institute. Sales at Giant have doubled since 2002 and continue to accelerate, up 24 percent in the first half of this year.As oil pricesread more

Tips for Sustainable Shopping

2008-08-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

Sustainable shopping is great in theory but let's face it, does it really work? Well, with a bit of help from the internet, shopping for gently used items ranging from vintage chic clothing to common appliances just got easier with these helpful resources. Let's start with The Freecycle Network. This is an online community where you can offer up stuff you no longer need or find something for

Learning About the Oxbow Eco Center

2008-08-23T19:03:00.000-07:00

The Oxbow Eco-Center is located on a 225 acre preserve that was a joint venture between St. Lucie County and the South Florida Water Management District. The building itself was built sustainably, before sustainability was even a building concept.Listen to my podcast with County Commissioner Doug Coward and Program Director Jen Howard to learn more about this great place deeply nestled along the

Vegetarian Delights at Sublime

2008-08-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

Sublime restaurant is a hip, vegetarian restaurant located in South Florida. The award winning cuisine, stunning interiors, and attention to detail have made it a hot spot among locals and celebrities from day one.The restaurant was created out of love by animal rights activist, Nanci Alexander who just wanted to "do more." Listen to my podcast with this very humble lady who created a

Hip & Healthy in DC

2008-08-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Florida is currently under a hurricane and tornado watch.Weather permitting I will fly out of Florida this morning to spend a few days in DC. I will be attending an herb conference with Nature's Sunshine and checking out the area for the top health related options. On Wednesday I'll be visiting Sweetgreen, a green certified restaurant in Georgetown featuring locally grown produce. The

What is Slow Food?

2008-08-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

This is our first blog posting on The Health Chic and a perfect time to start as we are off to Slow Food Nation in San Francisco next week. This event is the largest celebration of food in America where attendees will rejoice, learn, and take action to build a food system that is sustainable, just, and delicious. We are extremely excited about all of the people we will meet, the things we will

Hanging Out with The Health Chic

2008-08-18T17:30:00.000-07:00

While of course our schedule is always apt to change at any time, here's some stuff that is very probable:Aug 20th-24th- Washington, DC (various events)Sept 7th- Organicfest, Asheville, North CarolinaSept 21st- Global Peace Film Festival, Orlando, FloridaSept 27th- Clermont Herb Conference, Clermont, FloridaOct 16th-17th-Expo East, Boston, MADec 8-10th- Eco Attitude Holiday Parties with the

A Random Sunday in Search of Pie

2008-08-17T16:18:00.000-07:00

It's a balmy, overcast Sunday in Central Florida. There are no pressing errands, the weather is too unpredictable to work in the yard, and I am not particularly motivated to tackle my anatomy & physiology homework or review balance sheets from my bookkeeper.All week long I have been craving pie. Not just any pie, but blueberry pie. Not the heavy, sugary syrup kind either. Homemade blueberry

Searching for Eco & Healthy in Washington, DC

2008-08-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

I'll be visiting Washington, DC next week, and have been diligently working on trying to find the healthy living community. You'd think that within a community of so many activists that my job would be easy. But having lived "on the hill" for a stint after college I know firsthand that most activists earn incomes near the poverty line. Unfortunately, eco, healthy, organic lifestyles usually

The Health Chic Kids Spread Their Healthy Living Message

2008-08-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

The Health Chic Kids are at it again, spreading their healthy living messages. This time via blogs and podcasts, and they are pretty darn good at it too.Meet our newest intern, Paige, sixteen and find out her thoughts about Tea, Tea, Tea. She's got excellent taste. Paige has been interning at The Health Chic House during the summer and in the Fall will be coordinating our first video

Good Nutrition Spanish Podcast

2008-08-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

Brush up on your Spanish, this next podcast is en Espanol. If Spanish was not your forte in high school or college, check Tuesday's post for the English version.

Eco Tourism in St. Lucie County, Florida

2008-08-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

St Lucie County is paving the way as one of the state's premiere eco tourism destinations. Diligently working towards that goal has been the driving force of County Commissioner Doug Coward, an FSU grad, father, and all around good guy.The environment has always been important to Coward but has become even more so as he takes his son Ty hiking at the Oxbow Learning Center, walking along the many

Podcast with Clinical Nutritionist, Armando Guiterrez

2008-08-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

"Good nutrition starts in the produce aisle," according to clinical nutritionist, Armando Guiterrez from the Pembroke Pines, Nutrition Smart. Find out Armando's other top tips for maintaining vibrant health in this podcast interview with The Health Chic.If you are ever in the South Florida area be sure to stop by the store and take Armando up on his offer for a complimentary tour. He is a

New Monthly Food Column on the Blog

2008-08-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

The Health Chic Team is pleased to announce that Jennifer Waxman-Loyd and Rebecca Reis-Miller of Sustainable Synergy have recently joined our blogging team. Jennifer and I met at a Green Drinks event earlier this year and have become great comrades, sharing a passion for promoting environmentally conscious, holistic lifestyles, and business practices.Jennifer's company, Sustainable Synergy,

Podcast Interview with Suzanne Catty, Acqua-Vita Aromatherapy

2008-08-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

Listen to this highly energized and informative podcast with Wendimere Reilly as she has fun chatting with author and aromatherapist, Suzanne Catty of Acqua-Vita. Even The Organic Mutts take part in the action as we spritz away the day and freshen up The Health Chic Mobile with an alluring jasmine hydrosol.Suzanne makes aromatherapy easy. Prior to our podcast we spent time together at Holistic

Podcast Interview with Sherry Dewberry, Raising Healthy Kids

2008-08-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

During the recent summer tour I had the opportunity to spend a few moments with an extraordinary woman. Sherry Dewberry graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Psychology. She interned with Jordan Rubin at Garden of Life during the early years while he was working on The Maker's Diet. Sherry was like a sponge, learning everything that she could about natural health. Along the

An Eco-Adventure in St Lucie County

2008-08-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

Heading over to the Oxbow Eco-Center in Port St. Lucie I can't help but think how far The Health Chic Project has come in just three short years. I never would have breathed a word of this in the early days but during our first tour we were actually "uninvited" and/or asked not to show up at certain not to be named venues.Now here we are, recently featured in Southern Living Magazine, followed

Final Day in South Florida

2008-08-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

It's Monday, and our two campground days are over, back to boondocking. Once again we got up early again to try and catch a few moments at the beach before our departure. No rain today, so we spent an hour on the beach, slathered in Aubrey sunscreen.On our way back to the campground I got a call from Pizza Fusion, inviting us for a visit before we left. Perfect lunchtime timing. After hooking

A Leisurely Sunday in South Florida

2008-08-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

Out and about early on Sunday morning, first stop the Las Olas Farmer's Market, starting the day off right with a fresh organic veggie juice from Radiant Juices, a mobile juice bar. Farm fresh eggs, local honey, and organic produce were available at this quaint market located a block from the famous Stork's Coffeehouse on the river.We were up early this morning because I wanted some beach time

Saturday Night in South Florida

2008-08-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Since I went over my allotted time to visit the Coconut Grove Farmer's Market we are once again behind schedule. Today is a campground night (we've been boondocking so far) and I was looking forward to washing my hair before our next visit, but instead I'll do the hair scarf routine and a quick 7th Generation Baby Wipe shower.We headed to Ft Lauderdale for our visit to Sublime, an upscale vegan

Saturday in South Florida

2008-08-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

The first week of the 2009 Go Local Tour continues. The GPS in the truck stopped working months ago, so for this tour we figured we'd try our luck using mapquest. It's a bit tricker than we thought and boy do I miss SARAH- is that weird to name your GPS or does everyone do it?Anyway, yesterday was a very long day, and South Florida has a very peculiar street system, why does every street have

Filming Continues at la rutaN Eco Boutique

2008-07-27T16:50:00.002-07:00

Friday's story continued-Surviving my time in the "hot seat," literally speaking, it was back to work. While I was roasting in the tin can, Jen Loyd from Sustainable Synergy was taking the heat outside the Airstream as we ran into some permitting challenges with our Holistic Happy Hour event. No worries, still on a adrenaline high, a minor venue change was not going to get me down. We put a

Behind the Scenes- Filming for South Florida Today

2008-07-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

On Friday we met up with the film crew from South Florida Today at The Soma Center, a yoga studio and cafe. Although I've been on television before this was our first experience being followed by a film crew during a tour. It was such a blast, but I am sure I came across as a total nerd.As we approached The Soma Center they filmed our arrival and Bill dropping me off while he went to find

The Health Chic 2009 Tour- Week One Updates

2008-07-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at Green Drinks last night. It's always great to see the local eco/green/healthy movement gain momentum. We met an artist who was researching eco paint options for an outside mural, a spine doctor who also teaches yoga, and lots of folks that were there just to find out more about it. We left Delray Beach and headed to Jupiter, pulled into a local Publix parking lot, and

Podcast at Garden of Life

2008-07-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

Join The Health Chic as she interviews Jason Dewberry, VP of Marketing for Garden of Life. Just click on the link above to listen.Listen to the podcast to find out about their exciting new raw vitamins, sustainability initiatives, and stories about their recent Perfect Weight America Tour. In addition to high quality supplements, Garden of Life now offers coconut oil, organic whole food bars,

The Health Chic Visits South Florida

2008-07-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

It's day one of The Health Chic Tour 2009- Go Local, Florida. We were up at 5:30am to finish packing and then hit the road. We arrived in Boca Raton at 10am in time for our first interview with Marci Zaroff, founder of Under the Canopy. We had a great time chatting about organics, fashion, green drinks, and the momentum of the healthy & green movement in Florida. We toured the warehouse,

The Health Chic Team Kicks Off 3rd Annual Summer Tour

2008-07-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

The Health Chic Team is getting ready to load up the airstream and hit the road. It's tour time and this summer our adventure takes us to mostly sunny, frequently humid Florida. This year we decided to stay closer to home, and find hip, eco, and healthy, right in our own backyard.This year's tour starts off on Thursday, July 24th, in Boca Raton where we'll learn about organic clothing and

Organic Food, Organic Racing, Meet A Great Organic Kid

2008-05-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

The Health Chic is left speechless for a moment when she interviews a fourteen year old boy about organic racing and ends up getting a few lessons on the importance of organic foods as she podcasts from the Green Earth Expo. It doesn't get any better than this. If you haven't made the switch to organic living yet you owe it to yourself to listen to this young man who is already wise beyond his

Peace, Love and Frogs

2008-05-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

Join The Health Chic as she finds out the philanthropy behind the frog and the nifty new organic clothing line from Peace Frogs. Started for fun by some college coeds, the company has grown but still remains committed to green roots.Listen to my podcast interview with charming, California tanned Josh as we chatted while waiting our turn to leave the convention center floor at the recent Green

Meet the Organic Racing Team

2008-05-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Listen to my podcast interview with Kevin and Harmony from the Organic Racing Team at our interview at the recent Green Earth Expo. Find out the their latest poll rankings, all about alternative fuels and their thoughts about organic foods.If you missed this year's event be sure to make sure to visit both The Health Chic and Organic Racing Teams next year as we return to the Orange County

Prepping for The Green Earth Expo

2008-05-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

The Health Chic Team arrived at the Green Earth Expo at the Orange County Convention Center early on Tuesday morning. It was interesting experience to arrive as the trade show was literally being built from scratch. I've attended numerous trade shows but have never needed to arrive before the exhibits were even built.We arrived at 9 am with one of the first vehicles (The Health Chic Mobile) to

The Health Chic Speaks at the Green Earth Expo

2008-05-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Green Earth Expo at the Orange County Convention Center in Central Florida is May 15th-18th. In addition to lots of exhibits ranging from Eco Rail to Organic Fashion the event includes a strong educational component. I've been asked to speak on three panels and am currently preparing to answer some tough and thought provoking questions.The first panel is "Bridging the Gap between the Health

Airstream Life Magazine Returns to The Health Chic House

2008-05-07T10:30:00.000-07:00

As our friends Rich, Eleanor, and Emma continue on their Tour of America in their 30ft Airstream, they once again stopped over at The Health Chic House. Emma, the youngest member of the team seems to have grown several feet since the last time we saw her. I have asked her to be our guest blogger for today's story.From Emma-We arrived at The Health Chic House on Tuesday and got settled in. We

Earth Day Celebration at The Health Chic House

2008-04-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Health Chic House is pleased to announce the 1st Annual Earth Day Celebration at The Health Chic House on Sunday, April 20th, 10am-5pm. Workshops include:10:00am- Using Rain Barrels- Free, Rain Barrels available for $20 each10:30am- Beginner’s Guide to Creating an Herb Garden- Free 11:00am- Introduction to Composting- Free, 12:00pm- All About Organic Gardening, Free 1:00pm- Intro to Using

Move Green

2008-04-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

Want a “greener” move? Aren’t we all looking for greener everything these days? In the 7 years I have lived in NYC, I have moved 5 times and with a recent move just under my belt, I’ve gathered some practical (and not so practical) tips for this usually wasteful event. Let’s try to reuse, recycle, donate, and especially reduce the stress of moving on the “movee” and on the earth.Here are some

Organic Milk- why you should spend an extra $.25 on your morning cup of coffee

2008-03-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

I don’t think that Wendimere will be a hard sell for local, sustainable, organic milk, but you would be amazed at who questions it! This topic came to my attention recently because I have 3 friends opening a café in Brooklyn, NY. It’s going to be a strictly coffee café (tea, but no food or alcohol for now) – and with no thought about it, they will carry only fair trade coffee.But as we sat and

The Moon, Maple Sugar & Farmer Folklore

2008-03-03T17:02:00.000-08:00

The Earth Day Celebration at The Health Chic House is Sunday, April 20th, which happens to be the same day as the Planter's Moon. Intrigued by the coincidence, I did some "moon" research.According to an article in this month's O' MAMA report by the Organic Trade Association, "April 20, 2008 will be the full moon known as the "Planter's Moon" by the American Colonists. With the snow melted and

Earth Day Schedule

2008-03-02T18:29:00.000-08:00

The Health Chic House is pleased to host it's first annual Earth Day Celebration. The event will be held on Sunday, April 20th, 10-5pm in conjunction with the Haines City Main Street Organization. This event is made possible in part by a generous grant from the Peace River Basin of the Southwest Florida Water Management. Here is the current event schedule:10am- Rainbarrels, $20 (includes