A Day In The Life : Elle Macpherson

MORNING

I love my morning routine, it sets me up for the day and it’s non-negotiable, I know it makes me feel great, so I stick to it. I wake at around 5.30am, I set my intentions for the day, I try to be kind to myself and check in, to understand how I am feeling in my body and my mind. I try to take about 30 minutes every morning to meditate. It helps keep me balanced and feel strong and confident. I always sip on hot water and lemon before I eat breakfast to kick start my metabolism.

Food: In winter, I like to have something warm in my stomach like oatmeal with homemade almond milk and blueberries or eggs. But as it warms up I love smoothies or smoothie bowls, like this amazing recipe by Allison Wu:

Hidden Zucchini Nourishing Protein Smoothie Bowl

• 1/2 frozen zucchini
• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 2 tablespoons raw cacao nibs
• 2 tablespoons raw almond butter
• 1 cup hemp milk (or any non-dairy milk)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 4 ice cubes
• 1 scoop of THE SUPER ELIXIR Chocolate Nourishing Protein

Combine all ingredients and blitz. 

Body work or workouts: I often do my daily workout after the school run. At the moment, I am working on being kind to myself and really asking, what is it my body needs today? I might have a lot of energy and feel like working hard – so I might choose a boxing circuit, bootcamp style class or a long soft sand run. On other days, I might feel like something less intensive like yoga or pilates or a walk. And there are days when I don’t feel like working out at all, but I like to do some kind of body work so I might dedicate my workout time to a massage, acupuncture, reiki or even a manicure. My body menu list is long!

Products: I always start my wellness-beauty routine with two teaspoons of THE SUPER ELIXIR Alkalising Formula every morning in cold spring water. Since taking our Alkalising Formula I noticed my skin became dewy, looked plumper and had a glow. My sugar cravings subsided as my blood sugar levels became more balanced. My digestion improved. I felt more up beat and emotionally balanced. The supplement helps to keep me feeling like my body is getting the nutrients it needs to take on the day effectively. I don’t have to take anything else as it is complete with vitamins, minerals, pre and probiotics. I know if I nourish my cells from the inside it will show on the outside.  

AFTERNOON

What I try to do everyday is live a balanced lifestyle, eat a healthy amount of nutritious foods, and stay active whenever I can. At 53, I am happier than I ever have been - and I have a sense of fulfillment. 

Food: I love kale, spinach, sprouts and rocket. I will generally always have greens with whatever I eat at lunch – often a vegetarian salad with a base of pulses, lentils or quinoa, loaded up with leafy greens and other vegetables from the colour of the rainbow. As a snack I’ll often have The SUPER ELIXIR Nourishing Protein with homemade almond milk as a shake on the go. Being plant based, this protein is easily absorbed by my body, helps me feel fuller for longer and boosts my metabolism. I carry the travel sachets around in my bag for that very reason.

Body work or workouts: I used to think I had to reach a certain intensity at each workout but I have come to realise my body isn’t a machine, what feels good on one day, might not feel as great the next. I have always liked variety; right now it includes spin classes, boxing, swimming, running, hiking, surfing or a just walk outdoors wherever I happen to be in the world.

NIGHT

A new priority of mine is to get my 7 hours of sleep a night - it restores the body, allows antioxidants to counteract free radicals and means I am at my optimum every day.

Food: At dinner, I will try and include greens. My evening meal often consists of fresh line caught fish with salad or vegetables. I try and avoid carbs after 5pm. We try and eat as a family at night as much as we can. When we do we have a no screens policy. As a treat, we’ll make homemade pizzas, we love Mexican food and anything using the fresh produce we have in the house that week.

Mindful exercises or rituals: At the end of everyday I make sure I do a gratitude list (even if it’s just in my head).

Routines: With two international businesses (WelleCo and Elle Macpherson Body) operating on different time zones I had a period where I couldn’t switch off, my mind was racing and I had difficulty drifting off to sleep. It’s part of the reason we developed the Sleep Welle Calming Tea, it contains Valerian, Hops and Skullcap which are known to naturally induce sleep and ease anxiety. I also have a bedtime routine that I try and stick to, it can be hard sometimes though, especially when I am traveling. I try and have no screens an hour before bed, I’ll have a hot shower, or sometimes a bath before bed, then I will brew our Sleep Welle Tea and sip it right up until I hop into bed. I’ll do this yoga pose where you lie with your legs up a wall and your arm outstretched, it’s a great way to calm down and zone out before bed. I’ll often do some reading; I am a fan of biographies and autobiographies, some of my favourites lately have been: Prince – Purple Rain, Mick Wall and What I Know for Sure, and Oprah Winfrey. For those nights when I just can’t switch off I have a notepad and pen on my nightstand, I finding jotting down ideas stops them swirling around my head and I can more easily fall asleep.

Kip Andersen : Acclaimed Documentarian & Activist

Interview by: Molly Helfend and Sima Morrison

We had the unique pleasure to bump into Kip Andersen, creator of the acclaimed documentaries Cowspiracy and What the Health, while practicing yoga at Wanderlust Festival in Squaw Valley, California. He shared with us some insight on veganism, sustainability and his selfless social and environmental justice projects. You can learn more about Cowspiracy and What the Health on their websites and watch the documentaries on Netflix or Vimeo. 

What are some of the take away messages from your films?

To learn the truth, do your own research. Find what is best for you and yourself. Your greater self comes when everything combines into one. And all beings are yourself. All animals. All plants. Be in harmony with it all. That is a powerful form of activism, which taps into a communal sense of you. You can always be much more powerful and active. And go vegan of course!

What changes have you seen since going plant-based and completely vegan, both in your own body and the community around you?

For me, it all started at once. It was ethical and environmental, and then health came later. I really just didn't want to do any harm to any other beings. I didn't realize that in about a month or two I was connecting with my inner child that I had put away for a long time. I was doing something I would never do as a kid, like I wouldn't kill an animal. I was reconnecting with the whole me of who I truly am and what I believe in. I began to feel this sense of growth, that I am connected to everything. I suddenly didn't feel so alone. I was and am connected to all of life. I'm doing my part and living in alignment. I didn't expect to have that sense of peace and calmness. 

This idea that all beings are interconnected seems to resonate with you a lot. Do you believe that the more we build walls from nature, the more we are pushing our own health away, creating disease and a sense of isolation? Do you think there is any way to eat meat sustainably? 

Yes, I definitely agree with that. We need to be connected with all beings to find true health. And, no, there is no way to eat meat sustainably because there is nothing you cannot get in animal products that you cannot get from eating plants. There is nothing. So, when people say “hey, I crave meat,” I always ask, “well, what is it you are craving exactly?” The calcium? The iron? What is in it that you need? If you do need something, you can find out and do blood tests on yourself. You can always live a healthy life and if you have questions you can contact me or even the clinic True North in Santa Rosa, who will do blood tests and tell you what you are deficient of. They will find what you need from plants, not dead rotting animal flesh. There is nothing in there. It is mostly a mental addiction, just like any other drug. 

How do we raise awareness on big pharmaceutical and governmental corruption? 

A big part is living a healthy lifestyle. Once you find the truth, you do not need to be a part of that corruption. Big pharmaceuticals are trying to make money, that is what they are doing. So, if you are living the truth of a healthy lifestyle, then that is powerful activism. Now, the demand has gone down and now their power has been diminished because we are all healthy living vibrant beings just by being and living the truth. That is such powerful activism.

What do you say to those people who use the argument that living healthy is too expensive? 

We actually have at the end of our film “What the Health” a part called Plant Based on a Budget, created by Toni Okamoto, where she shows us how a plant based diet can feed an entire family of four for 21 dollars for an entire week. So, check out your bulk section or farmers market or her website. Do your research. It’s an excuse. Even if you live in a food desert, you can still make once a month or week trip to a Cosco or somewhere.

What has been the impact of your movies? What have you noticed? 

More recently, whether it is our films or not, trends show that we are at a time in the evolution of humanity where, well every movement has its time and place, but they all had to lead to this one. We had women rights, civil rights, gay rights, etc. and they are starting to resolve themselves. Now there is this one that is emerging and leading to this conscious shift that we are starting to see everywhere. Studies show that veganism has risen around 500% in the last three to four years and the trend of people searching vegan on google is rising as well, so this new consciousness is exploding and we are entering into a new realm and that is part of it. 

Where has your inspiration and drive come from?

They come from justice. Really they come from animals. I represent animals and that inspiration that things need to be done. I feel a very large connection to farm animals specifically for some reason. I cannot explain why. But, also to the environment and my health. It's just a win win win, combining all three. I think a lot of other social movements had one thing…ethics. It was purely ethics that didn't have the environment and health and look how passionate people were and still are. This has ethics, health and the future of our environment. That is a powerful trinity trio. 

How are you building momentum from the film? Any new projects in the works? 

We have several new projects. We have a new film we are working on called “Seaspiracy” and some other powerful films down the road. This one is about fish and the misconception that there is such a thing as sustainable fishing and about the destruction of the ocean. We are really diving into the devastation of overfishing and pollution from the energy sector running into the water. We also have a new What the Health meal plan to check out to make the how a lot easier. 

Anything else you want to tell the HOC readers?

I think it's a really exciting time in humanity to be alive. We are so fortunate that in the last 4 to 5 years we are starting to see the shift we have been waiting for hundreds and hundreds of years. This patriarchal society that we have been living in is turning into a matriarchal one that focuses on protecting and nurturing and we are finally here. To embrace that while you are young and then look back later on in life, you will be so glad you were a part of it because it is an incredibly special time. 

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Sima Morrison, founder of House of Citrine, is a vibrant soul with a potent zest for life and the beauty in its simple pleasures. As a holistic nutritionist and herbalism student, Sima has made it her life's journey to experience, to empower, and to explore the synergy between the mind and the body, embracing the liberty and power of mindful living. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Science in Public Health Education from California State University Northridge and studied Holistic Nutrition at The Natural Healing Institute.

Molly Helfend is part of the HOC team and is an herbalist and environmental activist. She graduated from University of Vermont in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Holistic Health. She will be attending University of Kent in Canterbury, England to receive her Masters Degree in Ethnobotany in 2017. She has worked for Urban Moonshine, Greenpeace and received her training with Spoonful Herbals. Her goal is to receive her PHD and become a professor at University of California Santa Cruz. Molly resides in Monte Nido, California.  

A Day In The Life: Summer Sanders, Local Juicery

 

MORNING

In the morning, if it’s a week day, I usually try to wake up at least 30 minutes before my 3 1/2 year old. We co-sleep so sometimes he just wakes with me. If I get that time, I’ll spend it doing some deep breathing, meditation or a quick workout. Henry (my son) and I always start the day by watering our garden…then we play whatever animal game Henry is into, I kiss him like crazy, make him a tonic, pack his little lunch, drive him to his little Waldorf kindergarten and kiss him again.

Then I get to work which is where the routine kind of comes into play. But since I own my own business it’s kind of crazy. Sometimes I’m working at my shop, sometimes I’m driving to our construction site where we’re opening our second location, sometimes I’m working from a coffee shop or from home…it gets nuts, but I really like it.  I have to pack everything in between 9:00am and 3:00pm when I pick my son up, so I have to be very organized and deliberate with what I do, sometimes this happens, sometimes it doesn’t.

I also have a health coaching business and blog that I do on the side so I’m always trying to find time to fit that in. It’s part work but mainly passion.

Yoga classes are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. I love these days. I try to make it every week. I go to Aumbase and Seven Centers in Sedona. 

Food

I’m not a breakfast person, I’ve tried it, it just doesn’t work for me. Usually I’ll have a cup of dandelion root or celery juice about 30 minutes after waking. I then do my standard tonic, I drink the same thing pretty much everyday and I’m not going to be changing it anytime soon. It’s a cold tonic that has stone ground almond butter, chaga, reishi, cordyceps, ashwagandha, mucuna purians, he shou wu, raw cacao, sometimes some collagen sometimes not and some stevia. I’ll drink this usually around 8:00am and it holds me until 11 or so, sometimes I’ll double fist with a cold-pressed green juice from Local.

Mindful exercises / rituals

I do yoga 3 days a week, Ashtanga and Hatha. I also go on frequent walks and do 3 circuit workouts a week which I’m always sharing on instagram. I try to practice walking meditation sometimes, but my personality isn’t really the slow type. It's a struggle for me. 

Weekly I go see my dear friend Alice who does Alphabiotics here in Sedona, she’s an angel. This really helps me with lower back pain from standing so much and from old sports injuries. It also balances out my brain, which I think we all need. This is my favorite kind of body work.

I go see a colon hydrotherapist at least once a month, this is just a good way to care for the colon and the gut. I see Kate at Digestive Wellness Center in Sedona, she is amazing! 

Besides that, it's at home care with magnesium baths, breath work when I can settle in and meditations when I can make the time.

Products

• Living Libations best skin ever gives me a radiant glow, I always get the most complements on my skin when I use it.
• Dr. Hushka Rose Cream, the OG skin care line. My mom used this when I was a kid and I now use it with Henry. It smells so good and in the desert you need this kind of thick hydration. 
• RMS “Un” coverup in 22, the best makeup ever. 
• Burt's Bees lip balm for lips and cheeks, they have the best natural tints.
• Dry shampoo because who has time to wash their hair?

AFTERNOON

In the afternoon, I’m usually about spend with using my brain, so it's Henry play time. We go to the park, spend time at home reading or playing or go to the pool. 
I try to start thinking about dinner around 2:00pm just in case we need to go to the market. I wish I was someone who planned meals ahead of time, but I don’t. I just go with whatever hits me. 

Food

Usually I have a huge 32 oz smoothie which consists of a Kickstart (grapefruit, orange, coconut water, cayenne) from my shop, blended with a whole bunch (meaning an entire bundle) of cilantro, 1 whole grapefruit, handful of spinach and 2 dates. I blend this up and I’m energized to the max. If I feel like I need something more, I’ll eat a couple tablespoons of Coconut Cult yogurt and then I’m dandy. 

Mindful exercises / rituals

Breaths! Sit out in at least 10 minutes of sunshine. Jump on the trampoline with Henry. 

 

NIGHT

We eat dinner early because Henry goes to bed at 6:00. So lots of prep from 4:00 to 5:00, He helps me cook or prepare our foods which is so fun for both of us! 

After Henry is in bed, I usually read, catch up on emails or just spend time with my husband. Mike (my husband) and I are business partners so it’s hard not to talk work all the time, but we do our best to just unwind. Sometime that involves Netflix binges or walk around the neighborhood, we live next to a great Japanese restaurant so sometimes we walk to dinner. My mom lives with us, so we have amazing support with childcare. This makes being small business owners and parents a little less stressful.

Food

Dinner is always different, for the summer we go mainly raw. Mike is a meat eater so he’ll supplement, but I keep it raw vegan during the summertime and Henry usually leans vegan. 

For me it's raw soups, big salads, sometimes fruit or a whole watermelon…just simple foods that taste amazing. I make a lot of recipes from my upcoming book Raw and Radiant, I love just eating really light and pure. I notice I feel and look my best when I’m plant based and raw. 

Mindful exercises / rituals

4 things that are ritual like: blue-blockers if I’m on the phone or computer; skin brushing; I always stretch at night' we play Native American flute music; I do deep breathing while lying in bed to put myself to sleep. These pretty much never change. 

Products

• At night its MyChelle Retinal 
• Neem toothpaste
• Magnesium body spray
• Iodine supplement
• Cell food supplement
• Nucifura all over the body

Photo credit: Lauren J Photography

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Learn more about Summer Sanders and Local Juicery at localjuicery.com, follow Local Juicery on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Petecia Le Fawnhawk : Wild Creative

By: Molly Helfend

How did your transcending artwork begin?

Hmmm...it's taken many forms through my life time, but I grew up pretty poor and in a pretty unstable environment and I think transcendence through art was discovered at an early age as an ability to free myself from the confines of the circumstances I found myself in. I discovered I could make my imaginary dream worlds a reality through the creation of art.

Describe your vision. What does creativity mean to you?

Creativity is my vital life force. It is, because I am, and vice versa. I very much believe I am the creator of my perception of reality and create it to be as dull or as magnificent as I so choose. I tend to create the latter! I'm drawn to the mysterious...inspired by ancient knowledge, surrealism, philosophy, metaphysics, science...creativity is the unexplainable and undefinable wanting to express itself. It's expressing the ineffable and clarifying the relationship between the deepest spiritual yearnings and creation. Through creativity, we gain an understanding of the nature of reality and our place in the universe.  

Your body of work is diverse. Where does your imaginative spark come from?

I guess we can call it intuition? What is intuition? The self guiding and innate wisdom that lives within us all...some call it the inner child. I rely heavily on my intuition (inner child), who really just wants to learn, love and play, and what child likes to play with just one toy? I play, I seek, I experiment. I’m infinitely curious and the forms in which we can express are limitless! I act on my creative impulse as much as I can. I feel I am a conduit for a message wanting to realize itself and I try not to stand in the way of that.

Please tell us about some of your past projects that you are inspired by

Curating the Élan Vital exhibit with Tasya van Ree this past year was amazing. Exploring the concept of the vital life force and its expression thereof. We built out a chapel like structure within a warehouse and created an immersive experience. It was so incredible to bring together fellow artists and musicians who we support and admire in our community to create such a special experience.

What and who inspires you?

I'm inspired by wisdom, philosophy, fine art, zen practices, architecture, music, design, and mostly nature…our greatest learning institution. And I'm inspired by those artists, poets and philosophers who were most sensitive to nature and it's teachings. Thoreau, O'Keefe, Brancusi, Pythagoras, Muir, Black Elk, Goldsworthy, Richard Long, Edward Weston, James Turrell, Edward Abbey, Joseph Campbell, etc.  

How does nature and color play roles in your unique visions?

I'm exploring the micro/macro dimensions in nature. Trying to learn the language in its design.  Everything man has designed was first designed by nature. The Fibonacci code and the golden ratio are the foundation of our perception of aesthetics. Energy (light and color) and it's effects on our thought and emotion. To experience the great mystery, to seek absolute truth and the connection to the intangible that transcend us from ordinary to otherworldly in the simplest of moments. My vision is narratives of this exploration and experience...my art is the expression of them thereof.

What is your energetic connection to the desert ecosystem in your work?

"The wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity to the human spirit.” The desert is one of the last few places that remain wild. Edgar Payne wrote, "she is free in her wildness.” I am complete and most in touch with my soul when I feel absolutely free. I was raised in the desert and have a strong connection to it. It has been such a profound teacher. She stings me with her sun, but soothes me in her shadows. The desert is fierce, but supremely beautiful. She demands respect, and when earned, offers you all the wealth of the world in spirit and infinite inspiration. It's the perfect backdrop to my surreal expressions. It’s a vast canvas of quiet power. 

Does urban Los Angeles play a part in your artistic and abstract directions as well?

Yes, I moved here from a small town in Arizona the month I turned 18...with $40 and no idea. It's been a place of endless challenge and opportunity. I love Los Angeles for the fact that it's one of the most open minded and artistically collaborative cities I've known. I love to collaborate, it encourages me to look at things in new perspectives, to see things in new ways. It gives me the courage to continually push myself artistically and to never remain idyll and to be ever learning and evolving. It's also rich culturally and is home to so many spiritual, philosophical and religious institutions, which have enabled me the explore my spirituality through poly theosophy. I love to attend mediations and lectures at the Self Realization Fellowship, the Buddhist Temple, UCLA, and the University of Philosophical Research.

You have dabbled in many forms of art. What is something you have not tried, but you are interested in?

I would love to create highly conceptual architectural sacred spaces for meditation and reflection. I also hope to someday have the opportunity to create some monumental, environmental art.  

A dream of mine is to find a geothermal hot spring and collaborate with James Turrell and Tadao Ando to design a chapel like structure to put over it, and then collaborate with Lee U Fan to design a mono-ha inspired contemporary Japanese zen garden surrounding it. Made to offer a serene experience to connect with ourselves and to our individual ideas of spirit through mediation and zen contemplation.

Magic is everywhere, in everything, all the time. It's the sparkle in our eye, a blade of grass, a breaking dawn, a math equation, a breath, the sound of rain, the humming of electricity, a emotion, a song floating in the air, a smile, a soft touch, eye contact with a stranger, a poem, a light breeze, a nostalgic scent, stillness, a vivid dream, a distant storm. Magic exists wherever you look for it.  

Any new projects in the pipeline?

I just signed with a new gallery, Modern West Fine Art, and I have a show with them May 19th in Utah. I will be exhibiting my large scale graphic drawings of "Desert Elements" Series. I appreciate that they are encouraging me to create larger and larger scale pieces. It's a new challenge and the end results are stunning.

I'm also excited to be collaborating with London based artist, Tom Jean Webb, on an integrative exhibit, "These Mystic Plains", at the Platform in the Janessa Leone and Freda Salvador shop in Culver City on June 1st.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I heard James Turrell has 83 sky space structures in the world...I wouldn't mind doing a world tour to live in each of those spaces for a bit.           

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Visit lefawnhawk.com to see Petecia's work, and follow her on Instagram.

Molly Helfend is part of the HOC team and is an herbalist and environmental activist. She graduated from University of Vermont in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Holistic Health. She will be attending University of Kent in Canterbury, England to receive her Masters Degree in Ethnobotany in 2017. She has worked for Urban Moonshine, Greenpeace and received her training with Spoonful Herbals. Her goal is to receive her PHD and become a professor at University of California Santa Cruz. Molly resides in Monte Nido, California.

Top 10 Products We Love for July

 

1.Wishgarden Kickass Immune

 As we get deeper into the summer months, with our travel plans on the imminent horizon, the last thing we all want is even a whiff of a tickle in the throat. This is House of Citrine’s lifesaver product. We cannot travel without it! With a dazzling lineup of Santa leaf, Yarrow, Elderflower, Goldenseal, Echinacea, Lovage, Osha, and Cinnamon, Wishgarden has created one of the most powerful immune, respiratory and lymphatic supporting herbal potions that is sure to kick any bug to the curb! 

2. Velvetback Palo Santo Incense

Completely non-toxic with no synthetic fragrances, Velvetback creates top of line incense cones that are essential for clearing the energy of the home. Created with the finest Makko bark of the Machillus Thunbergii tree and highest quality plant resins, this Palo Santo incense burns smoothly, with smoldering rich tones of wood. These authentic blends will guide you physically, mentally and spiritually.  

3. Leaves and Flowers Sencha No.60

If you are looking for the highest standard tea for your iced summer infusions, look no further then Bay Area based company Leaves and Flowers. Delicate and elegant do not begin to describe their finely handcrafted teas, drawing inspiration from the mythological beauty of the plants themselves. Grown on Kyushu Island in the Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, this green sencha tea is light and balanced with just the right notes of viridescent moss. And if you are looking for any information about how to brew tea, check out their aesthetically graceful website guide. 

4. Lydia’s Ginger Nori Sprouted Crackers

These small batch, artisan and nutrient dense crackers are the perfect snack to take to the beach or dip in fresh guacamole during avocado season. 100% raw vegan and made with all-organic ingredients and next to no allergens, each batch is dehydrated for optimal nutrient and enzyme preservation. We are also proud to support Lydia’s for their sustainable business ethics, with their core values grounded in supporting local farms, health food education and community outreach.

5. Omica Shower Filter

Bringing your body to optimum health could simply be dormant inside your own bathroom. By replacing your shower filter with Omica, you will not only boast softer skin and silkier hair, but reap the benefits of absorbing non-contaminated water, by Omica’s use of the oxidation reduction process known as “redox” to transfer electrons between molecules. This is a must have affordable item for all families. 

6. 2Rise Naturals Full Spectrum Hemp Oil Tincture

Looking to hop on the CBD bandwagon? Look no further then the highest, pharmaceutical grade hemp oil from 2Rise Naturals. This potent botanical blend is all natural, organically grown and sustainably sourced, working synergistically to support the body. CBD is non-psychoactive, boasting such medicinal benefits as being antiemetic, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumoral/anti-cancer, and anxiolytic/anti-depressant. 

7. Imlak’esh Organics Golden Berries

Antioxidant, vitamin and mineral rich, these low sugar berries are irresistible explosions of sweet and tart magic. These berries are powerful detoxifiers that nourish the liver and kidney, while also being the quintessential snack to add to trail mix, cheese plates or eaten on their own! By purchasing from Imlak’esh, you are also supporting small farmers in the Andean foothills, as Imlak’esh altruistically donates 5% of their annual profits to eco-social projects that benefit the people and planet they work with.

8. Honest Hazel Eye Gels

Add this to list of travel must haves right away! Honest Hazel Eye Gels are all natural under-eye treatments that reduce puffiness, brighten dark circles and hydrate the skin. Instead of stepping off a plane looking tired and dull, use this holistically minded remedy item to make your skin glow with Cactus Collagen and Aloe Vera. 

9. Simple Mills Toasted Pecan Ready-to-Eat Cookies

The deliciously brilliant Simple Mills has created low glycemic, paleo-friendly snack cookies free of grains, soy, corn, dairy, and gums/emulsifiers! With only 4 grams of coconut sugar per 3 cookies, these guilt-free snacks are nutrient dense with a diverse team of almond, pecan, coconut and tiger nut flour. They are so delicious you will not believe they are healthy! Our only issue is that once opened, we cannot seem to not eat an entire box…or two. 

10. Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream

Our favorite vegan non-toxic seaweed based skincare line based in neighboring Malibu is the essential addition to your summer regimen. With dry weather, intense heat and powerful UV rays, your skin will need this lightweight moisturizer to hydrate and protect, while firming the skin with a silky light glow. May be used as a primer for flawless makeup application or before applying sunscreen.

The Blueprint of Radical Healing

Written by Dr. Christine Surrago, a Naturopathic Doctor in Santa Monica, CA.  Her mission is to educate people and create conditions for deep internal healing.  She reviews the nature of the human body, human consciousness, and the innate healing system to illuminate how the body heals.

Observing Nature to Understand Healing

Everything in nature is designed to heal or decay.  This is obvious when we look at the lifecycle of a forest.  Some plants thrive, build and soar to the stars while others decay and are broken down as part of the natural lifecycle of the earth.  The cycle of building and decay is completely natural and healthy when it is in balance. 

This very process is constantly occurring inside of the body.  Cells are either cultivating more aliveness and energy or going through a state of death and decay.  We run into trouble when the decay is not cleaned out of the body.  This happens when we are not drinking clean water, eating clean food, resting, exercising, fasting, etc.  The rivers and soil of the earth can be likened to the blood stream, lymphatics and digestive system of the body. 

On a deeper level, decay occurs when we skip over ourselves and do not listen and act in accordance with our body’s signals.  For example, most people do not know when they are truly hungry and when they are full.  They eat outside of the body’s natural digestive rhythm.  This leads to a disruption in the entire system because the body’s signals are not being listened to — the digestive system is overloaded, the liver becomes overloaded, the lymph becomes stagnant.  Our internal signaling systems, the endocrine, the immune and nervous systems become imbalanced.  This is one example of what happens when someone does not listen to their body.  Knowing how often people do not listen to their body and how they are still alive and functioning tells us how incredibly strong the human body is and how potent the internal healing response is.

Back to nature as our guide. The human consciousness is a part of nature’s design.  
It is designed to channel information and make choices that lead either in a building healthy direction or a destructive direction. Where we place our consciousness, the quality of our consciousness, and depending on how fixated or fluid the mind is has a tremendous impact on health outcomes.  Every time I meet a new patient, I take note of how they are using their mind and consciousness.  I can often predict whether or not they will heal and how long it will take.  This is how powerful the human consciousness and the mental field is.

Going deeper now, let’s look at the communication that occurs between any living being. Many animals and plants will communicate through chemical messages through the air, water or soil.  However, there are frequent communications that occur without any physical molecule and seem to occur through a sensing system that is larger than the 5 senses, which I will call the bioenergetic system.  This system is responsible for thinking of someone right before they call.  This system is responsible for the experience of flowing energy, life and love.  It is responsible for the gut instinct. The system is what creates the chakras, the magnetic field around the heart, the energy field around every cell, the vibrational frequencies of your thoughts.  This system is so so powerful.  It is part of our human network, our earth’s ecosystem, our DNA and is the largest part of the innate healing response.  This system is located inside and around your body, in every cell, every nerve impulse, every heart beat and every single atom that creates you. To access this system, you must listen inside of yourself.  This system is always speaking to you and needs to be heard.  

The Essentials for Your Body

I want to break down the absolute essentials for optimal functioning of your body.

1. Oxygen — Oxygen is the primary food of the body.  It creating large amounts of vital energy, heat and light energy inside of the mitochondria of every cell.  It cleans the blood and the immune system uses oxygen to kill infections.
2. Movement — Movement is the opposite of stagnation.  Stagnation is known to be the cause of all diseases.  The movement of the body creates movement in the fluid system, the muscles and the mind.  It aids in creativity and neuroplasticity.
3. Listening inside (imperative) — Listening inside and deeply knowing yourself and what you need creates optimal health.
4. Love, Self-Love, Relationship, Family and Community (people in communities live longer)
5. Nature — Exposure to the elements is important to be in the biorhythm.  Just like plants we need sun, fresh air and earth.
6. Clean spring water — the blood needs clean water with a specific salt and mineral content to nourish the cells.  When water is not clean and vibrant, we see many diseases occur including infectious diseases, chronic diseases, endocrinopathies and cardiovascular disease. 

Choosing a Guide on Your Path

Many holistic doctors and healers have their area of focus in the human body and their tool box to elicit a powerful healing response. Naturopathic Doctors respect the “vis” which is the innate healing forces of the body and artfully use botanicals, diet, homeopathy, craniosacral therapy and biofeedback to illicit internal healing responses.  Chiropractors work on the structural alignment and meridian alignment to create more energy flow through the innate healing system for a healing response.  Acupuncturists move Qi, which is the flowing life force in the body. Some counselors, meditation teachers and coaches often work to lessen mental fixations and create more fluidity in the mind to harness the power of the human consciousness.  Movement, Yoga Teachers and Personal Trainers help to create more bodily awareness, so that deeper listening can occur. Medical Doctors are highly skilled at preventing death in acute situations and many MDs are incredible surgeons and healers.  

Each individual doctor has a gift to give you and also limitations — finding the right guidance is critical in healing.  What you want to look for is someone who really sees you, listens deeply to you and effectively guides you.  What you don’t want is a doctor who sticks to the same routine and doesn’t think outside the box. You are an incredibly unique individual and what works for someone else may not work for you.  

Photo credit: Melissa Rousseau

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Dr. Christine Surrago, Naturopathic Doctor, is committed to the healing of the entire planet, each person at a time. She holds a strong intention for everyone to live a life of alignment with themselves and the rhythms of our earth.  She sees that each person has a unique gift, that when nourished and strengthened, will contribute to the healing of the entire planet as we know it. From the depths of her connection to human experience and her love of life, she will be sharing with you vital knowledge for your own personal healing, alignment and vibrant aliveness. 

As a doctor, she focuses her treatments to heal the subconscious of the body, at the very source of illness. This leads to radical healing from the inside out. She is in a constant state of awe as she observes the miracles of the human body.  Through honoring the intelligence of life, she treats her patients with steady guidance and discernment.

Dr. Christine practices in Santa Monica, CA and is currently taking patients of all ages and conditions. She specializes in bioenergetic healing, women’s health, fertility, autoimmune conditions and alternative cancer therapies. She thoughtfully blends ancient earth medicines with the most cutting-edge treatments out there.

She completed her medical training at Bastyr University in Seattle, WA.  She served as an adjunct clinical professor at Bastyr University Clinic in San Diego, CA teaching the holistic treatment of patients with constitutional homeopathy.

A Day In The Life: Elissa Goodman, Nutritionist

 

Food - what do you typically eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks? 

I typically start my day with liquids such as a green juice or homemade matcha latte. Both are super nutrient dense but don’t weigh me down. I sometimes add superfood powders: Hawaiian Nutrex, Spirulina Powder, or Barley Grass Juice Extract to my green juice. In my homemade matcha latte, I add a tablespoon of Nutiva MCT oil for healthy fat, So Delicious Culinary Coconut Milk, and Omica 100% stevia.

Lunch and dinner are always changing. It’s generally something plant-based with the occasional high quality animal protein, my lunch go-to’s are M Café (M Chopped or Lazy Sushi Bowl) & Real Food Daily (Tempeh Reuben Collard Wrap) here in Los Angeles. I’m about 80% vegan and I tend not to snack much but when I do need a little extra something, my go to snack is one of my super-seed bars.  I keep organic peanut or almond butter, blueberries, apples, sprouted pumpkin seeds, and cashews on hand at my office if I need more substance. I always have bone broth stocked in the freezer to satiate me between clients. 

We eat dinner in my house as a family. I like to set a nice table, light candles, and eat together. This is when we get to connect and catch up on our day. It’s important to me that we don’t sit in front of television or on our phones as we eat. I always start with a salad, even if simple and try to make the vegetable portions outweigh the animal or vegan protein and gluten free grain options.

Mindful exercises or rituals - what do you do daily? 

I don’t get too strict with myself! I find that when I’m too regimented with something it just becomes another check off my to do list. When I feel like I need to reset, I’ll throw on a guided meditation. I love the calm app or recordings from the energy healer I work with. Typically this ends up being in the afternoon. I’ve recently begun to regularly clear the energy of my space. I have a lot of people in and out of my office so it can get kind of hectic. I’ll burn palo santo or use my crystal wand daily. 

Bodywork or workouts - what workouts do you love? 

I love hot yoga! My favorite style is vinyasa flow. It resets me mentally and keeps my body strong which is what I look for in a movement routine.  

I also really enjoy hiking when I get the time, anything that gets me outside in nature.

Products - what products do you find that you use daily? 

So many!! I love finding new ones, so it’s always changing. Supplement-wise Nutrex Hawaiian Spirulina, Global Healing B12, Mary Ruth’s Certified Organic Liquid Multi/Minerals, Organic India Tulsi Tea and Ashwagandha. For skincare I’ve been using Shiva Rose and Skin Worship products. I’m also obsessed with Body Vibes smart frequency stickers! They’re stickers programed with bio frequencies that target everything from anxiety to toxins. 

When it comes to food, I am a fan of Kite Hill Almond Cheese and Leaf Cuisine Cashew Cheese on gluten free bread called, KNOW.  I love the fermented foods from Sonoma Brinery. I also love coconut yogurt and keep Coconut Cult in my fridge.  I like superfood proteins powders from Philosophie and Amazing Grass. I keep LOVE water from The Divine H2O at the office and drink daily. I like to have Cashew Malk around for my smoothies.  I add organic Navitas Hemp Seeds to just about everything. 

Routines - any routines you’re committed to? 

I try not to get too rigid with anything. Self-care has been big for me lately though. This means doing things that create more mental/physical time and space for myself. I’ve been working on not looking at my phone first thing in the morning - it’s a work in progress! I also try to book a reflexology massage once a week and an infrared sauna. 

A Day In The Life : Heather Culp, Photographer

I don’t really have a typical day as my work varies but I try to keep up with my morning rituals and if it’s a day where I’m working from home also try to get down to the beach for a quick swim or surf. After spending nearly a decade in NYC I wanted to live in closer proximity to nature. Now living in Topanga Canyon, I can hike from my house and be at the beach in just a few minutes. I have an Aussie who helps motivate me to wake up early and hike or trail run. If I don’t have to leave the canyon for an early shoot or meeting then when I get back I do some light yoga and a short meditation (TM).

I love listening to a podcast or music while I do my routine of oil pulling + potions. Every morning I take sea minerals (either Blue Ocean or QuintEssentials), Amino blend, probiotics, and a shot of warm water with Sun Potion Chlorella and Health Force’s Greener Grasses. If I feel like I need it I’ll also take some typo-spheric Vitamin C. I love doing some sort of warm potion instead of breakfast and it’s easy to take with me if I have to get on the road. I’ll get into something for a month or two and then switch it up. A few of my faves are turmeric golden milk and my version of bullet proof coffee made with Canyon Coffee, Organic Pastures Raw Grass-fed Butter, Vital Proteins Grass-fed Collagen and Sun Potion Reishi. 

I make an effort to eat as clean as possible - no GMO’s, no gluten or refined sugar and grass-fed, pasture raised meats. It really doesn’t feel restrictive to me as I’ve found so many amazing alternatives to the sort of treats I used to eat and I feel so much better than I did when I was younger. I was often sick, had asthma, etc...and now it’s extremely rare that I even get a cold. However, even considering all this it’s also important to let things go on occasion and so if I’m on a road trip I’ll probably end up eating something I would never eat otherwise. For me it’s important to be as conscientious as possible but not rigid because that’s just adding another kind of stress into life. 

I’m passionate about supporting anyone who is making amazing products and/or educating about holistic health. It’s important we become our own authorities on health instead of depending on the mainstream system we currently have in this country which is highly problematic. Luckily part of my job is to discover and connect with health and wellness practitioners and companies and so I get to try new treatments and products all the time. Some practitioners / practices / talks / products currently on the list:

Thea Annya Nathan / reiki sessions

Sun Potion Tocos & Pine Pollen

Elisa Romeo / Soul Journaling 

Energold Montomic Gold Ormus

Ampcoil, a modified Tesla technology frequency healing device 

Shungite for clean water & EMF protection 

Jason Quitt / books & talks 

Flower Essences - my own that I learned how to make at our Mercado Sagrado workshop or those by Saewon Oh / Sun Song 

White Candles to burn for healing for myself or others 

Carmen Brower, 5th generation Seer - intuitive readings 

Ken Rhola / talks online

Ashley Neese/ private breathwork sessions

Mesa Verde restaurant in Santa Barbara / chef Greg Arnold

Sara Crow : Floracopeia

Interview by Sima Morrison and Karli Quinn

You are an herbalist, psychic and acupuncturist who believes in nature-based beauty and created your company Floracopeia to embody this principle. How did you begin? 

I have always felt a strong connection to the beauty and healing power of nature. Spending time outdoors and utilizing nature’s healing pharmacy has been a way of life for me since the very beginning. Whether it’s the beauty of a flower, fresh organic greens harvested from a local farm, or the way the natural elements are made into medicine, nature-based beauty is the ultimate nourishment for body and soul. For me, nature-based beauty is not only about creating good-looking skin from natural ingredients but rather a deeper beauty that comes out of a cultivated reverence for the natural world. 

I got started in the field of natural medicine in my early twenties after my parents, who utilized natural remedies for common ailments, laid a strong foundation. Natural medicine embodies the principles of natural forces and elements, interconnectedness and interrelatedness to prevent and correct imbalances on multiple levels: body, mind and soul. Early in my career, I worked in an herbal apothecary as a grassroots herbalist, healer and natural product formulator and buyer. I sought medical training in New York City and Santa Monica as a holistic licensed clinician. I developed my clinical skills as an acupuncturist and herbalist by incorporating the principles of Chinese Medicine into my Western medical training with the goal of effectively helping others to cultivate advanced health and inner contentment.

For me, the most appealing aspect of holistic medicine is its acknowledgment and treatment of Spirit or ‘shen.’ Shen is a term from Traditional Chinese Medicine that encompasses our psychological health and spiritual well being. It is also the way consciousness infuses itself into matter. The study of consciousness and the spiritual side of healing and plant medicine have spoken to me the most, which is why flower essences are a favorite healing tool. A large part of my healing practice is working with Shen through acupuncture, energy medicine, psychic readings, and flower essences. Finally, I’ve come to understand that the best incarnation of natural medicine is when it supports nature while gleaning its healing gifts. Floracopeia is based on this supportive principle and was established to nourish a harmonious reciprocal flow that can exist between the greater natural world and us as individuals. 

What were the initial goals and vision for Floracopeia? 

The initial vision of Floracopeia remains the centerpiece of our work in the world. Floracopeia was established to provide the highest quality botanical treasures and health education, to support ecological agriculture, and to preserve ethnobotanical knowledge. We do this through our various eco-projects and by sourcing organic and sustainable botanicals that promote healing on individual, community and planetary level. We believe that botanical treasures like essential oils, flower essences, and organic skincare can have a significant positive influence on our mental, physical and spiritual health. Furthermore, these things affect the economic health of small communities throughout the world. 

What’s one of your favorite blends?

For flower essences, I love the Renewal Blend. Flower essences stimulate a shift in consciousness to create a healthy empowered life. The floral essences in our Renewal Blend hold a vibrant energy of rebirth and optimism! It opens our awareness to roads previously unseen and helps us perceive life in a more expansive optimistic light— similar to the how the light returns each spring to transform the darkness and dormancy of winter. I also love the Immortelle Cleansing Dew. It is a facial oil filled with flower essences and essential oils to nourish inner and outer beauty. It really embodies the utterly divine and intoxicating aromatic biome of Corsica in the springtime. 

Can you recommend natural ways to relieve allergies?

Yes! I’ve really dialed this in over the years! If it’s seasonal allergies it’s always helpful to clean up the diet and eliminate those problem foods. Identifying any potential food sensitivities or allergies is key to bringing down systemic inflammation and giving the poor hard working immune system a break! Some common food culprits: corn, soy, wheat, gluten, peanuts, other nuts such almonds (often irradiated too) and dairy. 

I always make a big distinction between non-organic dairy from cow versus organic raw artisanal goat and sheep dairy. Raw artisanal goat products are a very high quality dairy that is often harmonious with most people and provides health-promoting probiotics and Vitamin D for bone integrity and hormonal vitality. Likewise, I find that it is non-mucus forming and is compatible even with those with dairy allergies (mild to moderate). In conjunction with cleaning up the diet, herbal medicine provides much needed relief for those suffering from seasonal allergies. Some key ingredients are quercetin, bromelian and vitamin C. 

Source Naturals makes a great duo that is both convenient and effective. Take Aller-reponse alongside their Activated Quercetin and then pair that with Reishi Mushroom for supreme immune regulating effects. I tend to use Dragon Herb’s Duanwood Reishi but there are many great reishi products out there. One I like is Harmonic Arts Wild Reishi from gorgeous and prana-rich British Columbian rainforests (heart heart heart). Tulsi tea and ginger is a great addition to harmonize digestion and bring in an additional level of anti-inflammatory action and anti-microbial power. Eyebright tincture is great taken internally to target dry, scratchy, itchy or irritated eyes. I also like using our Rose Hydrosol as a gentle eyewash if the eyes have been exposed to blowing dust and pollen. Use an eye wash cup or use a clean dropper to drop a few drops in eye. 

What’s a typical weekday look like for you? Take us through it!

Most of the year, I wake naturally with the sunrise. I love the peace of the morning coupled with vibrant energy of the nature awakening. Like most people, the first thing I care for is my teeth. I alternate between unflavored ozonated olive oil and a tooth powder for brushing alongside using a water pick utilizing a strong sea salt and baking soda solution (swear by this!). Next up is a quick skin care routine to wake up my face - I really aim to stimulate circulation through a quick massage and invigorating botanicals, such as the Immortelle Cleansing Dew I mentioned earlier. One natural skin care principle I teach on is how advanced stimulation and circulation is a key to youthful healthy skin. I can’t live without our facial toner—the Mist of Immortelle—it’s sunshine in a bottle. It’s neroli, golden helichrysum, frankincense and blue tansy aromatic gorgeousness and it immediately invigorates and refreshes my sleepy face. I then sit near my favorite year-round open window with an uber-strong green tea to breathe in beauty of the morning; ocean breezes, soft light, crashing waves, bird songs, and seal barks all effectively nourish my heart and mind. 

My energy is high throughout the day but my mental energy is especially good in the morning so I find that it’s in the earlier part of the day that I can focus best and get my work completed. I spend most days juggling healing session, developing and teaching my online courses, and doing various Floracopeia related tasks. I close work down around 6pm to make a simple dinner, have a walk and a bath. Most nights I give myself an acupuncture treatment before retiring for bed. 

Tell us about your favorite meal and please don’t spare any details! Are you picturing eating it alone or with a big group of loved ones?

My ideal meal would be to gather with loved ones (and maybe a few nice strangers too) in a small village in Corsica, say Pigna, overlooking the ocean. We’d be drinking a copious amount of wine and feasting on the wide array of artisanal meats, cheeses and organic produce—all infused with the aromatic herbs from the island. Live local music could play in the background while the village cats (hundreds of them!) meander around trying to charm snacks from the humans. 

What are your top five favorite ingredients? 

• Corsican immortelle
• Rose 
• Goat kola 
• Cistus 
• Cacao

What is your beauty ritual now and how does it compare to your routine before Floracopeia? 

Truth be told, I didn’t have much of a skin care routine before Floracopeia! I really got my act together quick! I think because I’ve always had naturally good skin (great diet) and I was younger and felt like I didn’t need to put that much effort into it— haha! I moved from NYC to LA and starting spending a lot of time on my bicycle. I lived in Venice and rode everywhere. I tried to not use my car. After several years of being out in the elements all day every day—sun, beach, and wind. This, paired with a few life stressors while going to school, poor water, and a touch of hormonal imbalance, I started to really notice a decline in my skin’s appearance. It was hyper pigmented, a bit tougher and thickened in certain areas. You know, your classic sun damage presentation! Well, I was able to reverse all of that, and many years later I feel like my skin is pretty close to how it was when I was younger and before the damage. 

Through this personal experience and through helping others with their skin I have really come to understand just how multifaceted and far-reaching botanicals can be for skin health and beauty. It was a natural realization to have since I clearly understood these same far-reaching benefits for whole body health. I started to see more and more how botanicals like rose and immortelle impacted skin health and then built a skin care video series for the general public as a way to educate others on the benefits of botanical skin care. I’m releasing an advanced inner and outer botanical beauty course this year stemming from my research and experience in working with the botanicals now for over twenty years. 

You embody health and all things natural and so we are curious, what’s your splurge? 

My true splurge would be to take an exotic trip to some amazing place to feast on fine tequila or wine, cacao, and fresh local cuisine while soaking up the culture and the surrounding natural world. I really want to swim with the whales, like as a lifestyle! But that’s pretty natural eh? 

Do you have a favorite book? 

Don’t make me pick! 

I love and respect Paul Pitchford’s classic book, Healing with Whole Foods. 

What is the first thing you do when you wake up and the last thing you do before bed?

I smile and give thanks for being alive on this gorgeous planet.  

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Sara Crow is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist practicing on California’s central coast. She has extensive training in both Eastern and Western medical approaches. She holds a Masters degree in Traditional Asian Medicine and has over 3100 hours of formal training in acupuncture, herbology, and nutrition. Sara is uniquely gifted as an intuitive and subtle energy healer. Her overall approach is designed to be a multilayered and holistic healing program targeting the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. Health consultations, and energy medicine healing and readings are available via phone and Skype.

One of Sara's specialties is flower essences. She is a flower essence expert and educator with over 17 years of experience. She uses flower essences extensively in her clinical practice and is the creator of Floracopeia's FlorAlchemy line. Sara combines her lifelong experience in the natural product industry with her holistic health expertise as the director of Floracopeia's product development department. Alongside formulating her flower essence line, she is the creator of Floracopeia's cherished organic skin care line. She is a natural skin care educator, teaching on the importance of high quality nontoxic botanical ingredients for skin beauty and overall bodily health.

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Sima Morrison, founder of House of Citrine, is a vibrant soul with a potent zest for life and the beauty in its simple pleasures. As a holistic nutritionist and herbalism student, Sima has made it her life's journey to experience, to empower, and to explore the synergy between the mind and the body, embracing the liberty and power of mindful living. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Science in Public Health Education from California State University Northridge and studied Holistic Nutrition at The Natural Healing Institute.

Karli Quinn joins our HOC team. Motivated to connect with the increasingly prevalent health community that exists, she hopes to educate others through her own perspective on conscious consumerism and normalize the conversation about what it means to live a healthy lifestyle. 

Summer Solstice Solar Infusion

By: Molly Helfend

In the Northern Hemisphere, on Wednesday June 21, a celestial, almost astral experience will coexist between the sun and the earth, transforming mother Gaia from a spring to summer season. This event is called the Summer Solstice, known as the day with the most hours of sunlight, when the sun is at the Tropic of Cancer, its most northern point in the sky. This celebrated midsummer occurrence has been honored for thousands of years, with cultural rituals dating back to 3000-1500 BC by ancient Romans and Celtic tribal societies. The Stonehenge is renowned as a solstice ritual site. As earth’s gradual movement around the sun allows us to postulate the complexities of time, “people attune themselves to the rhythms of the natural world and invite the seasons of waxing and waning, of birth, growth, death and renewal to reverberate more consciously in their lives” (Harris, 2010).

The Summer Solstice presents us with gratitude for the consciousness and habitat that earth provides for us, as we appreciate the interconnected web of beauty around us. We may use this time to heal, re-align and redress environmental and social transgressions that have occurred, or perhaps participate in a religious ceremony to honor sacred higher powers. Many herbalists use this time to reconnect with the seasonal flora and fauna. This is done by creating a tonic medicinal herb infusion. Whatever you chose, this metaphysical and atmospheric phenomenon signifies turning the page to a new chapter of the calendar year. 

The various herbs chosen in this recipe have spirited yang energies. As stated in my Full Moon Lunar Infusion article,

“just like the yin and yang rhythms of life, plants also as have yin-yang qualities. The leaves, flowers and aerial parts are considered to have yin tendencies, while the sturdier parts like seeds, roots and barks, have yang tendencies.”

Yang represents the masculine, active, independent, direct, separation, intellectual, logical, information seeking, autonomy and individuality. They tend to have a sweet or pungent taste and are essential for warming up the internal body, expelling coldness and promoting physiological positivity. A yang infusion is beneficial for those who are overly nervous, agitated and angry. Yang herbs will pacify overactive nervine stresses, promoting a healthy physical and emotional response to the bumps and bruises of life. These plants are also heavier summer herbs that will taste great iced or warm!

Represented with the fire elements, Anise Hyssop, packs a minty fresh zeal that is wonderful for healing chronic respiratory congestion and conditions. It is expectorant and diaphoretic and also an excellent nervine tonic.

Lovely, aromatic rose hips, represented with the water elements, are high in vitamin c and antioxidants, which support the heart, both physically and emotionally.

Hawthorn berry, represented with the fire elements, is a classic remedy that promotes gentle circulation throughout the body. Cardio-tonic and hypotensive, it should be used with tenderness for blood pressure disorders, poor circulation, heart issues and even for mild depression.

One of the most widely used and oldest folklore herbs, Chamomile, is a very gentle tonic herb that abates stomach aches and promotes relaxation. Represented with the water elements, it is also achic, anodyne and antispasmodic.

Beyond being utilized in our toothpastes and gum, just a few fragrant sprigs of Mint are highly medicinal. Represented with the air elements, Mint grows with rapid force and is superb for treating conditions of digestion, weight loss, relief from nausea, depression, fatigue,  headache, asthma, memory loss, and skin care problems.

Lastly, Lemon Balm is a happy-go-lucky leaf with light and gladdening properties. Represented with the water elements, it is supportive for anxiety, nervous tension, and stress, as well as digestive upset and gassiness. Some of its herbal actions include carminative, anti-spasmodic, and anti-viral as well.

Summer Solstice Solar Infusion

• 1 part Anise Hyssop
• 1/2 part Rose Hips
• 1/2 part Hawthorn Berry
• 1/2 part Chamomile
• 1/4 part Mint
• 1/4 part Lemon Balm 

Fill a large glass jar about halfway full of herbs. Fill the jar to the top with fresh spring water. Leave out in full sun from sunrise to sundown. Once dark, strain and enjoy whenever you wish to consume the solar magic. This tastes great iced with raw honey! 

IMPORTANT: This infusion works best on the warmest and/or sunniest day of the year, where the weather must be over 75 degrees. 

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Molly Helfend is part of the HOC team and is an herbalist and environmental activist. She graduated from University of Vermont in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Holistic Health. She will be attending University of Kent in Canterbury, England to receive her Masters Degree in Ethnobotany in 2017. She has worked for Urban Moonshine, Greenpeace and received her training with Spoonful Herbals. Her goal is to receive her PHD and become a professor at University of California Santa Cruz. Molly resides in Monte Nido, California.

Healthy Thyroid Function

By Dr. Christine Surrago

 

Thyroid Inflammation is More Common Than You Might Think

One of the first things I look at when a patient walks into my office is his or her thyroid gland. About 10% of the time, the gland will appear inflamed! 

This is a new phenomenon in medical practice as more and more people, especially women, are presenting with thyroid issues. They will usually feel wired, stressed or tired. Why is this happening? And why is it happening more often to women than men? There are a few factors that could be contributing to the rise in the incidence of thyroid dysfunction including changes in our environment, food and culture.  Due to the complexity of the female hormone system, these changes may just have a larger impact on women than men.  

Once I notice inflammation in the thyroid gland, I start looking for the root cause of the inflammation. I ask if the patient had a cold recently to see if there was a recent viral exposure.  I ask the patient if they had a whiplash injury from a car accident, which sometimes results in thyroid dysfunction.  I look for toxic exposures in my patient’s work or home environment.  I take particular notice of what people are eating because the changes in agriculture (including pesticides and GMOs) are wreaking havoc on the thyroid gland. Most of the time if thyroid dysfunction is caught early enough, it can be treated with diet, homeopathy, detoxing, manual therapy and botanical medicine.  When it is caught late, there could be a significant amount of destruction to the thyroid gland due to longterm inflammation, and the patient would need to take thyroid medicine indefinitely.  

Unfortunately, some people are already on thyroid medicine as prescribed by a doctor, and no one took the time to really evaluate why the thyroid was malfunctioning. The underlying cause of thyroid disease was never addressed only masked by thyroid medication. In other cases, the thyroid function was completely destroyed and thyroid medication is absolutely essential. The only way to find out is to work with a Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in hormones to determine exactly what you need to do.

Let’s Backtrack…What is The Thyroid Gland?

The thyroid gland is an important endocrine gland in your body, and it is essential for cellular function. That means that every cell of your body is dependent on the thyroid's performance.  The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormones called T3 and T4.  Thyroid hormones are sent to every cell of the body through the blood stream.  These hormones are vital for the growth of children, the metabolism of cells and the integrity of skin and hair.  Furthermore, it is crucial for nerve, heart, bone, kidney and digestive function. It is one of the most sensitive glands in the body and can be the first sign of a deeper chronic disease.  The thyroid is easily impacted by viral infections, medications, toxic foods, radiation and pollution. If you have the following symptoms, you may want to have your thyroid thoroughly examined and blood work done:

• fatigue
• lack of motivation
• depression
• anxiety
• weight gain
• constipation  
• frequent sore throats, hoarseness 
• excessive PMS or cramping
• poor wound healing
• hair loss
   

A Deeper Look Into The Workings Of The Thyroid Gland

Tyrosine
In the graphic above, you can see that Tyrosine (on the left) is the backbone of the two thyroid hormones Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) on the right. Tyrosine is an amino acid which can be found in various food sources such as spirulina, fish, eggs and meat. It can also be taken as a supplement and here comes my word of caution: Do not do this unless under the supervision of an experienced doctor. Some people feel worse while taking Tyrosine (others feel better).  One thing to consider is that whenever you are taking a manufactured supplement from a laboratory, it is several steps removed from nature.  Some companies manufacture Tyrosine from bacterial fermentation and others make it in a chemistry lab.  Those of you who are sensitive to energetics and being in rhythm with nature may have a poor response to taking Tyrosine. There are also some complexities to consider when using an isolated substance from nature, which should be reviewed with your doctor. In other cases, it works wonders in thyroid and adrenal dysfunctions.

Iodine
Iodine is also needed for the production of thyroid hormones. The thyroid takes in a significant amount of iodine and can be subject to damage by radioactive iodine.  Around the time of the Fukushima accident on March 11, 2011, many people along the west coast of the US started supplementing with kelp and iodine out of fear of thyroid damage due to radioactive iodine. In the years after Fukushima, some of my colleagues noticed a rise in thyroid diseases and dysfunctions in their medical practice. I continuously do research, checking the Center for Marine and Environmental Radiation, to see what is happening in our oceans and currently, there is still radiation from Fukushima.  It has been 6 years, and this is the first year that Japanese farmers have been able to grow rice in the region. Finding good sources of iodine are important for protecting your thyroid gland from radioactive damage.

Selenium
Selenium is another supplement that is used in the treatment of thyroid issues in order to support thyroid function and reduce oxidative damage of the thyroid gland.  Any gland that has high metabolic activity like the thyroid gland is prone to oxidative stress.  The oxidative stress comes from the amount of oxidation that occurs within the cell during production of hormones. The thyroid uses certain proteins called selenoproteins (which are made with selenium) to clean up oxidative stress.  There are also selenoproteins that also regulate the impact of thyroid hormone on the cells of the body by turning the thyroid hormones on and off.  Without selenium, these proteins would not exist and many serious dysfunctions can show up in the body.  However, Selenium at high doses is toxic.  I highly recommend consulting with a doctor before taking Selenium.  

In addition to the supplements above, proper diet, rest, exercise and healthy relationships are key to a healthy body. These areas should always be addressed when treating any medical condition.

For more information on botanicals, diet and holistic thyroid treatments, follow us on Instagram for our live videos with Dr. Surrago.

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Mexico City Guide

By: Sima Morrison

Mexico City is an unexpected jewel to add to any traveler’s destination hotspots. It boasts a short non-stop 3 hour and 13 minute flight from Los Angeles, but upon arrival most would expect to enter a ring of brown and smokey clouds that rival any city's pollution. Instead, the sky brings forth limpid views of a sophisticated metropolitan hub. With this preconceived assumption of enormous smog levels, I was surprised to discover that this innovative city began an initiative 10 years ago to plentifully add more green spaces, gardens and planters scattered throughout the urban metropolis. Much more to my surprise, I found an artists sanctuary that possesses Parisian vibes with a European-esque energy, and where the Tequila and Mescal flow freely. Tastings are easy in this affordable city with the US Dollar being strong against the Mexican Peso. On top of the fine beverage selection, I can safely say I ate my way through Mexico City. With some of the freshest organic farm to table ingredients, fish and corn tortillas, I was hooked the moment the guacamole hit my lips. Interestingly, I typically do not eat grains but in Mexico City I chose to indulge in baskets of corn tortillas, and I surprisingly never felt sick. The sensation of nirvana can only be described as finding unprocessed corn and grains! Most noteworthy, I found a place that rivals most others in kindness, hospitality and elegance. The energetic atmosphere is molded by gracious people that welcome foreigners with warmth, making Mexico City a treasured and truly recommended destination.

Lodging 

Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City

This luxurious hotel is steps from Chapultepec Park and the popular neighborhoods of Condesa and Polanco. Clean and accommodating, the Four Seasons prides itself on having top of the line service, restaurants, and bars. Turn off the white noise of the city and take a stroll around the garden courtyard or receive a pre-hispanic holistic massage. As an added bonus, you can receive a complimentary third night with every two consecutive paid nights.  

Paseo de la Reforma #500, Colonia Juarez, Mexico City, 06600 Mexico | 52 (55) 5230-1818  

Condesa df

Before I brag about the killer margaritas and mojitos from their trendy rooftop deck bar, I must praise this hotel for its authentic, chic atmosphere. Condesa df is a boutique hotel with contemporary and bohemian vibes that is ideal for the young hip traveler. With the rooftop overlooking a viridescent park, make sure to spend time checking out those calming views. 

Av. Veracruz N.102, Col. Condesa, 06700 Mexico DF, Mexico | 52 (55) 5241 2600

To See

Teotihuacan Pyramid

One of the 7 Wonders of the World, this is the major attraction most people from across the globe come to Mexico City for. The powerful energetics are almost indescribable here. Walking amongst the 3 pyramids, sun, moon and serpent, transcended me to a different dimension of consciousness. The vibrations clear space and help set intentions, which are beneficial when entering another culture’s community. Please observe with most spiritual gatherers dressed in white.

55800 San Juan Teotihuacan de Arista, State of Mexico, Mexico

Espacio Escultórico

Circling around ancient, petrified lava beds next to the National Autonomous University of Mexico, this historic land art masterpiece is a cross between sideways pyramids and a concrete colosseum. Surrounded by stunning sculptures, this meditative site has blossomed into a sanctuary for artists. Come here to eat lunch, find oasis away from the chaotic metropolitan energy amongst this fire pit of craggy rocks and recall the early Mesoamerican site of the pyramid of Cuicuilco.

Centro Cultural Universitario, Mario de La Cueva, Coyoacán, Universitaria, 04510 Ciudad de México

Museo Frida Kahlo

This stunning museum memorializes one of the greatest artists and feminists in history, Frida Kahlo. The vivid colors and vibrant textiles make this museum burst with intense energy. Be prepared to soak in the rich authentic Mexican art and culture, as you enliven your creative juices. 

Londres 247, Col. Del Carmen, Coyoacán Mexico City

 

Museo Estudio Diego Rivera

Frida Kahlo’s lover and prominent painter, Diego Rivera is a visionary artist who established the mural movement in Mexico. Inside this museum, you will find both social realism and modern art that is both realistic and deeply intriguing. His potent work is scattered amongst the geometric buildings with both permanent and temporary exhibits. 

Av. Altavista esq. Diego Rivera, Col. San Angel Inn, Del. Álvaro Obregón, Mexico DF, CP 01060

Museo de Arte Moderno

Both a historic retrospective and modern prospective, this museum is a cultural institution in Mexico City. This is a must add to your list. Immerse yourself in truly innovative and exceptional works of art and escape the metropolis for just a few quiet hours. Be sure to time your visit, as Sunday’s are free! 

Paseo de la Reforma s/n, Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, 11560 Ciudad de México

Restaurants

LA OTILIA Gluten Free Bakery

Rosetta

Zanaya

Contramar

The most “New York” style restaurant in the city, Contramar is fast-paced, loud and an excellent hot spot on weekend nights. The overall vibe is sleek and polished and their phenomenal food is over the top. Order fresh market seafood or just simply ask for some of their legendary guacamole and salsa with homemade warm corn tortillas and you will be a happy camper. Best yet, the pricing is extremely reasonable for significant portions.

Durango 200, Colonia Roma, Delegation Cuauhtémoc, CP. 06700 Ciudad de México | 52 (55) 5514 9217

Zanaya

One of my absolute favorites, Chef Tonatiuh Cuevas from Oaxaca creates authentic southern Mexican dishes with artisanal produce. Their freshly baked tortilla chips and lobster tacos had us going back for not seconds, but thirds. Make sure to also order their traditionally inspired margaritas and ask their exceptional service to sweeten them with honey.

Paseo de la Reforma 500 Juárez 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX Mexico | 52 (55) 52-30-18-06

Rosetta

In honor of International Women’s Day, we chose to dine a female-owned restaurant, finding delicate Italian inspired meals created by Chef Elena Reygadas. This gorgeous restaurant is nestled into a grand Colonia Roma townhouse, creating an elegant atmosphere with high ceilings and indoor trees. Dietary restrictors will find solace, as almost everyone can find something on their menu. Request a table in the main dining room and order their Minestrone Soup without the pasta, Beet Salad to compliment and one of their many selections of local wines. 

Colima 166, Roma Nte., Ciudad de México | 52 (55) 5533 7804

Quintonil

Located in the ritzy, world famous Polanco District, this prestigious restaurant must be booked months in advance. Chefs Jorge Vallejo and Alexander Flores use their edgy young attitudes and contemporary approaches to Mexican Cuisine to create an upscale masterpiece. All the food is farm to table and seasonal and is garnished so beautifully, its hard to actually dig in. I recommend the prefixed 10 course menu as an affordable option amongst the table.

Newton No. 55, Polanco, Polanco IV Secc, 11560 Miguel Hidalgo | 52 (55) 5280 1660

LA OTILIA Gluten Free Bakery

An angel sent down from heaven guided us to stumble upon this female-owned gluten free bakery, which became our official spot of choice during our trip. Adorable, cozy and quaint, there is a treat for the young and old. Great service intertwined with delicious gluten free, dairy free and raw options, as well as, delightful coffee, tea, and latte sections. We loved being able to make our own tonics, wile ordering raw paleo friendly pie slices. 

Valladolid 76 A, Roma Norte, 06700 Ciudad de México | 52 (55) 5207 2546

Photo Credit: Nitsa Citrine

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Sima Morrison, founder of House of Citrine, is a vibrant soul with a potent zest for life and the beauty in its simple pleasures. As a holistic nutritionist, Sima has made it her life's journey to experience, to empower, and to explore the synergy between the mind and the body. She manifests her vision through her online journal, designing recipes and cultivating conversation in the sharing of health, wellness, and inspiration. Sima lives with an open heart and views being in service to others as her most important calling, practicing compassion and helping people to heal past trauma. She is a certified Kundalini yoga instructor and meditation facilitator.

Top 10 Products We Love for June

1. Hanah One

Hanah One is a game changer. This Ayurvedic superfood supplement will completely revolutionize your workouts with increased energy and stamina. It is made with 30 wild-harvested botanicals, Keralan mountain honey, and artisanal ghee and is so delicious, we cannot help but eat it right off the spoon. Day or night, add a dollop of this magic to your morning smoothie or cup of coffee and experience a jolt of vitality. 

2. La Aquarelle Wildflowers Sleep Mask

These enchanting plant-dyed sleep masks are handmade with tenderness in London, England. Using botanicals, plant matter, and minerals to dye 100% chemical free fabrics, you bring nature closer to your mind, body and soul as you enter a calming dream state. We adore this pure silk face mask infused with locally collected wildflowers.

3. Davids Natural Toothpaste

Finally a toothpaste that is Fluoride, SLS, and Cruelty-Free and actually whitens, gets rid of plaque build-up and freshens the breath with natural USA farmed mint oil. What a mouth full! We love lathering this minty goodness in our mouths for a radiant healthy smile. So fresh and so clean.

4. Gaia Collective Moon Box

One of the highest quality and beautifully presented subscription boxes on the market, this set of spiritual goodies arrives at your doorstep before each full moon. 

With your membership, you will receive monthly gifts of crystals, essential oils, herbs, guided mantras and meditations, and any other surprise items. We are instantly transcended into gaiety, as we explore our package of spiritual novelties. 

5. Sun Child Silks

As the summer heat approaches, nothing will make you feel more like a goddess then throwing on your Sun Child Silks. With these fantasy and high vibes soaks, you will be blessed with comfort and glamour. Each collection is exquisitely designed and curated with love in both Topanga Canyon and Goa, India. Sun Child also philanthropically donates proceeds to several charities in India. 

6. Barely Bread Onion, Garlic, Sea Salt Grain-Free Bagels

Being grain-free, we have seriously been missing a quality bagel in the morning. However, we finally have found the remedy to our cravings. Barely Bread has created the most scrumptious grain-free artisan bagels that we love munching on with our favorite wild caught lox and Leaf Cuisine Classic Plain Not Cream Cheese spread. Bonus, they are low glycemic as well. 

7. Osea Sea Minerals Mist

This vegan, non toxic seaweed based skincare line flawlessly hydrates and revitalizes the skin during June Gloom. This lightweight elixir exudes botanicals and essential vitamins and minerals, balancing, toning and softening complexion with supercharged Mineral Peptides. You will radiate with the pearly glow of a deep sea mermaid.

8. The Real Coconut Himalayan Pink Salt Coconut Flour Tortilla Chips

Created in Tulum, Mexico, Daniella Hunter has created the most addicting coconut flour tortilla chips that are gluten free, grain free, dairy free and refined sugar free! Cooked in organic Coconut Oil, these wholesome chips are guilt-free crispy snacks that are gone within the first few minutes of opening the bag. Trust us, we are completely addicted. 

9. Blöde Kuh Herbie Vore Vegan Cheese

The ideal dip for our Coconut Flour Tortilla Chip obsession, this plant-based cheese tastes as unique as it sounds. Although Blönde Kuh is only found at Los Angeles based farmer’s and speciality markets, it is worth contacting them directly via Instagram or call at (414) 507-6888 to learn more about purchase and delivery. Their vegan cheeses and yogurts are the crème de la crème on toast, crackers or any finger-licking snack.

 10. Outdoor Voices Terracotta/Rose Quartz/Sand Tri-Tone Kneecap Legging

Chic and stylish, Outdoor Voices is all the rage amongst trendy exercise enthusiasts. Using quality materials and adorable tri-tone patterns, you can span from gym-life to life-life while looking flirty, fun and fabulous. Great for any season or activity, complement these comfortable leggings with the Rose Quartz Athena Crop to finish off your wardrobe ensemble.

Full Moon Lunar Infusion

By: Molly Helfend

There is a time every month where people have trouble getting to sleep, car accidents become more common and feelings of sensitivity and emotional instability become common. Well, you can blame the full moon next time you get into trouble. The full moon happens when the earth lies between the sun and the moon, so the complete surface of the moon is visible. This is when the world can become chaotic from the powerful lunar energy the moon emits. Just as the tides flow with moon cycles, so do our emotions. The full moon tends to awaken the darkness inside and promote introspection, which many confront with violence and anger. However, if you give in to its illuminating spirit, you can lighten much of your shadow darkness, helping you remember that we are all part of one universal entity. 

There are 12 full moons that correspond to each month over the course of the year. Dating back to early Native American tribes, each full moon has a name and a meaning.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac:

Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the Moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. European settlers followed that custom and created some of their own names. Since the lunar month is only 29 days long on the average, the full Moon dates shift from year to year.

The infusion recipe below is ideal for the upcoming Strawberry Moon on June 9. The Algonquin Tribe called it the Strawberry Moon because of the short harvest season for strawberries during the month of June. It is called the Rose Moon in Europe. However, if you are not inclined to create an infusion, there are other ways to celebrate the powerful lunar energy. First, you can bath in the full moon. Similar to forest bathing, you bask in the light and let the vibrations soak into your bones. Set intentions, perform a guided mediation or simply purge unwanted burdens and release into the luminosity. Second, you can charge your crystals. Clear quartz, moonstone, and celestite respond very well to the enchanting magic. Third, you can make moon water by letting fresh spring water absorb the lunar energy.

YIN AND YANG

Yin and yang are opposing, yet amalgamated. They are dissimilar, yet interdependent. They interact to maintain equilibrium, yet never actually exist in absolute homeostasis. Merely, everything in the universe exists with both yin and yang components. As the gravitational force of black holes push and pull, as our lungs inhale and exhale, as the earth’s seasons awaken and sleep, this is the rhythm of yin-yang. This philosophical Chinese concept was developed thousands of years ago, and is applied to the basis of all existence and change. A friend of mine read and relayed to me that yin-yang are not a substance or force, but rather a way of describing the dynamic interactions and interrelations of the natural forces that do occur in the world. We live in a world of seeming dualities, however, it is the yin and yang that help us continue moving forward. They are innately opposing forces of harmony. 

LUNAR YIN HERBALISM

Just like the yin and yang rhythms of life, plants also as have yin-yang qualities. The leaves, flowers and aerial parts are considered to have yin tendencies, while the sturdier parts like seeds, roots and barks, have yang tendencies. Yin represents the feminine, receptive, open, yielding, connected, introspective, intuitive, feeling, deep wisdom, and harmony. This corresponds with the moon and its lunar patterns. Lunar teas are most powerful during full moons, as this is a time of duality between the light and darkness within us.  By absorbing the essence of yin in these plants, we seek balance and introspection. Each of the aerial yin-balancing herbs in this recipe are deeply nourishing, promoting longevity and endocrine hormone stability. These herbs emphasize yin properties of cooling, moistening and relaxing, promoting revitalizing energetic shifts. Yin herbs are known to represent the fountain of youth, by having anti-aging reversal properties. 

Photo Credit: Calendar Case

Lavender, represented with the air elements, is a well-known aromatic herb known for its sedative and relaxing nervine qualities. It is also known to protect us from wandering spirits, and often used in psychic vision pillows for the promotion of wishes and dreams. Lavender is also antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diuretic and tonic.

Lovely, aromatic rose petals, represented with the water elements, are high in vitamin c and antioxidants, which support the heart, both physically and emotionally. Rose petals are astringent and tonic, easing PMS and uterine congestion.

Red clover, represented with the air elements, is a sweet-tempered vitamin-rich herb. A graceful flower, it is alterative, lymphatic, expectorant, demulcent and anti-catarrhal, while promoting nourishing re-growth within various systems in the body.

Catnip, represented with the water elements, is a charming plant, quite literally. It is used with trance work and journeying, and living up to its name, even induces a hypnotic effect of cats. In addition, its herbal actions include anti-catarrhal, diaphoretic, and antiviral, working well for upper respiratory infections and nervousness.

Skullcap, represented with the fire elements, has a deeper action on the nervous system, profoundly routed in its sedative properties and ability to soothe exhaustion, excitability, anxiety, PMS, and insomnia. Its cooling nature is acutely anti-inflammatory and mildly bitter, while stimulating bile flow with antispasmodic, antibacterial, antiallergenic and diuretic emphasis.

Violet leaves, represented with the water elements, are not only aesthetically bewitching, but are quite medicinal. Expectorant, stypic and anti-inflammatory, they can be used internally to soothe bronchial congestion and similar to plantain, externally to help stop bleeding on wounds.

Chrysanthemum flowers, represented with the air elements, are notable in Chinese medicine for their cheerfulness and protective nature. Elegant and beguiling, they are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, aromatic, demulcent, febrifuge, hepatic, hypotensive, and refrigerant. 

Why should we drink this infusion?

This infusion is useful in balancing individuals with depleted yin reserves or those with overly yang symptoms. As we age, our yin drains, especially from chronic stress, dehydration, childbearing, drugs and alcohol, and disease. Simply put, life depletes yin. Symptoms of yin deficiency can include exhaustion, dry throat and skin which manifests in wrinkles, digestive issues, low kidney and immune function, declining muscle mass, lower backaches, heat sensations, dark urine and rings under eyes. This infusion can invigorate the cells and augment healing. Although this is a wonderfully medicinal infusion, it is very tonic with gentle floral tones that can simply be consumed to celebrate the mystery of the full moon. 

Full Moon Lunar Infusion Recipe

• 1 part Chrysanthemum flowers
• 1 part Rose Petals
• 1 part Violet leaves
• 1 part Skullcap
• 1/2 part Red Clover
• 1/4 part Catnip
• 1/4 part Lavender

*sprinkle with fresh pansies once ready

Instructions: Loosely pack fresh or dried herbs into a large glass mason or crystal jar. Pour cold spring water over the herbs until they are completely immersed and not overflowing. Cover the container and leave it outside right after sundown. Place it somewhere it is in full view of the moon and can completely absorb the moon’s magic and energy. In the morning, strain and enjoy. 

REMEMBER: This infusion can be made on any full moon night as the temperature is not going to fall below 40 degrees at night. The sky may be cloudy or clear.

This information is not a replacement for a medical professional, so please consult before treating yourself or others with this or any other herbal remedy

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Molly Helfend is part of the HOC team and is an herbalist and environmental activist. She graduated from University of Vermont in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Holistic Health. She will be attending University of Kent in Canterbury, England to receive her Masters Degree in Ethnobotany in 2017. She has worked for Urban Moonshine, Greenpeace and received her training with Spoonful Herbals. Her goal is to receive her PHD and become a professor at University of California Santa Cruz. Molly resides in Monte Nido, California.  

Guido Masé : Herbalist

By: Molly Helfend

It is an honor to have a botanical genius like Guido Masé offer his wisdom and expertise to House of Citrine. Chief clinical herbalist at Urban Moonshine and Burlington Herb Clinic, educator at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, author of the renowned herbal bible The Wild Medicine Solution and DIY Bitters: Reviving the Forgotten Flavor, he is a personal inspiration to us. He specializes in holistic Western herbalism, with his approach being eclectic and drawing upon many influences. He spent his childhood in Italy, in the central Alps and in a Renaissance town called Ferrara. After traveling the United States, he settled into central Vermont where he has been living since 1996. Guido shared some pieces of his daily flow, as well as some tips and weighing in on the importance of adding plants to our lives. You can follow some of Guido’s impassioned work here. 

What are your favorite herbs? 

Yarrow, dandelion, and the Artemisias. I like Yarrow because of the mythology connecting this plant to divination, spirit journeys, and protection. Plus, it’s a comprehensive medicine chest all by itself: for wounds, as a bitter, as an aromatic for digestion and the heart. Dandelion to me is iconic: it is a safe, gentle, effective tonic herb that most people recognize, which makes it a good introduction to herbal medicine. I’m also drawn to its irrepressible spirit. And the Artemisias – from mugwort, to sagebrush, wormwood and the antimalarial Sweet Annie, these plants have purifying, bitter, magical, lunar qualities and the legends surrounding them are almost endless. And absinthe.

What and who are you most inspired by? Where do you draw inspiration from? 

While time alone outside, especially in the mountains, has always been a source of renewal and inspiration, I am finding more and more that reading and discussing new, groundbreaking ideas with friends and colleagues gets me excited to write and create more. This often happens during travel, when the stage of our lives is renewed. Though I am an herbalist, I find myself drawn to those who study pattern in physics and biology: from Fritjof Capra and more recently Jeremy England of MIT, to the classic work of Lynn Margulis and more contemporary folks like Mark Changizi and Rob Dunn. Students of consciousness, particularly non-local consciousness like Alva Nöe, really make me think. Poetry is a treat: a chance to be inspired more by the heart than by the head, and I appreciate all types. And finally, I am inspired by and greatly respect herbalists who are also research scientists, publishing groundbreaking work: folks like Kevin Spelman and Pam Weathers. 

What is your mission with your herbal knowledge? 

I believe that herbal medicine is an ancient discipline that holds deep insight into how humans can walk on this earth with grace, power, and resiliency. It teaches interconnection and reminds us that the inner and outer worlds are intimately entangled. So my mission is to increase botanical biodiversity in modern culture: if we can do this, the next chapter in our human story will be more wild, green, strong, and creative. If, as a species, we can move forward with technological progress while also holding and valuing our green roots, we can make it so.

What is your daily routine consist of? Morning? Afternoon? Night?

Morning: My morning routine is very important to me – it sets the tone for the whole day, and I don’t feel right without it. I’m an early riser – usually between 4:30 and 5:30. I set water to boil, and while waiting will do a series of core strength exercises for about 10 minutes. I brew coffee in a French press when the water is ready, and also some tea to bring to work later. At this point I will take liquid herbal extracts or powders for the morning – usually just some hawthorn berry extract and a blend of Astragalus and medicinal mushrooms, but depending on what’s going on there could be others, too. Then I drink 2 cups of coffee (with whole milk, or coconut oil, or butter depending how I feel) while reading research abstracts for medicinal plants and flagging any interesting ones for later. Then, a 4-10 mile run depending on when my wife needs to leave for work that day. By the time I return, I wake up my daughter and we get ready for school. Weekends are pretty much the same, though maybe I sleep in a little more and run a little farther.

Afternoon:  I like taking some bitters before lunch – it often makes a difference for me with energy levels later in the day. Other than that, my afternoon routine often includes reading and organizing my thoughts for any writing projects on the agenda. Twice a week, I get to leave work early and pick up my daughter from school at the end of her day. When the weather is nice, we’ll spend a few hours wandering around outside and collecting interesting things.

Night: If I feel inspired after dinner and cleanup, I will spend a few hours writing or playing music – but that’s not every night. Often I will turn in before 10pm. Before bed I spend ten minutes stretching: some twists and forward bends mostly, a simple routine I started almost 30 years ago to maintain flexibility. It makes a difference in my running – but I’m not as flexible as I was back then…

How would you describe your approach towards herbalism and working with edible and medicinal plants? Do you feel more inspired by traditional knowledge or western herbalism approaches? Do you incorporate Chinese, Ayurvedic, Native American, South American or really any other traditional approaches? 

My approach is what you would call “western” – I was raised in a European tradition and rely on concepts of heat and moisture. I am also very drawn to the biochemical and physiological understanding of the human system and its surrounding ecologies, and the study of herbs from this perspective is endlessly fascinating. I will incorporate a lot of different medicinal plants from all around the world in the work I do, but if they aren’t part of the core European set, I try to place attribution (the cultural roots) especially if teaching about them. Beyond this, my relationship to plants and nature embodies an animist approach: at all levels, biological systems have a spirit that can be approached using dreams, intuition, and archetypal language (myth, tarot, magic). 

How do you include the Tao of yin/yang within your practice? 

Mostly, in two ways: first, in human physiology, almost all processes have both a yin and yang and balancing these is an important consideration in therapeutics (for example, the sympathetic and parasympathetic; aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide; estrogen receptor alpha and beta, to name a few). Second, and you see this all the time (notably, exhausted children), it is useful to remember that excess yang or deficient yin can transmute into its opposite. I’ve found this to be a valuable diagnostic consideration. But really, I know very little about this aside from a deep, but hard-to-describe, poetic feel for it.

What can we do to incorporate herbs into our daily lives? Which ones and why? 

Well, the why is simple: in living systems, resilience is proportional to diversity, and therefore, increasing botanical diversity in our lives should be a goal if we want to be more resilient, creative, and inspired. There are so many ways to incorporate herbs: from key, specific plants used to manage disease, to the tonic herbal approach. The latter is my favorite, and my suggestion is that you try to use a bitter plant, an aromatic plant, a sour tonic and a sweet tonic every day. Bitters often do well as alcohol extracts. Aromatics make amazing teas, baths, and incenses. Sour tonics (such as berries) are food, but also smoothie material. Similarly the sweet tonics like Astragalus or Codonopsis can be incorporated into soup stock, bone broth, or sauces of all types. They also can be powdered and added to grains or smoothies.

Do you have any advice on sustainable practices we can follow?

We need to pay attention to how herbs are being harvested and passed through the supply chain before they reach our kitchens. Not only are native plant populations at risk in many cases, but growers and harvesters are often treated very poorly, paid substandard wages, and frankly exploited for their knowledge by brokers and commodity traders. This is of course a generalization, but as ecologically-minded herbalists, we have to pay attention to these issues. I encourage you to look at the work of United Plant Savers and the Sustainable Herbs Project, as well as the FairWild standard developed by Pukka herbs.

Herb you truly believe in that isn't as well known?

Horse chestnut. In Europe, it’s the go-to athlete’s herb, used topically for sprains, strains, tendonitis, and more. Safe in pregnancy, it has an abundance of clinical research showing its effectiveness for varicose veins both topically and internally. And it has a noticeable anti-inflammatory effect too – for aches and pains and arthritis. And the dose is really low – 200-300mg of powdered seed twice a day, making it a really cost-effective, powerful remedy.

Absolute staples you cannot travel without?

Depends where I’m going. I bring Artemisia annua to east Africa. Other than that, I bring bitters, and one or two tonics with me: either a blend of Astragalus and medicinal mushrooms, or a “special” tonic (like Oplopanax if I’m going to the Pacific northwest), that I can take a few drops of here and there for inspiration and grounding. Finally, I bring a pared-down first-aid kit with me when I travel, and powdered Yarrow is always in there. But remember – there are plants everywhere! It’s often better to try the ones that grow where you’re visiting. I don’t bring a medicine kit with me, just 1-2 bottles of tincture.

Do you believe in certain diets or follow any dietary patterns? Paleo, vegan, vegetarian etc.?

I am an opportunivore. I believe that, given the right baseline of good air, water, movement, love, and herbs, humans can tolerate an incredible variety of foods and live beautiful, well, vibrant lives.

How do you meld folklore herbalism and medical science in your career? 

I find it’s useful to know “truth” from a range of different perspectives. It gives you a few different paths to explain what’s going on, depending on context and who’s listening. But if I’m speaking to a group, I always try to start with a story, get into personal experience, and then explore pharmacology before tying it back to the introductory story. You can see one as an allegory for the other, and it’s remarkable how often this is the case: serpents and DNA, yin/yang and hormone balance, trees of immortality and hawthorn’s research evidence in congestive heart failure. Herbalists learn the pharmacology better this way. And physicians get that this medicine is old, deep stuff for humans – encoded in our myths as much as in our gene regulation mechanisms.

If you could have 2 herbs everyday which ones would you choose? 

Personally, hawthorn and reishi.

If you can instill one thing in peoples lives, what would be the take away?

Increase your biodiversity quotient: put that wild plant in your mouth!

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Molly Helfend is part of the HOC team and is an herbalist and environmental activist. She graduated from University of Vermont in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Holistic Health. She will be attending University of Kent in Canterbury, England to receive her Masters Degree in Ethnobotany in 2017. She has worked for Urban Moonshine, Greenpeace and received her training with Spoonful Herbals. Her goal is to receive her PHD and become a professor at University of California Santa Cruz. Molly resides in Monte Nido, California.

June Intuitive Medicine

Welcome to June, a month of sunny days, warmer nights replete with crickets chirping and fireflies illuminating the yard. At the end of this month we will officially be midway through 2017, a transition which asks us to evaluate if we are living this year with intention and purpose. With each passing day we come closer to another year under the belt - how do you wish to finish this year? 

This month we welcome Jupiter heading direct which signals finality to a massive expansion. For many of us this may bring changes to the way we live our life, the people we surround ourselves with and the work that we do. We have grown and shed the skin of old and now we adjust things accordingly. On June 9th, the same day that Jupiter goes direct, we have a full moon in Sagittarius. Don’t be surprised if what took great effort just a few weeks ago suddenly comes with great ease. Doors are opening and opportunity awaits. The new moon in Cancer arrives on the 24th and asks us to get in touch with how we feel about our lives now and how we desire to feel about our lives. Is there a gap between the two? If so now is a time to dial into the feeling you desire with your life. To allow your feelings to guide you to the actions you should take to manifest a life that is whole, authentic and ripe with joy. 

Let’s take a deeper look into the month ahead sign by sign. To create an even more vivid picture of the month ahead read both your Sun and Moon sign. Should your birthday fall within 7-10 of a sign transition you will want to read the sign after yours as well. 

//Aries & Aries Rising//

You may feel the pressure of your successes more prominently this month, Aries. The trick to keep in mind is that not all pressure or responsibility is a bad thing. When we get something we’ve worked towards our responsibility grows in proportion to that which is attained. When we get that long sought after promotion, when we have a new baby, when we decide to finally purchase that dream house, each of these welcomed transitions bring forth added pressure and responsibility. The medicine is in finding balance. What help is available to you that may lessen the responsibility you shoulder? It’s not always easy to accept help but sometimes merely delegating a few things to someone else can free up much needed time. This month is also a great time for a thorough evaluation of all that is on your plate. What tasks or activities no longer serve you that you could release to free up space?  In the end this may be a wonderful time to appreciate the responsibilities that are on your plate. They remind us of what we have achieved and places where we can still grow. 

//Taurus & Taurus Rising//

This month brings the reminder that you are exactly where you need to be, Taurus. You have worked hard to get to this place and have been diligent in the pursuit of your heart’s desire. So, you may question, why the sudden setbacks? Why the appearance of slow forward progression when you are ready to barrel full speed ahead? When things slow down, and setbacks appear we are reminded to honor the moment we are in. Rather than becoming upset because the pace has slowed let’s look at what may require your attention or retooling. Instead of getting frustrated that you must wait, let’s honor this pause as a Universe gifted calm before things really begin to move. Or maybe what is really needed right now is you to harness just a bit more personal resolve to bring the momentum you desire. 

//Gemini & Gemini Rising//

Whether sudden or sought this month marks a period of complete change. In some ways, this energy can feel as though the rug is being pulled right out from under you as you are forced to shift perspective and awaken to a new reality. To make this period one which imparts long lasting stability and room for growth you are encouraged lean into this change. When our foundation crumbles it’s an opportunity for us to build something strong and infinitely more sustainable in its wake. To examine the beliefs and patterns that may have fit the old foundation but now must be released as you rebuild. And rebuild you will; armed now with the wisdom of experience and the consciousness bred from your evolution. 

//Cancer & Cancer Rising//

Success can be lasting when it's bred on the principles of both integrity and hustle. We need to know what we value to find a success that feels resonant and then the drive to make it happen. When what we value is obfuscated or otherwise unknown to us when often veer too far in one direction over the other. We value possessions but not being of service. We rely on validation on things instead of cultivating the untouchable strength from within. It’s not that possessions or validation external to ourselves is inherently bad or wrong. It’s simply that when not balanced with purpose and meaning we easily become lost and taken far off course. This month it’s time to define what you value in a superbly clear way. Then, you make it happen. 

//Leo & Leo Rising//

A new beginning knocks this month and it’s up to you to answer the door. Embrace the fresh energy and opportunity that comes your way, you’ve worked long and hard for it. But even the things we want can leave us feeling scared. What if we fail? What if everything falls apart? What if we are not good enough. The truth is we all question these things when faced with change, which is ultimately what comes attached to any opportunity. But I will let you in on a little secret…you have everything that you need. You have the skills, the magic and the creativity. Whatever is coming your way, whatever doors are opening they are opening because you have done the ground work. You’ve shown that you are ready for this. Now it’s time to allow it all to unfold and trust that you’ve got this. 

//Virgo & Virgo Rising//

This is a month to feel the warmth and count your blessings. The energy this month is expansive and is filled with both love and joy. This is a month where you will have a renewed sense of gratitude for the life that you are living. You will then radiate that light outwards and find that when you begin to infuse your every interaction with this positivity suddenly the world responds in kind. We always have a choice in how we approach our lives and our approach becomes the determiner of the experience before us. This month you are choosing to shine and help others shine as well. 

//Libra & Libra Rising//

The setbacks that are coming to the fore require you to honor your truth and make your priorities clear. There may be those around you who are keen on offering their opinion, something which may clash with the vision that you have for yourself now. Opening to the thoughts of others is fine so long as you stand firm in your vision and what resonates with you. Otherwise you risk becoming distracted to the point of losing your way. Balance is something which you strive for strongly in life and this month you will need those tools to toe the line between respectful of what others to have to say and firm in your convictions. This month be open to everything but take only that which makes your heart sing. 

//Scorpio & Scorpio Rising//

This month marks a new beginning. A beginning that says goodbye to the confusion and uncertainty of the past. It’s a beginning that allows for you to crystalize the vision of your life as you wish it to be. It marks a time when you are no longer wallowing in self-doubt or confusion and instead can move ahead with deep personal wisdom and truth. You know that right now the energy surrounding you is so strong it cannot be stopped so now is the time to actualize the plans that you have had on the back burner. You are creating new positive changes in your life that will allow you to not just stand against all odds but that will be a personal victory over demons that have long clung to you. 

//Sagittarius & Sagittarius Rising//

There is so much to be said for feeling energy being freed. This month you experience a growing awareness that everything is moving in the right direction. That your intentions have been solidified and that you are nearly to the point of attainment of that which you have worked towards. This is a month to honor your dedication and your vision. To feel your life expanding in love and to celebrate the growing good news that seems to arrive at every turn of the corner. There are many times in life when we may feel that life is all uphill but this is not one of them for you, Sagittarius. In fact the more you commit to your intention, the more that you increase your focus the more that life opens with bountiful blessings. Enjoy!

//Capricorn & Capricorn Rising//

Ever wonder why children are able to make the impossible possible? How they can crystalize the vision of flying through the air and soaring above the clouds in the two seconds it takes to jump from the couch to the cushions below? We are all untethered and completely open to the Universal truth that is gained within each incarnation. It's why we are free to be our beautiful, wacky and most authentic selves when young, before we are “taught” differently. This month you are primed for a great awakening to that same Universal truth. That spark within you that allows you to achieve the impossible. Your inner child, your most authentic self, is waiting to show you that when you release expectation to outcome there is precious little you cannot achieve with half the effort and in half the time. 

//Aquarius & Aquarius Rising//

The energy of this month encourages you to pause. To understand that when we run into obstacle after obstacle; when we face one setback after another there is something we are missing. Something we need to learn, do or experience and it’s not going to be done by pushing forward, stubbornly. Instead we must retreat. To take a break from the action to not only understand what we are facing and why better but to revitalize. To restore and replenish all that sustains us on our journey. The break will open your eyes to a different perspective that will allow you to see over obstacles that once stood in the way and with a vitality that will take you well into the next phase of your quest. 

//Pisces & Pisces Rising//

You are shining bright this month, captivating everyone and everything with your effortless charm and skill. Your mind is alight with inspiration and creativity but asks that you focus on standing in your power. We all possess within inherent skills and talents that are designed to help us achieve that which we are here to achieve, when we are ready to achieve it. Balancing the energies within and confidently channeling these talents into the world around us is no easy feat but this month you make it appear otherwise. This is not a month for simply ruminating, however, rather it’s a time for acting to manifest your intentions, whatever they may be, so that none of this inspiration goes to waste. 

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Laura Brown is an Taroist, Master Certified Life Coach, Healer and Intuitive Reader located in Denver. Her purpose is to help women look deep within themselves to find healing, wellness and greater self-worth which facilitates their deepest and truest potential. She holds space for women, radicalizing the notion of therapeutic discussion by working with tools of both a holistic and traditional persuasion. You can schedule a session at Laurabrown.co and follow her visual diary on Instagram.

Spirit Weavers Survival Kit

One of the most spiritual and giving events of the year is finally approaching! Spirit Weavers Gathering, a five day celebration of cultures past and present, invite females to join together and trade knowledge and love amongst fellow sisters, ancestors and nature. This year, the gathering has found a new home in ruggedly beautiful Cave Junction, Oregon, where forest, river and land come together in harmony. With days filled with skill sharing, movement and magic; and nights filled with song, reflection and chilled air, and we must prepare ourselves for this intense outdoor journey ahead. Whether you are attending the Sun or Moon Sessions, this list will assist in your voyage mentally, physically and spiritually. Please share with your fellow sisters and get ready to be embraced by powerful feminine energy amongst the pine trees. 

Into the Wild Lion Moccasin Shoe - Represented with indigenous cultures in spirit, this versatile Apache designed moccasin shoe will ground you closer to earth as you walk along the Oregon forest floor.

Living Libations Salt Inhaler - When extreme winds and weather hit, it is important to clear your sinus passages and breathe easy as you travel.

Enchanted Crystals - Don’t forget your essential crystals to guide your path and protect your spirit along your journey. (Great to use for bartering as well). Rose quartz: open the heart chakra with a rose quartz near your sleeping bag or even in your pocket. Clear Quartz- this crystal will balance your body and help you keep the equilibrium with all the energies you will encounter. 

Five Elements Gem-Water Bottle By Vitajuwel - Harmonize the five Chinese elements in your life in order to feel balanced and strong for the long days of classes and workshops. 

Living Intentions Wild Berry Sprouted Trail Mix - A probiotic rich nut, seed and tangy fruit combination to give yourself a sustainable activated boost.

Blue Mountain Organics Sprouted Extreme Mix Nut Mix - A digestible, protein rich nut-based mix that will nourish your hungry belly.

Health Force Intestinal Movement Formula - While traveling, our bowel movements can get irregular and these non-habit forming supplements will get your back on track.

Source Naturals Wellness Oil of Oregano - Anti-bacterial and anti-viral, oil of oregano will boost your immune system and keep your sharp throughout your forest journey. 

Sisters of the West Futuro Tincture - With all the knowledge being absorbed, you might become feeling overstimulated and this tincture will help calm the mind and give you a peaceful sleep in your tent under the stars.

Enzymedica Digest Gold - Outside of your comfort zone and personal home kitchen your body may need a sidekick to help digest unfamiliar meals.

Stasher Bag - Keep your personal snacks and treats safe from bugs and wildlife with this essential non-plastic bag alternative.

Zenbunni Rainbow Box - Who can travel without a stash of Zenbunni chocolate?! 

SDBING Women's Wool Crew Socks - Keep your feet warm and cozy from the chilly pacific northwest breezes.

100% Organic Textiles Cotton Covered Wool Filled Pillow - Bring a piece of home with you and sleep with your head literally on a cloud.

Suntegrity "5 in 1" Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen - Tinted , Broad Spectrum SPF 30 - Vegan and chemical-free, this sunscreen will keep that summer sun at bay and give you the added bonus of tinted color. 

Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream, Osea Essential Hydrating Oil, Osea Brightening Boast - We cannot travel without our favorite vegan, non-toxic seaweed based skincare line, bringing with us skin protecting face cream and hydrating oil to combat heat and dryness and a white algae mask and serum to illuminate the skin even with lack of sleep.

Sun Potion Prash and Sun Potion Reishi Mushroom - Another must have company, you know how we cannot live without Sun Potion. Prash will ensure you get your essential fats and herbs, while Reishi will protect your body from toxins and illness along your travels.

Uncle Harry’s Peppermint Toothpaste - Easy and compact, this toothpaste will remineralize your mouth and keep you minty fresh and clean.

Living Libations Fortifying Frankincense Dry Shampoo - It can be hard to find a shower to wash your hair, so keep your scalp clean and restored with dry shampoo. 

Hair Print Fermented Bamboo Shampoo and Bamboo Conditioner - If you do find a way to shower, use this Made Safe certified shampoo and conditioner combination to keep your body and the environment’s health a priority.

Boiron Arnica Montana - A first aid kit must, Arnica is important to keep in your pouch as a natural pain reliever.

Jungmaven Hemp Baja Hooded Sweatshirt - Stay stylish and sustainable in a Jungmaven sweatshirt while feeling gratitude around the campfire.

Wishgarden Kick-Ass Immune - If you do catch some sniffles, we guarantee this will kick any bug left in your body to the curb! 

Additional Options

• Make your own natural Bug Spray with catnip, citronella, rosemary, clove, lemongrass, cedar, and/or witch hazel
• Bring sage to burn 
• Bring a sheep or faux skin rug to make your campsite more comfortable

Calming Elixir

By: Sima Morrison

Are you ever craving a cocktail after a long day of work, but don't want the side effects of drinking alcohol? Instead, how about a happy hour with a Jun-based mind elixir. This concoction is the perfect alternative to ease those racing thoughts and brush away stress sitting atop your shoulders. Whether you are anxious after a presentation, wound up after sitting in traffic, or simply looking for a positive mood boost, this gentle mocktail will calm down your inner fire. It is lovely for bringing down Chi and assisting your body in transitioning through your daily circadian rhythms. 

The Peaceful Easy Feeling Tincture aids digestive upset and insomnia, making it an essential ingredient for this unwinding potion. Inside, Lemon Balm assists as a gladdening herb, which helps with nervous tension, anxiety and stress. Skullcap, Lavender and Chamomile have mild sedative and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe exhaustion, excitability and anxiety. Lemon grass has similar tonic medicinal qualities as well. Ginkgo is an ancient herb that oxygenates the brain, improving memory and concentration. Similarly, Rhodiola strengthens the nervous system and enhances memory, while also fighting depression, improving energy and aiding in weight reduction. Gotu Kola rejuvenates the immune system and strengthens the adrenals. 

Relaxing Mind Mocktail Elixir

• 4 oz Jun Kombucha

• 10 drops Poppy and Someday Peaceful Easy Feeling Tincture

• 10 drops Herb Pharm Ginkgo Tincture

• 5 drop Herb Pharm Gotu Kola Tincture

• 5 drops Mountain Maus Remedies Lemon Grass Tincture

• 5 drop Herb Pharm Rhodiola Tincture

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Sima Morrison, founder of House of Citrine, is a vibrant soul with a potent zest for life and the beauty in its simple pleasures. As a holistic nutritionist, Sima has made it her life's journey to experience, to empower, and to explore the synergy between the mind and the body. She manifests her vision through her online journal, designing recipes and cultivating conversation in the sharing of health, wellness, and inspiration. Sima lives with an open heart and views being in service to others as her most important calling, practicing compassion and helping people to heal past trauma. She is a certified Kundalini yoga instructor and meditation facilitator.

Trump and the Environment

By: Molly Helfend

Where does the environment stand within the new Trump Administration?

(January - April)

This is a brief overview to familiarize readers with environmental actions that are surrounding our government right now. This focuses on regulations, policies and events that have officially been proposed, passed and occurred. Every couple of months, I will update House of Citrine readers with information surrounding the government and the environment. Many of us are feeling helpless when it comes to actually getting involved and making positive change while the Trump Administration is consistently shattering vital regulations and perplexing us with alarming messages. But, through my work at Greenpeace, I was taught a valuable lesson. I learned that instead of trying to move the entire tree, take one branch at a time. Some of the most influential change comes from focusing on our local communities and government. And, let me say, Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation is the quintessential example of this. I have listed some ways on how to get involved and personally cope with this pyrrhic government acting with impunity and an aginner motive towards the environment. Although this list may seem daunting and overwhelming, please allow honest education into your mind, body and soul to manifest optimism and hope. We can all make a difference, big or small, with unity and respect that will foster a healthy world. Feel free to comment and share your ideas on how we can all help! 

Sarah Malik, political, social and environmental activist, has inputted some of her ideas and advice on how to help promote positive change. Cultured, worldly and sharp, Sarah used her unbiased opinions to properly introduce ways to get involved with issues surrounding the environment. You can read more about Sarah on her Wikimedia career page, or follow her brilliant travels on Instagram. 

Disclaimer: These are her personal ideas and do not at all reflect the views of the Wikimedia Foundation. 

What: The Climate March had over 200,000 protesters that marched to the White House to protest our government’s unfair stance and inaction on climate change.

When: April 29

Why does this matter: This large-scale climate march marked President Trump’s first 100 days in office. The night before the march, the Environmental Protection Agency took down the site devoted to the science of climate change. The administration has already moved to rid the government of Obama’s Clean Power Plan, and taken many other actions to weaken air and water protections, in order to enable fossil fuel exploitation on public lands and in waters. Our environment is no longer a priority in the White House. The administration is currently deciding whether to remain in the Paris climate agreement.

What can you do: Get involved with peaceful protest marches in your area. They are mostly spread by word of mouth or social media, but it is helpful to check your local newspapers and bulletin boards. 

What: The EPA removed the climate science webpage from its entire site. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s main climate change website is “undergoing changes” to better reflect “the agency’s new direction” under Donald Trump.

When: April 28

Why does this matter: This website was “conveniently” taken down the day before the Climate March. The public website previously conveyed greenhouse gas emissions data and reports on the effects of climate change and its impact on human health. JP Freire, an associate administrator for public affairs, said the government wants “to eliminate confusion by removing outdated language first and making room to discuss how we’re protecting the environment and human health by partnering with states and working within the law.”

What can you do: “Stay informed. Archive, has saved the original website. Share with those around you. Here is an overview of the situation as well” (Malik). 

What: Trump moved to expand offshore oil drilling and reconsider rules that safeguard the activity.

When: April 27

Why does this matter: “Trump on Friday ordered Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to revise a five-year schedule for auctioning offshore drilling rights with the aim of potentially including territory left out by former President Barack Obama. Trump’s executive order also seeks to reverse a potentially more enduring decision by Obama to indefinitely withdraw most U.S. Arctic waters and some Atlantic Ocean areas from leasing…[this] executive order also instructs Zinke to review a raft of protections governing offshore drilling, including a measure designed to address shortcomings revealed by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, triggered when a BP Plc well blew out in the Gulf of Mexico. The resulting explosion killed 11 workers and spewed millions of barrels of crude” (Dlouhy, 2017). 

What can you do: “Divestment from big banks that have financial stakes is often a difficult, but an important step that can be taken to essentially show where you want your money to go. Taking your money out of banks and putting it into credit unions has been an essential part of the movement to separate banks from offshore drilling. Read more here.” (Malik). Stop using Bank of America, HSBC, UBS, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase. 

What: Donald Trump signed an executive order to review the protections of billions of public land that house more than two dozen national monuments. 

When: April 26

Why does this matter: These monuments were declared by the last three presidents to preserve millions of acres from corporate development. This is in direct defiance of the Antiquities Act, a 1906 law introduced by President Teddy Roosevelt that gives presidents the power to protect federal land and waters by naming them national monuments. This is the first time any president has tried to shrink protected areas and rescind the designation of any national monuments’ status, putting wildlife and ecosystems at tremendous risk. Logging, mining, and overall destruction of national parks is precariously eminent if this passes. Yet another reason to love Patagonia, the company recently announced that they are threatening to sue Trump over this executive order. Read here.

What can you do: “The heart of the solution seems to rely on your wallet. Your financial support of public parks shows its worth to government. Visit and donate. Can poets save the parks?” (Malik).

What: The United States just lost the trade battle with Mexico over dolphin safe tuna.

When: April 26

Why does this matter: Not only is this the first “official” loss of the Trump era, but this is an issue that has been prevalent for many years. The US has demanded that any Mexican Tuna caught and sold to the US must not have any dolphins killed with them. Although Mexico claims their fisherman do not kill dolphins, the US disagrees. After years of fighting, the World Trade Organization ruled in Mexico's favor. This imposes trade sanctions worth $163 million a year against the U.S, as apparently that is what we owe Mexico. This is bad timing, as President Trump, who is already known to have poor negotiation skills, wants to renegotiate NAFTA with Canada and Mexico.

What can you do: “Start with a google search on: “how to choose ethical seafood”. The first three links that show up are: seafoodwatch.org, NRDC.org, and goodfishguide.org. Educating yourself is without a doubt the most important first step anyone can take when it comes to environmental health” (Malik). Watch what you put in your shopping cart and try to avoid buying unsustainable fish, or opt for none at all.

What: The March for Science took place, with more than 600 marches across the world, including Antarctica, on Earth Day. 

When: April 22

Why does this matter: These noteworthy marches were non political. Hundreds of thousands of climate researchers, oceanographers, scientists and supporters rallied in marches, including at our National Mall in Washington DC, to raise awareness of the precarious situation between politicians and scientists. Scientists are “under attack” from the Trump Administration through budget cuts and regulatory policies. 

What can you do: Get involved with the marches around your neighborhood or join the thousands in larger scale marches in Washington DC or New York. Create the fundamental shift with the power of your actions.

What: Energy Secretary Rick Perry is ordering a study of the United States’ consumption of renewable sources, primarily electric policies, to determine if they are more sustainable and economical than coal and nuclear. 

When: April 14 

Why does this matter: The 60-day review is really just a facade hiding a ponzi scheme to favor non-renewable energy corporations, so nuclear and coal are not accelerated into retirement. Since Trump has already been moving to dismantle Obama administration policies, which are surrounding the dismantlement coal-fired power plants for human and environmental health, this is Perry’s underhanded move to favor Trump and keep coal and nuclear alive. Switching to renewable sources actually creates jobs, contrary to what Perry believes. This article by the Washington Post is a great reference to learn more about where the EPA is heading.

What can you do: We will follow what happens in 60 days.

What: President Donald Trump donated his first quarter salary of $78,333.32 in the White House to the National Park Service.

When: April 3 

Why does this matter: Tyrone Brandyburg, the superintendent of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, was given this check by Sean Spicer at a press briefing in front of the press. This move doesn't even make feasible sense, as Trump is proposing to cut the public lands budget by $1.6 billion. This move is an inconsequential “peace offering.”

What can you do: Support your community parks and public lands by attending consistently and treating them with respect. If upkeep will not be supported, hold community trash clean up days or simply pick up after you and your family. 

What: Environmental Protection Agency proposed a new 64 page budget plan to eliminate even more programs, including two that are focused on limiting children’s exposure to lead-based paint.

When: April 1

Why does this matter: Lead is beyond dangerous to human health, causing such effects asdevelopmental issues in children. The EPA estimates that 38 million U.S. homes currently contain lead-based paint. Eliminating programs that educate the public and train workers on the safety procedures in removing lead-based paint is a human health violation. It prevents the EPA and environmental groups from being able to properly treat the prolonged situation. Read more on this budget plan here. 

What can you do: Lead Safe America is a non-profit organization that supports safe lead testing throughout America. If you do have the means, invest in natural concrete roads and building materials. Looking into alternative house building methods is a great way to avoid lead and other toxic chemicals. Check out some of these sites: 

http://ironkast.com/ 

https://www.greencoreconstruction.co.uk/ 

http://www.themudhome.com/earthbag-building.html

What: The Trump Administration announced a proposed 23-page budget plan, which targets climate change programs and questions air and water pollution policies, would reduce the EPA’s budget by 25% ($8.1 billion).

When: March 31

Why does this matter: Slashing the EPA budget eliminates about 3,000 jobs, funding for environmental protection activities and various vital programs such as the Environmental Justice Office. This crucial department recognizes the disproportionate class systems and works to ensure that all people, regardless of race, nationality, income, gender or age, have equal ability and rights to remove and fight pollution in their neighborhoods. It provides grants and support to low income communities “to mop up toxins and rehabilitate abandoned industrial facilities that are invariably found in poorer areas” (Milman). The Obama administration worked with the EPA to introduce new efforts against toxic pollution from waste treatment plants that were “conveniently” located near low income and colored communities, but without the Environmental Justice Department, this plan will cease to exist. Almost all “funding for the cleanup of lead, marine pollution, tribal lands and the Great Lakes region [face] severe cuts, while climate initiatives are earmarked for a 70% budget reduction” (Milman). 

What can you do: “Find your niche and get involved. Environmental organizations like Two Hands Project encourage and foster healthy learning about natural ways to clean up pollution” (Malik). Encourage your senators and congressman to pressure the federal government to invest time and learn more about clean up methods that are natural and deeply connected to our planet, making them the norm, such as plastic eating moths, radiation eating and plastic eating fungi.

What: The EPA refused to ban the neurotoxic, organophosphate insecticide, Chlorpyrifos, which has been linked to extreme health hazards

When: March 31

Why does this matter: Scientific evidence has documented the harmful health repercussions of Chlorpyrifos to children’s brains such as increased risk of learning disabilities, developmental delay, autism and ADHD. Since it is sprayed on such agricultural crops as apples, oranges, strawberries, and more, it can easily cause damage to children that ingest it. Scientific evidence prove that our fruits and vegetables are not safe, yet canard from the Trump administration says otherwise. This has furthered the evidence of that new department of the EPA is delaying regulations for air quality, pesticides and formaldehyde emissions. 

What can you do: Agricultural corporations will always feel the impacts of consumers if they stop buying products. Buying local, organic produce is essential when trying to avoid pesticide consumption. Even better, is buying directly from farmers markets or visiting farms yourself. Work with your local neighborhood to create community gardens and nutrition based programs in schools. A great way to teach your children about healthy eating is by plant a garden in your backyard. You will save money and feel the positive of effects of clean food and nature. If money is truly a concern, there are healthy eating budgeting websites such as Choose My Plate. The truth is, the excuse that eating healthy is more expensive just is not true. With the health bills that will add up later in life, you are actually saving money. “Start a conversation with your community about who to patronize and who to avoid. Shift consumer habits and it can have a big impact” (Malik). 

What: The House passed the Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act, or HONEST Act, which would prohibit the EPA from writing any regulations that use science that is not publicly available.

When: March 29

Why does this matter: The EPA is not perfect, but it is not a conspiracy organization. They are not actively trying to undermine all public health and environmental safety. By restricting the kind of scientific studies and data the EPA can use, the EPA’s hands become tied with actually passing important environmental regulations. Instead of working towards advancing clean energy technology and regulating pollution, “the HONEST Act is intended to handcuff the EPA, [as] it would irresponsibly leave the EPA unable to write important regulatory protections, since the agency might not have the ability to release some parts of the scientific data underpinning them” (Cama). Simply put, this bill has nothing to do with science and everything to do with politics. This poison is spreading like wildfire and now has led to new claims that phrases like “climate change”, are banned from being used in The Office of International Climate and Clean Energy.

What can you do: Educate yourself with science-based literature or documentaries. Try to be careful when reading on the internet, as much of the information can be slanted to either side. Taking a science course at your local college or online is another great way to get more informed. 

What: Trump signed an executive order to halt intended environmental regulations, including Obama’s Clean Power Plan, to pursue energy independence.

When: March 28

Why does this matter: The Clean Power Plan sought to cut carbon emissions by 32% by 2030, close and limit the production on hundreds of coal plants, and replace these with renewable energy sourcing facilities. This new order pushes for an increase in the production of coal and the reintroduction of obsolete coal mining jobs, which are harmful to human and environmental health. 

What can you do: “There are not even that many active coal mines, so it is important to invest in renewables like solar, wind and biomass” (Malik).

What: Trump signed a proposal that restricts the Bureau of Land Management’s power to conserve public lands for future use.

When: March 27

Why does this matter: It gives states and local government almost no input on land usage in their own backyards and communities. Public land could be sold off to corporations, ignored or even degraded, promoting environmental devastation. Since this proposal, the Trump administration has completely shut out the public from scientific information and discussions happening on public land use. This information is essential for transparency with land that we not only live on, but use for recreational purposes.

What can you do: Although this may seem counterintuitive for environmental reasons, the more you visit parks and public lands, the more money is poured in. The government cannot avoid seeing this increase in tourism and support.

What: The Senate repealed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that forbids controversial and inhumane hunting on wildlife refuges in Alaska. 

When: March 21

Why does this matter: Prized hunting animals, such as wolves and grizzly bears, as well as, bird species with exotic feathers, have been excessively hunted in previous years. Now, hunters can once again kill bear cubs and sows in their dens from overhead aircrafts and with inhumane traps and snares. The forbidding of these cruel hunting practices allowed for a healthy balance in the Alaskan ecosystems. Without it, hunters will mercilessly kill populations of animals for sport, creating a deficiency of animals for local hunters that actually use animal meat for their livelihoods.

What can you do: It is important to recognize the vitality of honoring hunting practices that are rooted in cultural traditions and actual means for survival with small tribes and communities. However, avoiding hunting for sport is essential when trying to save wildlife.

What: Trump revived the controversial Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Plan.

When: March 20

Why does this matter: This extremely controversial nuclear waste facility has been debated since the 1980s. It would cost an estimated $100 billion dollars, not including the cost of a highly potential radioactive spill. This would destroy the tourist industry in Nevada, as well as, leak into groundwater supplies. Nevadans are desperate to fight this plan to build the waste plant. 

What can you do: In my opinion, this is the MOST IMPORTANT initiative you can take. This website will calculate your personal carbon footprint and you can donate money to offset your carbon emissions. You can literally give yourself a carbon tax. 

What: Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke signed a Secretarial Order to repeal the ban on lead ammunition in national parks.

When: March 2

Why does this matter: Hunters who use led munitions kill around 20 million birds and other animals because of lead poisoning every year. Extinction and endangered species lists will rise, as syntropic ecosystems are forced into instability. Non-lead munitions are actually a much more economic option, considering price and environmental consequences. 

What can you do: Because federal funding will be decreased, personally investing in national parks will help them increase security measures. Avoid sport hunting at all costs.

What: Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Clean Water Rule.

When: February 28

Why does this matter: This rule is protected under the federal Clean Water Act, which blows a large hole in the middle of the act, influencing it to become ineffective. The Clean Water rule expands the number of bodies of water under environmental protection. It clarifies and protects the waterways, including streams and wetlands, that should be protected for human consumption. These areas provide drinking water for over 117 million people, or 1 in 3 Americans. Human health is put at great risk. 

What can you do: Identify a cause you are passionate about and volunteer! For example, find organizations that support waterways, estuaries and wetlands such as Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

What: The Senate confirmed Republican Oklahoma senator Scott Pruitt as head of the Environmental Protection Agency

When: February 17

Why does this matter: Scott Pruitt is a conservative lawyer who stands up for the profits of business at the expense of human and environmental health. He has been an opponent of the EPA for years, having sued the EPA14 times in his career. He also negotiated a deal to allow poultry companies to not pay for their millions of dollars in pollution damage and clean up their chicken manure fouling from Oklahoma waters. He has even supported the interests of the corporate energy sectors over clean air and water regulations and public interests. He has zero experience running the EPA and even worse, disregards the existence of human-induced climate change. 

What can you do: Write, call and attend meetings to get your mayor to commit to climate action. Make sure to seek out experts and invite commentary, so you are properly informed and can state your case with zeal.

What: Trump signed House Joint Resolution 38, reversing Obama’s environmental protection rule and allowing coal companies to dump coal mining waste into waterways. 

When: February 16

Why does this matter: This is absolutely devastating to water ecosystems, as chemicals will seep into organisms and land. Mining debris and waste will flow into water supplies. This water is extremely dangerous for water consumption. Even at low concentrations, toxic pollutants like uranium, thorium, arsenic, mercury and lead will have dire health impacts on both rural and urban communities surrounding the waters. In addition, landscapes will be eroded, leading barren wastelands around lakes and rivers and aquatic life will become extinct. Read more about coal impacts on water here.

What can you do: This subject breaks my heart and I give my love to the rural communities that deal with this on a daily basis. I would say the greatest course of action is to join a local environmental rights group and schedule community clean up days. Donate to save endangered animals and wildlife, so we can find them safer homes if need be.

What: Trump signed House Joint Resolution 41, which repeals the Extraction Payment Disclosure Rule. This means that oil, gas, mining and other extraction energy companies no longer have to follow transparency measures and disclose their royalties and payments to governments. 

When: February 14

Why does this matter: This promotes extreme corruption between governments and corporations. We have no idea the uneven distribution of money going on within this corporate sector. It also was later released that the Trump administration gave away millions of dollars in royalties from coal extracted on public lands back to coal companies. That money belongs to central and local governments that protect the land from continued extraction. 

What can you do: Although previously stated, excoriate your feelings about this with your community and spread awareness, so everyone knows which companies are being corrupt.

What: Trump signed executive orders to officially allow the restart and completion of the Dakota Access and Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada. 

When: January 24

Why does this matter: Not only will this not deliver “significant profits” to Americans, like Trump has promised, it is just a matter of time when the pipelines will burst and spills hundreds of thousands of crude oil onto scared and pure land. It is also a gross human rights violation, as the administration recently burned the Sacred Rock Protest Camp to the ground and evicted all of the protesters left behind. Even more absurd, Trump has promised that these projects will “create thousands of jobs”. With this statement being partially correct, these jobs are completely temporary and would not be prudent or economically feasible. The “Keystone pipeline would create about 3,900 construction jobs if it was built in one year, according to a State Department report…[and] that number would drop to 1,950 jobs if the Alberta-to-Nebraska pipeline takes two years to build. The State Department also estimates that about 16,100 additional jobs will be created during the construction via firms awarded contracts for materials and services. However, once Keystone is completed, only 35 permanent employees would be needed to operate the pipeline along with 15 temporary contractors” (Egan). The administration is treating American workers as roustabouts, using the pipeline as an excuse to further the profits and esoterica of oil corporations. To also add more insult to injury, in an ironic twist, the pipeline would not even be able to use American steel, which Trump consistently boasts about pursuing.  

What can you do: As previously stated, I urge divestment. Protest and urge divestment on your college campuses. Stop using Bank of America, HSBC, UBS, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase. Simply, pulling your investments from fossil fuel supporting companies is a vital step in the right direction. 

 

What: Newly appointed Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao rejected the $674 million proposal to electrify the Caltrain. 

When: January 24

Why does this matter: This California rail system carries about 60,000 commuter riders a day between San Francisco and the South Bay. This move would have not only saved money on operating costs, but also would have switched diesel-driven trains to faster and more energy efficient models. This was the start of the plan to introduce a high speed rail that would cross California. 

What can you do: Write letters to personal state representatives and tell them about how the Caltrain would positively impact you and your family’s life. Try not using your car for a day or so and support local transportation methods. The community will feel these impacts and will encourage healthy local economic growth. 

 

What: Trump administration sent out an email that told the EPA to freeze all grants and contracts. 

When: January 20

Why does this matter: This move affects “everything from state-led climate research to localized efforts to improve air and water quality to environmental justice projects aimed at helping poor communities” (Dennis and Eilperin). Since this move, Scott Pruit and his team have been moving to reduce emission standards, as well as refusing to not acknowledge the existence human-caused climate change, by completely removing it from government agendas. As the ball keeps rolling, the Trump Administration is now pushing to remove the US from the Paris Climate Change Accord. Even Exxonmobil, where former chief executive and now Secretary of State Rex Tillerson worked, has pushed to not pull us out of a world nation peace treaty such as this. As one of the most powerful nations in the world, this move gives off the appearance that our country is nescience.

What can you do: Leverage social media for states that are underrepresented in this conversation. Reach out across the globe and use social media for positive influence. 

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Molly Helfend is part of the HOC team and is an herbalist and environmental activist. She graduated from University of Vermont in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Holistic Health. She will be attending University of Kent in Canterbury, England to receive her Masters Degree in Ethnobotany in 2017. She has worked for Urban Moonshine, Greenpeace and received her training with Spoonful Herbals. Her goal is to receive her PHD and become a professor at University of California Santa Cruz. Molly resides in Monte Nido, California.  

Ojai Travel Guide

Ojai, a quaint arts town located about one hour north of Los Angeles, is the getaway hotspot for the holistic and conscious-living enthusiasts. This mecca boasts vivacious orange groves interwoven with solitude and spirituality amongst the unspoiled sagebrush canyons of Southern California. From exquisite local organic food to handcrafted goods and even heavenly nature destinations, this home away from home is the essence of nirvana. 

 

To Do Outdoors

Meditation Mountain

With profound views, lush aromatic gardens, and essential divinity, Mediation Mountain is a beacon of compassion and beauty. Open to the community, this garden of eden is the place to meditate with the spirits and attend transformational events. Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and faeries all call this mood elevating mountain home as you close your eyes, decompress and meditate amongst the mystical wind. Our favorite place to set intentions for the full moon and let go of negative auras for the new moon.

10340 Reeves Rd. Ojai. CA 93023  |  (805) 646-5508

Ojai Farmer's Market

Every Sunday, rain or shine from 9am to 1pm, Ojai’s true sunshine emanates from its lovely Farmers’ Market. Here you will find local organic fruits and vegetables, fresh gourmet bread, sustainably caught seafood, farm raised antibiotic-free eggs, and handmade soups. A lovely place to meander the booths with your family and enjoy a relaxing morning around local artisans and community leaders. Be sure to pick up some renowned local honey and jam to savor with your artisan bread! 

300 E Matilija St. Ojai. CA 93023  |  (805) 698-5555

Ecotopia Hot Springs

These natural mineral hot springs are where we go to connect ourselves and get back in tune with nature’s rhythms. Ecotopia is an absolutely stunning property, situated on a major fault line, with its water containing a very high mineral content of sulfur. The area is also used as a pick-up for local CSA programs. Please respect the land by turning off cellphones and using hushed and whispering voices. Don’t forget to bring a towel, schedule a visit and be prepared to reconnect with nature.

2566 Matilija Canyon Rd. Ojai CA 93023  |  (805) 727-4117|  info@ojaiecotopia.com

Wineries 

Casa Barranca

This winery and tasting room boasts chill vibes and family values. Only organic, pesticide-free grapes are utilized to produce high quality wines. Casa Barranca’s innovation with sustainable growing practices and solar panel power is another reason why we love it. Make sure to try their divine Pink Moment Rose and Pinot Noir!

208 East Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 92023  |  (805) 640-1255

Ojai Vineyard Tasting Room

If you want to taste some of the highest caliber Southern California wines, then this is the place. Their large variety and selection of wines comes from over three decades of experience running a winery. With a distinctive European atmosphere and full body wines, this tasting room has nodes of a new and old world vineyard. 

109 S Montgomery St. Ojai, CA 93023  |  (805) 798-3947

 

Restaurants 

Revel - Jun Kombucha Bar

With unanimity, we love Revel’s Jun Kombucha! Jun is healthier than Kombucha, in that it is made with green tea and raw honey, rather than black tea and cane sugar. This unique brewery and tasting bar is a fantastic place to stop by for a smooth non-alcoholic fermented beverage with an array of distinctive flavors or for an acai bowl, a jar of kimchi and other fermented goodies. So relax, bring your laptop and be prepared for some friendly service at this quirky alternative “coffee shop”.

307 E Matilija St. Suite C. Ojai, CA 93023  |  (805) 272-0028

Hip Vegan

This is one of our favorite lunch spots to bask in the sun while eating finger-licking vegan cuisine. Their lovely outdoor space is the perfect setting to enjoy that Southern California warmth and their elevated and refreshing Indo Wrap. We also are obsessed with their Spring Rolls, consisting of ginger tofu, shiso, thai basil, mint, onions, cilantro, fresh veggies, vietnamese dip and covered in an organic rice wrap. High vibrational meal! 

928 E Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93023  |  (805) 646-1750

Food Harmonics

Food Harmonics takes the prize for most innovative and highest quality ingredients. This new Ojai restaurant focuses on Ayurvedic food recipes that heal and nourish the body. It is a gluten-free, organic, paleo friendly, nutrient dense menu that supports all local farms and community values. You can grab a variety of meals from dosas, to easily digestible salads, soups and bowls. Make sure to try their sustainable buffalo bone broth (you can add a variety of toppings) and bison burger over sautéed kale! 

254 E Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93023  |  (805) 798-9253

The Ranch House

Gourmet and romantic, The Ranch House has date night dinner written all over its historic property. Owned by Ojai locals, Alan and Helen Hooker, this restaurant prides itself with high quality service, array of organic wines, grass fed antibiotic-free meat, sustainably caught seafood, and completely organic local produce. As an added bonus they promote the feat of not using any freezers, microwave ovens or fryers in their kitchen.

102 Besant Rd. Ojai, CA 93023  |  (805) 646-2360

Ojai Valley Inn and Spa

Lodging  

Ojai Rancho Inn

This hip chic little getaway is an excellent choice for the more budgeted traveler. It is a solid choice that boasts reasonable rustic rooms, free bike rental, and an outdoor pool and sauna. The inn is charming and homey - a delightful choice! Pets are welcome.

615 W Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93023  |  (805) 646-1434

Ojai Valley Inn and Spa

This is the cream of the crop of renowned bohemian spa getaways. If you want to truly splurge on luxury, stay at the hacienda style Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. Nothing could be more beautiful than walking the acres of pristine property grounds or using their top of the line spa facilities. We definitely recommend getting the orange blossom and honey wrap that comes with salubrious dry brushing and a nourishing body mask. Don’t forget to visit The Spa Cafe, a nutritious new quick bite restaurant and juice bar. Or you can awaken your creativity and take a class at the Artist Cottage and Apothecary. Or even play a round of golf on the exquisite greens. Pets are welcome.

905 Country Club Rd. Ojai, CA 93023  |  (855) 697-8780

 

Stores

Bart’s Books

An obscure book store that just so happens to be the largest independently owned and operated bookstore in the US. Bart’s Books has a great outdoor and rare atmosphere, stacks of great selections of music and used books.

302 W Matilija St. Ojai, CA 93023  |  (805) 646-3755

Fig Curated Living

This offbeat home and garden store sells unique gifts, delectable fixtures, ceramic bowls, succulents and local handcrafted goods. They also pride themselves on focusing their inventory on fair trade handmade items!

327 E Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93023  |  (805) 646-6561

Summer Camp

With an inviting modish atmosphere, this store sells custom framing and vintage home and lifestyle goods. They sell handmade cards and delicate decor while supporting local artists and community partner. Their space is available for art shows, photo shoots, and events. 

1020 W Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93203  |  (805) 861-7109 

In the Field

Think Topanga Canyon meets Abbot Kinney with a touch of Joshua Tree and you have found this Ojai shop. With boho vibes and a touch of elegance, In the Field sells luxe essentials with high end luxury living pieces.

730 E Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93023  |  (310) 403-4292

 

Essentials 

Narayan - Beauty Alchemist

Self care while traveling is essential. That is why booking an appointment at Narayan will enliven your beauty, healing and sacredness. They also sell a completely natural high quality clean skin care line that uses a technique called faceology to bring deep healing, vitality and glow to the face and entire spiritual being.

(323) 683 - 4224 or Book on the website 

Rainbow Bridge Natural Food

We all need to hit the grocery store for those personal products or when we are just itching to make a home cooked meal. Organic, local, high quality, sustainable and earth-friendly market. 

211 E Matilija St. Ojai, CA 93023  |  (805) 646-4017

Local Brands

Ojai Energetics

This is the top of the line water soluble CBD company. “Where nature meets science”, this quality brand also sells 22 essential oil blends and is one of the only companies that includes ORMUS for superior energy. Grab a bottle for heightened physical and spiritual wellbeing.

Wildcare

A truly magical herbal skincare line that sells hydrosols from ethically wildcrafted plants. Each hydrosol has potent skin benefits, balances the natural pH of the skin, and can be used as an energetic atmosphere mist. We LOVE the Palo Santo and White Sage!

Raw Food World

Based in Ojai, this online raw food and superfoods store is the largest in the world. They sell a variety of raw goods from supplements to dried fruits, sweeteners, cleansing and beauty products. Truly transformational products. 

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Sima Morrison, founder of House of Citrine, is a vibrant soul with a potent zest for life and the beauty in its simple pleasures. As a holistic nutritionist, Sima has made it her life's journey to experience, to empower, and to explore the synergy between the mind and the body. She manifests her vision through her online journal, designing recipes and cultivating conversation in the sharing of health, wellness, and inspiration. Sima lives with an open heart and views being in service to others as her most important calling, practicing compassion and helping people to heal past trauma. She is a certified Kundalini yoga instructor and meditation facilitator.