The last minute gift guide for the last minute gifter...
Whoa, guys… it has been a HOT MINUTE since I posted. OMG two kids is NO JOKE. Props to my mom and dad and parents everywhere- this is hard, I got my hands full AF. The days feel so short and yet go by SO FAST. I have felt so overwhelmed these last months, and also so full of love and purpose that my heart may explode. Motherhood 2.0 is a full time job.
I knew it would be hard to juggle it all, but I didn’t factor in that all the juggling would also leave my ( still healing postpartum self) totally depleted. I was so busy filling everyone’s cup that I forgot to fill my own- even though that is what I preach to everyone else! And yet doing all the things somehow took precedence over myself. I was getting worn down by work, kids, and household life… which, ironically are also the 3 things I am most grateful for. I was all upside down.
I knew I needed to recalibrate and shift my mindset, so I did a breath work session. It was my first ever - and WHOA was it powerful. After 30 minutes of holotropic breathing, my body and mind did some crazy things. I was releasing energy, grounding myself, slowing my heart rate, and feeling more calm and present than I had in months. My solar plexus started pulsing, I sobbed into a pillow, I felt my limbs going numb…. IT. WAS. POWERFUL. As I returned to my normal breathing and laid still letting it all seep in, my amazing healer Rony guided me back and asked me to think of 3 things I was most grateful for. Without any hesitation I thought of my family, my home, my work- the three things that were also overwhelming me and making me feel frazzled. I sunk into myself deeper than I had in months and realized I had everything I had always wanted, and that this beautiful journey is the biggest gift I could have ever imagined. There are always going to be challenges and hard times, ( ahem… 2020), but that doesn’t mean you have to let them take over your life. I practiced some self care, and I days later I still feel present, awake, calm and capable. I feel like I could do it all, and do it all pretty darn well.. .but also, if I can’t….. that’s okay.
I used an amazing wellness concierge service called ALTYR for this breath work session, and provided a link for you below if you want to try it too. It was really amazing- but you can also look up breath work and try it on your own- just be safe and careful and make sure you do your research.
Below are some of my fave gifts to give this year. If you are like me, you may be a little behind on “shopping” and still have some (online) gifts to get. And if you are all sorted for your holiday presents, well, congratulations. Haha. Slash, maybe you want to check out some of these items for yourself and indulge on some YOU love.
Happy holidays and merry everything!! I gave you a workout and recipe this week too! Now go #beyourbestself
Xoxo, Amy
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2020 GIFT GUIDE
ALTYR
The best online wellness concierge service! I am obsessed! Use my code AMY10 for 10% off first time bookings! Zoom away with this incredible gift! ALTYR’s healing services include:
Energy Healing: A profound chakra-balancer, energy work is an ancient Eastern transformative healing treatment that removes energetic blockages and allows your life force to flow freely.
Sound Bath: Using a variety of high-vibrational instruments, sound baths calm the nervous system and ease you into an open, relaxed state that fosters deep healing.
Yoga Nidra: Release stress and process trauma with yoga nidra, an immensely powerful meditative practice that restores the mind-body connection and a feeling of safety.
Breathwork + Meditation: Center mind, body, and soul while releasing stuck, negative energy using proven, centuries-old practices of meditation and breathwork.
Space Clearing: Clear your space, shift your mindset. Space clearing dissolves stagnation in your environment with potent cleansing practices that infuse warm, loving reiki energy.
Oracle + Tarot + Akashic Reading: Nurture the journey of conscious self-discovery—these readings call on your Spirit Guides for advice on (and answers to) life’s big questions.
Spiritual Ceremony: Celebrate milestones, embrace closure, and honor new beginnings with a spiritual ceremony that paves the way for a positive path forward.
Gratitude Collaborative
Give the gift that gives back! This brand of curated boxes is my go to. Every time a friend receives one they are blown away! They work with individuals, small businesses, and corporations to create both intimate and large-scale gift boxes/baskets of your choice. And not only are the items amazing, but the purchase of these gifts provide meals to those in need. You can truly feel wonderful about giving this gift!
Always Pan by Our Place
I use this pan every day! It is the most versatile thing in my kitchen- and so chic on your stove! From steaming to sautéing to making pasta- it is truly everything it’s cracked up to be!
Food52
Obsessed with this website! Great gifts and great recipes! I wind up getting stuff for myself too and I use their recipes all the time!
Glo
Give the gift of fitness this year! Not only am I obsessed with this streaming service, but I am about to be their new trainer!! Join and workout with or any of their amazing pilates and yoga teachers daily! We are all stuck at home, so what better gift than helping people feel their best!
Adina Reyter
Gorgeous and elegant. I rock her pieces every day and also for special … ummm. zoom occasions…. ;) Seriously though, I love her stuff and it feels pretty good to wear something special every day!
Allbirds
Our whole fam wears these comfy shoes. Made from organic wool from New Zealand and recycled materials they feel like heaven on your feet. Ellie won’t wear anything else, and I can’t take off their new dasher running shoe or slip on slippers!
Rothy’s
I LOVE me some Rothys! I rock their bags, masks, and their shoes are on my feet daily. Made from recycled plastic bottles, they are a win win!
Monastery
Talk about divine skincare! These delicious oils feel like luxury on your skin and make you GLOW! I am obsessed with their Rose Cleansing oil and their virtual facial kit! SO YUMMY!
Beneath Your Mask
I use these products every day after the shower! If you skin is like mine it is DRY AF right now! Between hand sanitizer and winter, we could all use a little nourishment and love! Their body elixir and nourishing lip balm is magic!
Ranavat
My nightly ritual = RANAVAT. These products feel like the definition of pampering. I feel like a goddess after. You can’t go wrong with any of them- I am addicted.
Brooklinen
We all wanna be cozy, so give the gift of coziness! These sheets, towels and beyond are the best I have found!!
Via Luma
Love this hand made pottery so much! My friend makes these gorgeous pieces in Oregon and wow are they amazing! I use her mug every morning for my tea!
Citizenry
Super awesome housewares from all over. I have yet to just buy a gift… cause I always wind up buying something for myself. OOPS….
Mushie
Best Baby and Kiddo gifts ever. Wonderful non-toxic materials and very aesthetically pleasing! We use their swaddles, plates, stacking cups and Lennon has one of their pacifiers in his mouth 80% of the time…. My kind of mini person gear!
goumikids
Lennon and Ellie rock the heck out of their Goumi kids stuff! So soft and organic and oh so cute! From jammies to snuggle stuff- we love in our house!
Little People Big Dreams
Our fave books. We read them daily! Ellie’s currently obsessing over Rosa Parks, Frida Kahlo, Coco Chanel, and Maya Angelou. So good and educational.
Lovevery
These toys are incredible and made by experts so your kid can grow at every age. Supporting brain development, backed by science, and eco friendly it’s a win win win. They have subscription options or you can buy things a la carte. We have this play gym and get the age appropriate boxes for Lennon and Ellie.
Super simple spinach and cozifying broth ( my current go to)
INGREDIENTS:
Spinach
Nutritional Yeast
Good olive oil
Braggs liquid amnios ( or coconut aminos or soy sauce )
Lemon
Avocado
Kimchi (optional)
Chicken or Turkey carcass
Carrots- 3-5 stalks
Celery - 3-5 stalks
Onion quartered
Garlic- 2-3 cloves smashed
Fresh herbs ( I use flat leaf parsley, thyme, rosemary, dill)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Steam spinach. Drain. Mix with good olive oil, 1-2 teaspoons of liquid aminos or soy sauce, half a lemon, a healthy amount of nutritional yeast, top with sliced avocado and even kimchi if you wanna get fancy for your gut!!
BONE BROTH
Chicken Bone Broth
Quick version- Get organic roast chicken and pull meat off (use for a salad or another meal as not to waste). You can also get organic whole chicken, roast it, eat it, and save the carcass. OR you can buy organic free range bones from a butcher
In a crock pot or slow cooker or big stock pot submerge the Carcass in water. Add: Celery, Carrot, Onion chop in big pieces, smashed garlic, Himalayan Salt, Pepper and herbs ( you can also add cauliflower, sweet potato, any veg ( I added kale to my last batch). Cook at very low heat for 6-24 hours.
Currently crushing on…
1. Coterie
We are in love with these diapers and wipes. I tried so many different brands with Ellie, and between rashes, leaks, etc, we never found one we loved. Coterie diapers are free of all the BS ( check their sight for a full list, but there is zero bad shit in them), and they are doing everything they can to be as sustainable as possible! They donate to NativeEnergy, Baby2baby, and diaper recycling technology. Their diapers as biodegradable as possible on the market. SO soft, So leak proof, and so eco friendly. Lennon’s tush is so happy. Use my code COTERIEAMY
2. Curie
I am in love with this brand. Clean deodorant and hand sanitizer that ACTUALLY works. AND smells good. Plus- the packaging is all sustainable. What a dream! The sanitizer feels like a hydrating gel ( it has hyaluronic acid in it) and doesn’t dry you out. Use my code Amy10 for 10% off your order!
3. Daily Harvest
Yummy. Healthy. Easy. Real food delivered to your doorstep for the ever so busy human. Use my code AMYRD for 25% off
4. Knixwear
Comfy, cozy and supportive. These sustainable clothes and undergarments are designed to inspire us to live unapologetically. As a busy mom who’s running between clients and feeding my newest little mush, Knixwear’s nursing bra lets me move from task to task with ease and freedom.
6. Branch Basics
For your home, your laundry and your life, this is the best cleaning brand I have come across. IT REALLY WORKS! I SWEAR. I feel safe using their cleaning products around my newborn and toddler AND my whole house sparkles. You can use this one plant based concentrate for nearly everything and the oxygen boost for the rest. Plus the bottles are reusable, so you don’t throw anything out. No joke, I haven’t thrown out a cleaning bottle in over a year. Use my code BBAMY for a discount set!
