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My Faves

Hands Down Can’t Live Without These Things

(I mean, I probably could but I really, really don’t want to.)

The transition from living life conventionally (and quite frankly artificially/chemically) to moving towards more natural options didn’t happen for me overnight.  I started by changing the food that I ate and then slowly but surely found alternatives to my over the counter medicines, health/beauty care products, household cleaners, etc.  It has definitely been a journey with plenty of trial and error.  I’m excited to share a few of my favorite things (not to get all Julie Andrews on you) in the hopes that your journey has a few less bumps and a lot more “hell yes.”

While I only endorse products that I absolutely love and support, I may receive a small commission if you purchase a product through the affiliate links that I provide on this site.  Thank you for your patronage and I hope you enjoy these recommendations as much as I do!

For the Mind & Soul

  • Think and Grow Rich: The Original 1937 Classic

    I'm a big fan of audio books. It's sort of funny because I'm an author and I prefer to listen to books rather than read them myself. It is such a pleasure to be able to listen to valuable information while laying in the tub, cooking dinner, meal prepping, flying on a plane, driving long distances or working out at the gym. Maybe it all means that I'm just addicted to multi-tasking.

    At any rate, Think and Grow Rich is a quick little 40 minute listen that I tap into a few times a week. Ever heard of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)? How about the book about manifesting called The Secret? Well, in my humble opinion, Think and Grow Rich is this beautiful intersection of NLP and The Secret. Napoleon Hill even suggests a very specific way of doing affirmations morning and night that I absolutely follow. It is hard to dispute the fact that so many wildly successful people have all relied on very similar techniques for hundreds of years (if not more).

  • Transcendental Meditation (TM) Technique

    I can't say enough about how meaningful this practice has been to my life. The best way that I can describe TM is by using an analogy comparison to "defragging" a hard drive on a computer. If you have ever done this before, you've seen the various file types scattered all over your computer screen in different colored pieces. Defragmenting the hard drive puts the like file types back together which optimizes the speed and performance of the hard drive. Similarly, our brains are processing an enormous amount of information all of the time. TM allows the mind to quiet and essentially reorganize itself. After a meditation, thinking is clearer and I'm more alert. There is also scientific evidence of physiological shifts like reduction in blood pressure, reduction in insomnia, reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety and improved attention spans in kids with ADHD.

    If that isn't enough, wildly successful people like Katy Perry, Ellen DeGeneres and Jerry Seinfeld are all long time practitioners of TM. They are also quite vocal about the positive shifts that their TM practice created and continues to create in their lives.

  • Namoh by Krishna Das

    Krishna Das is a performer of the Hindu devotional music known as Kirtan. Kirtan is basically chanting mantras to music. While chanting mantra is nothing new to me, Kirtan is and it has been a beautiful addition to my life that I'm so excited to tell everyone about.

    I've found the song "Namoh," by Krishna Das, has a particularly calming and grounding effect on me. When I listen and sing along, I feel like I am tapping into my truest self; love.

    Here are the lyrics and their meaning:
    Om Namo Gurudev Neem Karoli Baabaaya Namaha
    (I call upon the Infinite Creator who created me. I call upon the Divine Giver of wisdom.)
    Shree Raam Jaya Raam Jaya Jaya Raam
    (I bow to the Name of Rama... which is unqualified, peerless and a mine of virtues and is the vital breath of the Vedas.)

    This might be too much for you. That's cool. I totally get it. If it resonates with you, use it. If not, feel free to leave it.<3

  • Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

    Another reason to love audio books is that sometimes the authors are the ones narrating the audio books. That is the case with Elizabeth Gilbert in the audio book for Big Magic. Hearing the inflections in her voice and the juicy ad-lib tidbits make the audio book so much richer.

    If you have ever had a dream and if you have ever experienced fear, give this a listen. It will make your heart happy.

    P.S. - This website and every project that I launch in 2018 has been greatly inspired by this book.

  • The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage

    Mel Robbins shares her no non-sense technique for slaying procrastination and getting shit done in The 5 Second Rule. If you struggle in these areas, as I know I certainly have/do, it might be worth your time and money to give it a listen.

    Having weaknesses doesn't make you weak. It makes you human. The key is to find the resources that improve your chances for success and provide you with the support and techniques that you need to reach your dreams and goals. For me, this is one of those support tools.

  • You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life

    Say it with me now, "I am a badass."

    Jen Sincero is so funny and authentic. She brings years of wisdom as a coach as well as candid life experience to this powerfully transformative self-help book.

    I believe in my heart that we are facing an epidemic of unhappiness. Too many people are living lives that are not in sync with their purpose and passion and it is making us sick, angry and it's the root cause of the scarcity mentality. The truth is that there is more than enough health, wealth, love and happiness to go around. Go get you some!

For the Body

  • Life-Flo Pure Magnesium Oil | 100% Pure Magnesium Chloride Spray from Ancient Zechstein Seabed | For Relaxing & Rejuvenating Muscles & Joints | 8 oz

    My dear friend, Maggie Reinke, is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition practitioner and she got me hooked on this stuff. A high percentage of the population is deficient in magnesium. What most people don't know is that the body absorbs and metabolizes it best through the skin. Every night before bed, I spray 20 sprays into my hands and apply the magnesium oil to my back. It helps me to sleep more soundly and does more for my aches and pains than over the counter anti-inflammatories. As a bonus, magnesium also helps us to better absorb and metabolize Vitamin D.

    I will say that the oil does make the skin a bit itchy. It feels a lot like ocean water that has dried on the skin. If you can't tolerate leaving it on overnight, just apply it 20 minutes before showering to allow enough time for it to soak into your skin.

  • Nubian Heritage Body Wash, African Black Soap, 13 Fluid Ounce

    This body wash keeps my skin soft and smelling good enough to eat. I initially tried this body wash after experiencing annoying outbreaks of neck/back ace........nothing makes you feel sexier or more like a woman than neck/back acne. (I kid).

  • Andalou Naturals Instant Hydration Hydro Serum Facial Mask, 0.6 Fluid Ounce

    I'm literally obsessed with ALL of the face masks made by Andalou Naturals. This 1000 Roses Hydro Support Facial Mask might be my most favorite though. Face masks make an excellent addition to a self-care routine with the added bonus of plumper and more supple skin.

  • Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser 200ml/6.8oz

    I get a lot of questions about my skin care routine and I definitely follow the process of washing, toning and moisturizing my skin. This cleanser will leave your skin feeling so soft and refreshed. Aesop's Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser also features lactic acid which has the added benefit of exfoliation. If you have normal to combination skin, definitely give this a try.

  • Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner, 8 oz.

    Toner helps to close the pores that are opened when we wash our face and it also removes any remaining dirt/make-up. This toner became my go-to in my mid-30's as I became more aware of fine lines. Glycolic acid helps with fine lines and blemishes because it gently exfoliates the skin and boosts collagen production. Winning!

  • Garden of Life Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - Unrefined Cold Pressed Coconut Oil for Hair, Skin and Cooking, 14 Ounce

    Coconut oil is my eye make-up remover, the first thing that I put on my skin after a shower (in lieu of lotion), in my epsom salt baths as a skim moisturizer (see more on epsom salt baths below), my leave in hair conditioner, an excellent cuticle repairer and my go-to remedy for chafed skin.

    If you are a mama, it's also excellent to have on hand as a natural alternative to diaper rash creams. I've seen some gnarly diaper rashes get cleared up in a day or two once the little baby bum gets treated with coconut oil at every changing.

  • Schmidt's Deodorant Charcoal + Magnesium Deodorant 3.25 oz (92 grams) Stick(S)

    I'm pretty sure that I qualify as a natural deodorant expert. I've. Tried. Them. All. At the end of the day, nothing else has kept me smelling fresh all day like Schmidt's does. This is not an anti-perspirant so you will still sweat but the charcoal and magnesium will keep you from getting funky.

  • Giovanni 2chic Brazilian Keratin and Argan Oil Ultra-Sleek Shampoo, 8.5 Fluid Ounce

    I love Giovanni because their products are free of SLS, SLES and Phthalates and they don't test on animals. I'm not a vegetarian/vegan but that doesn't mean that I condone/support animal testing.

    The argan oil product line gets my vote because it makes my straight hair sleek and shiny.

  • Giovanni 2chic Brazilian Keratin and Argan Oil Ultra-Sleek Conditioner, 24 Fluid Ounce

    In the words of Billy Madison, "Shampoo is better! I go on first and clean the hair! Conditioner is better! I leave the hair silky and smooth! Oh, really, fool? Really! (Notices gold swan on edge of tub) Stop looking at me, swan!"

    So yeah, this is the conditioner I use. lol

  • Epsoak Epsom Salt 19lbs Magnesium Sulfate USP

    I have the gift of taking a simple bath and turning it into a $20 at-home spa service. (sorry - not sorry) Epsom salt baths are a great way to relax, it's a form of self-care, it supports your detoxification pathways, it provides a source of magnesium and they alleviate aches and pains.

    I'm going to share a few other elements of my bath "recipe" but it all starts with epsom salt. For an average size tub, I'd use 2 cups per bath and for a garden tub I use 3 cups per bath.

  • ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, 13.5 Pound

    Baking soda is the second ingredient in my bath "recipe." For an average size tub, I'd use 1 cup per bath and for a garden tub I use 1.5 cups per bath.

    Why put baking soda in your bath? Great question! It also helps to detox the body and it has the ability to soothe the skin. I unexpectedly had hives and no anti-histamines in the house so I drew a cool bath, added baking soda and soak in it for about 20 minutes until the hives resolved.

  • Aztec Secret Indian Healing Bentonite Clay, 2 Pound (Pack of 2)

    The use of the clay in a bath is totally optional but I suggest it be added to the bath water for anyone that doesn't have a water filtration system. Our water has all sorts of nasties in it ranging from chemicals like chlorine and fluoride to metals like lead to medications like antibiotics. Whatever is in your water will be soaking into your body in a bath. The bentonite clay helps to purify the water by attracting positively charged impurities to its negatively charged molecules. Science is mad cool, yo!

  • Rocky Mountain Oils - Lavender (Bulgaria)-15ml | 100% Pure & Natural Essential Oils

    The addition of essential oils to the bath are also totally optional. That said, there are always oils in my bath.

    I really adore Rocky Mountain Oils, in particular, and have been using them for many years. I did a significant amount of research into the top essential oil companies and at the end of the day, their value and quality won me over.

    Lavender is great before bed to help ease you into a calm and restful state.

    I often combine Frankincense and Lavendar for a more grounding effect.

    When my muscles are sore, I combine Peppermint and Eucalyptus for rejuvenation and an awesome cooling sensation.

For the Home