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By Amy Zhang March 1, 2017 in Recipes 16 Comments

A Little Easy Tropical Inspired Snack – Spicy Fruit Salad

Easy, Tropical Inspired Spicy Fruit Salad by The Luxi Look

If it’s not too late for a new year’s resolution (ha!), I have one. Actually, it’s more of a life resolution. When it comes to my diet, my goal is to focus on whole, clean foods with the occasional indulgence here or there. The key is balance. However, I have the craziest sweet tooth and working in an office where there are constantly treats around has not been easy. I found myself reaching for a little sugary something almost every day – a piece of chocolate, half a cookie, a bite of a cupcake. Now that I’ve been reading and learning more about SUGAR and the effects it has on your body, I’m really making it a point to eat less sugar. More on that later, but for now I wanted to share the easiest recipe for a morning or afternoon snack that satisfies your sweet tooth – spicy fruit salad.

If you live in Southern California, you know what I’m talking about. Ever see the fruit carts on street corners selling assorted fruits and vegetables? They’re mixing up spicy fruit salad. When I was in Mexico City, I had the freshest, juiciest mango of my life from a fruit stand – and have been recreating this sweet and spicy concoction at home.

It’s so, so easy, and the perfect morning and afternoon pick me up. If you also have a sweet tooth, fruit is the best substitute I’ve found. It’s natural, loaded with vitamins, and water filled. You’ll get an immunity boost from all of the vitamin C and I swear my skin just glows when I eat more fruit.

Not to go all fruititarian on you guys, but I could eat this every day.

Zesty, Spicy Fruit Salad

Watermelon
Mango
Pineapple
Jicama
Cucumber
Fresh lime juice
Tajín (<< this is what makes it!)

Cut up fruit into chunks, squeeze fresh lime juice over, and add Tajín liberally. Feel free to add any other fruit or vegetable you like. Papaya and oranges are a great addition as well. If you can’t find Tajín, you can substitute chili powder and a little salt. Enjoy!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang February 26, 2017 in Lifestyle, Recipes, Wellness 21 Comments

My Go-To Vegan Post Workout Smoothie

Blueberry Almond Butter Vegan Post Workout Smoothie by The Luxi Look

Lately, I’ve gotten into the habit of grabbing a vegan post workout smoothie after a good workout session. Once I realized how easy they are to make at home, I started whipping up different variations in my kitchen that I can’t wait to share with you guys! There really are so many benefits to eating within an hour of working out and making sure to consume a good balance of protein and carbs.

Why it’s important to eat after a workout

+ Your body needs to replenish the glycogen, electrolytes, and fluids that were depleted in your body after a tough workout.

+ Consuming protein within an hour of working out helps repair and build muscle. (See those guys drinking protein shakes at the gym?)

Why I love drinking vegan post workout smoothie:

+ I like to use vegan protein powder because I’m a little lactose intolerant. And whey protein powder, which is derived from milk, can be hard for my stomach to digest. I’m not vegan, but if you are, know that this variation is safe for you to consume and filled with protein!

+ I love smoothies because they’re so fast to whip up and easy, not to mention if you’re really pressed for time you can make smoothie packs ahead of time by zip locking all of the ingredients for one smoothie into a bag in advance.

+ Smoothies are failproof to make. You can use as much or as little of whatever ingredient you have on hand and chances are it’ll taste good. I also prefer smoothies to juices because you keep the fiber from the pulp of whatever fruits and vegetables you blend. : )

So here’s my current favorite variation. I’ll add or subtract ingredients depending on my mood and what I have in the kitchen.

Blueberry Almond Butter Vegan Protein Smoothie Recipe (inspired by Earth Bar)

1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup almond milk
2 tablespoons raw almond butter
1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder (I really like Vega)

Blend together, adding more milk or ice until you’ve achieved your desired consistency. For instance, I like mine to be a little thicker. Which is why I like using frozen fruit and adding more ice cubes.

** Extra add-ins if you’re feeling crazy – chia seeds, kale, spinach, greens powder, any superfood powder.

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang February 23, 2017 in Lifestyle, Wellness 32 Comments

Long Weekend Detox: What to Drink and The Ingredients You Should Look For

Weekend Detox - Wellness Drinks by The Luxi Look | Kombucha, Kreation Juices, Infused Water

Almost the weekend!! I’ll be taking this one easy… brunch, maybe a visit to a Korean Spa (dying for a body scrub!!), lots of reading, a weekend detox… what can I say, I’m a grandma : ). If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that I spent last weekend in Mexico City, consuming my fair share of really, really delicious food and too much mezcal to count. It was definitely “letting loose” relative to my typical day to day lifestyle, and while it was totally worth it, I always feel a little sluggish after an indulgent weekend. After a long weekend, I try to be a little more conscious of what I’m putting into my body and focus on eating whole, clean foods and drinking a ton of liquids. I don’t do juice cleanses or extreme detoxes, but I do try to pick out certain ingredients that have detoxifying benefits and help get your body back to normal. Here’s what goes into my mini weekend detox and how it helps you get out of your weekend slump.

Long Weekend Detox: What to Drink and The Ingredients You Should Look For

What I’m sipping on:

+ Kombucha – satisfies my craving for something fizzy, not to mention is so beneficial to your health. Kombucha helps with digestion, boosts your immunity, and is claimed to aid with energy and weight loss.

+ Fresh juices – even though the juicing craze has died down a bit, fresh juices are still a great way to drink more liquid and get more fruits and vegetables easily. Making your own fresh is the best, but it can be time consuming and messy – when I’m on the go, I love Kreation, Beverly Hills Juice, and Juice Served Here in LA.

+ Water – duh! If you’re struggling to get enough water, you absolutely need a water infuser in your life! This one has totally changed my life – it makes water taste SO much better. My favorite combination is cucumber, lemon, and mint, but you can use a variety of fresh fruits and herbs to flavor your water. Water is essential for a weekend detox.

Detoxifying ingredients to look for:

+ Tumeric – anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant, which boosts your immunity. If you haven’t tried a turmeric latte yet, you need to do so!

+ Activated charcoal – flushes toxins out of your system. I love charcoal lemonade, but if you can’t find it nearby you can also take activated charcoal pills. Just be sure to drink lots of water with it!

+ Ginger – also an immune system booster and helps with inflammation and may even help prevent cancer.

+ Lemon – warm water with lemon in the morning has been shown to improve digestion and detoxify the body. None of that master cleanse BS.

+ Cucumber – another hydrating superfood that is full of vitamins and antioxidants. Yum!

+ Apple Cider Vinegar – adding a little bit of ACV in your beverage may help with weight loss and digestion.

Happy detox-ing!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang February 20, 2017 in Lifestyle, Recipes 26 Comments

Le Bowl Recipe – One of My Favorite Dishes EVER

Let’s talk food. If you follow me on insta or snap, you probably already know that I LOVE to eat. Living in Los Angeles, there are so many options for food. Every type of cuisine at every price point imaginable. We really are so spoiled. With that being said, there are still a handful of spots that are my go-to’s and I eat at on a regular basis. The place I probably go to the most (aka an embarrassing amount) would be Zinqué,. I am OBSESSED with their “Le Bowl.”

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, girls brunch, date night – you name it, Zinqué is my spot. I love their outdoor patio, wine list – perfect at the end of a long week at work – and their fries. YUM. If we’re friends, chances are I’ve dragged you to Zinqué. If not, let’s go soon.

The thing is – I order the same exact thing every time.

“Le Bowl.”

Sounds fancy, but the “Le Bowl” is really so simple. Brown rice, avocado, tomatoes, arugula, a little cheese, sriracha mayo, and your choice of protein (I usually get chicken or ahi tuna). So. Damn. Good.

I can’t go there every day and I really need to resist the temptation to go overboard by ordering a glass of wine, those damn fries, and dessert (the flourless chocolate cake is to die for) so I make my own at home when the mood strikes. This has become a weekly occurrence in my apartment.

It’s super easy to make and the perfect lunch or dinner if you’re looking to whip something up quick that’s still delicious and good for you.

Here’s what you’ll need – feel free to adjust the recipe accordingly to your taste. Add more of ingredients you love, remove the ones you don’t.

Le Bowl (serves 1)

1/2 cup brown rice
4 oz shredded chicken
(I bake chicken breasts, shred up a rotisserie chicken, or use “Just Chicken” from Trader Joe’s – no weird ingredients)
1/2 avocado, cubed
1/2 tomato, cubed
(If you have time, marinate in red wine vinegar for a day. Makes the tomatoes super plump and juicy)
Handful arugula
Shaved Parmesan cheese
Comte cheese (Trader Joe’s has this, otherwise feel free to sub Emmentaler or Gruyere)
Salt and pepper
Sriracha
Mayo

Mix brown rice, chicken, avocado, tomato, and arugula in a bowl. Add cheese to taste. Season with salt and pepper, and dress with sriracha and mayo.

** Healthy substitutions: swap the mayo for greek yogurt and replace the rice with cauliflower rice if you’re trying to go low-carb. You won’t miss them. Vegan? Remove the cheese, chicken, and mayo. Vegetarian? Sub roasted vegetables or egg whites in place of the chicken.

Voila! Tasty, easy, healthy meal. And it goes perfectly with a glass of rosé ; ).

Bon appétit!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang February 16, 2017 in Lifestyle 14 Comments

Are Soy Candles Better? Everything You Need to Know

Are Soy Candles? Comparing soy and paraffin wax candles.

Find me a girl that doesn’t love candles. I swear, every single girl I know is borderline obsessed with scented candles. For me personally, I just love the way candles fill up a room and make my apartment feel more like a home. Over the years, I’ve become quite the scented candle hoarder – now I have an entire cabinet filled with different scents and variations! BUT, I never thought to look into what was in the candles I was burning every night and had no idea what they were made of. So, I did some research. Turns out, scented candles can have some pretty gross ingredients in them that can actually be hazardous to your health. Yep. That bougie $60 candle you’re burning may actually have negative effects on your health. SO – if you’re wondering what kind of candles are best and specifically, are SOY candles better ?? – then read on.

Are Soy Candles Better? Everything You Need to Know

Are candles toxic?

YES !! That is, paraffin wax candles are. If you’re checking the labels on all the foods you eat, you should definitely be checking the labels on your candles! You might be shocked to find that most candles on the market are made of paraffin wax. The reason paraffin wax is so dangerous is because when it burns, petro-carbon soot is released into the air.

The compounds in this soot – benzene and tolune – are known carcinogens. Fun fact: they’re also the same toxins in diesel fuel. Meaning: the beautiful, scented candles you are lighting in your house are toxic. Definitely not what you want to be breathing in on a nightly basis.

Are soy candles better?

Soy candles have recently seen a huge rise in popularity and are touted as the safer, healthier option to paraffin candles. Here’s why –

+ Soy wax is 100% biodegradable

+ Soy wax candles smell stronger because the fragrance is released more easily

+ It burns longer than paraffin candles

+ Soy wax is derived from natural vegetables

Are soy candles better? Craft + Foster candles are all natural, 100% soy, and come in a variety of scents.

Are soy candles better? Craft + Foster candles in Champagne Blush and Coconut Lemongrass are safer and all natural options to traditional paraffin wax.

What are some affordable alternatives?

I’m totally guilty of buying bougie candles, but the sad truth a lot of them are made of paraffin wax. As much as I might love the scents and packaging, I’m making a concerted effort to switch to more natural candles as much as I can. One particular brand I really love is Craft + Foster.

Made in San Diego, Craft + Foster creates 100% natural soy candles that come in a variety of fragrances. Champagne Blush is their most popular scent, but I personally adore the Coconut Lemongrass version (beach vacation in a jar!!). In addition, the company was founded by a US Veteran, Melissa Burgess, and supports local workers and various nonprofit organizations. So you can feel good about the candle you’re buying and the company you’re supporting : ).

Other brands I also love: Penelope Co. and P.F. Candle Co. All three brands are California based, 100% soy candles, and under $25. PS – they make great gifts too ; ).

xx, Amy