kai conversations with... ilana friedman, founder & ceo of TUSOL wellness

we are overjoyed to bring you this week’s kai conversation with our malibu neighbor and fellow female small business owner, ilana friendman, the founder + ceo of TUSOL wellness! ilana created a unique, amazing collection of research-backed, organic functional smoothies and superfood lattes that support weight loss, energy, metabolism, and gut health. the formulations are rooted in scientific research and flavors backed by a 3 michelin star chef; and they are designed to work in synergy to boost immunity, promote weight loss, stimulate collagen, increase energy and leave you with glowing skin. 

with a product line that is so remarkable, it is not surprising that ilana has a very impressive background story, which brought her to the founding of TUSOL: earlier in her career, she spent many years committed to improving access to and education around the importance of nutrition in schools, and then founded a non-profit in LA and NY bringing at-risk teens to local farms, farmers markets and kitchens to teach them about local, healthy food and how to incorporate it into their lives for optimal health. following this, ilana spent years in the napa valley at the french laundry and meadowood resort with a focus on the symbiotic relationships between the restaurants, the farms, and the culinary experience. with a strong desire to return to the health and wellness industry, she returned to LA in 2018 where she founded TUSOL as a means to support more people along their health journeys with access to the cleanest, most nutrient-dense, effective wellness products. i love this beautiful backstory, and how the stars aligned to create this incredible wellness brand!  

congrats to ilana on all of her success, and we highly encourage you to check out TUSOL and follow them on instagram!  please enjoy the conversation with ilana below, and stay tuned for an exciting giveaway announcement!

xo,
gaye.

how are you taking care of yourself and your loved ones during this time? are there certain things that are proving to be sources of motivation/inspiration? if so, please feel free to share.

in order for me to stay balanced, positive, and keep a clear mind i don’t start my workday until i’ve done an energizing exercise and at least 20 minutes of meditation. 
 
 
what’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
 
believe in yourself and trust in the process.
 
 
what’s your beauty secret? or must have beauty product?
 
drinking tons of water (i like to drop magnesium into it) and eating clean food is by far the easiest way to feel and look your best. i also drink our tusol smoothies daily since they’re packed with superfoods that support your skin and metabolism, and keep you hydrated.
 

what color nail polish are you wearing right now?
 
red.
 
 
what do you love most about where you live? any secret spots you love to go to?
 
i love living in malibu because we’re so close to both the beach and the mountains. we’re surrounded by stunning hiking trails and quiet beaches so you can always escape in nature if you need to reset.
 
 
morning person or night owl?
 
total morning person.
 
 
ideal way to relax/unwind?
 
beach walks, yoga, reading and hiking.
 

what book are you reading currently?
 
modern man in search of a soul – carl jung.
 
 
what’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done?
 

travelled alone for weeks through southeast asia and japan.

thank you, ilana! 

top summer beach reads

there's nothing quite like the excitement, curiosity, and fun of cracking open a new book for leisure. similar to kai, a good book can transport you to a relaxing beach vacation destination! our team has put together a curated list of our top summer book reading recommendations for you to consider perusing this season - whether you’re packing up your bag to go to the beach or pool-side, enjoying the backyard, or lounging on your living room couch with the windows open and a fan going!  
 
we encourage you to grab a cool drink, embrace the lazy afternoons, and get your relaxation on with this sensational summer reading list!
 
enjoy and happy reading! 
 
xo,
gaye and team kai.

tyler’s pick:
 
book title: the pioneer woman: black heels to tractor wheels – a love story
book author: ree drummond
link to book online: amazon
link to instagram page for the book and/or author: @thepioneerwoman
what the book is about: a universal tale of passion, romance, and all-encompassing love that sweeps us off our feet… from los angeles to the middle of nowhere oklahoma.
reason why it is your top pick for this summer: i love cooking shows, and i really love the pioneer woman, aka ree drummond. perhaps because it takes me back to my childhood around horses and cattle at my grandparents’ pastures, her show is so comforting and makes me want to hang out on the drummond ranch while ree cooks something delicious for me and her darling family, peppering the conversation with her funny anecdotes and down to earth charm. when i realized she had written a couple books about her life in addition to her many cookbooks, i was intrigued. summarized as “the true tale of her journey from los angeles to a cattle ranch in rural oklahoma” the pioneer woman: black heels to tractor wheels – a love story certainly has love, humor, and recipes (of course!) but especially is an inspiring story about how life’s unexpected turns can lead to amazing thing and a life unimagined.
(note: if your summer reading time allows and you want to follow ree on her pioneer woman adventures, read frontier follies!)

sara’s pick:

 
book title:  the book of joy: lasting happiness in a changing world
book author(s): dalai lama, desmond tutu, and douglas carlton abrams
link to book online: amazon 
link to instagram page for the book and/or author: @ideaarchitects

what the book is about: two spiritual icons, spending five days together, and pondering one timeless question: how do we find joy in the face of life's inevitable suffering?
reason why it is your top pick for this summer: this book is a unique opportunity to listen in on the conversation, reflection, and insights shared between the dalai lama and archbishop desmond tutu during their special, one-time visit together. in april 2015, archbishop tutu traveled to the dalai lama's home in dharamsala, india, to celebrate his holiness's 80th birthday and to create this collaborative book, which they hoped would be a wonderful gift for present and future generations to come. they looked back on their long lives to answer one single question: how do we find joy in the face of life's inevitable suffering? they explore the nature & definition of true joy and confront each of the potential obstacles of joy (i.e. fear, stress, anger, grief, illness, death). they also share the “eight pillars of joy” which provide the foundation for long-lasting happiness, which i believe is something we could all use! throughout the book, they offer stories, wisdom, and science. finally, they share their daily “joy practices” that anchor their very own emotional and spiritual lives and journeys if you’re looking for a book that provides enrichment and nourishment for the mind, body, and soul – this one is for you!

meghan’s pick:

 
book title: love does
book author: bob goff
link to book online: amazon
link to instagram page for the book and/or author: @bobgoff
what the book is about: discovering an incredible life in an ordinary world.
reason why it is your top pick for this summer: this new york times best seller is filled with so many joyful and funny stories about bob goff and the unconventional ways in which he finds love in this world. love does is a light and fun read, but is also uniquely profound and encouraging;. it’ll make you laugh and feel inspired in your everyday life. if you are looking for a positive, uplifting and compelling book to read this summer – this one is for you!
 

erin’s pick:
 
book title: malibu rising
book author: taylor jenkins reid
link to book online: amazon
link to instagram page for the book and/or author: @tjenkinsreid
what the book is about: four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer, but over the course of twenty-four hours, the family drama that ensues will change their lives forever.
reason why it is your top pick for this summer: the book is addicting, and you won’t want to put it down. the author transports you to malibu, california making it the perfect read for summer.
 

laura’s pick:

book title: it ends with us.
book author: colleen hoover
link to book online: amazon
link to instagram page for the book and/or author: @colleenhoover
what the book is about: a story based on lily, who gives us insight into her new life in boston. she reveals her exciting new job and romances on the way. while the story dives into her current life, she reflects on her past trauma (living in a household with an abusive father). her past and present experiences pave the way for her future.
reason why it is your top pick for this summer: it was the first book i decided to read during summer. it was recommended to read, as colleen hoover’s books are flying off the shelves. i decided to give it a read and i seriously could not put it down. it is on my list of favorite books i have read. it is definitely worth the read!!  time to put the phone down and pick up a book. truly a great way to enjoy summer!!

summertime kai essentials by jessie petruso of malibuddah

summer is in full swing and we are overjoyed to bring you this week’s post with our dear friend & devotee, jessie petruso of @malibuddah, who has kindly shared her kai summer must-haves! jessie is currently expecting her second baby girl, so her summer essentials are particularly important this year as she nurtures her body and prepares for this very exciting, momentous milestone. jessie’s gorgeous platform, @malibuddah, is one of our most favorite instagram pages to visit for smiles and inspiration, as she posts gorgeous scenes from her life, travels, and meaningful family moments. we highly recommend checking out her feed and giving her a follow! a huge thanks to jessie for this wonderful post, and happy summer, everyone!

xo,
gaye.

hi! my name is jessie @malibuddah. i wanted to share some of my favorite summer kai products. this summer will be looking a bit different as we are expecting our second baby girl. but as always, i will be drenched in kai products with my favorite summer scent.
 
as summer and pregnancy are times to focus on hydration, i absolutely love the kai body lotion. this lightweight lotion keeps me hydrated, happy, and smelling like a hawaiian vacation.
 

for a bit more intense hydration i love the kai bodybutter. i slather this on my belly to prevent stretch marks, also on areas that crave a bit more hydration.
 

for summer vibes i love using the kai shampoo and conditioner. nothing makes my hair look and smell better after long days at the beach.
 

and finally the kai body glow. i love this product because it gives me that extra summertime glow which pairs fantastically with a nice golden tan.

 
i hope you have a beautiful summer filled with sunsets and scents of gardenias!