The following are unpaid and unsolicited reviews of products that I love.
PLANTS
I haven’t always been a plant lady, but I’m finding that within the last 6 months to a year, I’ve started developing a desire to have more and more around our home. I have been working really hard on finding ways to manage my anxiety and panic disorder in a natural way, and believe it or not, plants do actually offer health benefits for this! They release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide (the opposite of us!) so they are actually detoxifying the air in your home. Studies have also proven that indoor plants help regulate humidity, reduce stress levels, improve concentration and productivity, increase levels of positivity, and so much more. My current plant company obsession is The Cactus Club (@cactusclubco) , a mobile plant shop here in Charlotte. I don’t think I’ll stop collecting plants any time soon!
SALT LAMP
A couple of years ago, my brother and his fiancé gifted us with a Himalayan salt lamp for Christmas. We had never really heard of one before, but were eager to find out. Similar to plants, we learned that Himalayan salt lamps are a natural air purifier. It’s hygroscopic, meaning it attracts water molecules to itself. In doing so, it also collects the air pollutants like mold, bacteria and allergens that come with it. Pretty cool, right? The soft warm glow of the lamp is soothing by itself, but make sure you put it next to your television or computer! It can also reduce the toxic electromagnetic radiation (positive ions) exposure from electronic devices by emitting negative ions. I love mine! You can purchase one just like mine on my Amazon shop here!
HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.COM/DP/B012TX2RYW/REF=CM_SW_R_CP_API_GZWRBB60D0C98
KOMBUCHA
More specifically, Lenny Boy organic kombucha! They are my absolute favorite brand right here in Charlotte! If you aren’t familiar, Kombucha is a fermented tea rich in beneficial probiotics, powerful antioxidants, antimicrobial effects, and has been shown to improve LDL and HDL cholesterol levels and may also protect against heart disease. I drink this regularly for my immune system, digestive system and overall health! It’s hard to choose, but my favorite flavors from Lenny Boy are the Good ol’ Ginger, Lavenderade and Elite Beet!
@LENNYBOYBREWINGCO
SPROUTS FARMER’S MARKET
I never thought I’d say this, but I have an absolute favorite grocery store. I find myself actually looking forward to my shopping experience every time at Sprout’s Farmers Market in Ballantyne, which is currently the only location in Charlotte right now. They have a lot of specialty items we have found and loved, but because they aren’t carried at your typical grocer, we would have to make multiple trips to different places to pick up everything we needed on grocery shopping day. With Sprouts, I was blown away when I went for the first time and realized they had *everything* we wanted, all in one spot. There are so many new products I have come across there that are safe for me to eat with my dietary allergies, and I practically strut out of the store every time with my bags and a smile on my face. The majority of items are organic, their prices are amazing, and I love using their mobile app for even more savings too!
WWW.SPROUTS.COM | @SPROUTS
INSTAX MINI CAMERA
Ok, so I realize at first glance a Polaroid camera wouldn’t be considered a “health” or “wellness” item, but for me I like to think it is. Creativity is a part of who I am and what makes me happy. If I don’t have some type of creative outlet in my life, my mental health suffers. It is a type of therapy for me, and photography has always been at the forefront of that outlet. I love my Instax camera because it fulfills both that need for creativity, but also allows me to express my love for nostalgia. You can shop for an Instax just like mine on my Amazon shop here!
HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.COM/DP/B06WWLJ7KY/REF=CM_SW_R_CP_API_K0WRBBSRNES34
SCHMIDT’S NATURALS
I have really started paying attention to not just the food I’m putting in my body, but what I’m putting ON my body. It wasn’t until I had to cut out gluten and dairy from my diet, that I started learning gluten is in EVERYTHING. Even our personal products like shampoo & conditioner, toothpastes, soaps, etc! Not to mention all of the other chemicals we can’t even pronounce, much less know what they are. Schmidt’s Naturals products are gluten free, vegan, cruelty-free, certified by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (Leaping Bunny), certified by PETA, no artificial colors or dyes, and their toothpaste is SLS, fluoride, PEG and dye free! That is something I feel safe using on a daily basis! You can shop my favorite deodorant stick (Lavender & Sage) on my Amazon shop here!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N04VOMF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_j1wrBbAKZYGKP
HERBAL TEA
I’ve always had a deep love for strong coffee, but found that when I replace some of that intake with decaffeinated herbal tea instead, my stress levels are significantly reduced. I am much calmer, lose that “buzzing” feeling in my body, and of course it comes with so many other health benefits. There’s a certain peace I get in the routine of making and drinking tea, especially in the evenings before bed. I love many varieties for different reasons and I what I choose depends on my mood or intention, but my go-tos are usually lavender, earl grey, and mint. I use a Teavana Perfectea Maker to brew it just right every time, which you can find on my Amazon Shop here!
ESSENTIAL OILS / DIFFUSER
This is another gift that turned out being one of my favorite things I own and use. Our friends knew essential oils were peaking our interest and got us a diffuser for Christmas this past year. I had no idea how many oil companies and recipes there were out there, and reached out to my online community for guidance, which was SO helpful. I usually enjoy just a simple lavender oil to help ward off restlessness, insomnia, anxiety and tension. Overall, it just creates a really calming environment for me and I love that. You can find many great diffusers to choose from, like this one in my Amazon shop!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071CKC69S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_GZwrBbD431C9F
SPIRALIZER
One of my favorite kitchen tools to date is a Spiralizer I purchased on Amazon. Why? Not only are there health benefits for everyone to swap out carbs for produce, but it can make cooking more exciting and inventive! The recipe possibilities are endless and using this directly increases your vegetable intake. Spiralizing does not require much cook time, which retains maximum nutrition value. Some of my favorite dishes we’ve made are lemon garlic zucchini noodles and a spiraled beet side salad with an orange vinaigrette! You can shop my exact spiralizer on my Amazon shop here!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GRIR87M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Q3wrBbFHF3JDE
RECORD PLAYER
This is another item that normally wouldn’t be grouped with health and wellness products, but one that I’m going to share anyways. Like photography, music is also therapy for me, as it is for so many others. Studies have shown that the feel-good nerochemical Dopamine is released when we listen to music. Another amazing fact about music? It is often used to help elderly clients deal with memory loss associated with diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. That just goes to show how powerful the effect of music is in our lives. We have a blue tooth vinyl record player we absolutely love (again, gifted!) and we enjoy the hunt of searching for our favorite records and listening to them while we are relaxing at home. You can shop our exact player on my Amazon shop here!
Thank you all so much for taking the time to read through my favorite things. I really am passionate about them and it is my hope that others out there will hear about them and be able to enjoy them as much as I do!
