Easy Dinner Recipe: The Loaded Salad

I get asked almost weekly about healthy dinner options that are easy and simple to make. The Loaded Salad is just that. It's the easiest dinner to make, its full of nutrients, and tastes like a gourmet salad you would get at a fancy restaurant! It's on my weekly dinner rotation over here and I'm sure it will be on yours too once you realize how easy it is to prepare! 

The secret to this recipe is that you can customize it in any way you'd like! You can add more veggies, different seasonings, beans, meat, etc. I always add sautéed zucchini to mine though because cooking zucchini in onion, garlic, avocado oil, and spices makes the tastiest "dressing" to put on top of the mixed greens. 

I am excited to see how you customize your own Loaded Salad! Here's how I make mine...

The Loaded Salad

Ingredients:

1 cup brown rice (I use basmati)

2 cups chicken stock, bone broth,or veggie broth

1 tablespoon ghee or butter

2 zucchinis 

4 garlic cloves

1 small onion

mixed greens

1 lemon or lime

1 teaspoon Turmeric

1 teaspoon Cumin

1/2 teaspoon Coriander

1/2 teaspoon Paprika

1/2 teaspoon chili powder and/or flakes

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

& Any other spices you'd like to add!

*1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro & parsley (optional)

Instructions:

Rice

-In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of brown rice, 2 cups broth, and 1 tablespoon of ghee to a boil

-Add in two cloves of chopped garlic to rice, cover, and cook on low for 20 minutes

Zucchini

-Add two tablespoons of avocado oil to a large skillet and heat on high

-Stir in two cloves of chopped garlic and a small onion and cook until onion turns translucent

-Add chopped zucchini to skillet and cook on medium, stirring frequently

-Add all remaining spices to skillet (turmeric, cumin, coriander, chili powder, salt, pepper, etc)

-Cook until zucchini is soft (about 10 minutes)

*Add zucchini mixture to garlic rice and mixed greens! Squeeze half of a lemon or lime on top and voila! 

Share below any modifications you made! I can't wait to see how you make your loaded salad!!

xo,

Lo

What type of face mask should you use? & My three current favorites!

Recently, I have been loving face masks to give my skin a little extra love to combat all of the sun I've been getting this Summer! Once a week I aim to give myself an at-home facial which helps to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and keep my skin hydrated! I've been trying a ton of different face masks recently because, lets be honest, thats my favorite part about an at-home facial! 

It has been hard for me to find good face masks because oftentimes they either leave my skin red and irritated or they completely dry it out and strip it of it's natural oils! There are many really harsh face masks on the market and I would encourage you to really do your research and not just go for the  "popular" ones (if it hurts to take off, it's NOT a mask you should be using) When looking for a good mask, look for one that that cleanses the skin, minimizes pores, and adds moisture instead of stripping moisture! 

I use three different types of face masks and I keep them all on rotation...

1. Detox Mask:

When you think of a face mask, you probably think of this type! Many masks are meant to only be used once a week (or even less) and they are a bit stronger and harsher on the skin. I love using a Bentonite Clay Mask for my back & arms & arm pits (gotta detox those lymph nodes!) and then I use a charcoal mask for my face once a week! Since I have sensitive skin, I have had to try a bunch of different charcoal masks to find one I really love! My current favorite is  Origins Clear Improvement Mask which helps to get all the gunk out of my pores without totally irritating my skin! 

This is the mask I use for my back & body (in my opinion, way too harsh for your face!) and its only $8! 

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Deep Pore Cleansing, 1 Poundp>

2. Cleansing & anti-aging mask:

This is the mask that I use every single day to cleanse my skin, give my skin an anti-aging boost, and still preserve all the natural oils that my skin needs to stay hydrated! I use the Redefine Cleansing Mask in the morning as a face scrub and then I use it at night as a two-minute mask! It gently cleanses & exfoliates the skin using kaolin clay which is the best ingredient for purifying the skin but also preserving your skins natural oils. If you are new to the face mask world, I would definitely suggest starting with this one! It is so versatile and you really can't go wrong with it! I have been using this for four years straight and I can't go a day without it! 

3. Hydrating Mask:

This is a newer mask that I've added to my weekly skincare routine. Since I've gone to the beach more often this Summer, my skin needs all the hydration it can get! I call this my "beach mask" because I always use this hydrating mask after a beach day! The Jet Lag mask by Summer Fridays isn't your normal face mask and that actually took me by surprise! This isn't the type of mask that you have to wash off. Its an ultra-hydrating mask with a thick cream-like consistency. Not going to lie, I was a huge skeptic at first! I use it about once a week, though, and absolutely LOVE the glow that it gives my skin! 

Sooo... what type of mask should you be using?!?! Well, I would say that using all three of these is such a great way to address multiple skin concerns (when it comes to face masks at least). But if you can only pick one...

-If you have oily & acne prone skin I would recommend a Charcoal Mask! 

-If you have normal or combination skin and want something for anti-aging I would recommend a Kaolin Clay mask! 

-If you are looking for a hydrating mask then I would recommend Summer Friday's Jet Lag mask! 

I hope that this was helpful for you! Let me know if you have tried any of these masks & your thoughts on them! Oh and If you want help ordering the Redefine Kaolin Clay Mask (save 10% and free shipping) then shoot me and e-mail and I will give you info on how to order! lauren@livewellwithlo.com

xo,

Lo

Recipe: Beet Berry Smoothie

I am a creature of habit when it comes to my daily smoothies but I've been experimenting with some different ingredients and wanted to share! I've been researching foods that are good for liver function since I have been trying to balance my hormones naturally and one of the best foods to help liver function are beets! Beets are bright red and don't have much flavor but they have a ton of nutrients! I picked up some beets from the farmers market a few weeks ago and I washed & cut them in small pieces and put them in the freezer! Adding beets to your morning smoothie won't only turn your smoothie the pretty shade of purple but you are also adding amazing nutrients and plant enzymes into your diet!! 

Beet Berry Smoothie

- 1 beet

-3-4 strawberries

-handful of blueberries

-handful of spinach

-1 tablespoon coconut butter

-2 scoops of collagen peptide powder

-1 tablespoon cacao nibs

-1 tablespoon flaxseed

*Blend & enjoy!!!

Xo,

Lo

Ingredients Mentioned:

p>

Antioxidant Overload Smoothie

I am so so excited to share this recipe with you! This is my favorite fruit-based smoothie and it is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up! Skip the mid-afternoon coffee or sugary snack and instead make this smoothie! I also will make this smoothie for my lunch, especially during the Spring and Summer! It is super refreshing, hydrating, and again, NUTRIENT DENSE!

Lets talk about antioxidants because this smoothie has a TON of them! Antioxidants fight free radicals found in the body. Free radicals cause cancer and other diseases and so its super important that we are fueling our bodies with lots of antioxidants! Acai, blueberries, and cacao all have antioxidants in them which makes this smoothie super powerful in cleansing and filling your body with what it NEEDS! 

Antioxidant Overload Smoothie

-1 packet of acai

-1 handful of frozen blueberries

-1 handful of frozen strawberries

-half a frozen banana

-1 cup almond milk

-1 teaspoon chia seeds

-1 teaspoon bee pollen OR flaxseed

-1 tablespoon cacao nibs (if you couldn’t tell, I put cacao nibs on EVERYTHING!)

Optional: 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or flaxseed

Blend for 30 seconds & enjoy!! Let me know what you think of this recipe! Tag me on Instagram and use the hashtag #livewellwithsmoothies so I can show you some love!

Have a great day, everyone!

xo, Lauren

5 Day Smoothie Challenge!

Hi Friends! I am so so excited to be doing the 5 day smoothie challenge with all of you next week! The challenge starts this upcoming Monday, March 5th and will go until March 9th! We will be making smoothies together all week long with new recipes every single day! I have been perfecting each recipe and let me tell you, they are YUMMY & super healthy and nutrient dense! The five smoothies are very unique and at the end of the week, you will be a pro at putting different ingredient combinations together! 

Here is the ingredient list that includes EVERYTHING you need to be able to make each smoothie next week! Don't worry if you can't get your hands on a certain ingredient, there will be modifications you can make! Remember, this is about YOUR health & so there's no need to stress out if you use coconut oil vs. coconut butter! ;) 

FRUIT:

- 5 bananas

-Frozen blueberries

-Frozen strawberries

-1 apple

-1 Acai packets (I get the Sambazan açaí packets from Costco!) 

-1 Lemon

-1 Avocado

VEGETABLES

-1 bag of spinach

-1 bag of Kale

-1 Celery stick

OTHER NECESSITIES

-Vegan protein

-Vital Protein Collagen peptides

-Almond Milk

-Peanut Butter

-Cacao Nibs

-Coffee/espresso beans

-Coconut Butter

-Chia Seeds

-Bee Pollen and/or flaxseed

-Coconut Water

-Cinnamon

I added links to some of my favorite items so you can easily stock-up for next week! If you are not on my wellness tribe on Facebook, join us! All of the information for the Smoothie challenge will be posted on there!! Click HERE to join!

& are you on my e-mail list yet? Get all of this info and more sent directly to your e-mail! Click here to join! 

talk to ya soon!

Lauren