This is a question no one should ever ask their mom. You will never receive a good, honest answer, simply because of who moms are. Moms typically don’t want to cause anyone grief or extra work or make themselves seem too important. I know that I can’t speak for all moms, but my 15 years in this position has given me some great ideas for what moms really want for Mother’s Day, and every day.

Generally moms already have too much stuff. Unless we specifically ask for a tangible item like a purse, scarf or piece of jewelry, it’s probably not what we really want. It certainly is a nice gesture and we will be very grateful for it, but in the end it is another thing to keep track of, put away and more potential clutter in a house we are constantly picking up.

Most moms love plants and flowers, but if you are considering a plant for a gift, make sure it is an outdoor plant, and that it is beautiful and very easy to maintain. A big planter with colorful indigenous plants is a great choice. A beautiful vine like Morning Glory to creep along a fence and flower all summer is another wonderful choice. Feeling more energetic? A fun gift that would delight many moms is an herb garden planted just for her. To do this, dig a 1 foot by 5 foot section in a sunny corner of the lawn (or choose a planter that size) and plant basil, thyme, rosemary, cilantro and dill in a row. Remember though, if you go the route of plants, you should also commit to care for them so you don’t add to mom’s work load.

The greatest gifts for all moms on Mother’s Day or any day are extra time and you. Anything that takes a load off of mom so that she can read a book or exercise or paint her nails or shower, all those things that get put on the back burner because of her love and nurturing of everyone else, is a wonderful gift. Making one on one time for your mom is even better. Take her out for a nice lunch or dinner. Get your nails done together; go for a long hike together or to the beach. It is probably (unless she tells you differently) exactly what she wants and needs every day, not just on Mother’s Day.

Perfect Mother’s Day and Every Day Gifts for Mom

• Plant and care for an herb garden for her
• Clean the house top to bottom
• Do all of the laundry
• Give her a massage
• Take her on a date, just you two

Are you a juicer? Juicing is one of the best ways to get unaltered, antioxidant filled, fresh produce into your body. The great news is that you don’t have to spend hundreds on a juicer to get started! You can use your blender for many ingredients and choose to drink your nutrients smoothie style or strain the pulp out of your drink with a strainer or cheese cloth for a smooth juice taste.

I am always looking for creative juice recipes and for ingredients that have medicinal value. One of my favorite places to grab a juice is Moon Juice in Venice, CA because owner Amanda Bacon has such valuable culinary knowledge of her ingredients. Watch now to learn about interesting and incredibly healthy ingredients to use in your juice or smoothie for amazing health benefits to your body!

- Veronica

Interesting Ingredients

Try some or all of these ingredients in your next juice or smoothie:

• Bee Pollen: Complete vegetarian protein
• Fennel: High in vitamin C, soothing to digestive tract, great to combat inflammation
• Basil: High in vitamin K, cardiovascular benefits, anti-inflammatory
• Yam: Cardiovascular benefits, menopausal benefits, blood sugar stabilizer
• Ginger: Soothing to digestive tract, anti-inflammatory, protection against certain cancers, immune support

Source

This week I had the opportunity to hear my friend, Registered Dietician Ashley Koff, speak on digestion. Talking about digestion can get a bit, well, uncomfortable, no pun intended, but in reality it is a subject we should all be more focused on. According to Ashley, one of the biggest indicators of our daily energy level is the health of our digestive system. Fiber and probiotics especially contribute to a healthy digestive tract. But before you rush out to the store for yogurt, be aware that there are much better ways to get both fiber and probiotics into your system.

Fermenting vegetables sounds scary to most of us but after spending a day with Chef Miller, a Master Preserver, I realized that fermenting your own vegetables is not only incredibly easy, but the result is a delicious readymade side dish that delivers on both fiber and probiotics. According to Chef Miller, fermented veggies are even more nutritious than raw vegetables because the healthy bacteria that do the fermenting also create additional vitamins and minerals like vitamin K and B vitamins. These same healthy bacteria have probiotic benefits which along with the fiber from the veggies improve the health of your digestive system. Vegetables, especially green ones also provide calcium.

I caution people from using yogurt as a probiotic. Dairy is more difficult for our bodies to break down so you may be introducing a problem as you are trying to solve it. Dairy also creates an acidic environment in our bodies which is neutralized by the leaching of calcium from our bones, so eating more dairy may be creating the very problem we are trying to solve with it. Stick with fermented veggies for loads of delicious digestive health. For a wonderful and very easy recipe to make fermented green beans that your kids will love because they taste like little pickles (only better!), see below.

- Veronica

Recipe: Fermented Green Beans

1 pound organic green beans washed and trimmed

2 teaspoons sea salt

1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seed

1 1/2 teaspoons yellow mustard seed

1 teaspoon celery seed

Brine:
1 1/2 tablespoons sea salt per quart of water

In a large bowl, toss green beans with salt and spices. Place into a one quart glass ball jar (I like to arrange the beans all in the same direction). Pour brine over the beans until about two inches from the top of the jar. Place a smaller glass jar on top of the beans to keep them submerged below the brine. Cover loosely with the lid to let carbon dioxide escape. Place out of direct light. Beans should be done fermenting in 2-3 weeks at 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

For a how to video on this recipe click here.

The natural food world has a love/hate relationship with agave nectar. I first chose it as an ingredient because I was impressed at how simple and PURE it is. I traveled to Guadalajara, MX to learn for myself how this nectar is created step by step from the farm to the bottle. Learning how simple and minimally processed our agave nectar is and seeing the positive impact on the lives of the farmers and harvesters verified my decision to use this agave in our Pure bars. Watch the video above to see my journey!

When I started Pure bar I was 100% committed to the cleanest and most minimally processed organic ingredients I could find. Now as we grow, I continue to look for companies to support that provide ingredients which not only make our bodies healthier, but keep the earth healthy and nourished and make communities strong and productive. It’s a commitment to our customers that we will never abandon.

- Veronica

Ways to use Agave

Agave nectar can be used in place of refined sugar, maple syrup and honey. My favorites are below!

Drizzle over yogurt

Add a bit to your smoothie

Use as a sweetener in cocktails like margaritas instead of simple sugars to lessen hangovers

Sweeten your hot chocolate with it

Make a killer cranberry sauce

Drizzle on toast with cinnamon

Add a spoonful to your cup of tea

One of my biggest struggles is finding delicious, healthy, convenient snacks. It’s easy when I’m home and have time to create nutritious meals, but what about when I’m in sitting in traffic, packing lunches or running out the door before breakfast? I first created the Pure bar out of a desire to provide my family healthy, real, organic food in a convenient form. I am excited to unveil a new line of bars and fruit snacks that will make all of our lives so much easier – and so much more delicious!

Pure Ancient Grains was inspired by the re-emergence of century-old, whole-protein, gluten-free grains like quinoa, hemp and flax, that have been unchanged for thousands of years, and deliver unmatched nutrients. Our two flavors Chocolate Chunk Nut and Triple Berry Nut are crispy, crunchy and extremely decadent, yet hold true to the Pure mission of using simple, healthy, organic foods. They are Certified Organic, gluten-free, non-GMO verified, vegan and Kosher; whew, that’s a load of incredible attributes! Wait until you try them – they are way too healthy to be this delicious!

Have you ever heard of a fruit sandwich? Now you have! Pure Fruit snacks are for the kid in all of us. Who knew you could make a fun, delicious fruit snack out of… Surprise! …real, organic fruit and vegetable juices and purees? Our Fruit and Veggie Strip is made from real, organic fruit and vegetables and our Fruit Sandwich is a fun, triple-layered, dual-flavored sandwich made from real, organic fruit. Pure Fruit snacks are for grownups and kids everywhere. Breathe easy; we can all snack easier!

- Veronica

What are Ancient Grains?

Ancient Grains are exceptionally-nutritious grains and seeds that have been around and unchanged for centuries. The four Ancient Grains that we use in Pure are:

Quinoa: A gluten-free, whole grain, complete, vegan protein that provides iron, magnesium, fiber and riboflavin (B2).

Hemp: A gluten-free seed and complete vegan protein that provides omega-3 fats, vitamin E, and fiber.

Flax: A gluten-free seed, excellent source of omega-3 fats, and a good source of vitamin B1 and fiber.

Amaranth: A gluten-free whole grain, rich in protein, iron, magnesium and calcium.

Learn more about our new products on www.thepurebar.com

Have you ever stopped to think about the chemicals being used in your nail polish? Luckily, as consumers, we don’t have to settle for dangerous ingredients in our beauty products. Vegan, organic and all-natural skincare, hair care and nail polish are widely available. Shel Pink, founder of SpaRitual, describes what to look for and what to avoid when choosing nail polish.

- Veronica

Other Favorite Eco-Beauty Products

Face wash: Burt’s Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser

Lotion: La Natura Grapefruit Body Lotion

Shampoo: Kiss My Face Whenever Shampoo

Scrub: Naples Soap Company Bergamot Grapefruit Sea Salt Scrub

Do your eco-friendly habits extend into your beauty routine? For many of us, the answer is no. It’s one thing to buy organic food, switch to low-watt light bulbs, and compost. It’s quite another to change up our hair and skin routine. Most of us are comfortably committed to shampoos, lotions and makeups that we know work for us, eco-friendly or not, and it’s a little scary to deviate from that. I used to ask myself, what if my hair gets greasy or frizzy, or I start to break out?

Luckily, eco-friendly beauty products on the market are better now than they have ever been. I thought WebMD had some poignant advice when they wrote,

“Would you rather trust your skin and hair to mother nature or a geek in a lab coat?”

I treat my beauty products like I do my food; I read, read, read the labels. One of my favorite lotions is from a small, organic company called La Natura. I also think that some larger companies like Burt’s Bees and Aveda do a decent job with many of their products and they are widely available. A simple first step to healthier, more pure beauty regiments: choose the beauty product you use most (like your shampoo, lotion, or hand wash) and switch it to a more eco-friendly version.

Below are some additional ways to become an expert in eco-friendly beauty. And remember, the best (and most eco-friendly way) to be beautiful is to smile!

- Veronica

Important things to keep in mind when throwing a swap party:

1. Stop using disposable razors. I bought a couple of nice reusable razors for my family and we buy replacement heads online for much less than in the store.
2. Make your own lip balm and hand salve (recipe).
3. Switch to eco-friendly nail polish.
4. Recycle your beauty product packaging.
5. Watch out for the “Dirty Dozen Beauty Ingredients”.

One woman’s trash is another’s treasure, right? This is why hosting a swap party is on my short list. That, and because I love an excuse to throw a party, drink some “spirits” with my girlfriends and score gently used threads… For FREE!

Recently, I met with Ecostilleto.com founder Rachel Sarnoff to make our latest PURE Living video on eco-fashion. She talked about the value and fun of hosting a swap party with her friends. Now I’ve done my share of informal swapping with friends, but the idea of throwing a party with friends and swapping everything from kids’ clothes to books to accessories to big girl clothes is brilliant! I truly LOVE this idea and it’s so eco-friendly that the earth loves it too!

- Veronica

Important things to keep in mind when throwing a swap party:

1. Decide what you will swap (clothes, games, books, accessories, all of the above, etc.)
2. Invite around 8 people to keep it manageable.
3. Create a point system (e.g., jeans worth 2 points, shirts worth 1 point) or have a simple item-for-item swap.
4. Take turns. Draw straws to see who gets to “buy” their items first. Allow 1 or 2 items per turn.
5. Don’t bring junk. This one is obvious! Only bring items that are in gently-used condition.

How do you define eco-fashion? Does it conjure up images of tree-hugging, granola-wear, or perhaps very-expensive fabrics? Fear not! I found out that being eco-fashionable on a budget is not only possible, it is easier than ever with today’s options. Eco-fashion expert Rachel Sarnoff tells us what to look for when shopping and shares the simplest ways to be eco-fashionable on a budget!

- Veronica

Tips to Tap into Your Eco-Fashionable Side

1. Purchase clothes from a thrift or swap shop
2. Look for (and ask for) organic cotton clothing
3. Bring a reusable bag wherever you shop
4. Organize a Swap Party with your friends and neighbors

Resolution 1: Spend less at Starbucks/Coffee Houses this year.

Mom + 2 teenage girls = big Starbucks bill. Notice I did not say I wouldn’t spend any money, just less….

Resolution 2: Spend less time cleaning.

This may cross over into the gross factor for some, but really, we Americans are obsessed with cleaning. How much time and money do we waste cleaning? And then there are all the toxic cleaners we use that end up polluting our air water and ground. This one I am really looking forward to!

Resolution 3: Be less of a grownup.

I vow to act more like my 9 year old who loves to play, be outside, giggle, and has a huge, accepting, non-judgmental heart.

Resolution 4: Spend less time watching scary or otherwise anxiety-provoking movies/shows.

The last time I watched a scary movie my heart was pounding and I was sweating- as if a fast-paced job and 2 teenagers don’t quite fill the anxiety bucket enough! Only comedies and chickflicks for me from now on.

Resolution 5: Buy less new stuff.

I LOVE all of the used furniture, swap stores and thrift stores that are popping up everywhere. These are not your grandma’s thrift stores. I recently bought a beautiful repainted old dresser from an antique store for less than half of a new one!

- Veronica

3 Strategies for Keeping our Resolutions

1) Write your resolution(s) down

2) Enlist an “accountability partner”

3) Think and talk positively

Remember the old adage “Act the way you want to be and soon you’ll be the way you act.”

Happy New Year!!

The grocery store can be one giant puzzle when it comes to figuring out the healthiest foods to buy. Produce is usually the least confusing because what you see is often what you get. But even in the produce section, there can be questions about what is organic and what is sprayed, what is genetically modified and what is not. I recently found myself searching in vain for organic tomatoes in my local grocery store when I realized that the sticker on one group of tomatoes actually said they were grown organically, but they were not labeled that way in the store. Were they organic or not?

Little did I know, the numbers on those tiny produce stickers can tell me many things about the fruit or veggies I am buying. These PLU (price look up) codes give retailers and consumers a way to tell if produce is organic, conventional and sometimes even genetically modified.

If a PLU Code on the sticker of fruits or veggies has four digits then the produce is conventional (not organic). If there is a 9 before the four digit code then the product has been grown organically. Retailers also have an option of labeling genetically modified produce by using an 8 in front of the four digit code, but not all retailers use this to identify GMOs yet.

Armed with this knowledge, I feel I can make more sense of the produce section, and make the right choices for my family. For a reminder list of the dirty dozen produce that you should always buy organic, see my tip below!

- Veronica

Dirty Dozen Fruits and Vegetables

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Sweet bell peppers
4. Peaches
5. Strawberries
6. Imported nectarines
7. Grapes
8. Spinach
9. Lettuce
10. Cucumbers
11. Domestic blueberries
12. Potatoes

The USDA tells us that consuming high-antioxidant foods (5000 ORACS units/day) may greatly decrease the chances cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. One of the best ways to get antioxidants is through herbs and spices, which I regularly use to make homemade tea.

I love to make my own tea for a variety of reasons; using herbs from my windowsill and garden, organic spices from the cupboard, and fresh organic produce, homemade tea is healthier, less expensive and more ecofriendly than store-bought. It also allows me to experiment with a variety of unique flavors. Christmas Tea is wonderful all year, but it is especially comforting during the holiday season. I use a combination of high-antioxidant and relaxing spices, along with fresh-squeezed orange juice, to provide amazing flavor and incredible health benefits. Try making your own Christmas Tea with the ingredients below.

Cinnamon: Known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, cinnamon helps control blood sugar and stimulates the brain. It provides calcium and fiber, and has a warming effect with a pleasant, relaxing smell.

Cloves: This sweet holiday spice is the highest antioxidant spice on the ORAC scale and is incredibly nutrient-dense, providing manganese, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin K, vitamin C, fiber and calcium.

Turmeric: A superstar spice, turmeric is also highly anti-inflammatory. Studies have shown it to be active in the prevention of cancer as well as inhibiting certain types of cancer cell growth. It is also beneficial to the cardiovascular system and nervous system.

Oranges: High in vitamin C, folate, B vitamins, potassium, vitamin A, and calcium, oranges are a delicious, nutritious, sweet addition to any tea.

- Veronica

Christmas Tea Recipe (ORAC score 4000-5000 units per batch)

1.5 cups water
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1-2 shakes (1/16 teaspoon) cloves
1 shake (1/16 teaspoon) turmeric
Juice of one orange

Combine spices in a cup. Add hot water and stir until blended (some sediment will remain at bottom). Squeeze half of an orange into the tea and enjoy! When I near the end of my tea, I love to add more hot water and juice, stir the spices that have settled into the new water, and enjoy again!