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It’s 2020. Permission to Make the Most of the Festive Season!
2020 has been a challenging year for EVERYONE; this year give yourself permission, and make a plan, to really enjoy the Festive Season! As enjoyable as the holidays can be, they can also be busy and stressful. The stresses may be very different this year, but they are real so it’s still important to make time for self care. Take time to rest and rejuvenate, practice mindfulness and movement, and allow yourself to be nourished with food that speaks to your soul. Remember to look after your skin too! At Apothekari, we’re focusing on spreading light and happiness. Let’s take a look at all the festivals celebrated around the world at this time of year. Plus, we’re sharing some of our favorite, indulgent holiday recipes – cause what’s a celebration without food?! We hope that this post inspires you to find some joy during this “most wonderful time of the year”. (Apologies for the cliché). Shop All Apothekari 1. Bodhi Day Celebrated on December 8th each year, Buddhists honor the day that Siddhartha Gautama (the founder of Buddhism, aka Buddha), achieved enlightenment through meditation. ‘Bodhi’ means awakening or enlightenment and it took Buddha 49 days of unbroken meditation to find the root of suffering and how to free himself from it. On this day, Buddhists quietly reflect the ways of enlightenment. While some eat tea and cookies, others decorate a Bodhi tree, the tree that Buddha sat under, while meditating. There aren’t any parades or fanfare, rather a quiet day of meditation. 2. Hannukah Often called the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish celebration, which takes place December 10 – 18th, this year. It commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah, means “dedication” in Hebrew and begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. The holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah (a nine-branch candelabra), traditional foods, games and gifts. 3. Winter Solstice The longest night of the year falls on December 21st this year, in the Northern Hemisphere. Since ancient times, the Winter Solstice has been recognized and celebrated as the subsequent “return” of the Sun. The traditions have influenced holidays, like Christmas and Hanukkah, that we celebrate now. 4. Festivus If you’re a Seinfeld fan, then you’ll be familiar with this one! Taking place on December 23rd, this festival is a form of playful consumer resistance against the commercialization of the Christmas season. It was created by author Daniel O’Keefe and entered popular culture after a 1997 Seinfeld episode. There’s a Festivus dinner, an unadorned aluminum Festivus pole, practices such as the “Airing of Grievances” and “Feats of Strength”, and the labeling of easily explainable events as “Festivus miracles.” Yes, it sounds silly, but it does seem like it would be a lot of fun! 5. Christmas Who doesn’t know that this holiday falls every year on December 25th? Christmas is represented by presents and Santa Claus, but its origin is another story. The Christian holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, and although the true date of his birth is unknown, the church fixed the date as December 25, a date which corresponds to the winter solstice on the Roman calendar. If this is true, then that means Christmas is also a day to be grateful that the darkest nights have passed and spring is coming. Santa? Today’s character is based on traditions surrounding Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century Greek bishop, the British figure of Father Christmas, and the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas (based on Saint Nicholas). Holly, jolly Santa Claus is portrayed as a portly, white-bearded man, wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs, and he became popular in the United States and Canada in the 19th century. Christmas is celebrated in countries around the world, even in non-Christian countries, where many of the non-religious aspects, such as gift-giving, decorations, and Christmas trees are embraced. 6. Kwanzaa This annual African-American celebration is held from December 26 to January 1, ending with gift-giving and a feast of faith called Karamu Ya Imani. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966, with the goal to “give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society. The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning “first fruits of the harvest”. It was originally meant to be an alternative to Christmas but has turned into a celebration that many African Americans celebrate in addition to observing Christmas. Today, Kwanzaa is also celebrated outside the United States. What’s a Celebration Without Food? 7 Recipes We’re Sharing With You Holidays are made special by food prepared with love and care. They’re the ones that make an appearance for special occasions, and which may appear again and again over the years. Tradition can be very comforting, but there’s something exciting about discovering new things too. I’m adventurous when it comes to food so our holiday cooking involves some tradition plus new discoveries that I think my family will enjoy. These celebratory foods are designed to be shared and enjoyed with those we hold dear (even though we may not be able to see them in person this year). They may not lead to glowing skin, but oh, they will nourish your soul. FREE DOWNLOAD – CLICK HERE
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7 Free Self Care Practices That You Can Do Now
In this post I’m sharing 7 FREE self care practices. Whether it’s health, finances or the future, we’re all feeling more stressed out by how this pandemic has changed our lives. Looking after your physical and mental wellness has never been more important, and, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Free self care – who’s in?! Shop Lemon Rose Moisturizing Body Oil Stress Damages Us More Than You May Know While it’s important to prioritize your health all the time, it’s absolutely essential during times of stress. Being on high alert delivers messages to our brain to send in the stress hormones. These are the same hormones that trigger our ‘fight or flight’ response and lead to: An increased heart rate Faster breathing Muscles primed and ready for action The stress response was designed to protect our bodies during an emergency, allowing us to react quickly. Fire stress responses day after day, though, and our health starts to suffer. We’ve already discussed the stress, skin connection. But, there are more serious implications of long term stress: Mental Health. Over time, increased levels of cortisol, (the ‘stress hormone’) can harm communication between our immune system and the part of our brain responsible for dealing with stress. This can lead various symptoms such as, irritability, anxiety, depression & sleeplessness. Headaches & Muscle Pain. As a result of constant muscle tension. Asthma and/or Panic Attacks. Due to shortness of breath and rapid breathing. Heart Disease. Heart attacks, hypertension and even elevated cholesterol levels have been linked to an increase in heart rate and higher levels of stress hormones Digestive Health. Stress can damage the connection between our brains and our gut, triggering pain, bloating, an increase/decrease in appetite, diarrhea or constipation and even vomiting. The impact of some of these may also affect our mood. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to lessen the damage. These 7 Free Self Care Practices Can Make a Difference Depending on where you live, spas and gyms may be open now. But, you may be concerned about the potential health risks or financial implication of visiting one. Luckily, there are plenty of free self care practices that can be done easily from home. Here are 7 of our favorite: 1. Draw a Bath Self care is more than bubble baths; everyone knows that! But, lighting some candles, getting your diffuser going and soaking in warm water is always good for the soul. We love to use a body oil afterwards because the act of applying it is (in part), about taking a minute for yourself. Ultra-moisturizing and wildly luxurious to the touch, try our Lemon Rose Moisturizing Body Oil. It’ll instantly transform dry body skin into soft, supple and glowing skin. 2. Put on Your Dancing Shoes It may be a while before you can hit the dance floor with your friends, but there’s no reason to not have one at home. Throw on your favorite tunes and let yourself go. 3. Keep a Gratitude Journal & Write Compliments to Yourself We can’t control what’s going on around us, but remembering to be thankful for what we have, instead of what we don’t, helps to reframe your life outlook in a big way. 4. Read a Book Fiction or non-fiction; it doesn’t matter. Whether you’re taking time to learn something new or escaping into a great story, reading is very relaxing. 5. Daydream Brew some tea, cozy up under a blanket and let your mind go. Studies have shown that daydreaming can help with problem solving and with building memories. 6. Get Some Fresh Air Stepping out for a walk (following socially distant guidelines) allows you to get some exercise, which has both physical and mental benefits. A change of scenery also helps to alleviate boredom. 7. Sleep In While a regular sleep schedule is best, sometimes your body just needs a bit more. Recognize that and indulge every now and again. Savor every moment by also taking time to make yourself your favorite breakfast. Mine? Shakshuka – a gratifying and healthy dish made with eggs poached in a tomato-based sauce. This is a recipe I love to make, courtesy of the NY Times. When Self Care Isn’t Enough Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may not be able to cope. You may feel sad, burned out or very alone. True self care involves recognizing when traditional ‘self care’ isn’t enough. At this stage, please ask for help. Check in with a friend, a family member or a community group. Call a hotline or reach out to a professional doctor or counsellor (most professionals are seeing patients virtually these days) if you need to. Many of us are suffering due to circumstances bigger than ourselves, but we don’t have to do it alone.
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3 Foods to Avoid For Your Skin During The Holidays
Some foods are just better for our health than others – here are 3 foods to avoid when it comes to your skin and your overall wellness during the holidays this year. While the relationship between flawless, glowing skin and diet isn’t yet crystal clear, there is some evidence linking specific foods to skin flare-ups and other nutrient-rich foods to skin benefits. Learn more in this post. SHOP RADIANT SKIN SET What Food Should Be Avoided For Skin? (Sugary Treats!) Beautifully decorated cookies, holiday chocolates & decadent macarons are in abundance at this time of year. Though they may taste good going down, over consumption can lead to glycation, resulting in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which can induce free radical damage and cause deterioration of the skin. The end-result? A loss of elasticity and the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Sugar has become one of the most vilified foods for its negative impact on overall wellness, including our skin’s appearance. We’re not saying never, but try to limit your servings when possible. Or, indulge a sweet tooth with a small amount of fresh fruit or dark chocolate. 2 More Foods to Avoid: Alcohol & Salty Foods Alcohol and salty foods cause dehydration, which can leave skin looking pasty, puffy and more visibly wrinkled. Boozy holiday cocktails often contain a lot of sugar (see above), which can exacerbate the signs of skin aging. These are two foods to avoid when it comes to your skin; moderation is key. Reach for the water, a mocktail or a spritzer when it comes to beverages and load up on crudites instead of the chips. These choices will help to ensure you stay hydrated while nourishing your body with essential vitamins and minerals. What Foods Make Your Skin Better? It’s well known that certain nutrients are essential to good health. Minerals like magnesium and calcium; vitamins A, B, C and D; omega-3 fatty acids; lean protein; fibre; micronutrients…the list goes on. For healthy skin, the research isn’t so clear. But, given that it’s the body’s largest organ, it makes sense that what’s good for the body, is (in general) what’s good for the skin. A diet that keeps your inside healthy will help deliver glowing and beautiful skin as well. The occasional splurge isn’t going to ruin your complexion, but a consistently poor diet is bound to have implications. Several experts whose expertise straddles both nutrition and dermatology are here to tell you which foods may support smooth, healthy skin, and which foods are more likely to lead to rashes, blemishes, and breakouts. Try to Maintain Your Skin Care Routine Wherever Possible Work parties, family gatherings and extra social outings put temptation in front of you during the holidays and it’s only human nature to indulge. Have a sugar cookie, enjoy a glass of eggnog and try that new cheese your cousin bought just for you. It’s important to enjoy life too! While late nights and an over extended social calendar can disrupt routines, try to exercise, get enough sleep and choose healthy food options when you can for the health of both your skin and your body. When it comes to your skin, don’t neglect to cleanse your face before falling into bed. This will help to remove dirt and makeup that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Besides cleansing, if there are only two things you can remember to use, make it the serums in our Radiant Skin Set. It includes our Bespoke Vitamin C Serum (for morning) and our A is for Anti-Aging Serum (for night), which will help to protect against inflammation and free radical damage and deliver the glowing skin you want to show the world for the holidays! SHOP RADIANT SKIN SET Happy Holidays All!
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4 Tips To Help You Survive the Holidays
I know that I’m not alone in feeling that as lovely and magical as the holiday season is, that it’s kind of sad that we need tips to survive the holidays! Let’s face it, this season also brings with it more stress than many of us wish for. We’re already familiar with the impact of stress on our health and the negative long term implications for our well being so in this post, let’s look at 4 tips to help us survive the holidays so that it’s as merry as can be. Shop All Apothekari Here’s How to Survive the Holidays 1. Take Some Time Out Whether it’s a spin class or yoga, a power nap or an afternoon in with a mug of hot tea and a good book, let this be JUST FOR YOU. Allow yourself time to rest and recharge so that you can tackle all things on your list with more calm, energy and enjoyment. 2. Eat Well I know I’m not alone when I say that my diet suffers terribly during the holidays. This food focused season filled with an overload of sugar, cheese and alcohol makes eating well challenging for even those of us who are good most of the year. The best advice here is to try not to overdo it. Eat the cookies, enjoy that cocktail and the sumptuous buffet. The key is to try to do this in moderation (easier said than done, I know). But regardless what happens, don’t beat yourself up. The holidays will soon be a distant memory and you’ll soon be able to focus on food that nourish your body again. 3. Manage Social Obligations Dinners with relatives, drinks with friends and business functions – all can be enjoyable, but when they’re packed into a short time frame, they can be both mentally and physically exhausting. While many social gatherings are unavoidable, if you’re worn out or too tired, it’s OK to decline the invitation. You can also opt to leave early, after popping in for a drink and to say hello. Your mental well-being is the most important thing here and good friends will understand. 4. Simplify Shopping There is nothing more stressful than trying to come up with gift ideas that show you really care. EXCEPT, fighting your way through the throngs of holiday shoppers trying to do same thing as you. Does anyone really need another scarf or centerpiece bowl? Unless you know that someone is really coveting something, simplify gift giving. Opt for gifts of food (a favourite bottle of wine, spices, condiments), which are always well received. Activities, including a dinner out or in, a movie night or drinks out with your most special people are sure to be appreciated more than a material thing. Why is Self Care Important During the Holidays? The holidays are meant to be a special time, enjoyed with those you love and focusing on celebratory foods and activities. But, those things don’t happen by themselves. Behind the scenes, someone is up till midnight baking cookies, wrapping presents or decorating the house. Over the years I’ve come to realize that I was the cause of much of the stress I felt during the holidays. My family didn’t care about the perfectly decorated tree, the home baked everything or the presents that were wrapped just so. I’d read too many magazines and blogs and followed too many influencers who made me feel like I was letting everyone down. Yes, there’s work involved, but nothing has to be PERFECT. Outsource, do less and do without so that you can enjoy the season as well. Your sanity—and your health—are more important than trying to keep up with unrealistic expectations. Your friends and family (those that really matter) care most about YOU. Focus on that rather than all the extra stuff that doesn’t bring much happiness to anyone. Indulge in a bit of self care so that you not only survive, but enjoy the holidays that you worked so hard to make special.
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7 Ways to Self Love For Valentine's Day
I’m not hugely into Valentine’s Day (though I must confess I like the chocolates :)) and this year I’m in the mood for a bit of self reflection, making self love and self care seem like appropriate topics for today. Shop All Apothekari You’ve no doubt come across the terms self love and self care more of late. Self love is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological and spiritual growth. Many experts contend that if you are good to yourself, kind to your body and soul, then you can completely and authentically give and receive real love. By practicing self love, we begin to better accept our weaknesses as well as our strengths, have less need to explain away our shortcomings, have compassion for ourselves, are more centered in our life purpose and values, and can expect to live a fulfilled life through our own efforts. Loving and nurturing ourselves through self care leaves us feeling less resentful, more energized and well rested and able to receive love more readily. Contrary to what some may say, self love and self care do not involve beauty makeovers or new wardrobes. While these things may feel gratifying, they will not help you to love yourself more. Here are seven things that may actually work: Be Grateful. Whether through meditation or journaling, document your accomplishments, the things you feel good about and everything you are grateful for. It will help to give you appreciation for all that you have instead of focusing on what you don’t. Be Positive. Turn down your inner critic. Choose to be your own cheerleader. Forgive Yourself. We humans can be so hard on ourselves. Accept that you aren’t perfect and can make mistakes. When you make one, try to learn and grow, rather than beat yourself up over it. Be Mindful. Try to be more aware of what you think, feel and want. Live with design and purpose. By doing this you will make decisions that support this intention and act on this knowledge rather than being swayed by others. Practice Good Self Care. Take better care of your basic needs. Be more thoughtful about choosing nourishing food, exercising, getting enough sleep and choosing healthy relationships. Set Boundaries. Set limits and learn to say no to work, relationships or activities that deplete or harm you physically, emotionally and spiritually. Protect Yourself. Bring the right people into your life. Get rid of people who bring you pain and who take pleasure in your losses. Focus on those who share in your happiness and success and who bring a smile to your face. This Valentine’s Day, let’s focus on self love. Let’s give ourselves a break, appreciate who we are and share our awesome selves with the world! I think that’s a better gift than any bouquet of roses could ever possibly deliver. DON’T FORGET! The contest for our Valentine’s Day Giveaway runs until February 18th! You only need to shop online at Apothekari.com to qualify for an entry into our prize draw featuring over $200 of Apothekari products. Follow along on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – links below) for additional chances to win! Retail value: $218 Contest Closes: February 18th and winner will be drawn on February 20th. Good luck!
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