SKIN CARE

So, I rarely invest in good skin care products, which is strangely ironic given that I really advocate investing in good quality food. I really value quality over quantity in so many aspects of my life, I should know better. Using cheap shampoo means coarser hair that needs to be cut more frequently. I know all of these things, yet, I still use an organic soap to clean my face and an organic moisturizer or olive oil in it's place. It's a good start, but there is certainly room for improvement.

Last week, I was killing some time in Venice when I happened upon a "pop up shop" called the Detox something or other on Abbot Kinney. It sounded right up my alley so I went in and spent some time speaking with the owner of Odacité, an all natural skin care company. Now I should caution that many companies who claim to have "all natural" products, do not. There is no real regulation to that phrase, so approach it cautiously. But, Odacité, they are the real deal. There is no weird, chemically sounding ingredients, jut real stuff that isn't harmful. I bought a sample pack, I guess the starter kit for skin care and have fallen in love. There are no added scents, yet it smells really good, fresh and clean. I'm a new convert.

You can order this stuff online but if you live in LA, you can go for yourself to the Detox Market on Abbot Kinney, from now until the end of December.

EVENTS

Tis the season for butternut squash and winter greens. It is also that time of the year when we start to consider the New Year and resolutions. If one of your New Year's resolutions is to eat better, cook more, lose weight, eat out less, or anything like that, then you should check out some of the healthy cooking classes I will be teaching at The Beverly Hills Adult School.

Detox-Healthy, Clean and Fresh Flavors

I promise, there will be no mention of green juice or weird ingredients. Tonight’s class will be an introduction to the benefits of giving the body a much needed break, especially after the gluttonous holidays. I will introduce some easy, clean and fresh recipes that not only taste good but are great for your mind and body. $25 Food fee payable to the chef in class, cash/check only.

• 213810 January 10 (1 Monday) Jessica Hilton
• 6:15-9:15 pm, HS Rm. 361 $35

Healthy Meals for Kids and Adults

I know several people whose kids only eat four things: pasta, cheese, baby carrots and chicken fingers. (Do chickens even have fingers?) Tonight, we will learn how to introduce healthier food selections into your kids’ meals, and master a few tricks on how to hide their veggies so they’ll never know. $25 Food fee payable to the chef in class, cash/check only.

• 213824 January 24 (1 Monday) Jessica Hilton
• 6:15-9:15 pm, HS Rm. 361 $35

Greens & Grains

Are you unable to tell the difference between kale and quinoa (pronounced Keen-Wa)? Are you puzzled as to why some restaurants are serving what appears to be bird seed? Tonight, I will give you a primer on leafy greens and whole grains so you not only know how to pronounce them, but also how to use them in quick, easy and delicious recipes. $25 Food fee payable to the chef in class, cash/check only.

• 213807 February 7 (1 Monday) Jessica Hilton
• 6:15-9:15 pm, HS Rm. 361 $35

Breakfast

So we’ve all heard “breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” but how can we fit a healthy breakfast into our hectic mornings? Many of us are lucky if we can cram a muffin down our throats while swigging a latte on the 405. With this modern dilemma in mind, I’m going to show you how to prepare nutritious breakfasts in less time than it takes to brush your teeth. $25 Food fee payable to the chef in class, cash/check only.

• 213806 March 7 (1 Monday) Jessica Hilton
• 6:15-9:15 pm, HS Rm. 361 $35

Here is a link to online registration.