Tara Curran
Dedicated to a diet rich in whole foods, this glow girl's insides are clean as can be. Tara Curran helps others achieve their glow through nutritional counseling.
This certified holistic health coach's professional journey began when both of her parents were dealing with illnesses. Tara enrolled in the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to learn about preventative measures and how a person could use food as medicine to heal. Her growing passion for the power of a diet rich in whole foods began Tara's career as a nutritional counselor at Milla's Treatment boutique in NYC. Now calling LA her home, she continues to coach people one on one, and teaches students at The Micheltorena School garden in Silverlake, where kids get to cultivate, grow and learn about the goodness of eating whole foods.
We were lucky enough to be invited into Tara's lovely home for a delicious, nutritious lunch that we enjoyed in her little oasis of a garden. This beauty's gentle kindness comes through off the bat. She taught us how to make her favorite green smoothie (full of libido enhancing Maca), a flavorful vegetable salad with avocado, and scrumptious baked spaghetti squash. Her healthy turmeric dressing really took everything to the next level. She also told us the benefits of everything we ate--the meal tasted extra delicious knowing it was going to make us glow.
You can check out Tara's glow in the new TOMS spring campaign where she traveled to Africa or visit her website to learn more about her coaching practice.
HOW THEY GLOW QUESTIONNAIRE
NAME: Tara Curran
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP: Hilton, NY and NYC
WHEN YOU ARE EATING HEALTHY, WHAT IS A TYPICAL…
BREAKFAST: Green smoothie
LUNCH: Green salad and avocado on gluten free toast
DINNER: Fish, brown rice, and veggies
SNACK: Green juice, hummus with Mary's Gone Crackers
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO EAT HEALTHY? In LA, I love Flores in Silver Lake for brunch or Axe in Venice for dinner. In NYC, Pure Food and Wine
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE? Anything with peanut butter
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO INDULGE? Gjelina or Mozza in LA, and The Mermaid Inn or Ippudo in NYC
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST MEAL ON EARTH? I would definitely eat hummus and then maybe some delicious seafood
WHAT IS THE BEST DISH YOU COOK/ YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE? My favorite recipe is my morning green smoothie. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and to start it off with super foods and beauty foods always leaves me full of energy for the day. The basis of my smoothie is always almond milk for protein, kale and spinach, super food Maca, and banana. For sweetness I alternate berries such as raspberries and blueberries or use dates and coconut flakes. I will also add bee pollen and chia seeds once in a while for added health and energy. **Maca has such amazing benefits such as fighting fatigue, increasing libido and stamina, and loads of vitamins and minerals.
I also love throwing together colorful salads for dinner parties and/or lunches. I add a grain to it like brown rice or quinoa for some heartiness, avocado for a healthy fat and make my own dressing, like this turmeric based one o maximize health benefits. **Turmeric is a great for reducing inflammation.
Turmeric dressing: -1/3 cup olive oil - ½ of a fresh squeezed lemon -pinch of sea salt -teaspoon of turmeric -teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
WHERE DO YOU GROCERY SHOP IN LA? Farmers Markets, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods
WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS REGIME? (HOW OFTEN & WHAT DO YOU GO) Yoga, every day. If not in a class then at home.
WHAT IS YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE? (PRODUCTS, FACIALS, ETC.) For face, I use Vera Bella Aloe lotion every day. Eminence tinted moisturizer with sunscreen. I try to get facials every couple of months at either Vera Bella in LA or Milla’s Treatment Boutique in NYC. I love doing face masks at home. For body, coconut oil is amazing and I also use it as a hair mask.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE NATURAL MAKEUP/ BEAUTY PRODUCTS? Tarte mascara, Bare Minerals powder, Eminence tinted moisturizer, and coconut oil.
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 PRODUCTS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU?
1. A good lip balm, although I'm obsessed with just using Vaseline
3. Aloe
WHAT PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY/FITNESS/HEALTH GURUS DO YOU SWEAR BY? My acupuncturist Paige Bourassa in NYC, she’s a miracle worker. The guys that started the Juice Press in NYC, its one of my favorite cleanses if I’m not making my own. I look up to other nutritionists such as Kimberly Snyder, who is a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, and Kris Carr.
TOP 3 FAVORITE SONGS? That’s a hard one for me. I love music and it depends on the mood I’m in.
1. Radiohead is always a favorite
2. Beach House
3. Old-school hip-hop and fun dance music
MOST LIFE-CHANGING BOOK? The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz and The China Study by T. Colin Campbell.
WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? My Me&Ro Om necklace my best friend gave me 5 years ago. I’ve never taken off.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY. A hot yoga class and a beautiful day at the beach
WHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE BEAUTY TIP/SECRET? Drink lots of water and wear sunscreen
WHAT MAKES YOU GLOW? Laughing with friends, good music, adventures and green smoothies/juices
Photography by: Emily Knecht