Hey Rosés,

The Bottle Poppers series highlights innovators and trendsetters redefining beauty, fashion and healthy lifestyles.

I’d love to introduce you to fierce, fabulous and fit Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones of the hit television show “Food Heaven Made Easy with Wendy & Jess.” Their show teaches you how to make everyday meals that are healthy and budget friendly. These ladies are not only nutritionists, they are natural beauty mavens with GREAT advice to stay healthy and affordable both inside and out.

What is Food Heaven Made Easy?

Food Heaven Made Easy with Wendy & Jess is a monthly cooking/nutrition series on Brooklyn Community Access Television (BCAT). The show was created to serve as a creative outlet to help underserved communities in New York City improve their diets and overall health. The show’s mission is to reduce the risk of obesity in NYC by demonstrating how to prepare culturally diverse, delicious, quick and cost conscious meals at home. Most importantly, the show will provide viewers with a wealth of nutrition information as we create healthy vegetarian dishes that are nutrient dense and energy rich. All of our shows are also posted on our website www.foodheavenmadeeasy.com!

What is a fast, easy and healthy meal that someone can make at home?

Buy a can of black beans. Heat and add seasonings like garlic, onion and Cajun seasoning. Cook a grain, like brown rice, to serve with it. Then add a mixed green salad and top with olive oil and lime. Add some slices of avocado and tomato on the side. Such a yummy and healthy meal that can be prepared in no time! It’s vegan too!

Where are the best places to get natural or organic foods?

Farmers markets are the go to place for whole foods. Not only is their produce fresh, it’s also local, which means you’re supporting a sustainable environment and saving money buying directly from the supplier. You learn about where your food is coming from. Most importantly, a lot of farmer’s markets take EBT/food stamps! If you go to http://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket they have information for farmers markets in NYC.

What are great everyday food alternatives for food allergies like nut, gluten, and seafood?

If you have a gluten allergy, try using potato starch flour when baking instead of wheat flour. If you are a chocolate lover with nut allergy, try a product called cocoa nibs, which substitutes nuts for pieces of cocoa bean for that added crunch. For a seafood allergy, try adding tofu to your stir-fry instead of shrimp.

What foods can double for eating and DIY beauty products?

Avocado for hair and facemask. Cucumbers are refreshing for the mouth and eyes. Green tea bags have antioxidant properties and also may help relieve puffiness under eyes.

What foods can you eat to get healthier skin or hair? 

In a nutshell, water, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds, nuts and fish. Specifically tomatoes have lycopene, which helps rid the body of free radicals. Beans have zinc and iron, great for hair growth. Whole grains contain B vitamins, which are essential for skin and hair. Cold-water fatty fish (salmon) has omega 3 fatty acids, which are good for scalp health.

What is your skincare or hair care routine?

Wendy
Hair – Okay so I’m always going through hair transitions, and my base product has always been jojoba oil for moisture and shine. When I was rocking a fro, I washed with Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner, and then with locks used Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Soap. When I can’t afford the jojoba oil, I use olive oil from my kitchen and mix it with some tea tree oil extract. Works just as great!

Jess
Face – Since my face is so dry, I don’t wash it. I just splash some water on it, add cocoa butter and sunscreen and call it a day.
Body – I used to only put cocoa butter and Shea butter on my body but then I realized that it was only sitting on my skin and not being absorbed. Hours later, I would be painfully dry again. I also like Cetaphil, but it is more expensive than I can afford.
Hair – I don’t shampoo, and I use DevaCurl One Conditioner. I deep condition once a week, then rinse with apple cider vinegar. Finally I like to sit under a hooded hair dryer to dry my hair, especially in the winter when it is too cold to wash and go.

If can’t afford all organic, how can I mix fresh with packaged foods?

There’s this list called the “dirty dozen” and the “clean 15” that can serve as a great guide while you’re out shopping. The dirty dozen list contains non-organic produce with high levels of pesticides. The clean fifteen list contains non-organic produce that is safer to eat. Shop smart!

The Clean 15 – SAFE

Onions
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Mango
Sweet peas
Asparagus
Kiwi fruit
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Sweet potatoes
Sweet onions

The Dirty Dozen – HIGH PESTICIDES

Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Domestic blueberries
Nectarines
Sweet bell peppers
Spinach, kale and collard greens
Cherries
Potatoes
Imported grapes
Lettuce

Learn more about Wendy, Jess and nutrition visit:
Website: www.foodheavenmadeeasy.com
Twitter: @FoodHeavenShow

What are your favorite organic products?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia