Last year, I had the good fortune to be able to break a little from my touring and from my regular recording routine and take a short song writing trip to a studio deep in the backwoods of Long Island’s famous Hamptons district.
It was a much more relaxing setting than my own studio in Los Angeles, and it allowed me the time and space to recuperate while working. The studio is always an intensive schedule for me, but being in touch with nature, I found time to breathe the air and get more sleep than usual. It was wonderful to wake up in the morning to a chorus of birds singing and feeling refreshed. I also took more of my exercise outdoors, and got creative with healthier cooking and spa treatments.
I wanted to try to bring some of the experience home with me, and make it a part of my regular schedule. This wasn’t an easy task, but I did come up with a few things along the way that I have been able to make work within my busy day to day life.
One thing I love is detoxing treatments. I added this simple detox bath to my beauty routines two or three times a week. It leaves you feeling wonderful, as it releases the toxins and aids restful sleep.
Ginger Epson Salt Baking Soda Detox Bath:
- 2 cups baking soda
- 2 cups Epson salts
- Add two tablespoons of grated fresh ginger or ground ginger powder
Get the tub as hot as you can stand it and add all the ingredients. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes. If you have trouble relaxing try taking a book or an ipad / smartphone with you and read or catch an episode of your favorite show. Have a clean robe ready to cover yourself when you get out. You’ll find you continue to perspire long after you get out. Drink plenty of water during the soak and afterwards to replenish your body and avoid dehydration.
I also really got into clean low calorie meals. These are a couple of my favorite recipes that are delicious and guilt free!
Fresh Shrimp Salad with Feta and Dill on Endive:
- 3 endive, I also like to use the purple endive
- 2 tbsp. lime juice
- 1tbsp fresh dill
- 4 tbsp Feta
- 1/2 cup small cubed cucumber
- 1/2 cup small cubed red pepper
- 1/4 tbsp Himalayan salt
- 1/8 sweet paprika
- 1/4 tbsp black pepper
- 10 medium shrimp chopped
For the best shrimp I recommend poaching them yourself in a bouillon but to save time you can always buy them poached already from your local market.
If you are poaching, combine:
- 5 cups water to boil
- 1/12 white wine ( optional )
- 2 carrots chopped
- 1 head garlic chopped
- 2 stalks celery sliced
- 1 small onion diced
- I lemon squeezed and then added into the pot
- 1 bay leaf
- A few sprigs of fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp whole peppercorns
- 2 tbsp Himalayan salt
Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 min. Clean and de-vein the shrimp.
Turn the heat off and place the shrimp in the bouillon. Stir the shrimp into the bouillon, after a couple of minutes they should turn pink. Cook for a further 2 1/2 minutes. Drain the shrimp and allow them to cool. Dice Shrimp and add into a bowl with the other salad ingredients.
Mix thoroughly and serve into the endive leaves.
White Bean Comfort Soup:
- 1-16 oz. can small white beans rinsed
- 1 white onion chopped
- 3 stalks celery diced
- 2 carrots sliced thin
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tbsp cumin
- 1-1/2 tbsp coconut oil
- 14 tbsp Himalayan salt
- 1/8 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups spring water
- 1 cup roasted salsa verde
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice from 1 orange
- 1 tbsp orange peel
- Fresh cilantro
- 1/2 avocado
- Dollop Plain Greek yogurt for garnish
- Chopped Avocado for garnish
Heat the coconut oil in a large pot over a medium flame. Sauté the onions, garlic, celery and carrots until soft. Add the cumin, salt and cayenne pepper and stir into the sautéed vegetables. Add the broth and water and simmer gently for 30 minutes. Add the beans along with 2 tbsp of chopped fresh cilantro and simmer for a further 10 minutes. Finally add the grated orange peel, the fresh orange juice and the roasted salsa verde. Simmer again for another 10 minutes. Serve with plain yogurt and chopped avocado. It’s yummy, filling and actually good for you!
