You know we like to keep our formulas simple, clean and with just the essentials to make you feel good.  Well, it shouldn’t surprise you that we  like our recipes the same way.  Our Unfiltered Detox Green Juice recipe is a pared-down recipe that calls for just six ingredients to flood your body with nourishment, help heal your gut, boost your immune system and give your skin a healthy glow.  

Prepare all ingredients and add to juicer, drink up and glow! 

1 Sliced green apple, cored with skin on. 

1 Handful of washed parsley

2 Handfuls of washed spinach 

1 Lemon, rinsed, skinned. 

1” ginger, rinsed (no need to peel)    

The six-ingredient benefits:  

1. Green Apples:  Help balance any bitterness from the greens and when juiced with the peel on, are a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium.  

2. Parsley:  It’s an antioxidant powerhouse that is rich in vitamins and minerals like potassium, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, B, C, E and K.  Just a handful will give your juice the bright green color and fresh taste. 

3. Spinach:  Spinach contains almost twice as much iron as other greens and is a mild, alkalizing,  vitamin and mineral packed powerhouse. 

4. Lemon:  This is your immune boosting dose of vitamins C and B6.  Lemons are alkalizing that help your skin glow and help absorb iron found in the other greens. 
   
5. Ginger: Along with lemon, Ginger is an immune boosting, powerful anti-inflammatory that aids in digestion and bloating.  It adds a little spice to your juice too, so go easy if you’re sensitive to spicy. 
   
6. Cucumber:  The cucumber adds the water content and cooling effects of your juice. They aid in cell hydration, regulate body temperature and can help ease inflammation.  It also has a high silica content to help with skin problems plus is high in vitamin A, B complex, C and folic acid.  

Finding inner peace in a time of great upheaval comes from intention.  We have to take time to go deeper into meditation and prayer to overcome the worries and concerns of this pandemic and habitual chatter in our heads.  The repetition of mantras is essential to replace the negative talk that  runs through our minds.  Mantras help open your heart and focus your energy on connecting to peace, light, abundance, vitality — whatever it is you need in your life.  

Where your attention goes, energy flows. So put your attention on manifesting inner peace by choosing a mantra that speaks to your heart, then repeat it throughout your day.  Any time another thought of worry or concern comes in, call up your mantra and continue to repeat it until your emotions are at peace and aligned with the thought.   

Choose your mantra. Repeat.  

I am love. I am light.   

I am connected to all that is good. I am connected to the source of all light and love. It lives within me and I receive all of its abundance.  

I am everything I desire. Everything I need is already mine.  I am whole and complete and content.  

Peace flows through me like a gentle river. Always moving in and flowing out to those around me. 

I am safe. I am content. I am healthy.  

I am grateful for this moment. For the clear, strong breath in my lungs, I am healthy and vibrant.

Are you tired of being tired? Want to improve your overall health? Then fix your sleep. Lack of sound sleep, or even just poor sleep habits has immediate negative effects on hormones, motor function and brain function.  Moreover, bad sleep can make it hard to lose weight and put you at higher risk of disease because getting enough deep sleep allows our bodies to reset, repair, replenish cells and revitalize our immune system.  

If you want to optimize your health, getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do. That said, here are 7 tried, true and new tips on getting enough ZZZ’s in your routine. 

The Tried and True: 

Maintain consistent bedtimes, even on weekends. If someone tells you it’s past their bedtime, what they’re really saying is don’t mess with their circadian rhythm. Even late nights on weekends are disruptive to our natural sleep cycles. If you have consistency in your routine, your body will automatically respond, so choose a time that’s realistic for you and stick to it.   

Watch what you drink.  The general rule of thumb is no caffeine after 2pm and no alcohol if you want a restful night’s sleep. Some people also try and get their water intake done an hour before bedtime so they’re not having to get up at night as well.  

Make your room a NO GADGET zone.  Experts recommend turning off the TV and any electronic devices two hours before bedtime. Even better, they say, is removing all TV’s, video consoles and phones from our rooms, making them quiet, no-electronic zones.  

Upgrade your sleep environment.  Create a peaceful environment.  It’s only natural that a serene environment would put you at ease and help you sleep better.  That means decluttering now.  A messy bedroom creates stress.  Piles of clothes, paperwork or exercise equipment is a subconscious reminder of all we have left undone.  Invest in soft lighting, soft sheets, an aroma diffuser for essential oils like lavender and put your bed in the best feng shui position — head against a wall where you can see the door, but not facing it. 

The New:  

Research and technology is changing at a rapid fire pace and so is the response to sleep issues.  Here are some of the newer ways research shows we can sleep more soundly.  

Try Pink Noise.  Pink is the new white.  A recent study found that pink noise, like waves lapping on a beach or trees rusting in the wind increased time spent in deep sleep.  

Wear Blue glasses.  Block brain-stimulating blue light from phones and computers with special blue-light blocking glasses.  If you don’t want to wear glasses, you can download apps that do it for you such as f.lux.  
Listen to ASMR.  (Autonomous sensory meridian response) — Wait, what?  ASMR is defined as “brain tingles” or the feeling of well-being combined with a tingling sensation in the scalp and down the back of the neck, as experienced by some people in response to a specific gentle stimulus, such as a specific sound. There are loads of videos on youtube and on audio streaming services that you can turn on at or just before bed time.

Unfiltered LOVE.  

Now more than ever, Mom is non-stop amazing.  She’s cooking, cleaning and caring for everyone. She’s teacher, chef, stay-at-home worker, master puzzler and entertainer.  So this Mother’s Day, let her know all that homework is worth some uncompromising, unmatched and Unfiltered love.  

Our Unfiltered collection will nurture her soul and care for her skin with 95% naturally derived formulas made with organic ingredients and beautiful, healing botanicals and uplifting, gorgeous scents. It’s next level self care for your next level Mom. Plus, the packaging is so pretty, all you have to do is put a bow on it and give it with love.    

Here are a few ideas on what to get the woman who loves you most.  

For her loving hands:  Give her one or a few tubes of our lush, creamy, healing Hand Cream available in four incredible scents; Watermelon + Pink Cactus, Rosewater + Cucumber, Blueberry + Thyme and Pineapple + Mango.  She can keep them in her purse to keep her hands soft from all the extra hand washing.  

For her non-stop schedule:  Give her a self-care time out with our detoxifying and uplifting Salt Soak. 

For an instant refresh and mood-boost:  Group a few scents of Our Hydrating Face + Body Mist so she can have it on hand at all times. The gentle spritz of botanicals instantly refreshes skin and adds moisture, but will give mom the good-to-go-glow.  

Spoil her skin:  Gift her a Shower Gel and Body Butter in the same scent to fully pamper her skin with a 1-2 punch of beautiful skin nutrition.  

When we’re stressed we forget to breathe properly and tense up, trapping our energy.  Calming stretches and deep breathing helps release the blocked energy so you can de-stress body, mind and spirit.  Here are five stretches and/or restorative poses that help calm your nervous system and help restore a sense of balance and peace.  Namaste. 

Cat Cow 

Cat/Cow while coordinating your breathing relieves stress and calms the mind.  It helps with flexibility to the spine, releases the back torso and neck, and softly stimulates the kidneys and adrenal glands. 

How to do it:  Start on your hands and knees with wrists directly under shoulders and your knees directly under hips. Point fingertips to the top of mat.  Place shins and knees hip-width apart and soften gaze downward.  Begin with cow by inhaling as you drop your bellow toward the mat and lift your chin and Chest and look up to ceiling.  Next, move into Cat pose, as you exhale, draw your belly up to your spine and round your back toward the ceiling.  Inhale, going to back into Cow pose and repeat 15-20 times.  

Downward dog.

Elongates cervical spine and helps relieve tension and trapped energy in body and head.  

How to do it: Get on your hands and knees with hands directly below your shoulders and knees directly below your hips. Spread your fingers wide and tuck your toes under. Inhale and lift your knees off the floor, pressing your hips up toward the ceiling. Draw your heels down to the floor or keep a slight bend in your knees. Press your hands firmly into the mat and draw your shoulder blades down. Keep the head between the arms (don’t let it hang). Take deep breaths the entire time.

Legs up the Wall 

This is a restorative pose that helps to reduce tension in your back, shoulders, and neck while promoting deep relaxation and rest for the nervous system.

How to do it:  Sit next to a wall with the right side of your body against the wall.  Lie on your back and swing your legs straight up the wall.  Scoot so your hips are up against the wall (or close to it) and legs are straight up the wall. Rest your arms in a comfortable position and remain in this resting pose for up to 10 minutes.  

Laying Spinal Twist 

Helps lengthen and release trapped energy in the spine.  Increases flexibility in hips and low back and stimulates digestive system.  

How to do it: Lie on your back and bring both knees in toward your chest. Bring your hands out to your sides and draw your knees up and over to your left side. Keeping your shoulder blades on the ground, rest your knees on top of one another. Take deep breaths the entire time. When changing sides (after holding for 30 seconds), make sure to use your core muscles to bring your legs back to center.

Standing Forward Fold With Shoulder Stretch

This pose helps to calm the brain, relieve stress, mild depression and reduces fatigue and anxiety as well as stimulates the liver and kidneys. 

How to do it: Stand with feet wider than shoulder-width apart and clasp your hands together behind you.  With hands clasped, fold forward from your hips and bring your chest toward your legs and head toward the floor, keeping your lower back flat as you move.  Lift your arms so they follow your head .  Hold for at least 5 deep breaths.  

(note, if you can’t clasp hands behind you, you can hold a strap or towel to bridge the gap.  If you have low back sensitivity, bend your knees slightly as you forward fold). 

When crisis hits, keeping a clear head is the hallmark of a good mental state.  But we don’t just automatically go there. A clear mind has to be a conscious decision — one that rejects fear and uncertainty in troubling times and instead focuses on gratitude for what is, on the eternal feelings of love and hope and the absolute knowing that you are doing everything in your power to keep yourself and your family safe and then letting go of what is beyond your control.  

Here are a few suggestions on how to get and maintain a clear head in times of crisis.  

1.  Manage your media diet.  Stay informed but do not consume news for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Opt for different sources of news other than TV  try not to make it the first thing you do in the morning. The news has a residual effect on your psyche that lasts hours.    Protect the start of your day, and therefore your whole mood, with more positive actions such as meditation or exercise or family pancakes from scratch. 

2. Protect your peace.  Don’t allow the barrage of speculation and negativity from news, friends or family.  Protect your peace of mind by drawing boundaries and changing the subject if talk isn’t productive.  

3.  Knowledge is power.   By this, we don’t mean news information. True power and a clear head comes from eliminating the unknown so be prepared and know what you would do if you did have an emergency.  Prepare a list of emergency phone numbers, know where your local Covid-19 test sites are, have a list of everyone’s medications on hand. Your mind will be clearer if you have a game plan.  

4.  Take care of yourself.  Self-care isn’t a trend.  It’s the catalyst for peace, for self-love and for good physical and mental health and clarity.  You’ve heard it a thousand times, but here’s 1001…  Eat whole foods, move your body, stretch, shower or bathe with beautiful products, meditate and get 7 or 8 hours of sleep a night, without question.  This is non-negotiable if you want clarity.   

5. Be present and remain positive.   The biggest fears are all “what-ifs.”  The biggest joy-stealers are “should haves.”  When you live focused on the past or what could go wrong in the future, you are not living in the present moment. Pull your awareness to your present moment. Don’t judge it… just observe.  Where are you standing? Are you safe?  Do you need anything at that moment?  What is good that you see or feel? What are you grateful for in the moment?  If you don’t currently meditate, this is the perfect time to begin. 

Let’s be real. With the amount of hand washing and rubbing and drying we are all participating in (gladly, mind you) our hands are feeling the effects and showing signs of dryness. Cue the moisturizer. But wait! Before you slather on the hydration, Is it safe to use moisturizers when you’re trying to keep hands clean? The answer, thankfully, is yes.  

Using a moisturizer after you wash is not only safe, it is a necessity to put moisture back into cracked skin. You can use our lush Body Butter for deeper hydration or one of our specialized Hand Creams to not only put back in essential moisture, but condition and nourish with naturally-derived ingredients that have an anti-aging, skin plumping effect.  

So sanitize, but make sure you use Hand Cream to moisturize. Instead of feeling hopelessly dry and irritated, your hands will feel loved, calm and happy and look that way too.

The incredible changes in our lives, from the threat of illness to financial concerns and worry for loved ones takes a toll on your body and spirit. Repeating mantras can be a powerful tool to relieve the stress and give your body steadiness, quiet, reassurance and help benefit your immune system. Scientists have shown that repeating mantras, much like meditation, causes positive physical reactions in the body. They also focus the mind, provide counter narratives to fear and anxiety provoking thoughts and have a calming effect. And since it’s easy to do, costs you nothing and takes just two minutes a day — why not see how you can benefit from it?  

To begin, choose your mantra. What speaks to you? Do you want to let go of situations and thoughts that no longer serve you, view experiences and life as opportunity and growth, take back personal power or simply bring calm into your heart? Feel free to add or change the mantras to suit your needs.  

The power of mantras comes from the sound and vibration of your voice, so you’re going to want to repeat your mantras out loud.  Sit in a relaxed position and breathe. Take long, slow, belly filling breaths to calm your body and mind. After deep breathing for :45 seconds or so, hold your hands over your heart or palms facing up and begin to speak your mantra out loud.  Repeat it for at least one minute as you feel the flow and vibration of your words. With every mantra you utter, we hope you find peace and calm and wellness in your words.     

With every breath, I am at ease.  At this moment I have everything I need.  

I have control over how I feel, and I choose to feel at peace.

All experiences are helping me grow. I am open to the unfolding. 

I give myself permission to let go of what no longer serves me.

I am calm, cared for, and connected. I am loved. 

Everyone is crushing on crystals and looking for new and alternative ways to increase wellbeing. So are crystals a magic healer? The fact is, there’s nothing magical about crystals. What is often referred to as “magic” is actually science-based that has to do with the energy, frequency and vibrations of semi-precious stones. Crystals actually vibrate at their own frequency, the same way that the cells in your body — and your chakras, or energy flow — vibrate at their own frequency. That means when we come into contact with crystals, these different vibrational frequencies meet and can enhance your physical, mental and spiritual well being.  

Albert Einstein said everything in life is vibration, and just like sound waves, your thoughts match the vibrations of everything that manifests in your life. Therefore, if you think crystals have healing potential, the positive vibes of the stones will amplify those thoughts. People who believe this theory use them as conduits for healing, allowing positive energy to flow into the body as negative, disease-causing energy flows out.  

If you’re a crystal novice, where do you start? First, remember that every crystal has its own energy and uses; some are used for physical healing while others are used to amplify luck, abundance, clarity and intuition and so on. Begin by manifesting your intention. A well thought out intention is the starting point because specific intentions instilled into your daily thought patterns also become part of its energy. What do you want to bring more of in your life? 

Once you decide what you want to manifest, shopping for crystals in person is best, as this is where you get the intuitive vibes and see what stones resonate with your own energy. Go to what you’re attracted to, and trust that whatever you picked is exactly where you are at that moment and what you need.

Here’s a basic guide to the different purposes of crystals.  

Selenite: Healing and inner peace and clear energy field.  

Moonstone: Strengthens intuition

Aventurine: Amplifies luck

Pyrite: Manifestation of money and abundance 

Blue Agate: Healing for gentle, calming energy,  good for anxiety and feeling overwhelmed 

Shungite: Neutralizes and protects from electromagnetic frequencies

Black Tourmaline: Spiritual protection, energy bodyguard, repels negative energy

Turquoise: Communication, luck and healing 

Rose Quartz: Unconditional love, opens the heart chakra, nurtures you on journey of self love 

Smoky Quartz: Self protection, guards against negative energy, releases old patterns

Clear Quartz: Balances body and mind

Celestite:  Peace and happiness, tranquility, restful sleep 

Carnelian: Inspiration, creativity passion, motivation, joy 

Citrine: Light, happiness, presence. Reminds us to dream big, stay positive and live in gratitude

Aventurine: Overcome self doubt, opens the heart chakra, releases anger and frustration

Amethyst:  Highly spiritual, opens up third eye, or intuition, mental clarity 

Bloodstone: Energy, motivation 

You have succulents on your desk, but pink cactus in your skin care?  It may not be the obvious choice when you think about skincare ingredients, but cactus extracts are quickly becoming a go-to ingredient for good reason.  Cactus extracts are flush with vitamins and hydrators, high levels of electrolytes and antioxidants to hydrate skin. Cactus extracts also have antibacterial properties and are rich in essential fatty acids that work to lock in moisture. Makes sense when you think about a cactus ability to retain moisture in the sun-soaked desert.      

Cactus beauty benefits include a major dose of vitamins. They’re full of vitamins A, D, E and K, antioxidants, fatty acids, omegas, amino acids and water. It not only helps draw moisture to skin, but improves the skin’s ability to retain it by strengthening the barrier function and  prevent loss of hydration. The vitamins E and K help soften and smooth skin texture while the fatty acids calm inflammation. The high level of help of antioxidants prevent UV and environmental damage that contributes to premature aging. The cactus may be a prickly plant, but it’s smooth as silk and rich with moisture when it comes to beauty benefits.