Empowered selfcare, lifestyle strategies & coaching
Time for a new you! Yes ladies, its the New Year and as usual you’re ready to through in the proverbial towel because it’s looking like this year is going to be a repeat of 2021! Guess what? You’re not alone. I’m going to give …
A cozy tea for the winter In case you’re wondering, I’m something of a tea fanatic, especially when it comes to spiced and herbal teas. Once fall and winter set in, it’s time for my favorite winter spice chai (tea) along with a few tasty …
A delicious fall and winter recipe Nothing says holidays like a delicious rosemary roasted chicken stew with root vegetables! It’s a perfect way to beat those cold fall and winter days when, you’re looking for warm and hearty meal. Not only will it warm you …
Sweet Potato bread: A Delicious Fall Craving It’s the season for spiced lattes and buttery baked goods! but as always, I love to add some healing and nutrition to my seasonal edible joy. My sweet potato bread with dates, is one such yummy creation! This …
For my household, tea is a 365 day a year affair! It’s also an opportunity to look for sustainable and eco-friendly tea bags, teas, accessories, etc. when it comes to tea and blending your own recipes, you’re only limited by your imagination!
Depending on what you’re going for, each variety can be blended according to taste and use. For instance, I have several categories of tea blends ranging from wellness to pleasure (leisure). These days, I’m also looking for sustainable and eco-friendly tea bags that are multifunctional and cute!
In my hunt for good quality non-toxic reusable tea bags, I almost got lost in the maze that is Amazon! Checking reviews was a headache but I found the most honest ones to also be the most critical. After noting that Amazon has a problem with fake “favorable” reviews, I found that some of the best choices were actually on Etsy. Plus, it’s a great way to support small and local business.
Needless to say that after weeding through all of the “not so honest” reviews and questionable materials, Etsy came out on top. Not only can you talk to the actual vendors, you can get a response to your questions in a reasonable time frame.
For starters, I’ve become a hardcore tea drinker who loves her tea! Secondly, blending your own teas ensures that you get a top quality blend and know what’s actually in that tea bag. You’re also able to create wellness and detox blends that are specific to both your needs and taste.
As a home herbalist, I’m constantly learning the benefits and advantages of crafting my own tea blends. My money goes a whole lot further and I don’t have to worry about whether or not I’m buying varieties with questionable packaging and sourcing.
After all, what’s the point of going to the trouble of making a tea blend if you’re going to put it in a tea bag that’s made of bleached, synthetic fibers? Plus, they’re expensive/ overpriced, and are bad for you and the environment.
I once did an entire YouTube video on toxic food additives (see it here) and unhealthy fillers that plague our supermarket shelves. I even included a short clip of popular condiments, spreads, etc that were loaded with “mystery” ingredients!
Unforutunately, prepackaged and flavored teas also suffer from the same problem. I found many of these name brand teas had artificial flavorings, dyes, fillers and other unhealthy additives. Plus, some of these “additives “ are also banned in the EU for health concerns, but not here in the US! Say, what?
Have you ever done the math on how much you’re spending on prepackaged stuff? Including tea bags, etc? Well I have and I’m still kicking myself! When you add in the peace of mind that comes from knowing what’s in those tea bags? Yep, totally worth the extra bit of mindfulness and care! Reusable and sustainable tools, accessories, etc save you money and reduce our overall impact on the planet. Think about it; if everyone did her/ his part, we’d have a much cleaner planet!
In general, the best quality teas are loose leaf tea. While some argue that you can’t taste the difference, I’m here to tell you that there’s a huge difference. Loose leaf teas give you the full flavor profile, a stronger brew and most if not all, the health benefits. The same can’t be said for prepackaged tea varieties which typically contain low quality remnants and fillers. So which one will you choose? Plus, check out one of my favorite tea recipe posts right here!
It’s the of summer but let’s not forget we’re still in the middle of a global pandemic! That means, no scrimping on selfcare in order to stay health and aligned. For me, a summertime wellness tea is an excellent way to help my body continue …
Creating your happy place There’s nothing that screams relaxation when it comes to summer, more than my own DIY Outdoor meditation space. Having another place to unwind just adds more options. Not only is it a reflection of my own tastes, creating this DIY space …
Regardless of whether or not you’ve actually given birth to a child, every woman who stands in that role deserves a break. That’s why I think a selfcare Mother’s Day gift or treat needs to be something we “do” on the regular not just on one day in May.
Please note this post contains amazon affiliate links from which I may receive a percentage of sales generated from purchases associated with it.
Despite are the buzz and hype from media outlets and self-proclaimed selfcare gurus, Selfcare is more than the occasional pampering or extravagant fantasy vacation spa! Selfcare is actually a normal every day “thing” that we all need to practice for a healthy and aligned life. For the most part, selfcare starts with setting boundaries. This is especially true when it comes to nourishing your body and replenishing yourself mentally and emotionally.
Selfcare also makes required that you prioritize your own needs above other “things”, people and tasks. Contrary to what you or some others may think, selfcare is neither selfish nor narcissistic; selfcare is a necessary and live-saving practice that makes it possible to do and care for those people and things that matter to you!
There are so many great Selfcare gift options for Mother’s Day, that are perfect not just for “this” day in May, but year-round too. To make things easier and eliminate the overwhelm, I’ve made a list of Selfcare Mother’s Day gifts to win over any woman in need of a little TLC.
1. Give her the gift of a good night’s sleep or nap time. While it might seem pretty basic, sleep is at the top of the selfcare list for moms and everyone else. Craft a homemade gift card or decorative coupon for a full night’s sleep for the mom figures in your life. Add it to a lovely gift basket filled with indulgent goodies (bought and homemade) to complement the selfcare theme.
2. Give her the gift of one or more face masks both homemade and store-bought. You can try out one of my lovely DIY face mask recipes here! Just make sure that if you decide to buy rather than DIY, make sure it’s a face mask from a trusted clean beauty brand. Remember, if it goes on the skin, it’s gotta be free of toxins and chemicals. Also, be sure to watch out for ingredients and labeling. I like to check my store brands against the EWG’s. You can click right here to check out the EWG’s listing right here!
3. An instant pot is great for healthy and hassle-free cooking and is another great gift for moms. Especially, for anyone looking to save time and effort in the kitchen and still eats healthily. Never underestimate the power of time-saving gadgets like this. Using an instant pot to cook soups, stews and other delicious and healthy meals is golden. She can save meal prep time, while also taking some much-needed selfcare in a quiet space!
4. Aromatherapy candles and or diffuser kits are also lovely to add to that selfcare gift. we’ve all heard of the power of soothing scents to help relax the tension and ease stress. Soothing essential oils like lavender, mint, and eucalyptus are well known for both their aromatic as well as therapeutic properties which make for a great addition to that selfcare mother’s day gift!
5. Decorative journals are perfect for what I like to call a “brain dump”, where one can just pour out the stresses and issues of the, on paper. Journal writing helps us to reconnect and center ourselves as we reflect on the day and perform our own internal “self-check”. We spend so much time running around from task to task that we often lose sight of the important things as well as our health and wellness. Adopting a journaling routine forces us to make those necessary internal corrections as we engage with that internal process.
These are just a few thoughtful and multi-functional gifts that won’t cost you tons of money but will really show those motherly figures in your life, how much you care. This list is great for any time of the year; just switch it up with a seasonal basket and you’re good to go!
Grab a free digital download of my selfcare tips to ditch the overwhelm and get some awesome ideas and tips for a selfcare routine that’s budget-friendly and easy to sustain!
Time for that Pink clay mask once again! In my opinion, an anti aging face mask is always in season, regardless of the time of year. If you follow me on Instagram @tonyetariahhealth you’ll know that I love skincare, especially clean beauty, and skincare DIY. …
