1. Strawberries:  These are at the end of the season in California, but you can still get them from my favorite vendor, Harry’s Berries. Their strawberries are literally better than candy–so good that there’s always a line right when the market opens. Make sure you get there right at 8:30 to get your share and try the gaviota ones if you can. 
2.  Dates: Dates are so versatile and a great alternative if you’re looking for a natural sugar substitute. I love to soak them and use them in baked goods, or have them as a snack if I’m looking for something really sweet. Try the honey dates from Dates by Davall! 
3. Fresh Herbs: Using fresh herbs  adds amazing flavor and color to any recipe, so I always make sure we have basil, mint, and cilantro in the house to add to salads and dishes throughout the week. To keep them fresh, place them in the fridge in a ziplock bag with a moist paper towel, and they’ll last all week! 
4. Florals: If you know me well,  you’ll know that I am slightly obsessed with flowers and always have some in the house 🙂 Look out for deals at the end of the market (around 1:00 pm) and mix in some lavender for a fresh touch.
5. Leafy Greens:  Need more greens in your diet? I like to experiment with new ones and rotate them every few weeks, like bok choy and rainbow chard. Sautee with a little olive oil and garlic, and you’re good to go! 
6. Local Honey: Did you know that regularly consuming local, unprocessed honey can help to relieve allergy symptoms? Try some of the orange blossom variety from any local vendor and add to chamomile or green tea as a coffee substitute. 

Recently, it seems like everyone has been talking about sleep. Case and point: Arianna Huffington’s “sleep revolution” claims that 40% of the US population gets less than 6 hours each night, resulting in 60 million sleeping pill prescriptions annually (!). 

It’s no secret that sleep is key to a healthy lifestyle and beauty routine, but we all know that in practice it can be tough, especially with a busy schedule.  Here are my top tips to help catch some Zs this week: 

1. Turn of all electronics by 9 pm: I know, I know, we all have our poison—email, Facebook, Instagram—that keeps us up. But swapping electronics with a book or magazine is necessary to a good night’s sleep since these devices can suppress melatonin production (a sleep hormone). BONUS: Leaving your phone on the other side of the room will make you even more willing to turn off that alarm in the morning. Win win. 
2. Meditation and deep breathing: Even a few minutes of deep breathing, light stretching, or yoga system goes a long way to calm the nervous system. Here’s a quick routine you can practice right before bed.
3. Sip chamomile tea: Or ginger, or peppermint, or any other kind of herbal tea that suits your fancy. A steaming cup of tea has a power-down effect and is a great treat to help train you brain to calm down. Not a tea drinker? Warm milk with a pinch of salt and cinnamon should also do the trick.
4. Stay active: Studies show that moving more during the day has a positive correlation with better and deeper sleep at night. It doesn’t have to be a crazy Soul Cycle class—even a nice long brisk walk with the dog is enough to train your mind to calm down when it’s time for bed. 
5. List it out: That is, it’s often helpful to jot down any tasks or things you didn’t get done and set it aside in a journal on your nightstand. 
6. Monitor your midnight snacks: This is probably the #1 reason why most people struggle with sleep. Try setting a cut-off for heavy or sugary foods–especially sweets–a few hours before bed. When your blood sugar spikes, it causes that awful tossing and turning that will keep you all through the night. Nobody wants that! If you do need a snack, try something protein rich with healthy fats, like a handful of nuts or my favorite, turkey slices with avocado.