" NO ONE EVER MADE A DIFFERENCE BY BEING LIKE EVERYONE ELSE "
P.T. BARNUM
As I write to you today, I am enjoying one of those awestruck picture-perfect, wintery days here in Boulder... A fresh snow fall, a clear blue sky and the majesty of what I most love about Colorado – nature's beauty.
For the past few weeks, I have been enjoying the quiet inner space of winter: finding my flow with 2018, cozying up with my honey, snowshoeing in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, resting more, and treating myself to a few of my favorite things.
Sovereignty, embodiment and presence happen for me more naturally in a sacred space filled with ambiance, quietude and a moment to step away from the chatter of daily life – for a minute.
This time of musing with my inner world and indulging myself with my favorite goodies has been inspiring my creative juices to flow more freely.
So, today I want to share with you a few of my favorite things. As you will see, they all have a little something in common: they nourish me on many levels, they enhance my daily experience and they simply make things a bit brighter, tastier and sweeter.
I would LOVE to know more about you too. This past couple of months the Boulder Nutrition's readership has expanded in big and beautiful ways. Let's get to know each other! What are your favorite things? (scroll down to share your comments 💗)
To your simple pleasures...
A Few Of My Favorite Things
{Nutritionist Approved}
As a health care practitioner, I get asked questions all the time about different kinds of health products, supplements, superfoods etc. I like to try new things out and do my research so I can be better informed to answer your questions. I linked these all up below, so you can explore for yourself if you feel called.
Most of my favorite things have come from this type of informal research and of course, my love of health, radiance, pleasure and feeling our best. I hope you enjoy!
Pekoe :: Steamed Mate
You may see me around Pekoe Sip House if you are a Boulder local. My office is right across the street, so I meander over often on breaks to grab myself a cup of steamed Mate. When I drink Yerba Mate, I always feel energized, clear minded and focussed. It is my favorite helper for long days or days when I get immersed in my writing.
Yerba Mate has been used as a base for herbal medicines in South America for centuries, and the plant’s benefits and therapeutic properties have recently been verified by a number of scientific studies. The chemical components of Yerba Mate are similar to those found in green tea; however, Yerba Mate is even more nutritious and alkalizing.
Foodie Fuel
Do you ever just need a quick snack, but can't think of something that will truly fuel you up? Foodie Fuel is the answer. Founded by a friend of mine, Eloise Nelson and her partner Chris here in Boulder CO, Foodie Fuel is high in protein, paleo friendly, naturally sweetened, gluten free, non-GMO and super tasty treat. My favorite flavor is the Butter Toffee.
You can buy Foodie Fuel at most health food stores, Amazon, and of course right from their website (linked above)
Pangea :: Canadian Pine and White Sage Essential Oil
Okay. First off, I grew up in Canada. In college I became a tree planter in my summers off, way up near the border of Alaska. I have a serious emotional connection to the smell of Canadian pine trees. This essential oil takes me right back. Long baths with a few drops are so comforting. But wait...the best is when Jason and I sprinkle in on our pillows, turn on some forest music to fall asleep to, as we gaze at the glow in the dark stars on my ceiling... we feel like we are camping, and we get a great nights sleep.
Pine Oil has a warming, purifying quality with properties that freshen the air and benefit the respiratory, nervous and circulatory systems. For the mind, pine is at once elevating, grounding and expanding. For the body, it is cleansing and invigorating.
Pangea Organics, another local Boulder company founded by an old friend of mine, Josh Onysko, gone international. You can even find his company in Singapore. They have a wonderful online store and an incredibly potent and pure line of essential oils.
Gaia Herbs :: Golden Milk
I used to make golden milk a lot, in fact there is a great recipe in the Winter Self-Care and Recipe Guide (that you can download for free by clicking the announcement bar at the top of this page). Then I tried the fairly new Gaia Herbs Golden Milk. WOW! It is delicious and it has one of my favorite ingredients for sleep, stress and adrenal health: ashwaganda (an Ayurvedic herb).
Golden milk is full of one of natures most potent superfood, turmeric.
Turmeric is both a super food and a super spice.
Turmeric is ranked number 6 of the top 100 high ORAC value antioxidant foods which really means it is one potent substance. Turmeric is a spice most commonly found in curry but its medical benefits are golden rich.
Some of the most amazing turmeric properties include: destroying multi-drug resistant cancer, destroying cancer stem cells, protecting against radiation-induced damage, reducing unhealthy levels of inflammation, protecting against heavy metal toxicity and preventing and reversing Alzheimer’s disease associated pathologies.
Instant Pot
Sometimes my mom knows best. Especially in the case of my Instant Pot. I would have never purchased this kitchen miracle on my own (I'm a bit more of a traditionalist in the kitchen) but she surprised me with this gift for my birthday last month.
I was skeptical and a bit intimidated by all the buttons and things this kitchen wonder can do (yogurt making rice cooking, sauteing, slow cooking, pressure cooking etc)
With just a little practice (it's been a month) I am figuring it out. I have made a few soups, stews, chilli, and some other goodies in less than 20 min – start to finish.
Apparently this was the most purchased item on Amazon this past holiday season. Worth checking out?
YES! Just sayin.
(if you want to peak at my first instant pot attempt check out m y post from January 20th HERE)
LuluLemon :: Align Tights
I am a texture person for sure. ALL of my clothes need to be somewhat soft and cozy. While I have worn Lululemon clothing for years (and they are also a Canadian company founded in my home town, Vancouver) these particular pants are my new favorite.
Cozy, comfy, well fitted and soft to the touch. I treated myself to two pairs recently, and you will find me wearing them probably a little too often.
Lululemon has many many other wonderful items in their shop. They are my go-to store for most of my yoga attire.
Birch Bender Paleo Pancakes
Being highly hypoglycemic and on the far end of the protein type spectrum, I have never been able to eat pancakes (even the gluten free ones) without a major blood sugar red-alert. Not the case with these tasty easy paleo pancakes. Ari and I make these on the weekends for brunch all the time. Honestly, I feel great afterwards – full of energy and perfectly balanced with no blood sugar crash in sight.
I really like the taste and the ingredients. We all need a pancake once in a while right? These could not be easier to make, totally affordable, and super yummmmm. Check out one of my favorite ways to enjoy them HERE.
Lovely Lady :: Facial Nutrients
Lovely Lady is a local fair trade organic delightful skin care company that a friend introduced me to. I am so addicted, especially in the winter months with the dry Colorado air.
I use the Everlasting-Argan Immortelle Facial Nutrient morning and night and I love it!
One of the key ingredients is helichrysum essential oil. There's a reason this oil is called "Everlasting" and "Immortelle". This flower will not wilt or wither after it has been picked. This formula is complete with properties from the immortelle plant, so just imagine how effective these properties can be for your skin.
(Unsweetened) Bhakti Chai
I love to buy un-sweetened versions of things because I am a bit of a sugar patrol, and it can just sneak into almost anything these days.
I LOVE the spicy, tasty warming hues to this delicious chai, and I love to add my own sweetener (usually raw honey) with my own milk of choice (usually raw milk or Ripple).
This is a great treat to order at some of Boulder's hip coffee shops (most of them carry it) or of course buy the grab and go version from local health food stores.
Sometimes, I even make my chia pudding with Bhakti Chai. That's some wintery goodness right there.
Winter, warming, tasty, naturally sweet and full of spicy gingery goodness.
Fresh Thymes Eatery
We all need that place that feels like the food is made just for our palate. Fresh Thymes Eatery is locally owned, organic, gluten free, dairy free and easy to swing into for lunch or dinner.
I love when I can order anything on the menu and not have to worry.
Some of my favorites are the Crying Tiger Bowl (no quinoa, sub extra veggies), the skirt steak combo plate and the dairy free, gluten free Mac Attach (their version of mac and cheese). I also grab there bone broth to-go if I am fighting something off and haven't had the energy to make my own.
Affordable, effieicnt, easy and so tasty.
Isagenix Amped Hydrate Electrolytes
We all need a little electrolyte boost here and there. I enjoy my favorite electrolytes (raise your hand for orange) after my morning spin or yoga class, before bed for some extra hydration, and really any time at all.
These electrolytes help me to drink more water. I crave salt, and the little bit of sea salt in here hits the spot. These are infused with lots of B vitamins, a little bit of stevia and raw honey, and a great flavor.
Click the linked title above for all the deets!
Wonder Press :: The Cure (pressed ginger and lemon shot)
Okay. Let's talk about the flu. So many folks have been hit hard this year. As soon as I feel something coming on this is my cure. These little shots of wonder are a ginormous immune boosters. You can totally make this at home if you have a juicer, and it is always nice to know where you can get them if you want a grab and go.
Ginger is a wonderful immune booster that naturally warms us up in the colder days of winter. This superfood is great for digestive issues, flus – very anti-bacterial, anti-viral.
I often cut this concoction with a little hot water as it is super strong.
Instacart
Like most new technology, it takes me a little while to get on board. It wasn't until Ari and I were sitting at the Seattle airport on our way home from a family trip when I tested out Instacart. Have you tried it?
I got home at nearly 10 pm that night with a fresh bag of groceries waiting for me. How awesome is that after a week of traveling and a long travel day?
My day-to-day life can get a little full here and there and on those days, Instacart is the answer to simplifying.
When you download the app on your phone, you can pick your grocery store, choose your items, pick a time for delivery and voila, easy peesy.
Instacart is blowing up, so if you are not in Boulder, you may find it showing up near you soon.
Kavinace
We all no there is nothing better than a good night of sleep. While there are many many things to do to create a happy sleep environment, sometimes we need a little boost.
On our retreat in Costa Rica this fall, we brought some with us, and before you know it we were sharing sleep support with many of our retreaters. The results were amazing. Many of the ladies said they slept better than ever. Being a health care practitioner, I have used many many sleep formulas with my clients – this one works the best by far.
One of our Boulder Nutrition team members works for Pharmaca (Boulder's holistic pharmacy) where she reported that this product is the number one best seller of all supplements store wide.
I love it's blend of amino acids and melatonin and how it addresses so many imbalances that could be causing restless nights.
Here's to great sleep!!
Above photo credit: Jeremy Sheehan (@jcshamrock)
