Category: Skin & Wellness

  • Chai Elixer

    Chai Elixer

    It’s become a regular routine. I add a splash of Chai Elixer into a shot of milk and sip it slowly. It tastes like… if Baileys’ came out with a Chai flavored cocktail. Creamy. You can definitely taste the brandy, it’s deliciously smooth. But the dominating flavors comes from the Chai spices, which not only taste amazingbut is the most lovely, potent, feel-good medicine. In this article, I’ll show you the recipe for the Chai Elixer that I cannot stop making!

    Benefits of Chai Elixer

    Chai is the ultimate comfort food – it restores, replenishes , soothes and strengthens you. It’s what you crave in the Fall and Winter, because it keeps the warmth and fire in your belly, and your circulation moving.  My favorite thing about Chai is that coziness it fills me with – especially in times of stress. When you’re feeling dull, detached, uninspired and tired of feeling that way – I recommend that you bring Chai into your days.
    The Chai that I learned how to make includes lots of turmeric, black pepper, and vanilla – which is a natural remedy for soothing inflammation in the body. 
    The combination of warming + anti-inflammatory properties, creates flow and energy in the body, but also calm and soothing to your whole system. It’s a very healing combination – good for pain, for stress, and for inflammatory conditions that show up on the skin for example acne and eczema.
    The day that I turned my powdered Chai recipe into a liquid Elixer – was a game changer! All you need is a a splash of this concentrated Chai in a cup of milk…. and you’re in HEAVEN.

    What is an elixer?

    An elixer is an herbal infusion made with alcohol + honey or maple syrup. It’s essentially a sweetened tincture.
    A tincture is a preparation of herbs infused into alcohol for 6 weeks. During that time,  plant cell walls burst open, releasing the healing constituents, vitamins, nutrients, flavors and aroma into the alcohol.
    Why alcohol? Alcohol is very good at extracting out the medicine of herbs. It also preserves the medicine, eliminating bacterial activity. The final product it very shelf stable and just like liquor, it lasts for years and years.
    I’m a huge fan of tinctures and elixers, they’re incredibly potent and very easy to make. One dropper full, is the equivalent of drinking 3 cups of tea! I love the efficiency and simplicity of it.
    But it has to be said: not all tinctures taste great. Some taste down right like medicine. It’s so concentrated in flavor (bitter, pungent, spicy…) and part of herbalism is the creativity of working with our herbs and flavours and making medicine that tastes good. Elixers, for me, are a simple way of improving the taste, adding that touch of sweetness that softens the flavours in your mouth.

    What if I can’t use alcohol or honey?

    You can make an elixer that is alcohol-free and vegan using apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup. In herbalism, we call this an Oxymel. 
    It’s very similar medicine, BUT in terms of flavor,  it becomes something different. And with the vinegar, I wouldn’t necessarily pour it into milk and call a Chai.
    I recommend that you try making a Chai Oxymel and take it by the spoonful, or add it to your cooking in creative ways!
    But if you really want a good creamy Chai drink to sip on – with no alcohol – I think the original Chai recipe is for you.

    Chai Elixer Recipe


    Chai Elixer

    • .5 oz cinnamon (14 grams)
    • 3 cardomom pods
    • 1 oz ginger (28 grams)
    • .5 oz turmeric (14 grams)
    • 3 whole peppercorns
    • 2 cups brandy (80-proof)
    • 1 pod vanilla (or a splash of vanilla extract)
    • honey to taste
    1. Cobine the spices and brandy together in a bullet blender and blitz just a few seconds to break up the herbs. This helps the extraction process.
    2. Pour into a jar, and seal with a lid. If the lid is metal, place a piece of parchment paper underneath to protect it from reacting.
    3. You can add the honey in with the brandy to infuse together with the spices. But, when I make an elixer for the first time, I like to add honey after the infusion, to get a taste for the flavor and how much honey I like. Usually, for an elixer it’s about 1 part honey/3 parts brandy.
    4. Let the jar sit for 6 weeks, everyday giving it a good shake to encourage the extraction
    5. After 6 weeks, strain out the spices. Slowly add honey to taste.
    6. Store in a dropper bottle, or a bottle that you can pour out from easily. Make sure it’s labeled.
    7. My favorite way to take it: Pour a shot of milk of choice into a glass. Add a dropper full of the Chai Elixer and enjoy!

    You can use fresh or dried ginger and turmeric. I’ve made this recipe with store-bought powdered turmeric and ginger, and with dehydrated sliced turmeric and ginger that I make fresh in my dehydrator. Use what you have!

    I’ve also used my new Magical Butter machine to make this elixir. It turns out great! Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for time/temp setting. 


  • Fall Apothecary List

    Fall Apothecary List

    The change of season is a good reminder to freshen up your home apothecary. Go through the kitchen pantry, look through your herbs and spices – and organize what you need for the coming season. Fall is all about creating warmth and coziness, protecting your skin from the dry and cold weather and boosting your immune system for cold & flu time. This gives us a good idea of the kind of herbs that we can stock up on and integrate into our everyday life. 

    It’s such a great feeling to have on hand the herbs and ingredients that support you throughout the season. You’ll be able to make remedies that you need, and fill your home with warm, cozy fall-time herbal magic. 

    Here below is my Fall Apothecary shopping list. As an herbalist, these are the herbs that I recommend to my clients, and use in my own home! 

    If you want to have more personalized support, I’d be happy to provide that for you too. Book a session with me here to discuss the herbs and protocols that will support you: skin, body and mind! 

    Happy Fall planning! 

    Herbs to stock in your apothecary

    I recommend stocking up on loose single herbs, that you can blend as you need, in different ways. 

    • Lemon balm (to fight off viruses)
    • Rosehips (Vitamin C)
    • Hibiscus (Vitamin C) 
    • Oatstraw (Deep nourishment)
    • Elderberry (support immune system) 
    • Turmeric (support immune system) 
    • Marshmallow (for dry tissues, coughs)
    • Mullein (for sore throats)
    • Cayenne (add a dash to your herbal blends – to boost the herbal actions, to warm the body and open up sinuses)
    • Cardamon (wards off mental fatigue)
    • Cinnamon chips (circulatory stimulant, antioxidant
    • Orange Peels (Vitamin C, bitters digestive support

    Keep the loose herbs in sealed jars (repurposed jam jars or mason jars) 
    Make sure to label them!
    Store your jars in the pantry or on a shelf (this is your apothecary) 
    Drink daily herbal tonics: 4 tbsp herb to 4 cups hot water. Steep 20 minutes.

    Source herbs: View my shopping list on Amazon
    Oils for Skin – Extra Moisture

    When the weather changes and you feel that you need a little more moisture for your skin, nourishment and protection, use:

    Avocado Oil, Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Hazelnut, Macadamia Nut

    You can find all of these oils in your supermarket, look for virgin, unrefined. 

    These oils are higher in Oleic Fatty Acids, and help to protect your skin from becoming dry. 

    To use: Add to body scrubs, add to body butter blends. I also recommend that you start daily body oiling before your shower, rub 1-2 tbsps of oil all over your body. You can add a few drops of essential oils too. When you use these oils consistently, your skin becomes reinforced, and more resilient to the change in weather. 

    You can also use them for facial care – but note that they are slightly more rich. If you have questions, I help my clients to find the right oils and ratios for their facial care needs. You can book a consultation here

    Butters for extra skin moisture & protection

    As the weather gets cooler, the air gets drier and the showers get hotter – protect your skin with more nourishing, rich butters. 

    • Shea Butter (very moisturising, soaks in well) 
    • Cocoa Butter (deeply moisturising, creates barrier that locks in hydration)
    • Mango Butter (full of Vitamin C, has a “dry” finish on the skin. Add in a little to your body butter blend for a less oily feel) 

    Source butters: 

    Better Shea Co
    From Nature With Love 

    Essential Oils for home & body

    Diffuse oils in the air that purify the air and support lungs. Really good for steam treatments too. Make a shower spray to mist in the steamy air for  “shower aromatherapy” Add to your body care recipes  (bath salts, scrub, body butter, balms)

    • Camphor (clear lungs, boost circulation, good for sore muscles rub)
    • Cedar wood (healhty respiratory system)
    • Blood Orange (mood uplift, reduce stress)
    • Clove Bud (diffuse in air support immune system)
    • Eucalyptus (clear sniffles and congestion, stimulate the mind)

    Kitchen Tools

    Dehydrator: A dehydrator is so good for making your own dried ginger root for teas and blends. Dried orange peels… I use it so much. 

    If you’re considering purchasing a dehydrator and have questions – read my guide to help you choose the right one for you. 

    Read Dehydrator Buying Guide

    Botanical Extractor: I recently purchased the Magical Butter, to make tinctures and oil infusions.

    You do not need special equipment to make herbal recipes!! For years I’ve been making herbal preparations with just a mason jar and time… infusing slowly for 6 weeks.

    But, when you want to invest in your herbal kitchen, a Magical Butter is a great tool to have. It gives you the ability to make a tincture or infusion in hours!

    This is the model I purchased.

    Herbal Remedies

  • Lemon Balm Anxiety Elixer – for internal & external use!

    Lemon Balm Anxiety Elixer – for internal & external use!

    When I started herbal school, that first week I developed a big cold sore on my lip. I’d been suffering with them for years and every time I’d get a sore, I felt so embarrassed and self-conscious that I’d stay home until it went away. 
    But I had just paid for and signed up for this class, I wasn’t going to miss it. And so I show up, and I walk right up to my teacher Maggie, and ask what can I do for this sore? She hands me a bottle of lemon balm tincture and says “take a few dropper-fulls everyday and also put a few drops on the sore itself.”  
    I’m there in class, putting this dark green tincture on my lips, almost making it more obvious! But by the next day – the sore had completely gone down. And what I really noticed was that the anxiety and the stress I had been holding inside, seemed to dissipate right along with the sore. 
    That’s because lemon balm is both antiviral and a nervine – it weakens the virus, while strengthening your ability to mange stress.
    Ever since then, I’ve gotten much better at noticing stress before it manifests into a cold sore – and I will start taking lemon balm right away.

    In this article, I’ll show you how to make a Lemon Balm Elixer, which is like a tincture but more delicious! And how to use it to manage cold sores.

    Stress & Cold Sores

    Cold sores are most often caused by the Herpes Simplex virus type 1. Once you contract it, there is no cure for it (ref), so its important to understand how it shows up in your body so that you can better manage it. The virus lays dormant in the nerve cells  – and can become triggered by some form of stimulus: 

    • It can be environmental: extreme weather changes, sunlight, wind…
    • It can be physical: injury to the skin, weakened immune system, fatigue…
    • It can be emotional: stress, anxiety…

    When you start to notice what triggers your cold sores, and you notice the early symptoms of a cold sore – tingling, itching –  you can swoop in with self-care and herbs before the cold sore ever erupts. And if it does, you can support your body to resolve and heal it more quickly. 
    And Lemon Balm is hands-down my favorite herb for this. As a nervine, and antiviral herb – it hits the virus from all angles – it strengthens your own nervous system, reduces stress and anxiety, it weakens the virus and reduces inflammation. (ref)
    This recipe helps you capture those incredible benefits, in a delicious remedy that you can take easily, and use internally and externally. 


    Lemon Balm Elixer

    An elixer is a very traditional form of herbal medicine. Its simply an alcohol based solution, that extracts out the healing constituents of the herbs. The addition of honey gives healing qualities and a sweet taste. What my teacher gave me was a tincture, which is the same thing, but without the honey. I personally find elixers to be more delicious. You can substitute honey for maple syrup.
    This Lemon balm Elixer is something you can take anytime you’re feeling a little stressed or anxious. When you notice that something is triggering you and a cold-sore may flare up, start taking your elixer. Or, if you do get a blister, you can apply it directly onto the sore. The alcohol and the honey both help as well, drying out the cold sore and speeding up healing. 




    Recipe

    Ingredients:

    • fresh lemon balm (homegrown, or purchase a plant from the nursery)
    • 80-100 proof alcohol – vodka, gin or brandy
    • Raw honey 

    Method: 

    • Fill a mason jar with as much lemon balm as you can, packed in tightly
    • Cover the herbs with the alcohol, to cover 2 inches. 
    • Pour out all of the contents into a blender, and blitz for a few seconds to break up the lemon balm. This helps the extraction process. 
    • Pour it back into the jar.  
    • Squeeze honey in to taste. An elixer is about 3/4 alcohol to 1/4 honey. But its completely up to your taste preference. 
    • **My jar was too big, I didn’t have enough lemon balm or alcohol to fill it up. So I transferred it to a smaller jar – so that there is no air gap. 
    • Place a piece of wax paper over the top and then seal the lid. 
    • Label your jar
    • Allow to sit for 4 weeks to infuse, shaking every time you remember. The more often the better. 
    • After 4 weeks, strain and store in a dry cool place. Its now ready for you to enjoy. You can take it directly on the tounge, or if you can add it to a glass of water. 

    Alternate: If you use dried lemon balm, fill a jar 1/2 way with herbs and top off the jar fully with alcohol and honey. 

    Notes:
    * Shelf life: 6 months – 1 year, no refrigeration needed.
    * Dosage: 1-2 tsp 3x per day internally.

  • Lemon & Chamomile Bitters for Gut Health

    Lemon & Chamomile Bitters for Gut Health

    These are stressful times, and emotions can show up in the body – and create physical imbalances. For many people, like myself, stress can trigger what I can only describe as a grumpy belly. Bloating and loud gurgling noises after eating, you might feel indigestion, heartburn, gas or cramping.

    And often too, our skin tells us when our digestion is off balance. As an herbalist, I work with the skin to pick up on those cues: Acne, rosacea, psoriasis. Even dry, flaky skin and dullness… can be the skin expressing our body’s need for digestive support.

    Bitters can be a helpful response, to guide you to optimal digestion – which may then help clear conditions that showed up on the skin. In this article I’ll show you how to make your own delicious bitters, with simple ingredients. It does take time to make, and you can purchase bitters online faster, but I think this is an opportunity to learn how to work with herbs and create your own wellness.

    DIGESTIVE BITTERS

    Bitters are an old herbal remedy. It’s made with herbs that have a strong bitter taste, that are infused in spirits. You take a few drops just before eating a meal, like an Apéritif.

     

    The taste of bitterness on the tongue, is what kick starts the whole digestive process – stimulating stomach acids, bile and enzymes to break down food, and better absorb nutrients. It supports the liver functions, to clear waste and toxins from the body.

     

    You can also include bitter tasting foods into your diet to support a healthier digestion, like kale, arugula and radishes.

    How to use bitters

    The simplest way is to take a 1/4 teaspoon before you eat. You can also add it to sparkling water and drink it that way. By the way, bitters in sparkling water is actually an old remedy for hangovers! 

    Bitters are also used in cocktail recipes, you can add it to alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. I love adding bitters to my daily Herbal Tonics for that extra gut support. 


    Here’s a simple recipe that turned out delicious. The secret is to use the whole lemon, the inner fruit and the outer rind. It gives such a bright and lemony flavor, but you still get that hit of bitterness that makes this a potent digestive blend.

    Chamomile not only is a bitter herb, but also a good gut herb that helps to calm and soothe. The lemon peel is also a bitter element, and provides lots of Vitamin C too! I like to add just a touch of maple syrup for flavor, but you don’t want to add too much!

    Lemon & Chamomile Bitters

    Ingredients:

    • 1 Lemon
    • 2 tbsp Chamomile 
    • 4oz Brandy 
    • 1 tsp Maple Syrup

    Method:

    • Cut the lemon, the whole fruit and rind into small pieces.
    • Fill a mason jar with the lemon.
    • Add in the dried chamomile and maple syrup.
    • Pour in the brandy until it fully covers the botanicals.
    • Close the lid and let it sit for 6 weeks
    • After 6 weeks, strain and store the bitters in a smaller bottle, or if you have one with a dropper top (like this)

  • Herbal Tea Infused Oil for Stress in the Body

    Herbal Tea Infused Oil for Stress in the Body

    I love herbal oils. They’re one of my favorite (most healing) forms of skincare to make. The process of making an herbal oil is uncomplicated, and it produces a product that will not only support the health and beauty of your skin – but being so nutrient-dense – it also supports and strengthens your overall health and wellbeing. 

    In this article, I’m going to share with you a resourceful recipe – using pantry ingredients to make your own herb-infused oil – specifically for relieving stress in the body. 

    Herbal Teas

    In times of stress, overwhelm or anxiety –  you might find yourself reaching for an herbal tea, like Chamomile tea to help yourself relax, or a Sleepy Time blend to help yourself rest. You might notice that drinking Chai, makes you feel comforted.
    And that’s because these herbs have properties that help to smooth frazzled nerves, relax tension in the body and calm inflammation. When you infuse the herbs into water to drink as a tea, the herbs help to calm your body, from the inside. 
    And we can also infuse those same herbs into OIL, and help bring calm to your body, from the outside. 
    I love the idea of using your herbal teas (or more accurately, tisane) – to make your skincare with, because its something that you already consume as food.  And that’s important for two reasons:

    1. You know that your body responds well to this herb
    2. You can easily find it in your supermarket or better yet, in your pantry.

    Here’s a list of common herbal teas, that can be used topically and help to reduce the negative effects of stress in your body:

    Single Tea:

    • Chamomile
    • Lemon Balm 
    • Lavender 
    • Rose
    • Holy Basil 

    Tea blends:

    Quality matters

    Just like in cooking, the quality of your ingredients truly matter. If you’ve had that box of chamomile tea in the pantry for a couple of years now, or if its a “flavored” tea – it’s not going to give you the results you’re looking for.
    The best option is to use herbs that you’ve gently dried yourself. You could purchase fresh herbs, or if you grow fresh herbs, simply dehydrate (link) them and that will produce an herbal oil that’s incredibly potent.
    Your next best option is to purchase herbal tea, which is dried herbs, from a reputable brand. When you smell the tea, it should be fragrant, the color should be vibrant and this tell you that it’s still fresh and potent.

    Making Herbal Oil with Herbal Tea

    The process of infusing herbs into oil takes 4-6 weeks. You can speed that process up by applying controlled heat. For that, I use my sous-vide machine – which I LOVE.
    But I want to share this recipe for a slow infusion – because it’s important to engage with slow things… to be in nature’s pace. Especially when we’re making these things precisely because we’re feeling stressed.
    I love the anticipation and hope it gives me, having this jar of oil and herbs, becoming stronger and more potent with each day.

    Herbal Tea Body Oil Recipe

    Start with a single tea, a blend of teas – or make your own blend. All of the herbs that I listed above have similar actions in the body – so the final product is going to have a “coherent” story – in that it will promote rest, relaxation, and help you to restore.
    Use what you have and let yourself be creative – smell the herbs and combine what feels right to you. You can use fresh herbs, but you must dry them first, in a dehydrator or air-dried in a ventilated and sunny spot.

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 cup of dried loose leaf herbs (if its in a sachet, tear it open and pour out the herbs)
    • 1/2 – 3/4 cup Olive Olive oil

    Method:

    • Pour the herbs into a clean glass jar. Repurpose a jam jar, or use a mason jar.
    • The volume of herbs should only fill the jar up to 3/4 of the way because the herbs can expand in the oil.
    • Pour in the olive oil, until the herbs are fully saturated and covered by the oil, with a little extra on top (about 1 inch) to give room for the herbs to move and expand.
    • LABEL your jar: The name of your infusion, and the date.
    • Every day, visit your jar and give it a shake to encourage the infusion process. Notice the color of the oil, notice the herbs. There’s medicine in those moments too.
    • 6 Weeks Later: Strain out the oil and store the herbal oil in a labeled jar.
    • This herbal oil can be used directly on the skin or used to make a balm.

    Tips for using a body oil

    • Store the oil in a bottle that is easy to pour out for easy application. You can use a spray or pump bottle too.
    • Massage herbal oil onto your body DAILY.
    • Herbal oil can be used on the face as an oil cleanser to remove makeup.
    • Herbal oil can be used on the face as a moisturizer – but only use a few drops to moisturize.
    • If you have acne: olive oil may be too rich for daily use, instead, you can use grapeseed oil, which is also found in supermarkets. Or Jojoba oil is a good choice.

    Please share what blend you’ll be making! #littlegreendot

  • Resourceful Remedies for Dry Hands

    Resourceful Remedies for Dry Hands

    “Help, my hands are dry from so much sanitizer use! ”

    Last week, I would have told you to go buy some shea butter, mango butter and cocoa butter and make a whipped body butter
    But this week, it’s not that simple. The coronavirus disrupted normal life. Online orders are delayed. Going out for cocoa butter is not an essential. Finances are strained. Yet your hands are dry and hurting – and you need relief. 
    So I’m dedicating this article – and the next several recipes – to resourceful remedies: using the most accessible, basic kitchen ingredients to support your skin health and overall wellness.

    Resourceful kitchen pantry remedies for over-washed, dry hands:

    OLIVE OIL: it’s abundant, inexpensive and specifically supports DRY skin. Many herbal remedies, especially the more traditional recipes, use olive oil because its accessible, shelf-stable and highly nourishing for the skin. Olive oil can be used directly on the skin head-to-toe, it can be infused with herbs and poured into a bath. It’s also a top choice for making soap.
    Olive oil is very high in oleic acid, about 75%. Our own sebum naturally contains oleic acid, so it’s very compatible. Oils high in oleic acid are good choices for dry skin because these oils coat the skin to protect from damage and moisture loss. Olive oil is also high in phytosterols, which attracts moisture to the skin. *Other options: Avocado oil or Ghee.

    How to Use Olive Oil for Dry Hands
    When over-washing and sanitizing is drying out your hands, you want to make sure that your moisturizing more often.
    Keep a bottle of oil by your sink. After every time you wash your hands, apply a few drops of oil and massage it in. You also want to do this before every shower, again massaging the oil onto your hands.
    This supplements your skin and creates a protective shield so that your skin doesn’t become dry.


    HERBS: anti-inflammatory herbs can help to soothe the skin, while mucilage rich herbs can help to hydrate the skin. And you might just have some herbal tea in your pantry that you can use to make your own hand mask treatment. 

    • If your hands are inflamed: Chamomile
    • If your hands are hot and burning: Lavender
    • If your hands are dehydrated: Marshmallow Root, Mullein and Slippery Elm. Wait, I don’t have that in my pantry? Well, if you happen to have an Herbal tea blend for Sore Throats & Coughs (like this), often they contain mucilage rich herbs, look at the ingredients. You can also use Flaxseed.

    How to Use Herbs for Dry Hands
    In the blender, blitz your herbs with an equal amount of rolled oats to make a fine herbal powder. Oats are soothing but also gives a creaminess to this treatment.

    • 1/4 cup herbs (one herb, or a mix)
    • 1/4 cup rolled oats

    If kept dry, you can store this blend in an air-tight container for 3 months.
    To make a treatment, combine in a bowl, 1 TBSP of herbal powder with 1/4 TSP of olive oil and droplets of water until it forms a creamy consistency.
    Apply this mixture onto hands and wear it as a hand mask. Remove with water, you hands will feel transformed.


    These are simple, but good remedies. And they demonstrate just how effective herbal skincare is. This is a time for us to get hands on and be resourceful. But you know what – that’s a skill that will not only help you today – but will carry on to help you always.

  • I wrote a book! And 3 lessons learned.

    I wrote a book! And 3 lessons learned.

    Three months ago, a publisher emailed me with a proposal – they wanted me to write a book. And I seriously almost fell out of my chair because I have dreamed of writing a skincare cookbook for YEARS.
    I scheduled a call with the publishing company – to talk things through – but it was already an instant “yes!!” from me. Even though I had no idea how in the world I would come up with 60 new recipes in 3 months….. I didn’t have a moment of hesitation. I’d been ready for this opportunity for years.
    The contract was signed – and from there the process happened VERY quickly. So much so, I had barely a chance to think about the fact that I.was.writing.a.book! There was no time for reflection, it was all about getting it done.
    But now that I’ve completed the manuscript, and handed it in *woot!* I realized how much I went through, what I did that worked well, and the mistakes that I made too.
    Maybe you’re in the process of writing or working on a dream project… or you have something big on the horizon! I thought I’d share 3 big lessons that I learned from this experience:

    It’s going to be hard

    Even though this book was a dream that I begged the universe for – when it came to actually doing the work – I had to beg myself to get it done. 
    I think I imagined that writing a book would look different, like a highlight reel of amazing moments. I imagined it would be the most creative and fulfilling experience! Maybe that’s how it’s supposed to feel after you’re done.
    Because during the writing process – the truth is I had to plead, trick and convince myself every day to sit and write. It was a lonely process – I was at my computer most of the day and easily distracted – and I had to parent myself constantly to get.it.done.
    But, see that’s okay. Just because the work is hard and you don’t always want to do it – doesn’t mean that you’re not supposed to or that you can’t.
    If you are in the middle of that struggle – keep pushing forward because of the feeling of completing hard work for something that you are passionate about – far exceeds the pain of getting it done.

    Feed Your Creativity

    When you’re in the process of working really hard on a creative project, you’re bringing an idea into life – it’s important that you feed your body well so that you can be at your best.
    In the same way, I also realized its important to feed your creative body.
    Looking back, I realized that my most productive creative times – were when I placed myself in spaces that fed me good energy.
    And now that I see how important that was to the work – I’m going to intentionally feed myself well, with inspiration.
    During my busiest writing time, my herbal studies were scheduled to start. I thought – that’s really bad timing – but it turned out that taking myself out of my routine, going to class and being around other herbalists – actually fed me inspiration and creativity that helped me produce at my best.
    And then my husband mentioned that I should work with his friend in Ireland, a talented food stylist on the photography for the book. I had planned to shoot alone at home, and traveling for five days seemed unreasonable. But something inside said, “book the ticket” Now, looking back – that experience fed me so well! I believe it made my writing and this book better than it would have been had I stayed home. The collaboration with another creative, the experience of being bold, of being somewhere new, eating amazing food, drinking great wine, finding yarrow and lavender growing in the fields – it gave me a quality of creativity that I would not have otherwise tapped into – had I just stayed closed up in my four walls.
    When you know what feeds your creativity, it’s your job to serve it up for yourself!

    Plan ahead for the Chaos

    As the book deadline grew nearer, I found myself closing up more and more. I wasn’t on social media. I wasn’t calling anyone, I wasn’t answering emails. I ignored friend’s messages, I even ignored my own business coach – who I pay a lot of money for! 
    In the thick of the work – It was like I had no room for anyone else and I shut out the world around me. But this made me feel guilty inside, and most days – I beat myself up for not being better at life. 
    Doing things outside of your comfort zone reveals a lot about yourself. And it’s an opportunity to grow. Looking back, I recognize that there’s a pattern – when I feel overwhelmed  I close up and retreat – and then I feel bad about it, which only makes it harder for me to do good work.
    So next time, I’m planning on that. I’ll tell family and friends ahead of time “Hey, I love you, I’m thinking of you – but I’m off the radar for the next X days” or I might plan my schedule better “On Thursdays, I check in with the world.” Maybe before I start a BIG project, I’ll get some support – hire a virtual assistant, hire someone to fold my laundry or just ask for help a little more often. I might book a little getaway – so that I can go and retreat somewhere fun and inspiring.
    When you know yourself, you can anticipate how you’re going to feel or respond – and put those systems in place to help yourself through it with a little more ease and grace. 

  • July’s Theme of the Month

    July’s Theme of the Month

    In a lot of ways, Summer defines my learning style. I learn by seeing, hearing, doing – then it really sticks. And that’s why I love the way Summer creates this perfect interactive classroom.

    The long days invite us outdoors to spend time in nature, to see, hear and do new things… all the while teaching us skills and providing us with experiences that we will carry into life.

    Summer fuels passions and sparks curiosity. It creates the kind of memories that stay with you.  With July here… I want to be intentional – and make some really good ones.

    So this month I have a lot planned for us! And I invite you to join long…

    photo credit: floret

    JULY
    July is all about getting more time in with nature,
    our greatest self-care teacher.

                                                                              photo credit: oprah.com

    We’ll take some trips to the farmer’s market so I can show you some of my favorite market ingredients that will help you create opportunities for self-care at home.


    We’ll whip up herbal remedies. Healing balms, soothing floral mists, playful bath treats – morning and night time rituals that make you feel your best.


    We’ll get into the garden. I’ll show you which herbs will be your Summer allies: bug repelling, antibacterial, pain relieving.


    We’ll teach kids about self care. With the summer break on, I’m planning a few fun gardening and self-care activities for our little ones to dig into!


    I’m really looking forward to sharing with you along the way!
    I just wanted first to put my intentions out there  – because I think it’s important.

    That way with clarity and anticipation – we can go make it happen!

    xx, Militza

  • April Wish List

    April Wish List

    Happy April! I’m feeling such a breeze of energy in the air… although it could be all the grapefruit I’ve been diffusing lately!

    I’m definitely in the mood to freshen-up my space and surround myself with more of the things that help me bring in creativity, gatherings, family moments, healthy habits and ease of everyday tasks. Anything that gets in the way of that, I’m ready to let go of!

    Here’s what’s on my April wish list: 


    photo by: Sweet Paul Magazine

    Ceramics: Something about hand made ceramics, makes me feel like every meal would be that much more special. And there are more and more ceramicists coming up (my secret dream job!)

    For resources – Wu Haus shared her favourite shops for ceramics and also a really good tip: if you buy pieces that are in the same colour family – then you can mix and match, and slowly build-up a beautiful collection. 

    Beyond the kitchen, I’m also looking out for a ceramic bowls to make my face masks and bath bowls in. 


    Spring Clean Kit: If you want to freshen up your closet, you need to know  about ThredUp.  They’re an online secondhand clothing store that also take unwanted clothing off your hands.

    Not only is it free – but you might even make a little profit too! Here’s how it works: On their website, you order the spring clean kit. A pre-stamped bag arrives at your door. Fill it up with your pre-loved goods, and mail it back to them.

    They do rest. They photograph each item, they put it up for sale online and if someone buys your old favourite jeans – you get a cut. The rest gets donated to charities. Isn’t that awesome?!


    photo: The Home Edit

    The Home Edit: This  is where I’ve been getting my fill of organization inspiration! If you follow my Instagram, you know I love a good pantry – and I’ve been getting tons of ideas and product recommendations from this duo.

    Seriously, I’ve been avoiding The Container Store, for fear of buying it all. So I’m building-up a wish list and waiting for the next sale!


    photos by: Plant Therapy

    Plant Therapy: I’ve been using their essential oils for almost a year and I’m all in! For skincare, for DIY cleaning, diffusing in the air… I’m loving these oils and slowly building up my collection.

    After researching different brands, I’m drawn to Plant Therapy -they’re a family business committed to sustainability, open transparency and for me, they have the best price point. Plus they work alongside Robert Tisserand, a renowned essential oil expert who puts out the best essential oil research.

    My favourites are their KidSafe oils – because everything I make with oils comes in contact with my family – I want to make sure I’m creating a healthy home for my little ones.

    My kids LOVE anything I make with the Lime and Sweet Orange!

    For my preteen, she’s getting hormonal breakouts, so I made her this facial cleanser with Geranium (good for hormones) + Palmarosa  (amazing for breakouts) – and it’s been working amazingly! 


    And that’s a few little things I’m excited about in April

    How about you?

  • Bath Bowl for New Year Anxiety

    Bath Bowl for New Year Anxiety

    This is a simple bath recipe – that has some pretty powerful benefits. I’m going to share my remedy for soothing away anxiety, with natural ingredients.

    This time of year is so confusing – there seems to be two totally conflicting messages.

    On one hand, the season is telling us that this is a time for rest. I feel like I want to take every opportunity to just curl up in bed and read a book (okay, binge on Netflix). I want to spend quiet time in the kitchen, making big, slow-cooked pots of soup – warming up the entire house…

    But the commercial season is telling us that there’s no time for that. It’s a new year. 2018!! We need to tone up, loose the holiday belly, get to work and hustle! Looking back, I think normally during this time I would say we need to stimulate the body, perk it up – go, go, go!

    But that doesn’t feel right. And I think fighting nature, only causes more frustration.

    So a big part of my self care right now, is to balance out that restless holiday/new year energy – with restorative, grounding self care. Bathing in dim candlelight has been a big part of that. Not only for the warmth, but for the comfort it brings to my entire system, body and mind. Usually, I’ll bathe in the evening – just after the kids go down for bed. I’ll make myself a Bath Bowl with ingredients from my own kitchen… and I’ll just soak. And it’s been everything.

    A Bath Bowl is something I started making for my girls, but I love them to. There’s a whole ceremony to it, that I really enjoy. With the bowl cupped in my hand – I’ll walk around my kitchen, go through all my herbal teas, scoop in salts, sliver in slices of cocoa butter … and cherry-pick ingredients that feel right.

    Yesterday, I made a Rose and Vanilla Bath Bowl – and I never ever wanted to get out that bath. This blend is calming and nourishing. It features herbs known to ease anxiety and frustration, that activate self love and compassion. And make you feel so luxurious, skin like silk! 

    Rose: In the winter, our body begins to feel dry and stiff. The temptation is to lather on rich oils and butters – but we mustn’t forget that what we need most, is hydration. Rose is a hydrating herb. It softens the body, it moistens the tissues and restores suppleness. It’s the herb of love. The aromatherapy benefits are empowering, it makes you feel wide open to give and receive.

    Vanilla: An aphrodisiac, vanilla is elegant and intoxicating. It captures a distracted mind and brings it right into this present moment. Vanilla is a sweet herb, which is a class of herbs that are known to be hydrating. It moistens tissue, like rose.  There are a few ways to incorporate vanilla into a bath: You can use vanilla essential oil. Often you’ll find vanilla essential oil that comes in a jojoba base, like Aura Cacia – and that’s totally fine, it lowers the cost. Another idea is to save used vanilla pods for your bath. Those teeny tiny vanilla seeds can get everywhere, so do make sure to put the vanilla pod in a cloth bag. Another  lovey idea that I want to leave you with is to put used vanilla pods in a jar of rolled oats (the way you might do with brown sugar). It will scent the oats, which you can grind to go into an oat bath. It will be heaven! You can also add a splash of a very good vanilla extract into the milk.

    Milk: Incredibly moisturising for skin, it’s also very cleansing and skin-brightening, the lactic acids eat away at the top skin layer, stimulating skin turnover. I always recommend a milk bath in the evening – after this lactic-acid treatment, you don’t want to go out in the sun – as the skin can be a little more sensitive to UV rays. You’ll wake up to beautifully moisturised, restored, glowing skin! If you prefer, you can use coconut milk for that rich, creamy moisture.  

    • 1 cup epsom salt (or a blend of epsom and pink himalayan)
    • 1 sliver cocoa butter
    • 1/4 cup dried rose petals
    • 1 cup milk
    1. In a bowl, pour in the epsom salt and coarse pink himalayan if you’re using it.
    2. Shave in the cacao butter, about 1 tablespoon worth
    3. Place the dried rose petals in a cloth bag – they’re beautiful floating in the bath, but would leave a big mess to clean up. Best to contain them! If you don’t have a cloth bag – brew a strong rose tea and pour the tea into the bath.
    4. Pour a cup of milk in a little milk jar and place it in the bowl.

    I hope you find yourself making a bath bowl tonight! Because when you’re gearing up to do big and new things, nourishing yourself with so much self love – is what helps you get stuff done, with grace. 

    Militza Xx