There's a common belief that cleansing isn't the most important step in your routine. But we know that cleansing your face with a high quality and effective cleanser can be one of the most valuable steps as it creates a healthy, nourished foundation for the products you apply to clean skin. By taking the time to cleanse properly you're setting yourself, and your skin, up for a radiant, healthy and nourished outermost layer.
Some questions that come up around cleansing the face are: Do we need to cleanse both morning and night? What type of cleanser is best? How long should we cleanse for? Drawing on our research, experience and ongoing work with estheticians and skin experts, we're sharing our simple, considered and effective approach. Take the guesswork out of cleansing and make way for clearer, healthier skin.
]]>Mornings are for rinsing, evening are for cleansing.
If you’ve properly cleansed your skin in the evening, there shouldn't be a need to wash your face again in the morning. Our AM routine starts with a quick rinse of cool or lukewarm water (never hot), providing us that refreshed feeling while keeping our skin barrier and natural oils intact. Most evenings we just cleanse once, however if you a tend to wear heavy makeup during the day, we recommend a double cleanse, once to attract and dissolve product, and another to finish the job. But if it's hot and sticky out, your skin might want a morning cleanse as well. Listen, and heed, what your skin needs and wants. That's always the goal.
Start with clean hands and a clean towel.
It’s important to work with clean tools, and that includes our hands. We like to wash our hands right before we wash our face, ensuring no dirt or residue on our fingers contaminate our complexion. For a similar reason, we always dry our skin post cleanse with a clean towel.
Choose a natural cleanser.
The cleansers we share at CAP leave out ingredients that strip our skin, and instead, include ingredients that hydrate, repair and protect out outermost layer. The best way to know if you’re using the right cleanser, is to assess your skin after washing. If it feels clean, supple and soft, your cleanser is doing its job. If your skin feels dry, stripped or squeaky, you’re likely using something too harsh. Choosing from one of the natural cleansers we offer is an easy way to guarantee your skin stays hydrated, healthy and happy.
Make it a ritual.
Cleansing can be a sacred act when approached as a ritual. Take your time and slowly massaging your favorite cleanser onto your skin, drawing small circles over your face, neck and chest. If you can massage your skin for a bit, all the better. We love to do this with a generous amount of blue, using it as a means to deeply massage the face, increasing circulation and stimulating your lymphatic system.
Pat dry, leave damp.
Because the skin on our face is very delicate, we make it a point to gently pat it dry after cleansing, avoiding any aggressive rubbing or unnecessary pressure. We've also found that leaving our face slightly damp helps our following products sink in more effectively and seal in hydration.
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Makes 2 boules
For the sponge
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon (245g) cold sourdough starter
1 cup minus 1 teaspoon (22g) filtered water, at room temperature
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (160g) superfine brown rice flour, plus more for dusting
For the dough
1 3/4 cups (210g) gluten-free oat or light buckwheat flour, plus more for dusting
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons (120g) sorghum flour
1 cup (120g) tapioca starch
3/4 (120g) potato starch
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 cups plus 2 tablespoons (700g) filtered water, at room temperature
1/4 cup (40g) Organic India Psyllium Husk
3 tablespoons (20g) flaxseed meal
To make the sponge, in a medium bowl, mix together the sourdough starter, water and brown rice flour. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and proof at room temperature for 3 to 6 hours, until the mixture is bubbly, puffed up and resembles mousse.
To make the dough, once the sponge has fermented, the the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix together both flours, both starches and salt.
In a large bowl, whisk the water, psyllium powder and flax-seed; it will quickly become thick and gel-like. Add this mixture and the sponge to the mixer bowl. Mix on medium speed until the dough comes together and all of the flour has been incorporated. about 3 minutes. Alternatively, you can mix the dough by hand in a large bowl, making sure there are no large clumps of unmixed flour.
Lightly dust a work surface with brown rice flour. Turn the dough out onto it and cut into 2 equal pieces. Knead each piece, then shape it into a ball, making sure that the seam is sealed. The dough should be moist, with some bounce and hold its shape.
Dust two 8-inch proofing baskets or mixing bowls with brown rice flour. Gently transfer the dough rounds into the baskets with the dough seam facing up. Cover the baskets loosely with clean kitchen towels. Proof the dough at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours or in the refrigerator for 8 to 10 hours. The dough will not double in size or expand much, which makes it hard to visually assess if it's ready to be baked. Give it a try and make adjustments based on the outcome.
Approximately 30 minutes before baking the boules, preheat the oven to 500 degrees F and put two 5-quart cast-iron Dutch oven pans inside. Heat them for at least 20 minutes. When ready, invert the proofing basket onto your hand, and gently place the dough into a Dutch oven. Score the top using a lame or sharp knife, sprinkle with a bit of oat flour and add a couple of ice cubes into each pot beside the dough.
Cover the Dutch ovens with lids and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the lids, reduce the oven temperature to 450 degrees F, and bake for another 50 minutes, until the crusts are dark and sound hollow when tapped. The internal temperature should be 210 degrees F.
Transfer the boules to a wire rack and cool completely before cutting. This is very important because it allows the crumb to set and not be gummy. If you cut the bread before it is cool, it will collapse and all the air pockets will stick to each other. Be patient. Store the bread in a brown paper bag at room temperature. It is best eaten within 2 days. You can also freeze bread once completely cooled.
This recipe comes courtesy of my dear friend Aran Goyoga, namely her cookbook and my baking bible Canelle et Vanille Bakes Simple.
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I have an inside-out approach, it’s nuanced and integrative. If someone is coming to me to heal acne, their journey is much different than my clients looking to simply age gracefully. They have been to countless doctors, they have spent thousands of dollars, they’ve been gaslit and dismissed, they are usually exhausted. I try to recognize all these components and start by deeply listening. We do a full consultation that’s built into their first facial, which is my Cult Facial™. We go over EVERYTHING from medical history to mental health to normal bowel movements. I also offer a non-diagnostic stool test that analyzes the gut microbiome for keystone species, diversity, dysbiosis, and much more!
How would you recommend those who can't see you in person begin their acne healing journey?
If you can’t come to me, I’d recommend following a few licensed estheticians who specialize in acne. Watch their journey, look for before and afters, and make sure you align. A red flag might be, “results after just one peel.” Sure, but will those results last? Because they aren’t identifying the root cause.
Have humans always experienced acne? What modern lifestyle factors do you think contribute to this condition most?
Acne is possible when we have both a genetic predisposition and the right environmental exposures. It is also an inflammatory disease, and one of western civilization. Authors of a 2020 study in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology are finding that only when indigenous people move to westernized societies do they present with acne. Basically modernity has savaged our skin. High-glycemic foods, processed foods, conventional dairy, factory-farmed meat, refined grains, pollution, contaminated/treated water, overuse of antibiotics, lack of mineral-rich soil and water, and lack of prebiotic fiber in the diet not only create an inflammatory environment, but they also create a dysbiotic gut microbiome, a high toxin load and dysregulated hormones. The Gut X Skin Axis is vital to skin health. Consider that our gut microbiota actually communicates with our skin both indirectly and directly. This crucial relationship means that if we have a damaged intestinal barrier metabolites can enter our bloodstream which can disrupt the skin microbiome by accumulating there! There’s just so many players, but it all comes down to the microbiome!
Is there a basic, general skincare routine for someone with acne you feel confident would help almost anyone?
Absolutely. What I do and what works with my clients is: oil cleanse with Marie Veronique Pure + E.O. Free Oil Cleanser (make sure to properly remove), then the Marie Veronique Gentle Retinol Serum (at night), then moisturize with 2-4 drops of Monastery Gold Botanical Oil Serum. This is a very basic regimen.
Here's why: First, we effectively cleanse and debris the pores without disrupting the skins’ microbiome. Then, not only is retinol comedolytic, but it promotes keratinocyte differentiation (a process by which keratin cells maintain epidermal integrity through functioning normally; they protect against unwanted microbes). And lastly, retinol suppresses acne lesions from forming. The Gold Botanical Oil is a quick-absorbing, multivitamin for the skin. The nutrient-density and anti-inflammatory properties also help to calm skin tissue.
What is microneedling? What exactly does it do for our skin and why do you love it for those with acne?
Microneedling is a non-ablative procedure that utilizes tiny surgical steel needles at a 0.5 mm depth or above to gently pierce the skin. This action increases the skin's own production of natural growth factors and cytokines, and mitigates any excess inflammatory cascade that might otherwise occur with other ablative modalities. I love it for its immeasurable regenerative capacities!
After a microneedling treatment, we get an increase in nutrient uptake and bio-availability and we normalize melanocytes (hello hyperpigmentation), and down-regulate keratinocytes (perfect for acne patients). It also creates turgor in the vessel walls and connective tissue which supports blood flow and capillary function (great for those with rosacea), and even breaks down hardened scar tissue.
Microneedling optimizes cell signaling, instructing cells to heal. It also encourages something called neocollagenesis, which promotes new collagen deposition while also rebooting our skin's cellular function. All of this is enhanced with the use of topical stem cytokines derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs).
An analogy I’ve recently been using is to think of mycelium on the forest floor. The mycelium at the root tips connect and send signals to other trees forming a network, to transfer nutrients and keep other trees healthy.
I really don’t think non-professionals understand that what separates us from them isn't just education, but namely experience. Anyone can google, or even go get licensed, but experience with thousands of clients is wisdom. You are better able to determine efficacy and outcome, control or stop a negative reaction and give results. Someone at home runs the risk of infection, scarring, or it simply not working.
Can you share your perspective around hormonal acne? Why do you not see it as a root cause?
Hormones can provoke acne, and they certainly do, but they are not the root cause. We all go through puberty, yet only some teenagers get acne. Women have their cycle and go through hormonal changes monthly, yet we don’t all experience acne. Acne is multifactorial, with a lot of cross-pollination. For example, the combination of PCOS and a genetic propensity will likely cause acne, and while these factors alone may impact the presence of acne for some, it’s just not the case for all. Not only is the gut microbiome compromised in almost all cases of acne, but additionally in patients with acne 94% have a presence of H Pylori, 92% candida, and 50% have Protozoa like Giardia.
It’s also important to be able to break down excess estrogen and excrete it through bowel movements, improve our estrogen to progesterone balance, and regulate testosterone levels by increasing the production of a protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which binds to testosterone in the bloodstream, rendering it inactive, which is helpful in women to reduce acne. I have an integrative OBGYN I recommend clients to in the case of extreme hormone dysregulation.
What are some of your favorite lifestyle habits to help clients with acne?
1. Take an oral spore-based probiotic.
2. Increase fiber rich foods.
3. Zinc sunblock for its anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Daily breathwork and skin affirmations.
5. Lifting weights and cardiovascular health.
Email Jenn at ritualbodywellness@gmail.com to book a consultation.
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REISHI: MUSHROOM MULTI
Shop our selection of Reishi products here.
ASHWAGANDHA: STRESS LESS
Shop Anima Mundi's Ashwagandha here.
MAGNESIUM: MINERALIZE YOUR BODY
Shop our favorite Magnesiums here and here.
MATCHA: CLEAN GREEN ENERGY
Shop our bestselling matcha here.
BELLY LOVE: DEBLOAT + DETOX
Shop Anima Mundi's Belly Love here.
ULTIMATE FOUNDATION: EVERYDAY SUPPORT
Shop NeoNutritions' Ultimate Foundation here.
COLLAGEN BOOSTER: REPAIR + RENEW
Shop our favorite collagen boosting formulas here and here.
Facial in a Glass
This tonic delivers a range of skin nourishing ingredients, naturally boosting collagen production, improving hydration and encouraging a youthful glow. Drink a glass often to give your complexion what it craves.
1 teaspoon Anima Mundi Dirty Rose Chai
2 teaspoons neoNutritions Ultimate Beauty
1 capsule Dosage Mother of Pearl
1-2 teaspoons Activist Manuka 300
1 tablespoon CAP Coconut Butter
8 ounces plant milk
Add everything, minus honey, to a small saucepan and heat until simmering. Pour contents into a blender and add honey, blending until everything is fully incorporated. Pour into your favorite glass or mug.
Hot / Cold Therapy
We know that contrast therapy works wonders to reduce inflammation and help the body repair itself. This tonic marries adaptogens, mushrooms, cacao and a pinch of chile served over ice to both warm us up and cool us down, supporting our immune system while reducing stress.
1 dropperful Rainbo Mushrooms 11:11
1 teaspoon Anima Mundi Reishi
1 teaspoon Anima Mundi Ashwagandha
2 tablespoons Masa Memory Sonoran Sunset Cacao
Pinch Diaspora Chile
1 date
8 ounces plant milk
Ice
Heat all ingredients in a small saucepan until simmering. Let cool and transfer into a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour over ice.
Deep Work
I set aside time each week to focus on projects that need my full attention, limiting distractions so that I can make meaningful progress. When I engage in deep work, I like to show up mentally sharp and energized, and this tonic is the perfect way to get me there and help me stay there.
1 teaspoon CAP Matcha
1 dropperful Rainbo Mushrooms Lion's Mane
8 ounces plant milk
1-2 teaspoons honey
Heat plant milk in a small saucepan until hot but not boiling. Add matcha to a matcha bowl or ceramic cup. Slowly add hot plant milk into your vessel, whisking back and forth with matcha whisk until everything is fully incorporated. If desired, add honey for a bit of sweetness.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products mentioned above are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
blue, is a gentle yet highly effective cream cleanser that removes dirt and impurities while safeguarding hydration and barrier function. Formulated especially for dry, sensitive and reactive skin types, as it excludes any irritants, essential oils or fragrances, blue draws on potent yet gentle botanicals and adaptogens to soothe and repair, encouraging a clear, calm and moisturized complexion.
We’ve entered a point in history where we don’t need to compromise on the products we use. At CAP, we've set out to only create highly effective skincare products that benefit all involved: those who make them, those who use them and the earth. blue takes advantage of the major advances and strides in skincare science, taking no shortcuts, using only the best, health-promoting ingredients and a natural preservation system to leave our skin, body and planet a better place. blue isn’t just another skincare product, it’s a unique cream cleanser that draws on clean, all-natural ingredients to reveal our most healthy, radiant glow. Use it daily to soothe your skin & your mind.
Soothing
A long time ago, we believed that the more stripping and exfoliating ingredients a product contained, the better. Now we know that our skin actually craves nourishing, fortifying and moisture-rich ingredients that restore and repair our outermost layer. When we set out to create the cleanser of our dreams, one that fed our skin while it removed dirt, sunscreen and makeup, we landed on a cream cleanser, as its formulation, an emulsification of oil and water, naturally washes away impurities while hydrating our skin. Looking to plants that have been used for centuries to remedy dryness, redness and irritation — chamomile, aloe vera and rose — blue soothes our complexion with the world's most calming botanicals. While we don’t often talk about what our products exclude, this gentle cleanser is essential oil free so that even the most sensitive and reactive skin types can benefit. Soothe your skin with blue.
Key Benefits
Named in reference to its soothing and hydrating properties, blue draws on adaptogens, botanicals and probiotics to revitalize and strengthen our skin. Formulated especially for sensitive skin types, blue is gentle enough for all, fortifying and nourishing our outermost layer with the power of plants. This formulation relies on specific ingredients known to remedy dryness, redness and irritation, as it was our intention to create the most calming cleanser out there. Meet your plant allies.
Rose
Rose is a potent ingredient for sensitive and reactive skin because it’s incredibly soothing and nourishing, combating irritation, redness, puffiness and itchiness. This flower also helps to encourage hydration and strengthen our complexion.
Aloe
When applied topically, this desert plant protects our outermost layer against sun damage. It’s also a great natural moisturizer and soother, deeply hydrating and calming our outermost layer.
Chamomile
This flower has been used traditionally to calm and soothe both skin and mind. Great for those with sensitive skin types, chamomile alleviates redness and irritation and also lends skin a boost of antioxidants.
Schisandra
This adaptogen traditionally used in Chinese medicine diminishes signs of aging, improves brightness and vitality and offers up potent antioxidants.
Marula Oil
Harvested from the nut of a fruit tree native to Africa, marula oil naturally protects against sun damage and prevents moisture loss. It also contains significant levels of antioxidants, fortifying and hydrating our outermost layer.
Reishi
This adaptogen is Intensely hydrating and nourishing.
Lactobacillus Ferment
Lactobacillus ferment is a well-studied probiotic that encourages protective, beneficial bacteria and has been shown to safeguard our skin barrier.
How to Use
blue's unique formulation means that it can be applied to wet or dry skin. Dispense two to three pumps in your hands and massage onto your face in circular motions to encourage circulation and to let the product do its job to remove impurities and hydrate. Don't forget to cleanse your neck and décolletage too. Rinse thoroughly with cool or warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
Where to Keep blue
Place blue on your bathroom counter, next to serotoner, to cue your nighttime routine, letting it be a gentle reminder to take care of your skin and yourself. We lean into the power of our surroundings to remind us to engage in rituals that make us feel and look our best. Keep blue in sight so you never forget to cleanse before bed.
How often should I cleanse?
We recommend simple routines that protect our delicate skin barrier. And since cleansing too much can strip our skin’s natural oils and disrupt its delicate microbiome, we prefer to cleanse in the evenings. Rinse your face with cool to warm water in the morning, and then at night, use a few pumps of blue to remove dirt, makeup and sunscreen. We find this method leaves our skin feeling resilient and hydrated. That being said, if your complexion does best with a quick cleanse in the morning too, blue is gentle enough to ensure your skin stays nourished. Find a routine that makes your skin happy, healthy and hydrated.
Color Theory
blue, both the color and the word, evoke a feeling of vastness and conjure up images of water and sky, offering up a sense of calm, peace, tranquility and serenity. We felt the word best described the qualities of our gentle moisture-rich cleanser and the mood and mindset it encourages: soothing. Welcome in blue physically, mentally and emotionally. Soothe your skin & your mind.
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What sparked the idea for neoNutritions? Was it a moment or something that evolved over a longer period of time?
My whole life has prepared me for this moment. Neo was a seed planted within me long ago, but I took this moment to take hold and grow into something beautiful that puts me in service to others who wish to step into their full potential.
Who did you create neoNutritions for? And what excites you about sharing it with the world?
neoNutritions is for anyone and everyone ready for change. As humans, we are made to change, and that intention is creation. Transformation is the state of changing your form, your metamorphosis. It is the process of letting go of a part of you, leaving it behind to grow into a new form (like a caterpillar to a butterfly in nature). Transformation is the process that is so rewarding and important. Food is the most direct route to transformation, so we start with high-vibrational nutrition. We want to partner with people to transform their lives and reach a state of whole, vibrant health.
What do you hope it does for people, the planet and perhaps even culture at large?
We believe in the unique potential of each individual. No matter who you are, you can rise to the fullest expression as a human being. It already exists as a reality. It is a matter of rising to meet it. Our ultimate wish is for everyone to unfold the gift that is themselves. To start, we had to address the issue that Western medicine and most alternative and “holistic” products only address the physical body in an acute state. It’s a reactive approach. We focus on aligning and lifting our whole selves. We are not about healing. Why? We don’t need to be healed. We are evolving spirit beings. Scientifically, our bones can break. But much more makes a human human as long as we are in a physical body, the everlasting force of regeneration. We are here to change constantly. We are an endless metamorphosis. Our spirit cannot break. There is nothing we need to heal from but regenerate. It is an activation of our life force that leads to transformation, and when individuals begin to transform, that lifeforce radiates out and begins to lift people and the world around us.
What was your inspiration and process for the two formulations you have created—Ultimate Foundation and Ultimate Beauty?
We started with 100% organic, high-vibrational nutritional powders because we must begin with a healthy house to step into our most radiant, whole selves and become what is possible. Think of whole health as a house, and it becomes clear why caring for it is vital. The physical body is the starting point, so nutrition is our priority. But as humans, we are so much more than that—the ingredients in neoNutritions formulas work on the physical and spiritual selves, so there is a true renewal of the whole human being. What makes me so happy is that we have taken the ancient wisdom of whole-health practices such as Ayurveda, Traditional Medicine and Anthroposophy and fused them with modern technology to create nutrition that is easy to access, easy to take, and provides the highest quality, highest vibrational ingredients available. We worked for over four years with experts and scientists to formulate the Ultimate Foundation, which contains 52 of the world’s most nutrient-dense foods. The most vibrant foods. This means that not only is Ultimate Foundation rich in nutrition, but it also captures the most sunlight through its leaves and their surroundings.
Ultimate Beauty was born out of my desire to support ageless beauty that starts on the inside but does not stay hidden. I want everyone to be able to step inside their natural golden glow and live as a unique divine expression with the support of clean ingredients that fortify, regenerate and refresh. I am so proud that we created the highest quality, 100% organic supplement powders that will change the supplement market for the good of humans and the planet.
Why did you create a powder?
We understand that capsules and tablets are easier to take. Traditionally, in Ayurveda, the powder of the plant, be it of the root, fruit, or leaves, is what the ancient practitioners used in their formulations. They recognized that plants have an innate intelligence and contain everything needed for proper absorption, digestion and assimilation. It allows you to taste the herb. In Ayurveda, it is said that digestion begins in the mouth with taste. It is a scientific fact: The tongue communicates directly with the brain and other body parts and sends essential information based on the taste it receives. So, while some herbs are more palatable than others, tasting them is more beneficial to the digestive process. Powders are also more adaptable to your daily routine and lifestyle, allowing you to add them to your favorite food or drink.
At a high level, what does Ultimate Foundation do for us when taken regularly?
I like to call Ultimate Foundation the liquid lifeforce. We all know that feeling of alignment when we are our true selves and full of energy. This energy is our lifeforce, our qi or prana. This energy that flows through us is powerful. And food is the quickest route to live in this state of flow. This idea has been around for thousands of years. “Annamaya Kosha,” or as we know the phrase today, “we are what we eat.” Foods that activate our lifeforce. Foods with chi. Foods with prana. Food is the fastest way to transformation—accessing that energy that moves our body from an inflammation state to an alkalized state. Ultimate Foundation is made with the highest frequency foods on the planet–including unparalleled seeds, greens, fruits, algae, adaptogens and restorative roots, all of which strengthen, balance, and harmonize your body, mind, and spirit. The benefits are as holistic as the formula, lowering inflammation and detoxifying, improving gut health and digestion, and boosting immunity and energy. Ultimately, it is moving you from a state of inflammation to alkaline. This shift has profound effects on everything: your rest, sex drive and focus. It is a once-a-day practice to bring transformation.
At a high level, what does Ultimate Beauty do for us when taken regularly?
With Ultimate Beauty, I wanted to cultivate a sense of agelessness—a unity with nature, unfolding yourself to new beginnings. It is a daily dietary supplement blend of whole plants, herbs and mushrooms, including sea buckthorn, birch leaf, and manjistha–all super rich in antioxidants and powerful anti-inflammatories. It is intended to give you a feeling of connection and nourishment. Yes, it helps to provide skin, hair and nails a natural glow, but it is more than skin-deep. It is nourishment for the physical but the spiritual as well. Beauty is about every beginning. Everything starts with beauty. When we think about a newborn child, if we think about a flower that starts to open or a seed that begins to ripen as a fruit, we think about a beginning. Everything new has hope. That is what beauty is about. It is acknowledging the potential inside of you. Nourishing your potential.
What ingredients in these two formulas excite you most?
Like children, it is hard to choose just one! But there are a few in each that are so full of energy and vibration that it is hard not to mention their incredible gifts. In Ultimate Foundation, I highlight three: Sea Kelp and Shan Yao (Wild Yam). Kelp is an intricate seaweed that dates back 23 million years and holds so much sunlight, giving it power. Rich in iodine, carotenoids, polyphenols, alginic acid, vitamins K1, A, B12, iron and much more, it is a powerful antioxidant that fights inflammation, promotes bone health and can aid in weight loss.
Shan Yao is revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its versatile health benefits like strengthening the spleen and stomach, nourishing yin, and alleviating dry conditions. Modern research suggests it may help regulate blood sugar and boost the immune system. In Anthroposophy, the yam symbolizes life's hidden potentials and inner truths, with its underground growth representing deep introspection. Consuming yam reminds us of unseen forces within ourselves and the universe, offering physical and spiritual nourishment from within.
In Ultimate Beauty, Sea Buckthorn and Dandelion are remarkable in their natural abilities. Sea Buckthorn—a powerful antioxidant plant boasting 70 times the antioxidant strength of vitamin C–improves dry, loose skin and wrinkles, lowering inflammation and helping with blood circulation. Dandelions are rich in beta-carotene, chicoric acid (CRA), vitamins A, C, D, E, B, minerals and fiber, supporting heart health and digestion and reducing inflammation. In Anthroposophy, dandelion greens symbolize the sun-earth interplay and spiritual growth in the material world, with their bitterness representing life's challenges. Consuming them is acknowledging life's dualities, harmonizing with nature's cycles and connecting with resilience in every spiritual journey.
How do you create high-vibrational products and why do you believe it is important for us to consume products with higher, more resonant frequencies?
Everything in the universe has energy in the form of vibration. Ourselves and everything we see, touch, hear and taste. Like any living being, foods have a caloric value and vibrational frequency. By focusing on nutrition with the highest vibration or lightest magnetic energy, we feed our body what it needs to achieve its highest frequency and health. High-vibrational foods are the most natural foods (superfoods). Foods that have the highest amount of the sun’s energy. High-vibrational foods are high in alkaline, the opposite of inflammation.
To create high-vibrational formulas, we start with the plant ingredients that naturally hold the most sunlight energy. The higher the photosynthesis through the power of the sunlight, the higher the frequency and vibrational lifeforce of the food.
Through specialized scientific equipment, we have measured the amount of these electromagnetic waves/frequencies in our formulas to document physical evidence of the invisible vibrations through imagery. This is a new way of studying the content of supplements. Our lab images make the invisible visible by showing the beautiful order of nature within our product. You can easily distinguish between the beauty and order of high-vibrational products in the images. You can practically see the natural lifeforce—beauty in plant health results from our universal functional order of everything, the intelligent design of organisms.
What has it been like working with a lab in Switzerland to find physical evidence of the high resonant vibrational frequencies of your products? Do you think this sort of vibrational analysis will become more common in the future?
It was thrilling to see this evidence. It is what we had suspected, but it was the product of many years of work. We started neo to change how supplements are formulated, marrying ancient plants with modern technology. We hope this will change the overall market, and that quality and transparency in the supplement market will follow.
Why the neo triangle of Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Anthroposophy? How do you feel they work synergistically to support health?
Our foundational philosophies share intrinsic qualities that are the basis of our approach, most notably the importance of lifeforce, prana, or chi–the energy that enables us to connect, vibrate, regenerate and ultimately lead to transformation.
We harness the ancient wisdom power of all three to create a path for living our most vibrant life today. For Ayurveda–one of the oldest medical healing systems–we take the idea that health is a delicate balance between body, mind and spirit. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) builds on the idea that “qi”—our vital lifeforce flows along meridians or channels in the body to keep our spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health in equilibrium.
Anthroposophy–a holistic educational, therapeutic and creative system established by Rudolf Steiner seeks to optimize physical and mental health. From these practices that acknowledge a whole approach to health (not merely the symptoms), we honor their intention, boldness and energy by continuing the journey.
Do you encourage people to take neoNutritions with other supplements or on their own?
Ultimate Foundation is designed to give you everything you need–52 organic ingredients. We intended it to be a one-step ritual, it is a once-a-day transformational powder formula with the highest frequency foods on the planet—including unparalleled seeds, greens, fruits, algae, adaptogens and restorative roots—to strengthen, balance, and harmonize the body, mind and spirit, and to kickstart your journey, anchor your daily rhythm and connect with endless spirit. Ultimate Beauty and our Boosters are meant to be taken in addition to our Foundation and can be used based on your needs on any given day. I always ask myself if adding any additional products is necessary and why. If so, ensure the products are 100% organic and as high quality as ours. I always tell people to be present consumers.
Can you take both formulas simultaneously?
Absolutely. They are meant to complement each other depending on what you need on any given day or season.
In addition to neoNutritions, what other foods or wellness practices do you do routinely to feel your best?
My own Biography work and art practices are things I routinely do. I also practice breathwork each day to stay balanced. Running is also a practice I cherish. When I get the opportunity, I will jump in the ocean or run barefoot over the grass early in the morning. Anything really that connects me with nature. If I don’t have time for those, I will try to get just pure moments of sunshine each morning. I enjoy sauna therapy, cold plunges, dry brushing and scalp massages.
What is your morning routine?
I wake up at sunrise around 5:30 am. I then start heating some water and prepare a space for a short exercise of presence and transformation. After taking the Ultimate Foundation, I take a cold shower, get dressed and prepare breakfast for my kids. We spend some time talking about their dreams, picking out their clothes, and enjoying some breakfast with fresh-pressed juice. Before leaving the house, I use some of my favorite oils on my face, hands and body and set an intention for the day.
What are your thoughts around the idea that “food is medicine”?
I would clarify. Food is not medicine; food is an extension of who we are. We are born in a place of wholeness, so any medicine is reacting to something, fixing something. With the right food, we remain nourished, whole, and regenerating, allowing us to live in radiant health. As the Ayurvedic proverb says, “When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.”
COCONUT FLOW
I am enjoying Ultimate Foundation this way right now. The CAP Coconut Butter is a lovely addition. There are so many ways to enjoy it. I encourage you to find yours. Whisk hot water into a one-cup bowl filled with one sachet of Ultimate Foundation. In a separate cup, add one teaspoon of CAP Coconut Butter. Froth or whisk some coconut milk and keep to the side. Mix Ultimate Foundation with Coconut Butter using a wooden spoon. Top with frothy coconut milk. Set an intention and enjoy.
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This is a really important topic, and something I’m thinking more and more about—inspired by the popularity of adaptogens as “herbs that help the body deal with stress.”
Stress, broadly defined, is anything that adds to the load our bodies are carrying in daily life. Stress can be psychological (deadlines, disagreements, depression) or physical (fitness training, travel, lack of sleep). It’s often an external sort of insult (illness, injury, environmental toxins) and even more often, not something we may immediately recognize as stress (alcohol or caffeine, food we’re sensitive or allergic to).
Some stress is “good” (productive)—exercise, for example—and some is “good” or “bad” based on how we perceive it—do high-intensity work sessions stress you out or do they make you feel energized, purposeful and rewarded?
Like anxiety, the term stress has both strict and very individual definitions; both are important to consider when identifying it as the cause of symptoms, and so treating it.
And that last point is major: Stress is a cause of many symptoms, and it is also caused by something. In remedying it, as with remedying any imbalance, we want to dig all the way to the root cause in order to treat it, rather than just medicating symptoms.
Essentially all herbs “help the body deal with stress”—from nervines for the nervous system to bitters for digestive stresses, liver supportive herbs (hepatics) for toxic and hormone-imbalance related stresses, and sedatives for sleep. And, all of these should be paired with lifestyle change(s) that address the source of that stress, be it dietary, environmental, mental or psychic.
What are your favorite herbs for general stress reduction?
My favorite remedies for stress reduction are lifestyle practices, which we all know are far more effective than any herb or supplement. Sleep, exercise, mental health, great food … these have to come first!
Then, from herbs, we can get support for the effects and symptoms of stress, right? It seems like semantics but it’s actually a bit problematic to say that any herbs help reduce stress, and that’s a popular thing to say (market) right now!
Nervines are herbs that help calm and heal our nervous system. These are my absolute favorite for providing quick, consistent relaxation, plus long-term rehabilitation. There’s a ton of hype around adaptogens for stress, but what most folks need are actually the nervines.
Adaptogens are great for athletes, endurance of all kinds, performance enhancement and recovery. They’re generally not fast-acting and need, actually, to be taken daily, long term, for full benefits.
My personal resilience protocol (currently) includes a daily blend of herbs including high-dose ashwagandha, and lots of nervines at happy hour and before bed (lavender, skullcap, oat, passionflower, etc.).
Dosage, consistency, and finding a well-designed high-quality formula (blend) are key to working with herbs.
Do you ever take herbs preventatively to manage stress?
I have long loved kava before social events or public speaking. Otherwise, I rely on a super-solid daily routine to help me weather the ups and downs (of stress, cold/flu season, anything!).
How does anxiety play into stress, and what herbs do you like for those experiencing both stress and anxiety?
The best herbs in the world for anxiety (and also stress in many cases), are nervines! (see above)
How does stress lead to burnout? What is your go-to herbal protocol for burnout relief?
After dialing in diet and lifestyle, I generally recommend a blend of herbs that includes cordyceps and ashwagandha (both calming adaptogens that help with recovery), often licorice (to support cortisol levels and adrenals), and lots of nervines for repairing the nervous system. These have to be paired with an adjusted environment too, though (boundaries! true recovery!).
How do you feel about caffeine consumption when feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Are there herbs / plants we should avoid?
Ah caffeine. It’s a magical alkaloid that works as advertised and is definitely part of herbalism’s catalog of remedies, but rarely one we’re going to recommend folks add or increase consumption of. I describe it as a taker. Caffeine pushes our bodies (brains included) to perform at a higher than “normal” level, but as we all know, tolerance builds quickly, leading to dependency, and reduced effects. In short, I recommend keeping caffeine intake as low as possible, with a total break at least once a year. (I’m a big fan of breaking habits, even good ones, as a way to continually reassess our relationship to what we’re reliant on.)
Rather than doubling-down on caffeine during stressful times, consider herbs that both enhance our performance and rehabilitate the energy system (because those exist!). Caffeine-free energizing herbs I love include ginsengs (panax, American ginseng and eleuthero) and rhodiola. Nootropics like rosemary, lion’s mane and bacopa help improve memory, focus, and concentration—all while improving brain (and overall) health, rather than ultimately exhausting us (espresso, Ily but …).
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Have you always utilized leftovers in this way, has it always been a part of your cooking style?
I think it's grown with me, certainly. But I've always been a thrift store shopper, a lover of underdogs, and someone who's resistant to discarding anything that could be used. I've also been taught by chefs who value reuse, like Dan Barber and Cal Peternell.
Do you have a favorite leftover meal that you plan on having while cooking the first meal?
Sometimes, yes! It obviously depends on the food, but I always make a lot of rice because fried rice is my standard, almost daily lunch. And beans just keep going until they're gone.
Do you cook with the intention of utilizing the meal as leftovers?
I mean, I'm not making an extra souffle to have some left. But with rice, beans, cooked vegetables, whole pieces of meat, soups, yes, certainly.
Are there certain foods that always work in a leftover situation?
Simple foods are best. That's why I always advocate focusing on turning ingredients from raw to cooked--and well seasoned, and perfectly tender. Something like orzo with olives and feta and broccoli is much harder to find a next life for than: orzo, cooked; broccoli, cooked. So I'm a great fan of simple cooking that relies on salt and good olive oil and leaves all paths open for ingredients' next lives.
Do you keep anything on hand to add to leftover meals, staples that add to the meal?
Yes! I love this question: pickled chilies, chili crisp, nuts to be toasted, lemon or lime, something bright and green, capers, pickles — things for livening up what's left.
Do you entertain with leftovers, or start with fresh meals?
I don't think this is a binary. Tomorrow, for example, I'm making squid and chickpea stew for a dinner party. I cooked the chickpeas for it yesterday. Does that make them leftover? I cook lots of things in stages. If I had time, I'd make the whole stew today, because it tastes better after a day in the fridge. If I were roasting a chicken, I'd do it tomorrow, but probably earlier in the day, and either serve it room temperature or briefly warm it with its cooking juices.
Any surprising combinations?
Favorite ever: leftover clam cooking liquid. I added leftover cooked rice and cubed tofu. It was so serene!
What's your typical strategy for developing a dinner party menu, and more specifically, one during the holidays?
There are only a few things in the world I like as much as writing menus. I write them like some people doodle or do crosswords. My strategy in general is to get excited about one thing, and let the rest flow from there. I recently had houseguests who were pescetarians, and they were from out of town, and I really want to convince them to move to Hudson. So I needed a fish dish I could afford to make, not stress out about, and make for all of the people I wanted to invite to help convince my friends. I settled on braised squid and chickpeas, and the rest of the menu took shape around that. For holidays, I like dishes' difficulty to be in inverse relationship to the number of people and potential stress. The more people, the more central the holiday to their seasonal festivity, the easier I go. Thanksgiving this year was braised turkey thighs, beans, rice, homemade tortillas, and various salsas etc. I let myself do one a la minute hard thing IF and only IF I personally want to eat it. For Thanksgiving, it was fried squid with lime. Everything else was completely easy and ready to go. For New Year's, I often make little sourdough blini to eat with trout roe and my friend's gravlax.
What are your favorite dishes to make this time of year?
I love contrasts. So I love to make tiny, elegant things--like the blini I mentioned above, or little stuffed quail eggs--and then huge braised things served with enough simple starch--noodles, or good bread, or rice--that the number of people we have can expand to fit the number of people we run into that day.
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Serves 2-4
By Kerrilynn Pamer
Dressing:
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons whole grain or dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon honey
3/4 tablespoon CAP pink salt
Cracked black pepper
1-2 heads of chicories (I used Castelfranco radicchio)
1 Fuyu persimmon, thinly sliced
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted and chopped
In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, garlic, honey and salt and pepper until emulsified. Alternatively, you could add those ingredients to a jar and shake vigorously. Set the dressing aside. In large bowl, add torn lettuce leaves and half the persimmon slices and toss with enough dressing to lightly coat the leaves. Garnish with the rest of the persimmon slices, chopped hazelnuts and salt and pepper to taste.
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Founder of less is more skincare brand, LESSE, Neada, is a longtime friend whose love for rituals and simplicity is something we’ve always admired. Her discerning taste, which was honed during her time in the fashion industry, guides her to seek out the best of the best. A minimalist’s dream, Neada’s edit leans thoughtful and classic with products that elevate our closet, home, bathroom and kitchen with beauty and function. Enter her world of refined and pared-back elegance.
1. LESSE ESSENTIAL MOISTURIZER This luxurious cream has transformed my skin. I'll be giving it to every one of my loved ones.
2. NOGUCHI AND GREECE, GREECE AND NOGUCHI Ten out of ten, a must-read for all.
3. THE ROW MACARON BELT Something else from my personal wish list.
4. HANDS WOBBLE CANDLE SET Hand poured by my friends, these are elegant but weird— in the best possible way.
5. YVONNE LAMBERT "BOOKS" BASEBALL CAP On the topic of books, I bought this hat for my husband and now everyone thinks he's smart. (He is.)
6. LESSE REGENERATION MIST Soothing, brightening, reparative. This mushroom mixture makes for such a tender, loving gift.
7. PORTO MINI The perfect everything pouch made from the most buttery leather. Mine is much loved and well worn.
8. CHRISTOFLE VERTIGO CENTERPIECE Give this to someone you live with so it's yours, too.
9. CAP BEAUTY THE BIG MATCHA This extra large bag because it's simply that good.
10. MOMA PANISA CHESS SET Every home needs a good chess set.
11. J.HANNAH CLASSIC CIGAR BAND This in silver for everyone you know, but especially me.
12. BODHA WELL INCENSE HOLDER Pair with a box of Bodha incense for a petite but beautiful gift for friends near and far.
13. LYMA LASER Thinking of investing in beauty tech, for you or a loved one? It should be this.
NO KID HUNGRY A worthy cause, and the most moving gift. If you're planning on getting anything for me, please make it this.
Anja is a native New Yorker who started her career in the fashion industry and now consults many of those same brands to develop more sustainable and purpose-driven businesses. With a focus on social activism and sustainability, Anja gravitates towards intentional, consciously created products that endure and add beauty and purpose to our lives. From skincare to clothing to pantry goods, many of Anja’s picks give back, making giving all the more special this season.
CAP BEAUTY SEROTONER Full disclosure: the first time I tried this was on a bright sunny day in Kerrilynn’s magical old house in the canyon - I was immediately hooked. Toner feels like such an extravagance sometimes, I can get this for a friend to give her the gift of simple indulgence. Wish I could include the sunny day and the house in the canyon.
2. CAP BEAUTY MATCHA STICK BOX This is my favorite stocking-stuffer add-on for any bigger gift. Everyone’s always trying to start fresh again in January, and this is some of my favorite clear buzzy matcha to replace the excessive coffee that gets us all through the holidays.
3. GOHAR WORLD FISH LEMON SQUEEZER I am obsessed with hosts gifts, and I am truly hoping that someone brings this to my house for the holidays. Everything Gohar World is interjected with humor and history, equally functional and display-worthy!
4. ONE LOVE COMMUNITY FRIDGE TEE I have volunteered with One Love Community Fridge, a New York-based non profit organization tackling food security, for a few years now. Their approach to the respect and dignity that is deserved by those that need food and grocery support is inspiring, and the proceeds from each of these beautiful tees support the crucial work of the org.
5. MONDAYS IKEBANA VASE Love the handmade quality of everything that Mondays makes, but I especially love this vase for its ability to display simple, sculptural arrangements.
6. COMME SI SOCKS I love a luxe sock, and especially as we all indulge in the loafer and mary jane trend I love socks with a beautiful and elevated color, to inspire a beautiful and elevated mood.
7. BAINA BATH TOWELS My go-to set for towel gifting, the colors and patterns of Baina add a layer of elevated ritual to every bathtime. So fluffy, so luxurious, so chic.
8. LOEWE NEST BAG This is the gift for ME! Look at this bag! I love the artfullness and wit of Loewe, and their woven bags are created from overage scraps in their atelier, to close the loop on waste. Even without that sustainable bonus, I need this bag.
9. LESSE BIOACTIVE FACE MASQUE I’ve sworn by this face masque since Lesse first launched - it’s gentle and soothing, and the next morning I always feel a little brighter. Their attention to ingredients, scent and experience has me hooked on their rituals.
10. MOTHER TONGUE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION A beautiful and artfully produced world of women’s stories, unbound by the concept of mothering, and certainly a book you want to hold onto for years to come, every issue is a treasure chest of incredible thoughts and conversations.
11. WONDER VALLEY OLIVE OIL I really just want to smell like Wonder Valley every day! Their hinoki oil is such a nice everyday indulgence, and especially in New York with our dry, miserable winters, a hot bath followed by a generous dose of this oil is what we all really deserve.
12. WWAKE OPAL EARRINGS Getting these for my daughter as she begins to build the foundational jewelry collection that she’ll hopefully have for the rest of her life. I love a birthstone stud, and Wwake’s collection is ethically sourced and produced - essential to any family heirloom.
13. MARIE VERONIQUE MULTI-RETINOL NIGHT EMULSION This night treatment has been such a game-changer for me. I don’t use many retinol products… maybe because this one has spoiled me so? But each time I use it I wake up looking like I’ve had many, many full nights of sleep in a row. Introduce your friends to this magic night potion and let them thank you later.
14. MONASTERY ATTAR FLORAL REPAIR CONCENTRATE Kerrilynn introduced me to Monastery’s Attar concentrate years ago in her New York store, and I have been hooked ever since. Especially for those winter months when it’s impossible to keep my skin protected, this balm is manna from heaven.
15. DOING WELL SUBSCRIPTION I found my brilliant health coach, Daphne Javitch of Doing Well, in 2019. Her loving guidance toward routine and management has absolutely changed my life, and I love her subscription for bite-sized guidance and health tools. At just $12 a month, it’s an easy way to remind someone you love and support them every month.
16. RINCON TROPICS PRODUCE BOX Their box of seasonal fruits is the perfect gift for any passion fruit or avocado friend. I have been gifted this box before by my most skilled gift-giving friend, and it brought such unbridled joy! Dried persimmons? Yes please!
LITTLE ESSENTIALS DIAPER DRIVE One in three families suffer from diaper insecurity in the U.S., a life-changing essential need. Little Essentials runs a perennial diaper drive for families in need. As a stocking stuffer, add a box of diapers for a family in need in the name of your friends and loved ones. Spread the love!
Australian-based mother of three, Carter Were is the creator of some of our favorite recipes, and author of two of our favorite cookbooks that share nourishing, simple and wholesome recipes. With a discerning eye that extends far beyond the kitchen, Carter’s world is filled with the objects, clothes and products we aspire to surround ourselves with. Let her introduce you to her beautiful life down under.
1. LYMA LASER This would be the ultimate self-care gift for my skin and I would love if Santa could bring me one for Christmas.
2. CARTER'S COOKBOOK The sequel to my first cookbook with simple recipes for everyone to enjoy.
3. SORI YANAGI UTENSILS The only utensils you’ll ever need in the kitchen. They are simple and robust and when buying things for my kitchen I like to buy one thing I will have forever.
4. TED MUELING BERRY EARRINGS I love all of his jewelry and how it relates to nature. I have a pair of rice and acorns! I also like that they are made from different crystals as I like to wear ones when I am needing some extra strength depending on my mood or what is going on in my life.
5. ACTIVIST MANUKA HONEY 850+ The only honey I truly love comes from my home, Aotearoa. The stronger the better! My favourite way to enjoy it is on toast with lots of butter.
6. THISTLES SUNGLASSES I love the classic wayfarer shape of sunglasses and Thistle is a friend from home. I love his style and his sunglasses are the perfect shape to suit everybody’s faces.
7. CAP BEAUTY SEROTONER The toner everyone loves but I have yet to try. I am trying to take better care of my skin now that I am in my mid- 30’s, and having three kids has aged me! Skincare is something I like to do for myself and this toner would easily fit into my quick routine.
8. CAP BEAUTY MATCHA BAG I enjoy this matcha almost daily at home. I only have one coffee a day so this is the perfect afternoon pick me up with a little honey and milk.
9. CAP BEAUTY + AUTUMN SONATA ELENA TOILETRY KIT To put all my CAP beauty products in to take away with me. Finding good toiletry bags can be hard, but I like the feminine touch with the bow and I love vintage textiles.
10. MARIE VERONIQUE MULTI-RETINOL NIGHT EMULSION I would love to add this natural retinol to my routine to help slow down the wrinkles that are popping up.
11. FIVE STAR POM POM SLIPPERS The cutest and most comfortable slippers for around the home. They are lined with sheepskin so they keep your feet warm or cool which makes them great whatever season you’re living in.
12. ORACLE OLIVE OIL I have loved visiting Greece for the last 10 years. I fell in love with the food there when I was 19 and there is no better olive oil, in my opinion.
13. AUTUMN SONATA HELENA TOWEL The perfect towel for the beach, the pool and taking on our summer holiday to Aotearoa.
14. HARRY WERE CARDIGAN Most of my most worn clothes are by Harry. She makes the most beautiful pieces that are always as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. They are made to last. Her latest cardigans that she has made from extra fine Haunui wool from sheep that live in the South Island of Aotearoa look so cosy. I love that they are thin enough to wear in warm climates too.
15. DAVID MELLOR CUTLERY Classic cutlery for the table. I like the Provencal style with the soft rounded handles made from resin. It has been around since the 1970’s and is a friendly set to suit any table setting.
We’ve long relied on friend and mentor, Kristina, for her deeply holistic and scientific approach to nourishing the skin. But we also look to her for style. We rely on her for discoveries beyond our outermost layer and love to learn what’s inspiring her. Read on to discover an edit that is full of products that inspire health and beauty from the inside-out and outside-in. Welcome Kristina’s edit to a well-lived life.
1. SOPHIE LOU JACOBSEN Sophie is an amazing designer I know from living in Paris. Her pieces are so creative and pretty. The aesthetic at my house is pretty simple and classic so a few of her pieces around the house really adds a fun touch.
2. MARIE VERONIQUE BARRIER RESTORE SERUM + BARRIER LIPID COMPLEX I give these two to all the women in my family for Christmas because of their ability to quickly balance moisture levels + hydration in the skin. No one ever complains about winter dry skin with me in the family!
3. IDO YOSHIMOTO He makes these beautiful hollow wooden vases that are heavy so you can load them up with branches and huge arrangements. They make any room, table, outdoor setting look festive and amazing.
4. MASA MEMORY MORITA HOT SAUCE I like hot sauce on everything and love everything April makes.
5. PLUNGE TOWELS We go to the beach year round so I love a good beach towel. Jessica's line features different artist's designs on the towels, which is super fun and unique.
6. CAP BEAUTY MATCHA I've been a fan since CAP first started packaging their own. I first used it during my facial treatments when I would see clients in CAP which I loved and now it's my favorite afternoon treat when I need a little energy boost.
7. MARIE VERONIQUE + KRISTINA HOLEY MULTI-RETINOL This product checks all the boxes for me, I know if I am busy and doing nothing else for my skin this product will cover all my concerns for age delay and skin health.
8. ZOE DERING CERAMICS Zoe's designs are so intricate and really show her talent, I especially love her serving bowls.
9. MONK ESTATE JEWELRY Lazuli's selection of vintage jewelry is so fun and unique, each piece has a super interesting story, and I love the idea of repurposing and wearing something with a history.
10. ORACLE OLIVE OIL Everytime I use this oil I sneak a little sip because the flavor is SO good.
11. EVA MASAKI SUNGLASSES I met her at a dinner party in NYC and absolutely love her line. She has such a long history of working in the industry which really shows in the quality and design of her frames.
12. MARIA MCMANUS Maria has worked with many fashion houses and just recently launched her own line. It is so classic and elegant and I love the ethos- anti fast fashion, buy less, better quality.
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Mushroom Magic Tartine
Serves 1-2
By Heather Sperling
2 cups mixed mushrooms (maitake, oyster, king trumpet)
Extra Virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Mushroom Magic Spice
Sea salt
1 thick slice of sourdough bread
2 tablespoons green tahini
1 teaspoon toasted pine nuts
A handful of fresh herbs (parsley, mint, cilantro, dill)
Slice or tear mushrooms into medium-sized pieces and sear in olive oil. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of Mushroom Magic Spice (save the remaining 1/2 teaspoon for garnishing) and a small sprinkle of flaky salt. Toast bread on both sides in olive oil (or brush lightly with olive oil and toast in the oven). Spread green tahini across the top of the toasted bread, top with the seared mushrooms, and sprinkle with the remaining Mushroom Magic Spice. Garnish with toasted pine nuts and herbs.
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Inspired by their childhoods in New Zealand, wife and husband team, Gabrielle and Luke, birthed Activist from a shared love of the earth and its natural resources. Consciously cultivating pure, raw and unadulterated Mānuka Honey, Activist relies on nature’s seasonal cycles, symbiotic relationships, and microclimates to work their magic, only harvesting in a way that preserves these delicate systems. A rare and potent medical-grade honey that can be used internally and externally to fight pathogens and promote healing, Activist’s Honey moves from the kitchen to the bathroom with ease and function, and is an essential in our wellbeing tool kit. Today Gabrielle and Luke share what makes their Mānuka Honey so special (and delicious!) and how its myriad benefits support our best selves, inside and out.
]]>Mānuka is the beautiful tree and wildflower native to Aotearoa New Zealand. Depending on the year's climate and weather patterns of the Southern Hemisphere, Mānuka flowering starts at the beginning of spring at the top of the North Island of New Zealand and makes its way south. The flowering of Mānuka is a very short window ranging anywhere from two to six weeks of the year. Because of such a short window for the wild-crafting of Mānuka Honey, the season is labor intensive, so preparation for bee-health is crucial and no time is wasted when the Mānuka is flowering. Factoring in so many elements over harvesting is essential to get our premium high grade ACTIVIST Mānuka Honey so pure and unadulterated.
How does Mānuka Honey support the immune system?
The unique factor of the Mānuka flower and Mānuka Honey as opposed to conventional honey, is that it holds extremely high levels of MGO (Methylglyoxal), which is the key reason and element you want from a good Mānuka Honey.
Methylglyoxal is the component that holds extremely high levels of anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory anti-microbial properties, which makes Mānuka Honey distinctive and unique both in price, taste and benefits. The higher the MGO number, the more potent the honey and therefore the more effective the honey is.
Mānuka has been proven to have efficacy against antibiotic-resistant microbes, promoting its powers against pathogens internally and externally. When sick, it improves sore throats, helps soothe coughs and improve common cold symptoms.
Mānuka also helps people with acute sinus problems and allergies. It's the medicine of choice for families and kids in our homeland of New Zealand.
Our family takes a teaspoon of ACTIVIST Mānuka Honey 850+MGO daily to keep our immune systems strong, as well as a dropper of Mānuka Immune Elixir. ACTIVIST Mānuka Elixir is infused with our medicinal grade Raw Mānuka Honey 850+MGO and is specifically formulated to boost the immune system. It is used for immune maintenance or immediate illness treatment. This ruby red ambrosia works to heal and nourish with medicinal herbs and adaptogens, under a base of spring water and vegetable glycerine. Right now, it is of the utmost importance to keep our immune systems safe and healthy. Our list of ingredients is powerful and 100% clean and safe for the entire family (apart from infants under 12months).
What can Mānuka do for our skin?
Studies show that the methylglyoxal found in Mānuka Honey has been shown to increase and protect the production of collagen in the skin, promoting structural growth and regrowth. Mānuka’s amino acids harmonize perfectly with the pH balance of our skin, helping us age well. It is also extremely hydrating for the skin, helping it to retain ample moisture. Mānuka can be taken internally or externally for this reason.
ACTIVIST Mānuka is the quintessential antidote to almost any skin issue. This is because the Methylglyoxal in Mānuka Honey has been found to promote skin regeneration, repair cellular damage, calm inflammation and get rid of unwanted bacteria. It has also been shown to increase and protect the production of collagen in the skin, promoting structural growth and regrowth. Mānuka’s amino acids harmonize the pH balance of our skin. In addition, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Mānuka has extraordinary healing properties for most skin conditions.
We believe in the concept of cellular beauty. This refers to ingesting internal health products rather than just focusing on external skincare. Skincare is no longer just topical, but it is what we put into our bodies. Mānuka is the true cellular beautician and one of nature’s multifunctional healing treasures.
How does Mānuka heal skin conditions like acne, eczema, and dermatitis?
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Mānuka has extraordinary healing properties for skin conditions. It can reduce redness and heal congested or inflamed skin such as eczema or psoriasis. Additionally, Mānuka can be used for its antibacterial properties on the skin by oxygenating pores, which can draw out or reduce the amount of bacteria on blemishes. This can drastically improve acne-prone skin. You can use Mānuka Honey as an everyday face wash, direct spot treatment on acne and as a face mask and leave on for 20-30 minutes.
What are the effects of Mānuka Honey on our digestive system?
Mānuka is wonderful for supporting the natural digestive microbiome. Because low stomach acid can come from overgrowth of bacteria, Mānuka is a great way to rid your body of those pathogens and keep the digestion flowing properly. This is because it contains oligosaccharides, which have a prebiotic effect on the gut and promote the proliferation of good flora. In addition, the high antioxidant content has been found to be effective in the treatment of gastric and peptic ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, dyspepsia, GERD, Staph infections, food poisoning and more. We eat it by the spoonful daily!
Can it also be beneficial for oral health?
Because of its anti-bacterial and microbial properties, Mānuka can kill plaque and improve and prevent issues relating to tooth decay and gingivitis. It is great when used as a mouthwash or oil pull to remove toxins, especially for someone suffering from periodontal disease. It can easily be spread across gums and teeth, and since it’s non-toxic, it can actually be swallowed.
Mānuka Honey can be applied topically or it can be ingested, depending on your health concerns and the benefits you’re trying to access.
The simplest way to tap into the benefits of Mānuka Honey is to consume it by the spoonful. 1 to 2 teaspoons per day directly in the mouth allow the active enzymes to be absorbed quickly, and remain undiluted.
Mānuka is the ultimate superfood. In addition to Methylglyoxal, Mānuka contains a range of vitamins and minerals. Mānuka honey contains B Vitamins, Zinc, Calcium and Iron amongst others.
Mānuka can be added to smoothies, tonics or your favorite tea. You can substitute Mānuka Honey for other sweeteners when cooking or baking. Ingesting Mānuka honey is safe for the entire family, apart from infants under the age of 12 months. If you have questions or concerns, consult your doctor for personalized medical advice.
Mānuka is great to have on hand to aid in the treatment of burns or wounds. A thin layer of Mānuka honey can be applied directly to the skin at any stage of the wound healing process, using a sterile applicator.
Mānuka is also used by Estheticians to soothe acne and other skin conditions such as Eczema and Dermatitis. When used for skincare, it can be used as a face mask, daily cleanser or spot treatment as needed.
Applying Mānuka topically is safe for all ages and all skin types.
ACTIVIST 1000+
Immune defence, sore throats, digestive health, beauty applications, face masks and skin irritations. Activist Raw Mānuka Honey 1000+MGO is The Ultimate! Hand-produced in small amounts making this a limited-edition offering; it has some of the highest concentration of Mānuka. Use thoughtfully and sparingly for internal and topical needs. Keep this in your beauty and medical cabinet.
ACTIVIST 850+
Immune defence, sore throats, digestive health, beauty applications, face masks and skin irritations. Activist Raw Mānuka Honey 850+MGO is rare and thoughtfully aged; full of antibacterial properties and active enzymes straight from Mother Nature. Best taken internally for daily immune-support and used topically for a 100% natural and hydrating face mask and skin cleanser.
ACTIVIST 300+
Immune defence, sore throat, digestive health, beauty applications, face masks and skin irritations. Activist Raw Mānuka Honey 300+MGO is our Wellbeing star; the perfect choice to incorporate into your daily lifestyle for proactive health benefits and immune support for the whole family (apart from infants under 12months of age). Add to superfood smoothies, tonic teas, juices and meals.
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Kabocha Squash Soup
By Kerrilynn Pamer
Serves 4
1 kabocha squash, deseeded and cubed (skin on)
1 onion
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups vegetable stock or water
4 tablespoons CAP coconut butter
2 teaspoons Diaspora Co. turmeric
1 teaspoon Diaspora Co. coriander
Pepper to taste
CAP pink salt to taste
Heat a large stockpot over medium high and add olive oil. Once hot, add coriander, turmeric, salt and pepper, letting them sizzle and pop a bit and keep stirring until they release their fragrance. Then, add chopped onion and garlic and cook until caramelized while stirring consistently, being careful to not let the garlic burn. Add kabocha, vegetable stock or water and bring to a boil. Since kabocha squash sizes vary, make sure to add enough liquid to just cover the squash, but not more than that or the soup will come out too thin after blending.
Let the mixture boil until the kabocha and onion are soft, then bring to a slow simmer. Finally add coconut butter and stir to distribute. Cool down soup off the heat and then ladle it into a high-speed blender and puree till smooth. Taste, and season with extra salt and pepper to your liking. Add to soup bowls and top with extra coconut butter and fresh herbs.
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What is your background and how did it lead you to the work that you do today?
I grew up in the Foothills of Los Angeles and always loved being in the garden with my Dad. I’m one of seven children and the only one who gardens. I would spend a lot of time in my little garden plot space that my parents allowed me to cultivate where I grew different lettuces and veggies for our family dinners, patches of sunflowers, always tomatoes. And when I would share what I grew at our table my family made me feel like I had made magic.
In high school I studied abroad in Holland on a farm. I wanted to be a farmer. In college I studied art and went to school in Vermont where I was given the chance to infuse myself in local organic agriculture. My art work was focused through the medium of print making. I was in love with the landscape, the people, folk art and the culture of craftsmanship. It was a beautiful time.
I moved to New York City and became an Art Director. I got to work at my dream place, W magazine with a dream team. I felt seen. This was a period of tremendous growth, great friendships, incredible mentors and so much inspiration. It was 9/11 that changed so many things for me. Working in the world of Fashion I had questions that no one wanted to answer. Where things were made? What resources were used to make them? Who were the people who made them? What were their wages? After 5 years in NY I left for Costa Rica and Panama to W.O.O.F. (Work On Organic Farm)
Today I see that there is room for me to work in both arenas - I'm still an art director + stylist and the years I practiced as a studio artist have greatly informed the work I now make in the garden.
Finca Tierra Negra flows through me like a current of energy and I feel a tremendous creative payback in my exploration.
Can you share more about how you got involved in One Tree Planted, and what drew you to help this non-profit?
I was drawn to One Tree Planted by their nuanced mission statement. I knew something was enlightened in seeing the ways that they were connecting the dots on a very challenging subject matter: reforestation.
When I discovered that they were based out of Vermont with their HQ located on Shelburne Road I knew the project was in good hands. The people of Vermont are ahead of the curve when it comes to relating to the earth and it’s cry for healing.
One of the reasons I’m so excited to participate in this reforestation is that Indigenous communities will be at the center of restoration, taking care of the land and preserving it for the decades that will follow.
Finca is proud to be partnered with One Tree Planted in support of the Monarch Butterfly reforestation initiative in Mexico.
We are planting all Native saplings: Oyamel Pine, Smooth bark Mexican Pine, Chihuahua Pine and Cupresses Lindleyi -- grown from seed by the Indigenous communities and local farmers.
What are your favorite resources + books for learning about protecting soil, trees and our environment in general?
Initially it was Rachel Carson, Bill McKibben, Paul Hawken and Sylvia Earle. Then I read all of Michael Pollan. Next I found Masanobu Fukuoka and he was a great influence on me.
Dr. Elaine Ingham has become my guru of the soil food web.
The Third Plate by Dan Barber was like traveling to farms and fisheries around the world and I loved it.
David C. Johnson is a total revolution.
Nance Khlem taught a soil course that changed my life and gave me the sinking feeling that everything I suspected was true. Soil health is the root of all health.
Don't just go to these people's instagram pages; read their books.
I could go on and on as there are so many people I draw on for wisdom and perseverance. I created a resources page on my site that includes links to these sources. To be honest it's overwhelming to keep up with since I'm constantly learning something new but it's a great place to start.
Why do you call your compost, "lasagna compost?"
Lasagna gardening is an ancient practice of layering carbon and nitrogen in your garden beds to build soil naturally. I learned about it from reading Marta Teegen’s book, Homegrown: A Growing Guide for Creating a Cook’s Garden. I decided to try it with composting after the soil intensive course I took with Nance Khlem.
The name Lasagna Compost evoked a longing for a recipe in me and perhaps a history of ancestors hands making a new earth, passing it down through their lineages. It made me feel like I was a part of something greater.
Lasagna composting is a passive method of converting waste into Living Soil.
What is your hope for the future of soil, and how can we all help?
My hope is that we continue to awaken to the paradigm that is shifting where Nature is our teacher.
If something is happening fast, there’s a forcing. Go slow and steady, there’s a season for everything. If you have straight lines and manicured landscapes, there is a dominance at play. The Earth is soft and curvy. She is wild.
We can change our reality on a grassroots level by connecting with the carbon cycle in our own kitchens, backyards and garden spaces.
Our willingness to engage in the healing practices of composting at home is the future of soil.
What do you recommend for people who live in apartments, but want to garden and participate in supporting healthy soil?
Join a community garden! I had a plot when I lived in Vermont and I loved spending my evenings there. I met so many shiny people. We shared the sunsets together— and the tools and water and were there to offer our help if someone needed it. Most community gardens have a place to compost your food scraps with the benefit of using the finished compost in your garden space.
What about your work lights you up?
I love the process of baking and witnessing Mother Nature’s great alchemy. It’s truly awe inspiring. I feel this great resonance in knowing that I really work for her.
When I spend time in the garden it feels like I’m in the folds of a new kind of healing. The work is restorative and I feel nourished by these practices. Since my products come straight from my garden sometimes it feels like I’m alone in my radicalism and then when you reach out I’m in a constellation. We’re riding this big wave together. Each order and each client has been a total delight.
What creates good compost? And what are the essential ingredients to creating it?
Good compost comes from quality ingredients and from letting Nature run her course with the least amount of intervention. Give it time and plenty of carbon otherwise your scraps will become green house gases and your pile will keep shrinking.
Using a blend of mulch, coffee grounds and your kitchen scraps will make a perfectly nutrient dense compost. Have fun!
Tips for composting at home? What's your current system?
Find a bowl of container that you like - use something that you feel connected to. Create an energetic space for it to sit that feels reverent. Make sure your scraps are cut down into 3-6 inches. Don’t throw in whole fruits or veggies or they won’t breakdown at the same rate as the rest.
Pro-tip: Keep your collection in the fridge or freezer to minimize odor or fruit flies. You can even use a brown paper bag if you freeze it!
Soak your carbon layer with your spent coffee grounds.
I love recommending this gorgeous fabric Compost Sack by BACSAC that I carry in my Soil shop! I include my recipe for lasagna composting with it and can guarantee great results.
What are your favorite meals to make from the produce you grow?
Spaghetti for sure! Tomato season is the highlight of the year. I love going out to gather herbs for whatever I feel like… salads, soups, teas. I’ve become obsessed with growing “meaty” greens so that feels really satisfying.
What makes good soil?
Good soil is determined by a quality of relationships know as the Soil Food Web. When you have healthy soil you have a healthy soil food web. The same microbes that make our guts healthy make our soils healthy. This is how our communities get energy. In building your soil: first there are small communities, then there are specialties, then there is a mutualism and then you reach synergy.
Soil that is light colored and dry is dead. Good soil is dark and alive. You can always turn bad soil into good soil with lasagna compost by layering it on top or covering it with a blanket of mulch. Root systems build soil health. Establishing Native plants allows compacted or desertified land to awaken again.
Soil carbon is the critical piece in the remediation process. Once your carbon has stabilized and you have the synergy of a healthy food web, you can store it in the ground for thousands of years.
If you don’t have healthy soil not only can you not store carbon but your plants will not thrive. Without a healthy soil food web your plants are prone to disease and infestations of insects.
What makes good compost?
Good compost for me is about the caretaking. I want to know that the temperatures were high enough to burn all pathogens and seed and low enough to keep the biology alive and thriving. I want a fortified compost, rich in minerals and nutrients, clean high quality ingredients straight from the source. I want it to be cured for a good amount of time. I want it delivered warm and bio-available. I want my process to be my product. I want exactly what I’m making :)
Just know that compost is very forgiving and even those just beginning who just toss their scraps in a pile and cover it with mulch will always make a beautiful compost. Just give it enough time and let Nature do the rest.
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What health routines do you practice consistently?
I have a few non-negotiables when it comes to health routines, starting with drinking a litre of hot water and lemon every day. That’s before I do anything else like check my emails. Shower, workout, hydrating must come first. That’s also when I take my LYMA Supplement and how I start every day.
My golden rule for eating is that I don’t eat anything with an ingredient in it that I wouldn’t have in my kitchen cupboards. It keeps my nutrition on track and well away from processed foods.
I found I can’t meditate in silence, so I make my daily meditation multipurpose and do it in the shower whilst wearing the LYMA Oxygen Glide. It's supercharged with oxygen and formulated in a way that means the skin can fully absorb it as well as simultaneously pulling in moisture from the atmosphere. Wellbeing and beauty are so interconnected and I just see this practice as facilitating that a bit more. Wear it in the shower for 10-minutes and you will look like you’ve had an oxygen facial and feel amazing.
Finally, no tech after 8pm (phone / laptop / iPad)… the only tech I use before bed is the LYMA Laser. I wasn't genetically blessed with great skin, so my night-time skincare routine is incredibly important to me. I use the Laser for 30-minutes while reading, followed by the LYMA Skincare. I’ve read so many studies that say daily routine touches our immunity, sleep, skin and long-term health, so it’s worth being dedicated.
Can you share a bit more about your personal story of healing—how you regained your health, and how that led to the creation of LYMA?
At a guess, I’d say my introduction to motherhood was different to most people. After an emergency C-Section, I wasn't consumed with maternal bliss, I was left facing a life-threatening health battle after catching septicaemia. Six-weeks later, from a medical standpoint I was termed ‘better’, only that was so far from the truth. My body was riddled with toxins, I could barely function, I struggled to get out of bed, nevermind working or looking after my new baby.
My mum saved the day by suggesting we go on a retreat, and it was there I had a chance meeting with Professor Paul Clayton, a world authority on preventative degenerative disease. I told him everything that had happened to me, and he was confident he could resolve it all - do what every doctor couldn’t. It blew my mind when he explained that 90% of supplements sold today deliver no proven benefits yet are still perfectly legal for sale. That’s your fish oils, multivitamins, turmeric - everything we all put so much trust in, there’s zip all proof. Don’t you feel like everyone on the planet should know that?!
Anyway, Paul was such a fascinating and intellectual man that I trusted him to prescribe me a new protocol using this whole other category of ‘evidence-based’ ingredients. These are peer-reviewed, patented ingredients, each dosed at active levels and formulated in a way that the body can actually absorb them. I took them all and within a matter of weeks, I felt myself again. Within months I felt better than ever. By not accepting feeling weak and searching for a better answer, that first prescription became the basis of the LYMA Supplement today.
THE LYMA LASER
How does the LYMA laser compare to other devices on the market? How does near infrared light work on a cellular level? And how does this specific frequency of light reduce signs of aging, acne and inflammation?
It doesn’t compare. No other brand on the market has managed to harness this technology. That might sound superlative, but I assure you it’s factually correct. The laser light in the LYMA Laser is not a cosmetic laser, it’s a 500mW laser that previously has only been safe to use by trained professionals in controlled environments. What LYMA has done is engineer a light dispersion model using internal lenses whereby the intensity and power of the laser beam stays the same, but all the heat is removed. The LYMA Laser delivers monochromatic, coherent and continuous light over a sustained period, without causing any damage to the skin cells whatsoever. It’s a world class achievement by our global science team.
LED is not the same and does not present any lasting change to skin. This is simply because LED cannot pass through multiple layers of skin to reach the cells it needs to trigger change.
With regards to creating change at a cellular level, the frequency of the LYMA Laser beam switches off the negative skin cells that produce nitric oxide associated with degeneration and instead, allows them to counteract and create oxygen again. Through this biological process you see the fading of pigmentation, reduction of redness and calming of inflammation. The LYMA Laser doesn’t just improve your skin but transforms it - it’s like being able to see a dermatologist daily without the fee, for an entire decade.
Do you recommend people only use the LYMA laser if they are over a certain age or dealing with specific skin issues, or can all skin types and all ages benefit?
Oh no! If you’re twenty or seventy, no matter your skin tone or sex, if you’ve got skin problems to solve, the LYMA Laser can work for you. By reawakening the regenerative power of cells, it enables skin to rejuvenate itself. That means it can tackle specific concerns such as scars, thread veins, pigmentation, uneven texture and if you're losing collagen, it can get your skin acting years younger than your age. That’s the beauty of the device, it’s completely safe, versatile and designed to work around whatever life throws at you. Everyone can achieve the skin they want.
Why did you land on the more targeted laser design of the LYMA device, as opposed to a mask type design?
Light masks are great for social media hype, but we were focused on the best way to harness the low-level laser technology. This isn’t just putting LED bulbs in a mask, it’s taking medical grade laser technology and packaging it in a way that is completely functional, and most importantly safe. I was also intent on ensuring the Laser would fit in and around our customer’s busy lifestyles, whether they’re watching TV, traveling the globe, or even on their morning commute. We didn’t want to limit when, where or how often they could use their Laser. Also, the hand-held design lends itself to be used anywhere on the body: neck, arms, legs, backs of hands, there’s nowhere on the body you can’t use it.
How do you feel the LYMA Laser is changing the future of skincare?
We’re setting a standard that other brands are now forced to step up to the plate and match. LYMA has changed what was previously thought possible in terms of intuitive skin sculpting, pigmentation fading, wrinkle reversal, all with no damage to skin or downtime, and are fully transparent with the results. I love having facials and I adore using skincare but I’m doing it to see a difference in the mirror and I want that to be long-term. The future of skincare is science - products with solid evidence to back them up and results consumers can see.
We can already see skincare is getting ever smarter and streamlined. The age of multiple skincare steps is thankfully over, we’ve all confused our skin enough! Now the industry is advancing towards results-based skincare that tackles multiple skin concerns without irritating or damaging our skin’s precious barrier. Who wouldn’t lean into that with open arms?
THE ULTIMATE SUPPLEMENT
Why was sourcing the right strains and strengths of the ingredients found within the LYMA supplement so important for you and your team? What is the significance of each ingredient, and do they work together synergistically?
Just as with medicine, dosage is vital. A myriad of different supplements are out there shouting about having incredible ingredients but including them at a nominal dose. I get it, premium ingredients are death to your profit margins but otherwise it’s little more than factory floor dust. LYMA only doses at the clinically proven level to create a health benefit. We also only use actives which stand up in peer-reviewed clinical and preclinical studies. This is because the most miraculous of organic ingredients can still have huge issues surviving the human digestive system or getting into the bloodstream. By bioengineering our ingredients, we can ensure they are of nutritional value to the body. Many complex formulas look impressive on the packet but end up cancelling each other out, LYMA’s formula has been tested even further to ensure all the ingredients work together and perform optimally.
How is the LYMA supplement specifically helpful for women that are perimenopausal or postmenopausal?
The LYMA Supplement was created for everyone, not as a menopause supplement per se but so many of the benefits effectively address menopausal symptoms. No two journeys are the same, and symptoms can span from night sweats and joint pain to insomnia, low mood and anxiety. I think because the Supplement touches every element of physical and mental health, it addresses all of those intermittent symptoms too. KSM-66® Ashwagandha supports sleep, Vita-algae D3™ and K2 VITAL® improve bone health, mood and metabolism, and Cognizin® nourishes brain health and improves focus. By strengthening the entire ecosystem of the body with one gold-standard supplement, you inadvertently mitigate the countless symptoms of menopause too.
What was your goal in creating the LYMA supplement? Was it to increase overall health, or was there something more specific you wanted to target?
At first it was selfish, I’ll admit it took a while to find my true purpose behind LYMA! I genuinely didn’t set out to start a wellness brand, I was taking care of myself for my baby but once I’d started on that path, there was no turning back. Then I took on this one-woman mission to debunk all the false claims in the supplement industry and to hold brands accountable of what they’re putting into their capsules. Later, I started to focus on breaking barriers; challenging the narrative of ‘it's too expensive to formulate’ or ‘you can’t fit all those ingredients into one capsule’ ‘how will you hit those levels of bioavailability?’ etc. When I’m being told outright that I can’t do something, that’s when I go full force and do it. Then when the supplement finally launched and real people started emailing me to say they were hooked on LYMA, that it made them sharper, happier, mentally stronger, less anxious, enjoying their lives more?! Wow, that’s when I got the true motivation to improve people’s lives.
When taking the LYMA supplement, do you notice immediate benefits, or does it gently improve our health overtime? How do the 10 ingredients in the LYMA supplement target anxiety, sleep and feeling and looking our best?
Depending on where you’re coming from - your current health status - it varies. The ingredients are proven to kick in at different rates and of course, you can't feel your organs being nourished, can you? Technically speaking, curcuminoids hit the system within the first 24-hours, so that’s the anti-inflammatory HydroCurc® up-regulating the immune response of white blood cells, supporting your immune system and metabolic brain improvements. But like I said, the reality is you don’t feel that happening.
Sleep improvement tends to be the first thing our customers tell us they notice. Probably because sleep is so precious and actively tracked, when you start sleeping better and waking brighter, you clock it. Then follows a run of good skin days, hair breaking less, nails stronger - that’s the Solubilised Keratin, Cynatine® HNS working. Affron® is pretty noticeable too - an overall feeling of calmness and capability, having more bandwidth for BS, rather than losing your mind at the smallest thing. Six months goes by and suddenly you realize you can’t remember the last time you got sick. I can only speak to LYMA, but it’s a gradual journey to becoming physically, mentally, and emotionally, the best version of yourself.
Coffee
One of the most popular and recognized beverages in the world, coffee comes from the roasted, ground and extracted beans of the tropical evergreen coffee plant. Said to have originated in Ethiopia, coffee now grows in many countries near the equator, namely: Africa, Latin America, Asia and Brazil. And it remains one of the most popular drinks around the world.
Matcha
Gaining global popularity in recent years, matcha is a bright, almost fluorescent green tea made from grinding shade-grown green tea leaves into a superfine powder. Originally discovered in China, and then later brought to Japan during the time of Zen Buddhism to support monks sustain their long meditations, matcha follows strict growing rules and involves a laborious processing to create this unique and vibrant tea.
Key Differences
Caffeine Content: Caffeine content for both matcha and coffee can very per cup. However, matcha on average has a slightly lower caffeine content than coffee. An 8oz cup of matcha has between 50-70ml of caffeine and an 8oz cup of coffee around 100ml.
Acidity: Those with sensitive stomachs may want to opt for matcha over coffee, as coffee is highly acidic with a ph value between 4 - 5, whereas matcha is actually alkaline with a ph value of around 9. The acidity in coffee is what causes erosion to our enamel and stains our teeth. Interestingly, matcha actually safeguards our teeth and strengthen oral health.
Flavor: The flavor of both matcha and coffee vary depending on: where the beans or leaves are grown and when and how they are harvested and processed. Darker roasts of coffee tend to offer notes of caramel and chocolate while lighter roasts are more fruity and bright. A high quality matcha, on the other hand, is more delicate in flavor, lending bright, nutty, grassy, vegetal and slightly bitter notes.
Effects: One of biggest differences between matcha and coffee is that matcha has the added protective benefit of l-theanine coupled with caffeine. This compound combination slows the spike of caffeine and offers a more relaxed alertness that is sustained for a longer period of time. Since coffee doesn’t have this amino acid buffer, its caffeine spike is much sharper, which can lead to a crash a few hours later. For this reason, too much coffee consumption can result in jitters, heightened anxiety and an inability to focus, whereas the l-theanine in matcha creates a totally different effect — a boost of energy that is calm, focused and one that actually lessens anxiety.
Health Benefits: While both coffee and matcha offer a myriad of health benefits, matcha is one of the highest natural sources of antioxidants on the planet which helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and alleviates stress on our adrenal glands. Both coffee and matcha have been linked to living longer, heart health and cognitive support, but matcha contains the beneficial amino acid l-theanine and the polyphenol EGCG which both have many protective and regenerative effects on the body. For more information about the benefits of matcha, check out our blog here.
Skin: Consistent consumption of matcha has been shown to fight hormonal acne and is protective against pollution, sun damage and environmental stress, offering up clearer and more radiant skin. Coffee, however, can have a dehydrating effect on the skin and has been seen to reduce collagen production.
At CAP, we enjoy both coffee and matcha, but lean on matcha more often because of its amazing health promoting properties for our body, skin and beyond. Find what works best for you — there's room to enjoy both!
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Serves 8-10
By Kat Turner
Cake
8 tablespoons (114 grams) unsalted Miyokos plant-based butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
1 1/2 cups (225 grams) mochi flour (I prefer Mochiko, but Bob's also makes it)
2 tablespoons CAP matcha powder
1 teaspoon (4 grams) baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs
1 14oz can (375 grams) condensed coconut milk
1 cup (165 grams) plant-based cream (canned coconut cream or unsweetened non-dairy creamer both work)
Strawberry Glaze
1/3 cup very ripe strawberries, hulled
Juice of 1/2 lemon, about 1 tablespoon
1 cup (130 grams) powdered sugar
1 tablespoon (10 grams) lemon zest
Cake
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9" springform pan (you can also use an 8" springform pan it will just take a little longer to bake). Melt the butter and set aside to cool.
In a medium sized bowl whisk together the mochi flour, baking powder, matcha and kosher salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl using a hand mixer, or using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter with the eggs until creamy. Add the coconut condensed milk and mix until incorporated, then do the same with the plant-based cream.
Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet (to avoid making a mess) and then briefly mix on high to ensure everything is well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake about 35-40 minutes or until the cake is slightly puffed up and springs back to the touch. A thin knife or cake tester should come out clean after insertion. If you're using an 8" pan, you may need to continue cooking an additional 10 minutes.
Cool the cake for 10 minutes on a wire rack then remove the springform collar. While the cake is cooling make your glaze. Note that the cake must be completely cool before adding the glaze.
Glaze
Place the ripe strawberries and lemon juice into a blender and process until liquified. Pass the puree through a fine mesh sieve into a medium mixing bowl. Sift the powdered sugar into the strawberry puree and whisk well to completely combine. If the glaze is too loose add more powdered sugar until the desired consistency is achieved.
Decoration
Once the cake is cooled, remove the bottom of the springform pan and place the cake onto a cooling rack. Spoon your glaze generously on the top and spread the glaze all around the cake so it drizzles over the side. For extra zazz, sprinkle the cake with bee pollen and nonpareils, stud it with extra strawberries, edible blossoms or any other decorations that you love.
Enjoy!
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Serves 2-4
By Kerrilynn Pamer
1-2 zucchinis
1/4 cup corn
Handful cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
1 tablespoon chives
A few tablespoons hazelnuts, toasted and chopped
1/4 cup green olives, crushed
1 tablespoon magic spice
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1-2 tablespoons vinegar
Pink Salt to taste
Shave the zucchini with a mandoline and lay on a beautiful plate. Add a dash of salt and some of the magic spice along with half the amount of olive oil and vinegar. Top with tomatoes, corn, hazelnuts and green olives. Now drizzle everything with the remaining olive oil and vinegar. Finish with a generous sprinkling of chives and the rest of the magic spice. Enjoy!
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MORNING EXPOSURE
Watching the sunrise has been a spiritual practice rooted in many cultures throughout our human history. It is this exposure to early morning light that signals the hypothalamus in our brain to wake up and also stimulates our pineal gland to produce serotonin, the happiness hormone that naturally elevates our mood.
A SUN PROTECTIVE SKINCARE ROUTINE
Since all plants survive and thrive in the sun, they have each developed a unique set of mechanisms for protection. We recommend products that rely on potent plant extracts to lend our skin their learned wisdom.
A product we developed specifically to maximize the benefits of sun exposure is the serotoner, a hydrating mist that contains a precursor to the “feel-good” hormone, serotonin, maximizing the serotonin we naturally receive from the sun. The serotoner also relies on desert botanicals, which have learned to survive in the hottest and sunniest conditions, offering our skin their adaptive abilities. We think it's the perfect product to use pre-sun to protect and fortify our skin and post-sun to soothe and calm.
If you’re going to be spending the day outdoors, we also recommend a vitamin C serum, as topical vitamin C has been shown to optimize the efficacy of our SPF. A C serum that we reach for often is Marie Veronique’s C-Therapy Serum or Vitamin C, E + Ferulic Acid Serum.
As a final step in our AM routine, we apply a mineral based sunscreen to our face, even on cloudy days, to protect our complexion from both UVA and UVB rays. Our favorite natural, plant-powered SPFs for face are: Plumscreen, Every Tone SPF or Everybody Loves the Sunshine.
FOODS THAT PROTECT
Food has an amazing capacity to change our internal landscape, and therefore how our skin reacts to the sun. We like to nourish our body with an abundance of colorful fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and fiber because these nutrient-dense, pigment-rich foods help protect our skin from within — acting as an internal SPF.
For breakfast, we like to lean into fruits high in antioxidants (especially lycopene), minerals and vitamins to support our capacity to better receive the sun’s rays. Lycopene, an antioxidant that gives fruit its red color, has been shown to absorb both UVA and UVB radiation. And a diet rich in lycopene can offer our bodies a 30% increase in all over sun protection (!). To bump lycopene intake, opt for red fruits like watermelons, tomatoes, strawberries and raspberries.
To complement our breakfast, we love a cup of matcha, as green tea has sun protection from the inside-out and reduces overall inflammation. Lending our skin an abundance of vitamins, minerals and polyphenols, matcha has been shown to reduce the effects of radiation while also boosting our mood.
For lunch and dinner, we let fresh, seasonal vegetables guide us, incorporating them into big salads, wraps and bowls. In high summer, the abundance of brightly colored produce all contribute to helping our skin take in the extra daylight. Other sun synergizing superfoods to prioritize include turmeric, dark leafy greens and berries.
Beyond a general supplement regimen, you may want to consider pearl powder, the finely ground powder of pearls used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat skin discoloration, burns and sunspots. Our favorite pearl supplements are Mother of Pearl which is the pearl in its pure state and The CAPsule, a daily ingestible for radiant skin that marries pearl powder with matcha and other healing herbs created in collaboration with our friends at Mount Sunny.
When our body is well taken care of and fueled with organic, high quality plant foods, everything works better, including our skin’s relationship to the sun.
MOVE YOUR BODY + GET OUTSIDE
The majority of our human history was spent outside, and during that time, our skin developed adaptations to produce beneficial nutrients from the sun. Optimal vitamin D synthesis takes place from morning until noon. Let some sun shine on your arms and legs during a walk, yoga, or a hike when the sun’s rays are gentle enough not to burn our skin, but potent enough for optimal synthesizing.
SUN BATHING
If you’re likely to be outside for longer periods of time, you may want to apply a natural mineral-based sunscreen, rich in plant oils, to prevent sunburn. Since sunscreens prevent our skin from receiving any benefits from the sun’s rays, we should be sure to wear them if our bodies have already reached maximum exposure for the day.
To raise natural stores of vitamin D, go SPF free for 10-15 minutes, sitting outside in direct sunlight. Depending on your skin tone and how close you live to the equator, this time may vary. If you start to get too hot or sense you might be getting red — seek shade.
It is important to note that mineral sunscreens should be used instead of chemical sunscreens because natural SPFs reflect both UVA and UVB rays, while chemical sunscreens only immobilize UVB rays. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UVB rays and turning them into heat while allowing UVA rays to penetrate our skin. Exposure to UVA rays without the protective features of UVB rays have been linked to wrinkles and skin cancer. In short, chemical sunscreens disable our skin’s natural warning systems — the onset of a sunburn — and make us more susceptible to long term skin damage, unknowingly overexposing our skin to UV radiation. Mineral sunscreens on the other hand block both UVA and UVB rays, protecting our skin from the sun when our skin has had enough.
The best natural sunscreen, besides zinc-based sunscreen and the food we eat, is our skin’s natural melanin production. This means having a tan actually protects our skin from sun damage. It makes sense that when our body spends more time in the sun, it responds with a natural protection mechanism. An elegant solution.
In order to gradually build up a tan, start exposing your skin to the sun during spring, so that when summer rolls around you have a good base of natural protection.
Nearly 75 percent of adults and teenagers are vitamin D deficient, which is why it is important that we NOT fear the sun and always cover up. Lack of vitamin D can exacerbate a variety of health issues, while getting enough D greatly improves our overall health.
On a more emotional and mental level, sun exposure triggers the release of the joy-promoting, mood-boosting hormone serotonin, flooding our body with an overall sense of calm— essential for balancing and uplifting our mood.
THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN
Ensuring adequate amounts of vitamin D means striking the perfect balance with our food intake, supplements and sun exposure. Humans can obtain vitamin D in three ways: absorbing it from the sun, consuming it via food sources and supplementation.
The form of vitamin D we make when exposed to sunlight is D3, or cholecalciferol, which is also found in animal-based foods like: fatty fish, liver, and egg yolks. D2, Ergocalciferol is found in supplements, fortified foods, mushrooms and a few other plants. Whether you eat animal products or not, you may want to consider supplementing during winter months or if you live far from the equator. When looking for a vitamin D supplement, opt for one that contains D3 (the more bioavailable form) in tandem with K2 to ensure calcium is absorbed where it's needed.
EVENING SUN / WIND DOWN
Gaze at the sunset to let your internal clock know that it is time to slow down, unwind and get ready for sleep. This ancient tradition will likely make you feel calmer and more connected, and the practice is easy and rewarding.
POST SUN SKINCARE RECOVERY
Use products that help your skin heal, hydrate and regenerate with the power of plants. You may want to utilize a retinol to reduce redness, hyperpigmentation, discoloration or early signs of aging. Finish your evening routine with a favorite oil mixed with serotoner to lock in moisture and fortify your skin from the outside-in. And don’t forget to thank your skin for all it does for you. It's your front line of defense, fortify it.
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Serves 2-4
By Kerrilynn Pamer
How would you define a healthy skin barrier?
Not too dry, not too oily, blemish free, with a balanced microbiome.
What are the key indicators of a healthy skin barrier?
It appears hydrated, lubricated, mostly free of blemishes (an occasional blemish is par for the course) and stable (that is, it does not react unduly to treatments or new products).
What are the key indicators of a compromised skin barrier?
It appears dry and is prone to irritation, rashes, breakouts.
What are your favorite ways to keep our skin barrier healthy?
1. Supplying the skin with epidermal lipids that we tend to produce less of as we age: cholesterol, ceramides, free fatty acids.
2. Supplying the skin with nutrients that the barrier needs to function properly.
3. Avoiding products that contain preservatives that compromise microbiome balance.
4. Avoiding aggressive or invasive treatments, peels and the like.
5. Avoiding soap. I never use anything but our cleanser, water or yogurt on my face. Never, ever.
What is your general protocol when dealing with a compromised skin barrier?
In general, avoid too much cleansing and limit exfoliation to once a month. On the to-do side, replenish skin with extra barrier lipids. For the best rehab, always use a retinol product at night, always use good sun protection during the day, even if you are spending most of it indoors.
Do you find that people need professional help to repair and reset their barrier, or that it is something we can do on our own?
Strategic and well formulated home care is most important. If you add yogurt to your routine you can figure the billions of probiotics are your professional help.
Does our skin barrier change over the course of our lives?
Yes, especially if your lifestyle changes drastically; for example, you move to a new country, are facing different climate conditions or you experience health issues that affect your skin.
Do we need to constantly adapt our approach to caring for it?
The biggest challenge to barrier function is aging. As we age we produce less of the lipids and GAGs that keep our barrier layer strong. So it’s a good idea to adapt our routines as we get older. It’s easy enough to note conditions like dryness and adjust our routine to include more barrier oils. It does not require constant vigilance—it’s more a matter of paying attention as the years go by. Try and be somewhat aware though, because you can slow down barrier dysfunction by making adjustments to your routine when the changes to your skin first become apparent.
How do different climates compromise or help our skin barrier?
The thing that escapes everyone’s attention is the role played by temperature swings. Sure, hotter climates are the norm now, so we make the adjustments to that—more sunscreen, drink liquids, seek the shade etc. However, it’s harder to manage when temperatures are very erratic. It’s a stressor for the barrier.
What was your process in formulating the Barrier Restore Serum?
I looked at the anatomy of the stratum corneum, aka the barrier layer, and tried to put all the ingredients that were identical as much as possible to the barrier’s chemical composition into the serum. This is bio-mimicry, a principle we follow in formulation.
What types of skincare products should we avoid or take a pause from if our barrier is compromised?
Avoid products that: strip the skin of oils, for instance anything alcohol based. Products that increase pH of the skin (like soap, which is very alkaline). Ingredients that are heavily preserved or scented that can cause inflammation. And ingredients that can cause photosensitivity (like benzoyl peroxide).
What are your favorite products to pair with the Barrier Restore Serum?
Barrier Lipid Complex, Soothing B3 Serum, C-Therapy Serum.
How do we support our skin barrier during travel?
Pre+Probiotic Daily Mist is good to have if you are feeling parched. And it doesn’t hurt to put on an extra layer of sunblock while on the plane, and stay away from the window seats.
What lifestyle habits (beyond topicals) degrade / improve our skin barrier?
Degrade = sun, lack of sleep, diets high in processed foods, stress.
Improve = sun protection, adequate sleep, an exercise program, high fiber diets, good oral hygiene.
What are your top three most important takeaways for protecting and nourishing our skin barrier?
1. Sun protection
2. Barrier lipid replenishment
3. Good oral hygiene
4. And I have to add this one--stop worrying! You’re also allowed to have fun—now that I am in my third age, as the French call it, I feel compelled to remind younger people that loving your life while you’re living it is the most important thing.
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HEART
EGCG, the most talked about catechin in matcha, has been seen to support our overall cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of heart disease and supporting healthy artery functioning. For those who drink matcha regularly, its catechins work on our long term health to manage healthier cholesterol levels — naturally lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol.
HORMONES + FERTILITY
To support your overall hormonal balance and fertility, you may want to add a cup or two of matcha to your morning routine. Research suggests it naturally balances our cortisol levels, which help steady our hormones, decrease stress and promote better sleep.
Green tea also plays a role in regulating levels of critical sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone, androgens, and other reproductive-related endocrine functions), working adaptogenically to harmonize and balance our complex endocrine system.
Matcha has been seen in animal studies to regulate levels of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) which trigger a woman’s cycle. In men, matcha protects sperm production and boosts libido — addressing any and all potential reproductive disorders. It has also been used to combat PMS symptoms and side effects of menopause.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
With such high levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, matcha is especially adept at enhancing our overall immunity. It offers 100x the number of antioxidants per cup than regular green tea, boosting our bodies capacity to heal. With the highest ORAC rating (a system that measures the antioxidant capacity of different foods) of any natural antioxidant source, matcha is one of the best foods you can consume for optimal health and vitality. For proper immune functioning, EGCG, the main catechin in matcha, is also particularly effective at calming internal inflammation and helping to regulate a proper immune response.
BRAIN
It’s L-theanine that balances the jitteriness of caffeine to provide us with a calmer form of energy. In the short term, this amino acid, rich in matcha, offers our brain a relaxed alertness, perfect for deep focus and meditation. When matcha is consumed daily for at least three months, it has been seen to enhance our overall brain functioning as well as protect against cognitive decline, dementia and memory loss.
SKIN + HAIR
Externally, when green tea is applied to the skin, it can protect us against UV damage and from certain conditions like rosacea, sun damage, acne and general redness.
Internally, we see that matcha prevents sebum buildup, which helps to reduce blemishes, and promotes blood flow to the skin, offering us a glowy, youthful appearance.
Matcha also works to support healthy hair growth — protecting against hair loss, decreasing split ends and potentially even slowing down the onset of premature graying.
METABOLISM + WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
To support a healthy body weight and increase your metabolism, reach for matcha. Regularly drinking matcha increases the rate at which we burn calories and elevates thermogenesis — our bodies ability to burn fat. Matcha also reduces insulin resistance and improve markers of fasting glucose, keeping blood sugar levels more stable throughout the day.
Due to its natural caffeine content, matcha can also boost our athletic performance, improve workout stamina, and even shorten our recovery time.
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Serves 4
By Kerrilynn Pamer
3/4 cup hazelnut flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 dates or 3 T date syrup
1 cup coconut milk
2 T melted coconut oil
Plums and blueberries and cherries (or any other fruit you love)
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"Leaning into wearing hats and sunscreen, loving routine, early morning running, going to the movie store, Canal House Recipes, salads, going to bed early, Summer Cooking by Elizabeth David, sailor style, chamomile."- Katie Merchant
FEELINGS OF SUMMER
Sunshine, feeling the heat on my skin, freckles, tucking summer fruits into frangipane tarts, farmers’ markets, tomatoes, swimming, evening gelato walks, making meals for friends, stopping at the dairy bar for a banana split after a day at the beach.
TASTE OF SUMMER
Toasted tomato sandwiches, watermelon, peaches, soft serve ice cream, strawberries, currants, zucchini pasta with butter and mint.
FILMS OF SUMMER
KATIES TOP 10 CAP PICKS:
1. DOSAGE MOTHER OF PEARL 2. CAP BEAUTY MATCHA 3. MARIE VERONIQUE MULTI-RETINOL NIGHT EMULSION 4. MONASTERY ATTAR FLORAL CONCENTRATE 5. MASA MEMORY SUNSET SONORAN CACAO 6. LE PRUNIER PLUMSCREEN 7. CAP BEAUTY SEROTONER 8. BINU BINU SOAP 9. CAP BEAUTY + WOODEN SPOON HERBS LIGHT RAY 10. LIVING LIBATIONS BEST SKIN EVER SEABUCKTHORN.
For years, I’ve been DIY-ing wholesome sweets: fudge made with tahini, dates and 100% chocolate; homemade chocolate made with cacao butter and cacao powder; every-type-of-nut-butter cups; dairy- and gluten-free dark chocolate olive oil ganache tarts. The recipe below is a lovechild of two nutritious yet delicious sweets that are close to my heart. I layer a no-bake toasted nut, date and coconut crust with the ever-decadent CAP coconut butter, sprinkling in some cacao nibs for crunch. The cups take about 10 minutes to come together and keep well in the fridge or freezer for a quick and wholesome treat. I’ve added them into my rotation—I hope you'll do the same!
CAP Coconut Butter Cups
Makes 1 cup
By Emily Fiffer
Crust
1/2 cup dates, pitted
1 cup toasted pecans
3/4 cup toasted coconut (can be desiccated or chips)
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
Pinch of Maldon
Filling
2 tablespoons CAP coconut butter
1/2 teaspoon cacao nibs
Maldon
I'm obsessed with silicone backing cups. I mostly use them for homemade nut butter cups or a riff on fudge, but you can bake muffins in them, etc. They're cheap, reusable, BPA-free and will make your life so much easier. Big thumbs up!
To make the crust, add everything to a food processor and blend until the mixture comes together. Pinch with your fingers. If it sticks, you're done. If not, continue to pulse until it does! You're looking for mostly-blended nuts with some tiny pieces still remaining.
Scoop a spoonful of crust into a silicone cup, press into the bottom and freeze for a few minutes until set. Add a tablespoon of CAP coconut butter, sprinkle over the cacao nibs and freeze until set. Add another spoonful of crust to cover the filling and freeze, then add another tablespoon of CAP coconut butter with a sprinkle of Maldon. Freeze again! Keep in the fridge for maximum enjoyment.
Note: You'll have plenty of leftover crust. This is not an accident! Use it to make more CAP butter cups or roll it into balls and keep in the fridge for a quick protein fix. The balls are also *excellent* dipped in CAP coconut butter and hardened in the freezer for a bit.
]]>Potatoes Anna
Serves 4-6
By Kerrilynn Pamer
15 new potatoes
2 teaspoons The Magic Spice
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Pink Mountain Salt
3 T olive oil
Generous grind of pepper
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Wash potatoes and dry, then slice thinly with a mandoline and drop them into ice water. Let them sit in the water for about 15 minutes, then drain. Lay out on towel and cover with another towel to dry them off. Add to bowl and generously coat with olive oil and sprinkle paprika, The Magic Spice, Pink Mountain Salt and pepper over all potatoes. Lay concentrically in a tart pan, covering up the previous potato until the whole pan is covered with potatoes.
Put in oven and cook for 25-30 minutes, checking to see how the tart is looking. Once browned, remove from oven, sprinkle more Magic Spice, olive oil and salt and pepper as needed and dust with your choice of cheese. Serve hot or at room temperature.
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The first product in our CAP Beauty skincare line, the serotoner is a hydrating and calming toner, in the form of a super fine mist, that can be used at any point during our skincare routine, and as often as needed throughout the day. Unlike most toners, the serotoner isn't astringent and doesn't strip skin, but instead relies on intelligent desert botanicals to nourish and calm.
What adjectives best describe how the serotoner supports our skin?
Who did we formulate the serotoner for?
We formulated the serotoner specifically for those of us with drier and more sensitive skin types who tend to have a more difficult time fighting stress caused by pollution, extreme weather conditions, lack of sleep and food triggers. When skin is dry and sensitive, daily irritants can lead to pronounced redness, inflammation and discomfort. And the serotoner was intelligently designed to combat these common symptoms by soothing, healing, hydrating and protecting our outermost layer, encouraging an overall more calm and resilient complexion the more you use it.
What is so special about its formulation?
Utilizing Griffonia, a shrub native to Africa that contains 5-HTP, a natural precursor to the “happy hormone” serotonin, this gentle mist is one of the first products to foray into the neuro-beauty space. The serotoner treats our skin holistically, from the outside-in, acknowledging the often overlooked connection between our mind and skin, how we look and how we feel.
The serotoner also utilizes a cutting edge, all-natural preservation system, which is a deviation from the typical, harsh skincare preservatives used in most beauty products. Our unique preservation system not only doesn't harm our skin's precious microbiome, but actually protects and strengthens it.
It took years to find the perfect balance of botanicals that all worked together, synergistically, to noticeably strengthen and nourish our skin. The serotoner has exceeded all our expectations, and made way for our healthiest, happiest skin yet.
Why desert plants?
Desert plants have an amazing ability to absorb and hold onto water in the hottest, driest and windiest environments. Through thousands of years of evolution, they have adapted incredibly complex defense systems; protective leathery outer layers and spongy, gel-like insides that lock in moisture under extreme heat and environmental stress. When formulating the serotoner, we extracted these incredible compounds to increase our skin's ability to hold onto water and strengthen its barrier system, resulting in more moisturized and calm complexion. Nature is rich with wisdom, and desert plants felt like a natural ally for skin that leans more dry and sensitive.
What are the serotoner's key skin supporting ingredients:
Griffonia: This woody shrub native to parts of Africa, contains a precursor to the “feel-good” hormone serotonin, encouraging calmer and happier skin. Due to continuously being under intense UV exposure, griffonia soothes and hydrates the skin deeply, particularly post-sun.
Agave: Agave is a well-known desert succulent that lives under extreme environmental stress. Its robust and complex defense system coupled with its high mineral and vitamin content works to moisturize and nourish our skin, promoting a calmer and more even complexion.
Prickly Pear: A flowering plant in the cactus family, prickly pear combats irritation by blocking the release of stress markers. Its ability to provide long-lasting water-binding properties effectively keeps skin hydrated, similar to how cactus holds water in nearly uninhabitable dry heat.
Aloe: As a succulent, aloe has evolved over millions of years to survive with little to no water, helping our skin retain ample moisture while also offering reduced redness and irritation, making it an excellent ally for sensitive and dry skin types.
Coconut Extract: Coconut extract bolsters our skin's water-holding capacity and strengthens its barrier function over time. And since coconut extract has a different fatty acid composition to coconut oil, it does this all without clogging our pores.
How should we use the serotoner?
When it comes to enjoying the serotoner, we suggest throwing out the old rulebook. Unlike other toners used only during our morning and evening routine, the serotoner is meant to be used as often as we’d like. It also plays well with our favorite oils and serums, offering up a customized, deeply hydrating treatment.
Our favorite way to incorporate the serotoner into our skincare routine is threefold. First mist the serotoner onto skin immediately after cleansing for a boost of hydration. Then, add a spritz to a few drops of your favorite facial oil, mix well and then gently pat all over your face, neck and décolletage to drive moisture deeper into your pores. Finish with a final mist of the serotoner for a dewy, youthful and glowy appearance.
Drier skin types may find that they can use the serotoner more frequently, spritzing every few hours or as often as needed throughout the day.
Close your eyes and spray the serotoner liberally on your face anytime you're in need of a boost of moisture and calm.
Other ways to use the serotoner?
We find the serotoner showcases its powerful capabilities especially well after (too much) time in the sun, while traveling on an airplane (it's under 3 fl. oz and can be tucked into your carry on), as a make-shift hair serum and to calm down minor flare-ups.
The serotoner can also be used beyond our faces — mist your chest, arms and legs for a cooling and soothing whole body treatment. It’s even safe enough to use on your children. Just be sure not to get it in their eyes.
Where should you keep the serotoner?
Store the serotoner in the fridge for an extra refreshing experience. We also love keeping it on our desk, in our purse, in the car, inside our carry on bag when we travel, on our bathroom counter and on our bedside table for a convenient morning and evening mist.
"The serotoner is absolutely divine. It provides a calming effect with each spritz for the skin and mind. It contains aloe vera which I am a huge fan of, to soothe and hydrate the skin while the willow bark combats blemishes. I use it daily, especially post run to calm redness, inflammation and refresh the skin."
- SHANI HILLIAN ESTHETICIAN
"This mist is divine. The smell is so unexpected and jovful. As a facialist I test tons of products and read so many ingredient labels. Many mists promise hydration but are glorified water sprays. A good mist needs humectants to help hold the hydration on the surface of the skin. I love that the serotoner has multiple humectants leaving the skin hydrated and dewy. Plus the glass bottle and incredible smell make vour skincare routine feel like a ritual instead of a chore."
- CHELSEA HUNTER HARRISON ESTHETICIAN
"This product is the best thing I've become addicted to in vears. First off I'm really into the concept, and have always turned to scent for emotional/mental health help. Secondly, THIS FORMULA- the ingredient list is a workof art, as is the scent. I probably use too much in one use, as a result; once I start misting, I don't want to stop. Finally, what is referred to as the way the mist is 'metered' is spot on perfect. Meaning, the amount of product, and the fine ness of the droplets of the product that comes out per each time you press the nozzle is just right. And that's rare, too."
- KATEY DENNO CELEBRITY MAKEUP ARTIST
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The Spring Has Sprung Kombucha Frappe
Serves 4
From High Vibrational Beauty
4 cups rhubarb, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon coconut sugar
1 (16-ounce) bottle of unflavored kombucha
1 cup ice cubes
Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large baking dish, combine the rhubarb, lemon juice, coriander and sugar, and mix together well. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Allow to cool and then transfer to a high-speed blender and blend until combined. Add the ice cubes and kombucha and blend once more, tamping down, if necessary. Divide between glasses and serve immediately.
Sea Buckthorn Spritzer
Serves 1
2 tablespoons pureed sea buckthorn berries*
Splash of bitters
6 ounces sparkling mineral water
Place the sea buckthorn and bitters in your favorite glass. Gently stir and pour sparkling water on top.
*You can buy sea buckthorn berry puree through an online retailer.
Goji Nectar
Serves many
1 cup goji berries, soaked overnight
3 cups filtered water
Homemade nut milk (optional)
Add the berries, water and nut milk (if using) to a powerful blender and blend. Enjoy on its own, or add to teas or nut milk.
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Oil cleansing is exactly how it sounds, you cleanse your skin with an oil. It's an ancient practice that's been around for thousands of years. It involves massaging natural oils on your face and then using a hot towel to steam away makeup, dirt, sweat and grime.
What types of oils clog pores and which clean pores?
Comedogenic oils clog and non-comedogenic oils cleanse. Comedogenic oils such as coconut, mineral, wheat germ and flaxseed oil have a likelihood of clogging facial pores. They should only be used on the body, as our skin from the neck down is completely different from the skin on our faces. Non-comedogenic oils that will not clog your pores are safflower, sunflower, hemp seed, grapeseed, squalene and so many more.
How often should we oil cleanse?
I recommend daily. I've cleansed my skin with oil exclusively for many years and it's been the best at balancing my oil production and keeping skin conditions at bay. You can use an oil cleanser first and then follow up with a water-based cleanser after if you desire a more flushing effect.
How much oil should we use?
Depends on the product and your needs. Are you removing makeup first? I use a dropper applicator and dispense one full dropper. If you have a pump I would do about 3-4 pumps.
What's the best way to apply oils?
If you are cleansing with an oil, apply to dry skin as you want the oil to adhere and dissolve the oil/debris/sweat within your pores without a barrier. If however you are using an oil as a moisturizer—which I love—you can apply your oil to damp skin and follow with your serum of choice. Oils create a barrier between your skin and the environment while also locking in any products preceding it. So if you want to maintain balanced skin, you also need a product with water content, which is where your serums and toners come in.
Is an oil more hydrating than a moisturizer?
Oils are not hydrating, they are moisturizing. A great way to remember that is water = hydrating, oil = moisturizing. Only water based products can "hydrate" such as serums, toners, essences, water-based creams etc. You can use an oil as a moisturizer, but always apply to damp skin. Or, you can mix your cream moisturizer with a couple drops of oil.
What’s the purpose of wiping off with a microfiber towel vs. just rinsing off?
Oil and water don't mix, so if you try to rinse off oil cleansing, it'll slide right off and leave residue. Remember, oil is like a barrier, so you need to remove the barrier physically. The water from the towel and the steam will soften debris in skin and since the oil attracts whatever you had in your pores, the towel quite literally acts as a magnet and as you wipe, you are ridding your pores of the debris within them.
What is your technique for massaging oil into our face?
It's more about the intention you put into cleansing your skin, focusing on the movement and areas of focus that are right for you.
How can oil cleansing benefit acne and sensitive skin?
Traditional facial cleansers can strip our skin of all bacteria— both good and bad. Oil cleansing leaves the good bacteria and microbes, which can help prevent skin infections like acne. I recommend a plant-based oil for deep oil cleansing.
How important is it to find the right oil cleanser, and which are your favorites?
It's very important to find oil cleansers that cater to your skincare needs, at that moment. Not what your skin "used to like'' or what you "used to use." Our skin changes so often. I actually formulated an oil cleanser that'll be available in the Fall, however there are a few on the market that I've used personally and love for all skin types. Here's what I might recommend to try: Marie Veronique's Replenishing Oil Cleanser, Living Libations Sea Buckthorn Oil and Taïla Muhka's Oil Cleanser.
What are the most common ways you see people oil cleansing wrong?
They don't use a towel to remove, they use the wrong cleanser or use straight coconut oil which is a big no-no as it clogs pores.
How does oil cleansing preserve our skin's microbiome?
It doesn't strip the skin or alter our pH. Anything that contains water will alter our pH which can cause a disruption is your skin's natural regenerative process. Oil does not, which is why I love it for everyone.
Is there anyone / skin type that shouldn’t oil cleanse?
Nope. All skin types benefit from oil cleansing.
We get asked all the time about using oils if you have oily or acne prone skin. What advice do you have for these skin types?
Oil cleansing benefits your skin the most. Oil dissolves oil, so it'll remove the excess oil you have in your skin and regulate oil production all while keeping the microbiome intact. Try it, and watch your skin transform in 3-4 weeks.
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