Around Town

Munching on fresh and dried mango is a sweet cleanse treat, however, it’s one that your body will appreciate best in limited quantities. I like dried mango on the cleanse because it’s a quick snack; no washing, peeling, or cutting necessary.

It’s gotten chilly, if not cold, especially at sundown. So by SoCal standards, it’s officially boot season. And who doesn’t love a snuggly boot in this climate, especially at the beach!

Nutritional yeast is fun to have around, on or off the cleanse. On the cleanse, I use it as a parmesan cheese-like substitute. It’s umami flavor (a savory taste profile) is unique yet became slightly addictive once I got accustomed to eating it.

When I clean and cut carrot and celery sticks, I’m reminded of my childhood. We ate these popular crudité essentials often when I was a kid. I learned early that raw veggies sometimes make the best snacks.

On my 21-day cleanse, my love of peanut butter shifts to a fascination with almond butter. Almond butter is a fun, cleaner option, and it’s a good nut butter replacement whether on or off a cleanse.

It’s bold. It’s vibrant. It’s tasty, filling, and nutritious. It’s one bodacious dark green vegetable! I enjoy it raw or cooked. On the cleanse or off, it’s a staple in my diet that my whole family enjoys.

I love salmon many ways, poached, smoked, or occasionally raw (as in sushi). But my preferred mode of consumption is definitely grilled. Maria’s Cleanse Notes  Thanks to our family chef, aka my husband, viz. 'amateur' Chef Danny K, I get to enjoy this flavorful fish...

The boost is real! I rely on brown rice to energize me during my cleanses. It also warms my insides and is always a nice change of pace given the amount of raw veggies I consume during these three weeks.

Moms who leave their jobs to be with their kids have always been faced with a challenge, if and when they decide to go back to work. And in the last two years, the pandemic has forced more moms than ever before to leave their jobs to prioritize their families. By some estimates, the number hovers around 1 million moms being impacted. So that leaves more moms looking to the future, deciding what they want (and need) to do, and applying for jobs with a gap on their resume.

I think the world is divided into those who love kale and those who detest it. I’m most definitely a card-carrying member of the former group. Kale kicks butt in the flavor and texture department when dressed with the right ingredients!