Ready for the Oscars?

Ready for the Oscars?

The 94th Oscar event is this Sunday. Coming out of the static that was the pandemic, the Oscars this year will surely be something different. Will it work, will it engage and audience that has been dwindling? Will Packer will produce the event. With three  hosts, Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes the event will be held at the often-used Dolby Theater in Hollywood. But what about the Oscars, this crazy race to hold the golden man, the winners, losers, the gowns and tuxedos? The big picture, the Best Picture Award will likely go to CODA—a great, unpretentious movie with a happy ending. The spoiler could be the thoroughly complex, Drive My Car, Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s film about love, sex, celebrity, theater and betrayal all told primarily through words. The Power of the Dog, also a great movie with a complex storyline may be just a little too complex, although it is hinted that Jame Campion could win the coveted Oscar, much to the chagrin of that old tired Sam Elliott. Passing on actors and actresses, the other moment of joy will be when Summer of Soul wins the best documentary award. Questlove! Other minor but important nominations are best score—Dune, for sure; No Time to Die (was there any competition?) But lastly, a word about Dune and art direction. A big category in terms of creating the environment of a movie—Dune was especially remarkable for its art direction, taking us to a space that that felt oddly felt new, which is hard in this category (space).

 

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Your Skin in the Spring

Your Skin in the Spring

     4 Tips to Protect Your Skin in the Spring

Did you know that your skin care routine should change with the seasons? As harsh winter weather subsides and spring approaches, sunlight, warmer temperatures and humidity will dramatically affect your skin. Here’s how to protect it so you’re ready to welcome brighter days, whatever they may bring.

1. Look for Lighter Formulas

Frosty winds and freezing temperatures can do a number on your skin, especially your hands and face. Whether you spend most of your time indoors or often brave the biting cold, dryness, flaking, itching, cracking and scaly skin can happen to anyone.

That’s why so many people use heavy creams and moisturizers during the winter. Your skin is typically oilier in the spring, which means you can get away with using lighter formulas. You might even use ones that purposely dry out your skin to fight acne, improve skin tone and minimize fine lines.

2. Use Exfoliating Scrubs

Dry indoor heat and heavy moisturizers can leave skin patchy and dull. When brighter days are in the forecast, it’s time to revitalize and restore its warm glow. Slough off dead skin with an exfoliating scrub. Avoid plastic microbeads and opt for natural ones with granulated pumice, Epsom salt and even coffee grounds.

You can even make your own with ingredients you have at home. Use your hands to apply scrubs to your face and a loofah to exfoliate the rest of your body. Gently massage your skin to improve circulation and bring some color to your cheeks.

3. Add a Layer of SPF

Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays is responsible for 86%-90% of skin cancers. That’s why it’s so important to protect your skin, even in the springtime. Save yourself the trouble of burns, blisters and sun spots by layering on broad-spectrum sunscreen before heading out the door.

Apply products with an SPF of 15 to 30 for the face and 30 to 50 for the rest of your body. Pick moisturizing ones that block UV rays while nourishing your skin.

4. Cover up Outdoors

Are you sensitive to chemical sunscreens? What you need is a wardrobe update. Add jackets, shawls and wide-brimmed hats to your repertoire and protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

Many outdoor companies also carry clothing that promotes an ultraviolet protection factor. These stylish yet effective garments block ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B rays, just like broad-spectrum sunscreens. Stock up on these wardrobe staples before spring arrives to keep your skin safe.

Knowing Your Skin Type

Your skin care regimen might differ from your friends’. In fact, it probably should. Everyone has a different skin type that reacts to each season in its own way. Whether yours is dry, oily or somewhere in between, there’s a product and regimen that’s right for you.

It might take some trial and error, but once you understand the skin you’re in, purchasing products that are tailored to your skin type and goals should be a breeze. Stick with what works and keep an eye on the weather. You never know when you might have to switch things up again.

Cover Photo by Olya Kobruseva from Pexels

Inside Photo by Tara Winstead from Pexels

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Remedy Place is The L.A. Marathon’s Official Halfway Pit Stop for Recovery

Remedy Place is The L.A. Marathon’s Official Halfway Pit Stop for Recovery

The L.A. Marathon is quickly approaching, and for anyone who plans to participate, they’re in for quite a welcome surprise. Social wellness club, Remedy Place, will be the official Halfway Pit Stop for the LA Marathon on Sunday, March 20. Last November, what started as a marathon watch party outside the club’s prime Sunset Boulevard vantage point quickly turned into Remedy Place Founder/CEO Dr. Jonathan Leary and team springing into action to administer treatments to help runners alleviate various aches, cramps and pains.

This year, Remedy Place is taking race recovery to the next level by officially teaming up with the LA Marathon to optimize participant’s performance and stamina as they take on the second half of their race.  Starting at 10:00 AM, Remedy Place’s team of leading alternative medicine doctors and wellness experts will be providing hands-on support to all participants of the LA marathon outside of the club (8305 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069).

Fusing the world of self-care with the benefits of positive socialization to enhance the effects of treatments – a term Remedy Place has coined “Social Self-Care” – a live DJ will be blasting energizing beats to further amp up runners and the pit stop vibe.  Spectators are encouraged to come and cheer on runners from the Remedy Place Recovery Pit Stop, socializing and enjoying the wellness-infused camaraderie.

The following are complimentary treatments being offered to runners:

  • Localized Cryotherapy → For pain relief

  • Handgun Massage Devices With a Percussion Tool → To reduce inflammation and minimize muscle tension

  • Holistic Topical Pain Remedies →  To penetrate deep into muscles and stop pain at the source

 

While after the race, runners can receive the following:

  • Cold Immersion Therapy → Guided ice baths will be available to reduce inflammation, promote circulation, enhance mental clarity and improve sleep post-race.

  • Recovery Resources → Dr. Jonathan Leary and team will be onsite to educate runners on different ways to optimize their recovery post-marathon

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Breadblok Opens New Silver Lake Location

Breadblok Opens New Silver Lake Location

Where can you find a gluten-free bakery that offers a full breakfast/brunch and lunch menu, and a baker’s delights? If you thought such a place didn’t exist, you’d be wrong. Breadblok — an L.A. favorite — has taken everything there is to love about our guilty food pleasures and made them even better, with a brand new Silver Lake location.

LA’s favorite gluten-free bakery has expanded to the Eastside with a brand-new restaurant & retail bakery, joining their Santa Monica location. Arguably a dreamscape, Breadblok’s range of deliciousness includes, all organic, gum-free, soy-free, and refined sugar-free ingredients processed in their dedicated facility. What Breadblok has achieved with their locations equates to a community hub where neighbors, both local and from afar, stop by for health-conscious selections they can count on from the friendly team.

We had the incredible opportunity to try some of their amazingly delicious food offerings prepared by their chefs, and the Breadblok crew treated us as if we had walked into a neighborhood market celebrating its 50th year in business. The restaurant, clean, organized, and deceivingly small, makes great use of simplicity, minimalism, and space by showing you nothing more than what you need to see: the food and the merchandise available for purchase. With this spotlight putting everything into focus, Breadblok Silver Lake feels so much larger than it is, and pairs all of this with a graciously spaced outdoor dining area.

Breadblok’s breakfasts and brunches include, but are not limited to a bacon Breakfast Sandwich, Potato Galette, a Breakfast Plate, and a surprisingly light Vanilla Brioche French Toast. Lunch menu options are hearty and wholesome, with Quiche Lorraine, Vegetable Quiche, and two Pizza options, while Avocado Toast, Smoked Salmon Tartine, and Croque Monsieur, melty Baguette Sandwiches, and brimming Salads complete the rest of the menu’s food options. No bakery is complete without a selection of baked goods, and Breadblok has more than you could ask for in gluten-free bread and sweet varieties.

Finally, Breadblok’s drink choices include a variety of coffees, teas, and specialty drinks, like the Lavender Latte and Pink Velvet Latte, all made with the milk or plant-based milk of the buyer’s choice. Big on flavor, and crafted with love, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see that Breadblok had regulars who just stopped by for coffee and a doughnut to soak in a heartwarming, pet-friendly, neighborly vibe.

 

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Therapy Platform, Real, Provides Free Workshops for LGBTQ+ Community

Therapy Platform, Real, Provides Free Workshops for LGBTQ+ Community

In a new national strategy, minors are being targeted to push political agendas, and it’s working. Proving that it’s not just adults who are affected by politics, 94% of LGBTQ youth reported that recent politics negatively impacted their mental health. In what is shaping up to be some of the worst modern-day political attacks on the U.S. population, more people are finding themselves unhappy, frustrated, and suffering mentally.

In response to ongoing current events, Mental Health Care platform, Real (backed by Gwenyth Paltrow, Megan Rapinoe, etc.) is committed to supporting everyone of LGBTQIA through their new free ‘Real to the People‘ (RTTP) workshops, that provide a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to share fears and anxieties, learn strategies to manage, and more. This is needed more and more as we witness the deepening political division taking place in the U.S.

Led by Real’s expert therapists and guest therapists, RTTP offers free live group sessions where both members and non-members can unite to discuss navigating current events, when it all feels a little too much. Below are the scheduled programs dedicated to those affected by the recent wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ pushes:

  • 3/10 at 7pm EST – Feeling Together: LGBTQIA Community Roundtable – led by therapist Naiylah Warren and special guest therapist Richard A. Unite

  • 3/14 at 7pm EST – Feeling Together: LGBTQIA Community Roundtable – led by Naiylah Warren and special guest therapist Kenya Crawford

  • 3/17 at 7pm EST– Feeling Together: Trans Community Roundtable – led by Madeline Lucas and special guest therapist Richard A. Unite

 

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Women/LGBTQ+ Owned Equator Coffees Opens First SoCal Location

Women/LGBTQ+ Owned Equator Coffees Opens First SoCal Location

Equator Coffees, the sustainable B Corp coffee roasting company known for boutique chef blends and Fair Trade organic coffees, opened its first-ever Southern California cafe in Culver City at Ivy Station on March 4, 2022. Founded by partners Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell, the company has been craft roasting in the Bay Area for over 25 years. Equator Coffees’ newest location in their collection of bustling cafes marks the company’s first-ever cafe in Southern California. The 1400 square feet, 50+ seat indoor-outdoor cafe joins Equator Coffees’ ten beloved Northern California outposts. Equator Coffees’ focus on quality, sustainability and social responsibility makes it poised to be a welcome addition to the Los Angeles area, and the thriving and culturally vibrant community of Culver City. 

To celebrate Equator Coffees’ arrival in Southern California 10% of the Ivy Station cafe’s opening week sales were donated to the Los Angeles LGBT Center, which provides health, housing, education and social services to thousands of LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Additionally, February 16th – March 2nd the cafe offered the “Finca Sophia Flight”; a two-cup flight of award-winning Panamanian Gesha coffees from Equator’s own Finca Sophia Coffee Farm, available exclusively at Equator Coffees’ Culver City location.

“Making people’s lives better through coffee informs every connection we make, from farmer to roaster to the barista preparing your cup, and to consumers and the communities that our cafes inhabit” says Helen Russell, Co-founder of Equator Coffees. “We are excited to join the burgeoning community of Culver City, and to have the opportunity to offer families, professionals, and visitors alike, delicious coffees from around the world with distinct flavor profiles that are ethically sourced.” 

Equator’s brewed coffee and specialty drinks are truly special, and the Culver City cafe will offer their seasonal single origin pour over program, a choice between the house Tigerwalk espresso blend and a rotating seasonal single origin espresso, a delightful menu of specialty espresso beverages such as shakeratos and the Habibi latte, as well as a full selection of whole bean coffee, including their #1 seller and devotee-favorite, the full-bodied Equator Blend, and the Washed Gesha and Natural Gesha coffees from Panama’s Finca Sophia Coffee Farm

Building upon their long standing relationship with the culinary community, Equator will partner with celebrated LA chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken on the Socalo Spiced Latte, a signature cafe de olla-inspired latte with piloncillo, cinnamon, and star anise, and Guava Empanadas, as well as new coffee collaboration – ‘Mary Sue and Susan’s SOCALO Las Rosas, Colombia’ – a medium roast produced by the Las Rosas Women’s Coffee Project of West Hulia, Colombia; all available at the new Culver City cafe. The all-day menu, bearing a SoCal twist,  will offer pastries from Farmshop Market in Santa Monica and artisanal breads from Bub & Grandmas

Equator Coffees collaborated with Kellie Patry Design to create a cafe inspired by the California topography and the metro line which runs parallel to the Ivy Station location and seamlessly flows into the building’s adjacent public greenspace. The streamlined interior is imbued with color,  futurism, and playfulness, and the design connects the interior and patio with curving white oak benches, offering a subtle homage to metro design. The cafe features details like a tile mural by Thomas Williams mimicking ocean waves, and Louis Poulsen’s pendants wash light over the dining room. On designing the new cafe, Patry reflects: “Forward-thinking, Helen and Brooke’s journey along the Equator is at the core of my inspiration. Equator Coffees is a tireless savvy welcoming company led by equally stirring women. I think of the cafe as Flapper Chrome morphed into Espresso Futurism, at a metro stop in Culver City.”

Equator Coffees’ Culver City location will feature Ground Control ‘Cyclops’ brewers, allowing for Equator’s renowned coffees to shine. This cutting edge coffee brewer creates a layered brew via a multiple extraction, full immersion brewing process. Brewing coffee through the eyes of chemistry is a hallmark of Equator’s philosophy, which is driven home by the Ivy Station cafe’s addition of the La Marzocco KB90 espresso machine; a uniquely precise piece of brewing equipment that is designed to eliminate physical stress, allowing baristas an empowering working environment where they can dial in the most delectable drinks imaginable.

Equator Coffees Culver City is located at 8900 Venice Blvd #105, Los Angeles, CA 90232 and will be open from 7:30am-3:30pm daily. For more info, visit here and follow along @equatorcoffees

About Equator Coffees

In 1995, Equator Founders Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell began their values-driven path, roasting coffee in a Marin County, CA garage. Possessing an obsessive commitment  to green coffee sourcing and unparallelled roasting expertise, Helen and Brooke have committed 25+ years to sustainable & fair trade coffee practices all in the name of creating a remarkable coffee experience for consumers. Today, Equator Coffees is a retail and wholesale coffee roaster & coffee farm owner with ten retail cafes throughout Northern California – from Marin County to San Francisco to Oakland and beyond – to their eleventh (opening soon), and first Southern California shop, in Los Angeles. Throughout the years, Equator Coffees has spearheaded  industry-leading sourcing and roasting practices, and has forged progressive partnerships with Michelin-starred chefs, specialty grocers, tech campuses, and more. Women-owned, LGBTQ-founded and an early adopter of Fair Trade certification, Equator Coffees is the first California coffee roaster to achieve B-Corp Certification.  https://www.equatorcoffees.com/

About Los Angeles LGTB Center

Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org. Instagram: @lalgbtcenter | Twitter: @LALGBTCenter | Facebook: @lalgbtcenter

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Nutritionist Rania Batayneh, MPH on the Benefits of Kori Krill Oil

Nutritionist Rania Batayneh, MPH on the Benefits of Kori Krill Oil

March begins National Nutrition Month, and what better way to kick things off, than with Kori Krill Oil and helpful information from Nutritionist Rania Batayneh, MPH? For many who began 2022 on a health kick, experiences have ranged from effortless to completely off the rails, but Kori Krill Oil can help everyone with the least effort.

Even with the growing trend of diet-conscious people today, nutrition deficiencies are still rampant in the United States, with a whopping 70% of the U.S. population deficient in omega-3’s — a key nutrient for heart health.

With just one serving of superior Omega-3 supplement Kori Krill Oil ($19.99), 250 grams of EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids are provided to your body – the equivalent of the same amount of Omega-3s that you’d get from eating 2 servings of fish per week (recommended by U.S. dietary guidelines). As Kori Krill Oil provides Omega-3 in its most natural phospholipid form, distribution is superior and converts directly into cells and organs.

Read on for key pointers in our Q&A with Nutritionist Rania Batayneh, MPH, and no matter where you are in your health journey, get started making sure you’re not deficient in Omega-3’s!

Q&A With Nutritionist Rania Batayneh:

Q: Can you please share some info with our readers about your background as a nutritionist and how you got started?

In 2001, I obtained my master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. I started my career in San Francisco in 2001 with a focus on developing strategies to help my clients optimize their health and wellness, which results in long term weight loss. My first book, The One One One Diet is a #1 Amazon bestseller and has changed the lives of so many men and women.

Q: During this time with health and wellness interest booming, what is one of the biggest nutritional myths or misconceptions?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that only older generations should be worried about how nutrition can play a huge role in overall health. For example, the CDC recommends that the younger generations should also stay vigilant with their heart health too. In fact, heart disease affects 1 in 10 Americans between 20 to 39 years old. Diet and nutrition play a critical role in improving heart health, and omegas are a superfood that can not be overlooked.

Q: Can you tell us what in its formula makes Kori Krill Oil so special, and why it stands out from other comparable alternatives, like cod liver oil and salmon oil supplements?

Krill Oil, specifically Kori, the superior Omega-3 supplement really stands out compared to other fish oils on the market. Kori truly is an Omega-3 Superfood. Antioxidant powered for 6+ benefits including heart, brain, joint, eye, skin and immune health with superior absorption versus fish oils.

Kori Krill Oil Omega-3s are in phospholipid form, which supports Omega-3 distribution throughout the body and delivery to the body’s cells. Since krill oil Omega-3s are in a phospholipid form (their most natural form) that blends easily in our stomachs, you do not get that fishy aftertaste or fishy burps.

Q: Just from a nutritional standpoint, what are some of the highlights that Kori offers, and how do they help the body?

Like fish oil, krill oil contains DHA and EPA. However, krill oil contains the essential nutrient choline which supports brain and nervous system health, and the antioxidant astaxanthin. Fish oil doesn’t have these.

Not all Omega-3 supplements are the same and there are many important differences between krill oil and other Omega-3 supplements, like fish oil that make Krill Oil the superior Omega-3 superfood source. Some key differences include: 

Kori Krill Oil naturally has more nutrients and comes in their most natural form for even more health benefits vs. traditional omega-3 sources.

Kori Krill Oil is the most natural Omega-3 form whose antioxidant power supports heart, brain, joint, eye, skin and immune health with superior absorption versus fish oils.

Superfoods are not only packed with nutrients, but they are clean by nature. Kori Krill Oil is naturally non-gmo, which means no artificial flavors, colors & preservatives are needed. 

Q: 70% of the U.S. population is deficient in Omega-3’s. What are some health issues that can arise over time due to a lack of sufficient Omega-3’s?

Omegas are always top of mind (literally and figuratively!). Consumers are embracing Omega-3s as they are critical for our brain, eye, skin, heart, join, and immune health. Salmon (or a healthy fish diet) is one of the most recognized superfoods out there, because its Omega-3 EPA & DHA nutrients are essential fatty acids our bodies need. The American Heart Association recommends that you consume 2 servings of fish/week. But >70% of Americans aren’t eating enough of a healthy fish diet, resulting in too low Omega-3 levels.

A more “superficial” example is one of which impacts your skin. The term “Inflammaging” is a meld of the words “inflammation” and “aging,” and lends itself to the concept that inflammation leads to quick aging of the skin. If you are not eating 2 servings of fatty fish each week, it is quite likely that you are deficient in omega-3s which are essential fatty acids.  While we can’t take a look inside our bodies, what we see can be a reflection of a deficiency. When our diets are deficient in fatty acids, you may start to experience dry skin. Reason being: Omega-3 fatty acids are important in keeping our skin hydrated and strong. Supplementing with a product that in its natural form — like Kori Krill Oil — can make an impact on your skin.

Are there any final points you’d like to stress about the importance of implementing Kori Krill Oil and Omega-3’s into regular daily intake?

If your diet is lacking in omegas, my recommendation for an added source of Omega-3s is Kori Krill Oil which offers Omega-3s in its most natural form, closest to eating a healthy fish diet. Think of it this way, a supplement should supplement your diet. Sounds simple, right? When you look at your diet (meaning what you eat, not what you shouldn’t eat!) are you getting the essentials? One of which are your Omega 3 fatty acids. To find out, ask yourself this question, “Am I eating 2 servings of fish each week?” If the answer is no, then a supplement is a good idea. Not only do Omega-3s help with our brain health, they are also powerful antioxidants which help support our eye, skin, heart, joint, and immune health.

Some supplements target only one part of your health-your hair, your eyes, your skin, but what if there was one that helped with all of them. KORI is the one supplement your entire body can benefit from-head to toe. What’s more, research suggests that omega-3s from krill oil are superior to fish oil in raising Omega-3 levels in the body.

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