Now, three weeks into the school year, with several 50-degrees mornings, I can say fall is here. Since autumn officially starts this week, it’s time to pack up my summer wardrobe and change my beauty regimen. In celebration of the new season, here are some of my recent favorites and new finds to live clean in Connecticut this fall.
Health: A Healthy “Mocha,” Catch A Healthy Habit Café, Fairfield
I used to be a Starbucks groupie. In fact, when I traveled for business, I made sure I scouted out how to get my daily Mocha fix ahead of time. My obsession eventually turned into a pseudo-addiction to their White Chocolate Mocha and the Pumpkin Spice Lattes.
Now I steer clear of these. The sugar content in one small “pretty coffee.” as I used to call them, is around 40-grams each. To put it in perspective, a regular size Snickers bar has 30-grams of sugar; so these pretty drinks are pretty unhealthy. However, I found a replacement for when I’m craving that warm, sweet, morning drink: the Mushroom Elixir from the Catch a Health Habit Café in downtown Fairfield. Believe it or not, this date-sweetened, warm almond milk with pureed mushrooms beverage has a similar taste to my old favorite mocha latte. It’s worth a visit to check out CAHH Café for their unique raw menu, too.
Happiness: $5 Fresh Yoga Community Class, New Haven
There’s a lot of buzz about mindfulness in the news. I’ve found that it’s easiest to build the mind-body connection through yoga practice. For those interested in trying out yoga, Fresh Yoga in New Haven offers community Flow (vinyasa style) classes for $5 on Friday (4:30p) at their Erector Square location. This one-hour class satisfies the seasoned yogi as well as the beginner. It’s a perfect way to end the week and kick-off the weekend.
Beauty: A Touch of Bliss Organic Spa, West Hartford
My summertime look includes a big bun on the top of my head, lathered in coconut conditioner to keep it safe from the sunrays. I’m out and about in the sun daily; so I don’t yearn for skin treatment. However, now that windburn season is upon us, I’ll be checking out some organic spas. The first one that came to mind is A Touch of Bliss Organic Spa in West Hartford. I’m impressed with their use of organic products without harsh chemicals, preservatives, carcinogens and artificial dyes. Services include skin care, makeup, massage and holistic workshops.
I would love to know your thoughts and/or experiences on these places. Any favorites that compare?
