Holiday Delights

I absolutely love the holidays.  It's a time of year where I can viscerally feel the warmth of the human spirit.  There's magic in the air.  And now that I have a little one, I see that magic through her eyes which is truly breathtaking.  

And...let's be real.  The holidays are oftentimes the most stressful time of the year.  There's a lot of things to get done, and Covid-19 has brought a whole new meaning to "home for the holidays".  

Last year I promised myself that I would get all of my holiday shopping done in November so that I could really relax into the enjoyment of December.  I'm happy to report I met my goal, although I'm feeling quite tempted by some Beautycounter products I want for stocking stuffers. 

If you're struggling to find the perfect gift for your loves, keep reading for my Top Picks for under $100. 

​Now that my Christmas shopping is complete, all I need to do is make some Christmas cookies! 

You can get my Christmas cookie recipe HERE. 

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I use this recipe as a jumping off point for my creativity.  Cut out the cacao and add some cinnamon and nutmeg to make Snickerdoodles or make a plain sugar cookie and top with homemade jam. 

Also remember that there are so many different ways to sweeten desserts.  Because I have bloodsugar handling issues, I stick with monk fruit, but sometimes that can be irritating to people's bellies.  If monk fruit doesn't work for you, dates ground up in the food processor is a great option as is coconut sugar, molasses, maple syrup or honey. ​  

TOP PICKS FOR HOLIDAY GIFTS (for under $100!) ​

SEMICOLON BOOKS: Believe me, the great behemoth that is Amazon is a service that makes life so much easier, but it's important to me to support small businesses and black-owned small businesses.  I've begun alternating between ordering my books from Powell's and Semicolon Bookstore.  Here are some of the books I'm gifting to people this year:  

Nom Nom Paleo Cookbook by Michelle Tam 
The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou (My absolute favorite book of all time.) 
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown 
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski 

Also, you might consider visiting the Portland Made window shop website.  I LOVE this idea!  Due to Covid-19, small businesses (especially retail) are taking a major hit.  This is a fabulous way to get out and safely enjoy the shopping season. 

BEAUTYCOUNTER 

I became a Beautycounter consultant because I was frustrated that I was helping people improve their health through gastrointestinal and hormone therapies as well as through exercise and food, but I didn't have anything to offer them for their largest organ - their skin.  

I offer complimentary Clean Beauty: The Endocrine System Workshops (click HERE to view) where you can learn about just how important your personal care products are to your health.  I also wrote a blog post about this last month (scroll down to view).  

There are a lot of natural personal care products out there, but Beautycounter is my favorite because it's so effective, and each package is so beautifully presented that they are perfect for holiday gift-giving.  Some of my favorite Beautycounter gifts to give this year are: 

Counter + Mini Skin Stars $45, click HERE to view.  This good-for-you trio makes your skin glow.  I use these three products every day, and I LOVE how much they've brightened my complexion.  ​

Pout Perfect Lip Care Set $49, click HERE to view.  This trio exfoliates, conditions and moisturizes lips for ultimate health and shine. 

The Clean Deo Minis $49, click HERE to view.  This is my absolute favorite product.  This deodorant works and doesn't tear my armpits to shreds like other natural deodorants!  And, this product is super environmentally thoughtful.  The full size deodorant has a refillable option to reduce plastic waste. 

Counterman Shaving Cream $20, click HERE to view.  My husband is a super-fan.  That's all I can say.  Oh, and I'll say one more thing - I'm a super-fan of my husband, and I don't want crap on his face that will mess up his endocrine system.  This product features shea butter, aloe, and our Sequoia Stem Cell Complex, and it works to soothe, hydrate, and protect skin from everyday environmental stress.

BRENTWOOD HOME 

This meditation pillow is a show-stopper, and believe me, when you need to quiet your mind, comfort is key.  Click HERE to view. 

DRY FARM WINES

A box of 3 bottles starts at $88. I tell all of my Nutritional Therapy clients about this wine.  It's absolutely delightful & the finest quality wine minus the sugar and chemicals often found in wine.  Click HERE to view. 

From my family to yours, I hope this holiday season brings you peace, joy and a fresh start for 2021.