What is MavenFresh?

It's hard to believe how much time has gone by since Rebecca and I started MavenFresh.  At first, it was all about jewelry and accessories, but, once we realized all that we had to offer, MavenFresh evolved and blossomed into all that it is today.  It is only fitting that we re-define all that we have become.   

Becca and I are personally committed to living a lifestyle based on whole living - in health, beauty and fashion.  More of you are realizing the importance of incorporating holistic practices and green living into your lives.  MavenFresh can help in figuring out where to start.  Why?  ...Because we live it and because a healthier world starts with you and me.

...so if you have been wondering, "what is MavenFresh?", well, now you can't say we didn't tell you!  xo sesheta & Rebecca

MavenFresh grew out of the concrete jungle - the brainchild of Sesheta Holder and Rebecca Santilli.  Drawn together by their love of fashion, color and their vegan/vegetarian lifestyles, Sesheta and Rebecca bring their organic take on life to designing and consulting. 

Creatively fueled by the vibe of NYC, the co-founders coined the term, “premiere fashion maven” or PFM.  As PFMs, Sesheta and Rebecca have a broad vision of design and style. MavenFresh has become more than jewelry and accessories – it is a way of life.

Following a mostly plant-based diet and with a push for a greener lifestyle, the PFMs incorporate holistic healing practices such as acupuncture, herbs, yoga, and detoxification into their daily lives.  Their combined experience in health, design, styling, visual merchandising, real estate staging, redesign, life coaching and in the esoteric arts will help inspire your journey to a new you!

SERVICES

Jewelry & Accessories Designers - MavenFresh designs balance hard materials with vintage-inspired softness.  Each handmade piece is a combination of the colors and beauty of nature blended with the stark contrast of the city (New York, of course).  You can find our modern and vintage-inspired handmade jewelry and accessories in our etsy shop along with  vintage and recycled wares at www.etsy.com/shop/mavenfresh.  Custom orders welcome and encouraged. We are also available to teach jewelry design and crochet classes.  

Personal Stylists- Available for wardrobe editing/recycling (includes re-selling your items on eBay), personal style renewal, closet organization, styling for special events and appearances.

Life Stylists- Here to assist you in a transition into gluten-free, vegetarian/pescatarian, or vegan living complimented by raw foods; we will work to help you create lasting dietary changes while incorporating healthier life choices.  Ready and able to cleanse your kitchen pantry and hit the local health food stores with you- just let us be your guides! We also offer prepared meals and treats to assist your shift onto the path of wellness.

Color Consultants- We are not afraid of bright color...or neutrals! When it comes to choosing paint color, the options are endless. By incorporating paint expertise with numerology and color therapy, we will share our successful tips and picks to have your final project looking fab in no time.  Room redesigns are also an option for those who are interested. 

We are looking forward to hearing from you! Message the PFMs at mavenfresh@gmail.com.

PFMs Healthy Living: Food Lockdown?

Not sure if y'all are a fan of The Office (personally I love it) but a recent episode made me want to share something important. In it, Darryl was getting all down on himself, explaining that he's never been a lucky guy "Who gets a soy allergy at 35? And why is soy in everything?" This had me laughing, then had me remembering. OK so I am not yet hitting the 35 mark, but I did just recently find out a have a soy sensitivity. And did I mention that I've been a vegetarian my whole life? And that so much of my diet consisted of soy?

I'm sure you know someone with a food allergy, but "food sensitivities" are also quite common and because these reactions are much less violent and dangerous they are potentially more deceptive and often left undiagnosed. I was struggling on and off with migraines, fatigue, weight gain and digestive issues, but it was so easy to just write it off as not getting enough sleep, or just eating a little too much, etc. Since I've always been such a health conscious eater, there may have been some denial that my issues could be food-related. Then I reached a point when I knew it was time to focus on getting answers.*

two of my favorite foods- edamame & tofu

It could mean that something you ate last Friday is causing a headache on Monday. It's very difficult to find out the connections between your symptoms and specific foods, but so worth it to find out! One way of doing so is a food elimination diet, which is a pretty common solution. There are plenty of variations, but here's a simple example: eat clean for seven days, avoiding meat, fish, wheat, citrus fruits, dairy, soy, corn, caffeine, alcohol, bread, eggs, sugars, peanuts, artificial food colorings or preservatives. No packaged foods! Try hard to increase your intake of whole foods, including fruits, grains, vegetables, and protein sources. I made lots of fresh vegetable juices and fruit smoothies. And then on the eighth day begin to introduce foods back in one at a time. It's very important to keep a food journal of what you eat, the way you feel throughout the diet, and any changes in weight. This will get you to connect the dots. Don't forget to pump up the probiotics during and after the elimination diet. It will re-establish the proper balance of healthful bacteria in your intestines which was probably depleted if you have a longtime food sensitivity.
 

i highly recommend this acupuncture office!

With the help of my amazing friend who is an acupuncturist we customized an elimination diet plan that I stuck to for over 30 days. This was also combined with daily Bikram yoga classes, weekly acupuncture sessions, and some Chinese herbs before introducing any potential food culprits back in. I was determined to detox my system and bring it back into a state of balance. I can't begin to tell you how much better I felt; and how bittersweet it was to find out out soy had been the cause of my symptoms. I also realized a few more things about myself along the way...like my body doesn't really love dairy. Or gluten. And I don't always need to drink wine with dinner. Ha. But hey- all in moderation, right? I am taking a much-needed break from soy, but may try to reintroduce it in a year or so. In the meantime I have so many other delicious options to choose from, and I learned a few tricks along the way. Who needs soy milk in a cappuccino when you have coconut milk? Seriously. Side note: I've developed a strong love of rice pasta. (And breakfast smoothies with a handful of spinach.) Sure I most likely will have lots of questions about the menu when we go out to eat in a restaurant, but that's fine with me. Having to be creative with food choices can bring delicious results, so just go for it...you can only get healthier and feel happier. I have a big ol' food journal full of unique recipes and positive reactions to prove it.

* Disclaimer: a 30 day elimination diet is likely to cause weight loss, clear skin, heightened energy, and decreased stress levels. Be prepared for good things! If you have questions about any of the above suggestions, don' t hesitate to ask.  As with any health advice, please consult your health practitioner(s) to prepare a plan that best suits you.