A little skincare goes a long way.. oh, and so does a yummy recipe. Namaste.
Hello friends,
I am starting this week by sending a big serving of love to you all. There is a lot going on, and the worldwide call for change we're experiencing also comes with a heavy energy that can take a toll on your system. As much as possible, try and be gentle and loving to yourself and your loved ones. Starting from a place of love does us all some much needed good right about now. And taking mental and physical care- especially in a time of great turmoil- is of utmost importance. Stress is a terrible best friend, so ask her to pack her bags and GTFO. Also, remember the global pandemic we are still in... yeah, there is that too. I encourage you to take extra special care of your body and your heart this week, this month….this whole year.
I have been consciously and thoughtfully reflecting on who I am in my work and the choices I make in my everyday life - a journey that involves constantly learning and unlearning. And in this space I share with you, I want to show up with a more inclusive eye. I want to celebrate more diverse voices and brands, while continuing to share my self care tips in easily accessible and spirit building ways. This is my commitment, and I hold myself accountable. I also added links below of organizations I have donated to, if you are able, I hope you will too.
This week I am so excited to share two of my favorite brands- and humans- Michelle Ranavat of RANAVAT and Nousha Salimi of Rejuvinate with Nousha and her oil, The Reset. I am not just pimping out their brands, I USE their (delightful smelling and feeling) products and they WORK. I have noticed a difference in the elasticity and hydration of my skin over the last 6 plus months of using them. It’s no surprise that I also genuinely adore these badass women. I have learned so much from both of them. I highly recommend finding them on social media and ( if you can) getting their products. To purchase their products head to the Currently Crushing On section below- lots of goodies for you in there this week!! After you read their Q+A’s, check out the videos I recorded with both of them. They walk us through facial massage, how to detox your skin and how to best use (their) oils on your face- if you have a facial oil you prefer at home, that’s fine too!
I also included a family friendly- healthy-recipe this week! I just started making it in Quarantine, and we are obsessed. I have fiddled with it a bunch- so shall you be inspired to make it- do the same and find a version that has all the things you love in it too!
My big open heart is sending your big open heart LOTS. OF. LOVE. In the words of my Yogi brothers and sisters, “May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all”. We are in this together. Love is the answer. Go #beyourbestself
Xoxo, Amy
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Q&A with Nousha
Name:
Nousha Salimi
What’s your favorite type of workout?:
Yoga , hot yoga flow
What’s your favorite song or type of music to workout to?:
Meditation music , I love the “love yoga” playlist on Spotify!
How do you motivate yourself when you aren’t in the mood to workout?: I lie down and do muscle tapping to wake my self up ( or I just lay down and sleep and do nothing LOL)
What’s your skincare philosophy?: I have always centered on a non-invasive, holistic approach to aesthetic rejuvenation and conscious aging. I do not desire to erase the past, but instead I look to enhance the life once lived, focusing on prevention and conscious restoration. I’ve extensively studied in both Eastern and Western practices of medicine and integrate both into my work. This philosophy has enabled me to successfully treat hormonal, environmental, and age-related skin problems, that not too long ago, required much more invasive procedures, and/or synthetic oral medications.
Any skincare tips?: Take time to meditate and do a body scan, your cells actually relax and with that it helps soften the fine lines on the face
What is your favorite recipe? : A delish salad with a honey mustard Vinegar dressing
Would you mind sharing it with us?: Lettuce with basil , mint, cilantro chopped , and
The dressing is what makes it come to life
1 tbsp oil
1/2 tbsp honey
1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Pinch of salt
Pinch of pepper
1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
A small squeeze of lemon oooh my goodness yummy
Fave form of self care?: Facial massage , it immediately feels good, allows me to focus on my self, and then when I’m relaxed I look better!
Tell us about your RESET oil: THE RESET, is a new skincare oil filled with a unique combination of high-quality CBD and potent natural ingredients like vitamin c to brighten your complexion, lemon balm that calms redness, rose for a hydration boost plus bromelain and arnica to soothe swelling and bruising. The oil helps minimize pores, combat inflammation, reduce redness and decrease fine lines and wrinkles
Fave gift to give… And receive?: I LOVE to gift a massage by an amazing massage therapist and the same goes for receiving . I think massage therapy is the BEST gift for any one.
Another great gift is to give a face oil, my friends always seem so happy when I send them my oil!! Because sometimes it’s something we typically wouldn’t buy or splurge on ourselves.
What wellness hack is a part of your daily or weekly routine?: Magnesium powder at night 1 tsp before I sleep. It helps me sleep deeper, and have a great bowel movement in AM!
Fave Wellness/lifestyle IG account that you follow?: Of course @amyrosoffdavis !! I mean seriously , helps so much with recipes workouts , good vibes? What more do you need!! But i also enjoy @melissawoodhealth or @kelseyjpatel
I feel better when: I sleep in (ha) and give myself 5 minutes to breath in light, compassion , connection to source, and set the mantra of being love for the day.
Q&A with Michelle Ranavat
Name: Michelle Ranavat
What’s your favorite type of workout?: Bollywood Dancing!
What’s your favorite song or type of music to workout to?: It depends on my mood- sometimes I like a mellow song like Noah Cyrus - Sadness to just run and think. When I’m feeling upbeat- I listen to anything from hip hop to bollywood music.
How do you motivate yourself when you aren’t in the mood to workout?: I use working out as a time to clear my thoughts and recenter myself. I’ve even thought of new products and ideas while working out! I find that having a routine and working out at the same time every day helps me.
Why did you start Ranavat? I started RANAVAT as a way to combine my love for Indian ritual and heritage with my science background. Growing up I was fascinated by the kings and queens of India and their elaborate beauty rituals.
Can you briefly explain each of your products and something special about them? I created the treatments like a symphony- it combines different scents and textures as you go through the ritual. First I start with Luminous Ceremony Cream Cleanser- a creamy rich balm slash cream hybrid that gently removes makeup and dirt while leaving the skin hydrated yet clean- with a light rose scent. Next, I mist Jasmine Tonique a pure organic hydrosol that feels like you sprayed jasmine flowers over your skin. I finish with Radiant Rani- a saffron infused serum that infuse with 18 adaptogenic herbs in cooper vessels infused over 10 days. Its such a rich-orange serum that leaves my skin bright and hydrated. If I want a deeper treatment, I will massage for 10 min with my Kansa Wand. The copper detoxifies my skin and leaves glowy and clear.
Are your products organic/non-toxic?: Pregnancy safe? Etc? Any other details you want to share? Yes! I personally source all my ingredients – using certified organic wherever possible. We do not use any synthetic fragrances and we give back to rural communities in the form of education through our partnership with the desi foundation.
What separates you from other brands and makes Ranavat unique?: RANAVAT is definitely unique because of the textures and scents that tell a story from thousands of years ago. We are also a heritage brand, one that seeks to uncover heritage craftsmanship and preserve the work by the original artisans. For example our Kansa Wand is made by a family that has been making Kansa for over 900 years- generation after generation. I want to support these artisans so they can continue to create their works of art for years to come.
Have you faced any obstacles as an Indian Woman starting this brand?: Absolutely! SO much of the wellness industry has been appropriated from Indian culture. From yoga, meditation to adaptogenic smoothies and turmeric lattes. In the skincare world, there has been little education on the origins of these ingredients and ultimately the credit does not fall to Ayurveda or India. This makes it difficult for genuine brands that are based in Ayurveda to flourish because they are not “trendy” enough. I’d love to see some transparency and accountability from the larger brands to pave the way for smaller brands like RANAVAT to really tell this beautiful story of Indian beauty secrets in a genuine way.
Cauliflower Kimchi Fried Rice
INGREDIENTS:
•3 cloves of Garlic
•½ Onion
•Ginger ( I use about two tablespoons- chopped, but adjust according to your preference)
• 1 cup chopped Kimchi plus some of it’s juice
• Whole Head of Cauliflower ( or buy pre- riced, but it’s super easy to grate it on a cheese grater)
•1 cup Mushrooms
•1 cup chopped Greenbeans
• 1 cup chopped or julienned Carrots
•1 cup Broccoli
•1 cup Edamame
•1 Tablespoon-ish of Toasted Sesame oil
•Salt to taste EACH STEP OF THE WAY
•1-2 Tablespoons of Soy Sauce- adjust depending on how well you flavored with salt at each step.
•2 tablespoons of Ponzu sauce
• 2 Tablespoons Nutritional yeast
•2 Tablespoons of Sesame Seeds
*Option to add meat or plant based protein of your choice
*Option to add a sunny side over medium egg on top or 2 scrambled eggs mixed into rice.
* Option to add Avocado as garnish
*Option to swap out any veggies
INSTRUCTIONS:
Grate a head of cauliflower on a cheese grater- set aside. Chop onions, garlic and ginger. Chop all veggies to desired size. If possible keep them to a similar size so their cooking times don’t vary too much. Chop Kimchi.
Heat sesame oil in a pan. Add garlic, onion and ginger. Sauté for a few minutes, but don’t let burn. Add Kimchi and some of the juice. Sauté until fragrant. Add Broccoli, Mushrooms, Greenbeans, Carrots and saute. Add salt. After about 5 minutes add a touch more oil if needed and add riced cauliflower. Add more salt. Saute. After about 10 minutes or less ( when it’s done) take off heat. Add a bit of soy sauce- but not too much, ponzu sauce, and some yeast flakes and sesame seeds.. Mix. Taste and see if more seasoning is needed. Enjoy! I like to top with avocado and a sunny side egg!
Currently crushing on…
1. BLK + GRN
An all natural market-place by all black artisans. From Toothpaste to tea, postpartum to pets, baby to beauty to reusable bags- this website has it all. Non toxic, vetted connecting high quality toxic free brands for the natural devotee. You can even shop by skincare concern. I just ordered some postpartum mom essentials and am very excited.
2.
Branch Basics
LOVING my Branch Basics cleaners - I am all about clean cleaning and it’s more important than ever right now! What’s my favorite thing about this plant based cleaner? The bottles are reusable, I haven’t thrown out a cleaning bottle in a year! Use code BBAMY15
3.
The Reset by Rejuvinate with Nousha
My facialist and dear friend Nousha created this delightful face oil that helps minimize pores, combat inflammation, reduce redness and decrease wrinkles and fine lines. It has CBD in it, botanicals and herbs… and man does it smell - and feel- delightful
4. Ranavat
Female and Indian Owned. This brand is a dream on my face- and will be on yours too. Everything in this product line makes you feel like a goddess and smells so good- I can’t say enough good things. I use her Face Wash, Jasmine spray, Radiant Rani, Mighty Magestly oil, and the kansa wand daily. Check out the attached video in this week’s blog with founder Michelle for a full tutorial. I got a discount code for you! Use AMY15 for 15% off your purchase.
5. Beneath Your Mask
Female and Black owned. Dana’s products are so yummy and nourishing to your skin. Micro Batched by hand in southern california, the story behind these products and their founder Dana is truly inspiring. All her products are safe, non toxic and non irritating for the skin to absorb. Made from the highest quality, most potent, non-toxic, all natural, organic, vegan ingredients, these products actually work to hydrate the skin. Plus they feel and smell incredible for people all over the world.
6. Bala
I use these weights daily and so do my clients. Aside from the fact that they really work, they are pretty easy on the eyes and come in a variety of colors. I rock their bands too. You can find me walking around my house at any hour of the day wearing 1 or 2 pounders on my wrists or ankles. Use my code AMY for a discount on your purchase!!
