by Christina | Dec 15, 2018 | Wellness
This is my final holiday gift guide of 2018, and this is the BIG ONE! I’ve included all of my top gift recommendations in the “healthy lifestyle” category, and I’ve covered all price ranges. I’m going to try to keep things as brief as possible, because this is quite a long list! If you haven’t read my 2018 holiday gift guide for HER, or my gift guide for HIM, make sure to check those out as well. Let’s dive in, shall we? Here is my 2018 “ultimate holiday gift guide” – enjoy!
- Beautycounter Charcoal Essentials: This set comes with the Beautycounter Charcoal Bar and No. 3 Balancing (Charcoal) Mask, which are the two products that sold me on Beautycounter in general! The charcoal bar helps to wash away impurities, absorb excess oil, and pull toxins out of the skin. It can be used on the face and the body, and it’s especially great for anyone with oily or acne-prone skin. The Charcoal mask also pulls out any impurities in the skin, gets rid of blackheads and blemishes, and absorbs excess oil. It can be used as a mask or as a spot treatment! These are two of my Holy Grail products. For anyone who thinks safe, nontoxic skincare isn’t effective – these products will prove you wrong.
- Beautycounter Travel Body Essentials: Everyone needs travel-sized body care on hand, and it’s also a great way to introduce someone to nontoxic, safer skincare products! This set includes the Body Wash in Citrus Mimosa, the Hydrating Body Lotion in Citrus Mimosa, the Hand Cream in Citrus Mimosa, and the Citrus Mimosa Body Bar. Oh, and don’t worry, the Citrus Mimosa scent is AMAZING.
- Earthing Mat: This mat allows you to get in some grounding/earthing even if you’re stuck inside all day. Check out my post on grounding to learn more about the benefits. Briefly, grounding allows us to receive some of the free electrons from the earth, and it can help boost energy levels, reduce inflammation, reduce stress, improve sleep, regulate cortisol, get rid of headaches, and more!
- Yonanas Dessert Maker: This contraption MADE my college experience. You can put any frozen fruit into this machine (along with any other spices or flavorings), and it turns it into healthy soft serve! You can use frozen bananas, strawberries, blueberries, or basically anything else that’s frozen. It’s the easiest way to make a healthy dessert! You could go with an ice cream maker, but I prefer this option!
- Instant Pot: This is the one kitchen appliance I truly believe everybody needs. It does the work of a slow cooker in less than an hour, and it allows you to cook in bulk incredibly quickly. I cook almost all of my meats in here, and it saves me so much time!
- Air Fryer: An air fryer allows you to fry, bake, grill, and roast with little to no oil, or with oil, but in a healthy way! If you love the taste of fried food but want to avoid the inflammatory, rancid oils, the air fryer is the best option.
- Vitamix: If you’re going to invest in a blender, go big or go home. This is the blender of all blenders. It’ll blend, process, and create the perfect smoothie. A Vitamix is an investment, but it’ll last forever!
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillets: These are my favorite pans to cook in. Help your loved ones ditch their toxic nonstick pans and switch over to a healthier option. Cast iron skillets will last a lifetime (if you take care of them), and they’ll help you get in a healthy dose of a little extra iron!
- Squatty Potty: This needs to be in every bathroom! I’ve given this to so many people for Christmas. The squatty potty allows people to “squat” while using the restroom, which makes elimination much easier. Trust me, they’ll thank you after they’ve had the best poop of their lives!
- Electric Tea Kettle: Not a necessity, persay, but always very nice to have. This makes heating water a lot easier, especially for the tea lover!
- Cards Against Humanity: If you don’t own this game, you must. This is one of my favorite games to play in a group setting, and it’s especially fun with anyone who has a very dry sense of humor.
- What Do You Meme: This has a similar format to Cards Against Humanity, but it’s all about memes. If you and your friends like to send each other funny memes you find on the Internet, you’ll love this.
- doTERRA Home Essentials Enrollment Kit: Everyone needs to have this kit, because everyone needs a natural “medicine cabinet.” This will replace your traditional medicine cabinet. This kit comes with everything you need to get started with essential oils from doTERRA, or to restock all of the essentials! The Home Essentials Kit comes with the Petal diffuser as well as our most popular oils: Frankincense, Lavender, Lemon, Melaleuca, Oregano, Peppermint, Breathe, DigestZen, On Guard, and Deep Blue. You could also gift a doTERRA membership itself, which gives someone 25% off of all doTERRA products for the rest of the year!
- Rebounder: If you get this for someone, make sure they have room for it before you buy it. This is a mini trampoline, but it still takes up space! If you don’t know about the benefits of rebounding, head here. I hop on this every morning for a few minutes to help with lymphatic drainage!
- Homebiotic Spray: This is the ultimate eco-friendly cleaning product! It’s an all-natural probiotic spray for your home that’s completely nontoxic and safe to use around kids and pets. This multipurpose spray allows you to restore the healthy probiotic bacteria to your home, rather than simply kill it all with traditional toxic cleaners.
- Pyrex 18-Piece BPA-Free Food Container Set: Everyone needs a set of pyrex to store their food in, rather than harmful BPA-laden plastic tupperware. This is a gift that will definitely get used!
- Ember Mug: This mug keeps your drink at your ideal temperature, and you can control the temperature directly from your phone. You can even save your presets for different drinks! No more worrying about if your drink will get cold – the Ember keeps it perfectly warm!
- Blue-Blocker Glasses: Everybody should be wearing a set of blue blockers in the evening after the sun sets to avoid the blue light that can disrupt melatonin levels in the body and throw off our circadian rhythms. This is especially important if you look at any screens after it gets dark out. My blue blockers are from Swanwick, and Swannies come in “night” and “day” versions. With all of the screens and artificial lights we’re exposed to during the day, it’s also important to wear the daytime glasses as often as we can. Blue blockers come in a ton of different styles, so you’ve got plenty of options. You can use the code “WELLNESS” for 15% off any Swanwick products!
- MAPS Anabolic and MAPS Anywhere: These are the two fitness programs I recommend to everyone. MAPS Anabolic is great for building strength and muscle if you have access to weights or a gym, and MAPS Anywhere is the guide to follow if you want something for home workouts without weights or if you want a program to follow while on travel. I’ve done both programs multiple times, and they’re highly effective. Perfect for men and women, and they can be adjusted for any fitness level. You can use my code “WELLNESS” for 10% off any MAPS fitness programs or gear!
- Rubberbanditz Resistance Bands Set: If you do any MAPS programs, you’ll need a set of resistance bands. Even if you don’t do a MAPS program, I think everyone should own a set of high-quality resistance bands. These are especially great to have for travel or at-home workouts. I’ve gotten other bands from Amazon, and they broke after a year or so. These are built to last a lifetime. Again, you can use my code “WELLNESS” for 10% off.
- Fitbit Alta: Having a fitness tracker can really help motivate people to keep moving throughout the day and get in a few more steps. This Fitbit will track your activity and your heart rate, which lets you know how ready your body is for different types of activity!
- Oura Ring: This is the most advanced fitness tracker out there. It’s more stylish than the Fitbit, and it gives you a lot more information. This is especially helpful for tracking data about your sleep. You can learn your REM sleep time, deep sleep time, wakeups, and more, as well as your heart rate variability and your activity levels. This is top-of-the-line, but also very expensive.
- Just Thrive Probiotic: Everyone can use the gift of good gut health this Christmas! A high-quality probiotic can promote clear skin, weight loss, immunity, muscle recovery, better mood and energy, and more! This is the probiotic I recommend to everyone – it has been clinically proven to help heal leaky gut in 30 days. You can use my code “christina15” for 15% off!
- Kasandrinos Olive Oil – I get this in bulk so that I’m stocked up on olive oil for a long time. The majority of olive oils you’ll find at the store are not high-quality, pure olive oil – most are cut with other inflammatory oils because it’s cheaper to produce, or they’re extracted using high heat. Kasandrinos is a brand you can always trust, and you can truly taste the difference! Olive oil is my #1 cooking oil and oil for dressings, so I like to have a lot of it on hand. You can’t beat those polyphenols! You can use my code “WELLNESS” for 10% off anything from Kasandrinos!
- Balanced Bites Spices – These spice blends are not only delicious, but they come in very generous sizes! These will last you a very long time because they’re so large. You can buy them individually, in four-packs, or as the entire set. Some of my favorites are Smoky, Diner, Greek, and Ranch. You can use my code “WELLNESS” for 10% off!
- Ned Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil: This is my all-time favorite full-spectrum hemp oil (a.k.a. CBD oil), which I use every night. CBD oil will not get you high. It helps to stimulate the endocannabinoid system in the body, which brings the body to homeostasis. Full-spectrum hemp oil can help with insomnia, anxiety, depression, inflammation, chronic pain, more immediate pain relief, PTSD, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, seizures, and more. This product is made only with CBD and non-GMO MCT oil – you won’t find cleaner ingredients. Plus, it tastes amazing. I recommend starting with 300 mg a few hours before bed, and then you can move to a higher dose if you want.
- Barukas – These are truly the best seeds / nuts I’ve ever had. They taste like a peanut, cocoa bean, and almond all rolled into one! Incredibly addicting, and they have a great macronutrient profile. Plenty of protein and fiber!
- Four Sigmatic Royal Flush Sampler Pack: I have 1-2 Four Sigmatic Elixirs almost every single day. Not only are they delicious, but they offer a variety of health benefits depending on which elixir you’re drinking. Functional mushrooms contain plenty of antioxidants and can act as natural adaptogens in the body. They work to support immunity, stress levels, longevity, and more. This pack comes with a box of each of their Elixirs, Mushroom Hot Cacaos, and Mushroom Coffees. All you have to do is mix a packet with hot water, and you’re good to go! You can use my code “CRW” for 15% off any Four Sigmatic Products.
- Primal Kitchen Whole 30 Kit: Primal Kitchen products are must-have healthy condiments for everyone’s pantry! Condiments are the most common place unhealthy ingredients are hiding that most people forget about. This kit comes with PK’s Regular Mayo, Chipotle Lime Mayo, Greek vinaigrette, Ranch dressing, and Avocado oil. The Advanced kit also comes with the Green Goddess dressing, Balsamic Vinaigrette, and Caesar dressing.
- Marigold Bars Sampler Pack: If you follow me on social media, you probably already know how much I love these. They’re my version of a candy bar, but they’re packed with protein and are made with real-food ingredients. They contain grass-fed whey and L-glutamine, and that combination personally works fine for my stomach even though I am very intolerant to dairy. This sampler pack lets you try a bunch of their flavors (all are delicious): Lemon Pie, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Praline, Chocolate Squared, Choconut, Cookie Dough, Oatmeal Cookie, PaleoRiffic, Pure Joy, and Salty Caramel!
- Vital Proteins Vanilla Coconut Collagen or Collagen Peptides: People always want to know if collagen is overrated, and I don’t think it is. Regular collagen supplementation can show a noticeable improvement in your nails, skin, and hair, joint and muscle recovery, and gut health. The regular collagen peptides will melt into any liquid and have no flavor, and the Vanilla acts similar to a protein powder – I like to use it in a lot of difference recipes to provide natural sweetness!
- Paleo On the Go Meals / Gift Card: Give the gift of pre-made, delicious, truly healthy comfort food. POTG offers fully-prepared, frozen paleo and AIP-friendly meals, as well as a bakery and keto menu. They have options like Shepherd’s Pie, Chicken Pot Pie, Curry, Pop Tarts, Carob Chunk Cookies, Bolognese, Cuban Picadillo, and more. Everything I’ve tried from here has been absolutely delicious! You could order someone meals, or you could get them a gift card so they can treat themselves to a delicious meal of their choice!
- Butcher Box Membership: Butcher Box delivers high-quality meat straight to your door! You can pick from a selection of beef, poultry, and pork, and get a box delivered monthly or every two months. This is how I always keep organic, grass-fed / pastured protein sources in my freezer so they’re ready at any time!
- Thrive Market Membership: Thrive Market is the ultimate online marketplace for healthy food. You can filter by dietary preference to help you find new products that are perfect for you, and you’ll save a ton of money each year! This year alone I saved over $700 from using Thrive compared to shopping at the grocery store or using Amazon. I stock up on all of my non-perishables from Thrive, and I’ve also tried their meat and seafood boxes, which I love!
- #NoSugarNoProblems: A Lovely Collection of Paleo Sweetener-Free Desserts Part 1 and 2: My ebooks are the perfect gift for anyone who loves sweet treats but doesn’t want any of the added sugar! Both contain delicious, paleo dessert recipes that contain no sugar or sugar-substitutes, which means no coconut sugar, stevia, xylitol, erythritol, maple syrup, honey, bananas or dates – just low-glycemic, whole foods that create a naturally sweet flavor! These are especially perfect if you’re keto, low-carb, on a Candida diet, on any other sugar-free diet, healing your gut, or diabetic. Almost all of the recipes are also vegan. You can either buy the bundle to get both ebooks at a discount, or you can buy Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
- Genius Foods by Max Lugavere: This is a must-read health book for everyone. It focuses on nutrition and lifestyle recommendations that will support brain health, but really these recommendations will also help support hormonal balance, weight loss, mood regulation, energy levels, and every other aspect of health. There is a plethora of knowledge bombs in this book, but it’s written in an easy-to-understand way.
- Irresistible by Adam Alter: This book dives into this era’s addiction to technology and what that really means. If you use technology, you should read this.
- 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson: Exactly what it sounds like. 12 rules for life. Another book I really think everyone should read at some point for general self-improvement.
Those are all of my top gift recommendations this year! I hope you enjoyed my 2018 series of gift guides and that it gave you some good ideas – if not for others, for yourself! Happy shopping, but more importantly, happy holidays!
by Christina | Dec 11, 2018 | Wellness
It’s time for my next 2018 holiday gift guide – a gift guide for the men in your life! (If you haven’t seen my holiday gift guide for HER yet, head here!) I recommend using this season of giving as a way to improve his life, style, or personal care, if ya know what I mean. ;P If you’re stuck on what to get him, here are some of my top recs (Dad, don’t read this!).
- Counterman Preview Gift Set: This set comes with the Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, Smoothing Shave Cream, Cooling Aftershave Tonic, and Oil-Free Face Lotion. These products are great for all skin types, and this set provides everything he needs to take care of his skin! These products will help exfoliate his skin, prep him for a clean shave, soothe the skin, and moisturize. Plus, they’re travel-friendly! Men need to switch to nontoxic, safe personal care products, too – they’re not immune to endocrine disruptors or carcinogens! This set is an easy way to swap out all of his skincare for safer options.
- The Alitura Razor – This brass, double-edged, long-handled razor provides the closest possible shave without the harsh environmental plastic waste you find in most disposable razors. This is a must for any man who regularly shaves, which is most! The smooth, sharp blades literally wipe the hair follicle off without any pulling or tugging that can cause skin irritation. It also comes in two colors!
- Primally Pure Mini Beard Oil Pack: This set comes with a mini-sized version of Primally Pure’s Mojito and Old-Fashioned Beard oils, which are made with a high quality blend of carrier oils and essential oils to help nourish and tame facial hair. Even if he doesn’t have facial hair, this will help nourish any shaven face and make his skin extra smooth!
- Alitura Presence – I used to always love getting my dad cologne for Christmas, until I learned about all of the toxic ingredients in traditional scents! This luxurious fragrance is made from clean, natural, and organic ingredients, and it smells incredible. Alitura Presence contains essential oils like Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, and Cardamom to create a smoldering, rich scent that anyone would love.
- Puffer Jacket – A nice puffer jacket is a staple in any man’s closet, especially if he lives somewhere where it gets chilly! I love this one because it’s not too puffy, and it has a hood!
- Zip Front Jacket – Another necessity for every guy – a nice, dark jacket. This jacket is versatile enough to be dressed up or dressed down, and it will go with almost any shirt.
- Primal Kitchen Steak / BBQ Sauces – These are new releases, but obviously I purchased them as soon as they came out. They are SO delicious! These are the perfect healthy option for anyone who loves a good sauce, since most conventional BBQ sauces & Steak sauces are filled with sugar and inflammatory oils! Not only are they delicious, but they contain no added sweeteners!
- Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee – If he’s going to drink coffee, make sure he’s getting the highest quality possible. Adding in some adaptogens won’t hurt, either! I think Four Sigmatic coffee is the best option for coffee not only because it tastes incredible, but also because it gives you the caffeine without the huge spike and crash, thanks to the adaptogens! This coffee is made from 100% organic Arabica coffee beans and is mixed with Lion’s Mane, which supports cognition and memory, and Chaga, which provides a ton of antioxidants and helps support immunity! It comes in ready-to-go single-serve packs – all he has to do is mix it with some hot water. (And don’t worry, it tastes like coffee, not mushrooms!) You can use my code “CRW” for 15% off any Four Sigmatic products!
- MAPS Anabolic, Aesthetic, or Performance – MAPS fitness programs are great for any man looking to build muscle and strength – it’s like having your own personal trainer, but a lot cheaper. There are a lot of fitness programs out there that aren’t programmed very well, but these will actually give him results. MAPS Anabolic is the go-to program for anyone getting started with MAPS fitness programs. Aesthetic is higher volume and geared more towards people with certain aesthetic / physique goals, and Performance was created with athletes in mind. Many people like to cycle from Anabolic to Performance to Aesthetic to keep progressing in different ways, but you can also pick one program and keep cycling through it, adding weight as you go. Another option is to get the RGB Super Bundle, which comes with all 3 programs! You can use my discount code “WELLNESS” for 10% off of any MAPS programs or gear from their website!
- Essential Oils: Get the man in your life into essential oils if he hasn’t tried them yet! Teach him how to use them topically, internally, and with a diffuser. Trust me, he will love them. I have so many male friends who are obsessed with diffusing essential oils in their work spaces and bedrooms. Some of my favorites to give men are Sandalwood (great for skin, hair, grounding, balancing testosterone), Deep Blue (soothing and comforting, perfect for sore muscles, aches, or pains), Cedarwood (promotes relaxation, clarifying, good for skin health), and Siberian Fir (relaxing, balances emotions, and soothes body). I also love to gift the Athlete’s Kit, which contains Breathe, On Guard, Lavender, Melaleuca, Peppermint, Deep Blue Rub, and a compact pouch to keep everything in! This kit contains everything anyone would need to support their body and overall health – especially great for the active guy! I think it’s the perfect mini starter kit for any man.
- Shungite Pyramid Crystal – Shungite is a powerful crystal that helps protect against EMFs, aids in physical healing, supports work performance, and supports the root chakra. It also helps to protect against or transform any harmful or negative energy, and works to regulate any energy field. This is one of my personal favorite crystals to keep near my desk (since I have so many electronics around), and I love this one in particular for men because it just LOOKS like a badass crystal. Something that any guy wouldn’t mind having on his desk!
- Portable Retro Bluetooth Speaker – This mini speaker is perfect for travel, on-the-go, or bringing anywhere you might not have much space! It operates via Bluetooth, or you can plug it in, and the sound is great for how small it is! This is a really cost effective option if you want to get someone speakers without spending too much money.
- Large Bamboo Wood Bluetooth Speaker – If you’re really going for it with the speakers, I love the look of this bamboo wood speaker for any room! If he likes to show off his speakers and loves a loud sound, this is perfect.
- A New Pair of Chucks – Too many men are walking around with 10-year-old Chucks that are literally ripping at the seams. Help him out and give him an upgrade. And if he doesn’t have a pair of Chucks, he needs them!
- MVMT Watch – MVMT carries a ton of different men’s watches that look great on and come at affordable prices. Look around their site for the color / style that you think the man in question would like most – there are plenty of options! I like this neutral one because it goes with almost everything. Watches are a great way for guys to easily dress up their look and appear more put-together.
- Weekender Bag: Every guy needs a nice duffel for weekend adventures, ya know? I have friends who literally use paper grocery bags or Jansport backpacks from high school because they don’t want to buy themselves a nice duffel. Ugh. This bag is roomy, good-looking, high-quality, and at a great price point!
- Ridge Wallet – This thin, RFID-blocking (blocks against wireless theft) wallet is simplistic and comes in a variety of colors and styles. It carries up to 12 IDs and credit cards, and comes with a cash strap, money clip, or both. Perfect for the minimalist!
- Tickets to a game: There’s nothing better than gifting an experience! If he loves a particular sports team, get some tickets to a game. Even nosebleed seats are fun!
- The Male Brain by Louann Brizendine – My last gift guide included The Female Brain, so of course I had to include The Male Brain in this one! This book dives into how the male brain is developed and wired, and how that impacts why men are the way they are. This will help any man understand himself a bit better! If you have a significant other, I recommend getting both The Male Brain and The Female Brain for you and your S.O. to read and swap! #CouplesBookClub
Hope that gave you some helpful ideas for the men in your life! Comment below with any gifts for men that you think would be great to add. I have one more gift guide coming your way this season – a healthy gift guide for everyone! Happy shopping!
by Christina | Dec 8, 2018 | Member Exclusives, Wellness
When it comes to health and nutrition, I consider addressing genetic mutations to be a more advanced endeavor that the average person usually doesn’t need to worry about too much. However, genetic mutations might be relevant for people who have more complicated cases that aren’t resolved with standard approaches to supporting gut health, hormones, and so on. As scientists discover new genes that are related to specific health outcomes, more and more people are interested in getting their genetic data through services like 23andme.com, and using that to inform their health behaviors.
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by Christina | Dec 8, 2018 | Recipes, Wellness
I’m all about Christmas traditions, and I was thinking maybe I should make it a tradition to make a different version of hot chocolate each year for my blog. Could be fun… let’s hope I don’t run out of ideas.
Anyways, “sugar-free” seems to be the theme recently on my website, probably because I’m still in “sugar-free” mode after finishing up #NoSugarNoProblems, Part 2. I really wanted to make a sugar-free version of hot chocolate in particular, though, as an alternate to my recipe for traditional paleo hot chocolate. When I asked on Instagram what recipes you wanted this holiday season, peppermint bark and sugar-free hot chocolate were the top 2 responses! You read my mind.
It’s always nice to have a healthy, sugar-free hot chocolate recipe on hand for winter nights when you want to whip together a hot cocoa but don’t really feel like any added sugar or sweeteners. It shocks me how it seems almost impossible to find a sugar-free hot chocolate that doesn’t contain stevia, xylitol, or erythritol! Sugar-free hot chocolate is probably best suited for people who already love the taste of very dark (100%) chocolate, which I know many of my readers are! If you don’t really like the taste of 100% cacao, then feel free to use this as a base and simply add a sweetener of your choice to taste.
That’s really what this hot cocoa recipe is meant to be – a base! The full recipe is how I personally like to make it, but I still love it even without the coconut butter or square of 100% cacao. If you don’t have those ingredients or just don’t want to use them, don’t let that stop you! The coconut butter just adds a subtle sweetness and richer flavor, while the square of 100% cacao (no particular size) slowly melts in the hot chocolate to deepen the chocolate flavor and create a thicker texture. It’s a dark chocolate lover’s dream! This paleo, vegan, and keto hot chocolate is the perfect warm drink to celebrate the holiday season with. It only takes a few simple ingredients and a love for chocolate, and you’re ready to go!
Paleo Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate (Vegan / Keto)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup nut milk
- 1.5 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp pink Himalayan salt
- 2.5 tsp coconut butter (optional)
- 1 square 100% cacao bar (optional)
Instructions:
- Stir all ingredients together in a small saucepan over low-medium heat until reaches desired temperature. Pour in a mug and enjoy!
by Christina | Dec 6, 2018 | Wellness
I can’t believe it’s already that time of year again – HOLIDAY SHOPPING! There’s nothing quite as satisfying as giving someone a present they truly love. Just like the last few years, this year I’m creating a few guides to help you complete (or start!) your holiday shopping for loved ones. First up, I’m focusing on what to get any women in your life – friend, sister, mother, girlfriend, daughter, and so on. Whoever she is, here are a few options she might love!
- Beautycounter Best of Beauty – This set comes with Beautycounter’s best-selling products – the Cleansing Balm, Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion, No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil, and No. 3 Balancing Facial Mask. All of these are MUST-HAVES in my personal collection! This is a foolproof option if you want to gift incredible skincare products that you know she’ll love, and it’s perfect for women of any age with any skin type. You’ve got all of your bases covered – the Cleansing Balm to remove makeup, wash the face, and hydrate the skin; the Adaptive Moisture Lotion to act as a moisturizer for any skin type; the Brightening Facial Oil to balance out the oils in the skin and diminish any red marks or signs of aging; and the Balancing Mask to clear out blackheads, clogged pores, and any pesky zits. Plus, if she hasn’t switched over to safer skincare yet, this is the perfect time to help her do just that! A lot of women feel guilty buying nice skincare for themselves, so the holidays are the perfect time to help ya girl out! Plus, if someone is interested in trying Beautycounter for the first time, this collection is an excellent representation of the line.
- Beautycounter Clean Beauty Go-To’s – This set come with the Countercontrol Cleanser, SOS Spot treatment, Lengthening Mascara, and Mini Lip Gloss. This set is great for teens, college students, anyone struggling with acne, or any beauty minimalists! The Countercontrol cleanser is a gel cleanser that helps to prevent acne but is great for any skin type, the spot treatment is a MUST for every woman to have in her skincare arsenal in case she gets a blemish, and the lengthening mascara and lip gloss are two staples in any woman’s beauty routine (if she’s a minimalist, that’s truly all she’ll need)! Plus, again – you’re helping her switch to safer products.
- Alitura Naturals Clay Mask – This mask is unlike anything else I’ve ever tried, and it is HIGHLY effective. It’s not one of those masks that just smells good but doesn’t actually do anything – it changes your skin. The Alitura Clay Mask helps to exfoliate dead skin, reduce the look of pores, stimulate blood flow, and stimulate the growth of new skin cells. The clay draws out impurities and helps to create that much wanted “glow.” It’s incredible for anyone looking to reduce the appearance of scars, red marks, fine lines, wrinkles, or acne! Mix it with apple cider vinegar for a very potent treatment mask, or with water for something a bit less intense. This mask has changed my skin, and it’s the perfect gift for any woman looking for real results!
- Clearstem Skincare – Another product that every person needs in their skincare arsenal. Even though this is in my gift guide “for her,” it’s a great product for men as well. This product helps to prevent and eliminate acne, scars, red marks, fine lines, wrinkles, and any other signs of aging. It’s a light serum that soaks quickly into the skin, provides hydration while actually decreasing any oiliness, and can be used under makeup and other skincare products! I use this product every single day and love it because you’ll see immediate results (your skin will never be softer or more hydrated), as well as long term results as it helps to promote the growth of new collagen and eliminate marks and blemishes. I’ve gotten so much feedback from people saying that this product has completely transformed their skin (often in just a week!), and I’ve had this experience as well. Clearstem is great for all skin types and people of all ages. You can use my discount code “wellness” for $15 off!
- The Spa Kit from Primally Pure – This set comes with a dry brush, Primally Pure body oil, Primally Pure sea soak, and Primally Pure flower bath all in an organic bag. This set is exactly what every woman needs to have a relaxing spa night in and provides all the tools she needs to detox and soften her skin! Dry brushing helps stimulate the lymphatic system and exfoliate the skin, the bath soak will help to soothe muscles and add minerals back into the skin, and the body oil will help to moisturize and hydrate your body! All Primally Pure products are nontoxic and sourced from the highest quality ingredients.
- Beautycounter Necessary Neutrals Palette – If you have a makeup junkie in your life who’s looking for the ultimate eyeshadow palette, this is it! This palette comes with 18 long-lasting shades, a removable mirror, and a double-sided eyeshadow brush. The shades are pigmented, buttery, and don’t need a primer to last all day and all night. This would be my dream gift, if I didn’t already have it! This is truly the only eyeshadow palette anyone ever needs, and it will last forever. You can easily create a ton of different daytime or nighttime looks, and the shades will go with any skin tone. It reminds me of my old Lorac 3 palette, except this one is nontoxic and the shades last even longer.
- Luxie Beauty Complete Face Set – It’s amazing how a set of high-quality brushes can completely transform the way your makeup looks on your skin. Honestly, sometimes I feel like it’s not even worth it to buy good makeup if you don’t have good brushes to properly apply it! This set comes with all of the essential brushes any woman would need to apply face makeup and eye makeup, and the brushes are all vegan and cruelty free. They’re very high-quality, so this set will last years, if not forever.
- Energy Muse Crystal Starter Set – This is the perfect kit to help anyone get started with crystals, or even to add to someone’s collection if they already use crystals. This set includes 10 crystals, and each will help enhance a different part of your life – wealth, love, cleansing, focus, relaxation, protection, health, and more. It also comes with a sage stick to cleanse the crystals and a dish to store them in. The crystals inside include Black Tourmaline, Shungite, Carnelian, Pyrite, Rose Quartz, Aventurine, Blue Apatite, Amethyst, Selenite, and Clear Quartz! If you don’t know much about crystals, this is the perfect way to start. Crystals are an easy, effective way to start shifting the energy in anyone’s life in a more positive direction!
- Tarot Card Set – A Tarot deck is fun for anyone, whether or not they take it seriously. Personally, I think the Tarot deck is a great way to get people to start looking at their lives in a new way, think about what they want in the future, and help them gain clarity on past, present, and future situations. The Tarot deck doesn’t “tell the future,” but it can help shed light on areas of your life you might be confused about, just by helping you think about them in a different way.
- Essential Oils – The gift of essential oils is truly the gift that keeps on giving! You can either gift a doTERRA membership (25% off of all doTERRA oils for the year!), or you can gift particular essential oils that you think the woman in mind would love! Some of my favorite essential oils to gift other women are Clary Calm (our women’s blend that helps regulate hormones and mood, and manage menstrual symptoms), Rose (great as a perfume, helps with any skin irritations / blemishes, uplifts the mood), Jasmine (also great as a perfume, uplifting, combats skin imperfections), Ylang Ylang (provides antioxidant support, great perfume, reduces stress levels, promotes appearance of skin and hair), and Balance (promotes relaxation and grounding). The Beginner’s Trio Kit is also a great place for anyone to start because it contains three of the most versatile oils – Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint! My top recommendation, though, is to pick an oil that reminds you of the person you’re getting the gift for!
- Essential Oils Diffuser – doTERRA’s Aroma Lite Diffuser is my favorite diffuser because it covers a wide square footage, runs for up to 8 hours, has an optional night light, and will help purify and humidify the air! Oftentimes people don’t know where to start when they first begin using essential oils, so gifting someone a diffuser makes the process much easier for them because they can immediately start diffusing their oils without really “figuring anything out.” Everyone likes their home to smell nice! Not all diffusers are the same, though, which is why it’s important to get one that’s of the highest quality so that it will last a long time and actually diffuse the oils throughout the room!
- Loose Leaf Tea & Infuser – Every woman could use a new tea to cozy up with, ya know?! Some of my favorite loose leaf teas are from Luna Tea, Co., a local shop in the area where some of my family lives. All of the teas are custom, organic blends that taste delicious – some of my favorites are Red Chai and the Anniversary Blend! I also recommend getting an infuser to go along with the loose leaf tea so it can be brewed easily. Luna also has adorable infusers with crystals and dream catchers on them, which I love.
- Nontoxic Yoga Mat – The health conscious yogi in your life will definitely appreciate this mat! Most mats are filled with toxic chemicals, but this mat is free of latex, BPA, PVC, lead, phthalates, dioxins, and other toxic chemicals. It’s made from biodegradable material, and since there are no harmful chemicals there’s no PVC off-gassing! This might just be the mat that your yogi friend needs, even if she doesn’t yet know it!
- Alo Moves Subscription – This subscription gives you access to a ton of online yoga videos so that you can do yoga from home with an expert instructor! From someone who has gone the route of watching yoga videos for free on YouTube, trust me when I tell you that those videos quickly run out, and most aren’t very high-quality. This is a great way to encourage someone to start incorporating yoga into their routine, or to enhance their practice!
- Diptyque Candle – These are some of my favorite luxury candles. Personally, my favorite scents are Cypress and Roses, but all of their scents are divine! This is the perfect gift to give if you want to be “safe” – everyone loves a fancy candle for their home!
- Relaxed V-Neck Sweater – I also think that a loose, comfy V-neck sweater is a great go-to gift for pretty much any woman because she can style it different ways to make it her own. If I’m giving someone clothes, I make sure to stick with something basic (avoid crazy patterns they might not like), from a company with a great return policy (like Nordstrom), and with a looser fit that’s more forgiving (that way it’s easier to guess their size). Pick any color you think she’d like, and pair it with a scarf, a simple necklace, a gift card, or just give it by itself! Maybe it’s just me, but I personally feel like I can never have too many sweaters!
- Dogeared Necklace – Dogeared offers a ton of beautiful, simple necklaces that each have a different meaning, so you can pick a necklace that reminds you of the person you’re shopping for. Trust me, she will appreciate it if there’s meaning behind it! They have both silver and gold necklaces, and they all come with cards that share a bit more about the significance behind the necklace. Pick a style she’ll love, and I’m sure the card that comes along with it will also mean something to her. Some of my favorites are “accomplish,” “triple karma,” “new beginnings,” and “friendship.”
- Prana Mat – These accupressure mats are amazing for relaxation, self-healing, and relieving body pain. It helps to restore the natural energy flow in the body relieve tension in different areas, and act as a simple at-home replacement for massage. If someone doesn’t have time or money to get reflexology or accupressure done, this is a great option. All it takes is 10 minutes once or twice a day. It feels uncomfortable at first, but you get used to it after a bit – especially after you notice how amazing you feel after using it!
- Himalayan Glow Salt Lamp – Pink salt lamps are adorable decor, provide a lovely glow to any room, and even have some health benefits, according to some. Many claim that the negative salt ions released by heating a pink salt lamp can help with blood circulation, promote sleep, increase energy levels, reduce stress, calm allergy and asthma symptoms, and more. The jury is still out on how effective these really are, in my opinion, but either way – I love the way they look in a room! That natural glow is oh-so-soothing!
- The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine – I have a lot of favorite books when it comes to women’s health, and books I personally think every woman should read, but sometimes it can be awkward to give someone a book related to health unless you’re really close to the person. She might think you’re implying that she needs to work on whatever the topic of the book is. In order to avoid that awkward situation, I’ve chosen this book, which really is great for every woman (and man!) to read. It dives into the way the female brain is formed and developed, how we are wired differently than men, how this explains female behaviors and emotions, and more. It’s extremely fascinating to learn why women are the way we are! Plus, it’s not a self-help book, so don’t worry.
- The Paleo Women Lifestyle Program Self-Study Course – If there’s a woman in your life who is looking to transition to a healthier lifestyle, learn more about the paleo way of living, or enhance an already healthy diet and lifestyle, my online course is the perfect option for her! The self-study course is available year-round and contains hours of video lectures and audio lectures as well as downloadable PDFs to cover the ins and outs of women’s health – because most of the “health advice” you’ll find online is really targeted toward men (this is why so many women don’t get the results they want). This course covers the benefits of a paleo diet, why it’s different for women, how to balance hormones, avoiding the top health mistakes women make, optimizing digestion and sleep, stress management, cooking and grocery shopping hacks, understanding ingredients, exercise, body image, and so much more. This course contains all of the knowledge you need to help with a variety of symptoms – reduce bloating, manage a healthy weight, clear your skin, have a healthy and easy period, improve your energy levels, optimize your sleep, balance out your mood, and more! Once someone is in the self-study course, they also have the option to upgrade to the group coaching program whenever I run it next!
Stay tuned for my next few gift guides for more holiday gift ideas! Let me know below if you have more gift ideas you’d like to share, or what some of your favorite gifts you’ve ever gotten are! The more ideas we can get from each other, the better!
