fbpx

by Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

  • Home
  • /
  • by Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

About: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

Recent Posts by Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

30 Day Greens. Grains. Gorgeous. Challenge!

By: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 Healthy Beauty, Healthy Eating, Healthy Home, Lifestyle, Organic Beauty , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

challenge-banner

Before I tell you about the cool new project I’m working on, I want to share a little story with you.

Over the winter, when I was working on the first launch of my online program, Greens. Grains. Gorgeous., I got totally off my game.  I was so stressed out about all the deadlines, all the content I was working on, negotiating designers and clients and everything, that I completely abandoned all the little daily things that made me feel deliriously happy, balanced, and radiant.

I stopped taking my pup on long, head-clearing walks through gorgeous, peaceful Brooklyn Heights.  I stopped going to my favorite yoga classes 3 days a week.  I stopped taking the time to make myself delicious big lunches at home, and started ordering in more.  I stopped taking breaks throughout the day to read, watch a favorite show, or relax.  I stopped meditating regularly.

I was so overwhelmed by all the stuff I had to get done, that these little acts of self-care felt like luxuries, suddenly totally frivolous.  How could I possibly take an hour for lunch when I have to finish creating this module by tomorrow!  How can I possibly take an hour for a yoga class when I have three articles to write and an email to get out?

Continue Reading…

Meatless Monday Recipes

By: Monday, June 16, 2014 Diet and Foods, Healthy Cooking, Healthy Eating, Nutrition, Recipes , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

The Organic Beauty Meatless MondayI get that going totally plant-based isn’t for everyone.  I myself eat seafood a couple of times a week, and have no intention of cutting it from my eating. But regardless of where you are on the omnivore-herbavore spectrum, taking at least one day out of the week to go totally meatless has some major health benefits, and is definitely worth making a regular healthy habit.

Rocking a Meatless Monday just once a week will:

  • Lower your cancer risk
  • Reduce your risk of heart disease
  • Help you lose weight
  • Reduce risk of diabetes
  • Increase lifespan
  • Improve your nutrition
  • Reduce your carbon footprint

Pretty powerful stuff for just one day of healthy plant-based eating, right??

Here are some great recipes to get you started:

Continue Reading…

Get That Body Moving.. In just 15 min a day!

By: Thursday, June 12, 2014 Exercise, Holistic Health, Lifestyle, Motherhood, Organic Beauty, Wellness , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

One of the biggest reasons (excuses?) I hear for why people can’t exercise regularly is TIME. Finding time to work out can be a challenge if you think of it as working out.  It’s a chore.  A bother.  Something to fit in.

What if instead of working out, you were simply making room for moving your body in a way that feels phenomenal, energizing, amazing?  What if this movement made you look and feel awesome in your body, and it was actually FUN for you to do?  What if it only took a time commitment of 15 minutes a day?  Would you do it then?

I imagine you would.

Who doesn’t want to look and feel amazing, and have fun doing it, right?

Well, this isn’t another fad or scheme.  This is just about you finding what feels good.

Continue Reading…

6 Best Natural Sunscreens To Use This Summer!

By: Monday, June 9, 2014 Healthy Beauty, Healthy Home, Lifestyle, Organic Beauty, Product Reviews , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

Best Natural Sunscreens

Sunscreen is one of those problematic areas of natural beauty: on one hand, you need it to prevent skin damage, cancer, and premature aging; on the other hand, most commercial sunscreens actually do more damage than good, by soaking harmful, hormone-discrupting, and carcinogenic chemicals (like oxybenzone and homosalate) into your skin!

Thankfully, the natural beauty has finally caught up with demand, and there are now lots of great mineral sunscreens on the market that offer up all the protection you need, without the damaging side effects.  Mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can be found in our top picks below, alongside some awesome, potent ingredients that your skin will love! Of course, all the products we recommend are paraben-free and cruelty-free.

Continue Reading…

Fitness Trackers: Your New Fave Healthy Accessory

By: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 Diet and Foods, Exercise, Holistic Health, Lifestyle, Organic Beauty, Product Reviews, Wellness , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

Fitness Trackers Your New Fave Healthy Accessory | The Organic Beauty Blog

All it takes is a peek at the wrists of your friends, coworkers and passersby on the street to see that fitness trackers are all the rage right now. And for good reason!

These unobtrusive bracelets track your steps, workouts, sleep, mood, food and more, and in the opinion of this holistic nutritionist, they can be an invaluable tool in understanding your body, setting and sticking with wellness goals, and getting (and staying) super healthy and fit.

For the last 4.5 months, my techie husband and I have been testing the UP24 Band ($127), and I have to tell you, it rocks.

Continue Reading…

Seasonal Food Freak-Out: Fiddlehead Ferns!

By: Sunday, May 25, 2014 Diet and Foods, Healthy Cooking, Healthy Eating, Recipes , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

Fiddlehead Ferns

 

Fiddlehead Ferns are one of spring’s little delicious oddities. With their whimsical, spiral shape and delicious asparagus-meets-leek flavor, these cuties embody spring’s energy. You can find them at your local greenmarket or CSA.

This easy recipe showcases their flavor with simple seasonings and minimal cooking.

Continue Reading…

Don’t Let Memorial Day Screw You!

By: Friday, May 23, 2014 Diet and Foods, Healthy Eating, Lifestyle , , , , Permalink 0

Don’t Let Memorial Day Screw You! | The Organic Beauty Blog

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

It’s finally, officially summer this weekend!!  I am soo excited for what might be our last summer in Brooklyn. Biking in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Saturdays on Governor’s Island, picnics in Prospect Park, getting super cozy with our friends that have gorgeous patios (yeah, I’m talking to you!!), summer is pretty much the best time of year.

But, it also has a dark side. Between all the BBQ’s, the dinner parties, the cocktail hours, the vacations, and the lobster rolls, suddenly bikini season becomes a whole lot more stressful.

See if this rings any bells:  You’re so awesome and on your game all week long. Eating those delicious green salads, drinking water, being a good little you.  And then comes the weekend.  You feel like you “deserve” a reward for all your being on, and you totally overdo it on burgers, and ribs, and cheese, and ice cream, and come Sunday night, you feel like a bloated, fat mess.  Cue the guilt and self-criticism and drama.  Cue the cravings for sugar and coffee on Monday as you come out of your food coma.  Cue beating yourself up the next time you have to get in a bathing suit.

Guys, this has to stop!  And we’re starting this weekend.

Continue Reading…

Blissed Out Beauty Products from Purity Apothecary!

By: Wednesday, May 21, 2014 Healthy Beauty, Healthy Home, Organic Beauty, Product Reviews , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

In my daily quest of being more mindful, more at ease, and more happy, I get super pumped when the products I use are aligned with my mission.  I want every single thing that I put on my skin or body, into my mouth, and around me in my space to feel luxurious, smell amazing, and be sourced in a way I can feel good about.

So you can imagine how pumped I was to discover Purity Apothecary, a beautiful line of organic skincare products that are infused with therapeutic essential oils, powerful herbal ingredients, and delicious botanicals.  This stuff is good enough to eat!

Continue Reading…

Amazing Gluten-Free Almond Brownies

By: Friday, May 9, 2014 Healthy Cooking, Healthy Eating, Recipes , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

This recipe came out of the quandary facing all makers of homemade nut milk… What to do with all that leftover nut pulp? Although making yummy almond milk every week (check out my recipe here), and creating delicious baked goods that taste oh-so-amazing with a tall glass of cold almond milk can lead to a pretty vicious cycle, I am actually finding a wealth of yummy, healthy, gluten-free recipes that almond pulp is perfectly suited for.

So, behold my delicious, gluten-free, moist, cakey and amazing brownies!!  For those of you who are not yet making your own nut milks (seriously, get on the bandwagon!), just substitute 3/4 cup finely ground nuts (almond works best).  The brownies won’t come out quite as cakey and moist, but they’re still delish!

Continue Reading…

Make Your Own Almond Milk in 2 Minutes Flat!

By: Tuesday, May 6, 2014 Diet and Foods, Healthy Cooking, Healthy Eating, Healthy Home, Holistic Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Recipes , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

In my perpetual quest to for the cleanest, most natural eating and lifestyle, I’m always looking for the next step to take to go even further, even healthier, even deeper.  I went dairy-free several years ago, and haven’t really missed it.  Organic almond milk and coconut milk are daily staples in our house, and I can’t even imagine ever drinking real milk again!

Continue Reading…