I've been making myself a daily tonic for a couple of years now, and I've become more and more connected with this ritual overtime.  It's such a simple way to nourish my health and spirit, and I love being able to customize the tonic each day.  I do this by choosing herbs, mushrooms, and adaptogens based on what my mind/body needs.  Lately I've been using a mix of reishi, chaga, eucommia bark, and ashwaghanda.  If I make the tonic late in the day or in the evening, I skip the chaga, as it can increase energy levels.  The recipe below is a staple that I modify from time-to-time.  Sometimes I'll add in vanilla or skip the ginger.  I encourage you to make it to your liking.  When traveling, I bring Four Sigmatic packets with me that just need hot water.  They're effective and delicious.  

I use the spoon pictured above as my measuring spoon for the powders, as well as the mixing spoon once I add liquid.  It's a multipurpose object that I've come to love.  It's soft and lightweight, yet smart and strong in its abilities.  While small objects like this may seem unimportant to us, they truly carry significance.  If I couldn't locate this spoon, I would manage just fine.  I'm not dependent on it.  But the significance lies in the intention.  The intention to pay attention to my body.  The intention to nurture myself.  The intention to sit in silence with just myself and a cup of warmth.   

TONIC RECIPE

• Combine cinnamon, tumeric, and a pinch or 2 of black pepper (*this activates the tumeric) in the bottom of your mug
• Add adaptogens/powders of choice (1/2 teaspoon each), mix all together
• Steam just shy of a cup of mylk (or water) and pour into cup -  just enough to cover the mixture.  Stir until smooth.
• Add a splash of freshly juiced ginger + sweetener of choice (I occasionally add honey but most of the time do not add anything to sweeten)
• Pour the rest of the mylk until mug is full, stir, and enjoy!

* For ginger:  I do not have a juicer, so I go to my local grocery store to get 4 ounces of ginger to bring home with me and pop in the refrigerator to last through the week.  In efforts to produce less waste, I bring these tiny canning jars with me to transport the ginger in.  They also make great spice jars + salt holders.

Other ingredients to try:  Cordyceps, He Shou Wu, Rhodiola, Astragalus,  Tocos, Vanilla, Cacao

For someone who is obsessed with skincare, my routine is extremely simple.  I have only a few great products in my rotation.  In the morning, I cleanse with Pai's cleanser, followed by an oil of my liking, then Ursa Major of VT sunscreen.  In the evening I do the same sans the sunscreen - that’s it.  I will occasionally add in a serum or an extra oil, and I do a mask once a week.  My skin loves simplicity and has been so much calmer since I stripped down my routine.  I still get breakouts, but they’re usually less severe, and when I do get them, I just allow my skin to be where it wants to be.  

I recently started to use F. Miller Skincare products, and I am in love with everything I’ve tried so far.  I’ve been using the face oil day and night, and my skin loves it.  My skin has been less red/irritated and very hydrated and dewy (without being greasy).  I’ve also noticed a reduction of the small comedones I get on my chin and forehead.  It doubles as a beautiful essential oil blend to inhale before applying - with neroli, jasmine, frankincense, and bergamot.  These are some of my favorite essential oils, and they smell so delicious together.  

I’ve also been using the eye treatment oil.  I especially love the stainless steel roller - it’s incredibly cooling and refreshing to the touch.  The skin around my eyes is easily irritated, and I often get eczema on my eyelids, which is why I can only use select oils/creams on my face.  Typically, when I try something new, it’s an immediate no.  This product is so gentle, and it has the opposite effect - it’s calming, and it reduces my puffiness in the morning.  I'm completely in love! 

The body oil is so yummy and luxurious.  I’ve been using it after every shower, and it soaks easily into damp skin.  Try it.  You'll love it.

I’ve never used hair oil, and I have no idea why because I have very coarse, frizzy hair.  This hair oil does not make my hair greasy at all, and calms my frizz.  I use it on both my naturally-dried and blow-dried hair.

Not only is this line ton-toxic and cruelty-free, it's also independently owned by an incredible woman, Fran.  I had the pleasure of meeting her recently, and she's amazing.  If you try any of these products, your skin and hair will thank her.

This past summer I was with my friend Lacy and describing some of my health issues to her, when she said "infusions!  You have to try infusions!"  She told me that I was most likely mineral deficient and that drinking nettle infusions saved her skin and aided with some of her other health ailments.  I was not immediately able to implement them into my then nomadic lifestyle, but as soon as I settled down in one spot, I knew it was time to start. 

While searching youtube videos to learn how to make the infusions, I found Susun Weed.  I immediately fell in love with her, read extensively about infusions, and started to implement nettle as an everyday staple in my life.  Just three weeks later, my eczema (that I've had on and off for years, and persistently for the last two years) went away.  It didn't just subside - it completely vanished.  I have been eating a processed-free, incredibly clean diet (the basis being no gluten, no refined sugar, very minimal dairy) for five and a half years, and I have tried every natural eczema remedy to no avail.  Thank you Lacy and Susun!  

Infusions are made from herbs steeped with hot water for a long period of time.  They are extremely rich in minerals and vitamins, which are easily absorbed by our bodies (unlike taking them in other forms).  I've taken minerals in supplement form in the past with no results.  Nettle is incredible for the skin, adrenals, kidneys, and overall immunity.  I've been making a half gallon sized nettle infusion every night before bed, so that it's ready in the morning to drink all day.  When I know I will be out and about and not home, I make a quart instead.  I drink this all day instead of plain water.  Or, I fill up my cup half-way with the infusion and top it off with water.  The taste is quite earthy, which I actually really enjoy, and sometimes I'll add fresh mint for a flavor boost.  You will most likely only need a quart.  I am dealing with some extreme health issues from autoimmune/mold exposure, so I'm consuming it overzealously.  

I also recently started to add oatstraw into the mix.  This herb is incredibly calming.  It's nourishing to the nervous system and helps with anxiety, insomnia, and stress.  It's full of B vitamins, calcium (good for bones and teeth), and it's also known for increasing libido.  I love to infuse the oatstraw with lavender to sip before bed. 

In the mornings upon wakening, I drink a full cup of infusions (half nettle and half oatstraw).  Then I sip the nettle mixed with water all day, and switch to the oatstraw around 8:00 pm to help calm my energy for the evenings.  

Infusion Recipe 

• Put approximately 4 heaping tablespoons of nettle (or oatstraw/herb of choice) in a quart sized canning jar.  

• Boil water and pour into the jar, filling it to the top

• Close the lid and let the infusion steep for 4+ hours

• Strain the infusion through a tea strainer and into your cup. 

* For a half-gallon jar I add 6 heaping tablespoons.  

I like to drink them room temperature, but many prefer to have them iced.  Be sure to consume within 36 hours.  The infusions will ferment and may cause stomach upset beyond that time (you will notice if they've gone bad by a funny smell).  You can also mix different herbs together into one jar.  I'm eventually going to add more herbs into my infusions, but for now I'm introducing them one-by-one and keeping them separate so I can see how each herb effects my body/health.   Shop necessary products below.