From Jetlagged to Red Carpet Ready in 60

Lie flat seats and liters of water can help offset some of the effects of jetlag, but even these cushy perks don’t guarantee that trans-con doesn’t screw with your body clock or sap your skin. Upon touching down on any trip, feeling energized and looking alive can take daysss. Lucky for us, we’ve discovered Los Angeles’ beautiful people go-to for looking and feeling paparazzi-ready in just 60 minutes: Leaf MD’s signature Vitamin IV Facial.  

The Hack: IV Vita-Infusion facial at Leaf MD, Beverly Hills

HOW IT WORKS

The skincare and medical teams at Leaf MD developed the combo Vitamin IV and facial treatment to help busy execs, celebs and travelers look and feel their best in just 60 minutes. The vitamin IV is a tailored Meyers Cocktail combining vitamin C, B-complex and boosters such as calcium, magnesium and glutathione; the facial is customized based on skin type and often includes microdermabrasion, facial massage, extractions if necessary, serums, a customized mask and cryotherapy.

THE EXPERIENCE

Upon checking in at the buzzy but discreet office, resident RN Joy Edwards administers the nutrient IV drip, while in-house para-medical aesthetician Maya Zeineddine preps your skin. Once you’re hooked up and those anti-jetlag nutrients are direct lining (you’ll know when you taste the B vitamins), Joy will leave you to your facial and check in every 10 minutes or so to make sure all is okay. The nutrient IV drips for about 45 minutes, but you forget it’s there after the first five or so minutes and just relax and let Maya do her magic.

THE RESULT

I tried this facial after returning from a long haul in economy. In-flight I tried my best version of Lisa Eldridge’s brilliant plane beauty routine, but stepping off the plane my skin barely looked alive and my energy reserves were I think down to fumes. The treatment itself was really relaxing, and afterward I felt a little sleepy from the magnesium, and still super relaxed from the skin treatment. I did not feel ready to run a marathon at all, but my skin felt so soft and looked plumper than it had in a long time. After a casual dinner with a friend and an early night in, I woke up the next morning feeling like a new woman: extra energized and body and face both felt hydrated and majorly glow-y. Hydration, check. Energy, check. And bonus: you would never have been able to tell my face has spent 12+ hours in Economy.

WHERE TO FIND IT

The buzzy Beverly Hills office is discreetly located at 436 North Bedford Avenue, #104, naturally tucked away along Beverly Hills’ posh cosmetic dermatology row and just behind brow guru Anastasia Beverly Hills. It’s just under 13 miles from LAX, which means about 30-48 minutes, depending on traffic. Also, walking distance from nearly any Beverly Hills Hotel. How much? $295

WHERE ELSE

New York

Dr Virginia Wade offers a IV Vitamin Fusion and Oxygen Therapy
How much? $300

We’ll keep an eye out for other cities!

A healthy escape to Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

Welcome to The Weekender, our weekly discovery of unexpected, active-luxe weekend destinations to recharge and not apologize for dietary restrictions.

Credit: Alexis Daggett

Seaside tennis and clean fine dining less than an hour from SF

Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is home to all of the resort luxuries we never knew we needed: personal fire pits, a Crossfit instructor chef leading a fine dining restaurant and award winning tennis courts perched right above the ocean. Just 25 miles south of San Francisco International Airport, 30 miles south of San Francisco proper and 43 miles from Mineta San Jose International airport; Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is not much further than most people’s morning commutes.

Settling In

Book a Guest House Fire Pit Room, Check in on a Friday afternoon to settle in and watch the sunset over the water at the property’s Ocean Terrace. Grab your glass and head to the room for a moment of peace and quiet, fireside. Throw on your resort casual best for dinner and head to The Conservatory, a gorgeous open dining room with floor-to-ceiling views of the water.

Clean Eating

Chef Dela Cruz prepares traditional California farm-to-table cuisine using community grown produce and, because he moonlights as a Crossfit instructor, is more than happy to whip up super clean off-menu dishes for the dietarily restricted. Dine on a tweaked version of menu items that depending on the season may include a vegan sauteed red quinoa pilaf with carrots, spinach and sunchokes topped with a wonderful spicy garlic aioli made super creamy by blending mixed tofu with roasted garlic. Naturally, the wine list is a perfectly curated selection of mostly Northern California wines. More surprisingly, many of the cocktails are made using live herbs grown on The Conservatory’s living wall, just one of many nature-luxe elements in the dining room. After dinner, walk back to the in-room fire pit/private patio for a little cocktail nightcap or a glass from Eno wine bar and nod off to total quiet.

Getting up and out

Open your eyes just enough to whip up a pot of in-room coffee, then perk up, suit up and head down to weekly Saturday morning Surfset class on the Ocean Lawn. Cooler weather moves class to the Observatory Room. After class, check out Navio’s breakfast spread whose plant-based options include a green smoothie, oatmeal and local fruits. Or head 10 minutes inland to the local Half Moon Bay farmers market. Grab some fresh as can be produce (this is an ag town, after all), and a few healthy treats, like vegan truffles.

Cardio with a view

Head back to the resort for a running map, a set of complimentary bike rentals (book these in advance), or guide to local hikes recommended by the property. A short, scenic choice might be the Devil’s Slide Trail, which is 1.3 mile area of up and down Route 1 to breathe in the coastside air and get a peek at the local marine life.

Checking out the town

The hotel seems to have a solid monopoly on solidy health fare in town, but for an afternoon escape try lunch at Half Moon Brewing Company for a local vibe, but bring a protein if you’re plant-based, as vegan options are limited. Or try the newer Via Uno for the kale salad and wood-fired pizza. If it’s gorgeous outside, pop back to the property to rent complimentary rackets and tennis balls from the front desk and check out the six on-property tennis courts, reservations are included in the resort fee.

To reward yourself for a match well-played, check into the resort’s spa for a bodywork session or the signature Tatcha Pearlescense facial. Take a steam, head back to the room and nap it out for a few. Don’t worry about getting ready for dinner - keep the robe on and order in-room dining from The Conservatory or Navio.

Checking out

Sleep in, read, then after checking out, try a walk down to Main street for a coffee like the locals do it. Head back to the airport or drive home about 1000% more rested than when you arrived.

What to pack

The property supplies complimentary bikes, tennis rackets and maps for running and hiking.

If you're planning on dining off-property at all and happen to be vegan, bring some bars and/or protein powder as it’s tough to find vegan protein in town. It’s easier to be gluten-free here. Bring your best resort casual: long skirts, dark jeans, flats and sweaters for the oceanside chill at night.

The World’s Healthiest Cocktail

 

Myers’ Cocktails are not just a handy solution for too many vodka sodas in Vegas, though they can be an awesome way to kick a hangover. John Myers developed his namesake cocktail in Baltimore to help treat chronic health issues by intravenously administering megadoses of nutrients. Devotees claim benefits like hydration, energy and supercharged immunity, which to us sounds like a perfect antidote for travelers looking to shake the jetlag haze.

We sought out San Francisco Myers’ Cocktail expert Dr. Carl Hangee-Bauer of San Francisco Natural Medicine, a naturopath working in SF for over 20 years, to fill us in and let us take one for a spin.

How it Works

The whole process takes around an hour. Depending on the amount of fluid being administered and the body’s absorption speed, you could be sitting with your IV and dripping anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. It would be easy forget your veins are being pumped with nutrient goo if not for the slightly sleepy feeling the magnesium can cause, and more strangely being able to literally taste the drip contents once they hit your bloodstream - it’s the B vitamins, and they taste sort of metallic.

What’s in the bag

The Myer’s Cocktail has no one size fits all recipe. The balance of vitamins is dependent on the patient receiving the drip, but it generally includes some mix of Vitamin C, glutathione, magnesium, B complex and a handful of supplemental nutrients. The ratios of these and other nutrients are customized based on the patient receiving the drip.

Many naturopathic doctors, including Hangee-Bauer, can offer a totally tailored Myers’ Cocktail for regular patients, and for visitors traveling through SF a travel-specific mini-Myers’ that would include a blend of nutrients for immune support, fatigue and balancing energy levels.

How does it feel?

Awesome. After the mini-Myers I tried (which dripped for about 30 minutes), I felt a little sleepy for the first hour. Then fine. The next day I felt amazing - lots of energy, powered through workout and felt that I had a particularly easy time getting to bed. I traveled the next day and though it was just a short trip I felt pretty energized. I would totally do it again, especially before departing on a long haul trip, or the day after returning from one.

Delta One: Plant-based dining in Delta's New BusinessElite Cabin

Three courses of plant-based dining, lie-flat seats and free access to the Oscar nominees I’d forgotten I wanted to see is exactly what the doctor ordered when stuck in the air for 6+ hours.

Flying between JFK and west coast hubs LAX and SFO is no longer an opportunity for an easy comp upgrade to Biz Elite for medallions. Diamonds and platinums can use a regional upgrade certificate for the bump, but it’s no longer an automatic move, even if space is available. Based on the last-minute popularity of business class with the NY-based, black card-booking jetset, JFK no longer feels the need to give them away to coach-paying frequent fliers. That said, the new-ish Delta One cabin seats, amenities and meals that come with them are totally worth the 12.5k miles for a one way upgrade.

The set up is lovely - Westin’s Heavenly comforter and pillow set and the bottomless bubbles are a welcome touch on nighttime flights. Aside from privacy when applying face sheet masks, at least for adventurous and dietary restriction-free among us, dining can be the most important part of any in-flight experience. So, how did Delta do working a vegan meal into their Michael Chiarello-designed BusinessElite menu?

Aside from not having a printed card of what was actually served, pretty great.

The Meal:

Mini salad with cucumbers and tomatoes

sliced oranges, honeydew and grapefruit

Vegetable platter with chickpea salad, curried lentils, roasted yellow squash and asparagus

falafel patties, steamed green squash, sauteed spinach and roasted sweet potato slices

No vegan dessert so I went for a glass of wine instead

All in all, I returned home not starving, rested and with zero back pain. Delta One is a lovely way to unload a few miles in exchange for comfortable travel between coasts.

Laying Over in... Los Angeles

Three hours or more between flights? Make a run for it! Unless you’re a devoted lounge junkie, there’s next to no excuse not to escape the gate and explore a little. Grab a cab\Lyft\Uber\Zipcar and hit the town if even just for a quick meal or neighborhood walk. If you’re headed out on an international journey and need to re-check bags, re-check ‘em before you head out or store them in a locker. Especially when you’re in a total wellness hotspot like LA!

Despite the traffic-packed, always under construction LA freeway system, if the time of day is right it’s really not all that bad. Just hop on the 405 and have GPS take you to your hip hood of choice, almost any will have some stylish healthy options. The current Well and Away favorite is Venice, mostly because every healthy dining desire can be fulfilled within a two block radius.

Moon Juice

This place will ruin 99% of other smoothie/juice/raw bars out there. It’s that good. Once you go Moon Juice, you’ll be ordering moon dusts and milks from their site like the apothecary maniac you never knew you were.

Cafe Gratitude

Raw vegan pesto with zoodles. Or a full on plant-based antipasto plate. And a tiramisu that might make you think ‘Venice Italy, meh, it’s not Venice Beach’. And the people watching is on point. The only possible catch depends on your openness to entrees as affirmations: each menu items here are inspirational affirmations. You’re in Venice. Just go with it and remember how much nicer it is being told ‘you are radiant’ than grumbling to yourself at the coffee bar about having zero access to carageenan-free almond milk.

Groundwork Coffee

Cruise down Abbot Kinney to peep the Warby Parker store, the new Vince shop (summer, 2015), women’s clothing retailer Heist and a bajillion other adorable, spendy souvenirs. Stop at Venice’s original hip coffe joint Groundwork for some of LA’s best iced coffee.

Spontaneous Adventuring

If you're looking to do more than just eat healthy, yummy food in Venice while people watching, some easy LA resources include LA Weekly and C Magazine. If you're looking to book a last minute gel manicure or Pilates class close by but don't know where to go (or don't want to spend half your trip budget during a layover), Groupon's Things to Do in LA section just got a nice refresh and has a wealth of unexpected offers.   

Eight Healthiest Travel Apps For Happy Trips

Lyft, Uber, airline carrier, Airbnb, a translation app if voyaging over seas… these bare necessity travel apps. Once you’ve got those bases covered, the below apps will keep you feeling healthy, happy, pampered and well fed throughout any trip.

ClassPass - Unlimited indie fitness studio access

If you’re a member at home, your Equinox GM can ring up the GM where you’re headed and request to put you on the list. If you’re either not an Equinox member or would rather check out indie fitness studios, check to see if your destination is a ClassPass city. $100 for a month gets you unlimited classes at a number of cool, local studios.

Living Social - Rub that jetlag out at a steal

Wanting to be spendy on dining hotspots, indulge in a little shopping and get a taste of local pampering? Living Social is a go-to for booking nearly any spa service in case of mani-emergencies, tight shoulders from long haul in economy, or just because you’re on vacation and deserve it. Great deals, reviews to tell you who’s a winner and who’s a pass and geo-info so you can make sure they’re close enough to the hotel.

Style Seat - Get styled by local cool kids

Similar to Living Social in what it solves for the beauty-focused traveler, Style Seat features a few cooler spots than Living Social vendors - but the hipper vibe means these spas and salons are in no need of knocking off a few bucks.

EatWith - Eat, drink, turn strangers into friends

Restaurants are fun and fabulous and checking out the scene of a new locale is always a highlight of a new trip. But what if you want to connect with real locals, dig into food as authentic as sitting in someone’s own home, bring a bottle of wine from home and share with new friends? EatWith is like OpenTable for home cooks’ actual homes. Pick a cuisine, date and byo!

Nutrimatix - Like an extra posh Emergen-C

Download this one before you pack your bag for personalized, individualized vitamins/supplements. Like Emergen-C and your multivitamin got together and made high quality, filler-free, orange-tasting vitamin babies.  Answer a questionnaire on dietary restrictions, what your workouts are like and how much of the day you’re attached to a desk - and Nutrimatix will whip up one month’s worth of bespoke supps. Just toss enough of the individual packets to last your trip into a ziploc and you’re set.

FitStar - No excuses hotel workouts

If your on-the-road, in-room workout program could use a little inspiration, FitStar offers both a personal training app and a yoga app. Classes are led by athletes and fitness celebs, including Tara Stiles (!), and can be tailored to any level - from beginner to machine. There is a free version for access to one workout per week, and a paid version for unlimited access to personalized sessions and ‘Freestyle’ sessions for either $7.99 per month or $39.99 for a year.

Calm - Meditation app

If either you’re waiting for a last minute deal on hotels, or freaking out about maybe having to cancel a non-refundable vacation to accommodate a work trip - Roomer’s peer-to-peer hotel marketplace is an awesome little hotel booking secret. Score last minute deals on amazing rooms while at the same time helping out a fellow traveler; or post your room to Roomer if instead of a ladies weekend in Miami you now have to do trade show duty in Orlando.  

Vivino - Find the right local wine

In a new place and want to order something delicious and local but don’t know where to start? Or just want to make sure you’re not paying an arm and a leg over retail price for whichever local tipple this ends up being? Vivino’s wine list scanner can scan in near any wine list and provide crowdsourced reviews from over ten million users (so you need not default to second cheapest wine), and average price (so you know the real value of your buzz).

The best airport smoothies to power your flight

Finding nutrients at an airport can be like trying to find this season’s latest at Nordstrom Rack. HARD. So we asked Jamba Juice’s Healthy Living Council ambassador Tara Gidus, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN what are her go-to smoothies when she’s traveling between Jamba’s homebase in Oakland, California and her own home of Orlando, Florida (she’s the team dietician to the Orlando Magic).  

Go-to in-transit smoothie?

I typically travel once a month for a few days each time. My favorite is the Apple ’n Greens Fruit and Veggie Smoothie made with apple-strawberry juice, bananas, kale, mangos and peaches.

How can travelers get a complete meal out of a smoothie?

I love an all-fruit or Jamba Fruit and Veggie Smoothie with added soy protein. You can also add chia seeds for extra fiber, omega-3s and a little bit more protein. The Amazing Greens whole food nutrition smoothie is also outstanding. It has pumpkin seeds, lemon, banana, greens, and the blend of flavors is amazing! Nutritionally, it has 11 g protein and 5 g of fiber. The protein and the fiber help to delay how quickly blood sugar will rise in response to taking in the sugar from fruit.
 

But what if an airport is Jamba Juice-less?

I always recommend getting a combination of fruits,veggies and protein. Look for a salad with a protein, or a sandwich on whole grain with fruit on the side or veggie, or a bean-based soup.

WHAT ABOUT EATING IN FLIGHT?

I always have almonds or pistachios on me to eat in-flight. I usually also have a variety of bars and try to bring fresh fruit, depending on where I am originating (if from home I can bring fruit, not always available if coming from hotel, etc). On long flights, I will bring a sandwich or something more substantial from home. I also make sure I have a nice meal before heading out, either at home or the hotel, or once I get to the airport if it's going to be a long flight.

Anything new that we should keep an eye out for on our next airport Jamba run?

Jamba has a history of improved, better-for-you products such as the new Make-It-Light smoothies.Their whole food nutrition smoothie line, too, is made with whole food ingredients like kale, carrots and chia seeds.

Any vegans on the Healthy Living Council?

Venus Williams, tennis star and Grand Slam champion, Jamba Juice franchise owner and member of Jamba’s Healthy Living Council – follows a vegan diet. Her favorite smoothie is the Kale Orange Power freshly squeezed juice.

Tara is the co-host of Emotional Mojo, a national television show, and regularly appears as the “Diet Diva” on the national morning television show The Daily Buzz and author of her latest book Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies. She currently serves as the team dietitian for the Orlando Magic NBA team, nutrition consultant to University of Central Florida Athletic Department, and the official nutritionist for runDisney. Previously, Tara served as the National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Twitter: @DietDivaTara

Tara’s Healthy Living Mantra: “In discomfort we grow – push your limits, seek your passion, and fill your life with what you love