Beneath your mask.
Hello lovely humans,
It’s officially summer! And while our warm temperature’d activities may look and feel differently than they normally do- or be #canceled all together- I still get that same feeling of excitement that I did as a kid when school ended. I suddenly give myself permission to end work a bit early, ignore the pile of emails, spend more time relaxing, enjoy the outdoors more and basque in the general pep in my step ( slash I can barely move at 32 weeks pregnant- so it’s more like an emotional pep). While the world still feels awfully heavy, it’s important to also take breaks for enjoyment and pleasure. You can stay tuned in and also tune out when needed for a little self care and love.
I spent some time over the last two weeks interviewing the lovely Dana Jackson of Beneath your Mask and Athena Hewett of Monastery. These two badass ladies have incredible CLEAN skin care brands and stories. Their products leave you feeling really (for lack of a better word) special …I mean a little luxury goes a long way- enchanté. As Dana and I discuss in our interview, when you treat your skin with the love it deserves, you also love yourself a little deeper. We all know how I feel about self love. After a few weeks of using both of their products, I have to say I feel… different. There is a difference in my skin and there is an extra special excitement around my nightly routine. I so look forward to my divine ritual of lathering my preggo belly in Beneath Your Mask’s HEAL, and dousing my face in Monastery’s botanical oils ( Get ready to learn about oils in my interview with Athena). I coat my lips in Dana’s Remedy conditioning lipbalm that actually hydrates my lips and leaves them feeling nourished- and then I get into bed feeling like a goddess. It may sound silly and extravagant, but for me, treating myself with this kind of love really goes a long way ( especially since I have a human the size of a coconut in my belly… kicking me all day long). We are all busy, but if you have the time, I highly recommend listening to these ladies speak- I was blown away by both of them. And if you can, I one hundred percent recommend you treat yourself to something from these incredible product lines.
Stay healthy, stay strong, stay loving, and #beyourbestself
Xoxo,
Amy
ps. I gave you a LIT AF recipe below WHOA is it good.
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Q&A with Dana Jackson
What’s your favorite type of workout?:
Pilates Reformer
What’s your favorite song or type of music to workout to?:
Rap (Most likely Chicago artists)
How do you motivate yourself when you aren’t in the mood to workout?: Thinking about how I want to feel. With my schedule, giving myself that 1 hour may be the only thing I get to do for myself in a day and it makes a huge difference in my stress.
What is your favorite recipe?: This is tough because I have so many I love, and it also depends on what world I’m living in at the moment. One of my favorite recipes right now is Golden Milk. My body has been craving turmeric lately, and I also love adaptogenic mushrooms.
Would you mind sharing it with us?: Ingredients
6 oz oat milk
4 oz water
1 Tbsp Raw Honey*
1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
1 tsp Turmeric Powder
1/4 tsp Chai Spice
1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
3 drops Black pepper essential oil
4 shakes Cinnamon Powder
2 shakes Cardamom Seed Powder
Optional
1/4 tsp Pearl Powder
1/4 tsp Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder
*Use Maple Syrup or Coconut Nectar to make it vegan
Instructions
Heat Oat Milk + Water on stove top
Add all other ingredients to blender
Add hot Oat Milk/Water to blender & blend!✨💫
Fave form of self care?: Thai Massage. I used to get them for lymphatic drainage and fell in love with them. A good Thai massage will work out every kink in your back and relieve so much stress.
Fave Product: Beneath Your Mask, Heal Whipped Skin Souffle
Fave gift to give… And receive?: To give - Flowers and I also like gifting from brands and artisans that may not be mainstream yet. To receive Flowers and anything Chanel!
Fave Wellness/lifestyle IG account that you follow?: @sophia_roe
I feel better when: I am well rested, make time for myself and let go of whatever I’m holding on to.
Q&A with Athena Hewett
What’s your favorite type of workout? Jumping rope and swimming (preferably in the ocean).
What’s your favorite song or type of music to workout to? It could be anything as long as it’s got me in an upbeat happy mood! Lot’s of rap.
How do you motivate yourself when you aren’t in the mood to workout? Honestly it’s been nearly impossible. I’m 6 months pregnant right now and I prefer jumping/ trampoline exercise but jumping isn’t recommended with pregnancy. I wish I had a pool, the ocean water is too cold in San Francisco. I love yoga too but I don’t have any quiet time in the home for that at the moment. I am ok with the slow down- I’ll get back to it after the baby.
What is your favorite recipe? I genuinely love a simple salad more than anything. I never use store bought dressings. My go to dressing recipe is so simple and fresh!
Would you mind sharing it with us?
6 tablespoons olive oil (greek preferably) but California will do. *I’m using Oracle olive Oil right now
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons dried dill
(whisk it up and drizzle over chopped romaine, cucumbers and tomatoes)
Fave form of self care?: Baths. It’s my favorite way to unwind and get some quiet time in the house. I mix up an epsom salt and eo blend and put it in the water. Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes I just want complete silence.
Fave product ( can be brand or product)? Is it a faux pas to say one of my own? Right now it’s our Flora Cream Serum.
Fave gift to give.. And receive?: I love giving away my sons hand me downs. I really only give away the favorites and I love seeing my friends' kids enjoying them too. I love getting anything handmade.
What wellness hack is a part of your daily or weekly routine?: I put lemon on literally everything. I don’t know if it’s a wellness hack but I do seem to have a really strong immune system and sometimes I wonder if that’s why. I also never (or rarely) eat processed food.
Fave Wellness/lifestyle IG account that you follow? Hmmm….. I really like Ashley Helvey. She’s a Creative Director that lives in Marseille. Her life looks incredible. I’m half greek and I often yearn for the mediterranean. I just love the lifestyle and eating style.
I feel better when I: Get 8 hours of sleep
Chicken (slash plant protein of your choice) Piccata with Lemon-y Arugula Salad
INGREDIENTS:
•Thin sliced or pounded chicken cutlets (or plant protein of your choice
•2-ish Tbsp Butter ( or ghee) I use Organic Valley
•4-5 Lemons
• 1/4 Cup of Capers
• Flour to dredge chicken or plant protein in
•Salt
•Pepper
• Arugula
•Olive oil
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
•Tablespoon red wine vinegar
•Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
INSTRUCTIONS:
Salt and pepper chicken or plant protein. Then dredge lightly in flour and a little more salt. Heat about a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of olive oil and brown protein for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Take off heat and let rest in shallow dish and toss with the juice of 2 lemons and the capers. In a separate bowl, whisk together a whole lemon with salt and vinegar, then whisk in olive oil. Set aside. Heat another tablespoon of butter in pan ( sorry not sorry) and add white wine, bring to a boil and then add protein back in- along with the capers and lemon juice. Cook protein in wine butter lemon sauce for about 5-6 minutes total (2-3 minutes on each side or until done). Take out of pan and coat with cooking juices and capers. Toss Arugula with dressing and pour over protein. Grate some parmesan or pecorino on top and fresh pepper shall you desire. Bye Felicia so good.
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.
Odacité
Clean yummy smelly beauty that works! I use their all embracing serum daily and their Blue Aurora cleansing water is a dream. I also use their Jade Gua Sha ( pictured to the left) and I just started using their new soap free shampoo bar and ERRRMMAAGAAWWWD is it amazing. Yes please to NO more shampoo bottles… 552 MILLION are in landfills yearly. Derived from coconut oil this shampoo has changed my hair and scalp. Highly recommend everything from this brand.
4. Monastery
Made from the finest plant oils and absolutes, your skin will GLOW after using any of Athena’s amazing products. I am partial to the Intense Brightening set which includes the most insane smelling Rose Cleansing oil, Rose Glycolic gel and Brightening Serum. I also love the Aloe Hyaluronic moisture boost- which gives your skin a huge hug. Everything feels ultra luxurious and smells realllllllllllll good.
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!!
