Best Healthy Food in Westport CT

As a personal trainer in Westport, CT I get asked all the time about where to pick up a healthy breakfast or lunch in town. When schedules get busy or we want to meet up with a friend, these are all easy go-tos you can feel good about eating.

When ordering out my biggest tip is to look for things that are made from real ingredients and as fresh as possible. Raw, grilled, steamed and citrusy instead of fried, sautéed, sugary and creamy. Bonus points for organic, GMO free, gluten free and locally sourced. All meals should include a lean protein, fresh vegetables and some healthy fat. If I workout, I’ll add a complex carb like fruit, rice, potatoes, quinoa or oats.


Green & Tonic

best healthy restaurants westport connecticut

My day starts early and between training my clients and then training myself, I need to be well-fueled. I love knowing what I'm putting in my body is the real thing with no chemicals. A plant-based cafe, the entire menu is gluten free, dairy free and vegan, offering options for any food preference. They have coffee and tea, smoothies and smoothie bowls, salads, soups, wraps, meals and baked goods.

My go-to order is a steamed Mexican Mocha and a Zenergy Smoothie or Power Acaí Bowl bowl.

The Mexican Mocha is cold brew coffee, almond mylk, cacao powder, and cinnamon. Then they add a pinch of cayenne and dash of agave for the perfect spicy and sweet combination. It's served over ice, but I usually asked for it steamed especially in colder months.

The Zenergy Smoothie Bowl is matcha green tea, banana, spinach, almond butter, coconut mylk, cinnamon, bee pollen, hemp seeds & granola. It's the perfect mix of nutrients, healthy fats, and superfoods to fuel you through the morning or recovery post-workout. The Power Acaí Bowl is a delicious blend of acaí, banana, almond mylk, almond butter, chia seeds & granola. Acaí berries are full of energy-boosting and anti-aging phytochemicals and antioxidants.
Westport, Darien, New Canaan, Cos Cob, and Greenwich


The Granola Bar

best healthy restaurants westport connecticut

The perfect cute and casual restaurant to meet up with a friend. I like The Standard which is 3 eggs any style with bacon and greens and a Hot Ginger Lemon Tea. The Shrek smoothie is also great and you can add protein. They have build your own avocado toast, with toppings like apple and goat cheese, buffalo chicken, or a soft egg. Then there’s salads like the nourishing Macro Bowl or protein-packed Naughty Cobb.
Westport, Fairfield, Greenwich and Stamford


Organika

A plant-based kitchen offering juices, meals and snacks that are all gluten free, GMO free, vegan and vegetarian. I love the protein bowls like the Nourish Bowl and a Health-ade Kombucha or the Protein Boost Smoothie. Every item is totally aligned with their motto: "Let food be they medicine and medicine be they food" -Hippocrates. We are what we eat, and it's great to see more local places with nourishing foods you can feel good about eating.
Southport and New Canaan 


TRULY Greek

best healthy restaurants westport connecticut

A fast-casual restaurant offering a mix of flavors from the Greece and Mediterranean seaboard with build your own bowls (rice or lentil), salads and gyros. There’s also vegan toppings like lentils, beans and hummus. My go-to order is a salad or rice bowl + chicken gyro + lentils + cucumbers + kalamata olives or pickled onions + hummus + feta cheese + tzatziki. SO good!
Norwalk


Garelick and Herbs

When I need a quick and healthy lunch, I’ll pop in here for a delicious salad. All their food is organic and prepared fresh. My favorite salad creation is an arugula base + grilled chicken + sun-dried tomatoes + chickpeas + cucumbers + avocado with ginger dressing. They also have seasonal soups, grain salads, entrees and great coffee.
Southport, Westport, New Canaan, and Greenwich


Embody Fitness Gourmet

Shakes, juices, salad bowls and protein+veggie bowls all with ingredients you can feel good about. They're open every day for breakfast and lunch. I love the Embody Bowl which has eggs, turkey bacon, a sprinkle of cheddar and veggies. The Deep Green Juice with kale, spinach, celery, cucumber, lemon, mint and ginger is another favorite.
Westport, Darien and New Canaan

For the complete guide to eating at any restaurant while traveling or on the go, download your free Restaurant Guide: Healthy Insider Tips for Eating on the Go!
It’s the ultimate guide for eating or ordering out food while still feeling lean, fit and healthy.

Everyday Makeup Routine

Everyday Makeup Routine

I get asked all the time about my everyday makeup routine and skincare routine. I’ve always been into makeup and finding a look that is fresh and glowing while not overdone. This has been my makeup routine for the last four years and it’s super simple and can be achieved in just 10 steps.

My mom is a beauty consultant, so there was no shortage of makeup in our house to play with. I remember sneaking samples like blue eyeshadow and hot pink lipsticks. In the past 15+ years, my routine evolved and became optimized after trying hundreds of products, and learning from friends, beauty bloggers and YouTube.

I remember as a teenager feeling like I wasn’t pretty enough without makeup. At a bare minimum I wouldn’t leave the house without mascara to define my light lashes and concealer for the smallest breakout. It took me until my mid to late 20s to truly feel radiant from the inside out. This is a result of investing time and energy into self development and the confidence I gained from weight training.

When we talk to ourselves like we would our best friend, and lead with love, confidence and positivity, we can literally do any makeup routine and look incredible. The friend I learned the most about makeup from says she feels most beautiful when she comes home, washes her face, and puts on comfy sweats. Makeup is no longer something I use to hide behind, but to enhance my existing features and achieve an overall polished look.

My 3 rules when it comes to makeup:

Everyday Makeup Routine

  1. Quality over quantity. I stick to well formulated products and toss any products that I don’t love or are over 1-2 years old. This not only minimizes clutter in my makeup drawer but makes getting ready super easy because there are less decisions to make on what products to grab.

  2. No more than 5 to 8 minutes. Unless I’m applying false lashes for a big event like a wedding, there is no reason for makeup to take more than 8 minutes.

  3. Have fun and smile! I put on a good playlist and dance around while applying makeup. Makeup application is an art. While I achieve almost the same look every time, I like to add something unexpected like a bold lip, white eyeliner or a gold eyeshadow. And you’re never fully dressed without a smile!

As a trainer I wear minimal makeup during the week and my pores thank me for it. If I have a busy day of training clients I do my 2 minute routine. I cleanse, moisturize and throw on concealer, a brow pencil and mascara. However, I’m your typical girl. I absolutely love the feeling of having my hair blown out and curled, putting on a good fitting dress or jeans and fun booties. This is my go-to everyday routine in 10 easy steps.

Everyday Makeup Routine in 10 Simple Steps

STEP 1: Face Primer
After cleansing, toning and moisturizing, I apply face primer. I’ve tried a bunch and I don’t think you can really go wrong. I’ve liked ones from Lancôme, MAC, Smashbox and Benefit. Primer fills in imperfections allowing for smooth and even makeup application and helps makeup last all day.

STEP 2: Tinted Moisturizer or Foundation
I start with Laura Merceir Tinted Moisturizer Illuminating in bare radiance, it gives a healthy glow. If I want more coverage I use Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation in 210. Sometimes I just mix the two products. Applying foundation with a beauty blender sponge is a game changer. Just be sure to saturate the blender with water and squeeze out the excess water before applying or it will absorb all the product.

STEP 3: Concealer
I dab Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer in light neutral on the back of my hand. I dip the beauty blender in the concealer and dab underneath my eyes and the outside of my nose. I use a finger to pat on any blemishes.

STEP 4: Finishing powder
I have combination skin, so this step is crucial in managing oil and shine. I use Becca Soft Light Blurring Powder. It’s described as a real life, beauty filter that blurs imperfections while setting makeup. Sign me up!

STEP 5: Bronzer or blush
I use Bobbi Brown bronzer in medium on my cheeks and around the edges of my forehead where the sun would hit and around the chin. If I’m in the mood for blush I apply some of the NARS multiple stick blush in portofino or orgasm on the apples of my cheeks and blend with my fingers or a brush. This is where you smile to find the apples of your cheeks :) I also like some highlighter which I apply with my ring finger. I’ve been loving Urban Decay Afterglow in Aura or BECCA Champagne Pop.

Everyday Makeup Routine

STEP 6: Eyebrow pencil
I brush my eyebrows upward and take the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer in taupe to fill in any gaps. I follow this with her brow gel to keep them in place. For a night look, I use Mary Kay Volumizing Brow Tint.

STEP 7: Eyeshadow and Eyeliner
I apply Mary Kay Eye Primer to make eyeshadow last longer and prevent creasing. Then I pick 2-3 eyeshadows. My go-tos are NARS blondie and Stila Kitten. For something more dramatic I use a palette from Natasha Denona or Naked. I’ve had a MAC 217 blending brush for years and it’s amazing for simple application of eyeshadow. I used to make the mistake of over applying eyeliner. Now I like a more fresh and natural look. Too much liner on the bottom of the eye actually makes the eyes appear smaller. When I use liner I apply MAC’s in feline on the inside of my upper lid. I also like white eyeliner on the rims of my eyes to brighten up my eyes. I finish with a touch of highlighter to the inside corner of the eye with Anastasia Highlighting Duo Pencil.

STEP 8: Mascara
After curling my lashes, I apply 2-4 coats of Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara or Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in black.

STEP 9: Finishing spray
I swear by Mary Kay Makeup Finishing Spray by Skindinävia to make my makeup last all day. Just spray 2-4 times in an X and T formation.

STEP 10: Lipgloss
What girl doesn’t have a thousand lipgloss and lipsticks? I’m always switching it up, but I try to stay as natural as possible on the lips, so my go-to is Burt’s Bees lip crayon in Carolina coast or lip shimmer in strawberry.

Click here to read about my natural skincare routine.

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