Top 10 Products We Love for September

 

1. The Wild Unknown Tarot Box Set

If you ever yearned to dive into the mystical powers of energy medicine, then the Wild Unknown is the company to trust with your tarot card needs. This creative box set comes with a vivid guidebook full of intuition and wisdom to help you on your awakening path. If you are lucky enough to visit their flagship store and event space in Portland, Oregon, you can experience tarot card readings in person with a spiritual and transformational community.

2. Lite + Cycle Urban Forest Candle

Based in Los Angeles, Lite + Cycle sells the most non-toxic and sustainable candles on the market. Made with 100% pure essentials oils of wild grown American cedar, fir balsam, sweet fennel and toasted black coffee, as well as, soy wax and cotton wicks, this clean ingredient treasure is uplifting. Its fragrant notes juxtapose to both relax and energize, while also grounding and freeing the spirit. We love placing them around the home to improve the energy in each location. 

3. Simples Tonics Nettle “The Game Changer” Infusion

One of our favorite herbs, nettle is rich in vitamin A, C and K, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, protein, and chlorophyll. It is extremely anti-inflammatory, tonic, diuretic and astringent, making it the essential herb to help your body adapt to daily stress and keep you nourished and healthy. Simple Tonics has made a deliciously potent tonic that tastes as good as it makes you feel.  Be sure to check out their new store opening on Main Street in Santa Monica opening soon. To learn more about nettle, check out our article here. 

4. Kama Botanicals Skin Superfood Serum

This superfood serum is such a silky smooth blend of both beauty and nature, that your skin will literally eat it up. Made of 100% natural and organic oils of Guava Seed, Prickly Pear Seed, Pumpkin Seed, Avocado, Rosehip, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Lemon, Neroli and Orange, it is perfect for all skin types. This nutrient-rich serum is packed with antioxidants that help repair skin damage, reduce appearance of scars and promote healthy youthful skin. We love lathering our faces before bed and waking up smelling as beautiful as our skin glows. 

5. Coco Rico Vanilla Bean and Lemon Coconut Yogurt

We all need our daily dose of probiotics to keep our digestive and immune health up to speed. This French-style dairy-free coconut yogurt is one of the most unique on the market, as the organic coconuts are wild harvested from the jungles of the Philippines, with each jar containing a teaspoon of raw organic Pacifica honey as well, which has a natural source of probiotics. Not only is it the highest quality natural source of probiotics, but it is some of the creamiest, most delicious fresh yogurt we have ever tried. We recommend scooping a dollop on top of some slices of fresh organic figs.

6. Organic Figs

Speaking of figs, make sure to take advantage of this last month of fig season while they last! Fig trees are some of the oldest in the world, growing some of the most exquisite and nutrient dense fruits on earth! Figs are rich in minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium, as well as, antioxidants and fiber. With only a few more weeks left,  make sure to snag some fresh and ripe beauties from your local farmers market.

7. Fat and the Moon Beam

This mineral based glimmer balm will actually make you glow like a natural highlighter. It is the perfect addition to your makeup routine, adding just the right amount of shimmer with completely organic ingredients. Beam is truly cosmic for its use of Madrone spirit medicine, which is a sacred tree native to the Pacific Northwest that helps keep us grounded and connected to mama gaia. 

8. Julian Bakery Organic Paleo Wraps

Finally a 100% paleo, keto and allergy-friendly wrap that we can use for just about any recipe. Not only are they delicious, but best of all, they are made up of only 90 calories per wrap! Julian Bakery makes some of our favorite grain-free items, and always uses the highest quality ingredients to do so. We especially love making burritos and vegan quesadillas with these delectable wraps, however, they do not usually last very long. 

9. Nariveda Flex Veda

Based in Sedona, Arizona, Nariveda is an ethereal line of Ayurvedic elixirs founded on the 8 principles of Ayurvedic healing. The Flex Veda is a 100% vegetarian bone, joint and muscle support formula that maximizes bioavailability throughout the body. Re-mineralizing with powerful antioxidants while replenishing collagen and metabolic functions, your cells and natural response systems will literally thank you for allowing this all natural goodness to flow through your body.

10. Sun Potion Yin Power

Last but certainly not least, we are raving over Sun Potion’s new product Yin Power. In collaboration with the incredible Women With Superpowers, this herbal beauty celebrates the divine feminine in us all. Made with Tocos, organic Reishi and Ashwagandha, as well as, wild harvested He Shou Wu, Pearl Powder, Pine Pollen and Astragulus Extract, your entire body will harmonize with the energetic flow of womanly grace. It boasts so many health benefits such as hormonal balance, immunity, healthy circulation, cellular regeneration and more. 

The Perfect Workout for your Body Type (Dosha)

We all know exercise is good for our bodies, minds, and souls, but did you know the type of exercise that’s best for you actually depends on your mind-body type?

According to Ayurveda, the world’s oldest health system, there are three mind-body types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. As an Ayurvedic Nutritionist and author of the upcoming book The Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda, I focus on bringing this ancient healing system into our modern lives. While the Vedas didn’t write about whether CrossFit or Pure Barre is better for your physique, they had some pretty incredible insights into our physiology that we can truly benefit from today.

In this article, I’m going to give you pointers on the best type of exercise according to your unique mind-body type. If you don’t know your mind-body type, take my quiz  which will help you assess it.

Once you know, here are the best workouts for you:

Those with Vata bodies:

Vatas are energizer bunnies who love to move. They are most similar to the Ectomorph body type in Sports Nutrition. They love the feeling of a good cardio session. You can find them in Soul Cycle spinning up a storm, doing high kicks in kickboxing, shaking their booties in Zumba, or going HAM on the elliptical machine. They have a need for speed and love the types of workouts where you lose your breath, and yourself while doing them. They love the feeling of getting their heart rates up, which makes them feel free - something very important for Vatas.

However, all that movement is not recommended for Vatas. Ayurveda is all about seeking balance. Therefore you should counter-balance your natural energy with that which you lack. 

Because Vatas are drawn to quick, sweaty cardio sessions, it’s best to counter-balance that quickness with some slow, steady strength training. 

Vatas have a hard time gaining muscle mass and need to pay particular attention to building their bones and muscles to prevent bone-density issues in the future. I recommend scheduling two to three strength-training sessions in the week where you really isolate your individual muscles, without the cardio component of quickly trying to lift as fast as possible. Think slow, steady, and thorough. Proper form is more important than speed.

Balance is also very important to practice for Vatas, as they naturally can have a weak balance due to skeletal irregularities in their physiology. Try doing one-leg deadlifts, bicep curls on one leg, and walking lunging to improve your balance and agility.

Make sure you take your rest days. Vatas are naturally on the thin side and have a hard time preserving body fat so you want to make sure you don’t overdo it and give your muscles a chance to rest between sweat sessions.

Those with Pitta bodies:

Pittas are natural athletes. They are most similar to the Mesomorph body type in Sports Nutrition. They have a strong stamina and love to work their muscles to the max. They are drawn to boot camps, boxing, CrossFit, and anything else that pushes their body's limits. They put muscle on easily and love the results they get. Needless to say, they love to feel the burn.

However, all that intense exercise is not really the best thing for these already fiery Pittas. They must counter-balance their naturally competitive energy with some non-competitive, relaxing workouts. Don’t kill me, I know you want your boot camp in, but I swear that grounding down will really help.

Pilates is a great exercise for Pittas because it works their muscles, but at the same time is therapeutic and relaxing. I also recommend yin yoga, which is the practice of holding one stretch for two to three minutes without moving. If you do boot camps, be sure to meditate and ground down afterward so you don’t stay in that fight-or-flight mode for the rest of the day.

It’s super important for Pittas to avoid getting overheated. Pittas are hot by nature, so a humid room can really throw them off balance. Avoid working out in hot weather, such as in the middle of the day or outside in the summer. Steer clear of heated yoga practices, which will throw your Pitta energy way out of wack. Instead, focus on cooling down. 

Swimming is an excellent practice for Pittas because it allows you to move, strengthen and stretch your body while cooling down. Hit up your friend that has a pool to do some laps or take a run on the beach.

It’s also crucial for you to take your rest days. Pittas like to be on the go and often forget to schedule downtime in their busy agendas. Remember, your muscles cannot develop if you are always working them. Try to take two off-days during the week to just stretch your body out. Foam rolling is a really great way to knead out deep knots, which Pittas often have. And practice Abhyanga, self-massage with cooling coconut oil. I explain all about how to practice Abhyanga on my site.

Those with Kapha bodies:

Kaphas are naturally slow and steady and may actually hate to workout. Getting up to go to the gym may feel like physical torture for them. Does this sound like you?

Kaphas are most similar to the Endomorph body type in Sports Nutrition. They are more sedentary by nature and have a tough time getting into an exercise routine. However, once they start getting their sweat sessions in, they actually begin to love it because it stimulates their minds and bodies, counter-balancing their heavy energy. Kaphas actually have the highest endurance of all the Doshas and can tolerate the longest duration of exercise, so don’t be afraid to work it.

Kaphas medicine is sweat. In Ayurveda, sweat is fat's antidote. Therefore, by sweating every day you are inhibiting your body's fat storage. Kaphas naturally store fat more easily than the other Doshas, so sweat is really medicine for them. I always like to tell myself in a tough workout, “Sweat is fat crying.” You can try that little mantra for motivation the next time you find yourself on a treadmill.

Kaphas should avoid excess strength-training if they are trying to lose weight because it will actually make them heavier. Kaphas may be drawn to slow, steady weight-lifting and shy away from cardio but it’s really the opposite they need.

Kaphas should do HIIT (high-intensity interval training) classes where they are doing things like jump squats, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, and burpees throughout the class, with quick weight lifting in between. This is really going to speed up your metabolism and help trigger your body’s fat-burning potential. If your heart-rate isn’t increased you won’t be burning enough calories to target your fat cells. Check out your local gym for classes. Tabata, Plyometrics, Spinning, and Ropes & Rower classes are all great options and gyms often have their own variations of classes. If that sounds too intimidating for you start off with a type of cardio class you enjoy like Zumba or a barre class.

Even if you don’t have a gym membership there are so many workouts you can do at home. Try going for a run, jump roping or practicing lunges, squats, push-ups, and planks at home. That’s really all you need to get your body going. Don’t underestimate the power of walking. Walking 20 minutes a day can make significant differences in your weight over time. Do something that you enjoy and don’t be afraid of a challenge.

Exercise is one of the most medicinal things we can do. Physical stimulation creates mental stimulation. A stagnant body is a stagnant mind. By opening the channels of our bodies we open the channels of our minds. If people exercised more often most diseases and depression would cease to exist.

Which type of exercise is your favorite? What’s your Dosha? Let me know in the comments! And if you don’t know your mind-body type, take my quiz on my website eatfeelfresh.com.

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Sahara Rose is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, Sports Nutritionist and Holistic Health Coach, as well as upcoming author of The Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda. She is passionate about bridging Eastern and Western health philosophies and leads a 12 Week Program on incorporating both into our everyday, busy lives. Learn more about Ayurvedic wisdom on her website eatfeelfresh.com and follow her on Instagram @EatFeelFresh.

Sun Child: Handmade with passion and purpose

At House of Citrine, we have the distinct pleasure of sampling a diverse range of powerful and beautiful products from the conscious community. On our journey to bring you the best of the best we discovered one of a kind, handmade, blessed and recycled silk dresses that inspire  "grace, laughter, PASSION, freedom, expression and magic," created by the talented, driven and awakened, Elissa Kravetz. Once Steve Madden's right-hand gal, Elissa's work as a fashion publicist and her passion for travel led her to found Sun Child. A chance encounter with a very special family in Goa and their magical healing silks enabled her to create jobs in the village and give back to charities in India. We chatted with this inspiring woman who is determined to empower others and to ensure the clothes we adorn our bodies with feel truly amazing.

1. Elissa, tell us about how Sun Child got inspired?

I was traveling throughout Asia at the end of 2014 and ended my trip with a yoga retreat in Goa. On the last night of the retreat, I journeyed into the night market and stumbled upon the most vibrant, magnetic, powerful silks I have ever seen!  I talked for a while with the oldest daughter of the father who created some of the looks, put my hands on her shoulders and told her that I was going to help her and her family.  I flew back to LA so energized and inspired and looked at her business card every day for months. 6 months later after being coaxed by a girlfriend to go back to India to spend time with the family, I hopped on a plane, spent a week in Goa during the monsoon and bonded with this family.  I feel that they are my extended family. They receive the silks from a special area in India and together we bless them and create the designs that make up Sun Child!! 

2. Tell us about the families in India who make these one-of-a-kind dresses? 

They’re passionate & loving and we Skype often to stay connected while I’m here in LA. 

3. Indian silk…elaborate on the material of sourcing?

The silks are recycled Sari silks, each piece is unique and cuts only one dress, so each dress is one of a kind.  Your dress is your dress! 

4. Your journey to India has been life changing, how has this impacted your spiritual growth?  

I’m getting ready to travel back and can’t believe it when I realize that this will be my seventh trip to India in the past few years!  My first time traveling I went to Rishikesh in 2011 for the International Yoga Festival.  My spiritual journey started a year before that while studying Kabbalah. I learned there about living from your heart vs. your ego and over the years traveling throughout Asia I became committed to a heart-based life of service.  I still love fashion, I began working for Steve Madden out of college and I feel that what we wear is an extension and creative expression of self.  I love marrying my spiritual practice with business.  When I was working in PR towards the end I would burn sage in the office and send our clients samples with positive affirmation cards to the editors.  What I’ve learned over the years is that most people just want to feel BETTER!  If I can have a hand in inspiring and enticing joy in someone – I’m all for it! 

 5. Your dresses are blessed? Tell us more?

When we finish each collection in India, I sit with the family in a circle and we put some of the silks in the middle. We all go around and share something about the collection and what our wishes are. When I’m back here in Topanga, I play mantras while putting the finishing touches on each piece, then they spend a night hung outside on my deck surrounded by nature in Topanga Canyon, so they can spend a night under the stars.  Each dress is saged and gonged!  I love this whole process, it feels like a beautiful meditation for me. 

 6. When you’re not working on Sun Child, what else do you like to do? 

I love to dance. I recently went to a 5 rhythms dance workshop at Esalen and it was so incredible, so transformative, I dance as much as I can! I love to travel. Love to cook. Connect with my friends and lots of snuggles with my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Lillee. I’m also in a bit of a hibernation resting phase since moving to Topanga. The canyon has sucked me in a bit. Oh, and I recently started drumming, which I LOVE! 

 7. What keeps you going? Do you have any daily routine, ritual, or mantra? 

Ahh..what keeps me going.  Knowing that I have a larger purpose in life and am here to create and inspire. I’ve always felt different, in high school, in college, I just knew inside that I was different.  I feel like I have big things to do.  I try to take as best care of myself as possible.  To my friends I am always saying Radical Self Care!!  I try to visit the hot springs in Ojai as much as possible to ground and connect with nature.  I don’t meditate every day, but I would love to!!  Even 5 minutes in the morning sets me up for an incredible day.  As soon as I wake up I say to myself “thank you!” I follow up with “I’m enough. I’m worthy of unconditional love, I share unconditional love.” These have been my mantras lately.  

8. What are your three staples for glowing health?

For the past month every morning I’ve been making a super charged coffee concoction which has completely changed my skin. In the Vitamix I’ve been mixing a cup of coffee with Sun Potion Tocos and Ashwagandha, vanilla bean powder, ghee, coconut oil & raw lavender honey.  I swear adding this one spoon of ghee every day has given my skin a beautiful glow!  I drink tons of water, don’t drink alcohol or smoke.  And I love to get a little sun on my face each day :) I try to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night, I need it!! I also feel that the more I give, the more I say YES to things, people, activities that fill my soul, the more I say NO to things that drain me – this makes a radical impact on my health and psyche. 

9. What moves you through fear and brings you to bliss?

I’ve erred on the side of anxiety for most of my life, and every single time I sit down to meditate, every single time I drive through nature, I hear my inner voice say "DON’T WORRY!! You don’t ever need to worry."  I feel that the one thing that can move anyone through fear to bliss is TRUST.  Trust that the universe has your back.  Trust that we are here to succeed and be happy, not to struggle.  And when I can’t talk myself down I’ll connect with some of my grounded, calm friends who always get me out of the fear space.  One of the things that we often will say to each other is “what story are you telling yourself right now?!” we often will make up stories in our head that are not true, we believe them, and then we panic.  As much as I can I try to trust that things are going to work out blissfully & abundantly! 

10. What is your next big vision for Sun Child?  

On my next trip I’m going to create new styles to add to the collection, jump suits, pants and matching jackets.  My new BIG vision is for the brand to grow so much that we can build our own Sun Child factory in Goa and give jobs to people in the village. I’ve been watching over the past year, and women come one by one into my home to try on the dresses and when they do, without fail, every woman puts out her arms and spins around!  These dresses are magic, I’ve never seen anything like them.  They look amazing on every body type and seem to evoke a powerful confidence for every woman who wears them.  I want more women to experience this.  Global feminine confidence!!  Feel powerful on the inside and own it!! 

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Learn more about Sun Child and boutique locations on her website - iamsunchild.com and additional information here. Follow Sun Child on instagram and Eliss'a personal instagram.