Let your worries drift away while lounging on one of Hotel Maya's floating cabanas.

For part two of our SoCal roundup, we visited a Long Beach getaway with luxurious Latin flair and a brand-new oceanfront resort just 20 miles south of LAX. We can’t wait to go back to both!

Hotel Maya, Long Beach
Next time we feel the impulse to fly to Cabo San Lucas for the weekend, but can’t hack the hassle and the expense, we’ll consider this Long Beach newcomer instead. The waterfront Hotel Maya sits directly across the bay from downtown Long Beach and a water taxi will ferry you there, but why leave? Settle into one of the spacious cabanas that float on a water canal and enjoy the heated full-size lap pool. With just 197 rooms on 11 acres, the Maya is a boutique hotel but it has the huge outdoor esplanades of a much larger resort. We loved the Mayan-meets-modern design with its reclaimed wood walls, copper-topped bar, rusty buoys sliced in half to serve as fire pits, huge outdoor esplanades and vibrant orange, red and magenta armchairs. After dinner at Fuego, the resort’s stellar Latin restaurant, retire to one of the cozy outdoor seating areas; color spotlights cast a very flattering romantic glow and the accommodating waitstaff will gladly fetch a final flight of tequilas, along with flourless Mexican chocolate cake or caramel flan.

Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes
This six-month old oceanfront luxury resort is convenient — just 20 miles south of LAX — yet feels blessedly remote. Perched above the tip of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, it offers breathtaking unobstructed views of the Pacific from almost every vantage point throughout its sprawling 102 acres. We watched pelicans swoop into the waves as we soaked in a hot tub on the pool deck of the spa, and observed dolphins and whales frolicking as we enjoyed beer-battered fish and chips on the terrace of Nelson’s, one of the resort’s eight eateries. Rouse yourself from your ocean-facing lounge chair and you can amble down a walkway to a sandy beach cove or take a self-guided hike along the scenic bluffs of the Discovery Trail. When you turn around for a glance at the resort you’ll appreciate how harmoniously the Spanish Mediterranean architecture blends with the stunning setting.

Watching the sun set into the ocean is one of our favorite ways to unwind after a long day. Which waterfront resorts do you love?

Photo credit: Matthew Millman/Hotel Maya

Riviera Resort & Spa in Palm Springs features a relaxing Watsu pool at its SpaTerre spa.

This is the time of year we start craving a change of scenery as the winter doldrums set in. While there will be travels back home for the holidays, that’s not the jolt of novelty that we’re seeking. What we need is a road trip, and fortunately, in Los Angeles, one of the cities we call home, nearby choices abound, including these new resorts.

Riviera Resort & Spa, Palm Springs
If you can walk into the Riviera’s lobby and not smile, you’re in need of something far more restorative — dare we say, pharmaceutical — than a resort. The palette of funhouse colors (fuchsia, tangerine, poppy) and whimsical design (ginormous Turkish ottomans, Warhol-inspired portraits of onetime guests like Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe, and the rhinestone-encrusted “Liberace” pool table) are a ticklish delight. This motif of mid-century meets Hollywood Regency carries over into the 406 guest rooms, but there’s also serious comfort and convenience amid the Lucite, chrome and vinyl, including flat-screen plasma TVs and complimentary wireless access. The centerpiece of the resort is the stunning starfish-shaped swimming pool with its spectacular views of the San Jacinto Mountains. Spend an hour or two dog paddling with a water noodle, then head to the Asian-inspired SpaTerre to turn into a noodle yourself with an Indonesian, Thai or Balinese treatment.

The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Beach
Sure, a night here costs about as much as a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps — $695 for an ocean-view bungalow — but the opulence of this resort, which sits on a 504-acre seaside bluff above Crystal Cove State Park on the Newport Coast, does not disappoint. Built to evoke the vision of the celebrated Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, with rows of arched porticos, soaring rotundas, 750 olive trees and the world’s largest circular pool, Pelican Hill feels more like a seaside Italian village than a SoCal beach town. Indulgence is all in the details, and here are some details we adored: the Bose iPod player and grind-and-brew coffee maker in our room; the foot-soaking ceremony that preceded our pomegranate body wrap; the package of housemade bucatini — freshly prepared in the restaurant’s temperature-controlled pasta room — that we were given as a parting gift after a scrumptious dinner at the resort’s signature restaurant, Andrea.

Stay tuned for part two of our SoCal roundup. And tell us, what’s your favorite winter getaway?

Photo credit: Kevin Syms

Not too late: Quitting smoking at age 35 can add eight years to life expectancy.

Years ago, when our grandfather quit smoking, he would habitually reach into his pocket for his phantom cigarettes. At the time, we didn’t realize the difficulty of quitting smoking, but over the years we’ve seen many people close to us struggle to quit tobacco. Since November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the American Cancer Society (ACS) encourages the 20.6 percent of Americans who smoke to choose Nov. 19, the Great American Smokeout, as the day to kick the nicotine habit.

Tobacco use is the largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States and is the cause of 87 percent of lung-cancer deaths. “Smokers wishing to quit should seek out support from tobacco-cessation coaches at state quitlines, from friends and family, and should understand the benefits of using medication to decide if it is right for them,” says ACS president Elizabeth T.H. Fontham, M.P.H., Dr.P.H.

According to the ACS, planning to quit with nicotine replacement therapy and knowing how to deal with cravings and tempting situations increases the likelihood of succeeding. Those who quit smoking at age 35 add eight years to life expectancy, while quitting at age 55 adds five years. Even long-term smokers who quit at 65 are expected to live three additional years. For a quitline near you, the society provides a list of Local Smokeout Resources. Microsoft Windows users also can download a desktop Smokeout Countdown Clock — providing daily practical tips for preparing to quit and for the first month of not smoking — and the Craving Stopper memory game as a distraction to get through the need for a cigarette.

Smokeout-related events will occur in cities throughout the country on Nov. 19. For example, at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, there is a “Let’s Go Cold Turkey” awareness event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with free smoking-cessation kits, games and a chance to win a free frozen turkey. In the Los Angeles area, events are scheduled for the University of Southern California, Cal State University Northridge, UCLA and Pepperdine University. In Miami, a Tobacco Free Campus Fair will be held at Baptist Hospital of Miami from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

We think it’s important to ensure that many people don’t start smoking and understand how difficult it is to quit smoking. Do you think setting a quit date is an effective way to kick the habit?

Photo credit: Marcin Kirsz

This book can help you tap your inner strength.

At a book party for the The Inner Game of Stress (Random House. 2009) by W. Timothy Gallwey with Edd Hanzelik, M.D., and John Horton, M.D., we were inspired by the subtitle “outsmart life’s challenges and fulfill your potential.” We posed a scenario to Horton: What if we’ve been health-conscious our whole lives and then as we pass 40 stressful health issues start cropping up? For example, our blood work comes back with borderline-high cholesterol, causing visions of Lipitor prescriptions to dance in our heads?

“You have inner resources beyond what you realize,” Horton told us. “You need to learn to tap into your best inner resources, your more evolved self, in order to handle issues of aging and just about anything else.” Horton says a lot of stress starts and flourishes with negative self-talk. The key is to counter it with an enlightened mindset — something that we’re all capable of cultivating. For example, doomsday thoughts of, “I’m going to be taking Lipitor the rest of my life!” can be rationally reframed as, “Borderline high does not mean high. I was simply advised to exercise more and cut back on fatty foods. I’m going to be okay.”

Horton’s quick self-talk tip truly helped us go from anxious to calm, and his book features additional stress-busting tactics, such as holding off on making important decisions (a pause offers a sense of control, allowing us to gather and weigh our options) and focusing on what other people think, feel and want in order to develop empathy and kindness, which are far less stressful than anger, fear and resentment.

At the party, many of the doctors’ patients praised the tools they’ve given them over the years. Attorney and publicist Geneva Wasserman recounted a trip to a movie theater when her 4-year-old son caught his fingers in the jamb of a heavy metal door. “Before learning about some of these techniques, my inclination would be to completely freak out,” Wasserman says. “But instead I actually did what these guys say. I used self-talk. I told myself, ‘Calm down, I’m going to walk myself through this.’ ” Wasserman says she paused for a few seconds, which gave her time to gather her thoughts and act quickly. She got help and freed her son’s hand (thankfully, the injury was minimal) — all without tears, panic or screaming on her part. Since she was calm, so was her son. “I’m pretty high-strung, so this was a major victory for me,” she says.

For more stay-calm secrets, check out “Are You Headed for the Holiday Blues?” in VIVmag’s November/December issue. And tell us: How do you silence your negative brain chatter?

For years, I had suffered from stomach cramps, gas pains and occasional vomiting, as well as bloating that I covered with baggy clothes. I had been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, which I treated with every pill, liquid and strip that was on the market. Nothing helped.

Finally, I had reached the point where I was feeling bad nine days out of 10. My husband called me while I was at work and told me that I had a doctor appointment in two hours. Reluctantly, I went to the doctor and underwent several tests, including a sonogram, X-rays, a CAT scan and blood tests — including a Celiac blood test. When the results came in the doctor was shocked by the results, and he asked me to take a repeat blood test. At first I was a bit angry that I had been misdiagnosed for so long, but then I was happy that I finally knew what was wrong with me and that I could do something about it.

While Celiac Disease and irritable bowel syndrome have many of the same symptoms, Celiac Disease is a digestive disorder — a toxic reaction to gluten by the immune system that damages the small intestine and does not allow for the proper absorption of food. Irritable bowel syndrome affects the large intestine.

The average time until correct diagnosis for Celiac Disease is 11 years. It is becoming a very common — as many as 1 in 133 Americans are thought to suffer from the digestive disorder — but only 3 percent of the patients have the correct diagnosis. This is something that needs to be changed. If left untreated there can be serious consequences and significantly increased risks of developing autoimmune disorders, neurological problems, reproductive issues, osteoporosis and cancer. Currently, I am waiting on CAT scan results to see if the lymph nodes in my stomach (possibly a sign of lymphoma) are going away. At this point the risk is high since I have been fighting this disease for so long.

After eight weeks on a gluten-free diet I am finally starting to feel better. Eliminating gluten — found in wheat, rye and barley — has made a big difference in some parts of my body, though I still have foot cramps, no foot padding and hair loss. But without the daily pain and bloating I am able to enjoy more activities.

It’s been very difficult adjusting to my new diet. I went through a down time where I was really depressed about my new diet. I have always enjoyed eating pastries, pasta, bread, crackers, etc. Now if I ingest only 1/8 teaspoon of gluten, my small intestine will be damaged for 6 to 8 weeks. Gluten is hidden in many products and listed under many different names. I have to learn all this and read all labels very carefully. It is almost impossible at this point to go out to eat and enjoy a gluten-free meal. I hope my story may be helpful to other people who suffer the same symptoms and have yet to be diagnosed. Now, I can start a new life and hopefully heal my body.

The New York Public Library Friends Fall 2009 Book Fund Campaign will match up to $50,000-worth of donations.

After a recent relocation, we’re rethinking our hefty (and heavy) book collection. We found that our public library card saves valuable bookshelf space — not to mention cash. In fact, according to the 2008 State of America’s Libraries Report from the American Library Association, visits to public libraries and checked-out items are up 10 percent since the last economic downturn in 2001. The report also found that the sluggish economy has led more people to utilize the library’s free activities, Internet access and job-seeking resources. However, while library attendance is up, many of the institutions — including public, school and university libraries — are facing big budget cuts.

“We’re hearing across the country that libraries are either closing some branches or they’re cutting hours or they’re closing on certain days,” says Camila Alire, president of the American Library Association. “They’re doing this now when more than ever people need to be using the library, the library resources and the expertise of the trained librarians.” In fact, all Free Library of Philadelphia locations were in danger of closing earlier this year before a reprieve from the Pennsylvania State Senate. Following are a few ways to get involved with library issues.

1. Become an advocate. Check out the ALA’s ilovelibraries.org for news and information on how to become a friend of the library, raise public awareness and contact legislators in support of libraries. Look to your state library association for local news and issues and how you can become a library advocate. “It’s a lot more effective to get grassroots people advocating for the libraries, because they do it from the standpoint of: This is how our public library helps us and helps our community,” Alire says.

2. Donate to library programs. For example, the New York Public Library, facing a 26 percent decrease in its materials budget, currently has a Friends Fall 2009 Book Fund Campaign in which every dollar donated to the library is matched by library trustee Laura Sloate, up to $50,000. The Library Foundation of Los Angeles, a nonprofit corporation, helps to support the city’s Central Library as well as 72 branches spanning a 470-square-mile area through fundraising and programs, including the 22nd annual Stay Home and Read a Book Ball on Dec. 15. The Chicago Public Library Foundation, which has earned four stars from Charity Navigator, gave $3.8 million worth of funding to the library through endowments and annual fundraising.

3. Clear your bookshelves. Most libraries accept book donations to add to its collection or to sell at fundraisers. Check with your library for the kinds of books accepted and drop-off points — the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, for example, can arrange for a pickup of four boxes or more for those without access to a car. The ALA and Delicious.com list book donation programs, including Darien Book Aid Plan and bookends.org, which accepts gently used children’s books.

We think that libraries need our support. Even Hollywood is getting into the act — Michigan’s McGregor Public Library, which closed in 2002, is getting a renovation for the filming of Highland Park, set to star Danny Glover and Parker Posey. Glover plays a schoolteacher who wins the lottery and decides to reopen the library.

What do you think of the plight of public libraries?

Photo credit: Lillis Photography

CorningWare is holding a light-recipe contest in honor of its new SimplyLite bakeware collection.

While we love checking out amateur cook-offs, the award-winning recipes are often staggeringly high in calories and fat — especially with the current everything’s-better-with-bacon-trend. So we were pleased to see the CorningWare SimplyLite Recipe Contest calling for lowfat, low-calorie recipes that can be made in CorningWare’s new SimplyLite bakeware collection, which is 50 percent lighter than traditional ceramic dishes.

The deadline to submit an original recipe for a chance to win the $5,000 grand prize is Dec. 31, 2009. Five runners-up win 10-piece sets of SimplyLite bakeware.

The six finalists’ recipes will be prepared and judged at The Institute of Culinary Education in New York City on Jan. 13. The prizes will be mailed to the winners. Contestants can use any baking pan, but recipes should be able to be prepared in a 1½-quart, 2-quart, 2½-quart or 3-quart baking dish, and contestants must use ingredients that are judged to be low in fat and calories. The bake-off is to celebrate the launch of the SimplyLite collection, which is made of lightweight Vitrelle glass laminate. The dishes (from $19.99 each; sets from $39.99) are designed to be easier to handle during removal from a hot oven and when passed around the table.

In a world of recipes in the vein (or is it clogged artery?) of the Bacon Explosion or McNuggetini, we’re happy to see a contest that encourages lighter fare. What’s your favorite healthful recipe?

The runway show will feature men’s and women’s fashions from Burberry, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, Rag & Bone, Vince and more. The evening also includes a cocktail hour and a silent auction, featuring a Paris vacation package (complete with two tickets to a Karl Lagerfeld show), a Copenhagen vacation package and a new Vespa from Brooklyn Vespa — as well as fashion luxury items, of course, from Calvin Klein, Converse, Diesel, DVF, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Stuart Weitzman, Thakoon, Thomas Pink, Tom Ford and Yigal Azrouël. Ticket prices vary; general admission is $100 and reserved seating is $250. A VIP seat for $500 also includes two tickets to the VIP cocktail/fashion preview reception tonight at Saks Fifth Avenue on 611 Fifth Ave., from 6–8 p.m. A Silhouette Sponsor ($2,500) receives two front-row tickets or four reserved seats, as well as four tickets to the reception.

Since Fashion Forward began in 2007, it has raised more than $400,000 for the GMHC, which funds such programs and services as the David Geffen Center for HIV Prevention and Health Education, the Women’s Institute, the Lesbian AIDS Project, the Institute for Gay Men’s Health and the Terry K. Watanabe Volunteer Center, as well as mental health services, legal services, client advocacy and public policy. “We are still very much in the fight against HIV and AIDS,” says designer Michael Bastian. “I think it’s more important than ever that we all give as much as we can, so we can hopefully see an end to this disease in our lifetime. That dream is possible, but we’ve all got to fight hard for it.”

We think it’s important that so many in the fashion world are working together to fight HIV and AIDS. Do you have a favorite philanthropic fashion event or style purchase that goes to a charitable cause?

Most of the industrial hemp used in products made in the United States is imported from Canada.

Having already worked our way through soy, almond and rice milks, we decided to try a box of the Living Harvest Unsweetened Original Hempmilk at our local Whole Foods. Holy yum! When we poured it over some whole-grain cereal, we couldn’t believe how rich and creamy it tasted. What’s more, it contains an impressive amount of protein, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids (lots of healthy omega-3’s and a small amount of omega-6’s). Sold, we started adding hemp milk to baked goods (banana bread), pasta sauces (for mac and cheese) and soups (creamy pumpkin), in lieu of high-fat dairy.

But get this: It’s illegal for American farmers to grow hemp commercially. That’s because industrial hemp gets categorized alongside its cousin, marijuana. Both plants come from the Cannabis sativa family, but industrial hemp — the kind used for food, beauty products and clothes — has virtually no THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. But the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) doesn’t make that distinction. So, although the DEA allows trade in the industrial hemp seed, our farmers can’t grow it. The result is that virtually all hemp products in America hail from Canada.

Lately, however, farmers, business owners, nutritionists and green consumers have been advocating for the legalization of industrial hemp in the United States. In addition to recognizing hemp’s fabulous taste and health benefits, supporters argue that industrial hemp is an earth-friendly crop. Wider use of industrial hemp could help the United States become less reliant on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Hemp oil, for example, not only makes excellent body-care products, but could reduce petro-fuel use by replacing diesel oil. Hemp fibers make eco-friendly clothing, as well as nontoxic construction materials. It could also help save trees through its use as a sustainable paper-pulp source. For more information, visit the Hemp Industries Association on www.thehia.org.

What do you think? Should the growing of industrial hemp be legalized?

Photo credit: Jethro Loader

Professional coloring is worth the splurge, according to celebrity hairstylist Tabatha Coffey.

Back in the ’90s, we once sported a haircut similar to reality star Kate Gosselin’s — and considering tart-tongued scissor wizard Tabatha Coffey’s take on the style, we know we made the right decision to grow it out. Coffey, formerly of Shear Genius fame, recently landed her own show on Bravo, Tabatha’s Salon Takeover, which airs Tuesdays at 10 pm. The Australian-born hairstylist, 43, gave us some great tips for maintaining our current ‘do.

First, she tells us, you have to know what’s worth paying for and where you can save. “Splurge on getting your hair colored professionally,” advises Coffey, who regularly fixes home-color mistakes. Coffey also recommends using a moisturizing conditioner to protect hair from environmental and heat damage, as well as the restoration products K-PAK Color Restorative Styling Oil by Joico ($19.95) and Phyto 7 Daily Hydrating Botanical Cream ($26), and the anti-humidity treatment Pureology NanoWorks ShineLuxe ($32) to combat frizz.

More worth-it splurges? A good bristle brush and a flat iron. “CHI has one with a coating that protects the hair from the heat,” notes Coffey, adding that professional ionic dryer can smooth hair and dry it faster.

You can save on inexpensive hairspray and wide-tooth combs from the drug store, where Coffey suggests picking up biotin, “a great vitamin that really helps your hair,” and Velcro rollers, good for adding volume, movement and texture to fine or straight hair in creating the ’40s-inspired styles that are big this fall.

According to Coffey, the biggest mistake women make is getting caught in a hairstyle rut. “With a really good haircut and the right products it can be five minutes” to style, she notes, suggesting that long-hair lovers try soft layers. “They’re always flattering and will frame and give lift to the face and movement and bounce to the hair,” she says. “It can be very attractive and age-appropriate.” Coffey also recommends highlights, and not just for blondes. “They add texture and dimension, and if you’re gray it will buy you a couple of weeks to get your retouch done.” Need to cover your roots ASAP? Coffey swears by waterproof mascara in a pinch.

Do you have a great hair care tip? Share it with us!

Photo credit: Brian Kersey/Bravo

Skin-care expert Narine Nikogosian's new book is full of natural, easy-to-make beauty recipes.

We firmly believe in beauty recipes that have been handed down through generations, especially when they produce natural skin-care products that are economical — and that sound delicious. Return to Beauty: Old-World Recipes for Great Radiant Skin (Atria, 2009) from skin-care expert Narine Nikogosian contains formulas for moisturizers, toners, eye creams and face masks made from simple, fresh ingredients such as avocado, egg, yogurt, olive oil, mango and orange. Nikogosian — whose celebrity clients include Charlize Theron, Ellen DeGeneres and Alfre Woodard — also divulges some of her family’s beauty secrets. In Nikogosian’s native Armenia, her grandmother ate a single piece of bread from her World War II daily rations — but used the accompanying pat of butter as moisturizer.

The first section of the book includes recipes for every season for varying skin types: oily, normal-to-oily, dry and normal-to-dry. During fall, for example, dry skin might require the Pumpkin Happy Face Mask or the Tangerine Dream Moisturizer. The second part of the book provides fun recipes based on astrological signs — we discovered that pampering our face with a Simply Strawberries Face Mask will help us with our Libra balance and harmony. The third section of the book is full of simple, quick resolutions for beauty issues such as tired eyes, fine lines, dry or damaged hair and chapped hands.

Following is a recipe for a fall moisturizer, rich in antioxidants for dry skin. Remember that when ingredients are fresh, the product’s shelf life is short, so it’s best to stick to the quantity provided in the instructions.

Tangerine Dream Moisturizer
¼ tangerine, peel and pith removed
1 tablespoon sour cream
½ teaspoon flour
1 teaspoon rose oil (available in drugstores and health-food stores)

In blender, combine tangerine, sour cream, flour and oil. Mix well. Apply this to your face every morning and evening after cleansing.

We love that most of these skin-care items can be made with ingredients found in almost any kitchen — especially after taking a look at the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Reviews. Do you have any beauty recipes handed down by members of your family that you’d like to share?

During a conversation with a girlfriend, I got the idea of creating an organization that would help connect mountain communities to build schools in remote areas of the world. Literally overnight, Mountain to Mountain began. It was intended to support the work of Mortenson’s nonprofit, Central Asia Institute. (At around this same time, my daughter, Devon, was born, and my marriage of nine years ended.) But after two years of partnering with registered non-profits, I realized Mountain to Mountain needed to create its own projects and initiatives, and looked to take the giant leap towards Afghanistan.

I traveled to that country in November 2008 for a three-week scouting mission, bringing along photographer Tony Di Zinno to document what we saw, so we could share Afghanistan with people back home, connecting them on a deeper level to our mission. We documented visits to several schools, interviews with female parliamentary members and meeting with other nonprofits working in related fields.

Despite the foreign language, customs, women’s oppression, poverty and random violence and security issues, I felt comfortable almost the moment I stepped off the plane during that first visit. Even though I am reasonably confident and independent, there is always that feeling of holding back a part of who I really am — a sense that I should tone down my emotions, desires and expectations around others.

But that November in Kabul, that all changed. I felt calm stepping into uncharted waters of first-ever interviews taken with cabinet ministers to gain insight into the current state of education, women’s rights and Afghanistan’s politics. While attending a buzkashi (the national sport, similar to polo) match with the president of the Afghan Olympic Buzkashi Federation — thanks to my well-connected translator — doubt didn’t enter into the decision to jump on a buzkashi horse when the challenge was thrown down by the president, despite being the only female around. Often without thinking, just the natural rhythm of being true to myself took over.

My VIV Moment occurred on the plane ride home when I realized I was ready to really commit to the role of founder and leader of Mountain to Mountain. I accepted that I do, in fact, want to “save the world.” After discovering that education has the potential to lead the way out of poverty, abuse and even conflict, I am determined to empower women and children in Afghanistan.

So far, the organization has created a computer lab at a girls’ secondary school in Kabul and another at Kabul University. Projects also are underway to improve and expand a literacy and education program in a women’s prison and to establish a headquarters for the Afghanistan National Association of the Deaf.

There are no rose-colored glasses when I look at Afghanistan. There is dirt and dust, squalor and poverty, gender inequality, corruption and crime. Yet I see the magical quality in this small corner of the world — a crossroads where diverse cultures and races intertwine. I want to inspire others to see beyond the war and terrorism, and see the amazing people working to change their own country’s path, the children that need schools and the artists that strive to keep Afghanistan’s culture alive.

LPGA pro and breast cancer activist Cristie Kerr shares her inspiring story in VIVmag's November/December issue.

By Ann Wycoff

She’s not only the highest earner on the LPGA tour, but pro golfer Cristie Kerr is a philanthropic powerhouse off the fairway. A breast cancer activist, Kerr founded the charity Birdies for Breast Cancer in 2003 after her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis and has since raised nearly $650,000 for research.

“I knew I had to do something to help fight this horrible disease that had afflicted our family,” Kerr says. “I thought about how lucky we were to be healthy and thought of those less fortunate then us.”

Playing golf and giving back are just two of Kerr’s passions. Here, VIVmag’s November/December cover model shares the five things she considers most important in her life.

1. her husband
“He is my best friend and soul mate.”

2. her dog
“Mr. Bailey — he is an apricot dilute mini Chinese Shar-Pei.”

3. wine
“I love the culture, love learning about it, and I love the taste.”

4. shopping
“But only when I make money!”

5. raising funds for Birdies for Breast Cancer
“There is no better feeling than accomplishing something and helping others.”

For more of Kerr’s favorites, check out “Cristie Kerr’s Crusade” in VIVmag’s November/December issue and click here for our exclusive behind-the-scenes video!

Photo credit: Gail Hadani

McEntire and Sheppard like a wide variety of music. Sheppard says, “I love the music from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. I also love Broadway and classical because it is so soothing.” Sheppard, who describes McEntire as “fun-loving and someone who likes to laugh,” reminisces about a favorite experience with the country star: “One time we sang a gospel song together, and now I can always say, ‘I’ve sung with Reba McEntire!’ ”

To read the full article, download the November/December issue, available Nov. 1. Here is a list of classics from their playlist:

Here is the playlist:

Finally, I spotted an incredibly beautiful baby with thick black hair being carried to us from across the room. I was weeping uncontrollably when they placed her in my husband’s arms. Molly was 10 months old and had spent her whole life in an orphanage. She was calm and constantly played with her fingers; we guessed that they had been her only playthings in her crib. We fed her (she was very hungry), and then we carried her around the room, talking to her, showing her sights out the window.

Just like that, we were a family. I was a mother. She was our daughter. I loved her instantly, completely. All my worries and all the waiting disappeared as if they had never happened. She was happy, easy, alert, curious and very funny. Although she had developmental delays, she caught up quickly. In those first few days I was feeling a kind of love and a depth of joy that I had never known.

About a year before the day we met Molly, a friend of mine who had adopted a baby girl from China had told me the legend of the red thread. In China, there’s an ancient belief that when a baby’s born she’s connected to everyone she’ll ever know by an invisible red thread. The thread can stretch or tangle, but it will never break. This powerful idea touched me deeply, and I found myself writing a song and eventually an album called The Red Thread (Red House Records, 2004). The album was really about the threads between me and the daughter I hadn’t yet met; the thread between me and my wonderful husband; the threads between me and my parents, who were reaching the end of their lives, and the threads between me and my fellow New Yorkers in the wake of 9/11.

I’ve recently been given the opportunity to expand on this theme artistically, in collaboration with a wonderful beauty company called La Prairie. I wrote and recorded a song called “Life Threads,” inspired by their new fragrance line of the same name, which evokes a similar idea that what matters most in life are the ties that bind us together.

I have learned since becoming Molly’s mother — really since that day that I wept as they brought her to Rick and me in that office in China — that those threads, those ties, are the most important and meaningful in my life. My daughter has taught me that most important lesson, once and for all.

Photo credit: C. Taylor Crothers

Virginia Madsen's son helped her see Sept. 11 in a new light.

By Margaret Jaworski

For several years, actor Virginia Madsen, 48, didn’t celebrate her birthday. Her age wasn’t the issue; it was the date. The Academy Award nominee was born on Sept. 11.

In 2001, she canceled the party she was planning. “The next year … it’s not a day you want to wave your own flag,” she told us. Five years later, Madsen’s son, Jack, then 13, turned her around by orchestrating an intervention. When Madsen arrived at his school, Jack and all of his classmates were waiting outside to sing happy birthday to her. Jack told her, “I just wanted to remind you that it’s a great day for your birthday.”

And Madsen isn’t alone: More than 1 million people share her birth date, according to birthdayspirit.org, a website where other Virgos born on Sept. 11 recount how they’ve reclaimed the day.

Whether it’s a personal loss or a national tragedy, when a sad event overlaps or coincides with a celebratory one — be it a birthday, a holiday or an anniversary — some of us find it difficult, uncomfortable or even unseemly to enjoy the day. We surveyed those who have been through similar situations for their best advice. Their tips:

Clear the air. Openly acknowledge the duality of the day to yourself and to your friends and family. This will give everyone permission to experience whatever emotion they are feeling.

Reflect. Ask yourself, “How would the person I miss want me to spend this day? Would he or she want me to mourn or be merry?”

Commemorate the day. Volunteering your time or doing a good deed is an uplifting way to honor a loved one. For example, when you order a birthday cake online at bakemeawish.com, the company will also deliver a gourmet cake to a soldier serving overseas.

Photo credit: Charley Gallay

Because I was afraid to say anything, I wrote poems about what I was going through. I didn’t open up to anyone else about the abuse until I was in my 30s. I felt I was doing alright until my little brother was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2003. That triggered a series of suicide attempts — I would run my vehicle off the road, but that caused only some damage to my truck. One day in 2006, shortly before my 44th birthday, I decided to drown myself. The last thing I remember is lowering myself into the river. I woke up in the hospital. A volunteer fireman had been fishing on the banks and saw me float by and rescued me. The doctors told me I was lucky to survive, without water getting into my lungs or suffering any brain damage.

Whatever is at the other end of this life wasn’t ready for me. I realized during that time that I needed to change. I couldn’t give up. Doctors say I was lucky to get this second chance, but I still didn’t know what to do.

Fortunately, after the last suicide attempt, I was placed in a psychological hospital and received therapy at a healthcare facility, where I could get the help that I needed. During a therapy session, my therapist and I were discussing coping skills and how they help. I thought of my poems I’d written as a product of my abuse and showed her one of them. After she read it, she suggested that I get them published and then re-read them to see how I reacted, to see how I felt and to see if they triggered flashbacks. Looking them over, I thought, “Wow, I actually wrote these.” I had disassociated myself from those poems; it was as if somebody else — the little girl inside of me — had written them.

Several weeks went by and I was in another therapy session discussing coping skills with a new group, and there again I showed them some of my work. They, too, suggested that I get the poems published. I got to thinking, “All these people can’t be wrong — and besides, what is it going to hurt?”

I took my best work, put it together and submitted it to AuthorHouse Publishing and six months later, A Survivor’s Tale (AuthorHouse, 2009) was delivered to my door. It was fantastic — even though the book is self-published, I somehow couldn’t believe I was holding it in my hands. The poems are grouped into chapters detailing my journey, from “The Early Years” to “Dark Moments” to “Guidance and Support.” With these poems that helped me cope with abuse, I want to give a voice to victims and survivors who don’t have voices. I want to let them know that they’re not alone and that there’s help for them.

Camilla Thorsson with American Ballet Theatre dancers Katie Williams, Isadora Loyola and Jessica Saund.

By Gabrielle Gayagoy

VIVmag’s creative team partnered with the New York City-based American Ballet Theatre (ABT) for this issue’s interactive style feature, “Director’s Cut.” The 14-page spread gives readers front-row seats to A Chorus Line-meets-Fame narrative, complete with video footage of ABT’s talent dancing at mock tryouts and rehearsals — and looking exquisite in unique designer samples!

“We decided to call on the American Ballet Theatre because we wanted to be multidimensional and have a lot of interaction and movement,” says Kristina Coleman, VIV’s fashion and beauty director. To act the role of the director in the story, Coleman cast Camilla Thorsson of Ford Models. “She’s not only a gorgeous, stunning model, but she also was able to play the part,” Coleman says.

Wearing sophisticated pieces from designers such as Calvin Klein, Chanel and Monique Lhuillier, Thorsson modeled alongside ABT dancers Isadora Loyola, Jessica Saund and Katie Williams, who donned whimsical gowns by Vera Wang and strapless dresses by Naeem Khan.

“I still cannot get over how beautiful the dresses were,” Saund told us. “It was nice to be a able to participate in both a photo shoot as well as a short movie. The whole experience was so glamorous.”

To see more of American Ballet Theatre this fall, check out Three World Premieres from choreographers Benjamin Millepied, Aszure Barton and Alexei Ratmansky at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, Oct. 2–4. The premieres will be performed along with encores of Clark Tippet’s Some Assembly Required and Jerome Robbins’ Other Dances at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall in New York City Oct. 7–10. For tickets and more information, go to abt.org.

Want more fall fashion? Read VIVmag’s exclusive interview with model Beverly Johnson and take the style quiz in the September/October issue.

Photo credit: Gail Hadani

Here is their playlist:

Throughout the morning the fog lifted, and though there were threatening clouds in the sky, we went ahead with the ceremony outside, underneath a large oak tree, overlooking the Berkshire Hills and countryside. It was a short, yet lovely ceremony, and my 3-year-old niece added levity by dumping her basket of flowers while we said our vows.

This photo shows my husband and me, immediately after the ceremony, being showered with rose petals. All the tension and nervousness of the morning had evaporated away, and, like magic, the sun emerged from behind the gray clouds. The many doubts and worries I’d entertained the night before seemed to vanish into the air. The day got progressively sunnier and more beautiful from that instant on. In that moment, I knew that we were prepared for any challenge that lay ahead. The sun was going to shine upon us as a couple, we were going to make it. In that moment it all began — we were married, it wasn’t going to rain on our party and we were filled with hope and joy and love.

She proceeded to tell me how unfair her life was, how limited she felt being the oldest sister of three disabled siblings. She wanted to do things “normal” families do and go places “normal” families go — outings like going to the movies or walking through the mall, or attending school functions or community celebrations, all of which were out of the question for our family as a whole. She cried and I held her in my arms.

I gently told her how fortunate she was to be able to do all the things children do, like hang out with friends, swing on the monkey bars and go bike riding. I explained that when she turned 16, she would be getting her driver’s license, that she would date and eventually fall in love. And that one day she would move away from the challenges of our family and have a family of her own. How lucky she was to be able to do these things.

I then reminded her of the many ways in which her siblings were limited. “They will never have friends, not the way you do,” I told her. “They will never be able to walk to the park by themselves, or ride a bike. They will never be able to play sports, or read a book, or sing a song — they can’t even talk. And they will never go on dates, or to prom, or ever fall in love.” As I spoke the words, I felt myself realizing these things for the first time, realizing the precious life experiences my disabled children would never have. And I realized the experiences I, as their mother, would never have with them, like watching them play baseball, or receive a school award, graduate high school, or hear them say the words, “I love you, Mom.” These experiences would never be mine. Never. And for the first time, I truly felt the loss. As we lay there in that cramped, quiet bedroom, my little girl held me in her arms, and we both wept.

My heart changed forever that night, leaving me with a rare and profound sense of gratitude. Gratitude for all the things we take for granted, like being able to talk, to read, to learn and to love. I vowed I would never forget these things or how I felt that night. I determined to never dismiss or belittle the blessings in my life, however seemingly small. I promised myself that I would celebrate all the things my children could do, for their simple and hard-earned milestones. Maybe they couldn’t talk, but they could smile and laugh and be loved. And that was worth more than any words they could ever say.

Being the mother of three disabled children is like living simultaneously on both ends of a very large spectrum. It’s the most devastatingly horrible, remarkably beautiful experience, full of profound lows and transcendent highs, wrapped in a series of unpredictable moments, struggles, and triumphs.

The daily experience is one of 24-hour caregiving, changing diapers, feeding, bathing, behavior management, sleepless nights, therapies, doctors, medications, caseworkers, respite providers, special education, heavy financial impact and trying to maintain your sanity. There are days when all you can do is survive because you’re so depleted from taking care of everyone else that you don’t know if you can go another day. You feel ostracized and isolated from “normal” mothers with “normal” children, and you wonder if there’s life outside your front door.

But there are also exquisite moments when you celebrate these special children, when you realize what truly matters and how fortunate you are to see a side of life that most people will never see. You find strength you didn’t know you had, and a kind of love you didn’t know existed. There are moments when you don’t have any answers at all, and then there are those illuminating moments when the innocence in your teenage son’s childlike eyes seems to reveal the mysteries of the universe.

There are tears and laughter, loss and love; where every morning you brace for impact, struggle to survive, and somehow discover you’ve developed wisdom and rare insight along the way. Your eyes are opened to the world around you very vividly and you see that we all have “special needs,” there is no such thing as “normal,” and everyone has something to teach.

Photo credit: Jeff Nicholson

By Shelley Levitt

Don't feel the burn: Use these tips for a safer summer.

Slathering on sunscreen before heading outdoors is a year-round must-do — but with so many lotions, gels and sprays available in a wide range of Sun Protection Factor (SPF), it’s tough to know how to choose the right one. Here, some insight for the next time you’re sifting through the sunblock display:

• Know the numbers. Since sunscreens are classified as a drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, their labels must include a list of all active ingredients and their concentrations. SPF ratings are also regulated by the FDA. These numbers are a multiple of how much time you can spend in the sun without getting a sunburn if you apply sunscreen properly (a teaspoon for each arm, leg, front of body and back of body, and half a teaspoon for the face). For example, if you normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, applying SPF 15 gives you 150 minutes of protection. Sunscreen products must also include an expiration date.
• Go for “broad spectrum.” Many experts believe the label requirements don’t go nearly far enough. “Right now, when you look at a tube of sunscreen, you get information about how much protection you have against the sun’s shorter-length UVB rays, the ones that cause sunburn,” says dermatologist Monica Halem, M.D., an assistant professor at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University. (Her top sunscreen picks: Neutrogena Age Shield Sunblock SPF 45 with Helioplex and La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream with Mexoryl SX.) “But there is no monitoring system that provides reliable information about UVA radiation, the longer rays that go deeper and can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. This lack of information is leaving consumers confused.” For now, most experts agree that a “broad spectrum” sunscreen — imperfect as that term may be — offers the best protection available against both ultraviolet A and B radiation.
• Check the ingredients. There are two types of sun protection: chemical sunscreens that absorb UV radiation, and physical sunblocks that reflect or scatter UV rays. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the two most common ingredients in physical sunblocks and both provide protection against UVA and UVB rays. Lots of chemical screens, including octinoxate (octyl methoxycinnamate) and benzones (such as dioxybenzone and oxybenzone), will protect against UVB radiation and some, but not all, UVA rays. For better protection against UVA rays, look for the ingredient avobenzone (Parsol 1789) or Mexoryl.

For more tips on how to read skin-care labels, check out the July/August issue of VIVmag!

I used HypnoBirthing as my breathing method and all the nurses commented on how I was handling the contractions amazingly well — until about 9 pm, that is, when I needed the epidural. I later learned that that was when I went from 5 cm to 10 cm in about two hours. I was incredibly grateful for the epidural to say the least! Around 11 pm or so, the nurse called our doctor and I started gently pushing shortly after. At 12:53 am on June 2, little Luc arrived into this world crying out loud to let us know he had a good set of lungs. He was absolutely perfect and we are in love!

My husband and I named him Luc Allen-Manley Mathes. Allen is his father’s and paternal grandfather’s middle name, and Manley is his maternal grandfather’s surname. His name means “a handsome light from the hero’s meadow” and we think it fits him perfectly! His daddy was happy to cut the cord and help me throughout the whole labor. He was awesome!

I’m grateful to everyone who helped assist me in my journey to motherhood. Our nurse, Laura, was amazing, I will never forget her encouragement and support, and our OB, Dr. Ruedrich, was absolutely wonderful for the entire nine months and we are so thankful for his knowledge and guidance. And our parents and my sister stayed up all night with us to be there to meet Luc and welcome him into the world! We truly felt blessed and surrounded by love throughout the entire experience. Welcome, little Luc. We love you!

"My fantasy is to have a whole zoo of animals in my backyard," says Ostrosky Stern, shown here with her English bulldog, Bianca.

By Josie Rubio

VIVmag cover model Beth Ostrosky Stern, wife of Howard Stern, became involved with animal rescue and adoption organization North Shore Animal League America five years ago when she was asked to volunteer her time to model couture gowns while carrying puppies down the runway for their annual Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon. “I wouldn’t leave the runway until every animal was adopted,” she recalls.

Now a regular visitor to the shelter, Ostrosky Stern says her first stop is to see the adult pets, whose owners in many cases have passed away. “They’re living the later part of their years at a shelter, and it’s so heartbreaking, because they’re often the most perfect dogs,” she says.

Animal rights activism runs in Ostrosky Stern’s blood. Growing up, her family rescued dogs, cats and guinea pigs — she and her siblings even paid visits “for years and years” to a few baby chicks that were sent to a farm once they grew into chickens. “When Howard and I started dating, we had a fantasy of getting a dog together. I didn’t even know of any pet stores because that wasn’t an option growing up,” she says.

Ostrosky Stern ran the New York City Marathon last fall in an effort to raise more than $300,000 for North Shore Animal League. Her favorite moment? Being greeted at the finish line by the shelter’s staff and volunteers, as well as Stern and his youngest daughter, Ashley. “I think Howard was pretty shocked that I wasn’t even sweating,” she says. “It was like an adrenaline rush.”

For more on Ostrosky Stern’s work with charitable causes — and to see photos of her with her adorable English bulldog Bianca Romijn-Stamos-Ostrosky-Stern-O’Connell — click here to check out VIVmag’s July/August cover story. And don’t miss Extra’s exclusive coverage of Ostrosky Stern’s photo shoot.

SJS also causes blindness; you can also go deaf and, in many instances, you can die. I was in the hospital for about a week. As I was lying in bed in a painkiller haze, I overhead the doctor say, “Oh no, it’s on her face and possibly in her eyes.” I lay there and thought, “I may become blind because of this and look like a burn victim from the scarring or even die.” I have been so careful in my life and it didn’t matter. I am the kind of person who calculates everything. I am very careful about what I do. I overthink every situation in the present and future. If I am involved with a guy, for instance, I will go over every possible scenario in my head — good and bad. I always believed in life you have to be very responsible, cautious and sensible. If you exhibit those characteristics, then you’ll stay safe. That day, I realized no matter what you do you cannot control every situation. 

All sorts of thoughts and regrets went racing through my head. I didn’t have a partner because I was too apprehensive and focused on what could go wrong in a relationship. I hadn’t traveled to Europe because I focused on the dangers of traveling outside the country, etc. I had a glimpse of what it would be like as an elderly person on her deathbed, experiencing all the thoughts and regrets. When you are bedridden, all you have are your thoughts. It just hit me that my life could be very different from now on. I may look like a burn victim. I thought, “If I go blind, I will never see Europe.”

The doctors tell me now they are shocked they were able to reverse the syndrome. They tell me had I went to the hospital even 10 minutes later, I would have permanent scarring and possibly gone blind. I, of course, feel like something in the Universe gave me a second chance. The Universe was telling me to live my life and to stop being scared. Bad things can happen no matter what you do. I know it’s a cliché, but I realized I needed to stop overthinking and just live my life to the fullest.

I contacted a whole bunch of people I knew from college living in the area and planned a party. All of them showed up. When I told them how unhappy I had been, everyone started to encourage me to move to New York. I told them I was considering L.A. New York felt too difficult and far away. But they persisted. As my plane left a few days later, I looked down at Manhattan a little wistfully. Could I move there? Would it be better?

Back in San Francisco, as my plane pulled into the gate, I searched through my cell phone for someone to whom I could announce my arrival, or even make plans with for drinks. None of the numbers I saw staring back at me were numbers I wanted to call. The lonely feeling I had come to know so well returned to my stomach. When I got home to my apartment, I turned on my computer. There were about 15 messages from my friends in New York with links to websites for jobs, apartments and hot online daters. All of the sudden it hit me. I didn’t have to be lonely. I had friends. There were people in the world that loved and made me feel special. I had given San Francisco a fair try. It hadn’t worked. It was not my city. Two months later I moved.

A year later I flew back to San Francisco for a wedding. On the way back to New York, as we looped around the city before making our descent into La Guardia I had the greatest feeling in my stomach in quite some time. I was home!

The first time I had to buy something, I walked into the store and asked the owner in Hindi, “Are shoes in your direction?” They were indeed, and after some negotiations, a pair was then in my direction. The whole exchange seemed delicate, courtly. It took a while before the philosophy embedded in the phrase — material things are never truly ours — began to sink in though.

But there came a time, a few months on, when I looked around the room in the Indian house where I’d moved — a room that before would have seemed uncluttered — and suddenly felt ashamed at having so much stuff crammed in there. The other rooms in the house were all so spare and beautiful. Worse, the maid kept returning my trash to me. I’d try to discard a bum pen and it would land back on the desk. “Madame, you can refill it for three rupees,” the maid finally explained. She’d use my trash — discarded newspapers, crinkled wrappings — to line my shelves: a practical consideration but a nightmare look to a Westerner, until I thought about it. In a place where you’re not invested in your stuff, you don’t express yourself through decorating. All the same, I snuck it out.

I vowed that once I got back, I’d keep my rooms spare and beautiful, but I didn’t. Language shapes the way we think and now that I’m back in English, my things are once again possessions — I own them. Alas, they’re no longer transitory.

Photo credit: Adrian Kinloch

"Loving what you do is the secret to happiness," Kirsebom says. "It gives you energy at work."

By Gabrielle Gayagoy

Discovered when she was just 13 years old in Stockholm, Sweden, by Ford Models co-founder Eileen Ford, supermodel Vendela Kirsebom has spent more than two decades gracing the covers of countless magazines, including Esquire and Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, and modeling for brands such as Almay, Elizabeth Arden and Victoria’s Secret. Now, at age 42, the 5-foot-8-inch beauty looks as stunning as ever — and she feels better than ever too.

“I’m in a good place in my life,” Kirsebom says. “And I think the secret really is to love what you do.”

Bouncing Back
Kirsebom’s passion for her work helped her stay grounded during what was perhaps the toughest period of her life. Having split from her husband of 11 years in 2007, Kirsebom says of that time, “I wasn’t really sure how I would deal with it.” After juggling questions of what would be best for her two daughters, now 11 and 9, Kirsebom reconciled herself to remaining in Oslo, Norway, so that her children could be close to both parents. During this time, Kirsebom was steeped in her role as host of both Norway’s Next Top Model and Sweden’s Next Top Model, the Scandinavian spinoffs of America’s Next Top Model.

“It was a good thing for me to start working where I actually live instead of always traveling,” says Kirsebom, who now puts her vast experience (which includes writing, acting and jewelry design) to use mentoring the shows’ contestants.

Over time, Kirsebom has created a new life for herself, and now she even has a steady beau. “I have a new boyfriend who’s been in my life for over a year,” she says. “One of the reasons I think we hooked up is because of food. He’s a great cook.”

Taking Care of Herself
Food fanaticism is a prerequisite for members of Kirsebom’s inner circle. She says she loves swapping recipes and preparing meals from scratch using fresh ingredients. “Right now, I’m on an Indian trip. For Easter, we made a really great lamb korma, and then we made a chicken that was marinated in yogurt and spices for 24 hours. You could eat it with a spoon!”

Kirsebom’s repertoire also includes homemade meatballs (Swedish, of course) and Middle Eastern favorites like hummus. “I got my interest in cooking from my mom and also my grandmother. Now my daughters are very interested too. They like making cakes and desserts.”

To maintain her svelte figure in spite of her kitchen adventures, Kirsebom says she sticks with regular meal times — 6:30 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. She also runs, practices yoga and goes horseback riding with her girls. “With work and with kids, I don’t have time to exercise as much as I used to, but I try to do it three times a week. Sometimes it’s more like twice.”

Kirsebom has a decidedly European attitude when it comes to aging — she says she’s happy with her natural look and not fearful about getting older. But, she adds, “I don’t mind plastic surgery on others. People have to do whatever they feel comfortable with, as long as it’s something you choose and it’s not a husband or somebody else who’s choosing for you.”

Model Mom
Empowering women to call their own shots is an issue that’s important to Kirsebom. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for the past 13 years, she’s traveled to places such as Bangladesh, Bolivia and India to help raise awareness about girls’ education. “After I had my own children, the issue became even more important to me,” Kirsebom says. “If you can’t read and you can’t write, you’re so handicapped with everything.”

As a mom who cares deeply about education, loves to whip up home-cooked meals for her children and manages a successful career that continues to evolve, Kirsebom certainly deserves a happy Mother’s Day. And we can’t think of a more perfect person for VIVmag’s May/June cover!

Click here for more on Vendela’s favorites.

Credits
Photography: Ondrea Barbe
Model: Vendela/Ford Models
Styling: Kristina Ferrante Coleman
Hair: Kevin Woon at Woon Salon/Jed Root Inc.
Makeup: Susan Giordano for giordanobeauty.com/Kramer+Kramer
Clothing: Monique Lhuillier cocktail dress; Vera Wang necklace; Olivia Morris for Barbara Tfank high-heel sandals

Vendela Kirsebom keeps her skin looking luminous with Secrets de Sothys face cream.

VIVmag’s May/June cover model shares her personal picks for stressing less and staying gorgeous. Her favorites:

BOOK
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (Knopf, 2008)
“Larsson is an amazing Swedish writer who died of a heart attack when he was 50. His books have sold worldwide and you can’t put them down. You start reading it and it’s like you can’t eat, you can’t drink, you can’t do anything: You just have to read.”

FACE CREAM
Secrets de Sothys Global Anti-Age Destressing Cream
“I started using this when I turned 35 — it’s for older skin. It’s definitely worth finding a good cream and not doing what I sometimes do, which is buy something because it’s in a beautiful jar. You have to get samples and test what works for you.”

PICK-ME-UP
Cappuccino with whole milk
“I love my espresso in the morning with whole milk — I make the foam and everything. I don’t like it with skim. For me, real stuff is the best.”

STRESS RELIEVER
IKEA candles
“I love candles. Sometimes I burn a lot of them, so it’s better to buy cheaper ones.”

HAND CREAM
Eau Thermale Avène Hand Cream with Cold Cream
“It’s a French brand you can actually buy in the pharmacy. It’s really good and I think they have a lot of great products, including sunblock for the face.”

Click here to check out Kirsebom’s interactive fashion spread in the May/June issue!

Credits
Photography: Ondrea Barbe
Model: Vendela/Ford Models
Styling: Kristina Ferrante Coleman
Hair: Kevin Woon at Woon Salon/Jed Root Inc.
Makeup: Susan Giordano for giordanobeauty.com/Kramer+Kramer
Clothing: BCBGMAXAZRIA dress

Colds account for more doctor visits in the United States than any other condition, according to the American Lung Association. Adults get two to four colds per year, mostly between September and May. If you’re an optimist who sees the glass of orange juice as half-full, that means we’re more than halfway through cold season. Here, four tips for making your cold more bearable.

1. Break out the (eye) glasses. Colds affect production of outer-eye fluids, causing dry eyes, says William Benjamin, O.D., Ph.D., professor of optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He recommends reducing contact-lens wear while you’re sick to reduce irritation, and swapping daily-wear contacts for extended-wear. But you might as well don your specs for ultimate comfort — you don’t really want a crystal-clear view of yourself when you have a cold anyway, do you?

2. Skip the hot toddy. The alcohol in this traditional cold remedy can cause dehydration. Instead, opt for broths, tea and water, says Winnie Yu, author of What to Eat for What Ails You (Fair Winds Press, 2007): “The extra hydration will help minimize congestion and keep the mucus from becoming too thick.” Recent research from Cardiff University’s Common Cold Centre in Wales found that hot drinks provide immediate relief for runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chilliness and fatigue. The study involved warm fruit juice, so try heating up some apple cider or make some noncaffeinated tea.

3. Tickle your funny bone. Laughing hurts when your nose is raw and sore, but according to a study from Oak Crest Health Research Institute, the anticipation of laughter reduces stress hormones that are potentially detrimental to the immune system by up to 70 percent. Keep that immune system in check with The Little Cold Book (Quirk Books, 2005), which promises to keep you entertained for the duration of your cold, with home remedies, movie suggestions and how to figure out who to blame for your current misery.

4. Veg out with veggies. “Feeding a cold isn’t a free pass to eat whatever you want,” Yu says. She recommends fruits and steamed vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli and red peppers. Though dairy products increase mucus production in some, yogurt that contains probiotics has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of colds. The antioxidant minerals selenium and zinc, which help immunity, can be found in eggs, chicken and whole grains, Yu says.

The recipe below was adapted by VIVmag from one of Silverton’s favorite recipes — a quick, simple dish that is best served family style. “This is an upscale version of the sort of antipasto salad we all grew up eating at Italian-American restaurants,” says Silverton. “I think it’s fun for people to dig around and see what little treats they might find amid the lettuce.”

Nancy’s Chopped Salad

Serves 4

SALAD INGREDIENTS:

1 head iceberg lettuce, core removed and julienned
1 head radicchio, core removed and julienned
2 cups chickpeas, drained
1 pound provolone (preferably aged), sliced 1/4-inch thick and cut into 1/2-inch ribbons
1 pound Genoa salami, sliced 1/4-inch thick and cut into 1/2-inch ribbons
1 red onion, peeled, halved at the core and julienned
4 pepperoncini, sliced into thin rings (stem discarded)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 pints Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes, halved, then lightly seasoned with salt

DRESSING INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 ounces red-wine vinegar
1/2 tablespoon dried oregano, plus extra for garnish
1 garlic clove, micro-planed
1 garlic clove, smashed whole
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
2 cups extra-virgin olive oil

TO PREPARE SALAD:

Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss to combine.

TO PREPARE DRESSING:

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except olive oil; slowly whisk in olive oil.

TO SERVE:

Add 6 ounces of dressing to the salad and toss well to coat. (Store remaining dressing in refrigerator; it lasts 4–5 days.) Divide salad onto 4 plates. Garnish with dried oregano and serve immediately.

Reap the benefits with this seasonal special — rich in protein and calcium and low in artery-clogging saturated fat — from Chef Lyle Bolyard at The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, PA.

Seared Salmon With Pumpkin Risotto

For risotto:
4 cups chicken stock
½ cup rice milk
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/8 cup minced onion
1 cup Arborio rice
½ cup cubed pumpkin (blanched)
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix the chicken stock and rice milk together and warm in a saucepot. Set aside. In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the onions. Sauté for about 45 seconds. Add the rice and stir until the rice is completely coated with the oil and onions are mixed. Reduce the heat to medium-low and start to ladle the warm chicken-stock mixture into the rice about 4 ounces at a time, taking about 2-minute intervals between. Make sure to continuously stir the rice while it is cooking. After you have ladled about half of the stock into the pot, add the blanched pumpkin and continue to cook, adding more stock every 2 minutes. The cooking process should take 35–40 minutes, or until the rice and pumpkin are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.

For the salmon:
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 5-ounce pieces wild salmon
Salt and pepper to taste
1 5-ounce bag roasted pumpkin seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large sauté pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium heat for 1 minute. Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Place the salmon into the hot pan and sear for 3 minutes on each side. After searing, finish the salmon in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove the salmon from the oven and serve on a platter over a bed of pumpkin risotto. Garnish the top of the salmon with roasted pumpkin seeds.

Recommendation: Serve a favorite green with the dish like wilted spinach or sautéed Swiss chard.

Full meal serves 4; prep time: about an hour; cook time: 51 minutes total

Adapted by VIVmag from a recipe by Gonzalez, this dish is one of her personal favorites.

Pan-Seared Snapper Fillet Over White-Water Clams and Chorizo Stew

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/4 cup thinly sliced leeks
6 fresh white-water clams (Florida farm-raised)
3 1 1/2-inch slices Spanish chorizo
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
2 fingerling potatoes, steamed
1/4 red tomato, julienned
6 ounces white wine
1 tablespoon cilantro leaves
6 ounces fish stock
5 ounces red snapper fillet
1/2 tablespoon Plugrá (higher-fat) butter
2 chive sprigs

FOR THE STEW:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in sauté pan over medium heat; add leeks, clams, chorizo and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.
2. Add potatoes and tomato, then wine, and stir to deglaze pan.
3. Add cilantro leaves and fish stock. Cover, reduce heat and cook until clams open.

FOR THE FISH:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Heat remaining olive oil in cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Sauté snapper, cooking skin side down, for 3–4 minutes.
3. Flip fish over, place in ovenproof dish and bake for 3–4 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, uncover stew and add Plugrá butter.

TO SERVE:

Place clams around sides of a wide, shallow bowl, and mound potatoes and chorizo in center. Place cooked fish, skin side up, on top of potatoes, and cover with remaining stew mixture. Garnish with chive sprigs; serve immediately.

Chicken Creole
Serves 4

Nonstick cooking spray as needed
4 medium chicken breast halves, skinless, boned and cut into 1-inch strips
1 ½ cups (1 large) green pepper, seeded and chopped
1 ½ cups chopped celery
1 cup (14 oz) chopped tomatoes, fresh or canned
1 cup low-sodium chili sauce
¼ cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried)
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
¼ teaspoon salt

Directions: Spray a deep skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat pan over high heat. Cook chicken in hot skillet, stirring, for 3 to 5 minutes or until no longer pink. Reduce heat. Add green pepper, celery, tomatoes with juice, chili sauce, onion, garlic, basil, parsley, red pepper and salt. Bring to boil and reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Serve over brown rice or whole-grain pasta.

Recipe from The Cardiac Recovery Cookbook: Heart-Healthy Recipes for Life After Heart Attack or Heart Surgery by M. Laurel Cutlip, R.D., L.N., with Sari Budgazad, R.D., C.D.N., Copyright 2005. Excerpted with permission from Hatherleigh Press.

Cora, who now resides in Santa Barbara, CA, shares one of her favorite recipes with VIVmag, “I love traditional Greek comfort food, but have lightened it up to fit in with my Southern California lifestyle,” she says.

Lettuce “Gyros” With Spicy Halibut and Feta-Mint Tzatziki

Serves 4

HALIBUT:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional to sear fish
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds halibut fillets (four 6-ounce center-cut halibut fillets or six 4-ounce fillets)

LETTUCE CUPS:

1 head butter lettuce
1 head radicchio

CONDIMENTS:

Pepperoncini
Chopped scallions
Feta-Mint Tzatziki (recipe follows)

FETA-MINT TZATZIKI: (Makes 1 1/2 cups)

1 cup plain Greek-style yogurt
2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 1 large clove)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons finely chopped mint
1 cucumber, peeled

TOMATO SALAD:5 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

TO MAKE FETA-MINT TZATZIKI:

1. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except cucumber; set aside.
2. Using an old-fashioned box grater, grate cucumber directly over yogurt mixture. Cover bowl and chill in refrigerator at least one hour, or overnight.

TO MARINATE HALIBUT:

1. Preheat grill to medium-hot or oven to 350° F.
2. In a baking dish, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper.
3. Add halibut fillets in a single layer and turn to coat thoroughly with marinade. Allow fillets to marinate for 10 minutes while you make the tomato salad.

TO MAKE TOMATO SALAD:1. In medium bowl, combine tomatoes, onions, olives, oregano, parsley, lime juice and olive oil. Season to taste with kosher salt and black pepper. Set aside.

TO BAKE HALIBUT:

1. Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil into large skillet over high heat and sear fish for 1 minute on each side.
2. Bake fish in oiled Pyrex baking dish in oven until firm to the touch and flakes easily when separated with the tines of a fork, 10–12 minutes for fillets and 12–15 minutes for steaks.
3. Remove fish from oven and let it rest in the pan while you prepare lettuce cups.

TO PREPARE LETTUCE CUPS:

1. Form lettuce cups by gently separating the heads of butter lettuce and radicchio. For extra-crisp cups, soak lettuce in very cold water for a few minutes before removing and patting dry with a paper towel.
2. Make a cup by lining a whole leaf of butter lettuce with radicchio; double-line the cups to reduce the chance of leaks.

TO SERVE:1. Flake a generous portion of fish into each lettuce cup or cut fish into small chunks and divide evenly among cups.
2. Top with tomato salad. Drizzle with tzatziki, if desired, and garnish with pepperoncini and scallions. Serve immediately. You can eat this with a knife and fork or pick up the lettuce cup and eat it with gusto.

Adapted by VIVmag from a recipe courtesy of Houghton Mifflin.

The following meal makeover, provided by Barbara J. Rolls, Ph.D., author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan: Techniques and Recipes for Feeling Full on Fewer Calories (HarperCollins, 2005), evokes the hearty traditional flavors of French countryside cooking. It’s also a delicious example of “supersizing” done right. As Rolls explains, pumping up the veggie volume — in this case, with mushrooms and carrots — adds water and reduces energy density, so you’ll fill up on fewer calories. She also replaced dark meat and bacon with skinless white-meat chicken and Canadian bacon, radically transforming a decadent, fatty entree into a heart-healthy, lowfat, protein-packed savory treat.

Bon appétit!

Chicken Merlot
Serves 4

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)

¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon dried thyme

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 cups quartered mushrooms, about ½ pound

2 cups peeled sliced carrots

4 pieces Canadian bacon, cut into ¼-inch-wide slices

2/3 cup Merlot or other dry red wine

2/3 cup nonfat, reduced-sodium chicken broth

2 teaspoons canned tomato paste

¼ cup chopped, fresh flat-leaf parsley

Prep tip: Always wash hands, countertops, cutting boards, knives and other utensils with soapy water if they have come in contact with the raw chicken. Note that is not necessary to wash the raw chicken, as cooking destroys any bacteria that may be present. For more information, check out eatchicken.com.

Directions: Cut each chicken breast crosswise into 3 pieces. Combine the flour, thyme and salt in a resealable plastic bag and add chicken pieces. Seal the bag and shake. Remove the chicken and shake off excess flour. Lightly coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add 1 teaspoon of the oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until chicken is lightly browned on both sides. Remove chicken and set aside.

Add 1 teaspoon of oil to the skillet and sauté mushrooms, carrots and bacon for 2 minutes. Stir in wine, broth and tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.

Return chicken to skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until it is no longer pink in the center. Divide chicken mixture among 4 plates, sprinkle with the parsley, and serve.

Serving Tip: Try boiled potatoes or whole-grain pasta such as fusilli or penne as side dishes.

It’s true that Americans are tightening their belts in response to grim economic conditions. A Harris Interactive survey found 71 percent of adults plan to spend less this holiday season. But that doesn’t mean charities will be Scrooged: 49 percent of survey respondents also said that they plan to make charitable donations as a gift. Looking for a worthy cause so you can follow suit? Here are 10 organizations that get the thumbs-up from Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator.

1. Action Against Hunger This organization commits itself to saving the lives of malnourished children and families, especially those affected by war, conflict or natural disaster. It also ensures communities access to clean drinking water and sanitation, implements health programs, works for humanitarian advocacy and creates infrastructure for self-sufficiency and sustainable solutions. Click to give.

2. American Architectural Foundation Since 1943, this nonprofit has inspired and educated individuals and communities about the effect architecture has on quality of life and well-being. Programs include Great Schools by Design, an initiative to improve the quality of school design in the United States, and the Mayors’ Institute on City Design, a program to improve the livability of American cities. Click to give.

3. American Hiking Society For the outdoorsy type, consider a donation or gift membership to this group that promotes and protects hiking trails through outreach, education and by working for policy and legislation. The $30 Gift Membership includes American Hiker and Backpacker magazines and discounts on hiking gear. Click to give.

4. Cancer Research Institute The only nonprofit dedicated exclusively to scientific and clinical efforts leading to the treatment, control and prevention of cancer, the institute’s goal is to find immune-based approaches to beat the disease. Click to give.

5. Equality Now This groups works to end violence and discrimination against women and girls worldwide, bringing attention to rape, domestic violence, reproductive rights, trafficking, genital mutilation and political participation discrimination. The Women’s Action Network is made up of more than 35,000 members in 160 countries who protest human-rights violations against females. Click to give.

6. Jumpstart This charity pairs low-income preschool children with college mentors for one school year to develop literacy, language and social skills. Bonus: Donations of up to $5,000 made through December are matched by a Jumpstart board member. Click to give.

7. National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts This foundation assists emerging artists at critical junctures in their education and careers in music (classical to popular), dance, film, photography, theater, writing and visual arts. Its youngARTS program has bestowed $6.4 million in awards and $80 million toward college scholarships, helping up-and-coming artists realize their dreams. Click to give.

8. Surfrider Foundation Started in 1984 by a group of California surfers, the foundation now has 80 chapters worldwide working for clean water and beach access and preservation. A Holiday Gift Membership ($44) includes a limited-edition Surfrider Foundation organic T-shirt or tote, a sticker and six issues of Making Waves. Click to give.

9. World Wildlife Fund A donation to this group is the perfect gift for an animal lover. Since 1961, the WWF has worked to protect animal habitats and endangered species and promote sustainable approaches to natural resources. Those who donate $75 or more will receive a WWF ornament. Click to give.

10. The Young Women’s Leadership Network This group creates single-gender public schools and college-access programs across the country. The YWL Girls’ Schools provide first-rate education and the CollegeBound Initiative, which now serves 5,000 students in 10 urban schools, specializes in increasing college enrollment and financial aid for low-income, inner-city students. Click to give.

The majority of lung-cancer victims (60 percent) are not current smokers; they either had quit or never smoked. Yet sufferers are often met with a lack of support or sympathy because people often believe that they have brought it upon themselves, according to the Lung Cancer Alliance, an organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for people affected by the disease. “It’s not just a smoker’s disease,” says Kay Cofrancesco, the alliance’s director of external relations. “We want to shift the paradigm.” While smoking increases lung-cancer risk, it’s not the only cause. Secondhand smoke, exposure to radon gas and other harmful airborne materials are all believed to play a role. In addition, some researchers attribute a higher incidence of lung cancer in women to higher estrogen levels.

Early diagnosis is difficult because the symptoms of lung cancer are similar to other common illnesses, and many sufferers don’t experience them until they reach the late stages of the disease. If you have a history of smoking or a first-degree relative with lung cancer, or have been exposed to harmful materials, talk to a physician and discuss early detection strategies. After a physical exam, your doctor will likely recommend one of the following diagnostic tests:

Chest X-ray This is the most common test for lung cancer, but unfortunately, small tumors are not always visible on the two-dimensional image.

Computed tomography (CT) scan Also known as a CAT scan, this test can detect small tumors and help your doctor determine where the cancer may have spread.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Magnetic fields are used to create clear images that will spot tumors in tissues, muscles, nerves and bones.

Thoracoscopy A surgical procedure that explores the surface of the lungs and the chest wall lining.

To learn more as well as find a helpful list of questions to ask your doctor, log on to lungcanceralliance.org or click here to assess your risk with this web tool.

Click here to download the playlist from iTunes.

Parmesan and Rosemary “Fried” Chicken
Serves 4

• 6 tablespoons light butter (such as Land O’Lakes)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 10-ounce bag baked potato chips (such as Lay’s)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 4 4-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Cooking spray

Directions: Preheat oven to 350° F.

In a medium skillet over low heat, melt the light butter. Stir in garlic, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, place potato chips in a large, resealable plastic bag. Seal bag and crush chips with a rolling pin until they are finely ground into crumbs. Add Parmesan, rosemary, salt and pepper to bag, seal, and shake until thoroughly combined.
Coat chicken breast in the butter mixture, then place in bag. Seal and shake, gently turning bag until chicken is coated with crumbs. Repeat for remaining breasts.
Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Arrange chicken in a single layer and bake for 12–15 minutes, until exterior is golden and meat is firm and cooked through.

Take-home tip: You can oven “fry” shrimp using this same crispy coating and baking technique.

Technique: Oven frying
1. Crush plastic resealable bag full of baked potato chips with a rolling pin.

2. Coat chicken breast in garlic butter.

3. Place chicken breast in bag and seal.

4. Gently shake chicken breast in bag.

5. Bake until coating is golden and chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.

Macadamia-Crusted Salmon
Serves 4

Preheat a skillet over high heat. Add oil, then salmon filllets, and pan-sear, flipping once to brown on each side. Fillets should be rare. Place fillets in an oven-safe baking dish that has been lightly coated with cooking spray. Spread tops of fillets with mustard, and set aside.

Meanwhile, place nuts into a food processor and chop until mealy. Add bread crumbs, curry powder and Splenda, and pulse until combined. Add cilantro, and pulse a couple times more, until green specks are seen throughout. Spoon mixture onto mustard side of each salmon fillet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until medium-well.]]> Uncategorized http://vivmag.com/recipes/macadamia-crusted-salmon/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VivSitewideFeed/~3/fnhqnx2bXJQ/ Cooking fruit on a very hot, dry skillet creates plenty of dramatic sizzle and caramelizes the sugars, lending this salsa a deep, smoky flavor without any fat. http://vivmag.com/recipes/?p=34 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:18:46 -0800 Cooking fruit on a very hot, dry skillet creates plenty of dramatic sizzle and caramelizes the sugars, lending this salsa a deep, smoky flavor without any fat. This dish requires a kitchen with a good ventilation system. Turn your fan on high and open the windows before starting to cook, and use extreme caution when handling the pan and adding the pineapple.

This tasty, healthful recipe was adapted by VIVmag from a recipe by chef Chad Luethje at Red Mountain Spa. Check out VIVmag’s July/August 2007 issue for other delicious recipes, weight-loss secrets and healthy cooking tips from top health spas.

Seared Ahi Tuna With Fire-Roasted Pineapple Salsa
Serves 4

• 1 cup fresh pineapple cubes
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons diced red bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon finely diced red onion
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil ribbons
• 4 4-ounce ahi tuna fillets or steaks

Directions: Preheat grill. Turn on your kitchen’s fan. Preheat a heavy-gauge stainless-steel sauté pan on high heat for about 15 minutes. (For your safety, do not attempt this on a cheap, flimsy or nonstick pan.)

Once the dry pan is thoroughly heated, add diced pineapple. (It will shriek, sputter and smoke as it hits the pan.) Let the fruit caramelize on one side before stirring. Continue sautéing until all pineapple is charred. (Total cooking time will be less than 1 minute.)
Add the pineapple juice to deglaze the bottom of the pan; juice will reduce and thicken, instantly. Immediately transfer pineapple to a small mixing bowl. Add red bell pepper, onion and basil and stir to combine. Set aside.

Place fish on a hot grill and sear 1–2 minutes per side. (Or you may cook fish for the same amount of time on a very hot, dry cast-iron skillet that has been properly seasoned.) To serve, top each piece of fish with 2 tablespoons pineapple salsa.

Take-home tip: Use a very hot, dry skillet to caramelize other fruits like mango, peach and papaya to create fat-free salsas, salads and dessert toppings.

Technique: Caramelizing fruit without sugar or fat
1. Heat a heavy skillet over high heat for 15 minutes.

2. Carefully spoon pineapple into pan.

3. Allow to caramelize and char.

4. Slowly pour juice into pan to deglaze, and continue cooking until juice is reduced and thickened.

Check out VIVmag’s July/August 2007 issue for other delicious recipes, weight-loss secrets and healthy cooking tips from top spas.

Prickly Pear Sorbet With Kiwi Salsa and Tequila-Lime Glaze
Serves 4

For the sorbet:

• 4 cups prickly pear purée (or other unsweetened fruit purée)
• 7 ounces fresh-squeezed lime juice
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 small kiwi, peeled and diced
• Mint leaves (optional)

For the glaze:

• 1 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 cup lemonade
• 1/4 cup tequila
• 1/4 cup corn syrup

Directions: In a medium bowl, combine prickly pear purée and lime juice. Set aside.

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring the water and sugar to a boil and cook for several minutes until liquid becomes syrupy. Remove from the heat and whisk in purée and lime juice. To cool the mixture, set the saucepan into a stainless-steel bowl filled with ice and water.

Place chilled purée in an ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer’s instructions, until thick and light pink in color. Store sorbet in an airtight container in freezer until ready to serve.
Meanwhile, put all glaze ingredients in a medium saucepan over high heat, and bring to a boil. Cook until reduced by about half. Allow to cool, and refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.

To serve, place a 1/2 cup scoop of sorbet in a martini glass. Top with 1⁄4 of the diced kiwi and drizzle 1 tablespoon of the glaze over fruit and sorbet. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Take-home tip: Low-calorie fruit-based glazes also are a great accompaniment to grilled meats or fish. Try subbing orange or cranberry juice for the lime in this recipe.

Technique: Making a fruit-based glaze

1. Place all glaze ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Continue cooking until liquid becomes thick and syrupy has been reduced by about half.