The Chalkboard » Physical Health

Non-Toxic Tip-Off: A Detoxifying Salt and Seaweed Bath

The Chalkboard — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:28:50 +0000

Ever feel overwhelmed by label-reading, ingredient-avoiding and deciphering between which item should be organic and which grass-fed? Going green can have us seeing red! We spend most Tuesdays identifying harmful ingredients and how to avoid them, but we thought we'd provide an appropriate break from all this toxic talk by sharing one of our favorite and most luxurious ways to detox and de-stress. What Is It? Voya's Salt and Seaweed Bath Why You Should Try It: The idea of a hot bath is enough to get us feeling relaxed all on it's own. Add sea salt and seaweed with their promises of detoxification and aches and pains-soothing circulation benefits and we're in heaven! Seaweed-based treatments are a classic spa experience. With their high vitamin and mineral content (iodine, calcium, selenium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamins A, C, D and E), seaweed wraps and baths are one of nature's most perfect skin-soothing and bloat-busting detox treatments. Soaking in a hot bath full of seaweed allows the algal gel in the plant to get directly to work detoxing and nourishing the body right through the skin. Seaweed also touts natural anti-aging and anti-cellulite properties and is known to help heal conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and acne. Take It Home:If you're reading this near the beach, it may seem more natural to jump right in the sea. Salt, seaweed - they're both at your leisure! But for the rest of us (and the kelp bed averse) might we suggest Voya's Lazy Days Seaweed Bath to recreate the experience right in your own tub. Voya's bath comes wrapped in netting, like a giant seaweed tea bag. Adding the netted 'weeds' to a bath makes for a much easier time cleaning up afterward (after all this is about de-stressing!) Enjoy the detoxifying reboot, pop open a coconut water, and let your body replenish, inside and out!

Snack Attack: Our Top 8 Grab-and-Go Protein Bars

Katie — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:08:10 +0000

At The Chalkboard, we advocate the notion of health in all its forms: vegan, raw, paleo, plant-based, gluten-free or even just the small yet mindful choice to replace your morning cup of joe with a big ol' green juice. While a diet based in whole foods is always ideal, we do recognize that sometimes life gets in the way – and we need to have sustainable nutrition on-hand when hunger strikes. Most "health" bars are merely candy bars in disguise: a host of processed ingredients and way too many chemicals to ever be considered a significant source of nutrition. Therefore, we've rounded up the best all-natural bars on the market, from high fiber to nut-free, to help you make informed decisions on the go and keep your body working like a machine!

Class In Session With Maranda Barskey of Cycle House LA

The Chalkboard — Wed, 29 May 2013 10:04:16 +0000

Fitness is about so much more than executing a perfect lunge, logging an hour in the gym or getting that heart rate up to its max: a good workout leaves you feeling confident and ready to take on the world! And when entering an exercise class or training session, we know the instructor can definitely make or break your experience. We've scoured the scene for our favorite fitness pros and asked them to fill us in on their secrets for sweat-proof success! Maranda Barskey is one of our favorite pros at Cycle House LA, West Hollywood's celeb-packed spin studio with a reputation for getting people fit on the fly. Check out Maranda's tips and best picks below and find out what makes her infectiously energetic "House Rides" one of Hollywood's healthiest obsessions!

You’re Invited: Exhale Mind Body Spa Celebrates FusionFest

The Chalkboard — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:17:06 +0000

Join exhale mind body spa this Wednesday, May 22nd as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of their signature Core Fusion program! This all-day celebration includes free Core Fusion classes open to all readers at the beautiful Exhale studio inside Santa Monica's Fairmont Miramar hotel! For 10 years, exhale’s Core Fusion program has been leading the barre fitness industry, and has been touted as "one of the country's hottest fitness programs." The program (which is a celeb favorite) has since expanded into a plethora of full-body-workout classes including Core Fusion Barre, Core Fusion Boot Camp, Core Fusion Cardio, Core Fusion Sport and Core Fusion Yoga. Prepare to sweat, shake and burn serious calories as you lengthen and tone your body - not to mention revive and refocus your mind! What: Exhale Spa Santa Monica's free FusionFest classes When: All day Wednesday, May 22nd - check online to find a FusionFest class to suit your schedule! Where: Exhale mind body spa at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica - we'll see you there!

Toxic Timeout: Ammonia

The Chalkboard — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:12:19 +0000

What is it? Ammonia is often associated with cleaning supplies, but in recent years it has become clear that ammonia is not just being used to wash the kitchen sink. This toxic chemical can be found in processed meats which have developed a grotesque nickname: pink slime. But that's not all - ammonia can be found in baked goods, chocolate, cheese, peanut butter and condiments. Health Risk: Ammonia is used as a leavening agent, a way to control acidity and a way to to remove pathogens such as salmonella and E.coli. Sounds good, right? Think again. While ammonia has been labeled as "safe" in trace amounts, direct exposure to ammonia can cause severe irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and in extreme cases can be fatal. What this means is that ammonia is not only hazardous to consumers, it is extremely dangerous to the farm workers who must use ammonia in high quantities at a time. And the worst part? Ammonia is often considered a "processing aid," which is not required by U.S. regulators to be included on food labels. Safe Alternative: The good news is that there is a simple way to keep you and your family safe: look for the "USDA Organic" when grocery shopping. We trust brands such as MaraNatha while whipping up a PB&J, Vosges when we need a chocolate fix and Arrowhead Mills for all our baking needs.

Toxic Timeout: Isopropyl Alcohol

Katie — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:02:43 +0000

WHAT IS IT? Walk down the beauty aisle at your local drugstore and chances are, you will see one reoccurring ingredient: Isopropyl alcohol. Commonly used as a disinfectant, isopropyl alcohol can be found in everything from hair dyes and shampoos, to lotions and perfumes, to disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizers. What the labels are not telling you is that it is also commonly found in antifreeze, paint thinner and shellac. HEALTH RISK: That "rubbing alcohol" in your first aid kit is probably doing more harm than good. Isopropyl alcohol is an irritant of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. When absorbed or inhaled, isopropyl alcohol functions as a central nervous system inebriant - as well as a headache and nausea-inducing depressant. In severe cases, isopropyl alcohol may even cause you to go into a coma. Children are at an even greater risk of developing one or all of these reactions, so be sure to double and triple-check all products that come in contact with your little one! WHAT TO DO: For an ingredient that is supposed to be keeping you germ-free, harsh isopropyl alcohol sure is inviting in a host of other health hazards. Instead, opt for ingredients like hydrogen peroxide and witch hazel. Hydrogen peroxide is a stable compound that naturally occurs within the body, and is just as effective as cleaning wounds and killing bacteria as its toxic cousin - without all the scary side effects! All-natural Witch Hazel can be applied topically without worry as well. A good rule of thumb: when perusing the beauty aisle, look for the keywords "alcohol free" to ensure you are steering clear of this toxin. NON-TOXIC ALTERNATIVES TO TRY: We love JASON Natural Cosmetics Everyday Hair Care Natural Biotin Shampoo with Ginseng & Chamomile ($22) for healthy, alcohol-free tresses, and Thayers Alcohol-Free Toner in Lavender Witch Hazel ($30) when it comes to keeping our skin soft and clear. When it comes to germ-free hands, we adore BabyGanics Alchohol Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer ($16) for kids and adults alike!