Enjoy my list of five favorite things in May…
1. Easy to use, single serve packs of this prebiotic, probiotic, and digestive enzyme blend puts Digestion Plus at the top of my list this month. Add this to any cold or room temperature beverage up to 3 times daily for optimal GI health. The ingredients are all clean, and this is the ideal supplement for the generally healthy person looking to optimize their GI balance and their immune systems.
2. My feet (and bunions) are always in intense motion. J-41 footwear is my new-found friend! Basil is fab for my long NYC foot commute, my trails to the zoo and botanical gardens, and my chores all along the hilly Hudson Valley. They are made from 100% recycled material and use recyclable packaging. A Vegan company that uses non-animal materials. Easy to slip on/off and a great rubber traction sole. The toe bumper saves my expensive pedi from ruin. The memory foam insert offers unbelievable comfort and mid-foot support.
3. If you are looking for all natural and clean for your face, Satin Skin by renowned beauty expert (and my friend), Susan Giordano. This light liquid moisturizer does not clog your pores, is readily absorbed, and contains NO SYNTHETICS. Each bottle is handmade by Susan herself with her formula using Grape seed oil as a base, and 5 other natural oils. A tiny bit goes a long way in creating that dewy, glowing appearance that we women look for. It contains no sunscreen which is great for me and others that cannot have sunscreen on their faces! This stuff is so brilliant that Allure magazine has written about it 3 times.
4. I learned how to crack a coconut while in Hawaii. Now I have taken my love for coconut to a whole new level. Check out one of my fave coconut recipes! I eat coconut meat when possible, and use shredded, desiccated unsweetened coconut as a topping for just about everything. Coconut water is my daily hydrator and one of the best things that I can do for my skin. I use tons of coconut oil….in my protein shakes, with my eggs, on my body, in my hair. The medium chain triglycerides (saturated fats) are fantastic antifungal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant agents. All around, so really good for you. Oh, forget all the nonsense that was written about coconut oil years ago. They were WRONG!!
5. The Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, a 26 mile unpaved trail that runs from Yonkers to Croton, is where I take my early morning weekend hikes. The weather is beautiful in New York now, and I am back in action. There’s one particular section of the trail in Irvington, NY that I just adore. It is flat and only 1.5 miles each way, so it’s not challenging at all. I actually start in Dobbs Ferry (near my home) on the trail that says “OCA”. The trail follows the river and there are some creeks along the way. It trails behind some magnificent mansions with beautiful grounds. I pass Sunnyside (Washington Irving’s home) and head to Lyndhurst. I love packing a breakfast and enjoying it near the river at Lyndhurst. The Hudson Valley is beautiful in every season (except for this past winter!), and I hope you can all meet me on the trail someday!
Photo Credit: Aqueduct.org