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E D I TO R ’ S L E T T E R INSPIRE ME
Aspen, my home away from home
Swoonworthy, indeed. A different inspirational story is that of 31-year-old Noura Jackson, who was wrongfully convicted for the death of her mother. This intelligent and thoughtful woman was tossed through the deeply flawed legal system in Tennessee for 11 years before being released. Rather than running from her tragedy, Jackson’s heartfelt perseverance steered her toward helping others who are incarcerated. In conversation with her is the Innocence Project’s Jason Flom, the founder of Lava Records, whose commitment to helping the wrongfully convicted like Jackson is as uplifting a story as one could want to hear this holiday season. This is our 11th issue of Purist since we launched in print and online in the summer of 2017, and numerology instructs that 11 represents inspiration. So, we hope this collection of stories, critical essays and wellness ideas we offer this New Year—all wrapped up in Viggo—inspire you and keep your heart warm this winter.
A good book, piece of music, work of art, or film—all mindfulness vehicles—transport us to a place of discovery, understanding and sometimes redemption. Life lessons that leave one feeling hopeful is the takeaway from my favorite film of 2018, Green Book. As the story shines a light on injustice and moral turpitude, it reminds us, in these divided times, of the importance of principled progress toward equality for all. But the film also connects us to each other on a deeper level of love in friendship—like the kind between children—that looks beyond color and religion. Viggo Mortensen is so good playing a character unlike any other he’s portrayed, we wanted to highlight this incredible talent for our cover story, which discusses the film’s important place in history. But when I first met Mortensen recently in NYC for lunch at Bice Cucina, I had to ask the Lord of the Rings and Captain Fantastic star a few personal questions, like how long it took him to lose the almost 50 pounds he gained for his Green Book role as an Italian-American thug turned good guy, a far cry from the emaciated man in 2009’s The Road. His answer: “A very long time!” I next asked why he moved to Spain, expecting a cultural migration response from this published poet, artist (he painted all the works in A Perfect Murder), jazz musician and actor. Instead he smiled, raising his signature scar on his upper lip, and said, “Love. I followed a woman.”
Read on.
@cristinacuomo @thepurist 8
www.thepuristonline.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES
86 Actress Kate Hudson serves as an ambassador for Michael Kors’ Watch Hunger Stop campaign. She is also the new face of WW, Wellness that Works, formerly Weight Watchers.
108 MORTENSEN’S MOMENT CNN’s Chris Cuomo talks with Viggo Mortensen, one of the stars of the hit movie Green Book, about how the powerful film changed his already well-lived life. 114 ELEVEN YEARS LOST Founding board member of The Innocence Project, Jason Flom, sits down with exoneree Noura Jackson to discuss life post-prison. 118 ASPEN
Everything to expect during this snowy season on and off the Aspen slopes, and why people like actress Felicity Huffman love to call it home.
132 LA
A view to the West Coast capital’s top dining and fitness scenes, and broadcast journalist Lisa Ling’s Santa Monica abode.
An introduction to our newest location, featuring model Karolina Kurkova and Archie Drury on Fisher Island, a roundup of the most soothing spas, and more.
154 NEW YORK
The buzziest restaurants, fitness fads, next-level wellness options, and luxurious living, from Manhattan to the Hamptons.
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ON COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: JUSTIN BETTMAN
Courtesy of Watch Hunger Stop
142 MIAMI/PALM BEACH
Mathilde Brandi Arles, France
yves-salomon.com
22 WHAT DOES WELLNESS MEAN TO YOU? Bode Miller’s mind-body mastery
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Dr. Gail King weighs in on women’s health.
48 THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES The 411 for women’s health 50 ASK THE DR. Dr. Frank Lipman’s mood-lifting strategies
24 FASHION FORWARD GLAM4GOOD saves the day in style.
52 DIM THE LIGHTS RA Optics protects eyes from electronic devices.
26 #GRATEFUL How to cultivate gratitude
SPACE
28 FINDING HER VOICE A songbird’s account of abuse, trauma and healing 32 HEALING BOWLS Tibetan singing bowl practice with SoundBody founder Kristen Lund
56 RESTORATIVE DESIGN Architect Lea Sisson talks about creating an empowering home environment.
Alpine ski racer Bode Miller
58 PURE PICKS Jonathan Adler home faves 60 ONE MANHATTAN SQUARE A utopian urban village
34 ROLE MODELS Cover girls speak up for social causes
62 ELECTRO LITE How to protect against electromagnetic radiation
36 KISS OF LIFE Acclaimed yogi Sadhguru on the gift of breath work
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38 WHAT TELOMERES CAN TELL US Connection is key for chromosome health tk 40 THE EXTRA FACTOR Breaking down the pros and cons of polyamory
Ramona Bruland, co-founder of Aspen Cares
66 PURE PICKS Selections from Damon Liss 68 PURE PROPERTY Real estate news in Aspen, LA, NYC, and Miami
GLOW
42 HAPPY THOUGHTS A cheerful chat with Meik Wiking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute
72 FROM THE INSIDE OUT A hip new antiaging drink 74 SAFEGUARDED SMILES Trade toxic toothpastes for healthy options
HEALTH 46 THE 401K FOR YOUR BRAIN How exercise boosts cerebral health and power
64 SENSE APPEAL Six Senses luxury hotels expands to New York.
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76 SKIN SAVERS Natural remedies for winter 12
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MINDFUL
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96 THE BODY SPEAKS Plant-based chef Matthew Kenney shares foodie tips for the season. 98 A SPOONFUL OF STYLE Pointy Snout Caviar’s protein-filled delicacy 100 ROCKING IT IN THE KITCHEN Lightning round with chef Matt Zubrod of Aspen’s The Little Nell 102 DRINK TO GOOD HEALTH Weight-loss guru Joe Cross and his 60-day juice cleanse 104 THE SEXIEST SUPERFOOD Raw vegan chocolate
PLAY Archie Drury and Karolina Kurkova at home on Fisher Island
90
PHOTOGRAPHY: TAMI JILL HAIR: DANNY JELACA MAKEUP: DANIELA GOZLAN AT HONEY ARTISTS FOR MAC COSMETICS ON ARCHIE: BRUNELLO CUCINELLI SWEATER, 7 FOR ALL MANKIND PANTS ON KAROLINA: JENNI KAYNE
WEEKEND 80 PURE PICKS Stylish finds from Katie Warner Johnson of Carbon38, Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, and jewelry designer Nina Runsdorf 82 A FASHIONABLE FRIENDSHIP Grace Coddington and Nicolas Ghesquière share notes with Alina Cho on their collaboration for Louis Vuitton.
86 STYLISHLY COMPASSIONATE Michael Kors discusses his impactful Watch Hunger Stop campaign.
FOOD IS MEDICINE 92 ADAPTOGEN INTELLIGENCE Medicinal herbs and mushrooms, and how to take them 94 CAN YOUR DIET SAVE THE PLANET? The New Green Revolution aims to change food manufacturing. 14
168 RING LEADER Boxing’s Gloveworx hits NYC. 170
ELEVATED CONSCIOUSNESS Finding wellness in Wyoming
171 GREEN MOUNTAIN GETAWAY Seesaw’s 100-year-old Vermont lodge has a new look 172 PEAK PERFORMANCE The health-driven lifestyle of mountaineer and filmmaker Jimmy Chin 173 COACHES Three life changers: Kirra Sherman, Christina Winters and Ronel Corbin 174 NUMEROLOGY Singer, actress and mental health advocate Lady Gaga, by the numbers 176 PURE LOVE Actress and author Jennifer Esposito is all about self-care.
EDITORIAL
Founder + Editor Executive Editor Features Editor Associate Editor Senior Beauty Editor Beauty + Fitness Editor Wellness Editor Contributing Health Editors Copy Editor Research Editor Contributing Editor Special Project Editors Contributing Fashion Editor Contributing Writers Editorial Intern
DESIGN
Contributing Design Director Contributing Art Director Contributing Designer Web Managers Contributing Photographers
Cristina Cuomo Ray Rogers Jim Servin Charlotte DeFazio Amely Greeven Beth Landman Fernanda Niven Dr. Jeffrey Morrison, The Morrison Center Tapp Francke, STANDwellness Michèle Filon Jennifer Geddes Anne Marie O’Connor Jenny Landey, TR Pescod Gretchen Gunlocke Fenton Marisa Belger, Nancy Bilyeau, Ramona Bruland Donna Bulseco, Sharon Cardel, Alexandra Ducane Alina Cho, Estela Cockrell, Donna D’Cruz, Matt Diehl Archie Drury, Dimitri Ehrlich, Melissa Errico Isabel González Whitaker, Alastair Gordon Deidre Hade, Linda Hayes, Arianna Huffington Ellinor Ingvar-Henschen, Nancy Kane, Matthe Kenney Dr. Gail King, Dr. Frank Lipman, Kristen Lund Laurel Miller, Aaron Rasmussen, Hal Rubenstein Debra Scott, Michele Shapiro, Brooke Shields Lea Sisson, Hilary Sterne, Tess Strokes, Hilary Stunda Carder Stout, Wendy Suzuki, Julia Szabo Abby Tegnelia, Rebecca Wallwork, Regina Weinreich Lauren Bruce Ben Margherita Mikio Sakai Seton Rossini Tarin Keith, Aubreée Mercure Melanie Acevedo, Will Adler, Frederic Auerbach David Bellemere, Justin Bettman Mikey DeTemple, Paul Domzal, Bryan Downey Dane Dupuis, Marili Forestieri, Victor Hugo, Tami Jill Morgan Maassen, Mary Ellen Matthews Peter McBride, Robert Millman, Miller Mobley Ryan Moore, Sioux Nesi, Patrick O’Keefe Jonathan Selkowitz, Lonny Spence, Simon Upton
ADVERTISING Publisher Chief Revenue Officer Chief Financial Officer Executive Director of Advertising Luxury Brand Director Executive Sales Directors Advertising Associate Aspen Publisher LA + Aspen Advertising Executive LA Account Manager
Helen Cleland Andrea Greeven Douzet Caryn Whitman Ron Stern Christine Albino Resnick Junny Ann Hibbert, Beth Tiedemann Megan McEntee Cheryl Foerster Marlene Cohen, Landen Saks Dena Tanzman Cohen
MARKETING Marketing and Events Director Karina Srb Marketing Interns Leah Bardwil
PRODUCTION
Production Direction Digital Workflow Solutions For advertising inquiries, please contact sales@thepuristonline.com For editorial inquiries, please contact wellness@thepuristonline.com For production inquiries, please contact production@thepuristonline.com www.thePURISTonline.com follow us on Instagram @thePurist and Facebook.com/puristonline.com
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CO N T R I B U TO R S WHAT HELPS YOU KEEP A HEALTHY WORK-LIFE BALANCE? “Being creative, walking my dog Caspar in the woods, hanging out with my family, even when under a deadline.”
WHERE DO YOU FIND WELLNESS IN THE COLDER MONTHS? “In the sauna and in the sea for a quick dip—a very Scandinavian ritual that is so beneficial to your health!”
JENNIFER ESPOSITO
ALASTAIR GORDON
who penned “Pure Love”
who wrote “Assembled in Light”
ELLINOR INGVARHENSCHEN
Award-winning actress, New York Times best-selling author and holistic-health advocate Jennifer Esposito wrote the 2017 cookbook Jennifer’s Way Kitchen: Easy Allergen-Free, Anti-Inflammatory Recipes for a Delicious Life. Esposito also has a weekly podcast, Chew This, and a new website, chewthis.life.
Alastair Gordon is a critic, curator, cultural historian and author who has written regularly about art, environment and architecture. In 2008, he became contributing editor for art and design at WSJ. and created the Journal’s popular “Wall-toWall” blog. He has published more than 25 books and is the architecture critic for the Miami Herald.
who shared her story of healing in “Finding Her Voice” Ellinor Ingvar-Henschen is a Swedish opera singer with a master’s in musicology, with a focus on the interplay between music and health. As a soprano, she has worked at the Royal Opera in Copenhagen and Malmö Opera. She is also a music therapist who specializes in child and youth psychiatry.
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WHICH CHAKRA DO YOU TEND TO FOCUS ON MOST? “The heart chakra, by far.”
WHAT MOST INSPIRES YOUR WORK? “I’m inspired by light, and love to tell people’s fascinating stories.”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WINTER ACCESSORY? “I love a furry hat. I will get sick if I leave the house without one.”
KRISTEN LUND
JUSTIN BETTMAN
ALINA CHO
who extolled the benefits of sound therapy
who photographed cover star Viggo Mortensen
who interviewed Michael Kors, Grace Coddington and Nicolas Ghesquière
Kristen Lund is the founder of the Sound Body Studio based in Washington, D.C., and Phoenix, Arizona, and a certified sound therapist. Along with her husband, Lund serves as chair of the Leadership Council for Mayo Clinic in Washington, D.C. She is a strong advocate for alternative medicine therapies.
Justin Bettman is a photographer currently based in NYC. He began working with images and composition as an advertising art director before transitioning into editorial and commercial photography. His portraiture and larger tableau scenes have appeared in The New York Times, GQ, Billboard and The Wrap.
Alina Cho is a contributor to CBS Sunday Morning and editor at large at Ballantine Bantam Dell, where she acquires and edits fashion and lifestyle books, including the memoirs of Tommy Hilfiger and Donna Karan. Cho also hosts The Atelier with Alina Cho, a lecture series at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Ingvar-Henschen photo by Kristina Strand Larsson; Lund photo by Fawn DeViney
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU DO EVERY DAY TO MAINTAIN YOUR HEALTH? “I always eat well, and make time to simply sit and play with my pup.”
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MINDFUL
WHAT DOES WELLNESS MEAN TO YOU? Alpine ski racer, Olympic and World Championship gold medalist, brand ambassador of Aztech Mountain performance sportswear and co-owner of Bomber Ski, Bode Miller, shares his secrets to keeping cool and collected.
Bode Miller’s healthy living secret: deep, slow breaths.
PURIST: What is your wellness philosophy? BODE MILLER: Do the things you love. I also think self-improvement is critical. Having good motivation keeps your spirit a little bit more vibrant. It’s easy to get complacent as adults—we think we know who we are, and we’re not going to change much. From an introspective standpoint, I look at that a lot. I’m always changing, and in many ways I feel like I change much more quickly and effectively now than I did before, because I’m actually consciously doing it, whereas before it was more reactionary and just floating along. Being self-aware and trying to figure things out as an adult keeps your brain working right.
your body is trying to cleanse itself. That spun chemical in foam mattresses seems like a very bad thing to put your face against. I love my Hästens bed. Lasts a lifetime.
PURIST: Any wellness must-haves? BM: Water. Growing up in New Hampshire, I drank water out of a tap, but now, with some suspect water sources, it’s tough. Buying water is more expensive than buying soda, juice or anything else. To me, that’s insane. The more water you drink, the better you are.
PURIST: How do you stay healthy? BM: My secret is low-stress. I have a very natural low-stress level, and I grew up that way with really hippie parents, who were good examples of not stressing about stuff or being overly intense about things that are out of your control. And then obviously as an athlete, I had to develop good self-control, self-discipline and self-awareness. There are things I feel are important that I don’t do: I don’t eat that healthy, I like wine and I don’t sleep much. I have four kids who keep me very busy, and they like to come in and climb on my head. I would say I have a lot of potential to be unhealthy, but I haven’t been sick in four years.
PURIST: What’s a wellness must-do? BM: For me, taking a long, hard look at my sleeping environment. Every other thing in my life is subjective, but I have to look at my sleeping environment, my mattress, and think things through from a critical standpoint. Sleeping is when 22
Courtesy of Bomber Ski
PURIST: What is one thing you do every day to stay clear-headed and focused? BM: I’ve been working on breathing. As an athlete, I’ve always been aware of it, because you control so much of your body with your breathing, and you can settle your mind as long as you have the tricks. I do a lot of breathing, especially during meetings. If I’m getting tired and losing focus, I make sure I do 10 really long, deep, slow breaths.
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MINDFUL
FASHION FORWARD
On a recent rainy Saturday in New York City, Mary Alice Stephenson was honoring and empowering a group of foster children by providing them with new wardrobes, eye exams and a “family portrait,” a photo taken of them with their new families, to celebrate the auspicious moment. With GLAM4GOOD (G4G), her nonprofit organization, she’s done the same kind of soul-restoring work for survivors of national disasters, breast cancer, gun violence, and domestic violence and substance abuse, as well as veterans and underserved school children. With every initiative that Stephenson plans and attends as founder and CEO of G4G, she hears stories—stories of pain, stories of overcoming, and stories of hope. These narratives may seem like a far cry from the glamorous ones she heard as a fashion director, editor and stylist for Vogue, Allure, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire and O, but in truth, it’s her ability to use style and beauty to engender change that has a real-life social impact in the worlds GLAM4GOOD serves. “I think there’s a spiritual magic that happens when you connect heart-to-heart with people,” says Stephenson, who started G4G in 2012 (it became a full nonprofit in 2016). “When you’re in the trenches with women and their families, you are fueled on every level. You can be physically exhausted but spiritually fueled. Miracles happen every day when you are connected to your truth, and people see that.” Stephenson also understands you can get lost in these stories; burnout seems inevitable. But she was lucky enough to learn an incredible centering exercise from a well-known advisor: “When I first started, Deepak Chopra told me, ‘Imagine yourself leaning back when you feel these waves of emotion; feel it, then lean back from it. When you’re caught up in the emotion of things, even though that can be beautiful, it can take you away from your center, and above all, you must stay grounded when doing this kind of work.’” Being centered has allowed Stephenson to continue being a witness to moving stories—and there are always more to hear. GLAM4GOOD has become a powerful nonprofit, having partnered with Michelle Obama for its first international event in 2015, providing baby showers for military families stationed in Italy. In all, Stephenson says her group has helped over 28,000 women and their families, welcoming each one of them at every event, big or small, in a unique way: “As people arrive, we ask them to join in a circle. We encircle them, so they feel a circle of love.” It’s important, she says, to create a safe environment for people who are going through a tough time. “We give people permission to share—and also let them know that it’s OK to have fun,” emphasizes Stephenson. “We give permission to reveal truths.” glam4good.com
Mary Alice Stephenson’s GLAM4GOOD nonprofit draws upon the worlds of style and beauty in its mission of global healing. BY DONNA BULSECO • PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIOUX NESI GLAM4GOOD founder, Mary Alice Stephenson, on the Brooklyn Bridge
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MINDFUL
#GRATEFUL
Cultivating gratitude goes beyond simple posturing on social media. BY SHARON CARDEL• PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER MCBRIDE
personal relationships are made even closer and stronger with the regularly showing and accepting of sincere thanks. Working relationships can benefit much the same way. Studies have shown that acknowledgement of a job well done boosts productivity in all sectors. Other benefits of gratitude are for the individual. A grateful person is better able to cope with stress, recovers more quickly from illness, and has stronger immune function. Cultivating gratitude is a simple process that requires a simple first step: By paying attention to the good all around you, you start the process. Awareness of all the things, big and small, in your life and around you that inspire a feeling of appreciation is essential. The next steps can vary from person to person. Taking the deliberate action of sitting with those positive observations and making conscious notes of them may be all one person needs. Another may prefer to keep a gratitude journal or write letters of gratitude to express themselves to others. Mindfulness techniques like meditation and breath awareness can also help cultivate the skills for achieving this virtue. Simply expressing feelings of gratitude to others brings people closer together. Giving back creates a circle of good deeds and gratitude that grows over time. The one requirement is that these feelings be genuine and true. False platitudes do no good. So dig deep and find it within.
It can be the embodiment and expression of the conscious soul, or an empty sentiment mistakenly used to express some higher self-identity on social media. #grateful—it is a social media darling. But is the hashtag for gratitude vastly overused or is it a vehicle for a higher vibration? By definition, gratitude is simply an appreciation for what one has, not what one wants or thinks they need. That swell of warmth and positivity you feel in your heart is an emotion that happens to you. While that is gratitude, there is much more to it. This emotion is one you can choose anytime, anywhere. It is actually a virtue that you can cultivate and a skill set that can be developed. I must admit that seeing others posting #grateful made me feel equally dismissive and inadequate. My inner cynic wrote off those posts as meager attempts at boasting and poser posturing. But my inner child wondered what those people knew that I did not. What secret had they discovered to this fountain of happiness? Prosociality is a term associated with the benefits of a mindset of gratitude. From an evolutionary standpoint, feelings of gratitude help foster reciprocal good deeds. This is beneficial for the whole of humankind. When a person has general feelings of gratitude toward life, they are most likely to have a willingness to give back, thereby contributing to the betterment of families, communities and societies. Gratitude can also affect individual relationships. Close 26
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MINDFUL
FINDING HER VOICE
This story is about my singing voice, and my life. The voice is connected to the body’s innermost muscles, and secrets. If you sing you must reveal them—at least for yourself, or you’ll suffocate. The singing voice massages those inner muscles, and secrets. All voices have their roots in the breathing, the very first condition for life. As a 24-year-old, a promising mezzo-soprano, I arrived in Florence, Italy, to study with an Italian maestro. It was in the fall of 1993. The maestro was a tenor in the classical bel canto tradition who had sung the big roles by Puccini and Verdi at La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera House. He heard my voice’s quality and saw my potential as an opera singer, but he also heard and understood that there was something blocking my heart and mind, preventing me from letting out my gift and using it fully. And he kept asking me: What is it about? I had come to Florence from my native city, Stockholm. There I had
suffered from enigmatic depressions and increasing panic attacks over many years. I had good friends and felt loved by my family; however, I had never experienced a true love affair. I was constantly unhappily and platonically in love, and my sexual experiences were all drowned in alcohol. The scholarship to Florence was a combined rescue and escape. In the singing, I had felt the promise of a solution, a better way of living and hope for revelation. The meeting with my Italian maestro and his soprano wife confirmed this notion, and I stayed in Florence for almost three years, fighting my temper, outbursts, passions and depressions while simultaneously experiencing profound beauty and joy. It could have been the richness of my surroundings—Renaissance art, architecture and the incomparable beauty of the Tuscan landscape—that eventually opened me up to some of the secrets lodged deep inside. Music 28
was always at the center, the stubborn work with scales and arias, and that question ringing in my head: What is it that prevents me from living and loving? I could not find the answer and I suffered. I considered suicide. One winter day, after two-and-ahalf years in Italy, my father called me from Stockholm and informed me that my mother had a new tumor in her breast. She’d had one before; I instinctively felt that this time she would die. I didn’t want to die before her; I sensed that there was something important that I had to tell her before she passed away. Then, one rainy afternoon soon after my father’s call, I was on my way home from a rehearsal with a pianist for an audition in Rome that never would take place, repeating the question in my head: What prevented me from singing, and from life? It hit me: I had been sexually abused during my entire childhood by a man who was like an extra father for me! The insight
Fabrice Villard
A mezzo-soprano discovers the source of hidden trauma, healing, and empowerment through the gift of music. BY ELLINOR INGVAR-HENSCHEN
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came as a complete shock, absurd and outrageous. But in those seconds in the pouring rain in the Florentine rush hour, I was struck by clarity that shed light on an overwhelmingly different history than the one I had been conscious of so far. When I came home to my housemates, my speaking voice was completely gone! I couldn’t even whisper. My whole voice apparatus had stopped functioning; I felt that it was holding down an apocalypse. The day after, I forced my voice to come through, and commanded myself firmly to sing from the mental
happened to me as a child in the house where they had left me with friends in fullest confidence. They received my story with great empathy, but also struggled with doubt. My father mostly, since he was a neurologist and important colleagues that he counseled supported the theory that traumatic memories could not be repressed. My mother, however, believed and stood up for me strongly, despite her illness. Six weeks before she died, my father accompanied me to confront the perpetrator, who forcefully denied my accusations. His reactions, and my
Lund, in the south of Sweden, close to Malmö and the Danish capital Copenhagen. I often go to New York to visit friends and to gain energy. A couple of years after I left Stockholm, new facts about the perpetrator (from an outside source) came up by coincidence, and that made my father change his view. He called to say that he believed my story. I was pregnant with my first child at the time, and will never forget the sensation as I digested his words: I felt the floor move under my feet. His new standpoint was immensely healing to me. My father lived for quite a while after my mother.
“I played the piano, thus keeping the music alive, but it took me almost a year until I had the strength to sing again. I spent three years putting together my frightening life puzzle, piece by piece.” picture of the perpetrator. And after a short struggle, another almost metaphysical experience occurred. A completely new voice came out: warm, strong, high and mellow. The sound and sensation in the body were all new for me. I hardly recognized the voice as mine, but it was—my true voice, connected to my body’s true story. The new voice was higher, more toward soprano than my former mezzo. It showed itself for a while and I sang, full of desire, feeling that I was the happiest person on Earth. Then I started to realize the magnitude of my insight, and had to stop singing. I moved back to Stockholm for help and psychodynamic therapy, and to be with my mother during her last years. I played the piano, thus keeping the music alive, but it took me almost a year until I had the strength to sing again. I spent three years putting together my frightening life puzzle, piece by piece. Talking to my therapist, breathing with her to reach the pain, screaming with her, talking to her again, writing, painting, walking, and in between doing self-healing activities, trying to rest, and to mourn. I told both my parents what had
mother’s eventual passing, were too much for my father to process, and so for a while he decided that my story about sexual abuse was a fantasy, made up for some obscure self-healing reason. A complexity in my personal story is that I come from a family of famous brain scientists in Sweden. The family also consists of some famous artists. My mother was a distinguished cultural personality in her time, and my grandmother was a prominent art historian. I grew up watching my mother on TV and my uncle answering the people’s questions about memory and cognition in the same media. My grandfather’s bust is outside one of Sweden’s major research hospitals, and my great-grandfather wrote the international encyclopedia on the brain of the 19th century. The issue of my repressed memories was not embraced by my own generation, my brothers and cousins. But I felt the support and confirmation from other sources. My sister stood up for me, but after she died of cancer, I left Stockholm like an emotional refugee. For 15 years I have lived in my mother’s hometown, 30
We parted with a sense of reconciliation before he died of old age. I am now a happy mother of two wonderful children, and a singer able to use her voice fully and without fear. As an occupational complement to my artistic career, I also have an MA in the field of music and health, and I work as a music therapist at the psychiatric clinic for children and youth in Malmö, with the voice in focus. What I think is most important to say in all this, is that I have survived thanks to my belief in music, my inevitable urge to sing and my body’s connection to my voice and words. For the past 20 years I have been writing down my story, in anger and indignation, but most of all with a strong love and wish to talk about the herculean healing forces that exists in music, art, spirituality and love. You can get well from traumatizing experiences. You can overcome them. You can love, laugh and live and have a future. Ellinor Ingvar-Henschen’s autobiography, A Song of Abuse, Courage and Love, is available now in Sweden. The English translation will be out in 2019. adlibris.com
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SoundBody studio founder Kristen Lund on the ancient practice of Tibetan singing bowls
“Each bowl has a note that corresponds to a different chakra,” says Lund.
and at times so profound, it became impossible for me to ignore the source of this healing. I also work with crystal alchemy bowls, which contain various metals, minerals and gemstones. Crystals have been used for centuries by tribes on every continent. Melted at 3000 degrees and formed into the shape of a bowl, they wield even greater power when aligned with a suede mallet; it is as if you are receiving a direct dose of the crystal via a vibration. Each bowl has a note that corresponds to a different chakra. In each session, I use the bowls as tools to shape intentions and direct energy toward the client’s ultimate purpose. Clients come to SoundBody with different challenges— anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD, cancer, trauma, pain—or are simply seeking a sense of balance or peace. Pain manifests in complex, mysterious ways. The sonic resonance of the bowls helps to establish and reveal a mind-body connection that improves physical and spiritual health. soundbody.com
Imagine your body is a piano that has not been tuned in years. You know the parts you need are right there, but for one reason or another, they are not in sync. As the founder of the SoundBody studio, I practice the ancient art of sound and vibrational therapy. With handmade Tibetan singing bowls and crystal alchemy bowls as my instruments, I direct vibration, energy and sound to align the chakras, boost immunity, alleviate various manifestations of pain, and improve overall health. It is widely believed that before pain manifests physically in the body, it exists in our energetic field. We hold this energy in and around us, and we must find more varied ways to release that which does not serve us. This modality of vibrational and sound therapy originated in the Far East and has been a trusted part of Eastern medicine for millennia. Tibetan bowls can be traced back to the time of Buddha and are widely used by Buddhist monks to facilitate and amplify meditation. I can attest to this in my own meditation practice: Energetic shifts following particularly powerful sessions have been lasting, 32
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ROLE MODELS
Working together to shine a light on social and employment issues, the empowered women of the Model Mafia are a global collective to be reckoned with. Models have obliterated the archaic notion that they are just pretty faces over recent decades, first through empire-building (Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum) and then through acts of activism (Ashley Graham, Ebonee Davis). With the evolving presence of the Model Mafia, a global collective of 200+ models who work individually and together to elevate social causes, their impact continues to grow. “I found modeling to be fun, but intellectually unstimulating and lacking community,” says Model Mafia co-founder Áine Rose Campbell, who started community mobilization as a teenager in London, where she organized a talent competition to raise funds for students in need. Later in New York, she organized events to bring models together around issues they care about, as an answer to the industry’s intrinsically isolating standard where “your friends are your competition.” The guest speaker at one of these events was environmentalist and #MeToo activist Cameron Russell, and together they launched Model Mafia in 2016, hoping to bring together working models under the banner of social impact, as well as “to support each other’s voices while helping them all become leaders for their causes.” Among the ranks are Ebonee Davis (representation advocate), Leyna Bloom (transgender-awareness activist) and Anne Therese Bengtsson (eco-warrior), who got involved with Model Mafia after marching at the People’s Climate March in DC last year. “I started modeling to have a voice but quickly realized you don’t get to have one,” says Bengtsson, who advocates on behalf of environmental orgs Rainforest Alliance and Lonely Whale. “To me it felt like a huge disconnect, having this platform but
Model Mafia’s Ebonee Davis
Model Mafia members at the Climate Change March
not being able to have that voice.” Bengtsson, who is based in San Francisco and was once a model on Project Runway, has a podcast called “Hey Change” and runs Role Models Management, an agency that pairs cause-driven brands with issue-focused models. “Models can use their social media platforms to promote important progressive change to their followers and inspire others to share their stories, too,” she says. Like Model Mafia and Role Models 34
Management, New York-based True Model Management is hoping to harness the power of model voices while also working philanthropy into their bottom line. Founded by former model Dale Noelle, the full-service agency donates a portion of their fees to nonprofits that support education, cancer research, clean water and more, as well as matches a percentage of what models donate to charities. “I fully realize the importance of funding foundations and charities, and the impact these philanthropic organizations have on the lives of others,” says Noelle, who is also a cancer survivor. While external efforts are a priority for Model Mafia, whose collective social reach with all members has climbed into the millions, some of Campbell’s and Russell’s proudest moments have been the impact the collective has had on each member. “The #MeToo movement brought us together to express our care for each other privately, as we talked about our own experiences and what we can do to keep ourselves safe,” says Campbell, who said some of the issues that surfaced during the gatherings coalesced into real change at the agency level, such as getting clear information from agents about whether a shoot includes nudity or fur, and ensuring adequate changing areas. The focus on empowering all the voices at the table sets Model Mafia apart, with Campbell and Russell as founders, but with no other traditional organizational infrastructure in place. “We believe in fairness and equality, and we want to create a community that reflects that,” says Campbell. The group, she adds, “has a very democratic feel to it, with an aim to support each other while helping elevate the leadership of every member around their chosen cause.”
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Jaggi Vasudev, known as Sadhguru
KISS OF LIFE India’s super-yogi Sadhguru explains how breathing is the key to a better body and mind. BY NANCY KANE
REMEMBER TO TAKE DEEP BREATHS. “Breath is not just the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. When you are angry, peaceful, happy or sad, your breath goes through subtle changes. Whichever way you breathe, that is the way you think. Whichever way you think, that is the way you breathe.” SIT UP STRAIGHT. “If you sit with your spine erect, your organs will have the maximum possible comfort.” CHANGE YOUR CONTEXT. “The quality of our lives changes and transforms not because we change the content of our lives, but only because we change the context of our lives.” CONSCIOUSLY RELIEVE YOURSELF OF TENSION. “If you create any tension in the body or in the mind, you will slowly work against yourself. If your body is tense, your mind will be tense. If your mind is tense, your body will be tense. Don’t turn your energies against you!” MANAGE YOURSELF, NOT YOUR STRESS. “Stress is your inability to manage your body, mind, and energies. If your mind took instructions from you, would you keep it stressful or blissful? What’s your choice? Blissful.” 36
@sadhguru
“When I started this program, I was really frustrated— with the size of my body, my lack of flexibility—and I was dying to check my phone to see what other people wanted,” says TV personality, author and publicist Kelly Cutrone. “I motored through the first two or three days and I began to realize my mind was not in the driver’s seat. It was erratic, thinking about all these other things I could be doing rather than caring for myself.” It wasn’t until day five that Cutrone noticed the effects. “I realized that my face looked thinner and I was less bloated. I could get my leg up into a rock-the-baby without looking like a plus-size Weeble. So I kept with it. When you do it regularly, your body wants to do it, so it reminds you. It is the one thing I do on a daily basis because it really does work. It sets the tone for my day: Whatever happens starts and stops with me and my spiritual practice.” In addition to offering techniques such as Shambhavi Mahamudra, the Isha Foundation offers ways to restructure and align our inner selves with our physical beings. Meditation courses are available through the foundation and can be taken online and then practiced daily. Here, Sadhguru gives simple advice for eliminating stress:
Breathing is an overlooked power source. Most of us don’t even think about it. But the way you breathe can impact your whole body, regulating important functions such as blood pressure and heart rate. Practicing breath work can have multiple health benefits including mental clarity, focus and weight control. Jaggi Vasudev, popularly known as Sadhguru, is an Indian yogi, mystic, New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Isha Foundation, a nonprofit that offers yoga programs around the world and conducts social outreach, educational and environmental initiatives in an effort to better the world. His devotees include Donna Karan, the Osbournes, Dierks Bentley, Priyanka Chopra, Amy Smart and Moby. In person, Sadhguru is a soft-spoken, gentle man with soulful brown eyes (a twinkle of humor is ever-present) and a beard that flows much like his robes. He speaks slowly, carefully choosing his words, as he explains the simple yet effective method of breathing known as Shambhavi Mahamudra, an ancient practice with the underlying principle being the alignment of physical and mental energy. Sadhguru believes that the reason why most people are unhappy or unhealthy is that the physical, mental and spiritual or “pranic” bodies are not in alignment. Sadhguru’s Shambhavi Mahamudra practice aligns the entire system so that mind, body, emotions and energy function in harmony, establishing a chemistry of bliss. “There is a certain way to engineer our system, to make this body, to make this mind…the very chemistry within us, the way we want it,” Sadhguru says. Balance brings about joyfulness, naturally. But all too often life gets in the way of this blissful state and throws us off. “Now, we are looking at the technology of keeping these three bodies constantly aligned,” he continues, “so that joyfulness is not an accidental happening; joyfulness becomes a normal condition, a natural way of living.” Regular practitioners have experienced a drop in excess weight (overeating is a symptom of energies not being aligned), lower stress, a boost in mental alertness and focus, and an increase in overall self-awareness. Hypertension and depression decrease, and sleep quality improves. Mental and emotional benefits include greater inner peace, improved emotional balance, self-confidence, concentration and higher productivity.
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ARE YOUR TELOMERES TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING? These tiny caps on the ends of our chromosomes are linked to many age-related maladies like cardiovascular diseases and dementia. Now scientists are discovering that our social connections are key. BY ANNE MARIE O’CONNOR Aric A. Prather, PhD, stresses the importance of a strong social network.
The newest buzzword in wellness research? Telomeres, protective casings found on the ends of our chromosomes that scientists believe are key players in longevity and health. “Telomeres protect our DNA from damage and maintain genomic stability,” explains Aric A. Prather, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. Telomeres shorten each time our cells divide, which happens throughout life, not just when we’re growing, and
naturally get shorter as we age. “Telomere shortening appears to be an important measure of cellular age,” he says, “and an independent predictor of the onset and progression of many age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases.” And while Prather points out that telomeres are merely one component of the many complex biological processes involved with aging, “in many studies, short telomeres appear to 38
predict disease independent of many more traditional risk factors [chronological age, stress, obesity, smoking],” he says. “However, it is likely that short telomeres are also a consequence of many known risk factors.” “The time frame in which telomeres grow shorter differs from person to person,” he continues. While we can’t do anything about our genetic makeup, “there is now fairly strong literature showing that proper nutrition, physical activity and sufficient sleep predict longer, healthy telomeres,” he says. One surprising contribution to maintaining telomere length? Social connectivity. “Healthy social relationships are critical to maintaining physical health and well-being,” he says. “It’s no surprise that reports of low social support have been associated with reduced telomere length in large population studies.” A 2013 study in Psychosomatic Medicine found that not having good social support was associated with shorter telomeres in older adults. Other research has linked family conflicts, abusive relationships and other negative social interaction with shorter telomeres. Meanwhile, a 2017 study in Psychoneuroendocrinology found that married women who reported having sex with their partner during the past week were found to have significantly longer telomeres. Put down the phone and be present with your significant other and children; keep in touch— not just by text or tweet—with other family members IRL, and cultivate friendships with people at work and in other areas of your life. In addition to maintaining a strong social network, Prather also recommends eating well, getting enough exercise and a good night’s sleep: “My research focuses mostly on sleep,” he says, “so I would argue that the other health behaviors are challenging to execute when you get insufficient sleep, so perhaps making sleep a priority” is a good place to start. Yet another good reason to get to bed early (or sleep in tomorrow).
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THE EXTRA FACTOR and parameters are always open for discussion, so it’s up to each couple to make it their own. The sexual freedom that comes with polyamory can be extremely liberating. There are many people who believe that it is next to impossible to stay faithful to one partner throughout an entire marriage. Human beings have strong sexual impulses and urges that in many cases are repressed. This often leads to unhealthy tendencies that compel people to be secretive and dishonest. I have treated several sex addicts in my practice who carry around the burden of their deception, and as a result suffer from depression and low self-esteem. Polyamory provides the welcome opportunity for all individuals to be open about their curiosities, and can offer a safe container for their fantasies and those of their partner. Feelings of jealousy and a sense of betrayal are not uncommon if a new relationship grows into a deep and meaningful partnership. There are often cases in which a person is fine with their spouse’s new partner at first, but develops mistrust over time. If a person feels that the safety of their primary relationship is threatened, they may ask
As a psychologist, I see so many couples on the brink of Armageddon. Close to 50 percent of marriages end in divorce, and much of the time it is not amicable. The polyamorous movement is spurred by the desire to find an alternative to the traditional institution of marriage that, in the eyes of many, appears to be outdated and fragmented. People are ready to think outside of the box and create a system that is more congruent with their own beliefs. We have a right to behave in a way that is consistent with our own values, as long as it is not harmful to others. Polyamory is often about keeping the family together while exploring other intimate relationships concurrently. It’s about unification as opposed to destruction, intimacy instead of isolation, expansion rather than stagnation. Polyamory attracts the open-minded and unconventional. People who explore its domains have varied origins, cultures, upbringings and opinions, but many are actually products of more traditional family systems. Overall, polyamory is an environment for people seeking an experience in new and uncharted territory. Every experience is unique to the couple who creates it. The guidelines, boundaries 40
The Associated Press
Is variety in a relationship the spice of life, or a groove-killer? LA-based therapist Carder Stout, PhD, weighs the pros and cons of the polyamorous movement.
ourselves are often projected onto our spouse, taking the form of anger, criticism and unchecked aggression. Truthfully, we are mad at ourselves, because infidelity is not congruent with our sense of morality. If you are consistently out of alignment with your belief system, a number of small traumas will arise in the unconscious. Soon you will be filled with these psychological inconsistencies, and begin to feel depressed and anxious. Simple solution—don’t cheat. If you want to explore other partners and your spouse is against the idea completely, then you may not have found your soulmate. It is important that you fully understand what it is you are searching for. Don’t let go of a good thing just because you want more stimulation. Once you take the leap, it is hard to go back. If your partner is bringing polyamory to the table, ask about the reasons why they feel that this could strengthen
that their spouse end it with a certain partner. Of course, this can also cause discord and resentment. But jealousy and heartbreak happen in monogamy as well—usually as the result of lying, infidelity and lack of stimulation. Partners in a polyamorous situation should agree that their marriage and family always come first (unless they forge a new arrangement that invites others into an expanding community where all partners are considered equal). Over the course of a marriage, people change and their needs can transform into something entirely unforeseen at the altar. Honesty is the key: What I have found in my psychology practice is that people tend to explore these types of dalliances anyway when they are married, but it is usually done under the radar. Affairs are commonplace, and in many marriages not surprising—partners become attracted to others and cannot control their urges. In some
“State your desires clearly, but with an attitude of compassion and understanding. Be prepared. Your partner may be caught off guard. Speak from the heart, and let your spouse know why you think it would be good for the marriage.” the relationship. If you partner assures you that they love you dearly but this new freedom is requisite to the success of the marriage, then take polyamory into consideration. This would be a good time to put yourselves in couples therapy, as sometimes a good mediator may help with this type of conversation. It may be that you are just not comfortable with the idea of adding another partner to the mix. This does not make you narrow-minded or a prude, so try not to judge yourself. If some sort of mutual understanding cannot be struck, then the idea of an open marriage may be a deal-breaker unless your spouse will reconsider. The conversation might spark a realization that perhaps you need to spice up the relationship by trying other things that will bring a newness and excitement into the marriage. Test the boundaries that you are comfortable with, and you might be able to find a solution and stay together. I’m fortunate to learn from all of my patients on a daily basis. I approach my work as a psychologist with an attitude of acceptance and nonjudgment, and am fascinated by the courage of my patients regularly. My patients who are polyamorous have taught me so much about kindness, empathy and commitment. Carder Stout, PhD, is a Los Angeles-based depth psychologist and therapist with a private practice in Brentwood, where he treats clients for anxiety, depression, addiction and trauma. As a specialist in relationships, he is adept at helping clients become more truthful with themselves and their partners.
cases, people are simply not built for monogamy, but this should not preclude them from having meaningful relationships with others. Usually the entrance into the polyamorous world is a social experiment, and sometimes it works perfectly. There are some couples that stay married happily forever, bringing multiple partners into a hybrid family system. This requires a tremendous amount of acceptance, empathy, and deep sense of security with one’s primary partner. Others, though, try polyamory for a while and decide it does not work for them. If jealousy arises, or a couple finds the new arrangements too complicated, then they tend to revert back to a more traditional understanding of marriage. There’s always a risk that the experiment can strain a marriage to the point of its dissolution. It is crucial in all successful marriages for each partner to state their needs and desires. Unfortunately, too many marriages are filled with deception, anger and judgment. State your desires clearly, but with an attitude of compassion and understanding. Be prepared: Your partner may be caught off guard, and feel like this is more of a betrayal than an invitation. Speak from the heart and let your spouse know why you feel it would be good for the marriage. If you are cheating on your partner, it has more to do with you than anything else. Cheating is obviously bad for any relationship because it undermines any kind of intimate connection that you may have with your partner. Ultimately, it will lead to feelings of guilt and shame that are devastating to the psyche. Negative feelings about 41
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HAPPY THOUGHTS
What defines happiness, and who are the happiest people? These are some of the questions asked by Meik Wiking, Danish scientist and CEO of The Happiness Research Institute. Purist founder Cristina Cuomo sat with Wiking at a Scandinavian gathering hosted by BoConcept to discuss his spirited work. And yes, usually spring is—at least in Denmark, but probably also in the U.S.— peak season for suicide. I think it has to do with a lot of people feeling, during the dark, cold winter months, “I am depressed, but once spring arrives, I will be happy again.” It’s a seasonal effect. Then spring finally arrives and they’re still unhappy.
CRISTINA CUOMO: How do you measure happiness? MEIK WIKING: First, we look at overall life satisfaction and how happy we are with our lives as a whole, how satisfied; second, the kind of emotions we experience on a day-to-day basis. And third, we look at Aristotle’s perception of “the good life,” a meaningful life.
CC: What are your thoughts on the phrase “happiness is a choice”? MW: I don’t think it’s that simple. Saying happiness is a choice, is as true or false as the idea that health is a choice. Yes, you can do CEO of The Happiness some things to improve your Research Institute, health, but you are also Meik Wiking born with a certain genetic profile that makes you prone to some diseases more than others. It’s the same with happiness. Also, the country we live in impacts our happiness levels. It would be very difficult to go to Syria right now and say happiness is a choice.
CC: What is being worked on at The Happiness Research Institute? Any recent findings or patterns to consider? MW: One of the latest things the Happiness Research Institute has done is launch a study where we have turned a company into a happiness lab. They have 200 employees in Copenhagen, and we will be following them over the next year, trying different interventions to see if we can improve job and life satisfaction levels. CC: Explain some of the services the Institute provides. MW: All of our work at the Insitute is about either trying to understand how we can measure happiness or why some are less happy than others. Most importantly, we look at how we can improve quality of life, whether that’s in the work environment, at the city level, or the national level. What kind of policies will create good conditions for good lives?
CC: What are some of the Danish secrets to happy living? MW: I think one of them is hygge, which is this sense of togetherness and pursuit of simple pleasures on a daily basis. Another one is exercise, in our daily routine through our commute. The majority of people in Copenhagen cycle to work. We get a lot of exercise through that routine, and it keeps us relatively happy.
CC: How significant do you think these high-profile suicides are affecting the general public? This was a very intense spring. MW: There are spikes around high-profile suicides, although when Kurt Cobain killed himself, we thought that would create a spike in suicide in the public, but it didn’t. 42
@meikwiking
CC: What is one thing you do every day to maintain your own happiness? MW: I walk a lot. I try to get a lot of micro-exercise on a daily basis, especially because I travel so much. I try to prioritize my relationships, because we can see that pattern is so strong in happiness research.
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H E A LT H
THE 401K FOR YOUR BRAIN
Time to get moving: research shows that exercise has immediate and long-lasting effects on brain health. BY WENDY SUZUKI, PHD • PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORGAN MAASSEN As a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology at New York University, I am on a mission: to spread the word that physical activity—that is, simply moving your body—is the most transformative thing that you can do to improve your brain today, and the best thing that you can do to protect your brain for the future. Why do I call it transformative? It is the only lifestyle change that you can implement today that will stimulate the birth of brand-new brain cells in a brain structure, called the hippocampus, critical for our ability to form and retain new long-term memories. These new brain cells not only help the hippocampus work better, which means your memory works better, but even more importantly, the more new brain cells you generate in your adult life, the more your brain is protected from both aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s in the future. Think of your brain like a muscle: the more you exercise it, the larger and stronger it gets, and the better it will withstand normal aging as well as the neurodegenerative diseases that come at all of us as we age.
Physical activity also improves the function of yet another brain area—one that is highly susceptible to age-related cognitive decline, and to neurodegenerative diseases. This brain region is called the prefrontal cortex, and its health is vital for ability to perform such tasks as focusing attention and making clear decisions. Best of all, you don’t have to wait weeks or months to reap the rewards. Studies in my lab and other labs have shown that even a single workout can significantly improve mood, focus and reaction time immediately after your workout, and those improvements can last for hours. For these reasons I refer to exercise like a supercharged 401K for your brain. Jump into a regular exercise routine or ramp up the one you already have, and it will not only protect your brain from aging and neurodegenerative disease in the future, but you will enjoy the immediate brain-boosting benefits of exercise after every exercise session. What could be better motivation than that? Wendy Suzuki, PhD, is a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology, New York University, and the CEO of BrainBody, brainbody.io 46
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H E A LT H
THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES
of the external genitalia. Another is Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation, a procedure used to enhance sexual gratification. In a newly available procedure, platelet-rich plasma and stem cells can be injected directly into intimate anatomical locations to enhance sensation. Naturally, these elective procedures are quite popular and increasingly requested. Think you are not at risk for cervical cancer? It is almost universally caused by high-risk strains of the Human Papilloma Virus. Infection rates for unvaccinated adults hovers around 80 percent, and that virus stays in your body for life. Pap smears can detect if the virus is actively growing or currently causing precancerous, yet treatable, cervical cell changes. The FDA recently approved the Gardasil 9 vaccine for women aged 27-45, expanding upon the prior indication for boys, girls and young adults aged 9-26. Vaccination has been shown to significantly reduce cancer rates. Take an active role in preserving your most unique feminine feature. I recommend seeing your gynecologist yearly in order to receive all preventive screenings and to discuss your options when problems arise.
Most of us women take our vaginal health for granted. Oh, to be young and unaware of problems that lie ahead. As a vaginal health expert, I commonly encounter these four women’s issues. Have you ever delivered a baby vaginally? Chances are things are not the way they once were. Kegel exercises done properly and regularly do strengthen pelvic floor muscles. Symptoms that don’t resolve can be easily surgically rectified. Menopause creates its own unique set of dilemmas. The vagina has abundant estrogen receptors and undergoes predictable degenerative changes when the hormone is lacking. Tissues become thin, losing elasticity, moisture and strength. The phrase “use it or lose it” definitely applies because regular intercourse or even using a vibrator will help to maintain the vaginal caliber. You can decrease your risk of urinary tract infections by “practicing preventive peeing” before and after sex. Estrogen used locally or systemically restores tissue integrity. For those for whom hormones are not an option, there are FDA-approved vaginal lasers to improve cellular health. Aesthetic Gynecology is one of the most rapidly expanding cosmetic fields. Women who undergo these procedures report improved self-esteem. I offer three valuable options. One is labiaplasty, which alters the appearance
Dr. Gail King, the medical director of Regen Aspen, is also the author of Legs Up! The Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide for Your Vagina. regenaspen.com 48
Alexander Krivitskiy
In the quest for women’s health and happiness, do not ignore the most unique feminine feature of your physical being. BY DR. GAIL KING
H E A LT H
ASK THE DR.
What can you do to alleviate seasonal depression? Purist’s columnist Dr. Frank Lipman offers nine winter blues-busters and mood-lifters. in winter. Cocktails compound winter blues, depress mood, disrupt sleep and bomb you with energy- and immunity-sapping sugar, so outsmart the season by staying sober.
The winter blahs and blues: Just about all of us get them at some point be it for a few moments, weeks—or worse, a few months. No doubt, it’s not easy to remain mentally and physically buoyant through winter’s icy temps, gray skies and early darkness. Even the sunniest souls among us can get pushed to the brink, but fortunately, there are ways to make the gloomiest days seem a little less so. Here are a few of my best blues-beaters to help you take on winter and emerge victorious—and ready for spring:
BURN IT UP OUTDOORS Exercise helps boost levels of serotonin, which is one of the brain chemicals that helps regulate feelings of well-being and hunger, while an hour of outdoor fitness offers the same mood lift as 2.5 hours of light treatment indoors. So when you exercise outdoors, you get the best of both, and you’ll burn more a bit more fat as your body works harder to maintain your core temperature.
IF IT FEELS GOOD, DO IT Anything you can do that makes your body feel good— short of drugs or alcohol or overindulging in unhealthy foods—is worth doing, because feel-good activities help release your body’s reserves of mood-boosting endorphins. To tap into them, indulge in a massage, hit the steam room or book an infrared-sauna session at a spa. Regular exercise, sex and laughter also get endorphins flowing.
GET THE GIGGLES Laughter makes blood pressure and stress levels dip, aids the release of feel-good endorphins and boosts feelings of well-being, so make time to hang out with upbeat, fun-loving people whose company you truly enjoy.
DRINK IN A LITTLE SUN
FEED YOUR HEAD
Morning light is a body clock-regulating mood-booster, so if the sun is shining, get out there. Walk to work, walk to the corner to get lunch, or sit on a park bench and direct your face into the sun for a few minutes. Your body is thirsty for sunshine, so give it daily “sips” to help boost mood and energy until the winter blues season tails off in mid-April.
Though you may be craving sugar, comfort foods and sleep-inducing simple carbs, they’re counterproductive to keeping spirits high, so trade them for lean protein and complex carbs. They’ll help feed your gut and brain the nutrients they need to keep your mood on an even keel.
GLOW FROM THE INSIDE
If possible, avoid pharmaceuticals and support your mood via healthy supplements with blues-taming effects: VITAMIN D: Sun is in short supply at this time of year, so try taking 2,000 IU/day of vitamin D to help keep brain chemistry and neurotransmitter action at optimal levels. FISH OILS AND OTHER OMEGA-3’S: These play a role in the synthesis of serotonin, and are thought to elevate mood and decrease symptoms of depression. MELATONIN: 1-2mg of melatonin at bedtime can be helpful to relieve some seasonal symptoms (but don’t take it more than a few nights in a row). 5-HTP: This is the precursor in the biosynthesis of mood-boosting serotonin, so I often recommend 200400mg at bedtime. MAGNESIUM: 400-600mg of magnesium glycinate taken at bedtime works as a mood-booster.
Full-spectrum lightbulbs help boost energy and mood, while being easier on your eyes. Though not a replacement for sun, they’re a good way to supplement it when daylight is in short supply. Use full-spectrum lightbulbs in areas where you want to feel a bit more alert, for example, in your office or living room, not the bedroom.
SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE For a quick daytime mood and energy boost, shake each limb for a few seconds, one at a time, to wake up your body and get energy flowing again. First thing in the morning, do the Reclining Open Chest Pose to combat the seasonal energy drain. In the pose, the back and upper body are supported and the chest is open, giving you a much-needed, relaxing stretch—all of which helps you feel more physically and mentally energized.
ONE LAST BIT OF ADVICE: The more, the merrier: by adding several blues-busters to your daily routine, you’ll lessen the severity and likelihood of a recurrence, and that’s a ray of sunshine right there.
JUST SAY NO Bottom line: You cannot drink the blues away, so don’t try. Keep alcohol intake to an absolute minimum, particularly 50
Tim Tiedemann
TAKE SOME HAPPY PILLS
DETOX. RETOX. REPEAT. The Sky Residences at W Aspen. It’s Aspen perfected. Live it up.
Slope-side at the base of Aspen Mountain. Bold two- and three-bedroom Residences. Personalized ownership offering. Elevating the heartbeat of Aspen. Bring all your senses. Especially your sense of urgency. waspenskyresidences.com 970 818 3311
©2018 Aspen Club Lodge Properties, LLC and Marriott International, Inc. All rights reserved. Sales. Marketing. Design. Powered by Forte International. A Northridge Capital/Sarpa Development project. The Sky Residences at W Aspen are not owned, developed, or sold by Marriott International, Inc., W Hotel Management, Inc., or their affiliates. Aspen Club Lodge Properties, LLC uses the W Hotels® trademarks and trade names under a license from Marriott International, Inc. or its affiliates. If this license is terminated or expires without renewal, the residential project will no longer be associated with, or have any right to use, the W Hotels brand, trade names or trademarks. Void where prohibited by law. This advertisement does not constitute an offer to sell real property in any jurisdictions where prior registration or other advance qualification of real property is required. W Aspen and The Sky Residences at W Aspen are currently under development, all of the amenities and real estate properties may or may not be available at this time. Any illustrations, imagery, floor plans, and/or architecturalrenderings are artists’ depictions and may not accurately represent the final product, services, and/or amenities of the project and are subject to change without notice. Plans presented are conceptual or illustrative in nature. Precise information shall be provided as part of the building permit application, and in situations where the final PUD Development Plans and approved building permit differ, the approved building permit shall rule. Ceiling heights listed are representations for general reference.
H E A LT H
DIM THE LIGHTS
A teenage entrepreneur who solved serious health woes by cutting the glare from electronic devices has adapted that technology to Ra Optics, a stylish line of frames that effectively block the blue. BY MARISA BELGER
dark. Today, sunglasses, SPF use and artificial light keep us far from those practices, but Maruca hopes we’ll find our way back, because, as he discovered when he was ill, his challenges were not borne from the food he was eating, but from how he was living. He healed himself by living in tune with the sun, he says, watching it rise each day to signal the production of serotonin and dopamine, and limiting exposure to artificial light after dark to encourage deep and reparative sleep. Maruca explains that the body produces melatonin when we sleep, which works to repair the mitochondria, or tiny bacterial engines in our cells. “If you opened up the hood of your car and poured jelly all over the engine, the pumps and the wires, and then filled the tank with premium gas, the car wouldn’t work,” he says. “Would it make sense to blame the gas that you’re putting into the car? This is what people are doing when they blame food and supplements for their health issues when their engines are being destroyed by the environment.” The glasses are designed to be worn whenever exposed to artificial light. The yellow-tinted day lenses block about 50 percent of blue light, which protects the eyesight and hormones during the day but still allows enough blue light to keep us awake and alert. The red-hued night lenses block 100 percent of blue light, which leads to better, more restorative sleep. Maruca recommends wearing the night glasses from sunset to sunrise, though wearing them two to three hours before bedtime will also have positive effects. The night lenses are not meant to be used while driving or operating machinery as they do what they’re supposed to do—help you get sleepy. Already wear glasses? Ra Optic lenses are available in prescription as well as non-prescription options. raoptics.io
For years, Matt Maruca suffered from migraines, digestive distress and acne breakouts. After receiving little relief from Western medicine and convinced that food was at the root of his pain, he took his healing into his own hands by adhering to a rigorous elimination diet, a grand feat for anyone, but especially remarkable for a young teenager. (Maruca is currently 19 years old.) He stopped eating sugars, grains and refined dairy, and when his symptoms returned, he advanced to the next level (think: Paleo on steroids), cutting out nightshades and all nuts and seeds. Limited to cooked meats and a few veggies, he continued to struggle, and to lose hope, until he discovered that he had been on the wrong diet. Maruca is the founder of Ra Optics, a unique eyewear company specializing in stylish blue-blockers, an oxymoronic concept transformed into reality thanks to Maruca’s determination to help people rethink their relationship to light, specifically the blue light that pulses incessantly from the electronic devices that keep us hypnotized all day. Ra’s stylish frames are the vehicle for lenses designed to limit the wearer’s exposure to that synthetic light, which Maruca says seems harmless, but is actually severely impacting our circadian rhythms and contributing to chronic poor-quality sleep. “When you are exposed to artificial light every single night after sunset [yes, that includes evening laptop work sessions, Netflix binges in bed, and middle-of-the-night Insta scrolling] you are living in a state of bad sleep, which leads to anxiety, irritability, fatigue, mood swings, carb cravings, low energy and depression.” The glasses are one part of Maruca’s “light diet”—a new way of connecting to the natural rhythms of the sun—that’s actually quite old. The ancient ones were deeply connected to the sun, gazing at it to receive a multitude of benefits during the day, and sinking into a restorative slumber after 52
Courtesy Ra Optics
Ra Optics lenses in nocturnal red and daylight yellow.
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We know penthouses For over 30 years, we’ve been successfully advising clients on the personal and financial aspects of buying or selling a penthouse, from boutique terraced havens to mansion-scaled masterpieces crowning Manhattan’s most iconic towers. With over $2 billion in sales volume and more than $150 million in penthouse transactions since 2017, we offer an unparalleled search and sell experience—all in service of our foremost priority: our clients.
Toni Haber Ranked WSJ's Top 1,000 Nationwide Licensed Associate RE Broker 917.543.1999 toni@compass.com @thehaberteam
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.
S P A C E A harmonious home, where natural materials meet contemporary design, by award-winning Lea Sisson Architect
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID MARLOW 55
RESTORATIVE DESIGN
Have you ever asked your architect to design a space that will help you concentrate better? Or if a space can be created to help you heal from surgery or just a stressful week? You know you actually can, if your architect is savvy to a bit of cognitive neuroscience and Evidence-Based Design. Let me give you a taste of it: Imagine the feeling of walking into a spa to await your treatment, the soothing aroma, the soft, warm light, the textured materials quieting the space, maybe hearing the trickling of water or music evoking waves crashing. Now imagine the experience of sitting in the waiting room at a hospital. A different feeling—yet both are places you go to heal. Here’s another example: Visualize your home office, with your comfortable chair, your beautiful view, the soft, natural light filtering in through the curtains. Now imagine your modern urban office, the hard glass enclosure, the flickering energy efficient lighting humming above. It takes just a few examples to make it easy to understand what elements make our environments more restorative from an intuitive perspective, but what is really exciting is that every day, new empirical evidence backs it up. Probably one of the most thorough works to date is Terrapin’s “14 Patterns of Biophilic Design,” a study that rigorously outlines the ways to enhance design from a human perspective, backed with scientific evidence from leaders in the field including Christopher Alexander, Judith Heerwagen, Stephen Kellert, and Roger Ulrich. With this research, we know we need buildings designed with a view of nature, as well as ones that allow direct connection to nature through our other senses. Natural light is vital for maintaining our circadian rhythms and keeping us alert; it can also be used dynamically, diffused with patterns to create a calming space. It’s one thing to have a screensaver of a beach scene, and quite another to feel the sun on your skin, hear the waves, and smell the salt air. Finding the ways and methods to create a true sense of the world and a sense of yourself in that world is becoming increasingly important. By understanding the way we experience our surroundings with all our senses, we can then create spaces that can keep us more focused or more at rest. As we move away from the office tower and into our homes, we have the opportunity to incorporate new ways to improve our working environment. Where it was once important to make a hospital or school an accredited green building, now programs like the living-building challenge are prioritizing restorative design components, and incentivizing human health and well-being on the civic scale. But why should we stop there? What if our homes became as therapeutic as the getaway vacation cabin? Knowing the methods to create these spaces, giving my clients spaces that enable thriving rather than surviving— that is my passion. leasissonarchitects.com
The latest science proves it: Environmental enhancements at home and at work do impact well-being and productivity. BY LEA SISSON
Natural light and views are essential to well-being.
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Courtesy of Lea Sisson Architects
S PAC E
NEVER BEFORE OFFERED EUROPEAN STONE VILLA WITH UNSURPASSED VIEWS
Located at the coveted Maroon Creek Club, situated between the 12th green and 13th fairway, we find this wonderful old-world villa with breathtaking, unobstructed views of the entire Aspen valley. Watch paragliders descend from the back of Aspen Mountain, fox scamper to their dens and golfers meander the exclusive Maroon Creek Golf Course from this sanctuary nestled on a hillside at the edge of Buttermilk Ski Area. The five-bedroom, eight-bath stone villa features 8,515 sq. ft. with terraces that create indoor/outdoor living and ultimate privacy with no neighbors in sight. Inside, the thoughtfully designed home highlights the master and main living areas on one floor, and four guest bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms on the lower floor. The authentic finishes and decor deliver an old world atmosphere of warmth and grace with numerous entertainment areas, a serious cooks’ kitchen, wine cellar and more. This is where classic charm meets the perfect Aspen lifestyle. Please call Susan for more information or a personal tour. Offered for $12,500,000
SUSAN PLUMMER 970.948.6786 susan@masonmorse.com The Source for Real Estate in Aspen | 970.925.7000 | masonmorse.com
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PURE PICKS
Ceramist, designer and author Jonathan Adler recommends playful and practical additions to any home.
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“I read everything, and this book is one of the best. And no, it’s not because my husband wrote it.” Soccer Style: The Magic and Madness by Simon Doonan, $20.39, simondoonan.com
“Our dog, FoxyLady, is the most perfect creature Mother Nature ever created. I’m so grateful to the North Shore Animal League for allowing this angel to fall into our lives. A donation to the League helps ensure that other families can be as lucky as we are.” North Shore Animal League, animalleague.org
“I always have one (or three) of our trinket trays in my L.L. Bean tote to hand out like I’m Santa Claus. I can’t help myself.” Technicolor star trinket tray, $98, jonathanadler.com 58
“The Amangiri is magic—and I’m not just saying that because the last time, we were there alongside Beyoncé and Jay-Z.” Amangiri resort in Canyon Point, Utah, rooms from $1,550, amangiri.com
“The best thing in the world? Lobster. The worst thing in the world? Trying to hack into one with some tool that looks like it’s straight out of the Middle Ages. These are cute and functional.” HIC lobster cracker, $5.73, amazon.com
FoxyLady photo @simondoonan
“If there’s ever a time to adopt a ‘more-is-more’ philosophy, it’s the holidays, even though we keep it low-key. My hubby and I spend so much time creating glamorous holidays for other people that we don’t have the energy to do it for ourselves.”
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S PAC E
Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The firm created all interiors throughout the building, from the thrilling 3-story lobby to the elegant elevators to the charming children’s playroom, which opens onto an outdoor playground. For kids of all ages, there’s an indoor basketball court, a golf simulator, a game room arcade, and a two-lane bowling alley. OMS is family-oriented, and pet friendly; OMS welcomes animal lovers with an on-premises covered dog run. Indoors and out, OMS places an unprecedented emphasis on clean living, with the entire fifth floor dedicated to a wellness center and spa that includes a 75-foot swimming pool, a hammam (Turkish bath) complete with cold plunge pool, plus a hot tub and infrared sauna, “the latest in antiaging technology,” says Extell’s Christina Medina. Adjacent to the spa is a tranquility garden, whose focal point is a healing Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) tree, prized for its many skin benefits. “This is definitely a healthy lifestyle building,” adds Medina, noting that spa privileges are included in the building’s common charges, with no additional membership fees. Billing itself as a “vertical village,” OMS promises to provide the last word in stress-busting convenience. “You feel like you’re living in a luxurious resort; everything you could possibly need is right here,” Medina says. “Plus, there’s 45,000 square feet of retail space, including a pharmacy, grocery store and coffee shop”—not to mention extensive event programming, from yoga on the lawn, to book reading groups, to culinary demonstrations using yield from the herb garden. It’s a pioneering concept whose time has come: the destination residence that delivers the world to your doorstep. The best perk of any voyage is a safe homecoming, and OMS offers tenants all the mind-opening benefits of world travel with none of the hassle. Concludes buyer Anna Smedstad, who can hardly wait to move in: “The OMS amenities and the amazing surrounding views top them all in NYC.” onemanhattansquare.com
IT’S THE ONE
Primo views, amenities and design make the luxurious Seaport vertical village of One Manhattan Square an urban utopia. BY JULIA SZABO One of the more notable new additions to the New York skyline is Extell Development’s One Manhattan Square, a highrise soaring 800 feet above the Seaport, at the edge of New York Harbor. Standing proud at 252 South Street, an 80-story tower of gleaming glass and burnished copper alloy, the stunning structure houses 815 units: one-, two- and three-bedroom high-ceilinged condominium residences that redefine Lower East Side luxe. A project of Adamson Associates (architects of record for global landmarks from midtown’s Hearst Tower to The Shard at London Bridge), OMS offers “postcard perfect” 360-degree views from 9-foot-tall picture windows that overlook two iconic spans: the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, whose combined visual impact is especially exhilarating at night. Vistas are no less breathtaking in the building’s own backyard, where residents will enjoy 100,000 square feet of head-spinning amenities, including a solid acre of private gardens landscaped by West 8, the talented topographers behind global projects from the Miami Beach SoundScape to New Holland in St. Petersburg, Russia. Garden features include a sumac meander, a birch garden, an adult tree house, fire pits, a putting green, outdoor pingpong tables, and a stargazing observatory. Foodies might never leave their state-of-the-art kitchens, haute hot spots cooked up by the same design team (Meyer Davis) responsible for the restaurants of star chefs Daniel Boulud, Tom Colicchio and 60
Courtesy of Extell
One Manhattan Square’s indoor basketball court
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ELECTRO LITE
Finding calm and protection in a perfect storm of tech overload and harmful electromagnetic radiation. BY AMELY GREEVEN
I just moved into a new home, and I cannot ignore what I see. A Smart Meter fixed on the outer wall of my daughter’s bedroom. Power lines running across the deck. A high-speed internet router positioned by the dog bed. The electromagnetic radiation these things emit may not be visible, but as a health writer who works with visionaries at the leading edge of wellness, I know too much about the system-wide dysregulating effects of man-made energy frequencies to turn my back. Plus, I’ve already begun to feel some of the effects of electrosensitivity myself, especially after hours at my computer: heightened stress response from the cortisol output that radiation triggers; irritability; heart palpitations; and fatigue. And I question whether my little princess’ emotional volatility may also be a result of living in a soup of electrosmog. We already follow good energy-hygiene habits, turning off our router at night (when our resting bodies are more vulnerable to microwave radiation) and never holding a cellphone
to our heads. But for the sake of my family, I need to do an EMF (electromagnetic frequency) detox on our space. I call Lynda Cormier-Hanser, the co-founder of Gia Wellness, a 21-century company devoted to wellness innovations for a wireless world. She explains how the stress response to electromagnetic radiation can include free-radical damage, premature aging and inflammation across the body and brain; compromised detoxification due to cell-wall hardening; weight gain; attention and behavior issues; and a feeling of being spent. The amount and amplitude of exposure to these artificial and intense frequencies is increasing, not only as so-called “smart” homes with devices, speakers and appliances that communicate wirelessly add more pulsing signals to the soup—but even more worryingly, as the ultrahigh-speed 5G communications network starts to roll out in our towns and cities. With powerful new antennae more densely sprinkled on buildings and streets 62
than before, this will exponentially increase the most biologically disruptive “near field” radiation. “Think about adding layers of protection in your life,” Cormier-Hanser advises. Gia’s EMF-protective products use a patented technology that, in studies, strengthened the resistance of our body’s energy field while reducing radiation absorption of the cells by up to 90 percent, “similar to the way sunscreen reduces your body’s absorption of the sun’s electromagnetic light rays.” She recommends a Smart Meter Defender to protect my sleeping daughter (Smart Meters pulse every 30 seconds with powerful microwave information); Universal Guards on my router, wireless phone and computers; and a Home Harmonizer to help defend our living and sleeping spaces from interfering fields. First, however, I do some research. I discover that for a $75 fee, my California utility company will replace the Smart Meter with analog. Victory! My husband and I decide to hardwire our desktop computers with Ethernet to reduce wireless output. (Disabling a computer’s WiFi when working offline is another way to massively lower exposure.) Then I buffer the interferences I cannot control. I purchase Gia’s Universal Guards for all our devices; a wearable, biofield-strengthening pendant; the Home Harmonizer to counteract the ELFs (extremely low frequencies) from the power lines over our property; and Gia’s flagship product, its i-H20 Hydration System, which uses a subtle low-frequency field to change water’s molecular structure into a revitalizing and free-radical defending form. (Great skin and good digestion are welcome side effects). My EMF detox is halfway done. Next up, using my new EMF meter to check for dirty electricity in my walls and trading the wireless phone (one of the most insidious emitters of microwave radiation) for one that’s hard-wired. A vintage 1960s Mad Men phone is already on order.
F I N E G E M S TO N E J E W E L R Y
2 1 0 . 8 6 5 . 0 9 2 3 • M S P A LT E N . C O M
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SENSE APPEAL
Six Senses luxury hotels are world leaders in curating next-level integrative wellness programs. CEO Neil Jacobs talks with Purist about the brand’s expansion to New York.
CRISTINA CUOMO: Six Senses has been at the forefront of wellness since 1995. As the CEO of Six Senses, how do you define wellness today? NEIL JACOBS: It’s more challenging to define wellness nowadays, as new technologies and techniques of self-optimization continue transforming the wellness industry. The traditional lines between a hotel or a residence or a club get blurred, and people can eat, sleep, heal or meet in any order anywhere. Co-working places transition to a yoga class; office buildings with healthy air boost cognitive functions. We have entered a new age of integrative wellness. For us, it’s important to provide our guests with the best possible base to help them achieve wellness, regardless of where they are when they visit or stay with us. Wellness is integrated into the whole experience, from the food they eat to the way they sleep and the people they meet. We’ve incorporated technology to make the experience more person-
The two towers of The XI, along the Hudson and Highline
alized and impactful. We continue working with experts and professionals on bringing the latest advances in neuroscience, nutrition, fitness and goal-setting to our guests. We educate our guests on-site, and build long-term relationships with them, so they benefit from the experience long into the future, and continue to interact with our brand in new ways. CC: Since you joined Six Senses in 2013, the brand has expanded across Asia, Europe, Northern Africa, the Caribbean, and soon, the United States. 64
How did you set out to differentiate Six Senses from other five-star brands like the Four Seasons and Aman? NJ: We’ve always respected the history and heritage of the brand, and in the past six years we have strategically focused on pioneering wellness as well as sustainability. For decades, wellness, fitness and longevity have been important to everyone around the world. And here at Six Senses, we’re passionate about pioneering our wellness offerings and sustainability practices, so that guests leave Six Senses feeling better than when they arrived. What sets us apart from other hotel groups is the caliber of on-site wellness experts featured at our hotels and spas and the richness of our programming. This, combined with our popular Visiting Practitioner Program, adds depth to our goal that guests feel mentally and physically enlivened before and after they stay with us. CC: The XI is obviously a special site. It’s located on a full city block
Renderings courtesy of The XI
The XI’s private residential 75-foot, glass-enclosed, sunlit swimming pool
between 18th and 19th Streets and 11th and 12th Avenues in West Chelsea along Architecture Row that is already home to buildings by Pritzker Prize-winning architects Renzo Piano, Jean Nouvel, Frank Gehry and now, with The XI, Bjarke Ingels. Why did you choose New York City, and specifically, The XI, to be the home of the first Six Senses hotel in the United States? Did the location between the High Line and the Hudson River factor into the decision? NJ: New York is New York. It’s the epicenter of business, finance, fashion, art, architecture, design and food. With my development team we look at key cities globally and New York, of course, was top of the list. But we did not want to go just anywhere in the city. From Chelsea’s rich history as virgin farmland through the Industrialization period, the area has been home to well-heeled New Yorkers in the early 1800s, hard-working immigrants decades later, rich theater (Pike’s Opera House), distilleries, gas works and what is now The High Line. West Chelsea is a bustling area, the art district of Manhattan and has a great vibe; as the area evolves, the shopping and dining just get better and better. And with the Hudson on one side and the High line on the other, it is the perfect location for Six Senses.
“mind-body-spirit” offerings, Six Senses is all about celebrating the best life you can, and surrounding yourself with like-minded people. Residential owners, hotel guests and local club members will have access to some of the coolest wellness programming in the world, innovative food and beverage options, plus interactive and unexpected guest experiences. CC: When people think of Six Senses, exotic resort destinations come to mind. How are you approaching design at The XI, given its urban setting? NJ: At Six Senses we believe strongly in the use of natural materials, and these show up in our choices around the hotel. The design goal was to stay true to our values while adapting to a sophisticated contemporary urban environment. CC: You have worked with Dorothée Boissier of Gilles & Boissier before. How is this collaboration different? NJ: Our past collaboration included the Baccarat Hotel in NYC, a totally different aesthetic to Six Senses New York. Dorothée and her husband, Patrick, stayed at several of our properties to really understand Six Senses. Not just the look, but how our values manifest in the physical environment
CC: There are many luxury buildings in New York with exhaustive lists of amenities. How are you activating the private residential amenities at The XI in a way that genuinely enhances the residential experience? NJ: We wanted residents at The XI to have their own private Six Senses experience in addition to access to all the offerings provided to Six Senses guests. There will be 18,000 square feet of private, residential amenities curated and managed by Six Senses. There will also be 45,000 square feet dedicated to our spa and wellness club. From lectures and educational sessions, fitness training and the latest
and transform into an urban hotel in New York without losing the spirit and purpose of the brand. CC: Can we talk about the Sleep With Six Senses program and what it entails? NJ: Sleep With Six Senses starts with the fundamentals to the standard room setup of every guest accommodation. Mattresses are by Naturalmat Organic Bedding and are complemented by non-allergenic and sustainable pillows and duvets that are resistant to dust mites; and organic sheets that provide an ideal sleep environment. Based on these quality basics, guests can upgrade the sleep experience, starting with an online questionnaire that enables an assigned Sleep Ambassador to fine-tune the room before arrival. The upgrade includes sleep aids and bathroom amenities, moisture-wicking linens and options such as a sound machine, specialty pillows and a dehumidifier/humidifier. Guests are also equipped with a sleep tracker, the results of which are interpreted during a 30-minute consultation with a wellness expert, who may recommend a personalized program of lifestyle changes and treatments. sixsenses.com, thexi.com
Panoramic views at The XI
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PURE PICKS
New York-based interior designer and founder of his namesake firm, Damon Liss shares a few favorites from his daily life and design aesthetic. Tribeca loft designed by Damon Liss, damonliss.com
“Holland & Sherry is our go-to spot for fine throws, pillows and fabrics.”Holland & Sherry solid cashmere in azure, price available upon request, hollandandsherry.com
“Minimal with a touch of delicate floral embellishment, Paavo Tynell’s work will be on display by Donzella Gallery in The Winter Show.” The Winter Show, Jan. 18-27, Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave., daily admission tickets from $25, thewintershow.org
“I love the balancing act of layering materials, textures and forms with just enough restraint.”
“Forget Pinterest. I use Forbo for pinning my design ideas.” Forbo bulletin board, samples and pricing available upon request, forbo.com 66
“I love incorporating both vintage and contemporary Brazilian furniture from Espasso and R & Company into our designs.” Martin Eisler for Forma, Brazil, 1950s upholstered armchair, $22,000, at R & Company, r-and-company.com; Maria Preciosa side table, $3,180, espasso.com
Tribeca loft photo by Joshua McHugh; ESPASSO
“I enjoy the daily search on 1stdibs for exceptional vintage and contemporary items.” Paavo Tynell blue pendant, $7,789, 1stdibs.com
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S PAC E
PURE PROPERTY
Down in Tribeca, on tony Leonard Street, a penthouse pulls out all the stops with over 6,400 square feet of luxury Manhattan living. The 4-bedroom, 4 ½-bath cantilevered Herzog & de Meuron apartment with private keyed elevator takes up the whole floor. Floorto-14-foot ceiling windows afford 360-degree views. A wood-burning fireplace, 1,000-square-foot terrace and huge kitchen with breakfast conservatory set the stage for grand scale entertaining. The freestanding soaking tub in the master bath offers tranquility at the top of the world. The home is offered at $26,000,000 with Toni Haber at Compass. Further south in Miami, Grammy winner Shakira has listed her recently renovated, 20,000-plus-square-foot home—and her brother is one of the brokers. Antonio Mebarak with Douglas Elliman co-lists the $11.648 million, 6-bedroom, 7 ½-bath waterfront property in Miami Beach, which features totems of the musician’s Lebanese, Middle Eastern and Columbian heritage throughout, with minimalist bone-inlaid pieces, handmade decorative mirrors and even a hookah lounge in the entertainment wing. The exclusive home gym has specialty flooring where the singer perfected her moves, shaking those hips that don’t lie.
Heading west to downtown Aspen, a 7-bedroom, 11-bath, amenities-packed refuge has hit the market. Brittanie Rockhill of Douglas Elliman Real Estate is showing the 18,000-square-foot, $39 million home, which features a saltwater pool, fully equipped gym, steam room, sauna, cold plunge pool, massage room and salon. A great room opens up to the outside: You can ski from the mountain to your back door! Perfect your backhand on the tennis court in summer and skate on it in the winter. Also included in the amenity-packed portfolio: two elevators, a movie theater, a wine cellar, a six-car garage and a bowling alley. In Los Angeles, a celebrity split often signals a new luxury listing. While it’s been a few years since Avril Lavigne and Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger separated, his Sherman Oaks chateau-like house has become available, for under $8 million, with Chris Pauloski of Pacific Union International. Located in the high-end Longridge Estates, the 6-bedroom, 9-bath home is over 10,000 square feet and features 2-story, floor-to-ceiling windows, French doors, a fireplace, and a double circular staircase. The home theater sits above a detached three-car garage. A bar, fire pit, lounging areas and saltwater pool provide outdoor options for entertaining.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offer 360-degree views of NYC.
Shakira’s waterfront backyard in Miami
You can ski down the mountain to the back door of this Aspen mansion.
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Compass; Douglas Elliman Real Estate; Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Homes for the Holidays: Across the country, luxury residences in all shapes and sizes bring peace and joy to the season. BY NANCY KANE
This photo by the late and beloved Hansi Brenninger.
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G L O W
Treat yourself to a hot bath during the cold months. Steam paired with essential oils helps clear sinuses and nourish skin when the air is dry.
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Aethern’s list of healthy ingredients includes bamboo extract.
FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Drink it in: Aethern provides a daily beauty boost. BY BETH LANDMAN products, serum, creams, etc., are excellent, but they work on the surface of the face, neck, eyes and hands to improve the aesthetic appearance. This product works from the inside, and for the whole body, preventing the wear and tear of aging, regenerating from the deepest part of the body, and causing cell regeneration through the ingestion of the essential nutrients that make up our body. By absorbing nutrients in this manner, the results are sustainable, and delay the internal chronological clock of aging.” Aethern, which contains a potent blend of collagen and hyaluronic acid along with antioxidants, astaxanthin, beta carotene, zinc, selenium, magnesium, vitamin E, lutein, silicon, Mediterranean polyphenols and bioactive Cate Blanchett is peptides, has been formulated to increase hy- a fan of Aethern. dration, reduce wrinkles and impart radiance. It’s only sold via doctors and medical spas and results are generally visible starting at eight weeks. Cate Blanchett, who discovered Aethern through her dermatologist, has become a fan. According to Falcó i Buixeda: “It’s an all-in-one skin antiaging blend.” aethern.com
imgur.com
We are all aware that what we eat affects our health, our vitality, and the appearance of our bodies, but increasingly, we are seeing that it also alters the look of our faces. Nutraceuticals have hit the mainstream, and are becoming a part of the savvy person’s beauty regimen. Abili Falcó i Buixeda, who was born in a town on the Mediterranean—where they know a thing or two about ingesting ingredients that keep you healthy—was CEO of Spain’s largest food-distribution company before deciding to target the skin instead of the palate. He focused on finding ingredients with maximum nutritional value and, after years of research, created Aethern, a daily drinkable power-packed shot. “From my first contacts with the world of food, many years ago, I understood the critical role that food played, as a supplier of the essential nutrients (proteins, vitamins, etc.) to develop a healthy, sustainable and balanced lifestyle,” he explains. “I also understood the difficulty in obtaining all of these essential nutrients only through food, however healthy and balanced it may be. Hence, the need for supplementation, using super-concentrated extracts of these nutrients.” Falcó i Buixeda feels that these nutraceuticals were beauty’s missing link. “They complete the antiaging circle and are of critical importance,” he stresses. “Topical 72
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SAFEGUARDED SMILES Estela Cockrell of Switch2Pure shares her selections for the cleanest, safest options for oral hygiene care.
Dr. Gerry Curatola’s nontoxic brand, Revitin
To fluoride or not to fluoride? For years, America has been sold a bill of fluorinated goods, marketed for decades as, “Fluoride prevents cavities.” The truth, and rather rude awakening, is that fluoride has been classified as both a neurotoxin and an endocrine-disruptor, both of which are known to be associated with cancer and the health of your bones, brain and thyroid. When it comes to toothpaste, steer away from the fluoride-filled brands and explore the many powerful and natural alternative options out there. At Switch2Pure, we look for effective, nontoxic products like Revitin ($15, revitin.com), formulated by Dr. Gerry Curatola. This paste balances the mouth’s natural biome with seaweed,
antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory ingredients. Plus, it helps to remineralize the teeth, resulting in great cavity prevention. Another of our biggest-selling toothpastes is My Magic Mud Activated Charcoal Toothpaste ($11), which helps to balance the mouth by removing unwanted toxins. Becky Steinbach, DDS, of Elevate Dental Wellness in Colorado, says, “Charcoal is half as abrasive as traditional whiteners, and really helps to remove those surface stains. The added benefit of binding toxins makes it my go-to for patients looking to use cleaner products while still getting whiter teeth.” With so many appealing nontoxic alternatives, there is no need to dip in the fluorinated pool. switch2pure.com 74
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SKIN SAVERS
Whether you’re skiing in Aspen, Vermont or the Alps, bracing wind chill and winter sun can do a number on your skin. Here, some of the best natural cures. BY AMELY GREEVEN
Melt Moisturizer by Alpyn Beauty taps the power of hardy local plants.
Protect skin with an exfoliant, moisturizer and plant oil by clean-beauty fave Drunk Elephant.
sleeping areas to combat extreme aridity (ensure it has UV light chambers to protect against mold). •T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, $90 •Lala Retro Whipped Cream, $60 •Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil, $40 drunkelephant.com Kendra Kolb Butler, founder of Jackson Hole-based Alpyn Beauty, shares Masterson’s approach to diligently feeding winter skin. Her unique twist? Employing the hard-working plants that fight for survival in the Teton mountains’ high altitude ecosystem. “I opened a beauty boutique here stocked with the best products I’d 76
found during 15 years in the industry— but customers returned them,” she says. “I realized that in extreme mountain conditions, ‘normal’ antiaging and moisturizing ingredients won’t do.” Butler wild-harvested local arnica, chamomile, borage, calendula, and sage, five plant athletes that are more resilient than species grown in more forgiving circumstances. Then she infused the complex into a high-octane hydrating and fortifying formula of nontoxic ingredients for protecting and repairing the skin barrier to make Alpyn Beauty’s seductive and velvety pale pink Melt Moisturizer. Putting it to the test in harsh, high-and-dry mountain conditions, Purist editors found sweet relief: skin stayed soft, pliable, and bright all day long. Melt Moisturizer, $60, alpynbeauty.com
FRIGID TEMPS? Try these 5 clean-beauty must haves FACE: Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion, $49, beautycounter.com HAIR: Innersense Hydrating Hair Mask, $30, switch2pure.com BODY: Oy-l Body Butter, $30, switch2pure.com HANDS AND FEET: Snow in Summer Tallow Balm, $36, summersolacetallow.com HOME FACIAL: The Blue Cocoon Beauty Balm Concentrate, $180, maylindstrom.com
@alpynbeauty; @drunkelephant
Winter adventures in high-elevation terrain exhilarate the body and mind, but challenge the complexion. Loading up on a safe SPF is a no-brainer (sun exposure increases significantly with elevation), but protecting and replenishing the skin barrier—the layer that keeps the good substances in and the bad out—before and after snowy shenanigans is easily overlooked. The unfortunate result? Dry, irritated, chapped skin, and looking 10 years older than usual. We sent a cold-weather SOS to two clean-beauty gurus for help. Tiffany Masterson, founder of cult-favorite clean-beauty brand Drunk Elephant, cautions that “cold weather, particularly below freezing, weakens the skin barrier and erodes its ability to hang on to the substances that keep it healthy, pliant and soft.” The remedy? “Ensure your entire regimen is balanced toward helping to protect the skin barrier and replenish what’s lost to cold weather.” First, nix cleansers with harsh, high-pH surfactants, which strip the skin barrier, or products containing fragrances—and if you’re sensitive, essential oils too—as these exacerbate inflammation. (Long baths, by the way, also weaken skin’s ability to hold on to restorative ingredients.) Then, show skin TLC with three products: a well-formulated AHA/BHA leave-on exfoliant to help facilitate healthy cell-turnover; a super-rich moisturizer “loaded with antioxidants, replenishing oils and soothing anti-irritants;” and a pure plant oil, mixed into the moisturizer, “to boost benefits considerably.” Run a humidifier in living and
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W E E K E N D “I have worked on an ideal wardrobe concept, reinventing Tod’s iconic pieces, and, at the same time, maintaining a balance between my world and Tod’s Italian excellence.” —ALESSANDRO DELL’ACQUA, FASHION DESIGNER AND FIRST COLLABORATOR IN TOD’S LATEST PROJECT, T FACTORY
Alessandro Dell’Acqua x Tod’s coat in leather, $5,045, tods.com
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As a mother of five, Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, has a treasure trove of inspiration at home for her luxury namesake childrenswear brand.
“Our little angel wing bracelet in gold and pavé diamonds is the perfect gift for anyone with a young child.” Angel Wing diamond bracelet in yellow gold, $1,400, mariechantal.com
“I’m crazy about the brand Galvan, and recently met two of the designers. Love what they are doing!” Paillette pinwheel dress in copper, $1,531.39, galvanlondon.com
“I recently collaborated with Silver Cross. This pram is called the Reflex, but I did two other larger styles for them as well.” Marie-Chantal Reflex, $512.63, silvercrossbaby.com
“My collection was designed to be classic with a modern twist. We added small updates to designs such as peplums and ruching, and used patterns, dusty pink and chocolate-brown hues to evoke woodlands and forestry.”
“Our tutus and angel wing jumper are my favorites as they are so dreamy, and match our Angel Wing story. I started it when my third child was born, as he looked like an angel cherub.” Bryn Angel Wing cashmere sweater in ivory, $294, and, Bailey star tutu skirt in cream, $147, mariechantal.com
“My friend, Tierney Horne, co-founded Rosa De La Cruz London with Rosa and gave necklaces to me as a gift. I wear them every day!” 40mm heart pendant, 18K gold and diamonds, price available upon request, rosadelacruz.co.uk
“A girl has to own a pair of Tabitha Simmons shoes.” Nora champagne metallic Nappa sandals, $775, tabithasimmons.com 80
WEEKEND
A FASHIONABLE FRIENDSHIP
Meeting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Louis Vuitton creative director (and devoted dog dad) Nicolas Ghesquière and Vogue creative director at large (and feline aficionado) Grace Coddington talk about their pet-inspired collaboration for Vuitton and their passion for design. BY ALINA CHO
GC: It was really fun, and kind of weird because I had a different hat on, designing. It made me feel very grown-up. AC: The collection was unveiled at the 2019 Cruise collection show at The Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul de Vence. But Nicolas, this show was really an homage to Grace, wasn’t it? NICOLAS GHESQUIÈRE: Yes, it was. When we started, it was a secret homage. I always admired the very personal style of Grace and the way she has dressed over the years — she has this particular English taste that is so eccentric. GC: Because I wear pajamas and stuff like that. Me and
ALINA CHO: Grace and Nicolas, Women’s Wear Daily called you two of the most elusive figures in fashion. When I told you this a couple of days ago, you both laughed and agreed that it is true. The reason we are together now is because of your collaboration on a collection for Louis Vuitton. The collection was inspired by your Persian cats, Grace—a Pumpkin bag after your cat Pumpkin—and Nicolas’ dog Léon. GRACE CODDINGTON: I love dogs, too. AC: Grace, what was it like to collaborate with your longtime friend Nicolas? 82
@bazaarindia
Nicolas Ghesquière and Grace Coddington
thing—but yeah, I always wore heels, even in a bikini. And they’re my favorite heels by the way. They’re very old, from the original Saint Laurent. AC: Nicolas, I want to talk a bit about Vuitton, obviously, because this is your current position. You left your post as creative director of Balenciaga in 2012 and almost a year to the day later, you were named artistic director of Louis Vuitton. In May of this year, you boldly announced on your Instagram that you are “hashtag not going anywhere,” that you’d renewed your contract at Louis Vuitton for at least another five years, so it’s clear that that relationship works. Also, you’ve mentioned that a Nicolas Ghesquière label might be much closer to reality. When are we going to see that? NG: I’m going to come back to tell you. AC: Ok, good. Grace, I want to talk a little about a new venture for you, Face to Grace, which is an original streaming series on MTM, which stands for Made to Measure. It was just launched a couple of weeks ago. Your first guests were Sofia Coppola and Ansel Elgort, and you
Julian Schnabel—we’re pajama people. AC: Grace, at what point did you realize that this show was about you? GC: Well, it was sort of creeping up on me I guess, little by little. I had an inkling that something was going on, but I didn’t know what. The girls are much more beautiful than me, but there did seem to be a few with red hair. NG: Look-alikes. We tried. AC: I want to talk about how this all came about, because this collaboration is a culmination of a nearly 20year friendship. You first met in 2000? GC: I say 2000. He says earlier. AC: But it wasn’t until 2003 that you really bonded, for the famous Alice Through The Looking Glass story for Vogue back in 2003. Nicolas, you made a dress for the model Natalia Vodianova and Grace, of course, you were the editor on the shoot. But the dress had a problem, according to Annie Leibovitz, the photographer. GC: We got it all together and were getting hair and makeup and things and Nicolas was arriving with the dress
“I hope people will remember me for stories, and some kind of magic that happens between photographers, editors, models, hair people, makeup people—the teams that build these images.” –GRACE CODDINGTON interviewed Nicolas as well. You are famously shy. Why on earth would you want to do a talk show? GC: God knows. We don’t have 100 people in front of us making us nervous. It’s literally myself and my guest and a cameraman and producer and director, so all in all, it’s a very small crew. Also, I’m very smart—I only talk to people I know really well. AC: You interviewed Anna Wintour. She didn’t take her glasses off during the interview? GC: No, I tried. We are really good friends, but then when you’re in front of a camera it’s different, as you know. But she was a good sport. AC: What do you think your legacy will be in fashion? GC: Well, I hope my legacy is having a lot of happiness and being able to enjoy and love fashion, and love photography, because for me photography and fashion are kind of the same thing. One relates to the other, and I hope it reads in my pictures. I hope people will remember me for stories, and some kind of magic that happens between photographers, editors, models, hair people, makeup people—the teams that build these images. AC: And Nicolas? NG: To create desire, through clothes that empower a woman and give her confidence—that’s how I’d love people to think about my clothes. From The Atelier with Alina Cho: Series at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
and then Annie said, “Can I see the dress, just to see how it’s going to work in this situation?” And I brought it along on a hanger and she freaked out because she said, “Well, Natalia is walking through the mirror that way. The ruffles on the back are on the wrong side, and you’re not going to see them.” She said, “I’ll tell you what, just have Natalia put it on back to front.” And of course, I freaked out. NG: I freaked out. GC: He didn’t say a word. He just went pale and I thought, “Oh god. I’ve lost him now. That’s it.” But he leapt right to it and very quietly said, “Give it to me,” and disappeared off into the location van. About 20 minutes later, he reappeared, and the whole dress had been reversed and all the ruffles had been put back on the other side. AC: That was a bonding moment. GC: Definitely. NG: It was a friendship pact right away. AC: Grace, what first attracted you to Nicolas’ work? GC: I can’t really put my finger on it. It was something very special. There was something about his woman that appealed to me. AC: You’ve worked with some of the most incredible photographers, including Helmut Newton. I loved reading that you always wore heels around Helmut Newton. GC: Well, one just did because you like to amuse him and he likes to have pretty girls around, so you do everything you can to look kind of hot and sexy, which is not really my 83
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Nina Runsdorf, jewelry designer and founder of NSR by Nina Runsdorf, launches her latest collection at the new OLIVELA in Aspen this season, a luxury curated retail site with doing good built into every purchase.
“I am attracted to the symbolism behind rats. In Asian cultures, they are considered auspicious symbols of good fortune in business and, supposedly, if you rub them they will bring you luck. Rats are also industrious creatures, highly adaptable and masters of clever repurposing, which I think we can all benefit from!” Rat sculpture by Nina Runsdorf, price upon request
“In the holiday season I tend to travel a lot, and this oil keeps me looking fresh and hydrated during long trips. The red packaging is also beautiful.” Kjaer Weis facial oil, $225, kjaerweis.com
“Nir Hod is a dear friend of mine. We created this flip ring together, which reminds me of how many lovely and creative friends I have to spend the holidays with.” Nir Hod Eye on a tear flip ring by Nina Runsdorf, price upon request
“These items reflect my aesthetic as well as my sense of whimsy, and remind me of some of the family and beloved friends I surround myself with during the holiday season.”
“I am an early collector of Takuro Kuwata’s work. I adore the eccentricity of his designs. This gold bowl is a gorgeous gift for anyone.” Sculpture by Takuro Kuwata, price available upon request, takurokuwata.com 84
“I first saw the Haas Brothers’ Mini Beast at R & Company and completely fell in love. It’s like having a little pet— so quirky and fun, it makes my daughters and me grin.” The Haas Brothers Elizabeth Swirly Mini Beast, $45,000, r-and-company.com
“The shark bag by Hermès is my favorite travel bag. It’s functional and roomy, but most importantly, humorous and makes people smile wherever I go.” Runway Shark Bolide bag by Hermès, $27,500, available at Material Good, materialgoodny.com
Runsdorf photo by Samantha Nandez; Haas Brothers photo by Joe Kramm/R & Company; Kuwata photo by Kenji Takahashi, © Takuro Kuwata
“I created the sliced diamond enamel collection for the holidays. I wanted to add a bold splash of color to the refined feeling of diamonds, and the color red conjures the spirit of the season.” Red sliced diamond ring by Nina Runsdorf, $6,500, available at Nina Runsdorf, by appointment only, 212.382.1243, or at Olivela Aspen, 427 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen
INSPIRATION TO INSTALLATION.
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WEEKEND
Michael Kors is not just building a fashion empire. He’s also committed to feeding the world. BY ALINA CHO
As one of the most recognizable names in fashion, Michael Kors is also famously... well, nice. And wildly funny, as you’ll see in this interview. Kors has had a big year. On the heels of his recent acquisition of Jimmy Choo, Kors made headlines again in September when his holding company, Capri Holdings, bought Italian fashion powerhouse Versace for a highly publicized $2 billion. Purist recently sat down with the designer to discuss the Versace deal and his wellness regime, but we began by talking about his passion: solving world hunger. In the past five years alone, Kors has donated 17.5 million meals (and counting) to the World Food Programme through his initiative Watch Hunger Stop. ALINA CHO: For people who don’t know what Watch Hunger Stop is, what is it exactly? MICHAEL KORS: Well, we started Watch Hunger Stop in conjunction with the World Food Programme five years ago. It’s a school meals program, and we go to the World Food Programme and say to them, “Where are we needed most? Where can we channel all of this money and all of this energy?” We’ve gone to Nicaragua, we’ve gone to Cambodia...quite frankly, in a lot of these places, without the lunch program, parents would not send their kids to school. AC: Right, the food is the incentive. MK: And especially for girls. AC: Why girls? MK: You know it’s terrible to say, but we saw it in Nicaragua, we saw it in Cambodia, both places. In Nicaragua, they’re growing coffee, and they keep their daughters at home to help in the house or to help on the fields, so they make a choice. It’s a terrible Sophie’s Choice kind of thing. “I’ll send my son to school, but I’ll keep my daughter home.” Well, the minute that there’s food at school, she’s going to school. I don’t really care why they sent their kids to school. They sent them to school and they broke the cycle, so suddenly
Michael Kors with Alina Cho
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Photos courtesy of Watch Hunger Stop
FASHIONABLY COMPASSIONATE
she’s educated—and if she’s educated, she’s going to be different than the generation of girls before her. AC: But the idea is you create a special watch, and people buy it and a portion of the proceeds goes toward funding… MK: A hundred meals. It was 100 meals traditionally. So this year is the first year that we’ve had a T-shirt to sell. You can come into our stores, buy the T-shirt, and we donate all the profits. It’s a hundred meals. So you fund 100 meals when you buy the T-shirt,
“IF I JUST SKIP THAT CUP OF COFFEE AND MAKE IT AT HOME, THAT $5 IS A MONTH OF FOOD.” then when you post a selfie with the hashtag #WatchHungerStop—you fund another 100 meals. We’re seeing that people realize, “Wait a minute, I’m still having fun taking my crazy selfie that I love to take, but look what I’m doing at the same time.” AC: Many people don’t realize that $5 can feed a child for an entire month. MK: It’s a whole month. We’re all overwhelmed with too much information, negativity, and then you also start to think, “Can I really make a difference?” You think, “Wait a second, a cup of coffee? Actually, if I just skip that cup of coffee and I make a cup of coffee at home, and that $5 I didn’t spend, that’s a month of food?” That means everyone can make a difference. AC: A lot of people believe hunger is a faraway problem, right? MK: They don’t realize it’s next door. I mean, it’s a crazy thing that here in New York City, one of the wealthiest cities in the world, there could be someone who is living next door to
Kate Hudson rocks her Watch Hunger Stop T-shirt.
you who is hungry. The other thing about it, quite frankly, is that this is a global problem; yet at the same time, it’s a solvable one. When you talk to the World Food Programme, they really are convinced—and I’m so competitive I’m going to beat them at their own number—that we can hit zero hunger by 2030. AC: You’ve obviously been involved with this whole notion of feeding people for a very long time, not just with the World Food Programme, but also with God’s Love We Deliver. The God’s Love We Deliver building is now the Michael Kors Building because you put your money where your mouth is. MK: The building that they had before had been there for quite a while and the needs for the kitchen—for the amount of food that had to be put out—had grown, so we provided them with the resources to take the building down and rebuild with a kitchen that functions. I always say, “Every day, I get to do something that I always dreamed of doing. I get to see people all around the planet wearing my designs. Isn’t that fabulous?” And how can you not know that we are a part of a whole global community and to give back? Sometimes people forget how fortunate they are. Hopefully when you do something like this, not only does it remind you of your good fortune, but it also reminds you that when you help other people it feels like...I don’t know, like putting on really 87
high heels that are so comfortable you could play basketball in them. AC: Your company recently acquired Versace. What did that mean to you? And how well do you know Donatella? MK: It’s funny. Fashion people have a tendency to know each other, but not know each other well. So its always like, “Hi, how are you?” Chat, chat, move on. And before the deal was announced, we had a really fabulous dinner together and, other than the fact that we both have a suntan and blond hair, what I love about her is her talent, her enthusiasm, her energy and strength. What it means to me, I was thinking about when I first went to Paris to design for Celine back in the late ’90s. At the time, I think fashion still was very much like, “Oh, that’s French fashion, that’s Japanese fashion, that’s American fashion,” and we started to see kind of the Berlin Wall crumbling. What we’re saying now is that we have three different companies under one umbrella. One is based in Italy [Versace], one is based in London [Jimmy Choo], one is based here in New York [Michael Kors], and although we’re from three different places, fashion has truly become global versus what it was really only 20 years ago. AC: One last question. As Purist is devoted to wellness, I’d love to hear about your wellness routine or what you do for exercise. MK: I love Pilates. It just opens me up, reminds me about posture. And you know what else? We were at Milan Fashion Week. I am a Leo, so I’m a cat who’s curious. I like to go out and see things, so being stuck on a StairMaster or a bike indoors, to me is the most boring thing in the world. Get me out on the street. I’m not a runner, so every day in Milan while the entire fashion industry was dressed and out and getting ready for the fashion shows, I was out in my track pants speed-walking like some crazy old woman in Florida. I think Mrs. Vreeland was right. You have to get out there and see things. The eye has to travel, it’s important.
WEEKEND
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What’s Right for You?
ADAPTOGEN INTELLIGENCE
Meet the mensches of natural medicine: high-performance, low-maintenance super-herbs and mushrooms. BY AARON RASMUSSEN Adaptogens are back on the rise. These medicinal super-herbs and mushrooms, which do everything from improving overall immunity and hormonal balance to fighting stress and brain fog, have been commonplace in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines for thousands of years. Now adaptogens and their benefits are gaining traction here as well. “They’re a great new-old addition to your wellness routine—adaptogens are nontoxic, non-habit-forming and safe for long-term use,” says mushroom expert Tero Isokauppila, the Finnish founder of Los Angeles-based Four Sigmatic. As the name suggests, adaptogens respond to the body’s needs with general, nonspecific effects. “Adaptogens help you find balance because they are bidirectional, meaning they can calm the activity of hyperfunctioning systems or strengthen the activity of low-functioning systems,” explains Amanda Chantal Bacon, who started the popular holistic lifestyle brand Moon Juice in LA. “Adaptogens are vital to self-care, for increased strength, health, calm and resilience.”
Several trusted companies offer scores of adaptogen options, but with the help of an herbalist or naturopath, figuring out which ones to try doesn’t have to be a daunting task. They are generally available in capsule or powder form and easily blend into tonics, elixirs, smoothies, meals and even morning coffee. The beauty of being introduced to adaptogens today, notes Isokauppila, is that although some of these medicinal herbs and mushrooms can be bitter in taste, “there are now very accessible and delicious ways to try them out,” by way of adaptogen-infused chocolates, snacks, teas and lattes. For best results with adaptogens, say experts, consistency, not quantity, is the key. And there’s no need to be afraid of taking the wrong ones, since any adaptogen the body can’t utilize will be expelled from the system. As your daily needs change, so can the adaptogens you use. “Tune into how you want to feel and figure out what your unique stress response looks like,” says Bacon. “I recommend listening to your body and evolving your habits accordingly.” 92
For newbies, Tero Isokauppila recommends starting out with reishi, tulsi and panax ginseng. Reishi, known as “the queen of mushrooms,” has been shown to support sleep cycles and “can help you relax and chill out,” Isokauppila says. Tulsi, also called holy basil, is an Ayurvedic herb that supports the whole body and “is well known for its effects on your circulatory system, hair, nails and hormone function.” Panax ginseng is a root known to promote and sustain natural energy levels. Nitsa Citrine, creative director of Santa Barbara-based Sun Potion, has said she likes starting the day with a Yin powder blend that contains calming reishi; ashwagandha for hormone balance and stress relief; and Ho Shu Wu, which benefits the kidneys. For more advanced adaptogen users, Moon Juice’s Bacon suggests shatavari, amla and rhodiola. “I love Shatavari because women can take it in every phase of life for hormonal balance—it wakes up energy and is a powerful adaptogen for reproductive health,” she says. Amla preserves natural collagen by fighting oxidative stress, among other functions, and rhodiola, says Bacon, “helps power up the mind and body, increasing focus and energy and clearing up brain fog.”
Matt Artz
Experts weigh in with medicinal herb and mushroom recommendations
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The goal of the New Green Revolution: to obtain through modern technology higher yields from land that has already been farmed.
CAN YOUR DIET SAVE THE PLANET? we go? Yet there is hope: The study concludes that a global shift to a climate-friendly diet would sustainably feed the anticipated 10 billion residents of planet Earth. This flexitarian diet consists primarily of vegetables and fruits—the yield of what’s being called the New Green Revolution. The first Green Revolution made history more than half a century ago, when visionary scientists invented new technologies to increase agricultural production worldwide (most notably in developing countries), including high-yielding varieties of cereals. For saving millions from starvation with high-tech farming, agronomist Norman Borlaug, “the Father of the Green Revolution,” received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. Now, the New Green Revolution has scientists racing to make rapid gains in food production, to feed the planet’s exploding future population. The goal: obtain higher yields from land that is already being farmed. According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, this will require a blend of old and new methods: “As food production must increase more than 75 percent over the next 30 years, most of the gains will have to be achieved by obtaining higher yields from land that is already being farmed. Achieving gains of that magnitude will require widespread adoption of the technologies that today allow research stations to reap twice as much as farmers average. A new green revolution will need to combine modern technology, traditional knowledge and an emphasis on farming, social and agro-ecological systems as well as yields.” Global climate change isn’t just a challenge to farmers; it’s “one of the biggest crises facing humankind,” says Linda P. Fried, Dean of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. But all is not lost—yet. “Climate change,” Fried concludes, “is both an unprecedented challenge and a unique opportunity to chart a collective course for a healthy and equitable world.”
Devouring that quarter-pounder doesn’t just compromise one’s health—it supports an industry that clogs the arteries of the planet. Producing one pound of beef requires an astounding 1,799 gallons of water. Meat farming’s other ravaging effects on the environment—including gaseous emissions from livestock waste, a major contributor to global warming—have the Earth headed for a fatal heart attack by mid-century. The pressure on the environment is not letting up, it’s intensifying; and by 2050 parts of the Earth will be uninhabitable if direct action isn’t taken today. Reducing consumption of fossil fuel isn’t the only strategy to lower the world’s carbon footprint: Food is fuel for every human being on the planet, and the way it’s produced needs to change, in order for the environment to survive. That’s the message of a new study, “Options for Keeping the Food System Within Environmental Limits,” published in the journal Nature. Conducted by researchers at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, the study breaks new ground as the first to analyze the environmental impacts of global food production. “The food system is a major driver of climate change, changes in land use, depletion of freshwater resources, and pollution of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through excessive nitrogen and phosphorus inputs,” asserts the study, adding that—without a comprehensive plan of intervention—Earth could become inhospitable to human life by 2050, when the population is expected to hit 9 or 10 billion. “The environmental effects of the food system could increase by 50 to 90 percent,” the study states, “in the absence of technological changes and dedicated mitigation measures, reaching levels that are beyond the planetary boundaries that define a safe operating space for humanity.” This is arguably the most depressing wake-up call ever sounded. If Earth becomes hostile to human life, where will 94
Andreas Gucklhorn
A new study suggests the production of meat is killing the Earth. Can the New Green Revolution rescue us? BY JULIA SZABO
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THE BODY SPEAKS
During the hibernating season, let warming foods bring comfort, nutrition and alignment with planetary sustainability. BY MATTHEW KENNEY
and a variety of healthy fats. Living in California most of the year has spoiled me with incredible avocados, but we all have access to good fats, whether those be extra-virgin oils, organic nuts, young coconut and more. Whether dining at home, in a restaurant, or even on the go, a one-plate meal is often all we have available. To fulfill the desire for a satisfying meal and our body’s need for nourishment, there is often nothing better than a well-designed vegetable bowl. We recognized the demand for this at our flagship restaurant, Plant Food + Wine in Venice, California, a couple years ago and created The Plant Bowl, a dish that is forever changing according to the seasons and one we now serve in several of our restaurants around the world. The one constant is that we always include sprouted lentils, which are the best source of plant-based protein, and quinoa. We can’t help but add a bit of a surprise element to everything we make, so we also include two condiments instead of one—typically a preserved-lemon tahini and the Spanish-inspired romesco sauce, one of my favorite recipes for the past 20 years. The rest is a combination of seasonal vegetables, dark leafy greens, sometimes a sea vegetable or a fermented food (full of probiotics) and whenever possible, avocado. When looking at what we crave and what we need, there is generally very little discrepancy. I recommend taking the time to understand the seasons, wherever we may be, and tuning into the subtle and not-so-subtle reminders we receive from our body toward realizing optimal health. The beauty of this approach toward alignment is that we are able to have it all when it comes to food: ultimate nutrition and delicious flavors. matthewkenneycuisine.com
As a chef and entrepreneur focused entirely on plant-based cuisine, I am fortunate to have access to an incredible circle of wellness professionals, and an overall awareness of how the food we choose impacts the quality of our life. Being a chef also allowed me to become closer to the source of my diet, and gave me a better understanding of seasonality, quality ingredients and ultimately what real food truly is. Over time, I’ve been able to rely more on messages from my body guiding me in a direction that is best for health and nourishment, which also happens to be beneficial to the planet and sustainability. I like to refer to it as alignment. Heading into winter, we are exposed to harsher elements; depending on where we live, that may include snow, sleet, freezing rain and a higher likelihood of catching a cold or flu. It becomes even more important to nourish ourselves when the body is under stress, in need of warming foods, and unable to reap the kind of natural benefits it enjoys during sunnier months. While I was an early proponent of a strict raw-food diet, over time I’ve learned to appreciate warming foods, especially in the winter. The reality is, our cravings—when authentic, not based on habits related to addictive foods—can tell us most about what we need for guidance toward the best seasonal diets. My go-to favorites in cooler weather have remained the same for quite some time; garnet yams, dark leafy greens, sprouted legumes (especially lentils), quinoa and in my case, a healthy dose of high-quality pastas and breads, matched with an abundant variety of vegetables. I find that eating for color really is always the best. To that end, I would be happy living on a diet of red, orange and especially green foods, matched with lots of herbs and citrus, 96
Adrian Mueller
Plant Bowl with kale, squash, quinoa, lentils and avocado
FOOD IS MEDICINE
Pointy Snout sources from producers who believe in the protection of environments impacted by sturgeon farming.
A SPOONFUL OF STYLE Union and an epic ecological disaster in the Caspian Sea, it looked as though sturgeon fish, the source of caviar, was doomed to extinction. In the nick of time, sturgeon aquafarming rose on six continents, saving a species and a beloved delicacy. By 2014, with wild caviar off-limits, farmraised sturgeon accounted for 98 percent of all legally consumed caviar. With the preservation of sturgeon through sustainable aquafarming, biologists refined techniques for recycling and purifying water, saving a rapidly depleting resource and reducing their carbon footprint. Local rivers were replenished with disease-free sturgeon born in farmed hatcheries, and natural habitats (including sections of the Caspian Sea) saw wild sturgeon populations rebounding. This is a fish reasserting its presence after 250 million years on the planet. pointysnout.com
More than simple indulgence, caviar has surprising health benefits. Virtually pure protein and carb-free, packed with omega-3 and good fatty acids, the palate-pleaser improves cardiovascular health. Vitamins A and D, found in caviar, keep skin, bones and eyes healthy. Its vitamin E, B12, calcium, selenium, iron, magnesium and potassium help regulate metabolism and blood pressure. It is a muscle and bone builder, a hemoglobin regenerator, an antidepressant, and a stress reliever. At Pointy Snout, our sustainably produced caviar contains no pesticides, added hormones or antibiotics. Caviar offers a flashback to the culinary intrigues of tsars, sultans and emperors, and their economic manipulations of this rare and valuable commodity. In 1910, caviar, the bar food of the New World, was given away at Delmonico’s in lower Manhattan. With the collapse of the Soviet 98
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In each delectable bite of caviar, an abundance of health, history and taste awaits, explains Pointy Snout Caviar co-founder Alexandra Du Cane.
YOUR MOUNTAIN SPIRIT
FOOD IS MEDICINE
Carrot steak with cauliflower and braised wagyu
ROCKING IT IN THE KITCHEN
The Little Nell is Aspen’s only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel—a Relais & Châteaux resort. Executive Chef Matt Zubrod presents New American cuisine based on locally sourced ingredients. With a culinary flair informed by his time working in the Rocky Mountains and by the Pacific Ocean, he says, “I am more OCD on flavors and technique with a foundation of cooking classically. I like to introduce the best possible ingredients and techniques to perfect a dish. For example: Sous vide carrots cooked at 185° F for 35 minutes, then quickly charred on bincho-tan [a high-quality Japanese charcoal] produces better flavor than, say, blanching the carrots in stock, then charring. It’s precision cooking.” What is your philosophy when it comes to the kitchen? Keep it simple; focus on flavor, technique and using the best ingredients possible. Who is your favorite living chef? Jean-Charles Berruet Who is your favorite deceased chef? Paul Bocuse How would you describe the personality of your practice? Rock ’n’ roll What is your practice’s main weakness? Overindulgence What is the trait you appreciate most in a culinary masterpiece? Taste
What is the trait you most appreciate in a chef? Passion What is the trait you most deplore in a chef? Arrogance What has been your most challenging culinary request? Impressive vegan cuisine What constitutes culinary joy? Hearing “This is one of the best meals I ever had.” In whose kitchen would you most like to prepare a meal? Thomas Keller If you could cook for three people, who would they be? James Hetfield, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan What is your favorite flavor? Foie fat, star anise, roast chilies—depends on the cuisine What is the most overrated cooking ingredient? Truffle oil What is your most recent culinary epiphany? Improving vegetarian cooking; I created a great beet burger with turmeric aioli. What talent would you most like to have? To play the drums like Metallica’s Lars Ulrich What culinary tactics do you most overuse? Preaching simplicity and making things complicated On what occasions do you lie? Sometimes I avoid annoying customers by saying “I’m busy.” How would you like to die? In my sleep, after a great meal with my family. 100
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DRINK TO GOOD HEALTH
Australian entrepreneur, author and weight-loss guru Joe Cross fought against obesity and debilitating autoimmune disease by trading a heavily processed, carnivorous diet with a 60-day juice cleanse. Purist founder Cristina Cuomo sat down with Cross at the Wellness Foundation in East Hampton to discuss his path to positive change, and the trilogy of films that document his journey. CRISTINA CUOMO: Naturalist writer Wendell Berry said, “People are fed by the food industry, which pays no attention to health, and are treated by the health industry, which pays no attention to food,” which is very evident in each of your films. Watching all three of them was quite an intense process. In the first, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, you come to America, rather obese, and decide to only drink fruits and vegetables for 60 days. It’s incredible what happens—the transformation that takes place. When you filmed Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, you were living with a painful autoimmune condition as well. What made you want to switch to a more plant-based diet? JOE CROSS: I came from a world of finance. It was all about how many boats, how many cars, how many watches—all about stuff. Somewhere along the way from being a little boy who loved going to the beach and playing rugby, running and being very active, the focus went to an obsession over my bank balance growing. With the bank balance growing, something else grew, and it was my waist size. Apart from that, I was ignorant. I turned my back on Mother Nature and lived predominantly on fast food. I was 32 when I first got sick. The doctor would give me some pills, the course of the medication would be a week, maybe two weeks, and good as gold. Then I got really sick with a chronic autoimmune disease called chronic urticaria and angioedema, which is a fancy word for saying really bad hives that won’t go away and are not on the surface of the skin—they’re below the dermis, way down deep, which means that the histamine that’s released by your body to try and protect yourself leaks into your joints. If someone was to shake my hand with a very firm handshake, four or five hours later it could
affect my hand as though it had been slammed in a car door and it would swell up to the size of a balloon. I lived with this fear of being touched, of feeling pressure, physical pressure. It was debilitating and when I went to the doctor, he gave me 80mg to 90mg of the steroid prednisone. Anybody who knows about that knows it’s an extremely high dose and the side effects are not pretty— moon-face, hunchback, excessive weight gain and, of course, osteoporosis because you’re leaching out a lot of your calcium. As soon as I started to lower the doses, the initial problem would recur. Then the doctor basically said, “You’re going to be on these for life.” That’s hard to comprehend, but because that wake-up call wasn’t enough to jog me, I did the pills for eight years until I was 40. When I hit 40, there was something about standing in front of that mirror in my birthday suit at 330 pounds, leaning over, looking for my pills with a hangover. And there was something about having a “4” in front of my age. It was like the crossover. I understood charts and trajectories and I knew where I was gonna end up with the trajectory I was on. To be honest, it was very frightening. It was at that moment the title of Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead really came to me because when I looked in the mirror, that’s what I was. I had a choice to make. You don’t need to guide anybody who’s overweight and tell them they’re overweight. It doesn’t help. It actually makes them dig in. I had to start opening my own ears and listen. I decided to carve out all of the animals and take out all of the processed foods and just eat fruits and vegetables. That’s where the idea of juicing came in. I was going to do 40 days, but there was another J.C. [Jesus Christ] who did 40, so I just pushed it to 60. 102
@joethejuicer
Cross’ words of wisdom: “Love yourself and love your plants.”
speak from personal experience that there CC: What was the end result of your efforts? are certain things that I have had to take out What changes did you see in your health of my life—that I just have to say no to. One and your life? of those things is Coca-Cola. When I say the JC: The first 10 days were really tough. I felt words, I still feel joy. Now, I’m frightened of like I’d been run over by a 16-wheeler that having a Coke because if I have one that’ll backed over me a couple times, but then open up the floodgates. I think that emoI broke through a barrier. I could breathe, I tion plays along those lines of when I’m in a could smell, I could see better, I could hear place, when I’m with certain people, and of better, I was sleeping better. After 60 days course emotions of happiness, sadness or of just the juice, my medication dosage stress that we all experience in life. My gowent from 60mg to 2mg. I decided to keep to thing for stress is 100 percent sugar. I’ve going, not with juicing, but to now eat what developed tools and skills to identify that I’m I’d been juicing and juice as well. I only ate not going to let an event allow me to spiral. fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and seeds. That’s not going to send me over the edge. It took another three months to get off that It’s this awareness of your own emotions. last 2mg. Then I went down to Bondi Beach Cross wrote and directed this It’s a little bit like that with food. I’m very in Sydney after not having been able to walk game-changing documentary. conscious of certain foods that are going to on the sand for about eight years because the undulation of the sand would be too much pressure on cause me to spiral, and sugar is one of them. my feet. I went down to the beach for a run and a swim. I CC: In your third film, The Kids Menu, you celebrate hadn’t had kids yet, so I put that down as the best day of my life. That was 2009 and I can gladly report that I haven’t people who are making a difference in this world—the game-changers making it a healthier place to live. Who had to take that medication ever since. do you think are game-changers? JC: It starts in the home at the kitchen table. Each family CC: So you juiced the autoimmune illness out of your system and came to America. Why did you choose America? or each home has a nutritional gatekeeper. What they choose to have in the home is advertising to the family JC: If you’re going to put the effort in telling a story, then what’s in the fridge, what’s in the pantry. The game-changyou want to tell it where the largest audience is. I felt at the ers are the ones who are loading up their house with time that if I was going to tell a story to be seen by as many micronutrients—that are taking the risk. For a lot of people people as possible, I needed to place myself in America, it’s a risk. They’ve cooked a certain way and they’re proud talking to Americans. of how they’ve cooked and they’re frightened of trying new things. Insecurity comes in because they haven’t got CC: The positive changes to your health influenced so the confidence to put seven or eight things together and many others, especially that truck driver in the film who make a plant-based meal that everyone’s going to be lost over 200 pounds by the end. excited about and say they want more of. Game-changJC: Yeah, I interviewed over 350 Americans as I went ers are those who are actually out there taking those risks. across the country. One of them was this truck driver, Phil, The government plays a big role, but it also has to come who had been living in his truck, two marriages broken, bottom up rather than only top down. The game-changers hadn’t talked to his son in four years, penniless, and basiare those who are picking up this challenge and leading cally had the same autoimmune disease condition I had. by example. It’s about showing rather than telling. I gave him my card with a number and said if you want to follow up on anything give me a call. CC: What are your top tips for leading into a healthier He called me in May the following year and I recorded that conversation. It was him, asking for help, and I think he lifestyle? JC: I really believe that it’s about self-love. Love yourself opened up this door. That began hundreds of thousands and love your plants. You can be broken today and fixed of people from all over the world emailing and messaging tomorrow. Show me someone who’s broken and there’s a me. Every day I get these incredible stories from all over the real good chance that one of those two relationships in world. their life is broken—the relationship with self and the relationship with Mother Nature. If we can get back to loving CC: In your second documentary, Fat, Sick & Nearly nature and ourselves and lead by example with that, it will Dead: Part 2, you share the challenges you have had shine through to your children, to your community, to your sticking to a healthy lifestyle. friends. rebootwithjoe.com JC: Emotions are a big player for a lot of people and I can 103
THE SEXIEST SUPERFOOD
When Kasia Bosne finalized her winning formula for raw, vegan chocolate, it was, she recalls, “love at first bite.” Now, Rawmantic’s smitten suitors—including many fashion models—have fallen hard for indescribably rich truffles, sublimely satisfying chocolate-coated energy bars, ethereal macarons, and decadent nut butters—all instant addictions no one needs to kick. Long prized for its power to enhance sexual function, dark chocolate has the unique distinction of being both an aphrodisiac and a legit substitute for sex. One of its compounds, phenylethylamine, releases the very same mood- and pleasure-boosting endorphins triggered by a healthy roll in the hay. Its main ingredient is the sexiest superfood in nature’s pantry, but Rawmantic ramps up the high nutrition quotient by incorporating additional superfoods (coconut, chia seeds, spirulina, matcha) as well as more traditional add-ins (hazelnuts and almonds). Much has been reported about the heart-health benefits of dark chocolate with 70+ percent cacao content (Rawmantic’s is 75): Rich in antioxidants and magnesium, this nutritional powerhouse lowers blood pressure and relaxes vessels to improve blood flow. The edible definition of cool, Rawmantic confections melt above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so they’re best stored in the refrigerator, where their shelf life is six months (not that they have a chance of lasting even half that long with a cacao connoisseur in the house). “I compare our chocolate to wine,” Bosne concludes. “It doesn’t taste as good if it’s not chilled.” A chocoholic since her childhood in Poland, Bosne’s go-to indulgence was Belgian chocolate bars by Cote d’Or. Transitioning three years ago from a successful career as a fashion stylist, Bosne trained to become a raw, vegan chocolatier. Her dream: to create handmade, figure-flattering treats to complement a plant-based lifestyle—in short, “to reinvent luxury chocolate, guilt-free and full of good things.” Two years of research, development and continuing cacao education saw Bosne studying with master chefs (including Matthew Kenney) and acquiring Health Educator and Raw Food Chef certificates from Florida’s Hippocrates Health Institute. The end of her rainbow is Rawmantic Chocolate, a collection of good-foryou treats and snacks made with the smoothest fair-trade cacao from Bolivia. Free of dairy, lactose, gluten, preservatives, or anything artificial—Bosne’s candy-colored macarons are artfully tinted blue with spirulina—Rawmantic is also kosher, and even offers a zero-sugar energy bar that’s safe for diabetics. Its flagship store in midtown Manhattan serves up unforgettable, heavenly hot cocoa, frothed with your choice of nut milk. This, in case anyone forgot, is how the best lovemaking tastes. rawmanticchocolate.com
Thanks to Rawmantic, dark chocolate has become even more powerful, potent and nutritious as a raw vegan indulgence. BY JULIA SZABO Rawmantic’s all-natural, three-ingredient nut butters are high in fiber and protein.
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FOOD IS MEDICINE
Owner & Chef Martin Oswald serves nutrient dense foods, based on the latest nutritional findings.
Clockwise from the top: Warm Kale and Golden Beet Salad with Raisin and Brussel Sprouts. Thai Spiced Butternut Squash Soup with Hibiscus Syrup. Farro Risotto with Romesco Sauce, Rainbow Swiss Chard, Pom Reduction and Walnut Butter.
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F E AT U R E S “Archie [Drury] and I are at a stage in our lives where we want to be involved. We’re both curious, even as parents, and want to live good, quality lives. It’s about being creative, mindful, super organized, and prioritizing your time.” —KAROLINA KURKOVA
Kurkova on Fisher Island with her youngest son, Noah
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Lonny Spence
Viggo Mortensen finds poetry in a bouncer’s life in Green Book.
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MORTENSEN’S MOMENT In Green Book, The National Board of Review award winner for best actor and best film of 2018, Viggo Mortensen and his co-star Mahershala Ali help shed light on a true story of racial injustice in 1960s-era America. The Danish-American multihyphenate (actor-poet-musician-director-painter) has never shined brighter. BY CHRIS CUOMO
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in Alabama to perform, only to be attacked on stage by members of the Klan. Green Book is also an important exploration of how social attitudes toward race and sexuality have evolved, a reminder of how overt segregation was just a generation ago. As Mortensen told me, Green Book “shows that the cure for ignorance is experience.” While we see Mortensen’s character growing increasingly sophisticated due to the influence of Dr. Shirley, he is already accepting of his travelling companion. There is none so poignant a “beautiful reveal” as the one where Shirley is exposed as a homosexual and Lip comes to save him. Simply, as a bouncer, Lip had been around gay people and was not bothered—but Shirley, in his vulnerability, offers him more money fearing he might leave his duty. But Lip rejects the pay raise, and as Ali observed to me, his character is made “extraordinarily aware of the value of this relationship and how deep his love is for him.” My profoundly Italian-American husband, Chris Cuomo, says he has never seen anyone who is not from that world portray this type of role so on point. So I asked the two to sit down and have a conversation about it in Mortensen’s birth home, New York City, before he ventured back home to his private life in Spain, where the Oscar buzz on Green Book will continue to quietly build around him. —Cristina Cuomo
Viggo Mortensen is known for challenging, rugged roles like the legendary Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings series, in addition to parts in Captain Fantastic and The Indian Runner, but the versatile actor, who is also a published poet and musician with several CDs to his credit, never inhabited anyone less like himself than the racist, burly bouncer he plays in Green Book. The title of the Peter Farrelly-directed drama refers to The Negro Motorist Green-Book, which outlined hotels in the segregated South from the 1930s to the 1960s. Mortensen’s character, Tony Lip, is juxtaposed with Ali’s Dr. Don Shirley, a famous African-American classical pianist virtuoso, whose depth of education and sophistication sharply contrast with that of Mortensen’s character. It doesn’t hurt that the screenplay by Brian Hayes Currie, Nick Vallelonga and Farrelly is perhaps the best of the year—funny, moving, profound, and a great history lesson. The unlikely story of two characters—brought to life with beautiful music and comedic highlights from Farrelly—is a story of love, friendship and courage, as the duo become lifelong friends and save each other along their road trip through the deep South. Dr. Shirley’s tour through restricted Southern venues in 1962 takes place six years after Nat King Cole (who by 1956 was a household name) ventured back to his hometown 110
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Mahershala wisely suggested adding a final line: “But not everyone can play Chopin—not like I can.” This speaks to the fact that Shirley, like Nina Simone, had been prevented by his record company and discriminatory concert venue restrictions from performing and recording as a classical music pianist solely because of the color of his skin. There is absolutely no reason that Shirley should accept at face value Tony’s well-intended but uninformed opinion as to what music he ought to aspire to play. That was a great addition to that particular scene, and to our movie story. CC: It’s such an eclectic group—you, Mahershala, Peter Farrelly—how did it work together? VM: We were a great team. Pete set the tone early on with us and with everyone else in the cast and in his crew by saying “I don’t know everything. If anyone has a suggestion about anything we can do as a team to improve on what we are filming, however small or insignificant a detail it might be, I want to hear about it.” Green Book was made in an ideal spirit of joyful collaboration, and, as a result, the movie is unashamedly compassionate and sincere. CC: How do you think the film fits into our political and cultural moment? VM: This is a movie that provides valuable civics and history lessons, and that serves as a cautionary tale for any society at any time. While I would agree with anyone who points out that U.S. society at this time is especially polarized, I feel that the problems of discrimination, class schisms and racism are challenges for every generation in every country. Children, when they are very young, tend to play freely with their peers without giving much importance to differences in skin color, language, ethnicity, nationality or physical handicaps. As they get older, they somehow learn from their family and social environments to differentiate, to place importance on these factors. These learned attitudes lead them to see themselves as above, beneath, or beside the point with regard to their peers. Hopefully, through re-education, individuals can re-learn to “play nice” again, to eliminate aspects of their ignorance through direct experience, through imagining themselves in the skin, place and environments of others. The face and vocabulary of discrimination evolves. It is stubborn, tribal, based in ignorance and fear, and must be combatted by us all with factual information and direct, open exposure to those who seem, on the surface, to be different from ourselves. CC: Our nation is more divided than ever. What do you
CHRIS CUOMO: How did you take a caricature like Tony Lip and give him so much texture and depth? VIGGO MORTENSEN: Always, when accepting a role, I begin with the same question: “What happened before Page One of the script?” Over the 36 years that I have been working as a professional actor, I believe I’ve learned how to more efficiently answer that question in order to build characters from the ground up, but the question remains one that has an infinite number of answers, big and small, no matter whether the character is based on a person who existed or is entirely fictional. With the challenge of preparing and playing the role of Tony “Lip” Vallelonga for director Peter Farrelly, I had the good fortune of being able to access a lot of firsthand information from the Vallelonga family and friends of the real-life Tony, as well as audio recordings of him speaking about many things related to the Southern road trip with Don Shirley that are the heart of Green Book. Additionally, I was able to observe his body language and listen to his vocal inflections and accent in the movie and television parts that he played. The idea with this character, and with every character, is to avoid creating a superficial caricature by learning to understand as much as possible the point of view of the person I am embodying, never to judge that person. This, hopefully, will allow my fellow actors as well as the eventual audience to learn about the person I’m playing, and not superficially judge or dismiss him. CC: If you weren’t familiar with that period in American history or The Negro Motorist Green-Book, how did it impact you when you learned about the story? VM: I was familiar with the history of the USA in the pre-Civil Rights Act era, but I learned to pay attention to certain subtleties that the script for Green Book provides us regarding varying forms and degrees of discrimination. I also learned many things from my primary acting partner in this production, Mahershala Ali—in particular, how he viewed certain aspects of the story and his character, Doc Shirley, as an African-American. An example of what Mahershala added to Green Book can be observed in a scene that takes place in a Memphis hotel lobby. At the end of that scene, Tony says to Shirley that he ought to essentially stop worrying about playing the classical music he was trained to perform, because the hybrid of jazz and classical music that he has come up with is unique. People love what he does, and only he can play that way, Tony tells him. As scripted, Shirley then ends the scene by saying “Thank you, Tony.”
“The face and vocabulary of discrimination evolves. It is stubborn, tribal, based in ignorance and fear, and must be combatted.”
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CC: What was the hardest part for you, emotionally, in doing Green Book? VM: Being a hard-core Mets fan, having to pretend to be a hard-core Yankees fan. CC: You have looked very good for a very long time. How do you do it? VM: I don’t know of any particular tips other than eating healthy food, sleeping well, and getting regular physical exercise. My guess is that I am blessed with good genes from my mother and father that have allowed me to compensate for burning the candle at both ends during certain periods of my life. I recommend drinking unsweetened yerba mate tea, if you can adapt to its bitter taste. It is good for digestion, and provides energy without the jitteriness that drinking a lot of coffee or strong tea usually brings. CC: What has been your favorite phase of your life? VM: Right now. What was is no longer, and what comes next has not happened yet. CC: What do you want to do in the next 10 years? VM: Travel as much as I can, both mentally and physically, and learn how to understand the world, other people, and myself better.
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want people to take away from Green Book? VM: The simplest answer to that question would be to say: If Don Shirley and Tony Vallelonga can learn to get along and respect each other, anyone can. To those who perhaps expect or crave a more militant message, a less happy resolve to the movie—true as it is to the historical facts of the relationship between these two men as depicted in Green Book—I can only say that I am glad that our movie does not merely preach to the converted or demand that we pay attention; it invites us to pay attention, to be compassionate, to listen and reflect. CC: How did you weave Tony Lip out of a poet’s soul? VM: If you are referring to me as a poet and Tony Lip as something other than a poet, I would say that Tony proves, in our story, to be a compassionate poet. His line, when he is suggesting that Shirley consider contacting his family, that “The world’s full of lonely people afraid to make the first move” is a perfect example of that. That is a beautiful statement, and one of many pieces of fine writing in our movie’s screenplay. Probably Tony’s noblest quality is to eventually demonstrate to Shirley and to us that he is capable of learning, evolving and improving as a human being.
Mortensen with co-stars Mahershala Ali and Linda Cardellini, who plays Tony’s wife, and director Peter Farrelly 113
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN JAY
Photo credit here.
Noura Jackson, post-prison, in Brooklyn, NY
ELEVEN YEARS LOST
Exoneree Noura Jackson was framed and wrongfully convicted of murdering her mother in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2005. She spent 11 years in prison despite the lack of any physical evidence linking her to the crime. The Supreme Court of Tennessee overturned her conviction, but with prosecutors threatening to retry, Jackson was advised to accept an Alford Plea, ultimately leaving her with a guilty verdict on paper. CEO of Lava Records and founding board member of The Innocence Project, Jason Flom, along with other Innocence Project associates, has been working in support of Jackson and her fight to claim her innocence. Here, Flom asks Jackson about her future plans, her best and worst moments, and the immense amount of criminal justice reform still needed in the United States. xxx 115
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prison population and we’re only 4.4 percent of the world’s population. Then the elephant in the room that no one is talking about is women, because we have 33 percent of that prison population. That’s like America’s other family-separation crisis. You have a special perspective of that, being a member of a club that nobody wants to join, and you had to suffer through it alone. If you could wave a magic wand and fix things about criminal justice in this country, whether it’s from inside the prison or outside, what would those be? NJ: The food that they put into the prisons, the way they choose to oversee the prison population—the prison guards. The whole point of incarceration, so they say, is for a person to be able to reintegrate themselves into society. I don’t feel like women or men are given the tools to do so. There is not enough education. In some ways it could be helpful, but I feel like prison has become designed to be hurtful. You’re releasing people back into the world and you’re not giving them any tools to be a successful member of society. I also wish that lawyers would be more educated in the aftermath. Plea deals are a huge problem. They’ll overcharge people and make these agreements so the person signing thinks that they have some kind of a deal. Many people don’t understand what they’re signing or how long they’re signing themselves away for. The Board of Probation and Parole, too. It’s really important who we have working there. People are just becoming a number, and they’re not humanizing the fact that they have a life. They’re not looking at mental health aspects of it or their priors. Another thing is the way that women are targeted. A man is offered way more education and job training, such as getting their CDL-A [commercial driver’s] license. Women aren’t offered that, where at least they would have a trade or a job that they could go out into. It’s about family reunification as well. You have women who have several children, and have been away for several years. When they’re released, the caregivers are ready to pass their children off to them and they’re not equipped to handle that. They’ve been gone for a long time, and they’re struggling. The world changes. The biggest problem is what we are doing with people. We are just caging and warehousing them, and tax dollars are paying for it. It’s not really serving the purpose that they like to say it is. JF: Yeah, we have a plea bargaining problem, a parole problem. There are so many problems. I interviewed a guy on my podcast yesterday, Tim Tyler, whose lawyer advised him to plead guilty when he didn’t even realize that pleading guilty meant he was getting a double-life sentence. He was in prison for dealing, not for any violent crime at all. The public defenders need to be better. It’s utter madness. But on a happier note, what’s a smalltown girl like you doing in a city like this? You’re really a
JASON FLOM: Now that you’ve got a little distance between the nightmare, both time-wise and geographically, how has your perception changed, and how are you feeling now? NOURA JACKSON: During my incarceration, I was very much aware of my own personal situation. After being out, being blessed to have people in my life and having somewhere to go, I realized that it’s way bigger than just me. This is a growing epidemic and it needs to be addressed. JF: Because you were so young when this happened, your formative years—18 to 29 for you—were taken away, which is generally when people are figuring out what they want to do. They’re falling in love, they’re deciding on a career path or getting more education. Now that you’ve been out a little while and have a good foundation under your feet, what do you want to do? What do you want your life to look like five or 10 years from now? NJ: Five years from now, I’d like to have a full college education, and be working in criminal justice reform and helping women in prison. You and I have talked on several occasions about the “second punishment.” I used to think that getting my freedom was the hard part, but this has been the hard part: being out, not being bitter, not being hung up on the things that happened to you because it ultimately does affect you, how you view things and how people view you. Your 20s are the time you’re finding yourself. You can mess up once or twice in your 20s and still have a productive life. I don’t have that. I can’t do that. I can’t get that time back, so I have to be 30, but I have to be a 30-year-old who didn’t get to experience her 20s. This is less about party and love life, but more about where I want to be in order to be self-sustaining with education and a career. Ten years from now, I’d like to have a family. We take this grief-release class before we get out and one of the things that they pound in our head is, “Don’t look back. Don’t look back.” I have struggled with that so much because I feel like you can’t help but look back. There are so many people in there that weren’t as lucky as I am. It was a higher learning for me, and I don’t feel like it will all be in vain if I take it and apply it to my life now, in the free world. I remember being told that my life experience is my résumé, but it is hard for a person with a felony conviction to get a job even in the world of criminal justice, even in the world of nonprofit. People can talk about it and they can do statistics and they can pass laws, but nobody knows what it’s really like behind those walls other than the people that are—and were—behind the walls. JF: This problem is so vast. Every day I learn more, even though I could probably teach a master’s course in criminal justice reform by now. I am still learning every day, and every day my mind gets blown. There’s a unique problem in America, which is women in prison. A lot of people talk about how we have 25 percent of the world’s
world a better place. That was through a program called WEBS, which is Women Empowered to Become Self-Sufficient. They offered courses throughout the year and actually geared their programs and their classes toward people who have longer sentences, life sentences, because they didn’t want those people to feel like they were just being warehoused. In my situation, the Supreme Court overturned everything and all of a sudden I was getting ready to go home. Before, because I was at the end of the line, and it didn’t seem like Flom and Jackson I was going to be leaving anyat Purist’s 2018 time soon, I wasn’t given the Connect 4 festival few educational opportunities that the prison offered. The most beautiful thing that I saw the whole time I was in there was seeing a mother hold their child and be able to share meals with them and even give a gift to them. At the same time, the worst moment was seeing when that child had to leave. If I make it personal, the worst thing was being strip-searched repeatedly. No dignity whatsoever. Every time you went in and out of a building or back and forth to court, or back and forth to your job, you had to take your clothes off—not by yourself, but with five other people and with several officers standing behind you, and depending on who the officers were, they would make comments about women or their bodies or their marks. It was the most degrading thing to have to be subjected to. Out here, the best part is having the opportunity to do the things that I never thought I would have, which is seeking an education, being able to go and speak with you, being able to open up people’s eyes. It’s one thing to read about it, but it’s another to see it and I think for so many, I’m kind of the poster child for “It can happen to you.” We don’t like to say that we have these preconceived notions, but I was guilty of preconceived notions of what a person who was incarcerated looks like. The truth is with the way the legal and justice system is, it doesn’t matter if innocent or guilty. No races, no demographics. Rich or poor. It’s a very flawed system and it has no bounds.
fish out of water. How have you adapted and what do you like or don’t like about it? Is this some Wizard of Oz stuff or what? NJ: Yeah, I feel a little bit on the yellow brick road. I visited New York City with my mom when I was 16. She was a stockbroker, she used to joke and say when I went off to college, she would be 40, working on Wall Street, living in a sailboat on the harbor— obviously none of that got to happen. When I came to do the podcast with you, one of the things that I found in New York is that there is no one way to look or to dress or to talk. It’s a melting pot. It’s very diverse, and everybody’s in their own lane, doing their own thing. It can be a little intimidating. The city definitely moves a lot faster than the way of life down south. At the same time, I was coming from Memphis, which is really a “good ol’ boys” atmosphere. If you’re a felon then you’re at the bottom of the totem pole and you can’t move past it, especially in my situation. I found that New York offers so much more opportunity. There are a lot more resources for someone with a felony conviction. I took an offered plea on the advice of my lawyers, thinking that I would get to maintain my innocence—and for some reason I thought that would be reflected in my record. It’s not, because in black and white on paper, I have a guilty plea. It makes it really hard. There are so many things that I have to think about that a normal person doesn’t think about. Am I going to be perceived as this or that because I have a felony conviction? Down south I got pulled over for going 5 miles under the speed limit because I wanted to make sure I wasn’t speeding— and I got a ticket for that. And when they run your name that stigma is on you. I have not had that happen in New York so far, knock on wood. JF: What was the best and worst moment that you had in prison? And since you’ve been out? NJ: There was one week out of every year when I felt like there was beauty and harmony in the prison and when I felt like we were making a difference and making the
“Nobody knows what it’s really like behind those walls other than the people that are—and were—behind the walls.”
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ASPEN PANORAMIC BLISS Aspen architect Rob Sinclair designs rooms with euphoria-inducing views.
From the outside, the house’s symmetrical proportions and massive windows and doors reflect the monumental Aspen scenery.
Photos by Jason Dewey
BY DONNA BULSECO
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Growing up in Washington State, Rob Sinclair always knew he wanted to be an architect, and after graduating from USC, he went to work for a firm that specialized in large projects. The civic centers and schools he designed honed his command of the basics, but not much more than that. One day he ran into some old school buddies at a football game, who were talking up Colorado in all its glory and, quite unexpectedly, Sinclair moved to Aspen on a whim. He has lived here ever since (with a short detour to Florence, Italy, for a graduate degree), settling in Snowmass Village and building his business, Sinclair Building Architecture Design, for the past 15 years. As serendipitous as that long-ago move seems, it makes sense when you learn that Sinclair is an ardent skier, trail runner and mountaineer. In Aspen, the great outdoors is like a big beautiful billboard, continually beckoning to nature lovers to partake in its glories—which Sinclair often does with his 9-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, both mini-athletes in their own right. But the architect is particularly pleased when tasked with a project like the guesthouse shown here that affords him the chance to engage with the awe-inspiring natural surroundings. “I tend to spend a lot of time on-site in advance, to understand the views and orientation involved,” says Sinclair, explaining his design process. “This one in particular has views that span from Mount Sopris to Aspen Mountain and everything in between.” His intent was to capture those vistas and create the perfect orientation, “so you could look out the windows and see all of these framed views.” The tricky part of the assignment was being able to imaginatively project himself 10 to 12 feet in the air, picturing what the views would be like when standing on one of the upper floors in the
three-story guesthouse he was designing. “That [thought process] takes a lot of time,” says Sinclair, who visited the site a half-dozen times to nail the exact spot with the killer views. He found it: Massive sliding-glass pocketing doors and windows let the light pour in all day, and more than other houses, the inside-outside boundaries don’t seem to exist because of the transparency created. Every level affords the chance to commune with nature. Extensive terraces on the second floor are cantilevered over the first, while the top floor boasts a private wraparound terrace and a walk-out, the better to bliss out at any moment of the day. Sinclair calls the interior of this impressive guesthouse “a cousin, but not a twin, to the main house,” inspiring the rich walnut paneling and cabinetry, as well as the pristine wall surfaces designed to show off the client’s art collection. The palette employs deep, rich grays and cooler colors, and the architect’s penchant for exquisite texture shows up in spots like a wall of coursed horizontal bands of sandstone bordering a sleek fireplace that repeat with a “mathematical rhythm.” The overall look “was not intended to be overt, but subtle—yet imperceptible” so the pristine symmetry “just feels right”—and was worth all the research, thought and care that went into creating it. “You have an opportunity on a project like this to do everything on a level of perfection,” Sinclair says. He compared that desire and drive to get it right with climber Alex Honnold’s commitment to climb the famed El Capitan’s 3,000-foot vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park, which is dramatically depicted in the National Geographic documentary Free Solo. In his own way, Sinclair climbed a mountain, and mastered it, too. sin-bad.com 120
Exterior and corner bedroom by Jason Dewey; master bedroom by Alex Irvin
ASPEN
Each of the bedrooms has views that span from Mount Sopris to Aspen Mountain.
The elegant entryway
A wall of sandstone bands repeat with what Rob Sincair describes as “mathematical rhythm,� framing a fireplace.
A stunning corner view
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BRIDGING BIONICS Through her foundation and her life, Amanda Boxtel inspires awareness of technology that helps others walk. BY LINDA HAYES At the Snowmass Club, a health club near Aspen that promotes well-being, Bridging Bionics’ team of dedicated physical therapists and trainers helps patients with neurological impairments (from spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and other conditions) to experience a better quality of life. Delivering on their goal of always being in the forefront of cutting-edge technology, the Foundation currently utilizes an EksoGT bionic exoskeleton suit, an Indego exoskeleton, and a Keeogo robotic assistance device (used for a research study only), along with a Galileo whole-body vibration system. The foundation has gifted 3,266 mobility sessions and helped over 70 clients, aged 3 to 79. On November 1, Boxtel was named a 2018 Top 10 CNN Hero, an honor that will certainly help build awareness of Bridging Bionics Foundation’s mission and efforts on a global level. About the honor, Boxtel says: “It’s all so humbling. Everybody should have access to technology and anything we can do to help give us a better quality of life. We’re all heroes. We all have the potential to make a difference in the world. Bring it on.” bridgingbionics.org
“Curiosity defines me,” says Amanda Boxtel, her lilting Aussie accent adding a sense of poetry to her words. “I’m always looking for what can make me more than I am, and that spins into what can make all of us who have neurologic mobility impairments better able to thrive in this day’s world.” That inclusive statement informs Boxtel’s lifelong journey into the arena of bionic exoskeleton technology. In 1992, at age 24, Boxtel suffered a permanent spinal cord injury in a skiing accident that left her paralyzed from the pelvis down. “The technology offers a real tool to optimize function, to help people walk on their own,” Boxtel says. “It can turn a life around.” She speaks from experience. After being invited by Ekso Bionics to test an exoskeleton prototype in 2010, and eventually raising funds to purchase one when it became commercially available in 2014, she founded the nonprofit Bridging Bionics Foundation in 2015 to give others access to a neurological rehab program, without the worry of exorbitant financial cost. “We are giving the gift of mobility for free, or next to nothing,” she says. “Our clients can bypass the medical system and work to get upright and mobile.”
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Morgan Maassen; Boxtel photo by Charles Engelbert
Amanda Boxtel in Aspen
A VERTICAL WORKOUT
OFF THE SLOPES
Not a skier, or just want a day off? There are lots of other ways to get your wellness on in Aspen. Here, a few of our favorite options. BY ANNE MARIE O’CONNOR • PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORGAN MAASSEN
A SPA DAY The Remède Spa at The St. Regis Aspen Resort might not be where you’d expect to find a “next-generation wellness experience” like the Mala Creation and River Blessing with Seeds of Remembrance. Even on vacation, “it is important to practice self-love and wellness,” says Taylor Crist Valavicius, manager of Remède Spa. Led by yogini and spiritual guide (and Aspen native) Alexa Webster, the experience starts with a one-on-one intention-setting consultation, the creation of a personalized mantra and an introduction to breathing. Webster then handcrafts a custom mala (Buddhist prayer beads) for each guest. “Every bead is carefully tied and charged with radiant mantra energy,”
explains Valavicius. The experience also includes a River Blessing, in which the mala is dipped in purifying river water. “In this ritual, the mala comes to life and finds its true home,” Valavicius says. The Mala Experience starts at $400 per person, plus the cost of the mala ($375 and up). The Remède Spa at the St. Regis Aspen Resort, 315 E. Dean St., stregisaspen.com
which owns the Aspen and Snowmass Cross Country Centers and offers equipment rentals, cross-country lessons and tours, and snowshoe tours. (Snowshoeing has “a fairly easy learning curve,” NunezSmith says, so you probably don’t need a lesson.) He suggests beginners start on the trails at the Aspen Cross Country Centers. “They’re on golf courses so the terrain is smooth, rolling and open,” he says. For experienced cross-country skiers, the 8.5-mile Owl Creek trail that runs between Snowmass Village and Aspen is recommended. A more challenging snowshoeing tour can be found on the upper Hunter Creek trail system, to the east of Aspen. 210 S. Galena St.; utemountaineer.com
A CARDIO BLITZ There’s no better place to torch calories and get your heart pumping with cross-country skiing or snowshoeing than Aspen. “Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley have one of the largest free cross-country trail systems in the United States,” says Joel NunezSmith, marketing manager at Ute Mountaineer, 123
Winter weather doesn’t mean climbing season is over, thanks to the 5-storytall rock wall at the Limelight Hotel in Snowmass, opening this month. Soon to be the tallest wall in the state, it will feature three lanes and six routes. “Experienced climbers will be impressed and want to climb this rock, while beginner and intermediate climbers will be able to use their imagination and climb at their skill level,” says Christina Frain, director of sales and marketing for Eldorado Climbing Walls, which designed and is constructing the wall. Besides getting an intensive workout that combines cardio, strength and flexibility training, climbers who reach the five-story peak can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. 65 Wood Rd., Snowmass Village; limelighthotels.com
A BACKCOUNTRY TOUR One special way to see the Colorado wilderness is on a dogsled tour. Each sled, pulled by eight to 10 huskies that are bred to run, is guided by an experienced musher. Morning and afternoon tours are 45 to 60 minutes long and include a three-course lunch or dinner. One sled can carry two adults and a small child. Adults cost $345 and up; children ages 3 to 9 are $195; alcohol and gratuity are not included. Krabloonik Mountain Dining & Dogsledding, 4250 Divide Rd., Snowmass Village; krabloonik.com
ASPEN
MOUNTAIN HIGH
Cannabis tourism in Colorado has grown 51 percent since 2014. Here, a few of the best ways to indulge in Aspen’s finest. BY ANNE MARIE O’CONNOR • PHOTO BY PETER MCBRIDE
THE UPSCALE SMOKE What wine coolers are to Dom Perignon, that joint you smoked at a Phish concert in ’02 is to Toast’s pre-rolls, called Slices. “Some key technical innovations make the Slice notably different than a joint and provide a pleasant, uplifted yet balanced high,” explains Toast CEO Punit Seth. “They’re machine-rolled for consistency, and are made of hemp paper with a specially designed wood-pulp filter for a smoother experience.” Available exclusively at Silverpeak, 520 E. Cooper
Ave., Aspen; silverpeakcannabis.com; wetoast.com
AN EDIBLES FEAST Cannabis-laced dishes cannot legally be served in restaurants. They can, however, be prepared by local chef Randy Placeres and consumed in private residences. “It’s like a regular cocktail or dinner party, just with some infused options,” Placeres explains. Frequently requested dishes include yellowtail hamachi with warm ginger-coconut sativa oil 124
Toast now offers CBD oils in two flavors.
BUDTIQUES
Aspen now has seven shops that sell cannabis.
The full-service Native Roots.
Silverpeak caters to a high-end clientele.
and Half-“Gram” S’Mores with infused marshmallows and chocolate for an indulgent dessert. You can also just do a delicious CBD course, which will give you the wellness benefits of cannabis without any of the psychoactive effects. Meals start at $125 per person; for more information, email placeres4@gmail.com.
NEXT-LEVEL MASSAGE A rubdown with the pain-relieving benefits of CBD oil—what better way to cap off a long day on the slopes?
“CBD oil is the perfect remedy to soothe sore muscles or quench dry skin,” says Taylor Crist Valavicius, the manager of the Remède Spa. A 60- or 90-minute massage with That’s Natural! CBD Hemp Oil “allows for an elevated level of mind and body relaxation,” she says. Bonus points: The pampering service also includes a warm paraffin foot wrap, a scalp massage, and access to the spa’s amenities. The Remède Spa at the St. Regis Aspen Resort, 315 E. Dean St., Aspen; stregisaspen.com 125
NATIVE ROOTS Native Roots started out as a medical dispensary, “so we have experience in the full cycle of the industry, from growing, harvesting and producing products to selling cannabis for medical and recreational consumption,” says Native Roots’ Kim Casey. Her advice for newbies: Start low and go slow. “Products have evolved dramatically since legalization.” They also offer blends with CBD, the nonpsychoactive cannabinoid. 308 S. Hunter St.; nativerootsdispensary.com SILVERPEAK “Our knowledgeable employees provide every customer with a high level of personalized service,” says Silverpeak’s Margaret Kernahan. “All of our flower is 100 percent pesticide-free and is grown in our state-of-the-art facility in Basalt.” 520 E. Cooper Ave.; silverpeakcannabis.com BEST DAY EVER This tiny, pristine shop is known for having the most potent strains in town. Its flower is grown organically in a cutting-edge hybrid greenhouse. 520 E. Cooper Ave., 2nd floor; bestdayevercannabis.com EUFLORA Multiple “stations” that are each equipped with iPads allow the staff to augment its customer education on its greenhouse-grown strains. 710 E. Durant Ave.; eufloracolorado.com GREEN DRAGON Green Dragon’s flower is grown at its state-of-the-art facility in Glenwood Springs, and it also sells an extensive collection of edibles, drinks (Keef Cola), topicals and accessories. 409 E. Hyman Ave.; greendragon.com THE GREEN JOINT Located just a block away from the Aspen Mountain gondola plaza, this family-owned chainlet (it has four locations in the area) offers over 20 cannabis strains. 720 E. Durant Ave.; thegreenjoint.com ROOTS RX This six-store chainlet is known for its “prescription strength, with no prescription needed” bud. It also carries Willie’s Reserve, a brand that pays tribute to the legendary toker Willie Nelson. 400 E. Hyman Unit A102; rootsrxstores.com
ASPEN
GOOD TIMES AT BAD HARRIET
A timely renovation brings new spirit to the historic Aspen Times building. BY LINDA HAYES
installed a steel superstructure to help the building stand on its own. Original wood siding was preserved and re-detailed, its traditional blue color retained. Historic windows got an upgrade, and a sliding barn-door system was added to a courtyard-facing wall. Downstairs, the semi-exclusive (best to make a reservation) Bad Harriet bar speaks to both the Victorian period and today’s luxe design sensibilities. Like the lounge itself, several of the dozen or so cocktails are named after Harriet Macy Wheeler, the wife of the hotel’s original developer and proprietor, Jerome B. Wheeler. In addition to the signature Bad Harriet cocktail, bar manager Jessie Kneitel’s favorite is the Macy Valentine (Valentine was Harriet’s maiden name). A blending of sherry, Ancho Reyes liqueur, Angostura bitters and Carpano Antica vermouth, with a house-made wormwood soda foam, and served over ice in a highball glass, it’s sophisticated with a slightly spicy edge. Just like its namesake. hoteljerome.aubergeresorts. com/dining/
For the several years the historic Victorian building beside the Hotel Jerome stood empty, its 100-year-long tenant, The Aspen Times, relocated to the Mother Lode space a couple of blocks away. Locals looked forward (sometimes with dread) to what might become of it. When word spread that the Jerome’s owners, Auberge Resorts Collection, intended to repurpose it into a social venue with an underground, speakeasy-style bar, and that they’d hired local Rowland+Broughton architects for the renovation, Aspenites heaved a collective sigh of relief. “It was such an opportunity,” shares R+B principal Sarah Broughton, whose firm, alongside TAL Studio, also oversaw the tasteful interior renovation of the hotel itself in 2012. “The Aspen Times is one of the few original storefront buildings left in Aspen. It needed to be highlighted.” Digging in and researching the evolution of the building from the turn of the century, and working closely with the Aspen Historic Preservation Commission, Broughton and her team first removed poorly executed additions and 126
Courtesy of Bad Harriet
A cozy corner at Bad Harriet
“Our community is in crisis. Yet there are tangible practices we can all adopt to help one another,” says Bruland.
A SHOW OF HOPE
Aspen Cares co-founder Ramona Bruland pulls out all the stops every year with a performance-based fundraiser benefiting local causes. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELE CARDAMONE I’m suspended in a harness above the stage wearing a colorful, illuminated leotard. As I flip and spin in time to the music, scantily clad dancers glide onto stage, layered in diamond-studded jewelry. This memorable moment is from the opening act of an hour-long, theatrical performance for an annual fundraiser. In Aspen, the event is called Aspen Cares, co-founded by myself and director/ choreographer Katy Parnello, the creative genius who makes the shows not only possible, but also extraordinary. Aspen Cares’ annual event draws dozens of locals to model and dance in a performance-based fundraiser. Since 2014, our beneficiary has been the Aspen Hope Center, a nonprofit mental health crisis and referral agency, whose mission is to offer hope to those in emotion-
al crisis, with free services that are quite literally lifesaving. Through artistic creation we are able to portray scenarios and bring to light issues that are often difficult to discuss, such as Pitkin County’s suicide rate, which regularly spikes to three times that of the national average. Our community is in crisis. Yet there are tangible practices we can all adopt to help one another, and ways to seek professional help when necessary. Put the Aspen Hope Center’s crisis-line number in your phone now: 970-925-5858. This March will mark Aspen Cares’ eighth annual theatrical fashion show, a highlight event of the winter season for many locals. It’s been a thrill to introduce to Aspen something bold and risqué that stands out from the usual charity din127
ners. It’s not every day you can watch or participate in a high-energy, fun, sexy and creative show that weaves stories about mental health with dance and fashion. The community building that happens among performers, supporters who attend each year, and the dialogue we generate about mental health is priceless. The show’s costumes and runway looks have been donated from local and international fashion brands such as Libertine, Dennis Basso, Jitrois and Mr Turk. Runway donations are available for purchase at our sample sale after the show, at discounted prices. Tickets, $25 to $4,500 (for VIP cocktail tables); bellyupaspen.com. For table enquiries, email ramona@aspencares.org. For show dates and times, visit aspencares. org.
CREATING SACRED SPACES
Maker’s Michaela Carpenter designs personal sanctuaries for inspiration, centering and reflection. BY LINDA HAYES
Objects made from natural materials bring soul to a home.
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Even in Aspen, where connection with the beauty of our natural surroundings on a daily basis often crosses into the spiritual realm, the benefits of creating dedicated spaces in which to pause, reflect and reconnect to our own energy are undeniable. Michaela Carpenter, founder of Maker, Aspen’s purposefully curated store filled with handcrafted objects from artisans around the globe, embraces a concept of sacred spaces that extends beyond religion and other spiritual connotations. “Fundamentally, it’s not about religion, which can be a hard term for some,” she says. “For me, it’s about creating serene spaces with things in your life that are meaningful, that allow for transformation.” Moving beyond more traditional altars or shrines focused around Buddha and with smudge sticks for clearing, candles for setting intentions, singing bowls, crystals and incense (although all are on offer at Maker), Carpenter embraces a more contextual concept. “Altars don’t work for everyone,” she says. “It’s more about creating a lifestyle where you’re always growing, you’re always learning. A calming, inspiring personal space and the objects inside it help you do that.” In October, at the successful Lead With Love Summit at the Aspen Institute, Carpenter activated a sacred space for participants. “We created a communal altar, where people could set an intention or leave an offering,” she says. “In the middle of a busy day, they could have a cup of tea and decompress.” In a home, a sacred space can be alloted to a small, quiet area or room. Collecting objects is intensely personal. The objects within the space are “linked to having a connection to, or memory of, where an object is from, its origins, the person who made it, or whatever makes it meaningful to you,” Carpenter says. “When someone takes home a cutting board made from reclaimed wood and a beautifully crafted knife, something as mundane as cutting bread becomes magical,” she explains. Other evocative items curated by Maker include Egyptian cotton towels, Bauhaus Collection throws (made in collaboration with Hangai Mountain Textiles to coincide with Aspen’s Bauhaus 100 celebration), speckled ceramic bowls, and hand-cast bronze bowls. Each object should allow for a moment of reflection or enhance an experience. Being surrounded by personally sacred things can be uplifting, says Carpenter. “It gives you a feeling of being at one with your space.” 614 E. Cooper Ave., makerandplace.com
@makerandplace
ASPEN
Will Guidara and Daniel Humm take EMP to Aspen.
LOVING THE LIMELIGHT The new Limelight Snowmass Hotel brings luxury and adventure to Snowmass Base Village. BY TESS STROKES
ALPINE GASTRONOMY BY WAY OF NYC Eleven Madison Park’s Winter House Pops Up in Aspen
Benoit Linero; @bayarea_buzz
BY LINDA HAYES It’s all about balance for chef Daniel Humm. With barely a wobble, he blends New York City sensibilities with classic French techniques while offsetting the rigors of running Eleven Madison Park (regularly placed near the top of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants lists) with a rejuvenating yoga practice. So it only makes sense that he and business partner Will Guidara have chosen to complement their pop-up EMP Summer House restaurant in East Hampton, New York, with the new EMP Winter House at Chefs Club in Aspen’s St. Regis Resort. “Aspen reminds me of the small ski towns of my youth,” says Swiss-born Humm. “The people, the terrain, the
architecture. To bring our food and hospitality to the Aspen community is something we’re all very excited by.” For the decidedly upscale menu, Humm draws inspiration from his Swiss upbringing (not to mention his experience at restaurants including Gasthaus zum Gupf in the Alps, where he earned his first Michelin star), with alpine-influenced dishes like schnitzel and fondue, the latter topped off with an egg and a shaving of truffles. While the dining room will receive a design upgrade, chef Todd Slossberg thankfully remains. Be on the lookout for the new “yurt village” on the patio, for private dining and cocktails, Aspen-style. empwinterhouse.com 129
With enough acreage and vertical feet to rank it the third-biggest ski area in the country, Snowmass’ skiing speaks for itself. But as a village, Snowmass struggled to keep its clientele sleeping and eating nearby, so Aspen Skiing Company, KSL and East West Partners poured $600 million into a 10-year resort development—currently the largest under construction in North America. The new Snowmass Base Village includes ski-in/ski-out residences, a public events plaza with an ice-skating rink, new restaurants, bars and a community center. But it’s the new Limelight Hotel Snowmass that locals and Limelight loyalists from Aspen and Sun Valley are most anticipating. With a 5-story climbing wall, live music, and a restaurant and bar that spill out onto a patio overlooking the village, the 99-room, 11-residence complex—designed to meet silver-level LEED certification—is set to bring blockbuster amenities to Snowmass Base Village. The offerings include après-ski in the Limelight Lounge (think wood-fired pizzas and locally sourced salads), fat-bike rentals, complimentary climbing shoes and harnesses to scale Colorado’s largest indoor climbing wall, First Tracks (the chance to ski or ride before Snowmass opens to the public), ski concierge, pet-friendly rooms, and the new Snowmass Mountain Club, sister to the famed Aspen Mountain Club. limelighthotels.com
Soak up the Limelight’s ambiance from an outdoor hot tub.
ASPEN
AT A GLANCE
Landscapes, laughter and literature make for a well-rounded winter in Aspen. BY LAUREN BRUCE DECEMBER 19-20
Watch pro skiers and snowboarders compete at this year’s Winter X Games.
The St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship Attend one of the top snow polo tournaments in the world, and the only snow polo event in North America hosted by Aspen Valley Polo Club, this year integrating the Snow Polo Gala. Tickets from $500. Rio Grande Place and N. Mill Street; aspenvalleypoloclub.com
FEBRUARY 20-23
DECEMBER 20-MARCH 31 Destination SOUL SoulCycle is popping up in Aspen again throughout the winter season in a collaboration with FIJI water. Start booking your bikes on 12/17! 535 E. Hyman Ave., Unit 003; soul-cycle.com
DECEMBER 30 2018 Audi Ajax Cup This annual race instructs teams of six down the side of Aspen Mountain, racing until a victor emerges, while having a pro on each team makes the race even more intense. Tickets from $500. 300 AVSC Drive; audiajax-
cup.com
blues, gospel, soul and R&B—is a civil rights activist, using her voice to promote strength and shed light on injustice. Tickets from $60. Belly Up, 450 S. Galena St.; bellyupaspen.com
JANUARY 8-MARCH 12 Annual Winter Words Celebrate literature with a winter-long series featuring authors such as rock climber Tommy Caldwell; Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead; novelist and New Yorker scribe Jane Mayer; and more. Tickets from $25. Paepcke Auditorium Driveway; aspenwords.org
JANUARY 24-27 Winter X Games Aspen More than 200 athletes will compete in ski, snowboard and snowmobile activities before nightly concerts at Belly Up are performed by Lil Wayne, Louis The Child, The Chainsmokers and Kygo. Sporting events are free and open to the public; concert ticket prices vary. The base of Buttermilk Mountain; xgamesaspen.com
JANUARY 10-13 Wintersköl “Aspen, Original by Design” is the official slogan for the 68th annual event starring the Toyota Grand Prix Olympic Selection at Snowmass Mountain. Free. Locations vary; aspenchamber.org
FEBRUARY 17 Ski for the Pass! Ute Mountaineer hosts this annual 7K ski race to benefit the Independence Pass Foundation, which works
JANUARY 18 Mavis Staples The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee—and singer of 130
Aspen Laugh Festival Get a good dose of endorphin release as comedians gather for three days of stand-up entertainment. Performers include Jim Gaffigan, known for his commentary on life and fatherhood. Tickets from $88. Wheeler Opera House, 320 E. Hyman Ave.; wheeleroperahouse.com
THROUGH FEBRUARY 24 Lost Without Your Rhythm This group showing explores various types of bodily movement through works by Simone Forti, Bruce Nauman, B. Ingrid Olson and more. Free. 637 E. Hyman Ave., aspenartmuseum.org
MARCH 8 Jean-Georges and Cedric Vongerichten Owner of several four- and five-star restaurants worldwide, Jean-Georges teams with his son, Cedric, a New York chef specializing in French, American and Asian cuisines, to create a top-quality four-course meal at the Little Nell. Tickets from $165. 675 E. Durant Ave.; thelittlenell.com
Mauro Paillex
DECEMBER 20-31 12 Days of Aspen On the 12th day in Aspen my tour guide gave to me, ice-skating with elves, meeting Santa Claus, a teddy bear story hour, film academy screenings, fireworks, several acrobats, carolers, stocking decorating, dinners galore and more. Price and locations vary. aspenchamber.org
to restore and protect the ecological, historical and aesthetic integrity of the Independence Pass. Individual registration for $15 or $30 per family. Begins at the winter closure gate 5 miles east of Aspen; independencepass.org
MOUNTAIN GIRL
Actress Felicity Huffman talks about the daily supplement that changed her life, and why Aspen is her happy place. BY LAUREL MILLER • PHOTOGRAPHY BY FREDERIC AUERBACH consumed in place of, or in addition to, supplements. Huffman learned firsthand about the healing properties of probiotics when her two daughters, Sofia Grace and Georgia Grace, now teens, were toddlers. “It was sort of the perfect storm,” she says. “Desperate Housewives had come out of the gate hot, I was doing an Oscar campaign and I had two small children—I kind of lost my mind. Healthwise, I was sick every third day with earaches, fevers and sore throats; at one point, I even had walking pneumonia.” She tried everything to get her health back on track. It wasn’t until her daughters’ pediatrician recommended Huffman give the girls probiotics to help combat their recurrent ear infections—and suggested she also take them—that she found relief from her symptoms. Today, everyone in the household takes daily probiotic supplements (“I’ve been known to shove them in the girls’ hands as they run out the door”) but she also focuses on maintaining her physical and mental health. “I’m not great at coping with anxiety,” Huffman says. “Yoga and running changes my brain.” In 2015 Huffman and Macy bought and renovated her two-story, 1950s colonial-style childhood home in Little Woody Creek, and spend vacations there as a family whenever their schedules permit. “We love to hike and ski together, and we usually take a cross-country trip to Pine Creek Cookhouse,” says Huffman, who is currently producing an adaption of The Iron Will of Shoeshine Cats, about a real-life Jewish gangster in 1960s New York City. “I have a real connection to the mountains,” she says. “It’s the feel of the air on my skin, the blue of the sky—it gives me a sense of peace. I think it’s magical.”
Growing up in Little Woody Felicity Huffman, a testament to the Creek, Felicity Huffman’s first power of probiotics foray onstage was at summer camp at age 9 (“I was a very loud and obnoxious kid”); by college, she spent summers performing with Theatre Aspen. She knew she wanted to be an actress when she and her sister saw Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film Romeo and Juliet. “I looked at the screen and thought, Yep, that’s what I want to do.” Huffman has that rare quality that makes complete strangers feel at ease. She’s warm, funny, and utterly unpretentious in conversation (In response to how she manages to look so youthful at 56, she says, “I don’t know. I have a sister who deals with it by using what she calls ‘pluck and deny,’ so I guess that’s my answer, too.”). While Huffman has made a name for herself playing unconventional roles, including a transgender woman in 2005’s Transamerica and a grieving, racist mother in ABC’s American Crime, she’s just as well known for her unabashedly adorable red carpet antics with her husband of 21 years, actor William H. Macy (Fargo, Boogie Nights and Showtime’s Shameless). The couple are famously supportive of one another; they dated off and on for 15 years, during which Macy proposed several times. Says Huffman, “I eventually had to ask myself, ‘Do you want to marry Bill, or lose him again?’” Although they’ve acted together onscreen, Huffman and Macy now share a real-life role as the spokescouple for Renew Life probiotic supplements, which is something of a passion project. Probiotics—live microorganisms that help beneficial bacteria to flourish—can improve everything from digestion and immunity to mood, memory and sleep. Cultured foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kombucha are excellent sources of probiotics and can be 131
LOS ANGE SANTA MONICA SANCTUARY
Broadcast journalist Lisa Ling and her husband, radiation oncologist Paul Song, built a green oasis for their family of four. BY CRISTINA CUOMO CHRISTINA CUOMO: What was key in building your “forever” home? LISA LING: Get the floor plan right. You can always redecorate, but structurally, changing things is more difficult. CC: What was important to you in building this home with your architect? LL: We wanted, first and foremost, someone we were comfortable with. The person who designed our house, Marco DiMaccio, knows us better than we know ourselves. CC: The house originally on the lot was torn down. How did you use the materials from the teardown in the new construction? LL: We only used some wood from the previous house—turns out that wasn’t the best idea. I’m not sure I can advise using material from the previous house. We are proud of our 100 percent recycle demolition though. It was hard, but it makes my conscience feel good. CC: The home is very open. Why was that important to you? LL: Paul and I grew up in homes that were compartmentalized. There were rooms that were never used, like the dining room. I can honestly say we use every inch of space in our house. We ultimately wanted an open feel. CC: Safety was a priority: fire-resistant, termite-resistant materials. Can you talk about that as a mom? 132
“We wanted an open feel,” Lisa Ling says. Above left, behind the dining table, portrait photos by contemporary Chinese artist Huang Yan.
ELES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WALLY SKALIJ xxx
LL: We thought we’d try to have kids at some point, so we wanted to make sure that everything was as safe as possible. That’s the beauty of building—you can seek out the safest materials. CC: You’ve said you wanted this house to serve as an example for others on how we can help save the planet in our own ways. What inspired you to take this route when building? LL: We explored many brand-new technologies because we were the first people to do what we did. Eco-friendly materials are more readily available now. We did want to be an example of building with a conscience. If you’re going to build, why not build as sustainably as possible? CC: The house is solar powered and has a rainwater collection plan. Of course, California has a very serious drought problem. Did that go into your thinking when installing the underground 5,000-gallon water tank that harvests rainwater from the roof? LL: Absolutely—it kills me to know how much water is consumed in LA by watering lawns, it’s so unnecessary! We have all drought-tolerant plants that require very little water. But the water they do receive comes from a massive water tank that gets filled when it rains. Now we did go through a couple years of very bad drought, so at that time, we relied on the city. But after these recent rains, we are all filled up and able to water our plants for a long time. CC: Of all of the green and wellness features in the home, what has turned out to be your favorite over the years? Which one is more challenging, and why? LL: The water collection has definitely saved us a lot of money. But I would have to say the foam insulation has kept our house most comfortable all year-round. We rarely use heat or air because our house is so well-insulated. CC: As you were building, I know you had a lot of upheaval in your lives—in terms of deaths in the family, and your sister’s crisis. [Laura Ling, then a reporter for Current TV, was imprisoned by North Korea for 140 days in 2009.] Has the house set the tone for a new peaceful chapter in your life? LL: The house is a nucleus for our whole extended family. It
is never, ever empty. We have two grandmas, cousins, and aunts and uncles over all the time. We love that it is really being used by our families. And the kids love riding their scooters on the concrete floors—it’s like the autobahn in the house sometimes. CC: What does this house say about you and your husband and daughters now? LL: I hope the house symbolizes forward thinking. You can be smart when building and do your part to help the planet. It is also a modern structure with a lot of culture inside. 134
CC: How do you start your day in the home? LL: Coffee before anything. Then a mad rush to get the eldest out the door and the little one entertained. CC: What gives you the most peace of mind about living here? LL: That it’s so structurally sound, and that if the city loses power, we will still have limited power. CC: Has being a mother changed any aspect of the home you created? LL: We certainly wanted to take precautions with the materials we were using—of course, nontoxic products and recycled materials. The floor of our second level consists of repurposed wood. I like the idea of teaching my kids about waste and the importance of recycling perfectly usable materials. CC: What wellness elements are you employing in the home as a mother? LL: My 5-year-old is actually more of a wellness advocate than I am. She has a Mindfulness Jar and often takes time to breathe and get connected with her emotions. It’s a testament to the schools that she has attended and I have really been taking a page from her. CC: Your mother, mother-in-law and sister-in-law are close by. Was that the impetus to picking this location? LL: When my husband agreed to leave a job and city that he loved—Chicago—to move to LA, he said that the only way he’d move west is if he could live by the beach. I agreed and am so happy I did.
Clockwise, from far left: in the dining area, the couple display their traditional Korean wedding outfits as art; the 4,300-square-foot, eco-friendly structure with a view to the terrace and solar panel outside the master bedrooms; designer Marco DiMaccio of PUNCHouse Eco Design group worked with Ling and Song to create the sleek, modern kitchen; water, traveling from a 5,000-gallon tank that harvests rainfall from the roof, fills the two-person tub.
xxx
LA
The Wall focuses on strength training in its 123STACK class.
CULT CLASSES
Even in fitness-obsessed Los Angeles, these workouts attract seriously devoted fans. BY ANNE MARIE O’CONNOR THE 123STACK CLASS AT THE WALL
“One thing I would love to never hear again is, ‘I’m not in good enough shape to come to class,’” says Jason Wimberly, an Equinox and SoulCycle vet and the founder of The Wall. “That’s just like cleaning the house before the housekeeper comes. Our classes at The Wall are designed for all levels of fitness; it’s not about competition, it’s about being the best version of
BÜNDA
yourself possible.” To that end, Wimberly’s super-effective and super-popular 123STACK class starts with 10 minutes of core work, followed by 20 minutes of high-intensity circuit training and ending with 30 minutes of indoor cycling. “We know scientifically that if one’s goal is to burn fat,” he says, “strength training before cardio will always yield the best result.” 730 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles; thewallfitness.com
This new boutique fitness studio, which was founded by Equinox alum Katie Lunger, calls itself the “Home of the Better Butt” (“bunda” is Portuguese for booty). You’ll spend part of the class doing drills on a Stairmaster (not the machine you remember from the ’90s, the one that mimics climbing actual stairs), and the other executing resistance exercises at the “Bünda station.” “I’ve been using the Stair136
master for years and gotten the best results from it, more than the elliptical or bike,” Lunger says. It’s also low-impact, so it’s great for people who have injuries and can’t run or jog. Bünda, 8231 W. Third St., Suite C, Los Angeles; trainbunda.com
CRUBOX CruBox has only been open for a year, but it’s already a celeb magnet (Kim Kardashian and Usher have both channeled their inner
Floyd Mayweather here). You need to wear hand wraps and gloves for this class, which involves real boxing moves like heavy bag work and shadow boxing, as well as strength training and core exercises. “Boxing is not only a full body workout, but it also makes use of the mind,” says co-founder Valerie Ding. “It requires a lot of mental focus and coordination of the hands, eyes and feet. The advantage of this is that you’re able take a break from your everyday life and de-stress.” 8453 Melrose Alley, West Hollywood; cruboxing.com
THE MYSTIC REBEL’S STONED YOGA CLASS Cannabis and asanas, what could be a more natural pairing? This class is the brainchild of Mystic Rebel co-owner Ashlee Langas, who says the idea came to her three years ago. “I
started coming home on a Thursday, getting a little stoned and rolling out my yoga mat. Smoking allowed me to really focus on the parts of the body I was moving or stretching so that I could release the tension.” When she added Stoned Yoga to the studio’s schedule, “it quickly became one of the most popular classes,” she says. The class is “like a gentle, yin yoga class all set to a playlist that will take you on a journey. You don’t have to be stoned to get a good stretch, but it definitely enhances your experience.” 453 S. Spring St., Suite 641, Los Angeles; themysticrebel.com
Meet the CruBox founders.
modern cardio training on a mat with props. Founder Andrea Speir was inspired to create the hybrid workout after hearing clients complain that they still had to do cardio after their Pilates sessions. The Cardio Reformer class includes HIIT and Tabata-style drills that get your heart rate up, as well as Pilates, which sculpts
SPEIR PILATES CARDIO REFORMER CLASS There are dozens of Pilates studios in LA, but Speir Pilates in Santa Monica rises above the competition because it fuses athletic Pilates on the Reformer with
Butt first, Bünda.
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and elongates the muscles. “We just go at an athletic pace that gets results faster!” Speir explains—a fact that regulars like Shay Mitchell and Camilla Belle no doubt appreciate. 1427 7th St., #102, Santa Monica; andreaspeir.com
TRACY ANDERSON METHOD With so many celeb devotees (Tracee Ellis Ross, Jennifer Lopez and of course, Gwyneth Paltrow), Tracy Anderson’s Brentwood studio has naturally attracted many die-hard fans. “Though LA can be overrun with fads, Angelenos love my Method because I have always been resistant to trends,” Anderson says. “I have stayed immersed in my 20 years of research and content creation to create balance where there is imbalance in the body.” Routines are changed every seven days so the body stays challenged. 11918 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles; tracyanderson.com
LA
WHERE FIRE BECOMES GRACE Spiritual teacher Deirdre Hade reflects on the ongoing wildfires coursing through California, and finds comfort in connection and renewal.
“Dry Ocean” by Lily Longano
into a greater reality than what we see, feel, taste or think is real, something mysterious happens: grace comes. Grace is renewal. Grace is the awe of gratitude and overreaching love. Grace is the fortitude to live through unimaginable grief and overcome unrelenting loss. Grace is the unquestionable resilience that comes as your psyche knits itself back together, bringing you into another kind of inner wholeness. Spiritual fire is the fire of transformation. It is a refiner’s fire that tempers and refines our sense of who we are. This is where we mystically become the phoenix rising from the ashes, revealing the gifts we have hidden inside of ourselves. My gift has been a newfound gratitude for life. We become our greatest selves when we hold each other. Nothing can bring back our communities or our lost loved ones. But there is something that can bring us hope. That is to attach to all the living. Look where hope lives and find each other’s heart. Put each other’s heart in our hands and carefully, tenderly, breathe life back into one another. This is where fire becomes grace. Deirdre Hade recently released The 6 Simple Keys to Living a Spiritually Connected and Purpose Filled Life. deirdrehade.com
December of last year, the Thomas fire erupts in Ventura, California, storming its way through the hills of Montecito. My husband and I fleeing our home in a blizzard of gray white ash—270,000 acres burned. Then, torrential rain bringing 30-foot-high mudslides—27 of my neighbors died. It was a miracle we survived. Déjà vu. Now almost one year later, a second massive fire erupts in Ventura, the Woolsey Fire, ripping through Thousand Oaks, decimating Malibu all the way to Paradise Beach. In the north, the Butte wild fire destroys a town named Paradise. Our California paradise is burning up. This was my experience living through disaster. When life is its hardest we do not have any answers. So we turn to the divine for comfort, mercy and understanding. We turn to each other. Stranger to stranger. Hardship breaks the wall between us. Loss breaks everything we used to be. We are in shock. Emotional shock is when every feeling, every thought, every gesture seems like an out‑of‑body experience. Reality becomes surreal. And emotional shock is also what can bring us our greatest transformation. By surrendering your feelings of helplessness, by naming your feelings of being overwhelmed, by asking for help, you heal. When we surrender 138
AT A GLANCE
The sun always shines on LA’s abundance of cultural events, wellness expos and other opportunities to prosper and grow. BY LAUREN BRUCE
“Flightless Wings” by Shintaro Ohata
JANUARY 5 The Yoga Expo From beginner to advanced, yogis and meditators will enjoy aerial yoga shows, local and sustainable food, live music and an inspired, wellness-oriented marketplace. Tickets from $35. 300 E. Green St., theyogaexpo.org
Courtesy of Mizuma Art Gallery
JANUARY 6 New Year’s Race Test your stamina on a 5K, 10K or combined 9.3 challenge race, after which you are free to spend the rest of the day imbibing from the beer garden, or tasting from food trucks. Tickets from $50. 200 N. Spring St., newyearsrace.com
JANUARY 23-27 LA Art Show Local and international
curators and galleries produce a diverse array of exhibitions in over 200,000 square feet of space, with categories ranging from Core (contemporary art) and Roots (historical works), to Pan-Asian ink paintings, Works on Paper (photography, prints) and Luxury (jewelry and accessories). Tickets from $30. 1201 S. Figueroa St., laartshow.com
JANUARY 24-25 #BlogHer Health This health and wellness-focused event for women offers networking, education in marketing and digital content creations, and keynote speakers that include actress Alyssa Milano and cookbook author Liz Moody. Tickets from $125. 1200 S. Hope St., conferences. blogher.com
FEBRUARY 22-25
MARCH 16-17
Conscious Life Expo Workshops, lectures and discussion panels will focus on longevity, spirituality, health, well-being and other key aspects needed to create and celebrate a life of love and fulfillment. Featured speakers include David Wilcock, Marianne Williamson, Deborah King and more. Tickets from $25. LAX Hilton, 5711 W. Century Blvd., expo. consciouslifeexpo.com
L.A. Nature Fest This educational experience offers more than 35 exhibit booths, including the popular Nature of Wildworks Organization’s tent of live animals, while welcoming visitors to participate in walks and chat with scientists and nature experts. Tickets from $14 for adults, from $6 for kids. 900 Exposition Blvd., nhm.org
MARCH 2-3, 9-10
Vegan Street Fair Over 200 local vegan-friendly restaurants and vendors joined the fair in 2018, selling burgers, nachos, tacos and fried “chicken,” all cruelty-free and plant-based. Chandler Boulevard between Tujunga Avenue and Vineland Avenue, veganstreetfair.com
Festival of Whales Celebrate the annual migration of California gray whales at Dana Point’s popular event, with activities ranging from whale-watching excursions and lectures to a clam chowder cook-off. Prices and locations vary. festivalofwhales.com 139
MARCH 23-24
LA
Little Pine tops its avocado toast with red chili flakes, lemon, olive oil and Maldon salt.
TASTEMAKERS Health-conscious Angelenos have the inside track on feeding body and soul in style. Try these nine favorite ways to live and dine in LA. BY MATT DIEHL
Since January 1, 2018—the day recreational marijuana became legalized for Angelenos—the “it” ingredient you’ll find even on menus at your local smoothie shop is CBD. Those three letters are the code for cannabidiol, the active ingredient in cannabis that soothes and relaxes. Start the day right with Juice Crafters’ CBD Blue Premium Body Tonic. A totally vegan, self-proclaimed “activated super-beverage,” it blends coconut water, lemon and
probiotics with blue spirulina. juicecrafters.com
DINOSAUR’S VINEGAR AND CAFFEINE PICK-ME-UPS Dinosaur has become Silver Lake’s go-to for a pick-me-up—and not just for its expertly brewed Four Barrel Coffee and Song Tea offerings, delicious Farmshop pastries, and soothing, high-design ambiance. What sets Dinosaur apart are its unique “shrub” beverages crafted out of vinegar and syrup. Vinegar is beloved for its digestive and dermatological effects,
as well as a strong enzyme and potassium content that makes it a detox favorite. dinosaurcoffee.com
BUTTON MASH, THE ASIAN GASTROPUB Getting plant-based and carnivore foodies to play nice isn’t always easy when going out to eat with a group. The innovative Asian gastropub Button Mash makes the issue moot thanks to a menu that’s equal opportunity yet never dull. Try the garlic noodles, savory roasted carrots, and braised Coca-Cola jackfruit sandwich. Both sides will 140
enjoy the rotating cast of serious craft beer choices, a wine list based on natural offerings, and the wide range of vintage pinball and video games. buttonmashla.com
LITTLE PINE, THE EAT-RIGHT DATE-NIGHT DESTINATION Moby’s self-proclaimed “100 percent all-vegan bistro” has evolved into a sophisticated date place. It’s no surprise that at Little Pine, the electronic-music superstar and restaurateur offers a menu featuring delectable, vegan-diet friendly vari-
@littlepinerestaurant
JUICE CRAFTERS’ PERFECT MORNING MICRODOSE
as-local-as-possible ingredients. simoneartsdistrict.com
ations on comfort food, like the shepherdess pie made of lentils, tempeh and shiitake, or a delicious artichoke spinach ravioli alle noci. The relaxing California modern ambience and divine, all-organic wine list make this an ideal dining destination. littlepinerestaurant.com
ROSSOBLU’S PALEO PROTEIN FOR HOLLYWOOD PLAYERS
PLANT-FORWARD FRENCH AT LE PETIT MARCHÉ French cuisine isn’t the first that comes to mind for a healthy, plant-based approach to dining. But while chef Stephane Liot of Le Petit Marché doesn’t stint on les classiques at his spacious, sleek restaurant, bar and gourmet market in the Melrose area, he offers alternatives that are as healthy as they are ravishing in flavor. As such, Le Petit Marché offers up a traditional Tartine Niçoise bedecked with egg and olives, as well as a Tartine Californienne that substitutes avocado, cucumber and Aleppo peppers. C’est fantastique, as is the fact Le Petit Marché is now open from 7AM to midnight every night. lepetitmarche.com
@millennialcafes; @simoneartsdistrict
NIGHTSHADE’S GLOBAL COMFORT FOOD Personal chef to the stars and former Top Chef winner Mei Lin still fires up the stove for Oprah on occasion, but she also has her own restaurant, the much-anticipated Nightshade keeping her in the spotlight. Located in LA’s Arts District—the new restaurant row of innovative fine dining—Nightshade
Dinosaur is a destination for both coffee and “shrub” beverages made out of vinegar and syrup.
Chef Steve Samson—late of the acclaimed Sotto—puts a Bolognese twist on his new restaurant, Rossoblu, the latest salvo in downtown LA’s race to be America’s top dining destination. Pasta is a big attraction, of course, but thanks to Samson’s in-house butchered hunks of meat fit for a king, Hollywood players gone paleo are filling the tables. rossoblula.com
THE IMPOSSIBLE BURGER—AN EASY WINNER
Sunflower panna cotta with fresh melon and blueberries at Simone
features a menu inspired by Lin’s celeb-chef globe-trotting that’s as healthy as it is decadently flavored. Mapo tofu lasagna, anyone? nightshadela.com
ca Largey finally opened Simone this past September, the eatery proved both worth the wait and the hype. Largey, previously chef de cuisine at three-Michelin star-earning Manresa in Los Gatos, has another winner with Simone’s casually minimalist fine-dining approach, and emphasis on sustainable, ethical and
SIMONE, JESSICA LARGEY’S NEW ETHICAL FOODIE HAVEN When James Beard Award-winning chef Jessi141
In a city that runs on vegan burgers, this is the best one anyone has ever eaten— eclipsing even the local favorite made by Astro Burger. Much was made that the vegan “meat” is juicy like the real thing (thank you, beets), but it’s not so much the Impossible Burger tastes like beef as much as it’s just delicious, period. Now ubiquitous, Impossible Burgers can be found even at mainstream burger chains Umami Burger and The Counter. Try the Impossible Burger topped with creamy vegan Thousand Island dressing at the family-owned Press Brothers Juicery and Kitchen in Franklin, and enjoy the added opportunity to quaff Press Brothers’ Illuminate tonic, a potently healthy yet soothing blend of coconut kefir, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar and lemon. pressbrothersjuicery.com
MIAMI
+ PALM BEACH Archie Drury and Karolina Kurkova on Fisher Island
PARADISE STRONG Entrepreneur and former Marine Archie Drury, husband to model and Gryph & Ivyrose co-founder Karolina Kurkova, tells Purist about the good life on Fisher Island, making the oasis safer and healthier with the addition of a nonprofit medical clinic that he and Dr. Barth Green co-founded, and future plans to expand their wellness services. PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAMI JILL
Fisher Island fits our lifestyle as working parents who have to travel frequently. When we’re home and when we’re away, we know our kids are safe. With my background in the Marine Corps, plus Karolina coming from a loving family in the mountains of the Czech Republic—our value systems combine in a beautiful way. My favorite part of the island is the wildlife: We have an aviary and manatees, peacocks and iguanas everywhere, and a lot of families here have dogs. It’s an incredible environment where we get a lot of downtime, with plenty of cooking at home—or if we want to go out, there are several restaurants on the island to choose from. Many young families have begun settling on the island. We have an amazing market of organic foods. Built on entrepreneurs, Fisher Island has some amazing people. Yeah, billionaires are here, but the majority of them have done something extraordinary in the business world and are self-made. Every day I’m talking to somebody different about their background, their experience and how they created an incredible company to make the world better. Karolina and I built a guest house where we invite friends and family to stay—a lot of leaders and influencers who visit us and are blown away by this place because of the privacy. It’s very secure; there’s no paparazzi. You can play golf, tennis, go to the gym, get a massage—but the one thing we noticed the island needed was a medical clinic. Before we even got significantly into wellness and longevity, as owners, we said, “What if there’s an emergency? We’ve got kids; there are babies and elderly people here.” A lot of accidents were happening. We’ve had a couple of near-death situations, and 142
HAIR: DANNY JELACA MAKEUP: DANIELA GOZLAN AT HONEY ARTISTS FOR MAC COSMETICS ON KAROLINA: JENNI KAYNE ON ARCHIE: BRUNELLO CUCINELLI SWEATER AND 7 FOR ALL MANKIND PANTS
Drury and Kurkova with sons Tobin and Noah
information. Right now I’m working on scheduling Alan and Sarah Finger to do a workshop on the anatomy of intention and the seven main chakras. As a Marine, you’re supposed to be tough, to fight your way through things, “do or die.” I understand that well, but it does not make you happy. It might make you successful. You might win championships, you might be the best in class or the best in business, but it’s not what’s going to make you happy. We’ve now been buying apartments, gutting and redesigning them with Karolina’s style influences. There’s a vision we have for a program that will enhance and support the wellness clinic, so that we can invite anyone who wants to come and experience the clinic and its workshops. This is the beginning of the conversation; we’re creating a magical program with the best services. Bottom line is, we are trying to help people. We love all the people who work here. They serve us, and we serve them. That’s the way it is in the Marine Corps. We are all in this together.
because I know what to do from being in combat, I was fortunately able to help. We have a great relationship with the University of Miami and the doctors there; we were able to expedite a few situations that could have ended badly. One of the things I learned on the battlefield is that when you’re in that situation, it’s all about expediency. Partnering with Dr. Barth Green and the University of Miami Hospital System, we decided to open a nonprofit clinic that would act as a health safety net for the island. The clinic has been open for almost a year, has an amazing staff, and a 24/7 concierge for our members. While the clinic is private, in an emergency situation anyone on the island can go there for help. I’m trying to assemble all the best people in wellness and longevity, and my goal is to build out the other half of the clinic as a wellness lab, with various types of technology testing nutrition, blood, allergies and as many of the fundamentals as we can test. I also want to invite wellness specialists from all over the world to come and share their 143
MIAMI + PALM BEACH
The crystal steam room at Acqualina Resort & Spa
RELAX AND REVIVE
Warming rays, tropical breezes and negative ions from the waves have always made South Florida a prime spa destination. Here are some of our favorites, from Palm Beach to Miami Beach. BY BETH LANDMAN
A stunning and intimate enclave that sits on 400 feet of beach with three swimming pools, Acqualina is the first spa to offer healing sound-care technology, with sessions meant to ease pain and reduce anxiety. Headphones set to your music preference lull you into a harmonious state and slow down breathing, along with cardiac and brain activity, as you receive a foot massage followed by aromatherapy. 17875 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach, Miami; 305.918.8000
BOCA RATON RESORT & CLUB Paddle Diva classes (from the Hamptons), pool Pilates with aqua mats, Karma Vibes yoga and rhythm are among the many fitness options along with two
golf courses and 18 tennis courts at this top resort. The Yacht Club has been reinvented with renovated rooms, a concierge Commodore Club and Rolls-Royce house car. The spa has its own pool, ritual bath services including a “bath butler” who will bring you sorbet while you soak, and “Diamond” skincare treatments courtesy of the Natura Bissé line. 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton; 561.447.3000
eyebrow grooming or tint to your oxygen facial to leave with an extra touch of glamour. For massage, choose from Shiatsu, Swedish, deep tissue or reflexology. When your treatment is over, head to the tranquil and picturesque pool. 301 Australian Ave., Palm Beach; 561.655.7740
prenatal, and Rose Quartz, performed on a therapeutic heated sand quartz bed. Stay on a healthy track and follow your treatment with lunch at the renovated Seafood Bar, which offers super-fresh fish and salads. 1 S. County Rd., Palm Beach; 561.655.6611
THE BREAKERS
The former Canyon Ranch oceanfront property is all suites and offers spa cuisine as well as extensive therapies. A detox program includes electrosound lymphatic drainage, while the hormone-balancing program involves estrogen/ progesterone evaluation. Therapeutic rooms range from a warm ceramic enclave to an igloo. Massage modalities include Ayurvedic and Japanese barefoot therapy. 6801 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305.514.7000
The site of last year’s Global Wellness Summit, this legendary palatial resort built just before the turn of the 20th century has an elegant, stress-reducing oasis with an ocean and lap pool just outside the door. Facials and body treatments are performed using 100 percent botanical and holistic formulations from Palm Beach-based Tammy Fender, marine-derived OSEA products and Guerlain. Massages include Thai,
THE BRAZILIAN COURT HOTEL & BEACH CLUB Built around a spectacular landscaped courtyard, the hotel not only houses an outpost of Café Boulud, but also of Provence-influenced salon Frédéric Fekkai. Pedicures are done with sea salt or paraffin (you can get them with French polish, bien sur). Add a peel or an 144
CARILLON
Courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Spa
ACQUALINA RESORT & SPA
Courtesy of The Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club; Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa; and Boca Raton Resort & Club
DELRAY BEACH MARRIOTT Farm-to-massage-table is the theme at this recently updated escape in the Mediterranean-inspired hotel. There’s a “Sugarberry wine down” treatment which includes a whole-milk wrap, sea salt and fresh raspberry scrub and application of resveratrol from grapes, and a softening lip treatment with merlot and crushed blackberry. The S’mores Indulgent facial is a guilt-free pleasure involving cocoa enzyme powder and a marshmallow whip hydrating mask: those who prefer high tech might opt for the super-cleansing hydro facial followed by LED lights. The spa has also introduced an infrared sauna, which is detoxifying and beneficial to joints, and a salt room, to ease asthma and arthritis, sinus conditions and infections, all while you take in the ocean view. 10 N. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach; 561.274.3200
out the LED masks with multicolored lights—you can purchase one for home use! 340 Royal Poinciana Plaza, Palm Beach; 561.402.8207
RITZ-CARLTON KEY BISCAYNE Brazilian Court’s landscaped grounds Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa Jacuzzi
TURNBERRY ISLE
EAU PALM BEACH RESORT & SPA The most playful of the de-stressing sanctuaries has hammocks hanging above floating ponds with rubber ducks and rotating colored lights inside the steam room, and showers that simulate a rainforest experience. Create your own body scrub mixture from an array of salts, sugars, herbs and aromatic oils, or have an esthetician do the scrubbing with champagne oil. Facials run the gamut from all-botanical Eau Naturale’ and Bejeweled, which uses crushed precious stones to
One of the most tranquil properties in South Florida, the resort is located on a barrier island, less than a half-hour drive from South Beach. Among the treatments in the spa, which is now adding a Lilly Pulitzer room, is the detoxifying Tequesta Ritual, a rebalancing ceremony involving an algae wrap and aromatherapy massage; and the Coconut Nourishment, a sugarcane-coconut scrub, followed by massage, wrap and scalp massage. The signature restaurant, Lightkeepers, focuses on local farms and is full of healthy, vegetarian and gluten-free options. 455 Grand Bay Drive, Miami; 305.365.4500
Ritual Bath at the Boca Raton Resort & Club
& SKINCARE SPA
impart glow, to high-tech treatments with plant stem cells and lifting microcurrent. Private garden villas are available for massage, and if you’re feeling a little extra indulgent, there are mini cupcakes and free-flowing champagne. 100 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan; 561.533.6000
The spa that opened last season in chic Royal Poinciana Plaza offers ofthe-moment treatments including an anti-inflammatory magnesium massage and a gold roller facial. The device stimulates pores and allows greater absorption of products, as well as increasing blood circulation and collagen production. Check
PAUL LABRECQUE SALON 145
A new tower and soon-tobe-unveiled water park, as well as a recently renovated spa, are among the attractions at this expansive tropical oasis. Begin your stay at the resort with a high-intensity workout, and then check out the Fiji massage, where you choose from coconut, mango or guava body butter. Opt for the Hypnotic facial, during which vibration and color therapy help transport you, or a results-oriented radio frequency skin tightener. 19999 W. Country Club Drive, Aventura; 305.932.6200
PALM BEACH
THE ROYAL TREATMENT
A long-cherished jewel of Palm Beach, The Colony Hotel gets polished to perfection with a loving update. BY BETH LANDMAN The intimate Royal Room, once the site of cabaret shows, will become a well-appointed private event space. Each guest room has received a preliminary upgrade in the form of an iPad from which to order room service and view daily resort offerings, including fitness classes and musical entertainment. “We are focusing on public spaces now,” Wetenhall says, “and eventually we will shift upward to the rooms.” The front desk continues to display a photograph of the abdicated English king Edward VIII and his wife, Wallis Simpson, who wintered in a penthouse at The Colony; the Wetenhalls have taken the homage to the hotel’s history a step further. “We wanted to find a way to honor The Colony’s past, so we researched and found the original logo, and put up a series of photos of interesting characters,” Sarah Wetenhall says. The wall, upon which pictures of Bob Hope, Dustin Hoffman and Estée Lauder, among others, have been displayed, was curated by author and brand strategist Steven Stolman. Just a block from the ocean, the hotel is perfectly situated for bespoke beach days. Paddleboards have been rolled out for guests, and a beach butler is on hand to pack up a pink cooler Sarah and Andrew filled with a selection of your Wetenhall favorite snacks, meals or drinks, towels and games—simply text him when you are ready to come back and he picks you up. The Colony also has plenty of amusements like Jumbo Jenga, along with stuffed toys and coloring books for the kids. “We are multigenerational and family-friendly,” says Wetenhall, a mom of three. “But we still are a luxury travel destination.” thecolonypalmbeach.com
The iconic Colony, with its pinkand-green palette, monkey mascot and view of Worth Avenue, is almost as Palm Beach as Lilly Pulitzer, so when word first got out that the hotel would be changing hands at the end of 2016, devotees were a little nervous. Happily, the new owners—Andrew Wetenhall, the son of one of the hotel’s former partners, and his wife, Sarah—have been determined to update rather than revamp the hotel, with a loving eye to its history. “It’s such a special property to my husband and me, our home away from home, and it was always a part of our family story,” explains Sarah Wetenhall, a former public relations executive for fashion houses such as Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana and Hugo Boss. “The matriarch and patriarch of the family who owned it passed away, and the adult children didn’t have the stomach for the financial end. My fatherin-law was a minority partner, but he was in his 80s and didn’t have the energy, so he suggested they call his son, and we jumped at the opportunity.” One big change comes through the conversion of Colony’s Polo restaurant, a traditional steakhouse, to the newly titled CPB, which serves contemporary American cuisine. CPB’s menu is divided into three categories, from Palm Beach classics like lobster thermidor and vichyssoise, to seasonal dishes and vegetarian offerings. “We are trying to address many different interests and age groups,” Wetenhall explains. A craft cocktail program has been created around herbs from the chef’s on-site garden: mint is used in the Southern Hospitality bourbon drink, fresh thyme in the gin-based Colony. 146
Top photo: @jadadleigh; bottom photo: @nickmelephotography
Island hues and patterns abound at The Colony.
MIAMI
Aerial elegance: 18 floors of Eighty Seven Park’s stunning ocean views.
PARK LIFE
Courtesy of Eighty Seven Park
Eighty Seven Park offers the best of city and sea in one ultra-luxury residential building. BY NANCY KANE 10-foot ceilings, and wraparound balconies providing stunning unobstructed views of the Atlantic, the Intracoastal Waterway and the downtown skyline. The 1- to 5-bedroom residences are priced from $1.6 million to $15.5 million; 80 percent have already been sold. With sustainability at the forefront of the design in the private and public spaces, RDAI collected pebbles, shells, driftwood, leaves and seagrass from the building site and incorporated them into a nature-inspired palette that works seamlessly with the blend of light oak and Venetian terrazzo flooring. The lobby is modeled after an orangery; here, a changing year-round botanical exhibition will include flora such as orchids, bonsais and petit cacti tended by the in-house botanist. Even Enoteca, the wine bar, will incorporate specialty cocktails with herbs (rosemary, mint and basil). The building also features a library, two swimming pools with cabanas and a children’s play area, the Fugo Bar, serving smoothies and fresh juices, a state-of-the-art gym, sauna and steam rooms as well as a spa oasis offering aquatic therapies and brain-fitness sessions. There is a modern take on the Turkish hammam, including a freestanding bath and body-scrub area with ceiling water jets, stone plinth and steamer, all designed to ease your mind and nurture your soul. eightysevenpark.com
Stepping out onto the just-finished terrace of the penthouse at Eighty Seven Park, a luxury beachfront condominium, it’s easy to see why they call Miami the Magic City. A design collaboration between internationally renowned architect Renzo Piano’s Building Workshop, Paris-based Rena Dumas Architecture Intérieure (RDAI) and Dutch firm West 8, Eighty Seven Park towers above the North Beach triangle of Bal Harbour, Surfside and tony Indian Creek. Part of its charm is its unique location, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, a 35-acre public park to the south and a private, residents-only green space to the north, with homeowners receiving keys—much like NYC’s Gramercy Park. Eighty Seven Park was developed by Miami group Terra, an integrated firm run by David Martin, whose philosophy centers on sustainable, design-oriented communities that enhance neighborhoods. His vision: a coastal sanctuary that dramatically improves the existing North Shore Park, adding value to the surrounding neighborhood and to the City of Miami Beach. “We want to engage and bring purposeful living not only to the buyers of Eighty Seven Park, but to the North Beach community as a whole,” says Martin. “Improving the North Shore Park for all of North Beach and creating an environment that enhances the neighborhood is Terra’s first priority.” Eighteen floors hold 66 bespoke luxury residences with 147
MIAMI
A LEGACY OF COMPASSION
RAY ROGERS: Best Buddies turns 30 in January. As you look back, what are you most proud of? ANTHONY KENNEDY SHRIVER: There’s a lot that’s been done. But what I’m really proud of is the success and accomplishments and the elevation of the lives of people with special abilities. They continue to excel beyond what I thought they were capable of doing, even from when I started. I’m most proud of the incredible role they play in the movement itself: How they’ve been leaders in the movement, how they’ve inspired so many people to get involved and be passionate about what we’re trying to do. RR: There have been a lot of milestones over the years. What were some of the biggest ones? AKS: From a professional perspective, building the organization and working with my mother from the beginning has been a real gift. It was super-educational and exciting to feel that I had a partner in this journey from day one, when it was the hardest to keep it going, to raise the money and build a real business that has structure with goals and a board. RR: Your aunt Rosemary Kennedy was part of your inspiration for starting Best Buddies. Could you talk about the life lessons you learned from her? AKS: Rosemary grew up in a family with enormously successful giants and legends, but she found her place and because of her, one of the greatest things that my family has ever achieved has been the work we’ve done for people with special abilities. That is the legacy of Rosemary, and it shows you that someone who’s barely verbal can create a movement that’s
Rosemary Kennedy, right, with sister Eunice
Anthony Kennedy Shriver, right, with Best Buddies Ambassador Jorge Morilla
more powerful than what the president of the United States creates on a long-term basis. RR: What is your vision for the organization going forward? AKS: There are two new compelling things we want to work on. One of the most important elements of the life of a person with special abilities is employment. I think for all of us, as you enter adulthood if you don’t have a job, you don’t have a life. You’ve got to give people with special needs an opportunity to showcase their talents and be paid for contributing in a meaningful way to the world. We’ve got to create hundreds of thousands of jobs over the next 10 years, and ideally millions of jobs on a global basis. 148
Second, I want to do more in the housing arena. We’re launching something called Best Buddy living. We’re going to create integrated housing for people with special abilities where they live side by side with people [in the community], and connect to the culture and community that exists at university campuses. I want our Buddies to work within the community of the university to feel that they’re part of it, participating in the culture of their school, the athletics, the education. For many of them, the employment opportunities that exists around university are endless. We’re about to close on one house in California connected to UCLA in Westwood, and that will be our first private house. RR: Best Buddies is also known for its physically active fundraising events— the cycling, running and walking challenges. Can you talk about the thinking behind the challenges? AKS: Getting on the bike is a great way to spend the majority of your day. It’s a great way to fundraise for people, to build community and make people feel connected to each other on the bike. The walks serve the same purpose: to showcase people with special abilities’ talents in a whole variety of ways, so it’s not only in the employment space, the friendship space, the living space, but also the athletic space. We’ve got a Buddy who’s participating in Miami, who this week rode 1,000 miles over five days—a huge amount for anybody. RR: You take an active role in the rides. AKS: Yeah, of course, I ride 100 miles. I do them all. You’ve gotta lead by example, right?
@anthonykshriver
On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, Best Buddies International founder, chairman and CEO Anthony Kennedy Shriver reflects on the impact the organization has had on millions of lives. Purist checked in with the Miami-based Shriver as he prepared to lead the annual 62-mile Miami bike challenge.
POWER PLAYER
efforts a few years ago by enlisting a holistic health doctor to guide the team on a short-term healthy eating program, and coupled that with optional fitness classes every week. Since that was well-received, I decided to do something on a larger scale that would include a wider ONE SIR audience, and our community. That’s when we put together a Wellness Month program that includes complimentary yoga and meditation classes, healthy living seminars, fitness competitions and massages. PURIST: What change did you hope to inspire in your staff, and in the culture of your business? MDLV: My hope for the team is to reiterate that we are more than the work we do, we are a family. I want them to feel support and comfort in knowing that I truly care about their well-being. We’re encouraging everyone to feel inspired about the idea of bettering themselves—to be confident and to connect on a spiritual level with one another. We wanted to create a culture of collaboration and teamwork, and to curate a genuinely healthy work environment. I think everyone was appreciative of these efforts. PURIST: In what ways will you inspire a culture of wellness throughout the year at the company? MDLV: I plan to make this an annual happening, and activate additional initiatives throughout the year. We want our team to know that wellness culture is a permanent part of ONE SIR. For example, next week our marketing team has a retreat at the Standard Spa that begins with a yoga class, includes a five-element personality workshop and finishes off with a powerful brainstorming session. PURIST: How do you start and end your day? MDLV: I always begin my day with some quiet time and a grateful state of mind. I end my days with a bubble bath infused with lavender essential oils, candles, accompanied by great music. PURIST: What keeps you centered on a daily basis? MDLV: Knowing that when I am aligned, I’m able to respond to the needs and wants of others to the very best of my abilities. I achieve that balance through meditation, reading, chanting and prayer. PURIST: Secret spot for healthy fare? MDLV: First Dr Smood, then my own kitchen! I have been cooking a lot of recipes from Dr. Mark Hyman’s 10-day detox diet and have become one of my own favorite chefs. PURIST: Your family arrived in the U.S. from Cuba when you were 3 years old. How did that inspire your journey? MDLV: As a Cuban-American, I grew up seeing firsthand the hardship that my parents encountered. While the road was rough at times, their hard work instilled in me a desire to succeed, and become the best person I could be. My journey was filled with dreams and hopes of a better tomorrow, finding financial stability and a job I love. PURIST: The best part of living in Miami Beach? MDLV: My beautiful view! I could never grow tired of it.
ONE Sotheby’s International Realty’s Mayi de la Vega keeps wellness a top priority for her clients and staff. BY RAY ROGERS
@wellwithinhamptons
As Founder and CEO of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty (SIR), Cuban-American real estate mogul Mayi de la Vega oversees a staff of some 900 brokers and 17 offices spread across South Florida (a massive undertaking, which she shares with son Daniel, who serves as president). Balancing the considerable demands of the business, de la Vega makes well-being a priority for her herself, her clients and her staff, who this year participated in a company-wide Wellness Month. Here, the Miami Beach resident lets Purist in on her secrets to success. PURIST: What inspired you to create a Wellness Month at your agency? MAYI DE LA VEGA: Wellness and balanced living have always been at the core of what I wanted ONE SIR to be about, because they are such an essential part of my personal work-life balance. I believe that when people feel centered and grateful in their personal lives, their work will thrive. Our industry tends to be very demanding, and I wanted to ensure everyone was taking time to de-stress and connect with their inner selves. We started our wellness 149
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Malibu Farm Miami Beach offers healthy fare at the Eden Roc hotel.
THE HEAT IS ON STAR POWER SWAN AND BAR BEVY
The Design District’s evolution into a culinary destination continues with the recent arrival of Swan and Bar Bevy. The restaurant and its upstairs lounge are a collaboration between Pharrell Williams and David Grutman, the man behind the city’s most popular clubs, LIV and Story, and the recently opened plant-based South Beach spot Planta. At Swan, executive chef—and Top Chef Europe star—Jean Imbert’s menu includes classics like ratatouille and roasted chicken, as well as lighter fare like snapper sashimi with mango, serrano chili and pickled kumquats.
The striking shell-pink interiors are an Instagram dream. 90 NE 39th St., Miami; swanbevy.com
inero, a traditional Cuban bartender, at La Trova’s two bars, with cocktails including the Cubano Viejo and the El Guayabero, featuring tequila, guava marmalade and cayenne-agave syrup. Live music completes the picture at Calle Ocho’s most exciting newcomer. 971 SW 8th St., Miami; cafelatrova.com
CUBAN ROOTS CAFE LA TROVA
A Miami culinary star and local cocktail master bring their impeccable pedigrees to Little Havana this December with the opening of Cafe La Trova. Don’t be fooled by the humble Cuban cafeteria style: that’s local legend Michelle Bernstein turning out her take on croquetas, empanadas and Cuban sandwiches alongside more playful dishes. Her longtime collaborator Julio Cabrera celebrates his role as the house cant-
POWER PLAYER THE SURF CLUB RESTAURANT
A social club once frequented by Harvey Firestone and Winston Churchill is the seaside setting for The Surf Club Restaurant, Thomas Keller’s first in Florida. The chef shares the culinary spotlight at the Richard Meier-de150
signed Four Seasons Surf Club and residences with the Amalfi Coast-steeped Le Sirenuse Miami, making this one powerhouse foodie destination. Keller, who spent his childhood in nearby Palm Beach, describes his menu as “continental cuisine grounded in European cooking, presented in a carefully choreographed fashion.” Signature dishes are worth the calories and for lighter bites, he offers a Hass avocado and garden vegetable Louie and a Celery Heart Victor. 9011 Collins Ave., Surfside; surfclubrestaurant.com
WEST COAST STYLE MALIBU FARM MIAMI BEACH
Courtesy of Malibu Farm Miami; Morelli Brothers
Where to find Miami’s freshest flavors as the high season kicks into gear. BY REBECCA WALLWORK
After cultivating a loyal following at Malibu Farm Pier Café and Restaurant, Swedish chef Helene Henderson decided to expand her California farm-to-fork goodness to the Magic City, where Malibu Farm Miami Beach has the distinction of having some of the most impressive beachfront views in the city. The restaurant, located at the Eden Roc hotel, also has views directly into one of the hotel’s pools. The reliably fresh menu features dishes like the Vegan Coconut Tofu with quinoa rice and a Chicken Ricotta Burger. The health-conscious vibe extends to the organic, plantbased cocktail program. Happy hour, indeed. 4525 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; edenrochotelmiami.com
SHOPPER’S DELIGHT CASA TUA CUCINA
You know Casa Tua as the O.G. of Miami’s private members’ clubs, and a haven of Italian intimacy amid the hustle of South Beach. Last year, founder Miky Grendene brought some of that magic to Brickell City Centre, pairing up with retail
giant Saks Fifth Avenue on their first food concept in the U.S. The 18,000-squarefoot Casa Tua Cucina comprises a 300-seat restaurant, a bar, a gourmet marketplace with 10 dining stations, a flower market, and a home-goods shop. “Every product we source has a story,” says Grendene, who partners with “artisans and small producers who pour their hearts in their work.” Brickell City Centre, 70 SW 7th St., Miami; casatuacucina.com
WORKOUT PARTNER DELICIOUS RAW
As home to the city’s best fitness studios (Barry’s Bootcamp, Sweat440, Flywheel, Green Monkey and more), Sunset Harbour attracts Miami’s most ardent health and wellness devotees. The area’s latest addition, a new flagship of the Delicious Raw kitchen and juice bar, is perfect for pre- or post-workout refreshments that won’t undo all that hard work. Delicious Raw is devoted to unprocessed foods, producing in-house nut butters, milks and flours,
Swan and Bar Bevy’s alluring interiors
superfood pastas, gluten-free and vegan baked goods from scratch. Drop by at any time of day to join South Beach’s fittest and finest enjoying fusion Buddha Bowls or the Righteous Waffle, made from ancient grains. 1828 Bay Rd., Miami Beach; delraw.com
ITALIAN CHARM DONNA MARE
The latest art deco hotel to get a major revamp, the new Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club in Mid-Beach brings with it a stylish new Italian trattoria that also boasts one of the most extensive rosé wine lists in South Beach. The impressive menu at Donna Mare, named after chef Manuel Mattei’s mother, is crammed with indulgences including Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas and homemade pastas, but Mattei also offers coastal Italian options, from tuna carpaccio to a fresh crudo menu. High ceilings and light woods keep the ambience light and stylish as well. 3925 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; donnamare. com
From Local to Global
Two more new hot spots in Palm Beach County BY BETH LANDMAN
MEMBERSHIP PERKS
UNION 27: Tim and Cinzia Gaglio, who owned Osteria Salina in the Hamptons and Delray Beach, have opened a spot in Boca Raton this season, which has a membership option for preferred seating, special events and winemaker dinners. The intimate room, just a stone’s throw from the city’s famous resort, serves American steakhouse dishes like New York strip and rack of lamb, along with classics such as lobster thermidor and homemade fettuccine. There is also a focus on seasonal, regional and artisanal offerings, like a cheese plate from Florida farms with Key lime honey. 451 E. Palmetto Park Rd., Boca Raton; 561.338.8606
TOP TIER TALENT
FLORIE’S: The Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach has just reopened after a renovation. They’ve gone all out on the food front, luring Argentine-Italian chef Mauro Colagreco, whose Mirazur in Menton, France, is ranked third on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2018 list. Live fire cooking in a stone-hearth oven is the focus of an international menu featuring spit-roasted truffled chicken and yakitori-grilled wagyu beef with red peppers. Dinner, along with cocktails made with herbs from the chef’s garden, can be enjoyed in the sunset-colored room on the oceanfront terrace. 2800 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach; 561.582.2800
MIAMI
AT A GLANCE
The best of cultural and wellness events during peak season. BY LAUREN BRUCE Peter London Global Dance Company: The David Project and Women’s Voices A team of choreographers, dancers and composers celebrates the lives of women through spectacular performances: Kashia Kancey’s new work is based on the lives of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Rosa Parks. Tickets from $40. Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., arshtcenter.org
Preparedness, and Medical Marijuana in the Workplace) will also be available; courses vary in difficulty, with some counting for CEU credits. Free entrance; $25 for online courses, $50 at the door. 711 NW 72nd Ave., ehsexpo.com
While in Wynwood, be sure to roam the streets for a look at diverse and stunning murals.
MARCH 4-10 Miami Sailing Week Sailors from more than 22 countries around the globe will participate in this multiclass regatta, now celebrating its 10th anniversary. Biscayne Bay at SW 27th Avenue and S. Bayshore Drive. miamisailingweek.com
JANUARY 4-6 South Beach Jazz Festival The third annual jazz fest, featuring features Dee Dee Bridgewater, as an uplifting motto: “From Disability to Serendipity.” Festival founder and president of Power Access, David New, who was rendered paralyzed from the waist down for two years, is a strong advocate for people with disabilities, and hopes to bring everyone together through music. Tickets from $40. Location varies, southbeachjazzfest.com
JANUARY 18-20 Art Deco Weekend The Miami Design Preservation League hosts the longest-running community cultural festival in Miami Beach. It includes over 85 individual events, from a retro fashion show to the Bark Deco dog show. The Pres-
MARCH 15-17 tion League wants the art deco buildings on Ocean Drive to remain for future generations. 11th Street and Ocean Drive, adw.sharemediaagency.com
One Herald Plaza at NE 14th Street, artwynwood.com
FEBRUARY 20-22 Miami International Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference This year, key speakers and workshops will tackle topics such as bullying, the aftermath of school shootings, preventing adolescent suicide and more. Tickets from $60. 3000 NE 151st St., North Miami, sccap53.org
JANUARY 27 Fitbit Miami Marathon and Half Marathon 20,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes will complete a course set to show off City Hall and Miami Beach. $130 for half marathon registration, $145 for marathon. Starting line at 601 Biscayne Blvd., themiamimarathon.com
MARCH 1-2 Environmental, Health and Safety Conference More than 350 exhibitors from around the world showcass the newest products and services in wellness. Seminars and training courses (such as CPR/AED/First Aid, Hurricane
FEBRUARY 14-18 Art Wynwood This major winter destination showcases works from post-war masters to emerging talent. Tickets from $25. 152
World Happiness Summit Come feel the science of happiness; benefit from a more positive mindset and learn how to sustain it. Presentations on the topic of happiness, its causes and effects, are lead by professionals such as Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar and economist Richard Layard. Tickets from $400. 1330 Miller Dr., happinesssummit.world
MARCH 18-31 Miami Open Whether you’re a die-hard fan, or a casual watcher, the Miami Open is always entertaining. This year, it moves to the Dolphins’ Stadium. Enjoy fan favorites Roger Federer, and Venus and Serena Williams. Ticket prices vary. 347 Don Shula Dr., miamiopen.com
@claire_grieve
DECEMBER 28-30
MIAMI HOT & COLD
Take a break from South Beach’s balmy climes to enjoy the benefits of extreme-temp treatments. RESET CRYOTHERAPY
The MELT infrared sauna in Miami Beach reaches 150 degrees, but is comfortable enough to stay in for up to 45 minutes. You can listen to your favorite music or podcast with the sauna’s Bluetooth technology, read a book, or disconnect completely. Benefits include detoxification (infrared saunas can detoxify the body up to seven times more efficiently than traditional saunas, and promote the detoxification of heavy metals, radiation, and other toxins), weight loss, anti-aging, pain relief and stress relief. Try the sauna bathed in the glow of a variety of colorful LED lights, which can be adjusted by remote control. “This is known as chromotherapy, or color therapy,” says co-owner Jessica Scott. “The different colors can improve physical, emotional and even spiritual well-being.” 1800 Purdy Ave., Marina Suite 3A, Miami Beach, meltsauna.com
How long can you last? That’s the question for RESET’s whole-body cryo chamber, which could see you freeze from head to toe for almost three minutes. Whole Body Cryotherapy exposes the body to ultralow temperatures of up to -260 degrees F, providing benefits such as reduced inflammation, swelling and pain; decreased muscle soreness; cellulite reduction; collagen production; and enhanced metabolism. A boutique recovery center in Miami Beach, RESET also offers cryofacials, BOA compression therapy, and Celluma LED light therapy. The Cryoskin 3.0 is a 28-minute treatment that consists of a three-phase thermal shock that helps to naturally destroy fat cells. “All of our services are targeted at muscle recovery, and have a beautifying side effect,” says co-owner Whitney Oakes. 1800 Purdy Ave., Marina Suite 3A, Miami Beach, resetfml.com
iStock by Getty Images
MELT, MIAMI’S FIRST INFRARED SAUNA
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ASSEMBLED IN LIGHT A beach house on Eastern Long Island created by Barnes Coy Architects combines modern, sustainable design with extraordinary attunement to nature. BY ALASTAIR GORDON
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Paul Domzal/EdgeMediaDigital.com
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RK The three-level, 11,000-square-foot home by the sea.
dunes, the Z House resembles a classic modernist pavilion: flat-roofed, one story tall, and rectilinear—think Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe or Marcel Breuer—and from such a distance, it appears to hover just above the dunes, buoyant and airy, the open plan bracketed within a white stucco superstructure interspersed with sheathes of hurricane- and impact-proof glass. When you come closer, however, the illusion dissolves and you see that it’s not a single-story pavilion, but a three-level structure with more than 11,000 square feet of living space, very much anchored to the flood-prone site on three cast-concrete plinths. Originally, a neo-traditional house from the 1980s sat on the property, but clients and architects agreed that it should be demolished to make way for a new structure, one that was modern, sustainable and better suited to the clients’ needs.
Le Corbusier spoke of “forms being assembled in light,” and light creating the expression of a structure, something that Robert Barnes and Chris Coy—co-founders of Barnes Coy Architects—explored throughout their 25-year partnership. They both grew up on Eastern Long Island and came to understand the special qualities of light out east, that same sea-brewed radiance that lured artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning to the Hamptons after World War II. “One thing light does is to carve the forms of our architecture,” says Coy. The Bridgehampton-based firm often works with minimal forms, transparency and rugged textures to capture and express the light, while flying beams, cantilevered overhangs and outrigger-type elements are used to throw webs of shadow across the exterior surfaces of their buildings. From the ocean beach, looking up over the line of 155
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the master bathroom being a boxlike entity framed with teak and bulging to the east like a Persian balcony—while the western end deconstructs itself, shedding all vestiges of opacity and leaving only an open-faced framework that supports the pool terrace and an upper-level sky deck designed for family gatherings and outdoor dining, with its own kitchen, zinc bar and Corten steel firepit. But the most dreamlike element is the transparent glass swimming pool, a high-concept fishbowl that mediates between ocean on one side and wetlands on the other. The pool is 10 feet deep and is raised 20 feet above grade for ocean views. It was made from mirrored glass with a large, transparent “window” facing west, and makes for the most surreal moments of surprise when someone swims past the transparent opening and appears suspended in chlorine-blue space. The opposite side of the pool serves as the back wall of a private study, where you can sit in a comfortable couch and gaze up through the water, a most unusually subaqueous sensation. “I wanted the water to appear solid, as if you were swimming through the room,” says Coy. “It’s a Dr. No moment.”
A master plan evolved after close scrutiny of the natural environment and examination of local and federal building codes. After presenting the clients with several different schemes, the architects settled on a final design that satisfied everyone: a curving facade that mirrored the concave setback line of the wetlands that surrounded a pond to the north, while the opposite side, to the south, would open up to the Atlantic Ocean with hovering, box-like bays running parallel to the Coastal Erosion hazard line. With the basic footprint established, the design process became organic and self-organizing, the goal being immersion into the surrounding landscape of rolling dunes, ocean beach and wetlands. The overall form was filled in, and then gradually eroded to become more like an armature, a kind of skeletal scaffolding within which the various elements could be arranged. In the final design, as built, the outer membrane of the house curves, projecting outward in space. It folds and retracts in other places, like a bureau with some drawers punched out, others pulled in. There’s an inherent sense of spectacle in the architecture of the Z House, a breezy transparency and restless shifting of planes, especially on the upper levels. Glass curtain walls on both the north and south facades are made of 6-foot-wide panels of flat (not curved) glass, as if the outer membrane had been peeled back to reveal the interior spaces. For privacy, the owners can lower mechanized blinds concealed within the ceilings. The spatial heart of the design is a central staircase that rises up from the ground level like the chambers of a nautilus shell. As an artifact, it has the purity of an Ellsworth Kelly sculpture, and gives a nuanced order to the rest of the house. The open treads are thick slabs of white oak, while railings were made from curved panels of steel ground to an ultra-smooth surface, and finished with seven coats of sparkling white auto-body paint. A fritted-glass skylight casts light down through the elliptical openings of the staircase, further emphasizing its complex geometry and shapely curves. The house’s second-level spaces—guest rooms, a child’s bedroom and playroom—were too low to catch full ocean views over the dunes, so they were directed to the north, toward the pond. When you reach the third level, internal spaces expand laterally toward the Atlantic on one side and the lake on the other. Interior design by Manhattan-based Pembrooke & Ives was coordinated in collaboration with the architects and clients. A long, undulating table by Wendell Castle, something like a giant pink tongue, commands the open kitchen-dining area, as does a looping bentwood chandelier by John Procario. A dynamically textured chimney separates the main living space from a more private study to the east that features brushed-cypress walls. The eastern end of the house is more tightly clustered—
Alastair Gordon is writing a monograph on the work of Barnes Coy Architects that will be published next year.
In the kitchen-dining area: the pink table by Wendell Castle.
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North and south walls are 6-foot panels of glass.
A curved facade mirrors the flow of the wetlands.
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RELAX AND REVIVE Even the most committed keto connoisseur has a hard time resisting carbs during a long, cold, East Coast winter. To the rescue come New York’s buzziest eateries, offering carb-loading options that actually deliver wellness benefits. BY JULIA SZABO
An American steak house with a raw bar doesn’t sound like a welcoming place for a wellness warrior, but chef Efrén Hernández (formerly of Brooklyn’s Faro and current chef at Mimi) extends the warm hand of hospitality to vegetarians. “When it’s colder out, that comforting feeling you get from carbs is nice to have,” says Hernández, who promises meat-free pasta options, making brilliant use of fresh, seasonal produce sourced from Oyster Bay’s Valentine’s Farm. Handmade tagliatelle with mushrooms and Swiss chard gets a gentle kick from sweet, salty, antioxidant-rich, immune-boosting fermented Calabrian chilis. 72 MacDougal St. (opens late January)
BENNO AND LEONELLI TABERNA Fans of authentic Italian cuisine need not book a trip to Italia; simply visit Man-
ash folded into the dough to create a very unique flavor and color,” the chef adds. Meanwhile, over at the Taberna, “Spaghetti” is simple perfection, with shrimp—“Florida shrimp that are naturally chemical-free, harvested in pristine waters in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico”—and Sicilian oregano (which is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal, in addition to delivering vitamins A, C, E and K) plus lemon, fennel pollen and scallion. 7 E. 27th St., bennorestaurant.com, leonellirestaurants.com
hattan’s Evelyn Hotel, home to chef Jonathan Benno’s magnificent Mediterranean eatery, Benno, as well as his Roman-style Leonelli Taberna and bakery, Leonelli Focacceria e Pasticceria. At both destinations, pasta is packed with equal parts nutrition and flavor—certainly not your grandmother’s spaghetti. “Pasta should not be assumed to be unhealthy—it’s all about the quality of the ingredients you use,” says Benno. “Our spaghetti is made in-house, with high-quality semolina flour. I do not like to over-butter my pastas, because that will take away all of the flavor we’re trying to achieve.” Inspired by the area where Italy and France meet (Liguria and Provence), the Benno menu presents a concert of coastal flavors perfected in the Spaghetti di Grano Arso, with steamed clams, raw razor clams, uni and scallion. “The spaghetti that we do at Benno has a leek
HILL COUNTRY FOOD PARK Renowned for its decadent barbecued brisket and fried chicken, Hill Country Hospitality expands its repertoire, tempting vegans and vegetarians with memorable meat-free options at its just-opened, 10,000-squarefoot court of six food stalls in downtown Brooklyn, all 158
tastefully tipping a Stetson to the fine food trucks of Austin, Texas. The Bluebonnets stall commemorates music icons: a ciabatta sandwich named Bonnie (as in Raitt) hot-presses a medley of spiced eggplant, arugula, red pepper spread and hummus. 345 Adams St., Brooklyn, hcfoodpark.com
IL PICCOLO RISTORO The art world is abuzz with the galleries of High Line Nine. After taking in the visual art, don’t depart without indulging in an edible artwork at the just-opened Il Piccolo Ristoro; it’s the newest venture from Via Quadronno’s Paolo Della Puppa, panini pioneer of the Upper East Side. Here, the masterpiece is the Piadina: thin, soft, unleavened flatbread that originates from the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, near Bologna, for centuries one of the world’s great gastronomic destinations. Il Piccolo Ristoro is one of the
Evan Sung
BABS
of the few places in New York to enjoy this authentic delicacy, house-made to the exacting specifications of guest chef Wilson Medei (who’s staying on the premises for the first six months before returning to his own shop in Latina, near Rome). Piadini are delicioso wrapped around cheeses and cured meats—but the veggie versions are even tastier. The vegan piadina is an inspired combination of red pepper, red onion, cucumber, arugula, avocado, sweet pepper, vegan mozzarella and mustard. And yes, there’s also a gluten-free piadina, every bit as autentico, hand-made with strictly certified GF flour imported from Italy. 508 West 28th St., 212.564.3337, ilpiccoloristoro.com
Spinach and mascarpone filled tortelli at Misi
Evan Sung; Justin Aharoni
MISI Lilia’s Missy Robbins—aka the James Beard Foundation’s Best NYC Chef—has carbs on the brain as much as her loyal customers do, so she’s showing her starch with an inspired menu focused on delicious, housemade fresh and dried noodles. The magic happens in a glass-walled pasta room, where intriguing twists on tradition pasta-making include chickpea pappardelle (with chickpea flour blended in the dough). For Robbins’ can’t-stop-won’tstop carb-loaders, there’s olive oil-poached zucchini with capers to enjoy, along with slices of oregano and grilled bread. 329 Kent Ave., Brooklyn, 347.566.3262, misinewyork.com
A veggie pizza made at Hill Country Food Park
MOMOFUKU NOODLE BAR
lion noodles with pickled vegetables and garlic oil, or the Mixed Spicy Noodles with herbs and a fried egg. The Shops at Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Circle, 3rd floor, momofukunoodlebar.com
Asian noodles are their own category of cold-weather craving, and nobody makes them more addictive than East Village noodle mecca Momofuku, still steadfastly refusing to do takeout or delivery, and now serving barley noodles to a packed house at its new Time Warner Center location. Vegans and non-vegans alike enjoy the off-the-charts umami quotient of the ginger-scal-
MOTHER DOUGH Ah, pizza…it’s the often-indigestible indulgence that’s just about impossible to give up. She looks like she never goes near Italian savory pie, but bellissima Elisa 159
Rizzi, former Four Seasons and Gotham pastry chef, spent five years experimenting until she perfected a legit, guilt-free, next-level ’za that digests with ease. Her secret? A fermented sourdough crust made of Italian whole-wheat and barley flour, unbleached, unrefined, and leavened naturally (i.e. no chemicals). Emerging from an electric oven—“to preserve ingredients and leave their properties unaltered”—the crispy crust of the Vegan Margherita gives way to dreamy pillow-softness, with vegan mozz melty enough to satisfy any hard-core cheese hound. Mother Dough also offers a tender, gluten-free crust unlike any you’ve ever tried, made with an Italian flour blend (because, sorry, cauliflower, you’re just not pizza). Feel free to mix and match crusts and toppings; Mother Dough obliges all substitutions. 72 7th Ave., Brooklyn, 929.295.0012, motherdough.pizza
PLANT FOOD + WINE Superstar chef Matthew Kenney (see page 96) expands his culinary empire with the East Coast outpost of his Venice beach vegan paradise, located next door to his vegan pizza joint, Double Zero. Comfort carb options straddle East and West: kimchi dumplings with sesame and ginger foam; sunchoke gyoza with sesame ponzu; and gnocchi with chanterelles, baby kale and porcini mushroom cream. 67 Second Ave., matthewkenneycuisine.com
WHERE 7-ELEVEN MEETS WHOLE FOODS
Rachel Krupa has a wellness routine that rivals Gwyneth’s: She does Pilates, she takes herbs recommended by her acupuncturist, she follows Ayurvedic eating principles— she’s a pitta (fire)—so she tries to eat cooling foods such as grains, broccoli and watermelon. She also dry-brushes, collects crystals, does aromatherapy and journals every day. And you’ll never find her without some essential oils for when she’s feeling stressed or overwhelmed. So when she started thinking about opening a store that could be a community hub like the Sunoco mini mart she frequented growing up in small-town Michigan, it was a given that it would have a wellness angle. “Because I do food PR and all of my clients use better ingredients, I have become more knowledgeable [about food],” says Krupa, the founder of an eponymous PR agency that focuses on all things culinary. “I realized the snacks that I love—Starbursts, KitKats, Swedish Fish—were not the best. They’re full of artificial dyes and preservatives. Now there are so many cool brands out there that are making better-for-you versions of those foods. But you can’t find the healthier versions anywhere unless it’s an organic market, and they’re not necessarily convenient.” A few brainstorms later, The Goods Mart concept was hatched. “I wanted to have a convenience store that sold all-natural products, but was a little more approachable” than the typical vitamin B-scented health-food market, she says. “So someone who would never go into an organic market might try Torie & Howard Chewie Fruities, which look like a Starburst and taste like a Starburst, but don’t have the dyes in them and are even better than Starburst because they taste like real fruit.” She also wanted it to have that “everyone knows your name” vibe, so Krupa offers a $1.25 cup of coffee (and your choice of oat milk, almond milk or cow’s milk) and an organic apple for $.50, to encourage locals to make The Goods Mart a daily stop. The first store opened six months ago in LA’s Silver Lake neighborhood, followed by a Soho New York branch of The Goods Mart in October. Krupa also donates any tips received to nonprofit organizations, a different one each month (so far, the Parks Conservancy and the Bowery Mission have been recipients of the New York store’s charity). In addition, “if we have food about to expire, or fruits and vegetables that are a little too bruised,” Krupa adds, ”we donate them to Bowery Mission, so we have little to no food waste.” Just like 7-Eleven, The Goods Mart has slushies (your choice of ginger pineapple kombucha or blueberry puree), and healthy versions of M&M’s, KitKats and Swedish Fish. Next up: a healthy version of that convenience store staple, the hot dog. The Goods Mart, 189 Lafayette St., New York; 3140 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; thegoodsmart.com.
With her new venture, The Goods Mart, PR pro Rachel Krupa gives the convenience store a healthy makeover. (Yes, it even has slushies.) BY ANNE MARIE O’CONNOR
Grab a $1.25 cup of coffee with oat, almond or cow’s milk.
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Briana Balducci
NEW YORK
MORE THAN A VANITY MIRROR
At-home fitness gets a seriously chic upgrade BY RAY ROGERS
EXTREME WORKOUT
Introducing frosty fitness at Brrrn, the world’s first cool-climate fitness studio Not frigid enough for you outside? Get ready to feel the Brrrn at the new Chelsea fitness studio that specializes in cold temperature workouts ranging from a nippy 60-degree yoga class to a bone-chilling 45-degree high-impact circuit training class. It may sound like a joke, and Brrrn’s co-founder, Jimmy Martin, is actually a comedian who’s worked at Saturday Night Live (in addition to being a fitness trainer), but he is dead serious about this. “Research suggests that exposure to temperatures between 40° and 64°F—known as mild cold stress—can burn fat and more calories, improve your tolerance to colder climates, and optimize your workout experience, as heat can be a limiting factor for peak athletic performance,” Martin says. He and co-founder Johnny Adamic tested the idea in Sixpoint Brewery’s Beer Fridge in Red Hook, and at Bayo’s Ice Factory in Martin’s hometown in Pennsylvania before securing funding for their launch. “As a way to pay tribute to our first trial, we use a beer-fridge door as the entrance to our studio,” he notes. Purist gave the 55-degree Slide class a try—the temperature was surprisingly refreshing as participants worked up a sweat, gliding on smooth boards with booties covering their sneakers throughout the brisk-moving 50-minute class. The frosty feeling quickly subsided in class, but the burn felt in the glutes and inner thighs lingered for days after. $34; thebrrrn.com –RR
Meditation on Wheels
Tobias Keller; courtesy of Mirror
The new mobile studio, Be Time, has been gaining traction with New Yorkers
Outside, everything is chaos—cars honking and people scattered in every direction. You need one moment of stillness to reset your day before your next appointment, but that moment is elusive, a low priority. Be Time hopes to change this, stating that “mindful beings will help create a kinder and calmer city.” While the Be Time bus stops at different locations each day, it maintains a zen-like stasis while a class is in progress. Classes offered are for all levels of expertise, from first-timers to master meditators,
and touch on various techniques including mindfulness, mantra repetition and creative visualization. Be Time allocates slots for Open Space, which allows passersby to step in and enjoy up to 45 minutes of practice time without instructors. Enter the bus as though you’re taking a long trip; place belongings on hangers and in cubbies (equipped with charging stations for your devices), find a comfy cushion and sink into silence. 15-minute classes from $11. betimepractice.com –Charlotte DeFazio
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Who’s the fittest of them all? Ask yourself when you high-step (or low-lunge, or mountain-pose) in front of Mirror, the newest and quite possibly sleekest addition to the home fitness game. Founded by Brynn Putnam, a former New York City Ballet dancer who created the popular Refine Method workout and studios in NYC, Mirror is exactly what it sounds like and so much more. Equipped with an LCD panel, stereo speakers, camera (with lens cap to ensure privacy) and speakers, an elegant wall-mounted or standing full-length mirror becomes an interactive at-home fitness instructor when turned on. With more than 50 offerings such as cardio, yoga, strength training, Pilates, barre, boxing and stretch workouts, users stream live classes or on-demand lessons personalized for preferences, goals and heart rate. “When I was pregnant with my son, I found myself increasingly busy running three businesses, and started to think about how to more effectively work out at home,” recalls Putnam, a Harvard grad who recently secured an additional $25 million in funding for the NYC-based fitness upstart. Not wanting to plunk down a big piece of cardio equipment in her apartment and finding existing streaming services on her TV or computer too awkward, non-immersive and not interactive enough, Putnam came up with the idea for Mirror, which retails for $1,495 plus a $39/month subscription fee. “It’s not a passive viewing experience like you would get with a television or phone. It’s interactive, and it optimizes in real time,” notes Putnam. “For instance, if you have an injury on your profile, it’ll suggest an alternate movement to accommodate that. Or if your heart rate is too low it’ll tell you to increase your effort or speed.” It even gives personalized shout-outs. Looking sharp! mirror.co Mirror can be wall-mounted or leaned against a wall.
NEW YORK
Luc Tuymans’ “Interiors” presides over the wood-paneled lounge.
A KNACK FOR REINVENTION Marigay McKee has a retail veteran’s instinct for what works, from investing in clothing and tech companies to decorating her New York City home in opulent style. BY HILARY STERNE • PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARILI FORASTIERI
When Marigay McKee was first starting out, as a shopgirl in the beauty department at Harrods, she had a ritual: to save up and buy herself one nice bag and one piece of jewelry a year—a Van Cleef Alhambra necklace, a Chanel caviar handbag—using her employee discount. Slowly, she built herself a wardrobe of investment pieces that she treasures to this day (as well as a Shih Tzu she also scored with her discount—“the most expensive Chinese takeout I ever bought,” she says with a laugh). And she’s still investing in fashion— but as more than merely a consumer. Along with a niche luxury consulting business, MM Luxe Consulting, which focuses on retail development and branding for companies from American Express to Blackstone Real Estate,
McKee poses with her Shih Tzu, Coco.
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she’s the co-managing partner of Fernbrook, a venture capital fund she started in 2016 with investment banker Bill Detwiler. Together, McKee and Detwiler find new, promising brands to seed in the fashion, beauty and technology sectors, and help to scale them—currently 18 in all. Included in their portfolio: Maisonette, children’s luxury brands and independent boutiques; Universal Standard, chic clothing in sizes 6-32; and Kano, a coding toy whose owners have pledged to donate it to disadvantaged children across the country. One thing she’s proud of: “Fifty percent of the brands we’ve invested in are female-founded and female-led.” She’s also proud of her firm’s ethical stance. “What’s important is to be authentic. To be relevant. Does [the
brand] mean something? Do the founders care about building community and bringing people together? I know I sound like I’m overly gushing, but I feel good about our fund. Because it’s focused on doing the right thing and making a difference.” McKee’s work keeps her on the road more days than she can count. But when she returns to her adopted city of New York, she takes advantage of one more investment—the pedigreed Gilded Age townhouse she calls home. Occupying 9,000 serene square feet between Madison and Park on the Upper East Side, it’s decorated in much the same way she dresses: Layered neutrals in grays, taupes, beiges and whites with pops of unexpected color (via the accessories: stacks of books, an impressive collection of contemporary artwork— thanks to her husband, financier Bill Ford, who is a serious collector) and textiles with a tactile appeal, such as velvet, fur and leather. McKee had a vision of exactly how
Clockwise, from above: A gray-on-gray palette defines the living room; the chevron pattern hide rug in McKee’s dressing room is from Room & Board; McKee calls the master bath her “haven.”
the place would look from the moment she saw it and enlisted the help of designer Nicole Freezer Rubens, whose work she encountered when she was house-shopping, simply to interpret her impressively detailed mood boards and iron out the details. “I have OCD,” she explains. “You open my beauty cupboard and it’s merchandised by brand, by color— my friends all laugh at me.” But that doesn’t mean she can’t relax. Her favorite room in the house? The bathroom, where there’s a huge tub (positioned in the middle of the room) and a mirrored desk, her favorite piece, which she inherited from her English grandmother. It’s come a long way, it’s both practical and stylish, and it possesses the sort of unmistakable sparkle and knack for reinvention that makes people take notice. It’s a lot like Marigay McKee. 163
NEW YORK
AT A GLANCE
Botanicals, a baseball legend, Broadway and more in your guide to can’t-miss events in New York City. BY LAUREN BRUCE DECEMBER 17
Bettina von Zwehl’s “Meditations in an Emergency, #5,” 2018
Epic Abstraction: Pollock to Herrera Large-scale abstract painting and sculptures from the 1940s to the 21st century will be on display at The Met. Tickets from $25. 1000 Fifth Ave., metmuseum.org
DECEMBER 21 Meditations in an Emergency German photographer Bettina von Zwehl presents 17 silhouette portrait photographs created to honor the 17 lives lost in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. $21. New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street), nyhistory.org
In the Dugout With Jackie Robinson: An Intimate Portrait of a Baseball Legend The first African-American major league baseball player is being honored on what would have been his 100th birthday with an exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York featuring personal photos of the icon and rare home videos of the Robinson family. Tickets from $18 (NY residents). 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, mcny.org
JANUARY 24 True West Ethan Hawke plays the lowlife and Paul Dano the
JANUARY 26-FEBRUARY 17 Wild Medicine in the Tropics The New York Botanical Garden studies the history of medicine through the lens of tropical plant life. From treating malaria with the bark of the cinchona tree to using rosy periwinkle in chemotherapy, NYBG considers the role that each featured flora plays in health. Tickets from $23. 2900 Southern Blvd., nybg.org
JANUARY 25-JULY 10 Implicit Tensions: Mapplethorpe Now Critically acclaimed and controversial artist Robert Mapplethorpe is the subject of this retrospective at the Guggenheim, which includes his early Polaroids, self-portraits and more. Phase two, opening in 2020, explores the artist’s impact on others inspired by his work. $25. 1071 Fifth Ave.,
FEBRUARY 13 Be More Chill Enter a musical sci-fi universe where new technology has created a drug 164
that makes people popular. After a sold-out off-Broadway extended run, the hit musical is causing many to ponder, “Would I take that pill?” Tickets from $49, Lyceum Theatre, 149 W. 45th St., bemorechillmusical.com
MARCH 15 Women of the World Festival W.O.W. was created to present discussions, workshops and performances involving the achievements of women around the world. Launching this year’s event at the Apollo Theater is Alice Smith, a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter. Tickets from $30. 253 W. 125th St., apollotheater.org
Courtesy of Bettina von Zwehl
JANUARY 31
guggenheim.org
screenwriter in this Tonyand Pulitzer Prize-nominated drama at the Roundabout Theatre, about family relationships and the American Dream. Tickets from $59. 227 W. 42nd St., roundabouttheatre.org
THIS IS GUILD HALL. Sofia D’Angelo, The Sectionals Young Musicians Unite for Gun Sanity
Photo: Ken Grille
BE HEARD Photo: Daniel Gonzalez
158 Main St, East Hampton, NY 11937
guildhall.org 631-324-0806
Photo: Phillip Lehans
Chad Smith, Scott Avett, Jon Bon Jovi, Seth Avett, Joe Kwon G.E. Smith presents PORTRAITS: Music and Conversation with Scott and Seth Avett
BE SEEN The Summit An experimental performance by Isla Hansen, Tucker Marder, and Christian Scheider
P L A Y Nusa Indah surfboard, Palm Beach in pink, from $1,085, nusaindahsurfboards.com
Courtesy of Nusa Indah Surfboards
“The inspiration behind our Palm Beach collection came from trawling through vintage Vogue archives.” —JADA MCNEIL, DESIGNER AND FOUNDER, NUSA INDAH SURFBOARDS
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RING LEADER
PURIST: What inspired you to start up your own boxing program? LA: I played football for Temple University and had a career-ending knee injury. After that, I started to gain a bit of weight and it was a scary time in my life. It takes you to a very bad place mentally, so you have to view everything around you positively to get out of it. I headed back to the local boxing gym, where I’d been training during my football career, and set out to lose weight and become a great fighter again. I eventually fought in the nationals and lost, but fought again two weeks after that and won. I decided to take that feeling of empowerment that I once experienced as a youth, to take my life back, and I wanted to spread it to as many people as I could. PURIST: What most excites you about expanding to NYC? LA: When I set out on this journey to the West Coast about 10 years ago, I left with a duffel bag full of boxing gear and not much else. I had saved up enough money for a oneway ticket and I came out west with the idea that I’m not going home unless I’m able to get to a positive place, turn my life around, and become a success story that I could use to inspire other people. I’m from the Poconos, about an hour outside of the city, so this New York expansion, in a place like the World Trade Center, is like my homecoming. PURIST: Tell us about Alpha, the digital wellness platform you recently launched. LA: It’s a 360 degree, fully innovated, wholistic lifestyle program allowing you to get everything that the studio has to offer—the coaches, the environment, the accountability— when you’re on the road. Through this program, we’re able to update and monitor the health, fitness and wellness of our clients both in and outside the studio. The wearable tech component is so important. If I have a student in New York right now while I’m in LA, I could chart how many steps they’ve done during the day. PURIST: What sets Gloveworx apart from the other boxing studios? LA: The leadership and the size of the sessions. I love that boxing has grown more toward the forefront of fitness, but like a lot of other fitness operators, you see boxing classes filled with 50, 60, 70 people sometimes. We cater to the needs of every individual, whether it’s an 80-year-old retired nurse or a football player just coming out of or into the NFL, and our coaches have been at a professional or Olympic-level themselves most of the time. They are cut from the cloth of the very best leaders, who have spent months learning how we deliver our methodology. When they deliver that methodology, it’s in an organized setting where you’re working out with no more than eight people in a lesson. We’ve seen all kinds of clients from all walks of life, from all situations, and it’s not necessarily all about what the activity is, it’s who the coach is. 185 Greenwich St., New York, gloveworx.com
Leyon Azubuike brings his LA-based state-of-the-art boxing facility, Gloveworx, to NYC this January, making it the first fitness studio to open at Westfield World Trade Center. BY CHARLOTTE DEFAZIO
Gloveworx founder Leyon Azubuike is a former pro boxer.
PURIST: When did you start boxing? Do you remember your first time in a ring? LEYON AZUBUIKE: I was born into a boxing family. The first time I was actually in a ring was at the age of about 12 or 13, but in terms of having boxing gloves on, hitting a heavy bag and watching fights, I was as young as 7 or 8 years old. As a kid, I struggled early on with confidence issues, so putting gloves on and having the confidence that I could protect myself, and that I’m doing something to better myself, was really empowering. 168
Courtesy of Gloveworx
P L AY
YE AR-ROUND SCREENING SERIE S
Acclaimed first-run art house, independent, and world cinema in partnership with Guild Hall in East Hampton.
N E X T U P. . .
MARIA BY CALLAS December 22 and 29
A D D I T I O N A L S C R E E N I N G D AT E S
January 5 January 12
January 19 February 2 February 9
February 16 February 23
Visit www.hamptonsfilmfest.org for tickets and info.
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Wellness in Wyoming means nourishing organic food, extraordinary energy work, massage, float tanks, and world-class yoga. BY AMELY GREEVEN
Neesha Zollinger, owner of Akasha Yoga
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort draws thrill-seeking skiers upward, but on the valley floor, a bevy of opportunities exist to more subtly recharge body, mind and spirit. “The Teton mountains emit a powerful frequency, which is partly why people are drawn here,” says energy healer Lori Reetz. “It creates a milieu for recreation, but also for restoring and reconnecting to yourself when you’re harried and stressed.” Whether après-ski or instead-of-ski entirely, it’s easy to create your own Wyoming well-being retreat.
EAT Get your glow on with nourishing elixirs (organic cold-pressed juices,
bone-broth lattes, ceremonial cacao) and high-vibration, vegetarian-friendly food at the cozy Healthy Being Café & Juicery, where colorful and warming organic food pops against the snowy canvas outside. 165 E. Broadway; hbcafeandjuicery.com
RESTORE Clear stagnation, dullness and unseen blocks to vitality with a nurturing energy-work session at Illumine wellness boutique, where practitioner Lori Reetz gently combines light- or no-touch modalities to help you release depletion, rediscover optimism, and even move out limiting patterns and beliefs. Crystals 170
MOVE Forgo the Cowboy Bar for a Candle Light Flow class or intimate Kundalini class at Inversion Yoga, 290 N. Millward Street, and feel the magic of moving your breath and body as snowflakes dance outside. To take your yoga practice to the next level, book a private session with globally-renowned teacher Neesha Zollinger or drop in to a class at her airy studio Akasha. 150 E. Hanson; neeshazollingeryoga.com. If you prefer to get your grrr on, let the superb strength and conditioning facility Gym 22 put you to the (well-supervised) test. 125 Scott Lane; gym-22.com
UNWIND Float your way past muscle soreness and mental strain in a podlike tank filled with buoyancy-promoting magnesium sulfate at Healing Waters. Cortisol reduction, sleep regulation, pain reduction and anxiety relief are just some of the float tank’s benefits. 250 Scott Lane; floatwyo. com. Jackson’s best-trained massage therapists can lift out any remaining tension at the Body Sage Spa, where every detail is masterfully designed to soothe, pamper and restore. 175 N. Jackson St.; rustyparrot.com/spa CONNECT From the Granite Canyon trailhead in Grand Teton National Park, let the mountains’ majesty silence your mind’s chatter. A snowshoe trek or cross-country ski to awe-inspiring Phelps Lake tells the soul all is well. nps.gov/grte Afterward, book a session in nearby Wilson with local-legend intuitive Kathie Chandler, who heals the body with crystal light therapy and—perhaps most famously—counsels on life, relationships and purpose. sacredmessagesjh.com
Andy Bardon, andybardon.com
ELEVATED CONSCIOUSNESS
and flower essences—and a post-session, serotonin-stimulating stop at the world-class chocolatier next door, Atelier Ortega (try the Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate)—add to the haven-like effect. 150 Scott Lane; lorilreetz@yahoo. com to schedule; atelierortega.com
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GREEN MOUNTAIN GETAWAY
Seesaw’s, a beloved 100-year-old lodge in Peru, Vermont, gets a full-scale renovation just in time for ski season. BY MICHELE SHAPIRO Instead, after paying $155,000 for the property at a bankruptcy auction, the Prins and two silent partners reopened the lodge in July, and the restaurant, Johnny Seesaw’s, followed in August. “People notice all the original details,” says Prins. “They see marble that was originally on the entrance wall, and The “Court” cabin, which gets its name pieces of a dartboard from the red clay tennis scattered throughout area it once sat behind the property. It’s like a scavenger hunt.” In addition to 16 rooms, three luxury cabins, and a seven-bedroom lodge, the property also features an event barn, which will house a yoga retreat in January led by instructors Georgia Reath and Katama Eastman. Attendees can expect yoga classes in the morning and snowshoeing (right out the back of the property and up Inside Johnny Seesaw’s restaurant the Appalachian Trail) or cross-country skiing at Wild Wings down the road in the afternoon, followed by late-afternoon yoga, massages and dinner in the lodge or at Johnny Seesaw’s. One thing you won’t find at Seesaw’s is a gym. “You don’t need one,” says Prins, “when there are so many outdoor activities year-round.” In her former life, Prins would tell clients to listen to their inner selves. “If you have too much outside stimulation, you don’t get the peace and quiet you need to reconnect with yourself,” she says. In its latest incarnation, Seesaw’s provides the perfect environment to do as much or as little as you please. seesawslodge.com
Wowed by its natural beauty, tranquility and access to year-round outdoor activities (fishing, kayaking and hiking in summer and skiing, snowshoeing and skating in the winter), more urban dwellers are opting for seasonal homes in Vermont. “It invites people to unplug,” says Kim Prins, PsyD, a psychologist who now serves as general manager at Seesaw’s Lodge, a nearly 100-year-old Peru, Vermont, property that recently reopened after a three-year renovation. “People come from the city and they love to breathe the fresh air and get outside.” In 2015, Prins and her husband, Ryan, moved from Curacao in the Caribbean to Vermont with the goal of finding a lodging property that Ryan, a contractor, could renovate. “We looked in a variety of places, including Stowe, Vermont, mid-coast Maine and Alaska,” she recalls. At the sight of the run-down Seesaw’s, they fell in love. “There’s something special about it,” Prins says. “You look northeast and see Magic Mountain, turn 45 degrees and you’re looking at Stratton. Behind you is Bromley.” Seesaw’s dates back to 1924, when it opened as a dancehall complete with “sin cabins” where guests relied on body heat to keep each other warm. In 1938, it became a ski lodge, a favorite of families returning year after year, and locals feasting on prime rib at Johnny Seesaw’s restaurant. Following several changes of hands, the lodge had fallen into disrepair, and was expected to be razed. 171
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to help the body maintain its optimal balance, so the immune, nervous and digestive systems work their best,” says Einhorn, adding that his near-obsessive sourcing of pure, potent herbs and ingredients from uncontaminated sources, plus the use of traditional extraction methods (not the toxic industrial methods used in so many herbs and spices today) is what gives the dark, thick elixir its superhero power. He taught Chin to stir Hanah One into his dawn-patrol mocha to make a medicinal coffee drink that is beyond bulletproof. “The results were consistent,” says the filmmaker. “My focus, energy, stamina and recovery increased. Despite my hectic travel and work schedule, I Jimmy Chin in the Coast Mountains of stopped getting sick.” British Columbia Einhorn then helped Chin bump up the results with his formulation of authentic cordyceps mushroom combined with eight super-potent healing herbs and minerals, made according to traditional Bhutanese medicine. While many cheaper versions of cordyceps are grown in labs from spores and can contain chemicals, only the wild-harvested kind confers the truly royal effect. (If cordyceps is lowcost, it’s probably not legit: Since this mushroom must be hand-gathered from ghost-moth caterpillars at elevations above 14,000 feet, it costs up to $20,000 a pound.) “I’ve tried all kinds of mushroom products, and this is the first time I’ve actually felt the difference in my energy, stamina and focus,” says Chin. As someone who makes his living by treading lightly in the most remote regions of the Himalayas shooting for National Geographic and making docs like the Sundance award-winning Meru, Chin says he also values Hanah’s ethical and sustainable sourcing from Bhutanese communities. Ghee, honey, herbs and fungi? Call it nature’s most addicting peak performance cocktail—whether you’re catching air on the slopes or juggling the demands of life down on terra firma. hanahlife.com
When mountaineer/moviemaker Jimmy Chin documented his friend Alex Honnold’s almost unfathomable rope-free ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan in his film Free Solo (produced with wife and filmmaking partner Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi), the no-room-for-error filmmaking feat demanded an extraordinary combination of capabilities: unwavering physical endurance, crystalline mental focus, and an unflappable response to stress. His secret weapon in this “project of a lifetime” endeavor? Not a super-engineered performance snack, as one might expect from a North Face ambassador who gets showered with the most advanced supplements on the market. But a rare medicinal mushroom found at the highest elevations of Bhutan, followed by a chaser of ghee-and-honey-based rayasana, an herbal tonic used for 5,000 years to support the body’s optimal functioning and resilience under pressure. Chin doesn’t take just any mushrooms and herbs. Through the extreme-sports grapevine, he discovered an upstart brand of botanical superfoods named Hanah made by athlete Joel Einhorn, who 10 years ago brought himself “back to life” after a devastating biking accident by using herbs from India’s ancient Ayurvedic tradition. Einhorn next devoted himself to moving wisdom of the past into the more-stressful-than-ever lifestyle of the present with Hanah One, a daily tonic of 30 herbs (adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich) to support peak performance, and is intended for athletes, desk jockeys and exhausted parents alike. “A rayasana is a vehicle for delivering nature’s most supportive ingredients into the body in a highly absorbable and bioavailable way using a rich and sweet base of ultra-pure clarified butter (ghee), wild-harvested raw honey and sesame oil. Used daily, it works cumulatively 172
@mikeylikesrocks
Mountaineer and filmmaker Jimmy Chin stays supercharged for winter expeditions with an impeccably sourced mix of adaptogenic plants. BY AMELY GREEVEN
COACHES
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Three wellness practitioners who inspire, heal and lead the way to greater health.
Sherman photo by Amy and Ryan White Photography; Corbin photo by Presa Hall
BY JULIA SZABO
KIRRA SHERMAN, INTUITION GUIDE, ASPEN
CHRISTINA WINTERS, FLOW COACH, NEW YORK
RONEL CORBIN, ACUPUNCTURE HEALER, MIAMI
Have you ever thought about someone out of the blue—and then that person calls you? Or perhaps, without having a blood test, you felt certain you were pregnant? “How did you know?” asks intuition coach Kirra Sherman, who empowers clients to transcend any circumstances, even the most difficult ones, by harnessing the power of “that inner truth you already know: your own intuition,” she says. “It’s there, a spark within you.” Eight years ago, Sherman recalls, her spark had flamed out. “I had all the trappings of happiness—a great job, a nice house and car—but I still felt something was missing.” After much searching, Sherman discovered how powerful it is to let intuition guide all decisions. Now, her job is to light others’ “deeper spark” by encouraging them to stay on the path of intuitive living. “It’s challenging, because it’s 180 degrees opposite to how most people live, making decisions based on judgments of circumstances. I help you realize that when you follow your intuition, you always have a sense of certainty.” thedeeperspark.com
When looking to hire an executive coach, it’s smart to seek someone who loves her job. Confident in her calling, Christina Winters, aka Flow Coach, is committed to help clients feel assured, capable and at ease with meeting challenges and attaining goals. “You cannot achieve success without happiness,” she explains, “and happiness comes from first identifying and then challenging your strengths.” And yet, many people don’t know what their top strengths are. Winters’ coaching process lasts 12 to 16 weeks, no longer—“I want clients to go out in the world and use the tools I’ve given them, not remain dependent on me”—and begins with a pre-coaching questionnaire to help determine core assets and values. “If you don’t know your strengths, the likelihood that you’re going to succeed professionally is very low,” Winters says. “That’s because happiness fuels success, not the other way around. It turns out that when we are happy, our brains are more creative, engaged, resilient, and productive.” coachtoflow.com
The world’s largest land mammal, the strong yet gentle elephant, teaches us how to thrive, and Ronel Corbin is an apt pupil: “I’m a study-holic,” says the acupuncture doctor, who sees 25 patients a day at her Florida practice, Healing Elephant Acupuncture & Wellness Clinic, then spends nights reading, to stay on complementary medicine’s cutting edge. “I have one lifetime, and my goal is to help as many people as possible with acupuncture and herbs,” Corbin says. Grateful patients, even kids, count on Corbin to resolve conditions most people don’t realize acupuncture treats, from asthma to eczema to cyclic vomiting syndrome. Corbin gamely changes up techniques based on individual need. To soothe needle phobia, she’ll deploy stick-on magnets that deliver “as profound a result,” says Corbin, who adds that her pachydermal spirit animal “reminds me to stay in a place of love and compassion when working.” With long life spans, elephants exemplify total wellness, which is Corbin’s aim for all who seek her care. healingelephant.com
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A by-the-numbers look at singer-songwriter, actress and mental health advocate Lady Gaga, whose Las Vegas residency, Lady Gaga Enigma, opens December 28.
61
3��
MILLION
Number of sexual assault victims who stood onstage with Gaga as she performed “Til it Happens to You” at the 2016 Oscars
68
Street in Manhattan where Italian restaurant Joanne Trattoria is located. It’s co-owned by Gaga’s parents and celebrity chef Art Smith.
10 Gaga wrote her hit song “Born This Way” in just 10 minutes.
“Every bit of me is devoted to love and art.” —Lady Gaga
HOROSCOPE: Lady Gaga, Aries, b. March 28. Lady Gaga is fiery, pioneering, bold and known for courage. Aries is ruled by the god Mars, which makes her stand out as a warrior and a champion for those less fortunate. But she has another side: her moon sign, which shows who you are in your private and intimate life. Her moon in Scorpio shows she is a lover, full of mystery, deep and dark. Scorpios have a reputation for being sexy and savvy. We can expect this icon to be recognized soon for all her accomplishments and hard work. Aries signs always emerge on top! —by Karen Thorne, karenthorne.com, @karenthorneastrologaie
Release year of the documentary film Gaga: Five Foot Two, in which she talks about about her fibromyalgia diagnosis
4
Age Gaga learned to play the piano. She wrote her first piano ballad at 13 and by 14, began performing at open mic nights in clubs and bars.
20 TWO
��86 6 Year Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (Lady Gaga) was born on March 28 at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City
2017
Number of Grammy Awards won by Gaga. She also has a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV movie for her role in American Horror Story
Number of children Gaga serves as godmother to. Both are sons of Elton John and David Furnish.
174
At 17, Gaga was one of 20 people to gain early admission to a music school at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She left after a year to pursue a career in music.
Photo courtesy of @leodicapriodaily; quote from Town & Country, Oct. 2017
Number of dollars that Gaga’s breakthrough film, A Star Is Born, has grossed so far worldwide.
Bridgehampton Compound Gary R. DePersia Licensed A s sociate Real E s t ate Broker m 516.3 8 0.0 53 8 | g d p@corcor an.com
Bridgehampton. Spanning 3.5 acres on two, sunset sited, contiguous parcels, a 9,000 SF, 6-bedroom traditional on three levels of living space holds center stage within an exclusive enclave of homes overlooking a 20-acre grassy reserve with views to the Atlantic Golf Course and the clubhouse beyond. This stunning Bialsky built retreat welcomes all into a dramatic great room with fireplace which will be the focal point for all your entertaining. An expansive kitchen is well equipped to provide meals that will be enjoyed in the dining area or outside under the covered porch warmed by its own fireplace. Nearby an informal living room will soon become a favorite haunt for reading or watching TV. A generous guest suite and powder room complete the first floor. Upstairs the expansive master wing ,offering sleeping chamber, luxurious bath and a fireplace gracing the sitting area reigns over 2 additional guest bedrooms, both with baths ensuite. Two additional bedroom suites await over the two-car garage. The finished lower level offers living room with media area, bar, 1,200 bottle wine cellar, expansive gym, spa-like steam bath and staff lounge with full bath. Outside, stone patios and a sea of lawn frame the heated Gunite pool with raised spa that looks out across the grounds to the contiguous 1.65 acres that is home to a sunken tennis court irrigated from below. The next owner could enjoy the property as is, create a compound by adding a guest house on this separate parcel or even find a buyer for this beautiful lot. Amenities include generator, Crestron system and full house audio. For the full story go to myhamptonhomes.com/103362 or call for an appointment. Exclusive. $10.75M WEB# 103362
Real estate agents affiliated with The Corcoran Group are independent contractors and are not employees of The Corcoran Group. Equal Housing Opportunity. The Corcoran Group is a licensed real estate broker located at 660 Madison Ave, NY, NY 10065. All listing phone numbers indicate listing agent direct line unless otherwise noted. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Corcoran makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice. All dimensions provided are approximate. To obtain exact dimensions, Corcoran advises you to hire a qualified architect or engineer.
P L AY
I’m going to propose something radical to you: What if you were enough? Right now, as is—completely enough. Really think about this. I want you to stop whatever it is you are doing, take a few seconds right now, sit quietly and try to imagine what that would feel like. Go ahead, I’ll wait. How did you do? Did you feel a deep sense of peace in your skin? A peace that was simple, yet profound at the same time. Or did you close your eyes and start making a list of what you needed to do to get there? A list of all the things you’d want to change about yourself; your hair, your weight, your skin, your cellulite, your life? Or could your brain not fathom the true meaning of you already being enough? In truth, that was my experience. Me, being completely enough? As is? In a world that benefits from us having low self-esteem, how could anyone truly feel that they are enough? Sadly, especially as women, we have been conditioned to not like ourselves. We are bombarded with images of thin, cute, skinny, all-American—a formula of what beauty and happiness is supposed to look like. With the added pressure of social media, showing us glossy, edited photos of perfect lives, we are made to feel even less-than. Then we have the pressure of the new, booming, overly saturated wellness industry, telling us that we are enough BUT only when we drink matcha, meditate, do CBD body scrubs, work out obsessively and put ashwagandha on everything. The list of what we should be doing, and buying, from every direction, to be happy, beautiful and more importantly “glowing” has become an endless road to true fulfillment. Right? Feeling fulfilled yet? I’m not suggesting self-improvement is a bad thing. What I am suggesting is that you take a look at where your need for self-improvement stems from. Is it a reflection of the information imposed on you from the outside world or does it come from within? More importantly, is it really needed? At this time of year, when everyone is putting their New Year’s resolutions in place, I ask you to add one more to the list. Anytime you criticize yourself, on any front, stop and say, I am enough. Anytime you reach to buy something to make you feel or look better, take a beat and say, I am enough. My hope is that if you say it every time it might start to sink in. I AM ENOUGH. That you, and you alone, flaws and all, are enough. That there is nothing outside yourself that you need. Nothing outside yourself to make you whole and no lotion or potion that will ever help you glow brighter than self-acceptance. This is radical self-care. This year, let’s get radical. Who’s in?
PURE LOVE Actress, author and health advocate Jennifer Esposito on the art of practicing radical self-care.
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