Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

Awhile back I received an email from Tasting Table that was a letter from Mario Batali  about a movement called Meatless Monday's. It was the first I'd heard about Meatless Mondays and as a vegetarian I was thrilled to see it endorsed from someone as famous and carnivorous as Batali.

I'm not one of those vegetarians that are hyper sensitive about meat, would I love it if the whole world went veggie? Of course, but as much as I really care about the plight of animals I also recognize that eating habits are a deeply personal and cultural thing. I'm overjoyed that so many people are embracing this movement. It's great that people are recognizing that you can eat satisfying veggie meals and that reducing your meat intake by one day makes a HUGE difference not only for your body but also for our planet.

I thought it would be fun to share some of our  favorite meatless recipes with you each week. Sometimes our recipes will be vegan and sometimes just plain old vegetarian.

This week is all about getting dinner on the table quick! Here at La Bella Figura we are very busy gals and sometimes dinner needs to get on the table fast.

Cannellini Hummus Pita Sandwich

 This recipe is strictly no cooking and only requires a food processor. The best part of this recipe is that you can tweak it to your hearts desire. Swap the raw garlic for 2 -3 cloves of roasted garlic, add Tabasco, or  spices such as cumin or sumac. If you have the time to grill thinly sliced eggplant that works great in here as well. The sky's the limit!

For the Hummus: 

1 garlic clove chopped

2 cups of cannellini beans soaked and cooked according to package 

   or 1 can cannellini beans drained and rinsed

1-2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice (fresh really does make all the difference)

2-3 tbsp olive oil or culinary Argan oil

1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or more if you want the heat)

1/8 tsp paprika

1/3 cup loosely packed fresh parsley

salt to taste

For the Sandwich:

1 and 1/2 cups baby spinach leaves 

1/2 zucchini or a cucumber thinly sliced

thinly sliced red onions (as many as you like)

thinly sliced tomatoes

4 pita breads (whole wheat or white)

Add all hummus ingredients except the parsley to the food processor, process for about 2 minutes until smooth. Add the parsley and pulse to chop. Add salt and mix.

Spread hummus on inside of pita breads, top with zucchini, spinach, tomatoes and onions.

Serve with carrots, sweet potato fries, or chips.

Hope you enjoy this fast and easy recipe! Stay tuned for next week's Meatless Monday recipe.

                                                             En bonne santé,

                                                                                                 Karen 

 

*Note: To ensure this recipe is vegan, check the ingredients in your pita bread. While most pita's are made with just flour and water some companies will use egg.

Being A Green Houseguest

I recently went to Austin, Texas to visit some friends who were generous enough to host me in their beautiful home.  I was provided my own bedroom with a television, reading chaise by a window, private bathroom and to my surprise and delight, organic shampoo and conditioner, natural shower gel and a soy based scented candle!  Now, these friends know very well that I'm a natural and organic freak so I wasn't surprised, but it did remind me of the many times I've been a houseguest and had forgotten to bring my own apothecary.   What did I do?  Well, I'll tell you that in a million years I would never demand or request anyone housing me to buy natural and organic products just for me.  That would be rude and beyond demanding and I my Mama didn't raise a brat.  I can and have dealt with using whatever was on hand.  However, I just avoid the whole thing by keeping recycled 1 oz. containers full of soap, argan oil, body wash, and shampoo.  It's also very useful to keep those sample packets that you receive from cosmetic products.  Those saved my life on a trip to Belize when I was so allergic to the super perfumey soap,  (I couldn't even tolerate it being in the shower with me!).

These days (even when staying at luxury hotels or resorts, they need to get green desperately) I bring my own loot and a little extra for my hosts.  In addition to the awareness I have about the chemicals and toxins in conventional cosmetics I also suffer from allergies to many fragrances.  I'm the gal that begins to sneeze up a storm when I pass the perfume department giving dirty looks to the lady "innocently" spraying me.  Chemical fragrances really disagree with me and my skin has broken out in hives more than once while spritzing myself.  Now that I know better, I also know that I should bring my own toiletries while visiting others and staying in their homes.  It's less awkward and more eco friendly than asking for directions to the local Whole Foods to buy travel sized products. 

I have often been asked about my natural products by a curious host and have even been able to convert a few friends to clean products.  I sometimes leave the extras to those interested.  I also send a small basket of organic soaps, body wash, toothpaste and candles as a sweet thank you gift.  It's a great way to introduce the clean living philosophy without being so preachy.   

I've compiled a couple of products that you can easily buy at your local natural food and wellness store.  Perhaps the next time you are making your way to Thanksgiving at your Aunt's house in Arizona you'll remember to pack your own goodies and bring some extra for her.  She'll be likely to invite you for a long weekend again in anticipation of the gorgeous organic products you'll deliver right to her house!  AND she's your Aunt so you want her to use healthy green products that she'll love.  Right?

A colorful display of olive oil based soaps

My hostess basket favorites:

Pacifica Mediterranean Fig Soy Candle

John Masters Organic Bare Unscented Shampoo

Weleda Calendula Toothpaste

California Baby Tea Tree And Lavender Body Wash

La Bella Figura La Curacio Lip Treatment

Solay Wellness Stress Relief Bath Soak With Himalayan Salt

Post by Victoria

La Bella of the week, Clara Montes.

Our pick of the week, Clara Montes is a friend of ours and a beauty snob. Clara is a Brazilian living and working in the States that brings back great products for us to try on her trips to Rio.  She is a witty and sassy chick and quite the Einstein to boot.

Who are you? 

Clara, just a simple girl living in complicated times.

Where do you live?

My body is in Chicago, my heart is always in Rio.

What is your occupation?

An economist and professor.

What is your astrological sign?

I'm a fish! Hahahahahahaha!

What do you do for fun and recreation?

These days not much because I'm in a classroom most of the time and when I'm not I'm in front of a computer.  Summers are different for me.  I travel and go visit friends all over.  Like all Brazilians I love being outside and at the beach.  I boogie board and surf.  I also like to cliff dive!  It's crazy and a little dangerous, but very thrilling.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

Good question.  I probably would go to Japan.  I have always been fascinated with Japanese culture.  I would love to learn a little Japanese first.

What do you enjoy most about your life?

My independence.  Growing up we did not have much money and we were limited.  Having a job and a little money means I get to be independent and have a little freedom. 

What made you try organic products?

You!  I'm kidding because in Brazil we use coconuts in everything. We drink the water in the morning to hydrate, use the oil in our hair and on our skin.  Almost everything you can buy on the street is very fresh and natural.  My Mother used to make us natural "lipstick" with acai juice and coconut oil because we couldn't afford makeup.  Who knew that I would revert back to natural products because it's better for you.  My Mom should have been the Brazilian Estee Lauder.  I will also try any good organic shampoo. I have about 15 bottles of shampoo in the shower.

If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we find out about you?

A lot of embarrassing things.  I don't sleep much, I don't exercise much and I drink a lot of coffee.  I try to wash my face every night, but sometimes I forget if I'm working late.

What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island without?

I guess a comb for my hair because I hate tangles,  shampoo, toothpaste, a good moisturizer and a mirror to look at myself and use to attract attention from a plane.  I would go crazy on a desert island. 

                                               What will you be doing this weekend?

Writing, cleaning my apartment and making soup.  If I ever get to leave my apartment I would love to take my friend Victoria out to a new wine bar here in Hyde Park.  One day, I hope.

                                              Sum up a motto that best describes you:

Antes pouco do que nada.  It means, half a loaf is better than none.  I always remember that when I think I haven't accomplished enough or want more.

 

Thank you so much for a fun interview Clara.  We wonder what kind of soup you'll be making and where you'll go cliff diving next!  Thanks for the tip of mixing coconut oil with acai berries, sounds like an experiment for LBF. We'll be sure to send you text messages to remind you to wash your face.                                                                                                                               

La "Bella" of the week: Organic beauty, Brittney Scott

We are asking beauty lover Brittney Scott a couple of questions about her likes and her beauty routine. Brittney is a La Bella Figura fan and has a very fun and friendly vibe about her, much like the State in which she lives.\

Who are you?

Brittney Scott, a 25-year-old, La Bella Figura fan! ;o)

Where do you live?

Henderson, Nevada. It's a suburb of Las Vegas.

What is your occupation?

I work as the Client Services Representative for a Vegas-based production company. I get to interact with clients, meet amazing people, and watch great productions develop from the idea stages to
completion. It's a fun job! Plus, my boss has become one of my closest
friends. Huge plus.

What is your astrological sign?

I'm a Virgo! September 10th.

What do you do for fun and recreation?

Wine and mojitos! Does that count? I love hanging out with girlfriends over wine and chatting -with LOTS of laughter- for hours. It's the best inexpensive fun a girl can have- and it's good for the soul! Other than that, I love traveling -which in my life means short weekend trips, when it happens-, anything outdoors, bike rides, hiking with my dogs, and enjoying a soy latte while reading a good book. Those are a few of my most favorite things.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

That's a toughy-I'd have to say Positano, Italy. It's this amazing hillside village on the coast. The photographs I've seen of it are incredible. If you Googled an image of Positano you'd see the hillside covered in the most colorful assortment of buildings, shops, homes, etc. It's gorgeous. Capital One lets you customize the background image of your card and mine is a photo of Positano. I'll visit there one day!

What do you enjoy most about your life?

Everything! Honestly. I have a great life. I feel like I'm never stressed- and if I am, the feeling subsides quickly. I'm always reminding myself how thankful I am for the people and things I have in my life. I have an amazing family and wonderful friends who are truly the greatest set of people I've ever met in my life. I'm a lucky girl.

What made you try organic beauty products?

That's a good question. For a little while now I've been very interested in learning about all things natural and organic related. It's a fascinating topic for me. I love the idea of doing things for the environment and ourselves that is all-natural and most importantly good for you! Anybody who has used or eaten organic for any period of time knows how much better you feel while doing so. It just gives you a natural high. It makes you feel better as a person! I love it. I believe we should use organic products in all areas of our lives and we'd be pleasantly surprised.

If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we find out
about you?

Oh gosh! Hmmm... that could be A LOT of things! I am going to go
with the fact that I can't not pick anything. I'm horrible about it. Whether
it be blemishes, scabs, or any sort of bump on my skin. I can't keep my
hands away! My biggest skin issue is that I can't stop touching it. I make
bets with myself in my head to try to get myself to stop. haha! It's a work
in progress.

What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a
desert island without?

First, I'm going to say your Bohemia Verde hair
elixir. And I'm not just saying that! It truly reduces my hair regimen time
by a ton (ask any of my friends how long it usually takes me to do my hair) and allows me to wear my hair more naturally. It's wash, apply BV, air dry,
and go! It's amazing. Other than that, I'd definitely need a toothbrush,
toothpaste, cleanser, face moisturizer -Tesoro is great!-, some lip
moisturizer and toilet paper (does that count?). There are other things that
would be nice to have, but those would be the most important.

When you were little what celebrity or icon did you most want to grow up to be like?

This is embarrassing, but Britney Spears. I didn't want to be
like her, I wanted to be her. So much that I changed my name from Brittney with two t's to Britney.
Only within the last couple years did I start using my original spelling
again. My friends still make fun of me for it!

What will you be doing this weekend?

On Friday morning I leave for Denver to visit my beautiful sister who is attending college there! She's my best friend and I only get to see her every so often, so I'm excited. We're going to the Jason Aldean concert downtown Friday night, which we got amazing front seats for, and then the rest of the weekend we'll spend exploring Denver and Boulder. I'm looking forward most to going to the Farmer's Markets in the mornings! It will be a fun girl's weekend.

Sum up a motto that best describes you:

"Be as you are." I feel in this day and age everyone is so caught up trying to be like someone else. We were all made and meant to be different so I'm constantly reminding myself to embrace and appreciate my own self -quirks and all- and to stay true to who I am. If anything, that's one thing that I've grown to be good at- being myself.



We think Brittney is absolutely adorable and we love her candor and admission to being a Britney fan! Don't you wish you could hang out with her and her sister at the Jason Aldean concert this weekend? We couldn't agree more with her choice of destination in travel.

Have fun Brittney and we want to see your lovely pictures when you make it to Positano!

xo La Bella Figura

Beauty, wine and chocolate!

Last night Chicagoans were able to experience a real luxurious collaboration between us and Vosges Haut Chocolat. Vosges is a Chicago based exotic chocolate company that has paved the way for gourmet chocolate in America and has done one hell of a job at that! Both Karen and I are huge Vosges girls. My favorite is the Barcelona bar and Barcelona almonds, as a matter of fact I can easily polish off a box of the almonds in one sitting.

La Bella Figura offered samples of our best sellers to people that came in to the boutique to experience this unique beauty event and came across many curious folks who wanted to learn about the benefits of going natural in their beauty routine. It was very exciting for Karen and I to talk about our handcrafted brand, based in the same city where a pioneer like Vosges is from. I have followed Vosges and their CEO/creator Katrina Markoff, who is an exemplary business person and a mentor to small businesses. Katrina had vision for her creations and was not quiet when she pounded on the big doors of Neiman Marcus. Eventually, someone else with vision tried her magnificent chocolate delights and took her seriously. Since then she has made many decisions to keep her company from having that mass produced, over exposed type of vibe and continues to build her company with compassion and fire. We love that about Vosges and want to express our gratitude in allowing us to make our own roar at her Lincoln Park boutique. She has a great staff and we want to give them a shout out also for keeping a smile on their faces and the chocolate coming last night as the crowd lingered.

It was a beautiful October evening with a huge Hunter's moon bursting in through the glass windows and all I could think of was another piece of chocolate.

Victoria