Fiercely dedicated to clean beauty and wellbeing, makeup legend Jane Iredale tells us her beauty secrets and gives advice on how to radiate from the inside out.  

Twenty-two years ago, Jane Iredale founded Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, one of the first-ever clean makeup lines. Since then she has continued to revolutionize the beauty industry by creating skincare products that nurture, not irritate, our skin. After debuting her Naturally Glam line and skincare supplements, I caught up with Jane to discuss the future of beauty, the importance of transparency, and how to properly feed our skin for a glowing complexion.

[This article is edited for length and clarity.]

Donna Sozio: How do you define beauty in the world and in yourself?

Jane Iredale: There’s beauty everywhere you look if you want to see it. For me, the key to finding beauty every day is to appreciate your life and life in general. I can look at a flower and be overwhelmed with a sense of appreciation for its beauty. I know it does my heart good and that must impact my health.

DS: What do you think is behind women’s fascination with makeup?

JI: Women frequently seek options to cover what they consider to be visually frustrating conditions like acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. Regrettably, they often make choices that are not effective and potentially make the problem worse. The most important thing for us has always been that our makeup looks so good on the skin but it doesn’t look like makeup.  It looks like your skin, only better.

DS: How important are skincare supplements and how do they promote beauty from the inside out?

JI: It’s now understood that you can effect just as much change in the skin, if not more, by feeding skin from the inside as well as the outside. This means eating well and supplementing your diet with food that the skin loves. It will reward you in many ways: clearer, smoother skin at any age; reduced breakouts, irritation and sensitivity; the skin will strengthen its protection from UV damage and it will glow with health. We can help this entire process with our complete range of nutritional beauty supplements that support skin health.  The success of Skin Accumax has paved the way for us with our consumer and partner base. They see how dramatic change can be with a supplement that specifically targets skin health. Our research-backed, ethically sourced ingredients which contain a synergistic blend of vitamins and plant nutrients perform at the very core of your skin, where topical creams can’t reach, leaving skin clearer, brighter, smoother and more youthful looking.

DS: What trends in natural beauty are you most excited about today?

JI: Right now there’s a large movement in “beauty from the inside out.” It’s not a trend, per se, but it’s an all-important and innovative advancement for the beauty world. We’re also seeing a rising consumer demand for transparency and understanding of ingredients used in makeup and skincare. This is a good thing, and I believe the mineral makeup category has helped to affect this change. We’ve listed our ingredients on our website from the beginning because we are very proud of our ingredients and the way we formulate. That sort of transparency is now very necessary.

DS: What do you wish conventional beauty companies would learn from clean and green lines?

JI: Mineral makeup is a healthy, skin-friendly alternative to traditional makeup. Not only does it provide superior coverage, but it is also UV protective, non-comedogenic and calms redness. Minerals allow the skin to breathe and function normally – a boon to all skin types but especially for those who are sensitive or suffer from acne or rosacea.

Furthermore, if it’s a good mineral makeup, it’s devoid of ingredients that sensitize the skin and cause problems such as blocking pores.  True mineral makeup should have protective qualities such as sun protection and antioxidants.  It will appear light on the skin but also give excellent coverage.  We do far more testing on our products than is required.  All of our products are tested for comedogenicity, sensitivity, and phototoxicity.  They are also dermatologist and clinically tested.  You can trust them.  But not all mineral makeup is created equal.  It’s important to look at the ingredients and the claims that are made.

DS: What are your summertime go-to products for a healthy sun-kissed look?

JI: Making healthy food choices are essential to achieving a natural glow. So I consider organic products an absolute must – preferably vegetables just picked from my garden. I don’t sunbathe so any sun-kissed look I have come strictly from my PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation and some Peaches & Cream Bronzer. Smooth Affair For Eyes in Gold on top of my cheekbones helps as well. I also place in the middle of my eyelids.  In the summer, I like to fill my lips with pencil and put a gloss on top. I almost always use Tantasia on my legs and arms. It’s highly moisturizing, smells great and is streak-free. I can deal with the pasty look in the winter, but it has to leave for the summer.

DS: To you, what does it mean to be fearless?

JI: I suppose it means not allowing fear to hold you back from something that you want to do.  I think everyone feels fear.  he question is whether you allow the fear to get the better of you. Perhaps “fearless” should be defined as the ability to go beyond the feelings of fear.

DS: Rather than a “flawless look” how can we use makeup to bring out our best?

JI: Makeup is about self-expression. Use it to do just that. You will be at your best if you project to the world an image of who you truly are. Of course, that also means getting comfortable with who you truly are. That’s beyond the ability of makeup.

Find Donna on Twitter and Instagram

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Wondering where in Hawaii you can get some island alone time? Kaua’i’s Kukui’ula is the magical Hawaiian vacation you’ve been looking for, with all the right touches to make it feel like your own private getaway.

I long for the Hawaii of my childhood. Barefoot all day. Outdoor showers. Bumping along dirt roads en route to hidden beaches. Cracking open liliko’i (passion fruit) picked right off the bush. I miss those carefree days where all I needed was the wind in my hair and the ocean at my feet. But I’m older now, and I look to a vacation for as much adventure as – if not more so – rejuvenation.

Not being the typical resort-type, I’m always on the lookout for unique residences that offer that barefoot-all-day, wind-in-the-hair feeling that relaxes my mind and rejuvenates my soul. Kukui’ula, on the island’s south side, delivers just what the vacation doctor ordered. It is the perfect Hawaiian marriage between land and sea.

The Farm at Kukui’ula

A recurring theme of your stay at Kukui’ula is to connect back to the earth. Open daily you’re invited to get (red) dirt-y and visit The Farm. Lean up against the giant ear pod tree and when you’re finished hugging it, look over the reservoir for a fresh new green perspective on life. Then channel your inner forager and get busy selecting the tender greens that Chef Ben Takahashi will serve you under the stars.

After a stunning sunset, twilight, moonrise, and finally a sky full of unending galaxies, you’ll wonder if stardust was the magical ingredient to a sublime evening that you don’t want to end. Interestingly, Lono, the Hawaiian god of peace, is also the god of growing things. Yet, another reason why it’s so important to connect with nature while on vacation. Get your sneakers dirty. At The Farm, you’ve got 13 acres to explore from the mountains to the shoreline.

Wellness Retreats

Kukui’lua and The Farm are so inspiring that plant-based lifestyle entrepreneur Matthew Kenney choose it to launch the premiere of his weeklong mind/body wellness program. Led by Kauai native Wellness Director Jacyn Fainby a yoga, fitness, and plant-based living expert, guests were treated to a daily routine of blissful yoga and meditation. Along with curated plant-based menus harvested from The Farm and daily adventures the likes of ocean paddleboarding, island excursions, surf lessons, lei-making, and Hawaiian inspired spa treatments.

“The program that Director Jacyn Fain has built utilizes talented yoga and meditation experts who will guide guests on their journey to peak mental and physical wellness,” Kenney explains. “Combined with a delicious and beautiful plant-based diet, we believe we are providing an integrated experience like no other in the world.”

Make the Walls Disappear

A throwback to yesteryear’s Hawaii, Kukui’lua brings you back to the elements. With a meditation garden, en plein air dining, outdoor spa treatments and beachfront fire pits for traditional Hawaiian storytelling, Kukui’lua is all about natural inspiration. Add in the sunset rituals and salt water infinity Makai pools and you might never want to hear the word “carpet” again.

In Hawaiian aloha means hello and goodbye. Which is the cycle of life. One door closes to open another. Yet, I believe that when we leave, sometimes we can keep the door open to come home to. Especially, at Kukui’lua.

Find Donna on Twitter and Instagram

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Step inside the Radisson RED, a hip millennial haven with a fierce commitment to local talent, fashion, music, and art. 

Art. Fashion. Music. Apps. A Tesla Powerwall Battery. What more could a millennial want? Ahem, authenticity. The Radisson RED Brussels — affectionately known as “The RED” — delivers just that along with a healthy dose of eco-consciousness. This un-hotel lifestyle brand is a self-proclaimed revolution that aims to disrupt the conventional hotel industry. There’s no staff but a Cast of Creatives. Forget a front desk. And the concierge is 100 percent virtual. Expect the unexpected. You’ll never see even a hint of beige at the Radisson RED. Even their website professes we hate dull.

In a time when the hotel industry hopes to capture the attention of millennials – which all too often becomes a gimmicky marketing cliché of itself – the Radisson RED Brussels brilliantly pulls it off, brings the fun, inspires creativity, and delivers hospitality via an app.

Sans a front desk, the Creatives (staff) offered a warm welcome and within minutes, I was in my keyless room digging into the sweet His and Her amenities. After a quick refresh in the artfully tiled bathroom, I headed out for the day. But I didn’t get far. The RED’s lobby sucked me in. There was much to explore in this private gallery with monthly installations. It’s the “social hive” of the hotel, where local art, fashion, and music curated by Cristabel Cabanier collide. A lobby DJ set the beat while I braved the Tinder Couch and graciously received a green light. The board room table transformed into a ping-pong table for an impromptu game, and the artists were milling about engaging in fresh conversation about city art and inspiration.

Eventually, I did make it out the lobby doors to discover Brussels and found myself smack in the city center next to Place de Luxembourg and the Royal Quarter. Brussels’ well-heeled French air perfectly mixes with a funky alternative bohemian vibe. Some might call it culture clash. I see it more as a fusion of opposite flavors perfectly blended.  As fortune had it, that weekend was the multi-cultural Zinneke Parade. The streets were filled with parading troupes of costumed musicians, dancers, and entertainers of all ages grooving to a Bohemian beat. I explored the old market hall and crowded bars of St-Géry square where locals and tourists alike basked in the sun enjoying Belgian blonde beer. Then there’s Rue Antoine Dansaert where I discovered alternative fashion pop-up boutiques and marveled at the gilded 17th century Grand Place. Not to mention, the elegant Les Galeries Royale Saint-Hubert.

Back at the RED, I flopped on the comfy bed after a fun but quite long day out. With the RED app, I synced my iPhone to the 50″ flat screen TV and watched a slideshow of pictures from my day. I also dipped into the minibar for one last glass of champagne. Rooms are light, bright, and of course, red and artsy. The 149 studios are equipped with free-flowing high-speed Wi-Fi, and an app that manages check in, room service, restaurant reservations, and check out. Technology is definitely part of the experience. Yet I didn’t feel that I missed out on the personal touches that make a hotel stay my home-away-from-home.

A fierce advocate for global street art, the Radisson RED’s artist of the month is Alice Pasquini, whose art is seen both in galleries and on city walls. Both a street artist and classically trained painter, the Roman-born Pasquini says in her interview with Radisson RED that her creativity “is influenced by many things—the light and the colours of the surroundings (one of the reasons I paint during the day), the people who pass by and their reactions, the fragility of the surface, and spontaneity of my stroke (necessary due to the rapid action). I usually pick walls that are already beat up, often already built up with tags. The scars of the city make the best canvases.”

It’s not only art that Radisson RED Brussels is passionate about. Count in fresh and organic cuisine. Brussels’ burgeoning foodie scene is represented at the OUIBar + KTCHN and their Van Rouge Food Truck. I caught breakfast at KTCHN and it was excellent. Quite the opposite of a dreary hotel heating lamp buffets, breakfast was made to order and was European perfect. Crusty artisanal bread, poached eggs, and creamy cappuccinos that rivaled my favorite coffee bar in Rome. The freshness and quality of the ingredients shone through and set a high bar for hotel breakfasts.

Extra perks for Radisson RED Brussels guests are free parking (seriously, what hotel in a city center offers free parking? Talk about a hotel revolution!), and for a few extra euros, bring your pooch.

Whether you find the Radisson RED Brussels’ “ageless millennial” hotel concept gimmicky or it’s music to your ears, the truth is that the RED brand brings the fun and is worth a stay. With the American flagship newly opened in the art mecca of Minneapolis, more Radisson REDs are landing soon in Miami, Capetown, Glasgow, Portland, and Campinas.

Go RED for a day. Be bold. No boundaries. Be sassy. Express your style. And see what happens. If you’re not already, you just may become a RED convert, even if, like me, you’re a non-millennial.

Find Donna on Twitter and Instagram

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Images via The Radisson RED Brussels 

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Here’s why Santa Barbara is about to become your go-to California weekend getaway. 

Affectionately known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara is a traveler’s delight. It’s easy to navigate and perfectly situated between the beach and mountains with ocean views galore. Don’t forget about wine country, horse country, sailing, surfing, Spanish colonial architecture, historic hotels, and those charming red tile roofs perfectly contrasted against white stucco walls. An oceanfront city, Santa Barbara is quite a beauty. Toss in an au courent farm-to-table dining scene – there is much to love about this historic small-ish town that is anything but sleepy.

Voted “30 Best Small Cities in America” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards, here are five reasons why Santa Barbara might just grab hold of your heart and not let go. (Sorry, San Francisco!)

1. Dog & Horse-Friendly Beautiful Beaches

With miles of golden sand and endless ocean views, no wonder Santa Barbara was voted “Best Beach Town” by Sunset magazine in 2015. It definitely doesn’t disappoint. There are plenty of outfitters who will help you up on a horse to ride off into the sandy beach for sunset. A local’s favorite is dog-friendly Butterfly Beach in Montecito. Or head over to Arroyo Burro Beach and keep your eyes on the water for breaching whales and jumping dolphins.

And if horses aren’t your thing, stay beachfront at Bacara Resort & Spa. Nestled between the Gaviota Coast and Santa Ynez Mountains, stroll along its Cliff Walk to the waterline and along the nature loop to its picnic area. Join in Bacara’s oceanfront yoga and a fit tour for a land or ocean adventure with onsite lessons and rentals.

2. An Urban Wine Trail in a Historic Downtown

Santa Barbara’s relaxed beach vibe makes its way into its wine scene in its historic urban wine trail. There’s nothing stuffy going on here. You’ll sip, swirl, and taste some local favorite varietals while rubbing elbows with friendly locals who know the winemaker by her first name. Tasting rooms are charming with stucco walls, winding narrow pathways, red brick tiles, and bursts of color from magenta bougainvillea. Head to Margerum and try one of their organic wines from its La Encantada Vineyards. Margerum’s elegant French-style whites and reds are so drinkable all day long. But pace yourself. And leave a few tasting rooms to try when you come back. There are more than thirty after all.

3. Stunning Historic Hotels

If you love Spanish colonial-style architecture, you’ll never want to leave Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara. Just opposite Montecito’s Butterfly Beach, it’s an iconic hotel that gives you the feeling you’re walking through a 22-acre botanical garden with colorful tile fountains and majestic palm trees. At night, Ty Lounge transforms into a magical throwback to the 1920s with Moroccan carpets and massive glass chandeliers where you can dine on Spanish tapas by candlelight or next to the fire on its ocean view patio.

4. Surfing, Sailing, and SUP

You are going to get wet in Santa Barbara. There’s no other way around it and soon you’ll have sun-kissed skin and hair. The Santa Barbara Adventure Company is your gateway to ocean adventures and The Channel Islands. SUP, kayak through ocean caves or take a surf lesson. And there’s no better way to see the coastline than from a mile out to sea on a sailboat. The Santa Barbara Sailing Center has boats for rent and experienced captains for hire.

5. Car-Free Collaborations

Santa Barbara’s “Car Free-dom” initiative makes leaving your keys behind easier than ever. Just pick up the Car Free map that lays out bike paths, electric shuttle services bus lines, and the famous Red Tile Walking tour that winds you through the most beautiful points of interest downtown. Amtrack Pacific Surfliner provides service from San Diego and San Luis Obispo, where you’ll arrive in a beautifully restored historic train station. Bring your bike onboard and you’re good to go. Also, it pays to go car-less. Between train discounts and hotels offering car-free packages with complimentary pick-up from the train station, free use of electric bikes, and other incentives, Santa Barbara makes it worth your while.

And if you absolutely, can’t leave the car at home and you drive an electric vehicle, the eco-award-winning Santa Barbara Ramada has a (guilt-free) electric charging station.

Find Donna on Twitter and Instagram

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Santa Monica is a mecca of beach chic, creativity, eccentricity, and quite possibly the detox capital of the world. 

Ah, Santa Monica. The home of public beach clubs, ocean view community parks, the LEED Gold Certified Santa Monica Place, miles of bike paths, golden sunsets, transformational candlelit spin classes, and a renowned farmers market that recycles and composts everything. One of the ten greenest cities in the U.S., you’d have to try really hard not to become one of those smiling happy healthy people drinking a green juice with a skip in their step.

istockphoto/Melpomenem

Here are five not-to-miss Santa Monica landmarks that make this chic, green, and eccentric beach city internationally loved.

1. The Annenberg Community Beach House 

image via Annenberg Beach House

Well, hello five acres of oceanfront property all for you. And when I say you, I mean everyone. It’s public. Just north of the Santa Monica Pier, you’ll find the LEED Gold certified Annenberg Community Beach House that uses, get this – recycled jeans for insulation. Which just brought denim to yet another level of cool.

For a nominal fee, take a dip in the original marble pool where the Hollywood crowd once rubbed elbowed and hobnobbed in ’60s-style bikinis. Who cares about the free Wi-Fi when you can surf, swim, stand up paddle, play beach volleyball or get a dose of beach literary culture with its Red Hen Press poetry readings?

When the hunger pangs strike, relax on the sandy oceanfront patio at the Back to the Beach Cafe. Nosh on seasonal offerings as you drink in ocean views and marine layer permitting, even Catalina Island.

2. LEED Gold Certified Shore Hotel

image via Shore Hotel 

Perched on Ocean Avenue, the LEED Gold certified Shore Hotel has just the right vibe to get the party started, beginning with an upbeat lobby soundtrack and your complimentary glass of champagne upon check-in. Upgrade to an ocean view room with a stellar balcony. Talk about unobstructed views, you can see ocean waves break through the floor-to-ceiling glass shower. Its 164 guest rooms are all eco-conscious and come stocked with environmentally friendly hotel amenities.

If you don’t take a dip in the ocean, enjoy the Shore’s outdoor pool and indulge in a cocktail or two. Hungry? Dry off and walk twenty feet to Blue Plate Taco for some tasty organic Mexican cuisine. While you’re here, why don’t you join the Santa Monica fit crowd? Sign up for The Shore’s “Metox” Wellness Package that includes: two nights, the Beginner Clover Cleanse, a 60-minute Custom Remedy Massage or Superfood Facial from Alchemie Spa, and yoga at YAS. Before you know it, you’ve become one of those happy healthy people, too.

3. FIG Restaurant at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel

image via Fairmount Miramar Hotel

A beloved favorite of both locals and visitors alike, FIG, at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, has just the right beach vibe that hooks you in for lunch and makes you want to stay for dinner. Born in Lebanon, Executive Chef Yousef Ghalaini is a regular at the renowned Santa Monica farmers market sourcing the best organic local ingredients for his menu including a beloved cheese bar. Working his magic with a wood-fired oven, Ghalaini creates exotic bread balloons with Mediterranean spices and authentic pizzas. A vegan’s delight is his slow roasted savoy cabbage with tomato fondue and pine nuts. While the wood smoked manilla clams are so good that you won’t want to share.

If you’re looking for even more nighttime fun, mosey over to the ocean view Bungalow. Just walk past the stunning fig tree and down the lighted path to what that feels more like your new best friend’s epic beach house than a popular bar. Fire pits, a custom ping pong table, a great group of friends, and seriously crafted cocktails is the right recipe for an amazing night out.

4. Hotel Casa del Mar

image via Hotel Casa Del Mar

Not your typical hotel, Hotel Casa del Mar is an oasis of ocean views, Mediterranean dining, and live music with a fun meet-and-greet lobby bar vibe. Recently renovated by the legendary Michael S. Smith, the lobby lounge features floor-to-ceiling windows and striped indoor cabanas create a sexy relaxed atmosphere. While elements of wicker, glass, rattan, ceiling fans, and aqua tile perfectly tie together a sophisticated beach look.

At the Terrazza Lounge, you’re in in the talented hands of executive chef Gemma Gray. Hailing from Salamanca, Spain, she creates dishes that are what seafood dreams are. Order the yellowtail crudo. And a must-try is the seafood pasta in a spicy tomato sugo. You could travel the entire Mediterranean trying to find a dish this good. But, why? When it’s right here in Santa Monica. Tapas Night at the hotel is rumored to be quite a party. Every Wednesday, Gray displays her mastery in Spanish cuisine and no one goes home hungry.

If you’re in need of “me” time, Casa del Mar’s spa calls you. Designed by eco-elegance guru Rachel Winokur, you’ll be transported to a stunning, sustainable and fair-trade world of relaxed golden glamour before and after your massage.

5. Shopping on Montana Avenue

image via The Detox Market 

There’s not much more charming than shopping in one-story converted boutique bungalows with secret gardens in the back. Its European vibe sets the tone for tree-lined Montana Avenue. Attracting the creative healthy crowd, make sure to head to The Detox Market for the best in organic beauty and Larrisa Love Cosmetics. Her scented candles are quite a local’s favorite.

You’ll find plenty of outdoor cafés to choose from like Kreation, where they make their own almond milk. And if you’re feeling naughty, visit Sweet Lady Jane Bakery even just to drool in front of their glass counter filled with delicious pies, cakes, and tarts.

Oh, if you see anyone with large dark glasses and a floppy hat, underneath all that anti-glamour is a bonified movie star. And a fun game to play is to ask anyone working on a laptop how their script is going. Chances are you’ll receive a very detailed answer.

Find Donna on Twitter and Instagram

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Why just go on vacation when you can take a soulful journey on a yoga retreat and have the adventure of a lifetime?

Enter the La Paz SUP Social Good Retreat. Curated by retreat leaders extraordinaire Michelle Gierst and Juli Schulz, their annual ocean adventure yoga retreat is designed to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Gierst and Schulz invite yogis to “to play in the ocean, unwind, think big, share ideas, stretch, grow and be creative”. Held in La Paz, Mexico on the magical Sea of Cortez, this yoga retreat leads you through a magical five-day journey of heart-centered yoga, SUP, an epic boat trip, and social good.

Here are 5 ways to get your mojo back at the La Paz SUP Social Good Retreat.

1. Take Your Yoga Practice to the Next Level

Imagine a sunrise meditation followed by oceanfront yoga in a traditional Mexican palapa where you can de-stress, let go, and reconnect to your body. Or join the afternoon SUP yoga session and let those negative ions have their way with you as you float upon the calm azure blue waters of the Sea of Cortez. Led by Gierst, a certified yoga, pilates, and SUP instructor, she’s a proponent of “FloYo” – floating yoga. This meditative practice allows you to set your intention and tone for the day and return to a balanced mind-body connection.

2. Be Inspired by the Magical Sea of Cortez

The Sea of Cortez is a marine wonderland. Jacques Cousteau described it as “The natural aquarium of the world”. It’s a protected sanctuary where you can see (but not touch) incredible marine biodiversity. You’ll travel aboard a private boat with Fun Baja Eco-Adventures, watch whales breach, dolphins ride the bow, and mobula rays leap out of the water by the hundreds. Not to mention a visit to Isola Espiritu where playful sea lions swim next to you and might even tug at your fin. And if you’re up for the adventure, snorkel with whale sharks. These gentle giants, up to 40-feet long, feed only on plankton, and to catch even a glimpse of one is a memory of a lifetime. Schulz, the yoga retreat’s eco-guide, ensures everyone is safe and having fun. Especially, those snorkeling for the first time or who aren’t used to being in the water. No matter your aquatic ability, you’ll be mesmerized by the beautiful coral, abundant sea life, and surreal coastline.

3. Indulge in Conscious Luxury at Costa Baja Resort & Spa

Five-stars, baby. And yes, you are worth it. Part of the retreat is to surround yourself with conscious luxury and beauty that reflects the stunning Sea of Cortez. In La Paz, there is no better hotel than the boutique luxury Costa Baja Resort & Spa. Situated on an island about twenty minutes outside of La Paz, it’s surrounded by tranquil azure blue water. Where the desert meets the sea, the multi-level waterfront resort has jaw-dropping views around every corner. Stretched along a stunning white sand beach, the most difficult decision of the day is deciding where to relax? At the Beach Club, in a hammock overlooking the ocean? The infinity pool? On the white sand beach? Or under the shade of a palapa? Decisions, decisions. All the while Costa Baja Resort is known for its integrity and commitment to its staff and sourcing sustainably to protect the wild and wonderful Sea of Cortez.

4. Energetic & Spiritual Healing at Espíritu Spa

The Espíritu Spa at Costa Baja Resort is no ordinary spa. Its Holistic-Reiki concept focuses on balancing energies through aromatherapy, local healing herbs, ancestral techniques, and custom elixirs. Therapists use a biosensor to select the right blend of oil to use with your treatment to open energy centers and stimulate not just relaxation but also energetic healing. Treatments are ritual-based from traditional healing techniques, including prayer. Try the Espiritu Ritual, an “ancestral experience” with energetic cleansing, that incorporates a massage with lemons and chakra balancing. The Damiana Ritual is a rejuvenating full body massage and herbal wrap with oils to restore energy. While the Liberation Ritual helps you release negative emotions from the past via Reiki, Ho’oponopono, and healing stones. So, which Espíritu Ritual is right for you? Ask one of the spa’s healers and they’ll guide you to just the right experience to rebalance and harmonize your subtle energies.

5. Give Back to the Local Community

A treasured experience of the yoga retreat is giving back to the community. Retreat leaders Schulz and Gierst connected with Care for Kids La Paz, where donations ranged from solar lights and school supplies to cash donations. A heart-centered highlight was an outing to the Care for Kids center where Diane Bleck of The Doodle Institute hosted a doodling session that broke the language barrier as guests and local children connected through the universal language of creativity and color.

If you’re looking for a heart-centered yoga retreat to reconnect with your soul and re-affirm your deepest intentions while having an aquatic adventure, the La Paz SUP Social Good Retreat is it. Sometimes you have to get away to reset your focus and adjust your perspective. But, it’s always worth it. Every time.

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The post Reboot Your Mojo with a SUP Giveback Yoga Retreat in Mexico appeared first on EcoSalon.

Ever want to get away where you can enjoy an endless coastline by day and immerse yourself in a chic city vibe by night? Say hello to San Diego. 

Spectacular beaches, mouthwatering cuisine, marine preserves, art, culture, and an eclectic nightlife, San Diego has it all. Here are five reasons why San Diego just may be California’s best beach town.

1. The Best Mexican Food, North of the Border

Less than an hour drive from the Mexico border, San Diego has some seriously delicious Mexican restaurants. Bracero Cocina de Raiz, a sexy downtown hotspot with sweeping city views, celebrates its culinary heritage with a fresh modern twist. Think fresh masa, a (sustainably caught) raw fish bar for tiraditos and ceviche, albacore served two ways with a lime salsa verde and acorn squash in mole negro. Most plates are meant to share. But with flavors so bright and fresh, you might have to negotiate who gets the last bite. A word to the wise, when the waiter says the salsa is hot, believe it. One drop can make you cry. To cool down the heat the ever-popular Javier Wallbanger is the perfect libation.

Then there’s Puesto in La Jolla where Chef Luisteen, a self-proclaimed “tacoteur” has reimagined the traditional Mexico City-style taco to make your taste buds sing. At this taco lover’s dream, all salsas and tortillas are made from scratch, proteins are sustainable including slow-cooked guisados, and Taco Tuesdays are elevated to an entirely new level. Puesto has a curated tequila program that will take conventional tequila permanently off your palate. Add in housemade aguas frescas and wines from Valle de Guadalupe region of Baja and you won’t go thirsty.

For more casual beach dining, Pacific Beach Fish Shop serves their award-winning TKO taco with grilled mahi-mahi topped with house made tropical mango salsa. Mix and match (sustainably caught) fish with different marinades to create your own taco masterpiece.

2. The Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa

Ever wanted to be completely surrounded by views of water? Well, you can at the Catamaran Hotel and Spa, especially when you request a bay view room. A beloved San Diego favorite, it’s a staycation hotspot for locals. A California Green Lodging Program member, the hotel keeps its operations green so that the ocean and sky stay blue. A tropical Polynesian-themed hideaway in Pacific Beach, the Catamaran is pure bliss that puts an all-day smile on your face. Think palm trees, tiki torches, koi ponds, waterfalls, waterfront fine dining, sunset concerts, luaus, a bay view jacuzzi, and fire pits.

Mission Bay is the Catamaran’s backyard and the Pacific Ocean is across the street. Surf in the ocean or sail and paddleboard in the bay. Or rent a bike and cruise the boardwalk. It’s all at your fingertips. Then at sunset, soak in a bay view hot tub. Or rub elbows with locals at Moray’s Bar and enjoy a refreshing libation as the sun drops amongst tiki torches and fire pits. For dinner, mosey on over to Oceana Coastal Kitchen for delicious California cuisine. If the waterfront dining doesn’t already hook you, its seasonal menu with fresh seafood from the Baja and the Pacific will. Don’t forget the spa with holistic rituals and energy treatments such as Shiatsu and The Ancient Ocean Ritual. That after-spa feeling and bay views are what vacation dreams are made of.

3. La Jolla, Sea Bluffs and Sea Lions

There’s so much to do in La Jolla, you might never want to leave. La Valencia Hotel’s ocean-front terrace restaurant, THE MED, is the perfect place to start. It’s an authentic taste of San Diego’s old world Spanish charm. The restaurant boasts a sumptuous sustainable seafood menu and an extraordinary wine list. Don’t miss the roasted cauliflower, daily crudo, or the giant locally sourced Mediterranean mussels. Count La Valencia in for nightlife, too. Live music and bespoke (plant-based) dinners are just a few events that keep the hotel on the pulse of La Jolla’s nightlife scene.

Next, you’ll want to walk over to La Jolla’s children’s pool on the bluffs overlooking the azure ocean. Where you’ll see naturally comical sea lions frolicking in the water and napping on the rocks. If you’re feeling adventurous, get in the water with Everyday Calfornia’s kayak and snorkel tours that will take you through the La Jolla Ecological Reserve where you’ll see the stunning coastline from the water, dolphins cruising by, and bright orange garibaldi swimming through the sea grass. Then, catch a wave back to shore.

When booking a room, stay in the pet-friendly boutique Empress Hotel. Centrally located, it’s just a block from La Jolla’s sandy bluffs and a few minutes walk from quaint coffee shops, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and a plethora of excellent restaurants. Recently renovated, the Empress has a sophisticated ocean theme and offers an app for an effortless stay. Ask for the jacuzzi suite and enjoy soaking in the tub with an ocean view.

Although not on the water, lunch at The Farmer and the Seahorse is not to be missed. Under the helm of award-winning chef Brian Malarkey, it’s an eccentric whimsical space that offers not only a culinary adventure but also a lifestyle experience. You’ll be invited to a pickup game of bean bag toss in an adjacent colorful garden. Inside is just as eccentric with a silver Airstream trailer casually parked amongst the tables. Try the local’s favorite butternut squash lasagna with ricotta, kale, and mushrooms. It’s worth coming back for.

4. L’ Auberge Del Mar, Casual Coastal Chic

If you’re not already staying at the historic L’ Auberge del Mar, treat yourself to eco-luxury at one of the “Best Luxury Resorts” on the Condé Nast Gold List. Committed to being clean and green, its spa exclusively uses Osea organic products. And its restaurants Coastline and KITCHEN 1540 share a vertical, hydroponic garden showcasing herbs and flowers used in the menu and cocktails. While Coastline is ocean-front casual al fresco dining, KITCHEN 1540 exudes an elegant artsy vide. Relax in the open-air lobby lounge or walk up to the upper deck where a charming row of white wooden rocking chairs await to relax into while you watch the sunset.

A day spent in Del Mar is a day well spent indeed. With Del Mar Village just across the street from the hotel, you’ll always get a bird’s eye view of Del Mar’s gorgeous coastline. Take a walk along the Scripps Bluff Preserve with an infinity view of the Pacific and inland lagoons and see the sky speckled with hot air balloons. It doesn’t get much better than this.

5. Get Wet with Surf Diva

Who is the best surfer in the water? According to Surf Diva, it’s whoever is having the most fun! Owned and operated by twin sisters Izzy and Coco Tihanyi, Surf Diva has been sharing the stoke of learning to surf for over 20-years. Based in La Jolla Shores, you can book a private lesson with an encouraging and enthusiastic surf instructor who will do everything in their power to ensure you stand up the first time. The occasional beginner’s face plant is well worth the high of gliding with the wave. While Surf Diva began as an all-women surf school, they quickly became a La Jolla institution and now offer all levels of surf lessons to everyone. And actively support charities focused on education and female action sports services.

Related on EcoSalon

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Forget the crowds and never ending lift lines of spring break skiing. There’s a new way to enjoy both the sun and snow and have the whole mountain to yourself. Backcountry skiing is it.

Think blue skies, a few key friends, a gregarious and trusted guide, and wide open bowls that are just for you – where you’ll whoop with joy all the way down.

There’s just one catch. You earn your turns. Meaning, you climb the very mountain you ski down. It’s not as hard as you think, doable for every level, and totally worth it. (Unless of course, you take a snowcat or helicopter up as some terrain is inaccessible otherwise).  After backcountry skiing, you come back forever changed, craving the silence, unfettered glacier views, endless power turns, and perfect spring corn.

In Europe, backcountry skiing is more a long-held tradition than an extreme sport. What seems like endless trail systems link mountain huts where you bunk for the night and tour over the backs of glaciers. Backcountry skiing certainly weeds out the wimps. Just please keep this in mind: backcountry skiing is no joke. It requires extensive knowledge, experience, and equipment to stay safe and have fun. Which is why you absolutely want to hire a guide.

So, ready for the adventure? Here are three backcountry ski tours that offer you what might just be your best ski trip ever.

1. Ski With Kim

A longtime ski pro (and two-time World Extreme Skiing Champion) you’re in good hands with Kim Reichhelm who is ready to stoke you out on a backcountry ski adventure. Even though she’s a pro skier, you don’t need to be one. Reichhelm has taught thousands of women to own it on the slopes. In fact, it’s her 29th season hosting empowering women’s ski clinics. Heralded by Skiing Magazine as of the Top Influential Skiers of all Time, have all the confidence in the world while she guides you on a backcountry ski adventure in Telluride featuring steep and deep terrain. And (helicopters necessary) backcountry skiing in Alaska or in exotic Greenland. When the North American skiers are mourning open bowl powder turns, Kim heads south to Portillo, Chile.

But it’s not always about the skiing but also how the experience shapes you and gives you a new outlook on life. As one of her guests put it, the trip is “much less fear and way more adventure!”

2. Mono Country with Sierra Mountain Guides

While most skiers are already huge fans of Mammoth Mountain, what they don’t realize is that the surrounding Sierras have seriously amazing backcountry opportunities. Think easy access to soaring peaks, open bowls, and perfect spring corn. The record-breaking snow this season in the Eastern Sierras promises excellent backcountry skiing conditions that could run well into summer. Sierra Mountain Guides offer backcountry skiing adventures from Lone Pine to Yosemite and the Sawtooth Range. Dedicated to “connecting people to the mountains”  seasoned local guides customize each trip’s level and length (including multi-day) to your group’s expertise. Brush up on your technical ski skills at their Women’s Backcountry Skills Weekend. And if you aren’t up to skinning up the mountain, High Sierra Snowcat and Yurt, based out of Virginia Lakes, will whisk you up in a snowcat for a magical overnight stay and early morning powders shots.

3. Leave the Boys Behind

Focusing on women’s backcountry skiing adventures, Leave the Boys Behind was the brainchild program of Aspen Alpine Guides where women can have “outrageously fun experiences in the wilderness where the pressure from the boys is left at home.” Designed by women for women, the custom backcountry skiing tours take you through the winter wonderland that is Aspen, Colorado. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced backcountry skier. Aspen Alpine Guides have you covered with just the right level of adventure and most importantly fun.

Ready to try backcountry skiing?

Here are a few tips to make it a truly epic (and safe) adventure.

Get fit! Backcountry skiing requires top condition in high altitude. Start training early. You won’t regret it.

Master your ski technique in all conditions. There are no groomers backcountry and conditions can be variable. Once you go up, there is only one way down.

Don’t skimp on gear. Shovels, peeps, and more. It’s the mountains after all. And you want to be prepared.

Get avalanche training. Guides do their absolute best to predict the safety conditions of the terrain. But nature can be unpredictable and slides do happen.

Get a guide. Backcountry skiing is always safer and more fun with a guide.

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Images via Ski with Kim, Aspen Alpine Guides, Sierra Mountain Guides. 

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Looking for a fabulous food and wine festival where the best all-star chefs and mixologists come together under one roof? 

These food and wine festivals are jam-packed with celebrity chefs, top entertainment, zero-waste efforts, and some seriously fun fundraising that makes the price of the ticket totally worth it. If you’re a culinary conscious foodie looking for a good time, you’ll love these food and wine festivals.

1. The Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival

For four days and nights, the Los Angeles Food & Wine festival spreads its wings hosting bespoke and eclectic red carpet events. Indulge in culinary delights such as satellite festival dinners and lunches at iconic and trendy restaurants in Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Venice Beach with an intimate behind-the-scenes presentation by chefs the likes of Stepanie Izzard and Antonia Lofaso.

Saturday night’s LIVE on Grand with Tyler Florence is a classy urban date night red carpet affair under the modernist backdrop of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Custom lounges serve mixologist masterpieces made from organic spirits such as Diplomatico rum. While the legendary hip-hop trio De La Soul added just the right beat to top off the night.

The all-star chefs certainly take their epicurean delights seriously. But not themselves! Starry Kitchen’s Nguyen Tran served tofu balls in a banana suit. And whimsical Instagram photo opportunities abounded in custom-styled lounges.

The Lexus Grand Tasting at Barker Hangar was transformed into a food wonderland and featured conscious chefs such as Matthew Beaudin. Executive Chef at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, he spearheads responsible fishing practices. One must-try dish the crowd couldn’t get enough of was the halibut with pineapple and rice noodle from Charles Phan. And Stephanie Boswell, executive pastry chef at The Peninsula Beverly Hills created a colorful sky-high edible extravaganza of stunning desserts.

But, the sweetest part? The Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival has impacted charities nearing $750k total over the past 6 years including The Boys and Girls Club, CASA, Make a Wish Foundation, Meals on Wheels, and Share our Strength, among others.

2. Field to Fork at The TASTE

On Labor Day weekend the Paramount Studios Backlot transforms into a foodie paradise for the Field to Fork event at the Los Angeles Times THE TASTE. Award-winning restaurants, master chefs, mixologists, and vintners come to dazzle conscious foodies with new tastes, textures, and flavors.

Hosted by LA Times food editor Amy Scattergood and Michael Cimarusti of Providence, this culinary celebration brims with demos and panel discussions by celebrity chefs focused on farm fresh locally sourced ingredients. Fans of artisan grains ate up Scattergood’s panel featuring Nan Kohler (Grist and Toll), Alex Weiser (Weiser Farms), and Roxana Jullapat (Friends and Family). All the while, guests nosh on fresh locally sourced dishes and organic spirits. A few favorites were Mionetto prosecco and refreshing cocktails featuring Ocean Vodka. Gastro-pub Manhattan House dazzled with a re-imagined bruschetta embracing Chef Diana Stavaridis’ seed-to-plate philosophy.

3. L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade

This star-studded, informal, family friendly, picnic-style “cookout” is just as serious about fun as it is about fundraising. Think sunshine, tender grass under your feet while being face-to-face with your favorite chefs the likes of Susan Feniger (Border Grill), Jeremy Fox (Rustic Canyon), and Ray Garcia (Broken Spanish). To pair with all the mouthwatering cuisine, superstar mixologists create specialty cocktails. Not to mention more than thirty vintners pouring all afternoon so you can raise your glass to support a great cause.

Hosted by Chef Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne (Lucques), the event raised $4.2 million for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to fight childhood cancer. When it’s auction time, keep your ears open as the superstar chefs often spontaneously offer themselves as a surprise private dinner ticket item. So, put your money where your mouth is and join than 2,000 guests, 100 chefs, mixologists and winemakers who come to together for a good cause and a great time.

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Images courtesy of The Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival, The TASTE, and Alex J. Berliner/ABImages

The post 3 Eccentric Mission-Driven Food and Wine Festivals Only in Los Angeles appeared first on EcoSalon.

Want to satisfy your wanderlust for pristine nature and authentic culture in a conscious way? Then get onboard a luxury eco cruise!

These days a cruise can be a dirty word with the horrendous pollution that commercial cruise ships create. But lucky for eco-adventurers, now your visit to a delicate ecosystem won’t actually damage it. These three cruise adventures to the Galapagos Islands along the Mekong River, and through the Peruvian Amazon, show the industry how luxury, nature, and sustainability can truly co-exist. Savvy eco-travelers can have the experience of a lifetime and travel to exotic destinations with these companies leading the way in responsible ecotourism practices.

Rest assured, you’ll still get all the travel perks of luxury cruising: one-stop planning, expert guides on board, unique itineraries, amazing up close and personal views, fabulous meals, private excursions, and best of all… you only have to unpack once.

1. Aqua Expedition: Aria Amazon, Peru

This three- to seven-night eco cruise takes you on an extraordinary adventure through the Peruvian Amazon full of natural wonders. Think early morning bird watching, close encounters with pink dolphins, flying fish, jungle walks, squirrel monkeys, exploring tributaries in skiffs, and shooting stars at night. And that was just the first day.

Fresh from a revamp in 2015, the Aria Amazon is full of plush lounges and a stunning observation deck. Even when you’re inside, you’ll never miss a river view with its floor to ceiling windows. The boat itself was the masterpiece of Peruvian architect Jordi Puig. With sixteen Design Suites, four interconnect for families, this stunning floating luxury eco hotel offers guests chic understated comfort that seamlessly blends with nature.

Guests are spoiled with five-star Peruvian cuisine created by executive chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. Don’t be late for dinner served al fresco or in the dining room as menus include ingredients found only in the Peruvian Amazon. While guests relax and enjoy the wonders of the Amazon, the crew and Aqua Expedition team work behind the scenes with local environmentalists to preserve the health and bounty of the Amazon. One recent endeavor was helping to restore the threatened taricaya turtle population.

2. Aqua Expedition: Aqua Mekong, South East Asia

It’s your choice to cruise up or down stream on the Aqua Mekong for seven to three nights along the magnificent Mekong river through Vietnam and Cambodia. While on the water, you can relax in the outdoor pool, indulge in a traditional Southeast Asian massage in the spa, or soak up the sun on the observation deck.

Stay on board or head out for an excursion. Bike along the banks of the Mekong, tour the jungle with a local guide, and explore remote Buddhist monasteries and traditional river villages. You can even kayak to a floating market where traditional silk weavers sell their wares.

You get all this and sustainability programs. Besides being fuel efficient, the ship engines are virtually smoke-free to minimize impact. Expedition skiffs have ecologically sound outboard engines certified by the California Air Resource Board. And local initiatives include conservation, education, community outreach, sustainable job creation and philanthropy partnerships.

3. Ecoventura: MV Origin, Galápagos Islands

Based in the stunning Galápagos, award-winning Ecoventura works hard to create and maintain a safe and sustainable fleet of luxury expedition yachts where adventurers and nature enthusiasts can experience one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. Its newest, the hybrid MV Origin, has onboard hammocks, lounges, and panoramic stateroom windows.

With its Smart Voyager voluntary ecological certification, carbon emissions are both offset and reduced. Its dedication to support the community isn’t just hype. For a decade, Ecoventura has partnered with Gotitas de Esperanza (Drops of Hope) and sponsored teachers’ salaries at the local high school. It also works with the non-profit, Pack for a Purpose, where guests bring much-needed supplies for local community needs like health and education.

You can choose between two unique seven-night itineraries full of custom guided walks and hikes, snorkeling, sea kayaking, and zodiac rides to explore mangrove estuaries, coves, and caves. Bring your camera everywhere. The wildlife viewing opportunity is one of the best in the world. You’ll see whales, dolphins, orcas, sharks, and massive schools of golden rays. Not to mention the famous Galápagos giant tortoise.

If you’ve never snorkeled with marine iguanas or sea-lions, this is your chance. The world’s smallest penguin is also a must see. When it’s time to relax (even wildlife sleeps) enjoy the open bar, sumptuous meals, and soak in an outdoor Jacuzzi while the sun sets.  And if you prefer an “all women adventure week“, well, Ecoventura offers that as well.

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Images courtesy of Ecoventura and Aqua Expedition 

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