For a while now I’ve been thinking about writing one post a month that’s not just about… food. A little corner of Loveleaf Co. to share everything from business behind-the-scenes to adventures with my husband. Ok, and some food-related things too. So every last Thursday of the month, I’ll post ten of my favorite finds, meals, memories, and everything in between. ✌🏼
Soaking up the sun on Harbour Island! Bathing Suit | Shoes
I started 2020 in my favorite place on earth: Harbour Island, the Bahamas. My family has been going there for the holidays for over 60 years and this trip marked my 32nd visit to the little island. It’s only January, but I’m already counting the days until I go back. While I was there I made these three New Year’s Resolutions. And I lost my tan within 24 hours of returning to New York.
Josh and I had our friends, Mama Eco and her husband over for dinner this month. I made this buffalo chickpea chili and consensus was that it was good! I liked it enough the night of…but liked it even more for lunch the following day(s).
If you’ve been following my IG stories you know that I’m migrating my website over from Squarespace to WordPress. 😑It’s a tedious process since I have to move over each recipe post, etc. manually… but my website will be faster (!) and more user-friendly (!) when it’s all done. Plus, I’m releasing a new kitchen organization + meal prep program this spring that needs to be hosted on WordPress so… #worthit.
Stowe Mountain on a frigid day.
Josh and I spent MLK weekend with some friends at Stowe in Vermont. It was freezing (5 degrees!) but so fun. Après (read: fireplace + french fries + Stowe Cider) makes skiing always worth it, regardless of the weather.
Our trip to Stowe was my first time traveling with my new Clearly Filtered water bottle. The bottle has a filter attached to the straw so you can fill it with any tap water and know it’s safe to drink. Obsessed.
I’ve been using this Acure shampoo and conditioner for years, but when I ran out this month I decided to double-check the Environmental Working Group’s hazard score and was disappointed to find out it was rated a 4!
I did some research and decided to try this Attitude shampoo and this Attitude conditioner, both EWG Verified (their highest, cleanest rating). It was a happy discovery because I’m loving this combo way more than Acure anyway.
Scars from my endometriosis surgery.
I had surgery for Stage III endometriosis in December, so much of last month and early January was about recovering. I’m feeling so much better and happily back to feeling like my normal self. I’ve never talked about having endometriosis because… I actually didn’t know I had it. While there are many common symptoms, the only way to clinically confirm the diagnosis of the disease is via laparoscopic surgery.
I’ve always had painful periods, but in recent years they were getting progressively worse. Every woman with endometriosis experiences different symptoms but, personally, I had bad cramps and a few hours of extremely intense, debilitating pain at the start of my period each month.
I’m not an expert on the topic by any means, but now that I’ve recovered from surgery I’m focusing on quality sleep, an anti-inflammatory diet, and taking NAC, an antioxidant which has been shown to decrease endometriosis. I’ve found this book and this book to be very helpful.
Half a cauliflower with beet tahini, an arugula salad, and the best oat milk cappuccino at Golda in Brooklyn.
It feels like it’s been forever since Josh and I have been home in Brooklyn for the entire weekend so last weekend we took advantage. We spent Sunday going to yasiin bei’s listening installation at the Brooklyn Museum (a group of people in the same room listening to the same album with headphones – so cool!) and then had lunch at Golda. I had half a cauliflower with beet tahini (!) and quinoa. And the best oat milk cappuccino I’ve ever had.
I mentioned above that I’ve been trying to focus on getting higher quality sleep and one thing that helps me fall asleep (forever my problem) is reading. I just finished Homegoing (highly recommend!) and just started Little Women because I’ve never read it and… I really want to see the movie before the Oscars. #booksfirst
Getting ready to host a meal prep event at the Soho Ludlow House.
Jumpsuit | Boots
My friend Chef Edy asked me to host an event this month at the Soho Ludlow House all about healthy eating in the New Year. We talked about how to use my component meal prep method (MUCH more on this coming to the blog soon!) and I shared the 3-Day New Year Detox, the (almost) famous healthy brownies (page 17 of the Detox), and these pomegranate kombucha cocktails. See some behind-the-scenes here!
See you next month! xx Ally
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