Let’s stay fit. Eat well. And Gua Sha!
Oh Hiiiii!!
We are mid way through summer and things still feel a bit like Quarantine Groundhog Day. Some of us are going reverse in our pandemic-ing (ahem… Los Angeles). It’s hard for me to understand how that’s even possible since I am terrified to leave the house without a triple layer of masks… and, oh wait, I don’t really leave the house…. but I guess not everyone is taking the precautions I am. I really hope you are all being safe and taking this seriously- if not for your health please consider the safety of everyone else. I will keep this blog to yummy wellness, but, we can’t be well if we aren’t HEALTHY.
In our little bubble, we are in legit countdown mode to meeting baby boy … feels and looks like I ate an entire watermelon every day. I am such an active person, it’s hard not to be able to move as I wish. I am still training clients via zoom, but I can’t keep up with them anymore- and demonstrating the moves in their programs is getting very tricky. I ache to move and sweat as they do. One of my clients this past week mentioned that some of her friends haven’t worked out or moved in months. She trains (HARD) with me 3 times a week, and has been for years. The quarantine hasn’t slowed her down, and her stamina is as badass as it always was- she is fit as a fiddle. I pass NO judgement on anyone’s wellness routine, but I just can’t imagine not moving. Even feeling limited in my movement as I do in my 8 month knocked up state, I am active every day and even more in love with exercise than ever before. It feels so damn good. It makes your mind body soul feel alive.
To re-inspire you to move and take care of yourself, I included a workout this week…. AND a recipe AND an amazing interview with Gianna De La Torre, one of the founders of Wilding, which is a green, sustainable skincare line focused around the Gua Sha- one of my favorite facial tools.
What is a Gua Sha you ask, it is a tool that essentially scrapes your skin to improve circulation- which yields many health benefits. From reducing inflammation, increasing blood flow ( aka CHI), decreasing wrinkles, draining your lymph nodes, reducing jaw tension, clearing skin, and much more, this ancient Chinese beauty tool is incredible. It’s important to use a Gua Sha with a good face oil on clean skin- as you want it to glide easily and it will soak up whatever product you have on your face. It’s an incredibly relaxing and calming ritual- I love to do it a few times a week, and have noticed a difference in my skin. I use the Gua Sha from both Odacité and Wilding, and feel very grateful to have learned how to use them from the founders of each brand. I am so excited to share a tutorial on how to use a Gua Sha with you from co founder of Wilding, Gianna De La Torre. I included links to both brands below, so you can check them out.
Hope you are staying healthy and strong and happy. Please know I am sending you all the love, now go #beyourbestself
Xoxo, Amy
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Q&A with Gianna De La Torre
What’s your favorite type of workout?
I taught yoga for 10 years, so I love to practice asana. I used to have a very athletic practice, but that has shifted to being more restorative over the last several years. Because my practice has changed, I have incorporated dance, circuit training, pilates, and weights into my workouts.
What’s your favorite song or type of music to workout to?
I love to work out to hip hop & trap music. You the more bass the better.
How do you motivate yourself when you aren’t in the mood to workout?
I motivate myself with short, 30 min workouts that I do from home. Especially during quarantine, if I can take 30 min to work out, it barely takes any time and I feel so much better afterwards.
What is your favorite recipe? I genuinely love a simple salad more than anything.
I love an arugula salad the most.
Would you mind sharing it with us?
I make a dressing with olive oil and lemon juice, then I soak shallots with either plums, tomatoes, avocados or whatever veggie I have around in that dressing for 15 min. After it’s had a moment to marinate, I toss it over arugula. For more substance I’ll add quinoa and goat cheese to this.
Fave form of self care?
Facial gua sha is a must, I also do facial acupuncture, full body gua sha and body brushing for lymphatic drainage.
Fave product (can be brand or product)?
I’m very partial to Wildling
Fave gift to give... and receive?
The Empress Collection is my fav gift to give, and I love to receive a good massage or spa day. I can’t wait until I can go in for bodywork again!
What wellness hack is a part of your daily or weekly routine? (could be anything-ie putting lemon in your water)
Right now I’m really into boosting my immune system in light of the recent pandemic. I drink a green smoothie every morning -- I also take vitamin
Fave Wellness/lifestyle IG account that you follow?
https://www.instagram.com/wildling_beauty/
https://www.instagram.com/thefullestmag/
https://www.instagram.com/bethanycmeyers/
https://www.instagram.com/thechalkboardmag/
I feel better when I:
Exercise & Sleep
Marinated Cucumbers and Radishes!
INGREDIENTS:
CUCUMBERS
•Cucumber or ANY vegetable (Ellie loves this marinade on Broccoli or anything… we even use it as a salad dressing).
•1 tablespoons Braggs Liquid Aminos OR Soy Sauce
•1 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
•1/4 cup Ponzu
• 1 Tablespoon Rice Wine (optional)
•1 Tablespoon Mirin (optional)
•Sesame Seeds
RADISHES
•1 bunch radishes about a 1/2 pound, stem and root ends removed and cut into 1/8 inch slices
•1/2 cup apple cider vinegar ( I use Braggs)
•1/2 cup sugar
•1/4 cup water
•1 teaspoon salt
•1-2 crushed cloves of garlic
•1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
•Fresh Herbs- I use mint, parsley, dill, but you can use anything you like- even dried
•1 bay leaf
INSTRUCTIONS:
CUCUMBERS
•Thinly slice cucumbers or cut veg to desired size
•Combine liquids and sesame seeds. Mix. *adjust amounts as needed for taste, I often add more of this or that to get the flavor I like- play around until you get a flavor you like!
•Pour over cucumber. Let marinate for a few hours or overnight. Keeps for a few days
RADISHES
•Place radishes in a hot, sterilised 1-pint jar. Bring vinegar, sugar, water, salt, pepper, garlic, and bay leaf to a boil in a saucepan
•Pour hot pickling liquid over radishes. Add herbs. Chill 6 hours before serving. Store in refrigerator up to 4 months.
Eat alone, in salads, on a grain bowl, on top of fish or a cold noodle salad.. the options are endless!
Currently crushing on…
1. Wilding
Green, sustainable, and wild, this brand wins my vote. Restore your connection with nature and rediscover a form of beauty that provides a modern take on a 4000-year-old Traditional Chinese Medicine technique. Wilding’s Gua Sha products and tools create a culture of self-loving beauty that sculpt and reinvigorate the skin while healing various conditions — it clears fevers, addresses pain, and strengthens the immune system. They just launched their Aura collection which works to heal and stimulate the lymphatic system and has benefits that help with the appearance of cellulite, puffiness and stretch marks.
2.
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 omg 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.
3.BALA
My favorite workout equipment- that happens to be pretty easy on the eyes. Many of us are still stuck at home, so time to self motivate! Some new fab gear may do just the trick! We all know I am obsessed with everything BALA ( I mean their ankle weights are on my body every day)…now meet their new power ring! 10 pounds of “KettleBell”-ish LOVE. I am a big fan. Use my code AMY for a discount on anything you order from their sight!
4. Spa Ritual
This brand is inspired by clean beauty, spa culture and the art of self-care. They are a sustainable, vegan beauty brand based on the rituals of self-care. Their products smell and feel really good and also deliver nourishment!! I am using on my pregnant body daily.
5. The Always Pan
This pan does it all! It sautés, steams and fries- oh, and comes with a wooden spatula. It’s nonstick and nontoxic and comes in super cute colors. I cook everything in it- including this week’s recipe. I mean it’s Oprah approved, so you know it’s good.
6. The Girlfriend Collective
Eco-Friendly is their top priority, and whoa is this activewear brand amazing. Aside from bring super stylish and comfortable- I am currently rocking their maternity workout pants- they make clothes for all shapes and sizes OUT OF RECYCLED WATER BOTTLES, FISHING NET and SPANDEX!! They are sustainable and transparent ( ahem, even their packaging is made from recycled materials).
