Co-author of three books, Raw Chocolate, Everyday Raw Detox and Plant Food she recently released her first solo title - Coconut Kitchen.

And Nucifera - hand-crafted in Venice Beach, California - a plant-based line of body products centralized on the healing properties of the coconut and the belief that what we put on is just as important as what we put in.

How do you create beauty and ritual in your daily life?

My day is composed of little rituals. I value the time and space that rituals create. One of the hardest things about having a baby for me has been a loss of some of that unstructured time.  For me, it can be as simple as a cup of fresh coffee in the morning, and sitting down to the computer excited to map out my day.

I also always burn incense to shift moods and clear the space. I will use either our friend Bodha’s beautiful smokeless incense , palo santo sticks, or fresh copal resin.

In the evening, making dinner is my most meditative and creative time - often with a glass of wine. I'm very much a dinner person.

And walking, I’m so fortunate to live in such an walking friendly community. I walk everywhere, and it is my therapy.

What does a perfect day look like for you?

The perfect day for me would look like waking up with my husband and baby with the only plans being for sun, a hike or something physical, and good food - anywhere close to the ocean.

Nucifera Body is that perfect product that does it all. How do you like to use it specifically?

I truly use it from head to toe - all day, every day - but probably the most unique way I use it is to wash my face. People always think I’m crazy when I explain washing your face with an oil based balm, but it is such a game changer.

If I’m wearing makeup - I will massage it all over my face - (eyelashes to remove mascara included) and then I wipe my face with a warm washcloth. It cleans your pores beautifully, and removes all makeup without drying your skin out. You literally feel glowing afterwards!

How do you achieve that “glow” in your life?

I think staying curious is probably what makes me the best and ‘glowiest’ version of myself. I’ve always been an avid researcher and enthusiast.

And being in LOVE!  

Can you share with us some of your favorite restaurants and shops in LA?

LA has so much.

Gjusta and Cafe Gratitude are my local go-to’s that I go to too much.

I recently had lunch at Botanica on the east side and loved it. I wish it were closer!

A friend of mine owns an excellent new little spot in Venice called Chez Tex that serves great food with good vibes. Its a refreshing addition to the mix!

Ester's Wine Shop.

Bar and Garden. (Also, wine shop!)

I love Lodge Bread, they are genius bakers.

Loqui Tacos. Like no taco I’ve ever had before.

Tortise General Store for all things cool and Japanese.

Heist Clothing. When they have a good sale.

and RTH Shop is hands down my favorite retail shopping experience.

Do you have any go-to foods or supplements that you take regularly?

I started taking supplements right before I got pregnant and I’ve kind of stuck with it. While I was never a supplement junky before, I’ve turned into a bit of one.

My favorite is Ritual Vitamins - created by my friend Kat. They all in one for women, and contain responsibly sourced ingredients. Pretty much all you need.

I also take D3, Iron, B-12, Cod Liver Oil and Probiotics.

I swear I can tell a difference.  

How about go-to beauty products. Do you have any favorites?

I’ve always been a big fan of RMS - specifically the Luminzer,  and I’m currently loving Josh Rosebrook tinted day cream with SPF 30.

You have written a book “Coconut Kitchen – Cooking with Nature’s most Beautifying Superfood” and now have the Nucifera Body, a plant-based line for the body. Where can we find it, and can you give us a few of your favorite ways we can incorporate this incredible ingredient into our lives?

As of now Coconut Kitchen is most easily found on Amazon, and can be found in many Whole Foods markets.

Nucifera is sold on our site, most Anthropologie stores, and many great boutiques across the country.

Coconut oil is such a versatile product, there almost isn’t any way you can’t use it! I really think that cleansing with it (either coconut oil or Nucifera) like I mentioned above is really one of the most unique and easy ways to start using it.

Treating your skin and your body as one in the same with products that are -baseline- edible is so empowering. Once you start doing it you really start to appreciate the connection. Think about the things that we so often put on our body, but if we got them in our mouths we’d be grossed out. Doesn’t that seem weird? I’m not saying to eat Nucifera- we don’t recommend it because of the essential oils, but if you did it certainly wouldn’t hurt you.

Do you have a favorite DIY recipe using coconut or Nucifera?

Nucifera makes an AMAZING DIY deodorant. Add about a teaspoon of baking soda to 2 tablespoons of Nucifera and it is literally one of the BEST deodorant creams.

What woman epitomizes beauty and grace for you?

I fall in love with different women all the time!

Probably one of my all time favorites is MFK Fisher. She wasn’t known for her beauty, although she was beautiful - but she is was such a brilliant thinker, writer, gourmand, and truly knew how to live the good life. Her philosophy on food and how it relates to life is just perfect. Whenever I read her work I feel deeply inspired.

What’s your definition of beauty now days?

Comfortable and confident.  

What are some of the societal food and beauty paradigms that you see women buying into that you would like to dispel or see change?

I think I live in a bubble where natural beauty is cool, and this might sound shocking to people considering I live in LA. As I write this I can literally look up and see a handful of stunning women - none of who are wearing much make up or have any fuss to their vibe.

I wish that more women could see that. All the makeup and the paste and artificial scents, and the toxic beauty products - ugh! I’m really sensitized to it. It kind of grosses me out!

And deodorant. That one is such a myth… If my husband had worn regular deodorant when we got together I don’t know if we’d be where we are! Seriously. Authentic pheromones are ESSENTIAL in attracting the right partner.

I also think that so many people are focus on WHAT to eat, but forget HOW to eat. Food culture  (especially for women) is still so surrounded in neurosis. My thoughts on this could get really long, but just enjoying food and being gracious is so important. I certainly acknowledge food allergies and dietary preference - I definitely have some of them - but at the end of the day relaxing around food is also very important.


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