Hello, loves! I am so thrilled to share this post with you because it has to do with something I am extremely passionate about – looking up from our phones, our computers and any other type of ever-present technology we hang on to, and paying attention to what’s going on in the world around us.

And you all know I am traveling in Italy and France this week, which is prime time to take a technology BREAK (no matter how addicted I am!!!) and enjoy my time off with the people I love most.

What branch of technology are you most addicted to? My smartphone is the biggest one for me, and within that realm I think I’m torn between texting and Instagram. I text with my close friends and family all day long, and because of the nature of my business I scroll through Instagram all day every day like nobody’s business.

But you know what is super important to me and is something I have always prided myself on? When I am with other people, I put that crap away. You will never see me emailing, texting, Instagramming (okay, maybe Instagramming with other people… it’s a social mechanism these days, I swear!) or mindlessly scrolling through my phone when I’m actually surrounded with human beings who I love and care for. (Like these people!!! My sensational fam bam.)

So you can imagine that when I got the opportunity to be a part of smartwater’s #lookupsweepstakes, I was ridiculously excited. Not only did I start immediately brainstorming ways to incorporate the campaign into my blog, but I also started practicing extra awareness about my own sense of “looking up,” stepping away from technology and immersing myself in the r-e-a-l world.

This campaign couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I just wrapped up my precious last few weeks living in my beloved New York City, and, just as it was when I first moved there, there was nothing more satisfying than strolling through the west village, jamming out to my tunes, and taking in the vibrancy and energy of the city.

I am so exceptionally grateful to have been reminded to take a serious technology break and look up. It’s the summer time, and it’s gorgeous out! And if you’ve been on the east coast at all this year… you know that it’s been a longgg winter. It’s about time we say hello to the sun, the blue skies and the fabulously summery recipes that we so missed out on during our hibernation period.

Something I noticed when I took a technology break and looked up was the amazing sense of community and friendship bustling all around NYC. The restaurant patios are filled with groups of friends sipping on sangria and mimosas and indulging in delicious and elegant brunches, there are couples strolling along the highline and girlfriends catching up over walks on the Hudson. The connection between people is everywhere… something I’m afraid we take for granted when we are too attached to our phones and technology.

True connection with other beings is a beautiful thing. That’s what I noticed first and foremost when I started to spend more time looking up. And that’s all I can really ask for in this amazing life – connection with my peeps. My ever-growing circle of radiant beings. I want to thank them all for being so awesome every moment of every day, and I hate getting too caught up in technology sometimes to realize that. (We’re all guilty of it from time to time, let’s be honest.)

Someone who I got to spend plenty of time with during my look-up-from-technology break? My wonderful niece Kealey Jae. She just turned two, and she blows me away with her ridiculously cute personality. Her new favorite thing is saying, “TOTALLY!” because she hears her Auntie JoJo (a.k.a me) say it all the time (whoops). And, my fav, “Oh god, Kiki!” (Which she gets from her nana / my mama!)

Inspired by this lovely “looking up” experience, I have created a delicious Wild Watermelon Salad to be shared over lunch with friends, a BBQ with family or a date night with a loved one.

I’m only giving you one rule… share this with a living, breathing, loving human. They rock. Promise.

And be sure to check out smartwater’s Instagram challenge and enter the #lookupsweepstakes for a chance to win and be featured. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a more inspiring challenge. Don’t forget to follow @smartwater on Instagram to participate.

Wild Watermelon Salad

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

1 large watermelon

3 cups kale or mixed greens

1 cup sliced strawberries

1 cup blueberries

½ cup blackberries

1 avocado

1 lime

¼ cup walnuts

Directions:

1. Cut watermelon in half, and scoop out center of one half using a knife or an ice cream scooper. Pat the inside dry with a towel or paper towel.
2. Pour kale or mixed greens into the open watermelon “bowl,” and start tossing in the rest of the ingredients. Toss well.
3. Squeeze lime on top of salad, and serve. Enjoy!

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Right.

Remember those super yummy and thick strawberry shakes from In n’ Out (if you’re a Cali kid like me, you know what’s up) or whatevs your local burger joint was and how freaking good they were?! This shake rivals those, just sayin’. And it’s not full of all the nasty additives, sugar, calories or fat content.

If I were going to be a smoothie, I would want to take a few things into consideration. First: I would want all of my ingredients to be organic. Who wants to be a genetically modified, pesticide-injected, ragingly hormonal glass of blendedness? Not me.

Sooo all I would have to do is take those few necessary steps at the grocery store to make sure I was buying the best ingredients to fuel my bod. And on the real, organic and fresh tastes 19348938201 times better than GMO produce in the first place. I don’t know about you, but I can taste the chemicals on my beloved strawberries, apples and figs when they’re nor organic – no bueno.

This smoothie is full of all natural ingredients, and only FOUR of them. Or, *gasp*, 5 if you’re feelin’ wild and want to add some local, organic honey like I did.

All of my recipes on this site are super simple, and that was something I was reminded of yesterday when I met with a lovely girl at a juice bar to discuss TBV Summer Cleanse. She was concerned that the recipes might be too complicated to follow, so I whipped out the cleanse to walk her through it.

After looking at about four recipes we were laughing because each one was a far cry from hard work. That got me thinking how important convenience is when it comes to health. No one wants to go way the hell out of their way to prepare their meals in the morning if it’s not going to be a relatively painless process. Same with buying organic, shopping locally, and reading labels at the grocery store.

We don’t have time for all of the unnecessary side work!!!

That’s why it’s unbelievably awesome when you find a brand that you adore that you can rely on time and time again. That’s how I feel about Skinny Coconut Oil. They are 100% raw, cold-pressed, pesticide free, unrefined MCT, wild harvested and pure.

I have been trying to incorporate more coconut oil into my diet because I recently found out I have been pretty low on healthy fats. When you don’t have enough of that in your system, you get tired more easily and your brain function goes bye bye (don’t need that!!!). All-natural coconut oil provides sustained energy, increases brain clarity and also boosts metabolism. It’s usually hardened and white, but since it is hot and humid as a mofo here in NYC, mine is totally melted. Yumminess! (Also great to make Raw Vegan PB Cups with!!!)

Plus, Skinny Coconut Oil is never heated over 100 degrees, so it actually retains all of its nutrients. And if you’ve been around this blog for a while you’ll know that I am big on the nutrient density of foods. You can eat any way you want as long as your foods are nutrient rich and as close to their natural state as possible.

And because I knoooww you’re gonna say, “where the heck can I buy this stuff?!” you can pop on over to their website and find their store locator here!

Sidenote:

And before I get to the recipe, two quick things (because you know I love love sharing my life on here above all else):

1. I know I said the site re-launch was going to happen today and that we were coming out with our new TBV Apparel designs, but we have decided to push back the release date until July 1^st so that it is beyond perfect for all of you!

2. I met with Belle Gibson of The Whole Pantry last night and had the most incredible night with her—I don’t remember the last time I was so inspired by someone. Lots more details to come in my next post! She has inspired me to make some TBV changes… cannot wait to share.

Now on to the extra good stuff, the recipe!

Skinny Strawberry Smoothie:

Ingredients:

5 fresh or frozen strawberries

1 very ripe banana

½ cup almond milk

½ cup water

1 tablespoon Skinny Coconut Oil

1 large handful ice

Optional: 1 tablespoon of raw, local honey, maple or agave 

Directions:

1. Blend thoroughly, and enjoy!

Nutrition Information: