Welcome to our first list-letter! We’re glad you're here. Today we wanted to share what’s top of mind through the 5 senses (there are more than 5 senses but, you get it).
Cup your little heart out.
Lizzy’s List:
SEE: The artwork by Jahnavi for Samadhi Collective. I am in the middle of the collective’s mantra recitation training called, The Devī Within, in honor of Navarātri. This daily recitation practice celebrates the Hindu festival in honor of the principal Goddess manifestations known as tridevī. We recite mantras dedicated to Devī to remove fear and increase strength, abundance, protection, happiness, good health, and success. Since my 300 hour yoga training, I have found mantra chanting to be a surprisingly powerful meditative tool. Shout out to my teacher, Tony Lupinacci for leading me down this path to new personal practices.
TOUCH: My hair after using Davines hair care. I started using their shampoo bar and Momo conditioner this week and I am too embarrassed to even tell you what drugstore conditioner I was using before. Davines is the only beauty brand that is certified Regenerative and Organic. They are The Rodale Institute's first European partner and have worked with them on their socio-environmental initiative, Grow Beautiful. The Rodale Institute is just 15 minutes away from the farm I work on in PA and they are worth a future deep dive here. Hot tip, they sell Davines at Eataly downtown and it’s the best red-dye shampoo and conditioner. Alden swears by it — but my hair is natural.
Real vs. fake
SMELL: My favorite incense this week is Carta d'Armenia by Santa Maria Novella.
TASTE: Every morning I drink my personalized Elix tincture of Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs for menstrual health. I am not an expert on the subject but appreciated the informative intake process that includes a 1:1 with a Licensed Acupuncturist to customize my blend of herbs. Without getting into too many details I think it’s helping my body regulate my hormones.
SEE: The heart-shaped marks on all the people I've been cupping recently. And while these bruises are cute and all, cupping is actually great for extracting out the demons inside us, i.e. through decompressing muscle and soft tissue, helping with stagnation, and stimulating the flow of chi, among other things. I’m holding court at the stunning Sky Ting spa next Wednesday and Thursday – book here for 30 minutes of cupping, moxa and acupressure. Come!
Your back could be this cute.
TOUCH: Grass. Just kidding – not really though. I’ve been mixing frankincense, salt, sage and rose water together for a gentle exfoliating scrub that is also good for clearing negative energy. A spiritual teacher of mine recommended this when I was going through a rough patch with my boyfriend to help clear things up. It also smells divine and leaves my skin feeling super nice. The sweet angel that owns SOS Chef also told me that frankincense is great for the skin. It’s not cheap but I think it's worth it and I use it sparingly.
SMELL: Sweetgrass. Sweetgrass is a sweet, feminine and sacred plant that is used by indigenous cultures ceremonially through the burning of the dried and braided grass. At first I was not drawn to the smell, but over time, have come to crave the smell of it being burned. I use it during my breathwork classes for its healing properties. I think it’s important to acknowledge the history of these sacred tools and respect where you are sourcing them from. It’s all about your relationship to the tools.
TASTE: My tonic: Lemon water with two drops of an immunity tincture of elderberry, astragalus, echinacea, and ginger made by Dr. Lauren Geyman of @umbelhealth. I drink it every day.
