Marissa Vicario

Recent Blog Posts

Welcome to the Jungle: Wild Jungle Peanut Butter

At some point on my journey toward health I learned about nut butters and began experimenting with almond butter and cashew butter as an alternative to the peanut butter that had become a staple in my kitchen. Sure, I liked these options often better than peanut butter, which now seemed boring, but there were still those times when I missed my old stand-by. It wasn't until I went to Nutrition … [Read more...]

Keep It Simple

Greens are the food most commonly missing in the American diet. As a Health and Wellness Coach, I often work with clients on adding more green foods into their diets. (no ... not green M&Ms;!) At first, this can cause some overwhelm on behalf of the client who may be unfamiliar with the many green vegetables available out there and also may not be a whiz in the kitchen. But even the most … [Read more...]

Avocado Toast is for Avocado Lovers

Avocado is one of my most favorite things on this planet so when I brunched at Cafe Gitane last weekend and saw succulent avocado toast on the menu, I had to have it. To say the stuff was good is an understatement. Creamy mashed avocado, lemon juice, crushed red pepper a top hearty seven grain bread - there's nothing better! Not only is avocado tasty, it's good for you too! Yes, avocado is high in … [Read more...]

Healthy Easter Treat: Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cake

It has been awhile since I baked because I'm trying to stay away from sugar, but with today being Easter and all, I couldn't resist. Besides, after a long day of rainy outdoor outlet mall shopping yesterday, I needed to unwind. This recipe is adapted from Tal Ronnen's The Conscious Cook and was surprisingly easy to make. Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cake Ingredients 2-1/4 c spelt flour 1-1/2 … [Read more...]

The “Miracle” of Elimination

You may be wondering why a photo of my toilet is headlining my blog today. Well, folks, whether we want to discuss it or not, proper, regular and complete elimination does go hand-in-hand with a healthy diet and lifestyle. The wooden contraption adorning the base of that fine piece of porcelain in the photo is a MiracleStep. I was enlightened to read in Kris Carr's book, Crazy Sexy Diet, that the … [Read more...]

How to Stop a Grazer in Her Tracks

In a previous lifetime, I was prone to grazing and while I've done a lot of work to overcome this tendency, inevitably, I relapse from time to time. Maybe it was yesterday's gloomy weather or the fact I was recovering from a minor eye procedure or maybe it was the lack of food in my apartment at the time, but I found myself getting my graze on. So, you may ask ... What's so wrong with … [Read more...]

Brazilian Blowout Health-ified

Photo courtesy of sambrocatosalon.com Now that I'm so concerned with what I put in my body, I've also become pretty obsessed with what I put on it. So when I read an article today in Well + Good about Mary Louise Parker's hair falling out from a Brazilian Blow-out, my first reaction was not one of surprise. Instead I related. Against my own better judgment, I had the popular hair-relaxing … [Read more...]

A Spring Fling with Raw Foods

Maybe I've got Spring Fever or maybe Kris Carr's book Crazy, Sex, Diet hit me way too hard but I've been on a raw food kick lately. No, I haven't become a full-force raw foodist, but I do happen to believe in the cleansing, healing and nourishing properties of raw foods especially when the weather is warmer or in warmer climates. Raw foods are heated below a certain temperature (somewhere around … [Read more...]

How to Assemble a Buddha Bowl

A Buddha Bowl is one of my favorite, filling, no-brainer meals, especially now that the weather is getting warmer and I am incorporating more raw and lightly cooked foods back into my diet. Watch this video to learn how to make one in no time! 1. Start with a whole grain base 2. Add a lightly steamed leafy green vegetable 3. Layer on raw veggies: Carrots, cucumbers, peppers, celery, leeks, … [Read more...]