The Better Martha: What's In My Bag

 

I have been living in The City since August, and since then some fundamental changes have been necessary for my survival. Heels are a thing of the past since I walk everywhere; fast walking is my new, normal pace; and I no longer tote the kitchen sink in my handbag. Deep down I will always be the California girl who drives everywhere, and therefore keeps a change of clothes in her backseat and her purse stocked with the items to remedy any possible emergency. 

Unfortunately that west coast habit is not only hard on the shoulders, but is mega inconvenient. I've gotten pretty good at limiting myself to items that I use regularly. Here's what I carry with me on an average day.  

1. Darla wallet with key chain
2. iPhone/subway entertainment
3. Water bottle
4. iPhone portable charger
5. Business card holder
6. Point and shoot camera (because lugging a DSLR is not practical)
7. Sunglasses
8. Kind bar
9. Moleskine planner
10. Small notebook
11. iPad (which I don't actually carry everywhere/everyday)
12. Bobbi Brown foundation stick
13. Jo Malone perfume
14. Cover Girl lip stain
15. Sunscreen
16. Lady product
17. Deodorant (anyone who has ever been in a subway station during the summer understands this) 

The Better Green Juice

Hey guys, guess what! I'm sick! Guess what (again) I'm also starting finals tomorrow! It's about the worst combination I could possibly imagine (way worse than orange juice after just brushing your teeth). I'm confident I'll survive because I've been getting plenty of rest and sucking down mason jars full of green juice. Also I have no other choice; I either get through it or fail. 

The stress of finals, the lack of sleep, the bad diet, and the germs of a college dorm all added up to this, so I don't know why I'm so surprised. If anything I wish this cold could have reared its ugly head a few days later. However, I started feeling better once I began downing as much fruit and veggie juice as I could possibly handle. Using fresh grapefruit, celery, cucumber,  broccoli, and spinach I've managed to make something pretty tasty that has amazing healing powers.  

If you use grapefruit, make sure to peel of the white parts between the sections. I personally like it (and it's really good for you) but most people I know say it creates a gross bitter taste.

The Better Chicken Salad

Finally, for everyone on the east coast, the weather is starting to resemble something that looks like spring (since it hasn't snowed in the past few weeks). I created this recipe with the intention of taking it to picnics on the lawn or a quick lunch on the park bench. It's super easy, healthy, and my picky tast tester father even liked it so you should too. 

I created a healthy mayo substitute

I shredded some chicken