June 11, 2020 at 01:00PM As a healthy paleo breakfast or snack, these Grain-Free Chocolate Zucchini Muffins will become a summer staple all season long! Enjoy fresh or freeze for later. I love how certain ingredients are a true sign of summer. Zucchini is one of those ingredients! We always had tons of zucchini on hand growing up thanks to all of our friends with gardens. I feel like if you grow zucchini you end up having more than you know what to do with! My family happily took any extras and had a variety of zucchini treats on hand at any given time. Ironically zucchini is one of the veggies we chose not to grow this year. According to our friends it has a habit of taking over your garden so we opted to just get leftovers from friends rather than grow it ourselves. There’s still been no shortage as zucchini season has just begun. I’ll be returning the favor with a batch of these chocolate zucchini muffins! Baking With Zucchini If you’re scared to add a vegetable to your baked goods, don’t be! Zucchini is similar to adding banana or applesauce. It adds a wonderful texture while adding extra nutrients too! It is […] The post Chocolate Zucchini Muffins [Grain-Free] appeared first on The Healthy Maven. Continue Reading… Author Davida Lederle | Thehealthymaven Selected by CWC
Category: TheHealthyMaven
Black-Owned Clean Beauty Brands
June 10, 2020 at 10:00AM The area where I’ve probably had the most growth and “aha” moments in the last few weeks as I unravel my own white privilege is in the Clean Beauty Space. First and foremost, we need to acknowledge that clean beauty in and of itself is privileged. Clean beauty has and probably will always be more expensive. Without the use of cheap fillers – which are oftentimes the culprits of toxic ingredients – the product will cost more. To be able to choose to intentionally spend more on your body care products is a privilege. To be able to even think about the idea that there are harmful ingredients in body care products is a privilege. I’ve had to think about whether or not I want to continue to support the clean beauty space if it’s not accessible to everybody and honestly, I still don’t have it figured out. One place I knew I could start was by sharing black-owned clean beauty brands. I’m ashamed to admit I had only heard of about 2 of these brands before putting this together. While I’m sure C isn’t totally stoked that I’m about to fill up our bathroom again, I’m excited to try […] The post Black-Owned Clean Beauty Brands appeared first on The Healthy Maven. Continue Reading… Author Davida Lederle | Thehealthymaven Selected by CWC
Let’s Talk About Racism + The Wellness Industry
June 08, 2020 at 10:00AM We all want to believe we’re not racist. Even people who engage in overtly racist behaviors don’t see their behavior as racist. Our egos are a powerful thing that prevent us from seeing how our words, our actions and many times our silence and inaction can be harmful to other people. But that doesn’t make it right. And I am certainly not immune to this. This past year, and in particular the past few weeks have really woken me up to how I’ve both contributed to and benefitted from racism in this country. The wellness industry is no exception. Now I could certainly address how our entire country is built around systemic racism, I wanted to focus on the wellness industry, because it’s my industry and the one I’ve dedicated my career to for the past 8 years. It’s also the area where I feel I can have the greatest impact and I sense this is the case for you too. They say that any lasting change must begin in your home and well, this place is my home so let’s start talking. The History of Wellness The Oxford English Dictionary first recognized the word “wellness” in 1654 as “a […] The post Let’s Talk About Racism + The Wellness Industry appeared first on The Healthy Maven. Continue Reading… Author Davida Lederle | Thehealthymaven Selected by CWC
Fattoush Salad with Grilled Chicken
June 07, 2020 at 10:00AM Make this traditional Middle Eastern Dish at home using this Fattoush Salad Recipe. Optional grilled chicken can be added to make it a complete meal with crispy pita chips on top too! If I’m being totally honest with you guys, I don’t have much energy to write a whole long intro or inspo story to this recipe. We are currently deep in the world of #puppylife and are severely sleep deprived. Rumi is absolutely wonderful, but she’s also a puppy and if you’ve ever had a puppy before you know that it’s full-on for the first couple of months. She’s either on or she’s off and we have absolutely no control of the switch so whenever I’m working I can only hope that switch will be off (or C can take a break to watch her). In the case of this salad recipe she thankfully passed out under the couch when I planned to shoot it, so here we are! She’s now awoken from her slumber so step-by-steps is what you’ll get. Luckily this recipe speaks for itself – trust me! What is Fattoush Salad? Fattoush salad is a traditional staple in Lebanese cooking. It typically combines crispy bread known […] The post Fattoush Salad with Grilled Chicken appeared first on The Healthy Maven. Continue Reading… Author Davida Lederle | Thehealthymaven Selected by CWC
Homemade Pita Chips | with Za’atar
June 06, 2020 at 10:00AM A delicious and classic recipe for homemade pita chips baked in the oven. This baked pita chip recipe requires just 3-4 simple ingredients with customizable flavoring options and is ready in under 10 minutes. This is probably C’s most requested recipe and it’s likely because it’s a nostalgic one for the both of us. We recently celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary and 9 years together but this recipe actually predates “us”. Some of you may know the story of how we met (you can listen to it here) but long story short we both went to the same college (McGill!) but didn’t meet each other until the night of my graduation. We *kind of* ran in similar circles which means we have similar memories of the same people and places but never together. In the early years it was fun to discover all the things we both loved but never experienced together and one of those things happens to be homemade pita with za’atar. I’m not entirely sure why, but there were a couple of places on campus that sold the most delicious homemade pita with a za’atar seasoning. C and I both loved it and would buy it […] The post Homemade Pita Chips | with Za’atar appeared first on The Healthy Maven. Continue Reading… Author Davida Lederle | Thehealthymaven Selected by CWC
Actions We Are Taking to Support Black Lives Matter
June 02, 2020 at 02:26AM I have to start by saying that I feel uncomfortable. I feel uncomfortable that I will say the wrong thing. I feel uncomfortable that I haven’t said something already. I feel uncomfortable…nay outraged… that a Black Man was murdered by a Minneapolis Police Officer (with the silent compliancy of several others) in cold blood. I feel uncomfortable that despite this not being the first case of police brutality in this country that it took me this long to say something. I feel uncomfortable that despite not engaging in racist activities I have benefitted from a system based on a foundation of racial inequality at the expense of Black lives. I feel uncomfortable. I feel sad. I feel angry. And I recognize that my emotions pale in comparison to those of Black Americans who face injustice every single day. I may be uncomfortable but I will show up in spite of this discomfort because it’s a privilege to feel uncomfortable. This is not about me or my discomfort. Image by @blessthemessy If you’re a white person, you may have heard the phrase “do the work”. If you were like me you don’t fully understand what that means or where to start… until you actually step in and do the work. Then it starts to make sense. Doing your own work means diving into some tough questions and reflections. It means uncovering that you may be compliant with racism without overtly engaging in it. It means listening to Black voices
June Journal Prompts for SUMMER!
June 01, 2020 at 10:00AM Hello, June! We’re glad you’re here. June marks the official start of summer in my book. School’s out, the days are longer and the sun is shining (unless you’re in SF and suffering from June gloom – sorry friends!). For this month’s journal prompts we wanted to focus highlight the summer solstice and focus on light. This summer is likely going to look different for most of us so we want to encourage you to make the most of this time no matter how it looks! A few reminders on making the most of these journal prompts: First and foremost, do what works for you! I personally like to set aside a little time each morning to journal. You can do one prompt a day or set aside a chunk of time and knock multiple out! I always recommend to create an environment that allows you to be present. Make a cup of tea or coffee, find a quiet space that inspires you, put your phone down and journal away! 10 Journal Prompts for Summer 1. What lights you up? 2. What dims your joy? 3. What are your favorite summer memories or traditions? 4. How can you create summer […] The post June Journal Prompts for SUMMER! appeared first on The Healthy Maven. Continue Reading… Author Davida Lederle | Thehealthymaven Selected by CWC
Grilled Asparagus Salad
May 29, 2020 at 10:00AM Change up your usual summer salad with this veggie-packed grilled asparagus salad. Made with just a few simple ingredients but loaded with smokey and delicious flavor for a new summer side or meal. I think what I love most about summer cooking is how little work you have to do for the food to taste delicious. Summer produce naturally shines and it’s probably the only time of year I actually enjoy eating salads. While I love me some good squash, I’m a sucker for all things summer so when asparagus season rolls around signalling it’s begun I truly get giddy inside. Adios squash! Bring on the asparagus, summer berries and zucchini. Not to mention my deep love for all things peaches. We’ve been grilling up a storm around here now that the weather has warmed up and we actually have a backyard. I’m definitely the grill master of this family so dinners lately have been throwing everything on the grill for a full meal. This grilled asparagus salad paired with my honey mustard salmon is a particular favorite. I’m keeping this post short and sweet, just like this recipe! Sometimes less is more so you can really let the meal […] The post Grilled Asparagus Salad appeared first on The Healthy Maven. Continue Reading… Author Davida Lederle | Thehealthymaven Selected by CWC
How To Make a Salt Scrub Recipe
May 28, 2020 at 10:00AM Looking to learn how to make a salt scrub recipe? This basic recipe will help you customize it to your liking so you can maximize the detox benefits of this therapeutic scrub. This is going to sound so bougie (and feel free to judge me hard for it!) but one of the things I’m missing most right now is going to the spa. Most of you probably know how different C and I am so it’s rare we have a joint activity we both enjoy. The spa is one of the few exceptions. I’m actually not a big massage person but I love a good, relaxing water circuit and so C and I try to make a point of visiting one every month or so. Now before the judgment comes let me preface this by also saying that I love a good deal. There’s a zero percent chance I’m going to monthly water spa circuits if I’m not getting some kind of deal involved. Half the experience is actually getting the deal! I am my mother’s daughter… But back to missing the spa. Once a month or so C and I would go on Tuesdays to the Kabuki spa is […] The post How To Make a Salt Scrub Recipe appeared first on The Healthy Maven. Continue Reading… Author Davida Lederle | Thehealthymaven Selected by CWC
The Best Natural Face Sunscreens
May 27, 2020 at 10:00AM The best advice my mother ever gave me? Wear sunscreen everyday! Her incredible skin is proof that daily sunscreen use works! So yesterday we discussed body sunscreens but today I wanted to focus on the best natural face sunscreens. Now I know it’s tempting to just slather that body sunscreen all over your face but I really wouldn’t recommend it. Oftentimes body sunscreens use way heavier oils that will likely cause clogged pores and breakouts. Natural body sunscreens, while more expensive than conventional, tend to be more affordable than natural face sunscreens because they can get away with using ingredients that are cheaper (in price, not quality) but also aren’t necessarily what you want to be putting on your face. That’s why I use a different body and face sunscreen. Also natural sunscreen tends to give that “white glow” that you get from pure zinc oxide so you will likely want a different formula for your face so you don’t look like a ghost. Although if you’re into that – go for it! I’ve spent the last few years trying out different natural face sunscreens but in the last year or so brands have come out with some EPIC products. […] The post The Best Natural Face Sunscreens appeared first on The Healthy Maven. Continue Reading… Author Davida Lederle | Thehealthymaven Selected by CWC