I'll Try That Week! #1: The "Monday Reset" Cleanse from bBar in Del Mar

Mondays drag. Most of us ate too much, drank too much. No matter what, you always just feel like you did too much of nothing (or not the right thing) and an over abundance of something. 

Last week, I told you about my experiment in eliminating meat and limiting dairy... a decision that was challenged this weekend with a 6 hour rugby tournament (where I worked the burger/hot dog food stand) and our traditional "Avant Family St. Patty's Day Corned Beef Extravaganza." If there was ever a week to start off with a cleanse, it would have been this one. 

Here in San Diego, we have a new bar in town. But it's a good one - a place where the only thing that may hurt if you frequent it is your wallet. bBar is the official "Ultimate Juice, Superfood, and Vitality Bar" located off Via de la Valle in Del Mar (across from the Flower Hill Mall, by Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf). It's a place to pick up a yummy smoothie, a variety of the Beaming juices, a fabulous salad or a raw protein bite. I feel healthier just walking in the door. 

While I've never been one to even attempt a cleanse, last month I did the bBar's new Monday Reset - a one day juice and salad cleanse that aims to start your week off on the right track. I know what you are thinking - how can one day do any good? Well, according to Lisa Odenweller, CEO of Beaming, it can actually do a lot of good. 

One of the best ways to reduce inflammation and alkalize your body is to take one day a week where you give your digestion a break and get off the foods (and drinks) that wreak havoc on your body (dairy, wheat/gluten, sugar, alcohol), allowing your body to reset and thrive.  Just one day of drinking mostly juice and a salad or other plant based foods/drinks will give your body what it needs to start the week right while setting good habits for the week.   Our Monday Reset Cleanse is designed with this goal in mind and is a great sampler of 4 of our favorite juices that gives great variety while also including our delicious freshly made sprouted almond milk, our beaming plant protein blend, a Beaming Superfood Bite (which tastes almost too good to be good for you!!) and one of our signature salads or raw dishes.  We make it as simple as possible by making it delicious and healthy so that you don't feel deprived but are instead rejuvenated and inspired.  

And she was right about the bite and almond milk - they were like candy! So, of course I had to ask about the nutritional breakdown of what I was consuming that day. I mean, aren't almonds fattening? 

We believe in keeping things low glycemic which is especially important when drinking juice all day and when cleansing.  We offer cleansing programs that are extremely balanced by making sure that the juices & smoothies on our cleanses are low in fruit sugar and high in vegetables -- this helps to prevent insulin crashes and optimize your metabolism.  Most of our diets are already filled with too much sugar (even too much fruit sugar isn't good for us) so we believe the more green the better.  Even our most popular green juices (Beaming Zing and Fennel Love) have less than 1/4 apple in them which is considerably less than most juices on the market.  While it will almost always taste better with more fruit, we believe in limiting the fruit because we know its better for you.

Coming from the girl that "does not do cleanses" - I really enjoyed this one. First, it was only 24 hours. Second, you got a super yummy salad for dinner that helped me to push through the end. I will admit, I got a little light-headed around 4:00ish, but I also think I ate my protein bite too early. Most of the juices were delicious, there were two of them that were not ones I would routinely drink. I was going to work out in the morning, but didn't, and I'm glad I was unable to in the end - it may have pushed me too far that day. 

In the end I was happy that I powered through. And funny enough, I woke up on Tuesday morning and considered driving down and getting all the same juices and trying for a second day. I'm still not sure I could do a 4-day, but after my positive experience with the Monday Reset, I won't rule it out. 

*disclosure: bBar provided me with the "Monday Reset" for review purposes. Opinions are my own. 

Get Ready For Valentine's Day: Hit the Spa or Plan a San Diego "Staycation"

We all know that Valentine's day is about bringing the love... and nothing says love better than a day at the spa or a weekend in a swanky, downtown hotel. If you are lucky enough to live in San Diego (or even Southern California) here are my two picks for getting reacquainted with your significant other.

La Costa Resort and Spa

If you follow me around on my various social networks, you know how much I LOVE La Costa. Yes, it's five minutes from my house but there is still something magical about spending the day at the spa there. I feel like I'm hundreds of miles away instead of just three. While a nice bamboo massage or aroma rain massage will also put you in a loosey goosey mood, for V-day you can always spice it up with one of these Valentine-inspired treatments:

Champagne Mimosa Massage Indulge in a champagne infused full body massage. Helps reduce muscle tension and increase circulation.  Relax afterwards by the spa dipping pool with a complimentary signature Spa Bellini. 

Sweet Red Rose Facial Revitalizing and nourishing, this Sweet Red Rose treatment will assist in toning and reducing visible signs of aging.  Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, this facial is sure to deliver a refreshing boost of firming hydration. 

Romantic Journey for Two Enjoy a 50-minute Suite Hearts Couples Massage followed by 45 minutes leisure time en-suite to enjoy after the massage.  You will enjoy your own private Jacuzzi and patio area while indulging in champagne and chocolate covered strawberries.

**swoon**

But maybe a night away is more up your alley? Downtown San Diego is always a great spot to spend the night and feel young again. 

W Hotel San Diego

Last year, the W San Diego in downtown San Diego completed a $5 million renovation that includes a new lobby, signature restaurant, rooftop bar, spacious indoor and outdoor meeting facilities and event spaces. Referred to as the “Living Room,” the lobby includes vibrant colors in a lounge-like atmosphere with a DJ some nights. They also have a new bar, "Rooftop" that combines cocktails, bonfires, private cabanas and views of the city and San Diego Bay. 

Two things to note: If you live in California, you get a 10% "locals only"rate. Also, take advantage of the "Acura Experience" - a free 5 mile ride. But book it early as it fills up quickly. 

HipMamaB San Diego: Peter Pan Comes to Broadway San Diego

I am so excited because PETER PAN, staring Cathy Rigby, is coming to San Diego November 13-18th, 2012.

Going to the theater is such an amazing things for kids. I still remember my mom taking me to see Peter Pan with Sandy Duncan when I was about Zoe's age, and I can't wait to share that memory with my kids. 

PETER PAN is a unique, family friendly attraction of spectacle and fantasy.  The thrill of flying, timeless magical moments and a captivating hook will mesmerize young and old alike.  The legend you thought you know, is now the adventure you never dreamed possible…

Tickets are on sale now and as part of Broadway/San Diego's 2012-2013 35^th Anniversary Season Package.

Enter the code: MOMMY and SAVE 25%*!

Have you taken your kids to a theatre production at the Civic Center yet? Which play did you see? 

*25% off code “MOMMY” for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday shows is only active through November 12^th, which is the day before Peter Pan opens.

The Kawasaki Disease Foundation Gala - Can you help?

Just going to be upfront on this - I'm going to tell you a little story that may pull at your heart, then I'm going to ask you for a favor…

My baby boy was 9 months old.

Sweet, little Lucas had just celebrated his first Thanksgiving, was starting to pull himself to a standing position and was about to celebrate his first Christmas. One evening, Jason and I took him to Balboa Park, to what used to be called "Christmas on the Prado" to see the lights. He was all bundled up and tucked in tight to his stroller when our friend looked down at him and said "Wow, I never realize how red his cute little lips were!" Jason and I stared at each other, both of us wondering why we had never noticed either. 

We were only 9 months into this parenting thing. Maybe the baby was cold? Maybe he ate something he shouldn't have? Thoughts raced through our minds. The next day our sweet boy had his very first fever. We called the nurse line and doled out the proper dosage of infant Motrin and gave him a lukewarm bath. Our normally happy baby was crying and sleeping and visibly uncomfortable. The next day the fever continued on. His lips grew redder and his eyes were a little bloodshot. Monday came with an early visit to our pediatrician. She made note that this looks "something like Kawasaki Disease" - but told us not to worry.. that was a very rare illness. She told me not to Google it and freak myself out. She put him on antibiotics and sent him in for a chest Xray to rule out pneumonia. 

This was before smartphones - with my day spent at doctors and caring for my little one, I didn't Google Kawasaki Disease...but when he was admitted to Rady Children's Hospital the next day, I wish I had.

Kawasaki Disease is the NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF ACQUIRED HEART DISEASE IN CHILDREN. And going on 8 years later, doctors and scientists STILL don't know exactly what causes it. 

We were lucky.

At the time, many pediatricians weren't trained to recognize and treat KD, and far too many parents were losing their kids to this disease. Our doctors diagnosed the disease in time for a successful treatment. Thus far Lucas has had no lasting heart damage. But as the research continues to grow and mature along with the little hearts affected by KD in the past, we are learning that things can always change.

That's why Jason and I are standing together to not only raise awareness for the disease, but help raise funds for the continued research of this disease.

BUT WE NEED A LITTLE HELP

Saturday, November 17th is the 4th Annual "To Save a Child's Heart" Kawasaki Disease Foundation Gala.

This is going to be an amazing culinary evening at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, celebrating all we know and raising money to keep on answering the millions of questions still unanswered. 

At this event, 18 celebrity chefs will cook table side for intimate groups of 8 people. Some of the top chefs from around the country and coming in and donating their time for this cause. I'm proud to be on the committee helping with the gala. I'm happy that I can do anything to give back the community that was there for us when we needed them 8 years ago.

If you are interested in attending the event, you can find more information on the chefs at www.KDFGala.org.

But even if you can't be there - I would still love your help. 

To help raise money at the event, we are looking for donations for the silent auction portion of the evening. 

Anything from gift certificates to restaurants, bottles of wine, work-out memberships or a basket of products would be greatly appreciated. 

I'm going to be collecting items over the next few weeks. If you can help in anyway, please let me know. 

Yes, I'm begging. Because I'm still scarred from the experience and learning all we can about this disease is the only way I can help other parents not have to go through what we went through. 

HipMamaB San Diego: THIS Sunday September 9th: Eat Your Greens to Give Some Green at Whole Foods #WFMSaladDay

"Wow Mom, I just want to buy all these vegetables and take them home and eat them all!" - Lucas, age 8

So, that was a total brag. But when Lucas said that to me while walking though a local farmer's market last Saturday, my pride SWELLED. Yay! I'm doing something right! I'm lucky, I know it. Not a lot of parents have kids that love arugula and broccolini. 

I'm also very lucky that our public school district, San Marcos Unified, has made healthy eating in our schools a priority and has instituted the USDA's new guidelines that requires meals to be healthier and served in smaller portions, with more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and with less sodium and no trans fat. Additionally, in order to encourage kids learn to eat healthier all the time, all students MUST have one serving of vegetable or fruit on their tray.

But doing this is not cheap. Many California districts are strapped for cash and sometimes just being able to offer free or reduced price meals is better than nothing. 

That's where Salad Bars 2 Schools comes in. One of the major programs of the Whole Kids Foundation (in partnership with the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative), is Whole Foods Market's ‘buy a salad, give a salad’ program that supports putting salad bars and other healthy eating programs in schools.  

This Sunday, September 9th, you can help support this program with the "Eat Your Greens to Give Some Greens" donation drive at your local Whole Foods in the Southern Pacific region (Southern California, Hawaii, Arizona & Las Vegas). 

It's easy to participate. Simply buy a salad or hot food item from the bar at Whole Foods this Sunday and a $1 per pound donation will be made based on total salad and hot food bar sales.

Hitting even closer to home, the donations will be tallied up and made for each metropolitan area - meaning the money raised locally will go to bring salad bars to schools in San Diego County. Schools such as the ones in the Encinitas Union and Oceanside districts or any other local schools/districts that apply for a grant online at www.SaladBars2Schools.com. 

So this Sunday take the day off cooking, at hit up a local Whole Foods salad/hot food bar for a delicious lunch or dinner. Locally, Whole Food locations include, Hillcrest, La Jolla and the new(ish) location in Encinitas. 

So, let's recap: 

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for Whole Foods Market.