DIY These 6 Restaurant Recipes From LA's Hottest Chefs

Chloe Williams​
Sep 02, 2021
la restaurant recipes from los angeles

There are a number of places, and restaurants, that are on our bucket list. If you've been putting your cross-country trips and beach getaways on hold (aka you haven't been able to try that new restaurant you're dying to dig into), then copycat recipes may be your saving grace. Check out these dishes from our favorite restaurants in LA for some serious dinner inspiration!

Fellow — Chef Chris Flint

www.instagram.com

Salanova with Green Goddess and Quinoa (One Serving)

Green Goddess Dressing:

  • 1.5 tablespoons jalapeño
  • 5 tablespoons parsley
  • .5 tablespoons chives
  • 1.5 each of avocado
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 tablespoons diced shallot
  • 4 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 pinches salt
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 3 tablespoons EVOO
  • 1.5 tablespoons vinegar

Puffed quinoa:

  • 2 cups white quinoa
  • 3 quarts water
  • 1 quart canola oil

Savory crumble:

  • 2 cups puffed quinoa
  • 1.2 cups parmesan crisps
  • 1.5 tablespoons fried and chopped parsley, fried and chopped

Lemon Vinaigrette (One Quart):

  • 250 grams lemon juice
  • 500 grams EVOO
  • 3 grams salt

Combine all ingredients.

White Balsamic Pickling Liquid (Three Quarts):

  • 2000 g white balsamic vinegar
  • 20 g salt
  • 400 g sugar

Stir to combine all.

To Finish:

  • 1 each salanova head, cleaned and trimmed
  • 30 g green goddess dressing
  • 10 g lemon vinaigrette
  • 15 g savory crumble
  • 3 g carrot shaves
  • 3 g radish shaves
  • 3 g pickled shallot rings
  • Maldon salt to taste

Thoroughly clean and trim lettuce. Dress with lemon vin and pipe in goddess. Season with salt, cover with crumble and garnish with shaves. Transfer to plate and press down to set shape.

Cha Cha Chá — Chef Alejandro Guzman

Ceviche de Camarón (Four Servings)

Ingredients:
  • 32 each peeled and deveined shrimp
    • LA Cha Cha Chá uses size 41-50 baja shrimp
  • 32 each cucumber slices
  • 32 each radish slices
  • 224g beet batons
    • Tiny matchstick size pieces, you can also shave the beet using a peeler if you rather not bother with all that cutting
  • 640g beet juice
  • 160g lemon juice
  • 40g olive oil
  • 80g thin red onion slices
  • 12g chopped cilantro
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
Instructions:

The Shrimp:

  1. In a small bowl cure the shrimp by covering it in lemon juice for 2-3 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp
  2. After time has elapsed, strain the shrimp, toss with chopped cilantro and season to taste using salt and pepper.

Tip: Save the shrimp lemon juice for a delicious michelada

The Brine:

Mix the beet and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper.

The Garnish:

Toss the beet batons and sliced red onion with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.

Plating:

  1. Layer 4 cucumber and radish slices at the bottom of 4 shallow bowls
  2. Stack 8 shrimp on top
  3. Layer 4 more slices of each with the red onions and beet batons to top off the shrimp stack
  4. Pour the beet brine into the center of the plate avoiding the shrimp as much as possible for a wonderful contrasting effect.

Ospero — Chef Wolfgang Puck

www.instagram.com

My Mother's Käse Nudeln With Brown Butter (Six Servings)

Ingredients:
  • 1 pound baking potatoes (about 2 large), scrubbed thoroughly
  • 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 8 ounces farmer cheese
  • 5 ounces goat cheese
  • 2 ounces mascarpone cheese
  • 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh mint leaves
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh chervil leaves
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper
  • 1 recipe pasta dough (recipe follows)
  • Semolina or all-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 1 egg lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water, for egg wash
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper
  • Minced fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
Instructions:

The Filling:

  1. Bake the potatoes in a preheated 350 degrees F. oven until fork tender, about 30 to 40 minutes.
  2. Peel, and while still warm, pass through a food mill.
  3. In a small saute pan, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic, and cook until soft.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine all the cheeses, the herbs, and the beaten egg.
  5. Add the cooked shallots and garlic and the warm potato. Stir until blended (being careful not to overmix, or the mixture will get pasty).
  6. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

The Ravioli:

  1. With lightly moistened hands, roll into 1/2-ounce balls, about the size of golf balls.
  2. Cut the pasta dough into 4 portions and work with 1 portion at a time, keeping the remaining dough covered with plastic wrap. Lightly dust the work surface with flour.
  3. With a pasta machine or a rolling pin, roll out the dough about 20 inches long and 4 inches wide.
  4. Brush the dough with egg wash and arrange 9 to 10 balls of filling on the lower third of the length of the dough, about 1 to 1-1/2 inches apart.
  5. Fold the top half over to cover the balls. Press the dough around each ball to seal, making sure they are well sealed.
  6. With a 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut the ravioli.
  7. Dust a tray with flour and arrange the ravioli on the tray, dusting with more flour.
  8. Repeat with the remaining dough, egg wash, and filling. Refrigerate, covered, until needed.
  9. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  10. Cook the ravioli until al dente, about 3 to 4 minutes.Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, over high heat, cook the butter until it begins to brown. Drain the ravioli and place on a serving platter.
  11. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and a little pepper.
  12. Spoon the browned butter on top.
  13. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Imari — Chefs Derek Wilcox and David Schlosser

Potato Sarada

Ingredients:
  • 12 oz. yukon gold potato
  • 1/4 c. Japanese mayo
  • 1/2 carrot
  • 2 Japanese arabiki sausages
  • 1 white round onion
  • Pinch of salt
Instructions:
  1. Place potatoes in a pot with cold water. Simmer for 30 minutes, cool. Peel.
  2. Cut the potato in eight pieces. Place on a cutting board and smash them gently.
  3. Place in bowl and set aside. Saute sausage on medium heat until cooked through.
  4. Cool. Cut in 1/4 inch slices. Mince white onion until very fine. Wash briefly in cold water, drain.
  5. Cut carrot into a fine dice. Place in salt water for 6 hours or preferably overnight.
  6. In a bowl mix the potato, pickled carrot, drained washed onion, sliced sausage and salt to taste.
  7. Serve with washed lettuce hearts.

Louella's Cali Soul Kitchen — Chef Keith Corbin

www.instagram.com

Purple Sweet Potato Soup

Ingredients:
  • ½ cup sliced onion
  • ½ cup neutral oil
  • 2 1/3 tbsp chopped ginger
  • 2 tbsp chopped habenero, no seeds
  • 4 1/8 cup purple sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
  • 4 1/8 cup water
  • 4 cups coconut milk
  • 4 tbsp lime juice
  • Salt

Instructions:

  1. Sweat the chopped onion, ginger, and habanero in oil with salt.
  2. Add chopped purple sweet potatoes, water and coconut milk and simmer until the potatoes are very tender.
  3. Blend all ingredients together, add lime juice and season the mixture with salt.
  4. Cool soup until ready to serve
  5. To serve, heat the soup and garnish with fried banana, toasted coconut and chopped cilantro

Bicyclette Bistro — Chefs Walter Manzke and Margarita Manzke

Onion Tarte Tatin (One Serving)

Ingredients:
  • 1 Vidalia onion
  • 50 grams of Drake's Farmstead goat cheese
  • 1 pie crust
  • Clarified Butter
  • Salt to taste
Equipment:
  • 5 inch Lodge Cast Iron pan
Instructions:
  1. Cut a vidalia onion in half horizontally from the root end towards the tip.
  2. Cut wedges about an inch thick using the center of the onion as the reference point – it is important to leave a small amount of the core attached so the layers remain in place.
  3. Remove the initial-middle core layers (about 3-5 depending on the onion) to ensure that the onions can be stacked back-to-back as closely as possible ensuring a consistent size through out
  4. Carefully cut off as much of the center core off without removing it entirely to allow the wedges to remain attached through the cooking process
  5. Heat a cast iron pan to a medium temperature and add enough clarified butter to the pan to melt and yield about half an inch of melted fat. Season the bottom of the pan lightly with kosher salt
  6. Carefully begin to place the onions back to back, packing as closely as possible with the core end in the center of the pan. Repeat until the pan is filled with the onion
  7. Gently bring the cast iron pans up to a medium-hot temperature on the stove top initiating a deep-golden-caramelized color (About 5-7 minutes)
  8. Place the pans in a 350 F dry oven (0% humidity) uncovered for 8 minutes
  9. Remove from oven and place a piece of aluminum foil over the pan tightly and set back in oven for another 8 minutes
  10. Remove from oven and verify that the onions are fully cooked – they should be fully cooked but still hold their shape. To test – poke with a cake tester and if necessary, cook another 5 minutes until the cake tester goes in without too much effort.
  11. To finish: crumble goat's cheese evenly over the top of the onion and place a docked pie crust/pate brisee shell on top pressing down lightly to ensure its making contact with the onion & cheese (the crust must be docked very well to ensure that the pastry does not puff too much)
  12. Place in a 400F oven (dry heat/0% humidity) for 12 minutes
  13. Verify that the pastry is cooked through – add another 2 minutes if the pastry is not cooked through
  14. Being very, very careful, place a sheet pan over the cast iron pan and invert in once swift and smooth motion to release the tarte from the cast iron
  15. Brush gently with clarified butter and sprinkle thyme leaves over the top and serve immediately
Notes:
  • The onion must be cut correctly ensuring to leave a little bit of the core attached – just enough to hold the wedges together during the cooking process.
  • The onion needs to be caramelized and cooked but not overcooked or too dark.

Do you have a favorite restaurant recipe? Follow us on Pinterest for more ideas and subscribe to our email newsletter for the latest from B+C!

This Butterscotch Bourbon Cocktail Recipe Is A Must-Try For The Holidays

Ahh, a warming, cold-weather cocktail. Whether you're whipping one up to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just the annual first use of your fireplace, you simply can't go wrong with this butterscotch bourbon cocktail recipe for the holiday season. We love all manner of seasonal drinks, but bourbon is arguably the most beloved seasonal spirit to mix into your boozy bevs come November and December. This concoction, however, also throws butterscotch into the mix, so it's officially our go-to bourbon cocktail choice for the season. Keep reading for a Butterscotch Milk Punch that will change your holiday drink repertoire forever.

Ingredients for Butterscotch Bourbon Milk Punch

Sarah Anderson

For the cocktail:

  • 4 ounces bourbon
  • 1 cup whole milk or cream
  • 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Ground nutmeg, for garnish
  • Vanilla bean, split, for garnish
  • Homemade butterscotch syrup, for the rim

For the homemade butterscotch syrup:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or pink salt
  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions for Butterscotch Bourbon Milk Punch

Sarah Anderson

To make the syrup:

  1. In a 2-quart sauce pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add in the brown sugar and stir until the brown sugar resembles wet sand. Stir in the half teaspoon of salt.
  2. Increase the heat to medium and stir occasionally until the mixture is bubbling up, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. Add in the cream, lower the heat slightly, and whisk it all together until it is uniform and any lumps dissolve.
  4. Keep cooking the syrup for another 5 to 7 minutes until it reaches the temperature of 225 degrees F. Use a digital or candy thermometer, and if you don’t have one, stop simmering after a few minutes to ensure it doesn’t burn.
  5. Remove the pot from the burner, then add in the vanilla extract. Let the butterscotch syrup cool slightly and adjust the vanilla extract and salt amounts as needed after trying it. It will thicken up as it cools. This makes a large batch, so use it with cocktails, cookies, cakes, and ice cream!
  6. Once the syrup is cooled completely, store it in a glass jar with a lid and refrigerate it for up to a month.
To assemble the cocktail:
  1. Add bourbon, milk or cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to a large shaker with a few pieces of ice. Shake the ingredients together.
  2. Dip the rim of each glass into the homemade butterscotch syrup, then add a large ice cube or several smaller ice cubes into the glass, topping with the milk punch. Garnish each drink with a sprinkle of ground nutmeg, and a split vanilla bean.
  3. Serve immediately and with cookies!

Love this fall butterscotch bourbon cocktail recipe? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more cocktail recs and inspo!

Recipe + photos by Sarah Anderson.

This post has been updated.

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The Ultimate Guide To Understanding Your Rising Sign For Better Relationships

Sometimes we're looking for love in all the wrong places — and sometimes we're just looking for love in all the wrong ways. That's where your rising sign can come in. In this week's Ask An Astrologer column with Lumi Pelinku, our reader feels like they just can't find their footing romantically. Luckily, Lumi has the best relationship advice — and it all starts with your rising sign! Here's how you can use your own rising sign to level up your romantic life!

Juan Pablo Serrano

Dear Lumi: Will I ever be worthy of being loved romantically? I have never been in a relationship, and I’m scared I will never be. I have so much love to give, but I don’t think I’ll ever have the chance to show it.

Bean, Illinois

  • Sun sign: Virgo
  • Rising sign: Cancer
  • Moon sign: Gemini

Yuri Manei

Dear Virgo: I understand where you're coming from, as many people feel this way these days. Here’s a little personal story from my journey: In my early 20s, I was pretty inexperienced in love and pressured by societal expectations to settle down by 30. Sigh...

I went to great lengths to attract a partner, even dabbling in spells and misleading manifestation techniques. Please tread carefully if you're trying this. Instead of finding true love, I drew a series of “ghosts” and situationships. I felt I had so much love to offer, but it all led to emptiness and eventually a toxic relationship with someone I thought was my soulmate, but turned out to be my karmic partner. There’s more to this story, but let’s save it for another time.

The end of that relationship led me to discover the essence of self-love and self-acceptance, eventually stepping into my own worth. Astrology has become a guiding light for me in that regard — and can be for you, too.

​Let’s Talk About Your Rising Sign & How It Defines Your Relationship Standards

Luke Miller

In astrology, examining your rising sign can offer profound insights. With Cancer rising, your soul yearns for deep, emotional connections. Creating a biological or soul family may bring you joy and fulfillment. Opposite Cancer is Capricorn, which governs the 7th house of your birth chart — the area that reveals the type of partners you need and what you should embody to feel complete, whether you’re with someone or not. A Capricorn-ruled 7th house suggests that a structured, secure, and straightforward partner will align with your needs. If you find yourself in a relationship that feels stagnant or uncertain from the start, it’s a sign that you’re not embodying Capricorn’s qualities, and it might be time to move on.

Arina Krasnikova

Your natural tendency to give and care deeply for others stems from a place of genuine concern and desire to ensure everyone’s well-being. However, it’s crucial for you to seek security from within. Feeling at home in your skin and living in the moment are great starting points.

Avoid individuals who offer unrequited love or broken promises. You may have an intuitive sense that you might overlook — trust it. By becoming more aware of your physical and emotional responses to others, you can discern between genuine connections and energy-draining situations. Establishing a practice of quiet reflection and observation can facilitate understanding the root of your heightened emotions.

Cliff Booth

The core message here is to build security within yourself and extend grace and understanding to yourself throughout your journey. It’s perfectly okay to be single right now; you're worthy of attracting a partner who will cherish all of you. To find the love of your life, you must first love yourself — not in a self-centered way, but by honoring your own needs and boundaries. Saying no to situations and people not aligning with your sensitive soul will make you stronger than you realize. The Universe will respond with an endearing relationship by practicing this because you’ve learned to honor yourself.

With Love and Stars,

Lumi

​How Your Rising Sign Cultivates Self-Acceptance and Attracts the Love You Need

Alexander Mass

Like an outfit, your rising sign showcases your personality, identity, and perception of the world. What if I tell you that the rising sign can also attract the love you need in your journey? Think of your rising sign as your energy and how you embody it. It's the mirror we carry, and by our energy, we can keep it clean and pristine or murky and distorted. Sometimes, we cannot stand what we see in ourselves, and that channeled energy emanates outward, creating distortion-filled experiences. When this happens, you lose your 'main character' energy, which results in you leaving your life to chance rather than writing your chapters. When you embody complete self-acceptance and happiness within yourself, these are the key ingredients in powering up your rising sign and your 7th house.

As you begin to feel at peace, love, and harmony to the best of your ability, this will attract what you desire in your life and in love. The world will respond and reflect back all that we project. It’s that simple. Our rising sign is responsible for this active energy, and learning how to master it, will be the key to help you understand the nature of your personality while also attracting your dreams. The ascendant is the portal of your experiences, good and bad. Now that we understand the gist of the rising sign, let's explore your rising sign and how you can tap into your main character energy.

​Love Alchemy: How Your Rising Sign Shapes Relationships

Brit + Co

Aries Rising

Aries Rising radiates a bold, adventurous energy, often attracting equally spirited partners. To attract the love of their life, they should embrace their assertiveness and passion. By channeling the competitive energy of their 7th house (Libra), they can cultivate harmony in relationships without sacrificing their individuality. Self-acceptance means recognizing their fierce independence while being open to collaboration and compromise. The dynamic energy of Mars empowers them to attract a partner who admires their fiery spirit yet values partnership.

Brit + Co

Taurus Rising

Grounded and sensual, Taurus Rising can attract lasting love through their nurturing nature. Their 7th house energy in Scorpio encourages depth and intensity in relationships. To manifest their ideal partner, Taurus Rising must embrace their inner beauty and the pleasure of self-care. By embodying their desire for stability and security, they can project an aura of comfort and reliability, making them irresistible to those seeking genuine connections. Venus, their ruling planet, enhances their allure, helping them draw the right kind of love.

Brit + Co

Gemini Rising

With a quick wit and charm, Gemini Rising attracts partners through intellectual stimulation. Their 7th house in Sagittarius encourages exploration and adventure. To attract their soulmate, they should openly embrace their duality and communicate their needs and desires. Their self-acceptance journey involves acknowledging their inquisitiveness while finding ways to ground themselves in relationships. Mercury, their ruling planet, sharpens their communication skills, enabling them to draw in a partner who shares their passion for life and learning.

Brit + Co

Cancer Rising

Cancer Rising embodies warmth and nurturing energy, making them deeply appealing to potential partners. Their 7th house in Capricorn requires a balance between emotional depth and practical commitment. To attract a lasting love, Cancer Rising should accept their need for security while being open to vulnerability. Utilizing their emotional intelligence to discern their connections creates a safe space for love to flourish. The Moon, their ruling planet, enhances their intuition and empathy, helping them attract a partner who values their nurturing nature and ambition.

Brit + Co

Leo Rising

Confident and charismatic, Leo Rising draws people in with their radiant energy. Their 7th house in Aquarius encourages them to seek uniqueness in relationships. To draw in the love they need, Leo Rising must embody self-love while giving space for individuality. By embracing their creativity and leading with generosity, the Sun, their ruling planet, inspires them to attract a partner who appreciates their vibrant spirit and shares their vision for a progressive, loving partnership.

Brit + Co

Virgo Rising

Practical and detail-oriented, Virgo Rising has a unique charm that attracts partners seeking stability and support. Their 7th house in Pisces invites them to explore relationships' emotional and spiritual aspects. Virgo Rising should love their imperfections and the beauty of vulnerability to attract an epic partnership. By cultivating self-acceptance and finding joy in the little things, Mercury, their ruling planet, helps them draw in a partner who appreciates their grounded nature while encouraging emotional exploration.

Brit + Co

Libra Rising

Charming and harmonious, Libra Rising attracts partners through their innate ability to create beauty and balance. Their 7th house in Aries prompts them to be more assertive in love. Libra Rising must embrace the desire for partnership to attract their ideal partner while also recognizing the importance of self-identity. Being bold in expressing their needs will ignite their main character energy, as Venus, their ruling planet, empowers them to draw in a partner who values connection and independence.

Brit + Co

Scorpio Rising

Intense and magnetic, Scorpio Rising naturally attracts people with their enigmatic presence. Their 7th house in Taurus urges them to seek relationship stability and loyalty. Scorpio Rising should tap into their emotional depth and learn to communicate openly to attract the love they desire. Valuing their worth is vital to mastering their life path. By engaging in self-love and finding a balance between their passionate nature and a desire for security, Pluto and Mars, their ruling planets, will manifest in attracting a partner who appreciates their intensity and commitment.

Brit + Co

Sagittarius Rising

Adventurous and free-spirited, Sagittarius Rising attracts partners through their love of exploration and philosophy. Their 7th house in Gemini encourages communication and curiosity in relationships. To attract their ideal love, Sagittarius Rising has to tap into their quest for knowledge while remaining open to commitment. By cultivating self-worth and expressing their authentic self, Jupiter, their ruling planet, guides them in drawing in a partner who shares their passion for adventure and intellectual pursuits.

Brit + Co

Capricorn Rising

Disciplined and ambitious, Capricorn Rising manifests partnerships through their drive and determination. Their 7th house in Cancer encourages them to explore emotional depth in relationships. To attract lasting love, Capricorn Rising should tap into their nurturing side and allow themselves to be vulnerable. By practicing self-love while balancing their ambitions with emotional availability, Saturn, their ruling planet, aids them in attracting a partner who admires their strength while valuing emotional connection.

Brit + Co

Aquarius Rising

Innovative and independent, Aquarius Rising draws in partners with their unique perspectives and humanitarian spirit. Their 7th house in Leo invites them to ignite creativity and passion in relationships. Aquarius Rising must acknowledge their desire for freedom while recognizing the value of connection to attract the love they desire. By embodying their authentic and unique self, Uranus, their ruling planet, inspires them to draw in a partner who appreciates their individuality and shares their vision for a better world.

Brit + Co

Pisces Rising

Dreamy and compassionate, Pisces Rising attracts partners through their empathetic and intuitive nature. Their 7th house in Virgo encourages them to seek practicality and service in relationships. To attract true love, it's vital for Pisces Rising to embrace their sensitivity while grounding themselves in reality. By practicing self-love and setting healthy boundaries, Neptune and Jupiter, their ruling planets, will manifest a partner who appreciates their depth and aligns with their desire for meaningful connections.

Katerina Holmes

Understanding your rising sign can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. Exploring your ascendant's unique traits and energies will help you get to know yourself and all its shades and how you navigate love and relationships. This awareness empowers you to embrace your authentic self and enables you to identify patterns that may hold you back. As you align with your rising sign's essence and ruling planet, you can cultivate more happiness and confidence, opening pathways to attract meaningful connections and experiences that resonate with your true essence. Embracing your rising sign invites you to step into your main character energy, allowing you to write your story with intention and authenticity.

Want to find out how astrology can be the guiding tool to self-acceptance and fulfillment? Click here and claim your copy of Lumi's Beginner's Astrology Book.

For more astrology advice, be sure to Ask Lumi for advice, and follow the conversation on Facebook!

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7 Safe & Healthy Foods I Cook When My Stomach Pain Is Awful

Social media's "hot girls have stomach problems" trend might just be a trend, but I'll gladly accept it. After all, I feel like I deserve some kind of redemption after ending up in the ER, and then again in urgent care, because of stomach pain. I've had stomach problems my entire life, but there was no way I was giving up pasta. Or cheese. What kind of 20-something do you think I am?! I'd decided my comfort foods were worth the discomfort they caused — until it got so bad I couldn't handle it.

I was constantly uncomfortable or in pain (to the point I couldn't pay attention to anything or anyone else), and I couldn't go a day without feeling like my insides were on fire. Apparently, this is not normal.

Now, after consulting with my doctor, I've changed my entire diet. And I'm shook to my core at how good I feel. Is this what all of y'all have been experiencing this whole time?! I am in no way a medical professional, nor am I claiming that these food swaps (plus eating smaller meals more slowly) is the only thing that's helped me. But if you're looking for recipes that will be easy on your tummy, or you're just looking to cut back on sweets, check out these healthy food ideas below. And check with your doctor if you're thinking of making some major swaps!

What foods are gentle on your stomach?

Brit + Co

Foods like toast, rice, bananas, eggs, applesauce, and oatmeal are known to be easy on your stomach. I had to do a lot of trial and error over the course of a few months, and have cut my diet back to safe foods I know will leave me feeling good.

I rarely drink alcohol (shout out to these delicious mocktail recipes!!!), and I have one coffee every six weeks or so, opting for a daily chai or matcha instead. Sugar's also proven to be a pain point, so I usually stick to dark chocolate. But the most surprising foods I've started to avoid are gluten and oats. All this to say, it's all about what works for you and your lifestyle.

My go-to healthy foods for stomach problems are sweet potatoes, broccoli, Greek yogurt, eggs, chicken sausage or grilled chicken, bell peppers, and rice. I also love the occasional ginger ale.

Sweet Potatoes + Broccoli + Chicken Sausage

Brit + Co

I will never go without sweet potatoes, like, ever again. I used to find them disgusting but they have become my saving grace on days my stomach feels awful. Whether I'm making fries, mixing them with other veggies, or turning them into vegan mac and cheese (yes, really), they're sooo versatile. One of my favorite recipes is roasting sweet potatoes and broccoli in the oven (I do 325 degrees for around 20 minutes), then adding in some cooked chicken sausage. I even add some ketchup and mustard on top for a deconstructed hot dog and fries!

​Vegan Mac and Cheese

Taryn Elliott/Pexels

This has been one of my go-to dishes recently, and I promise it's way easier to make than it sounds. I was inspired by this recipe from @itslivb, but since making it the first time, I've started eyeballing every measurement and adjusting the flavors. As someone who love pasta, this is one comfort food recipe that I can indulge in without feeling sick. All I do is boil cubed sweet potatoes until they're soft, then add them to a blender with nutritional yeast, salt, spices like garlic powder and onion powder, and cashews for a creamy consistency.

Gluten-Free Pasta

Brit + Co

As someone whose comfort food is pasta, you can imagine how sad I was when I realized gluten makes me feel awful. I've been on the hunt for the best gluten-free pastas around, and after making some less-than-ideal chickpea pasta recipes, I'm totally obsessed with Trader Joe's rice pasta. Trust me on this. I can't wait to try it in this creamy avocado pasta recipe!

​Grilled Chicken

Salt & Lavender

My taste buds have always loved chicken, and now that I've realized grilled chicken makes me feel so much better than fried chicken, my stomach does too! I always buy a bag of frozen chicken tenders so I can keep them until I'm ready to cook 'em up. After they've defrosted for a couple hours, I use this hack to remove the tendon, and then I'm ready to grill it! I'll eat grilled chicken with literally everything: pasta, sweet potato fries, a bunch of vegetables. I could eat it every day. Here's our ultimate guide toHow To Stop Grilling Dry Chicken For Good.

​Seafood

HelloFresh

That being said, when I need to shake it up, salmon, shrimp, and other seafood are also great protein options. I just usually have to eat a little more to make sure I'm full. I'm dying to make These Flavorful Fish Tacos.

​Cooked Veggies

Brit + Co

Even though I definitely prefer raw vegetables, ever since I realized cooked veggies are easier to digest, I haven't gone back. Roasting a ton of peppers, sweet potatoes, and broccoli at the top of the week sets me up for a successful — and tummy ache-free — week of meals. This Vegetable Galette is calling my name (with a GF crust, of course).

Greek Yogurt & Strawberries

Life Of Pix/Pexels

I have the same breakfast every day: an egg and turkey bacon, either a chai latte or a matcha latte, and Greek yogurt and strawberries. I can't believe I never regularly ate Greek yogurt before, but now that I'm on the train, I'm never getting off. Sometimes when I want a little extra treat I add some chocolate chips, too! This dish helps fill me up without leaving me weighed down.

What's your go-to recipe on days you feel icky? Let us know in the comments and check out our Pinterest for more recipes!

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8 Leave-In Conditioners For Silky, Smooth, & Strong Curly Hair

The key to mastering your curls — and making them look like luscious locks, even in the dry fall and winter seasons — is hydration. If your curls are hydrated, then they are looking good. — and that's where leave-in conditioners can really come in and save the day. They help to hydrate the hair and lock in moisture; hence the "leave-in" part. These work their magic overnight, or throughout the day, to ensure that your curls are refreshed and silk smooth!

To understand more about this holy grail beauty product, I chatted with celebrity hairstylist and hair expert, William Whatley! He gave us all his opinions on how to properly treat your curls, plus what we should look for in our leave-in conditioners. Keep reading to see all this top-tier knowledge he dropped!

How should I take care of curly hair?

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When it comes to his number one tip for treating and taking care of curls, Whatley let us know that brushing hair while it’s wet can damage your hair – especially if you have naturally curly hair. When the hair stretches as you brush, it's actually causing more damage.

Whatley explained that your cuticle layer is more exposed if you have curly hair, and if you're brushing that vigorously, you’re disrupting the outer layer of the hair — AKA where all your gorgeous shine usually comes from. If you're constantly damaging your hair with bad brushing habits, this will ultimately make your hair less shiny!

What ingredients should I look for in a leave-in conditioner for curly hair?

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When you're looking at the leave-in conditioner bottle, Whatley says to always look at the ingredients immediately listed after water. Those will be the predominant ingredients necessary to do the job of either moisturizing, protecting, or adding strength to your damaged hair! Ingredients to look for include:

  • Panthenol
  • Aloe
  • Weightless oils and extracts
  • Refined fruit oils
  • Hydrolyzed keratin.

Whatley also notes that natural extracts or oils will be great in moisturizing or hydrating your hair — which is exactly what we're looking for in a leave-in conditioner for curly hair!

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SEEN Curly Creme Leave-In

This non-comedogenic & sulfate free curl defining cream is a great leave-in conditioner to help get rid of frizz and help style your hair while helping tp nourish it at the same time. I love a good multi-use product like this — especially since it also protects against heat if you need to style it with a hot tool.

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Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair!

This mask is a ride or die favorite of mine! I honestly notice such a significant difference in my hair when I use it. And good news! It works phenomenally for any of my curly-haired gals as well! It's great for curly hair types that are dealing with significant damage or dryness. It will really keep the moisture locked in, and make it look like shiny perfection!

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Cantu Argan Oil Conditioning Repair

One ingredient that your hair won't be able to get enough of is argan oil! It's the number one thing people always recommend if you're struggling to bring your hair back to life. So, if you pair that with a leave-in conditioner that soaks and will fully absorb into the hair, then we're off to a great start in our hair repair journey. This one from Cantu is beloved on Amazon with over 13,000 reviews singing its praises!

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Curls Blueberry Bliss Mask

If you're looking to repair damage done to your hair, while fixing frizz, then we've got the mask for you! This one from Blueberry Bliss is super popular on Amazon because it also helps to promote hair growth — which we all love, am I right? At only $12, I'd say that's a pretty good deal as well!

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Divi 3-in-1 Leave In

This product is raved, with reviews noting that this leave-in conditioner takes people's notoriously frizzy hair to magically smooth and shiny after use! I love this company because their products really do show results — and quickly. I use their hair growth serum, and holy cow! My hair has never grown that quickly in my life! It's such a good company, so I would definitely recommend using it!.

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Paul Mitchell Full Circle Leave-In

I love a mask that will leave your curls super hydrated, and this one will do just that — and I mean seriously hydrated. This mask is meant to specifically target giving your hair an ultimate bounce and shine, so that your tresses comes back to life after the dry, summer heat. It's also paraben free, which we (and your hair) love to hear!

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OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls

This hair mask has quite a few great ingredients in it. They include: honey, citrus oil, coconut, and curl-styling milk — all of which will help you not only tackle frizz or unruly hair, but also give your curls that "I can't stop touching my hair" softness. Yes, please!

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Shea Moisture Jamaican Castor Oil Leave-In

A mask that's from 100% pure Jamaican castor oil? That's pretty hard to come by! And it's only $10, so you can grab it for a fantastic deal. It's great at detangling your curls for when they get a little extra unmanagable or have too much of a kink in them.

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I'm A Self-Appointed Face Mist Expert — These Are My 10 Faves For Extra Hydration

Wanna know the four essentials I keep in my bag at all times? Concealer, a hydrating lipstick, a hair brush, and arguably the most important: a face mist. Seriously, face mist is probably most-used product because of how multi-purpose it is — there are so many different ways you can use it! It works as a setting spray for your makeup, a mist to keep your skin hydrated, and even a cooling spray that helps me keep my zen throughout the day. This will be your #1 essential through the cold, dry seasons, so keep scrolling to stock up on some new favorites!

What do face mists actually do?

Summer Fridays

While face mists can make you feel refreshed at face value, they actually have quite a lot of purposes. Some facial sprays offer hydrating and moisturizing ingredients to make sure your skin isn't getting too dry or flaky, while others are great at delivering relief from inflammation and redness. There are even some sprays that can give you a therapeutic, relaxing boost with lavender or other essential oils. The benefits are truly endless with these!

The Best Face Mists To Shop Right Now

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Evian Facial Spray

This spray is so multi-purpose, it's crazy. Not only does it moisturize dry skin, but it also restores your skin's pH levels, while setting your makeup so that it stays in tact all day. I like to keep this with me so that I can touch up my makeup and make it look refreshed throughout the day.

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Caudalie Beauty Elixir

This "elixir" is an all-time fave of mine that I've been using for around a decade! I've probably gone through over 100 bottles of this stuff, so let me just say: It's worth every penny. This spray is so good, my husband won't stop stealing it from me every morning and night. It has the best scent and relaxing peppermint-like feeling — I honestly crave it as soon as I wake up!

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Avène Eau Thermale Spray

This spray does a fantastic job at maintaining the PH balance of your skin, while also being the most glorious cold mist I've ever used. During hot summer months, you won't find me without this beauty sitting in my handbag — it's so cold and amazing on the skin. Even in the winter, I find this spray so helpful and necessary, because it makes my skin hydrated and dewy despite the cold, frigid air.

Sephora

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Soothing Hydration Mist

This incredibly hydrating spray from Summer Fridays will protect your skin from pollutants or exposure to outside factors. Also, this mist is great at keeping your skin barrier in tact and healthy — AKA preventing it from getting too dry, or dehydrated. I've been using this face mist for a few weeks, and love how it feels not my skin.

Tower 28 Rescue Spray

This Tower 28 spray is a Hypochlorous Acid spray, so it's amazing at helping to reduce redness and even prevent breakouts from happening. I take this spray with me anytime I'm traveling, using it constantly to help prevent breakouts and annoying, pesky pimples.

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Mario Badescu Aloe Spray

A lot of people are familiar with the Mario Badescu rose spray, but my personal fave is the cucumber, aloe, and green tea spray! It feels like a spa in a bottle! This face mist is so therapeutic — and it's very good for skin that needs help with hydration, redness, or even sensitive skin.

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Grace & Stella Spray All Day

Speaking of rose spray, here's this one from Grace & Stella that's ultra-hydrating and has great reviews. It's one of the more popular sprays on Amazon because of how moisturizing it can feel on the skin — plus how amazing the rose scent smells!

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e.l.f. Cosmetics Coconut Mist

A new scent has entered the chat... This coconut face mist is so refreshing, and it gets bonus points for also being extra hydrating! In the fall and winter, when the months are getting colder and dryer, you will thank me later for making you buy this incredibly moisturizing facial spray. You're welcome in advance.

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Dermalogica Antioxidant Mist

This spray helps firm the skin, and ultimately helps with anti-aging. Don't we all love that? Really though, this face mist helps to reduce fine lines, hydrating them with ceramides to literally fill in the gaps! It will also help shield your skin from outside toxins or factors like free radicals. Def a great product for those with more mature skin!

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Curél Japanese Skincare Mist

While this pick is a little bit more pricey at $30 for a mist, it's definitely a popular item amongst the beauty community. From the Japanese company, Curél, this one is made to be an intense moisture mist — which is something I need as an extremely dry and sensitive skin girly, myself! Sign me up!

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