Cold days and cozy nights. January has started with a bang for us. Is it just me, or has the way New Years fell this year throwing everything off a bit? I had the kids home half of last week for Christmas break and the we rushed to get out of town for a wedding over the weekend. I haven’t even taken all of our Christmas stuff down (please tell me I’m not the only one!). I swear I’m taking it all down this week- and starting a more consistent workout regimen and eating less sugar, drinking less coffee and getting more sleep. You know, all the usually post holiday stuff! In the meantime, here’s 7 things to get you through January.
1: Eat Pretty Everyday by Jolene Hart
It’s the perfect time to cuddle up with a good book, especially one that helps you look and feel your best. I was a huge fan of Jolene Hart’s last two books, so I was eager to check out Eat Pretty Everyday. It’s one of my favorite presents I received this Christmas! Eat Pretty Everyday walks you through each season of the year with day by day health and beauty tips, ingredient info, and more. Jolene Hart really delivers great info that makes you think beyond your beauty products and focus on what you’re putting in your body, how much rest your getting and even your social connections and emotional health. It’s a great daily reminder to take care of yourself in order to look and feel your best and I’ve learned so much from it already (She’s always so informative!). You can buy it here.
2: Ellovi Body Butter
Cold weather is here to stay and my skin is not a fan, so I’ve been layering on the moisturizers. This body butter from Ellovi is the most buttery body butter I’ve ever tried. It’s rich and creamy, but really melts into your skin when you apply it. It’s a heavier moisturizer, so it’s perfect to put on post shower and have it last all day- even with the cold air and dry indoor heat. The original version (which is what I have) doesn’t really have a scent, which is a great option for those with sensitive skin or those who prefer their products be scent neutral. They also offer some scented versions as well. You can purchase it from their site or here.
3: Marine Collagen
Speaking of cold weather and dry skin, this stuff has been making a big difference in how supple my skin feels lately, despite the cold. Collagen has a lot of health benefits, from joint health to stronger hair and nails, but it also helps your skin feel a little more resilient and I’ve found it helps my skin feel healthier and more moisturized from the inside out. I’m a pescatarian, so I look for marine collagen, rather than beef collagen and most that I’ve tried have been overly fishy or I have my doubts about what type of fish was used and how pure the product really is. Vital Proteins Marine Collagen has really impressed me. It has no taste and hardly any odor (I can barely detect one) and it dissolves into liquids really easily. I’ve been adding it to my coffee and sometimes smoothies. I’m not a huge supplement person, but this is easy to take and I’m happy with the results so far. I got mine on Amazon (you can save a good amount on this if you use subscribe and save).
4: Shining Sea Mud Mask and Cleanser
I love a good detox mask, but most of my clay and activated charcoal masks are too drying for my skin in the dead of winter. I’ve been using this mud mask from Fieldworks Supply Co and it offers a good detox, exfoliation and cleanse, all while keeping your skin feeling moisturized with a blend of moisturizing oils. I’d say this is great for all skin types and it also does a good job of cleaning out your pores. You can find it on their site or on Amazon.
5: Natural Remedies
It feels like we’re in the thick of cold and flu season, so I’m keeping some of my all natural remedies close by. These are two of my favorite helpers when the kids (or myself) get sick. Zoe Organics Breathe Balm and Refresh Oil come in handy anytime we’re feeling under the weather. The Breathe Balm works like a natural version of Vick’s Vapour Rub and helps to clear up stuffy noses. The Refresh Oil comes in handy for anything from a headache to an icky tummy. Lime, peppermint, ginger and spearmint instantly lift your mood and relieve nausea. You can find them on their site or at Target.
6: Magnesium Salt Baths
I love a nice hot bath to relax at the end of the day and I never miss a good opportunity to make a good thing even better- this time in the way of adding magnesium bath salts. Taking a bath with them is a great way for your body to absorb magnesium and it helps relax your muscles, improves sleep and improves circulation and more. The Wellness Mama wrote a great post about the benefits of it here. I even throw some in the kids’ baths. If you’ve ever tried this, these colder months are a great time to do it. You may find yourself sleeping like a baby afterwards!
7: Maca Cacao Hot Chocolate
I have to share this delicious version of hot cocoa that happens to be extra healthy as well as keeping you extra toasty this month. It’s from one of my favorite food blogs Love and Lemons. It’s really so good and just takes a few minutes to whip up. She also has a cookbook out that’s full of great recipes. Here’s her recipe for Maca Cacao Hot Chocolate:
- 2½ cups almond milk
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon maca powder
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil
- pinch of cinnamon
- tiny pinch of sea salt
- coconut whip** (see homemade instructions on her blog)
- shaved dark chocolate
- In a blender, mix the almond milk, cacao powder, maca, maple syrup, coconut oil, cinnamon and salt. (You can also whisk this together by hand). Transfer to a medium saucepan and heat. Taste and adjust the sweetness if desired. If it’s too thick, add a little bit more almond milk.
- Serve with coconut whip and shaved dark chocolate, both optional.
Happy January! Stay warm everybody. xoxo
