Winter in LA

(APPEARS IN FALL 2013 PUBLICATION OF FGM MAGAZINE)

At The Grove Tree Lighting

While the majority of the country is bundled up and hunkered down in hibernation through the winter months, Los Angeles will drop to long sleeves and heat lamp weather.  Nonetheless, winter should be embraced for all its scarf wearing and hot chocolate drinking glory.   And this is how:

In my mind, nothing beats a New England snowy wonderland, but the holidays in Southern California can still be magical if you do your research. Nearly every night from Thanksgiving to the New Year marks a different public celebration.  My holiday activity checklist includes at least one tree lighting, a stroll down Rodeo Drive at night, The Marina del Rey boat parade, ice skating and maybe even a trip to one of the theme parks.  For tree lightings, The Grove and The Americana both put on impressive shows with 100 foot trees, special guest performances and even

Healthy Pumpkin Soup!

(AS POSTED FOR CARE-PILOT 11/2013)

Healthy Pumpkin Soup

Let's talk pumpkin, shall we?  This fall favorite packs a significant source of vitamin A and is high in fiber.  A serving of pumpkin contains over 3 grams of iron, which keeps our immune systems running properly and helps us stay cold-free.  Furthermore, the nutrients that give the vegetable it's beautiful orange hue have been suggested to protect us from developing lung cancer, prevent heart disease, and reduce inflammation.  Pumpkin packs a punch!

With temperatures dropping, I thought what better way to incorporate more pumpkin into my diet than with a delicious and nutritious pumpkin soup!  Now I used a crockpot, but the recipe can be made just the same in a stovetop pan under medium-low heat!


Hope you enjoy this recipe, I know your body will!

Chelsea's Healthy Pumpkin Soup

What you'll need:

-2 pie pumpkins, or 2 cans of pumpkin puree
-1 cup apple cider or apple juice

Beat the Holiday Stress!

BEAT THE HOLIDAY STRESS! (PUBLISHED AT CAREPILOT.COM NOVEMBER 2013)

 From watching a loved one open a thoughtful present to decorating every corner of my home, the holidays still awash me with a magical joy.  While this feeling does brings me back to my childhood, the merriment isn't quite the same.  And no, it is not because I discovered Santa's secret.  It is because the holidays are now clouded with a heavy stress.

Will I be able to buy everyone presents?  Are my presents good enough? How can I find the time to throw this holiday party?  Will my kids be disappointed?  How come I can't just stop after one cookie?

...and, unfortunately, the list goes on.  Even for a deck-the-halls diehard like myself, the holiday stress can be suffocating.  But not this year.  I've devised a fool proof plan to keep our merriment high and our stress levels low this season!

1. Gift Giving.  Contrary to what the department stores want us to believe, the emphasis does not have to be on buying the most lavish presents for your loved ones.  Start with a budget, and then stick to it.