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Hamptons Wellness: 3 Foods That Keep You Feeling Good Inside and Out

Let’s talk about food that actually does your body good. Not the trendy stuff on Instagram, but the real deal that fuels your energy, your mood, and your long-term wellness.
These three healthy foods aren’t complicated. They’re simple staples that pack a serious punch for your immune system, heart, skin, and gut.

1. Salmon: The Heart Helper and Mood Booster

If there’s one food you should put on your plate twice a week, it’s salmon.
It’s nature’s multivitamin in fish form, loaded with iron, zinc, niacin, vitamin B6, and B12. But the real magic is in its omega-3 fatty acids, those good fats that protect your heart and brain, ease inflammation, and even help with mood.

It’s also rich in selenium, a powerful antioxidant that keeps your thyroid healthy and supports your immune system. Think of selenium as your body’s “anti-rust” mineral. It helps prevent damage from free radicals and keeps things running smoothly.

That grilled salmon with lemon and dill? More than delicious. It’s self-care on a plate.

For more on the benefits of salmon, click here.

2. Yogurt: Gut Love in a Cup

Let’s get real. Gut health is everything. When your gut’s happy, you’re happy.
That’s where yogurt comes in. It’s packed with protein, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, plus the all-important probiotics – the friendly bacteria that keep your digestive system balanced.

Go for Greek, organic, or plain yogurt whenever possible. Skip the sugary, flavored versions that turn breakfast into dessert.

A daily serving of yogurt can help boost your immune system, improve digestion, and may even support mental health. The gut-brain connection is real, and taking care of your digestive system helps your entire body work better.

Learn more about the benefits of yogurt here.

3. Oranges: Your Everyday Immunity Shield

There’s a reason oranges have been a go-to for generations. They’re not just about vitamin C, though that’s a big one.
Oranges are packed with antioxidants, fiber, potassium, and flavonoids that help your body fight inflammation, lower cholesterol, and keep your heart strong.

They’ve also been linked to lowering the risk of certain cancers, including breast, lung, and colon cancer, while helping your skin glow and your blood pressure stay steady.

The flavonoid hesperidin found in oranges helps regulate blood pressure, while beta-carotene supports eye health and slows signs of aging.

That morning orange is doing more than waking you up. It’s protecting you from the inside out.

For more on the power of oranges, click here.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to reinvent your diet or chase the latest wellness craze.
Start with simple, real foods like salmon, yogurt, and oranges that quietly do their job to keep you healthy, glowing, and energized.

Wellness isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being consistent.
Eat good. Feel good. Live well,  Hamptons style.

Art & Soul: Where Culture, Flavor & Black Joy Took Center Stage in the Hamptons

Let’s keep it real — ART & SOUL: Hamptons didn’t just return this year. It showed out.

From July 18–20, the East End was alive with color, culture, and connection as this sold-out, three-day celebration spotlighted the brilliance of Black creativity. We’re talking visual art, Caribbean soul food, live music, crafted cocktails, and thought-provoking conversations — all wrapped in a weekend that radiated joy from start to finish.

And when I say this event had layers? I mean layers.

Visual artists like Reynoir Lewis, Laura R. Gadson, and Suliman Onque lit up the outdoor exhibitions with bold, breathtaking work.

Photographer Kurt Leggard (yep, that’s my husband!) captured the magic of the red carpet, from the glow-ups to the candid moments of joy.

Music floated through the air — with flutist Dwayne Kerr (of Erykah Badu’s band), master kora player Yacouba Sissoko, SIYA African Band, and DJ Infmatick setting the tone.

And y’all already know my favorite part: Friday night’s Culinary Tasting & Film Night. The flavors were bold, the chefs brought the heat (shoutout to Chara’s Kitchen, SMAC, Infusery, and more!), and the screening of ERASED — narrated by Idris Elba — hit deep. It was powerful, moving, and necessary. The talkback, moderated by Brenda Simmons of the Southampton African American Museum, opened the floor to the kind of conversations that stick with you long after the credits roll.

Throughout the weekend, guests sipped on curated cocktails and moonshine from New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery (yes, moonshine!), and toasted with HRLM Champagne and wines from Charles Springfield’s stylings. And let’s not forget the soulful wellness sips and bites from PAIJA Tea Co., Happy Bubble Soda, The Nourish Spot, and more.

The vibes? Immaculate. The crowd? A mix of tastemakers, artists, philanthropists, and real-deal community leaders. Names like actress Novi Brown (BET’s Sistas), Peter Marino, Vanessa Gordon, Dr. Georgette Grier-Key, and yes, me (Vanessa Leggard of Hamptons MouthPiece!) came out to celebrate.

But this event wasn’t about the names. It was about the energy. The joy. The community. The real talk, real People

As festival producer Yaya Reyes put it best, “ART & SOUL is not just an event — it’s a declaration of presence, purpose, and power.”

And that’s exactly what it felt like.

From the luxe florals by April & Ashley to the curated gift bags filled with purpose-driven Black-owned brands — everything felt intentional, elevated, and full of soul.

This was a weekend that didn’t just entertain — it uplifted. It honored the past, celebrated the present, and poured into the future of Black excellence in the arts, food, and beyond.

If you missed it this year, don’t worry — Art & Soul is just getting started. Follow @ArtAndSoulHamptons to stay plugged in.

Because around here, we do more than show up.

We celebrate, we support, and we shine.

Hamptons MouthPiece; Real Talk. Real People. From NYC to the East End.

Cluck Yeah! Cluckman’s Turns One—and Pizza Pizza Is the Cheesy Surprise We Didn’t Know We Needed

Let’s get one thing straight: Cluckman’s is THAT place.

You know, the spot where teens hang out, locals line up, and even the pickiest visitors walk away licking their fingers. It’s that good.

Located right in the heart of Sag Harbor, Cluckman’s has been serving up crispy chicken tenders, juicy smashburgers, Sag Sauce (yes, it’s a thing), fresh lemonade, and old-school milkshakes for a whole year now.

And just when we thought we couldn’t love them more—they hit us with a twist: Pizza Pizza.

Yep. Inside Cluckman’s. Real-deal, thin-crust, cheesy, crispy NY slices. Pizza cravings = solved.

Run by Hamptons food legends Michael & Lila Gluckman, this place isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a vibe. Fast, friendly, family-approved. Take your food to go and picnic in Steinbeck Park. Trust us, it’s a summer mood.

🍔 Smashburger? ✔️

🍗 Chicken tenders? ✔️

🍕 Pizza slice the size of your head? ✔️

💛 Local hangout you’ll return to all season long? DOUBLE ✔️

Cluckman’s is open daily, 12–9PM at 24 Long Island Ave, Sag Harbor. Eat in, take out, or grab a slice and go live your best park life.

Follow them (because you’re gonna want to):

@cluckmans | @pizzapizzasagharbor

🍕cluckmans.com

Go hungry. Leave happy. Repeat.

If there’s one event I mark on my calendar every summer, it’s Art & Soul: Hamptons. As someone who has attended this incredible celebration in past years, I can tell you, it’s not just an event, it’s an experience. From the inspiring art to the mouthwatering cuisine (yes, I’m still dreaming about those crab cakes made by Chef Ronica Copes, Five Star Crab Cake, hands down the best I’ve ever tasted), Art & Soul captures the essence of what makes the Hamptons community so rich, so cultured, and so vibrant.

Photo: Kurt Leggard

This year, Art & Soul returns on July 18-19, 2025, and it promises to be bigger, bolder, and more beautiful than ever. Hosted in partnership with the Southampton African American Museum and Southampton Arts Center, the weekend is a celebration of BIPOC artists from the Hamptons and beyond—through art, music, food, and storytelling.

🎨 The Artists: Passion. Power. Purpose.

Let’s start with the reason we gather, the art. This year’s featured artists are an incredibly talented group of creatives, each with a unique voice and story to tell:

Reynoir Lewis brings his limitless energy to Southampton with his bold, abstract paintings and home décor pieces. Reynoir’s art is as vibrant as his personality; he draws from his Caribbean roots, DJ background, and love of storytelling to create pieces that are alive with movement and color. I can’t wait to see what he brings to the WOOD ART EXHIBITION at the Southampton Arts Center.

• Laura R. Gadson is a master of textiles. Her quilt, fiber, and mixed media work are deeply rooted in history, heritage, and heart. If you’ve ever been touched by the texture of a story told through fabric, you’re going to love meeting Laura and experiencing her work up close.

Suliman Onque is the definition of multi-talented. From murals to comic books to wearable art, his creativity knows no limits. I love that he’s not afraid to explore every medium and tell stories that speak to identity, justice, and culture.

Shaunt’e Lewis, who will be featured at the Southampton African American Museum, is an illustrator and fiber artist whose bold and colorful work celebrates powerful women and community resilience. Her story, from hairstylist to nationally recognized artist, is a beautiful reminder of the power of purpose and passion.

• And don’t miss the Shinnecock Artist Exhibition at Ma’s House on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation, featuring local Indigenous artists like Jeremy Dennis, Durrell Hunter, and Reebekah Wise. It’s an intimate experience that honors the deep cultural roots of our region.

Photo: Kurt Leggard

🍽️ The Culinary Experience: Come Hungry!

Now, let me talk about the food, because y’all, the culinary team at Art & Soul knows how to throw down.

This year’s tastings will be brought to us by:

Chef Cheryl Grigg of Chara’s Kitchen & Catering (bless her hands with her fried chicken beignets are a spiritual experience),

Photo: Kurt Leggard

Chef Doug Gee, another culinary star who brings soulful, elevated flavor to every dish.

And for the cocktail lovers, New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery will be serving up award-winning spirits passed down through generations. They’re the first Afro-Puerto Rican-American distillery in the country, and their story is as smooth as their rum.

🎶 Music, Vibes & Magic

As always, Art & Soul delivers on vibes. You’ll be serenaded by the incredible Dwayne Kerr, flutist for Erykah Badu’s band, and transported by Yacouba Sissoko and the SIYA African Band, whose traditional kora music bridges generations of African storytelling.

And yes, the red carpet is back! My favorite photographer (and husband) Kurt Leggard will be capturing the magic, so bring your style and let your soul shine.

🖼️ Beyond the Art: Walk, Learn, and Celebrate

The weekend includes a cultural Art Walk with stops at the Southampton African American Museum, Southampton Arts Center, and Hidden Gem, a luxury home boutique founded by sisters Tanya and Temidra Willock. I love that this event also creates space to support Black-owned businesses right here in the Hamptons.

There’s also a private museum tour of Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio on the Shinnecock Reservation, one of my favorite hidden treasures in Southampton. The work being done there by Indigenous artist Jeremy Dennis is powerful and deeply rooted in legacy and land.

And for the film buffs, don’t miss the screening of Erased, executive produced by Idris Elba, which highlights the forgotten contributions of soldiers of color during WWII. This is the kind of storytelling that changes minds and hearts.

💃 The Afterglow

From the Art After Dark Soirée to the Caribbean cocktail-fueled afterparty with DJ Infmatick, every moment of Art & Soul feels like a love letter to culture, creativity, and connection.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Art & Soul is one of my favorite events in the Hamptons. It’s a beautiful blend of art, soul food, music, and community. It fills me up and reminds me why I love being a part of this place. If you’re looking for a weekend that inspires, uplifts, and feeds both your soul and your appetite, don’t miss this.

🎟️ Grab your tickets. VIP Weekend Pass July 18 & 19, 2025, Art & Soul Hamptons 2025

Come hungry. Come inspired. And don’t forget to try the crab cakes; you’ll thank me later.

UPDATE 2015: Nichols Restaurant is closed..Updates coming soon!

UPDATE 2014….3 Burger places have been removed from this list for several reasons: this list was originally published in 2012, Barristers my favorite Burger place in the Hamptons closed in 2013, Madison & Main (Sag Harbor) closed their doors 12/2013. I will be on the search for 3 more places in the Hamptons that make the BEST burgers….
Best Burgers in the Hamptons….Who doesn’t love a list…when you are searching for things on the Internet, you might type in search BEST THIS or BEST THAT…..So with that in mind this year every week I will be posting about the Best Restaurants, Best burgers, Best Lobster Rolls, Best Drinks, Best beaches, Best shopping, best movies…BEST, BEST, BEST in the Hamptons…

Top 10 Restaurants in the Hamptons who make the Best Burgers in the Hamptons..no particular order
  1. Southampton Publick House: Southampton
  2.  Rowdy Hall: East Hampton
  3. East Hampton Grill: East Hampton
  4. 1770 House: East Hampton
  5. Corner Bar: Sag Harbor
  6. Big Bity Burger: WestHampton Beach

 

My personal favorite was Barristers in Southampton…I loved the burgers here, and when you order make sure you get the sautéed onions and cheddar cheese….mmmmmmm DELICIOUS! Who will take their place as my all time favorite NUMBER#1 Burger Place in the Hamptons. 
As always, Hamptons Mouthpiece keeping you in the know with the Hamptons Best!!!