Gooood afternoooooon and happy hump day. I have been kind of loving this gloomy/rainy/snowy weather wherever you are, it finally feels like winter. I have been really embracing winter.. Embracing rest and hibernation-ish.
Something I have really been working on this season is changing my internal language to myself. This has been one of my main intentions for this month, and to continue throughout the rest of the year.
One of the biggest internal language shifts is saying:
“I GET to do this…” vs. “I HAVE to do this…”
For example getting movement in. Instead of framing it as a chore, “I have to workout…” saying “I get to work out…” This small shift makes me cultivate a lot more gratitude for whatever it is that I am doing and makes me a lot more excited to do it.
Seems extremely simple because it is. But it works.
As the month is coming to a close here shortly, I have thought about some of my favorite things this January and made a lil list to share some of my random fav things with you.
Top 10 January Favorites
AM Dry Brushing
One of my favorite new additions into my slow morning routine is dry brushing. It is such a ritual now that I look forward to it every morning. Wake up, do my red light mask, then turn on infrared light and dry brush under the infrared. It is such a calming routine I love it. Dry brushing has wonderful benefits such as brightening, exfoliating and tightening skin but my favorite is that it helps to support lymphatic drainage and circulation.
What I Use:
Dry Brush + Blue Tantsy Body Oil (discount 15ELLA)
Red Light Therapy
I have fallen in loveee with red light therapy. Everything from infrared light, to LED face mask red light, to red light bulbs at night and red glasses. Red light therapy can help to rejuvenate and firm skin, aid in faster recovery, improve sleep and reset circadian rhythm, stimulate hair growth, optimize energy, stimulate weight loss and reduce scarring and blemishes.
I have personally noticed the biggest difference in my skin and sleep health.
What I Use:
Boncharge: Red Light Bulbs, Blue Light Blocking Glasses, Red Light Therapy mini (discount ELLA15)
Getting back into Reading
Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow is the current book I am reading! It is different from my usual but I have been really enjoying it. Next up in the queue is: The Fury.
Candlesssss
I love lighting a candle throughout the day or in the evening. THIS is my favorite candle ever. Non-toxic and it just smells so divine.
Soup Inspired Bowls!!
I am a big soup girl, but sometimes I am just in the mood for a bowl instead, so I have been loving making bowls inspired by my favorite soups. So far I have made Chicken Soup Bowl & Avgolemono Bowl. Delishhhh. All made in one pan and perfect for winter. + if you want to make it a soup just add more broth :)
Bamboo Facial Towels
I have been using these Bamboo Face Wipes instead of my typical shower towels for when I wash my face or use toner. I recommend getting the box because it sits really cute on the bathroom counter, but then you can just get refills from there!
Oranges + Dark Chocolate + Vanilla Bean + Flakey Sea Salt Combo
Ohhhh myyyyy gosh. This is just the best thing to ever exist. It is so delicious. The perfect satisfying sweet treat and such a fun way to take advantage of the juicy oranges that are in season! My favorite recipe HERE.
Goodnight Mocktail.
I have been on a mocktail wave due to dry January and my favorite evening one has been the sleep time mocktail. Made with magnesium & cherry juice, it is absolutely delicious and it helps you relax and prepare your body for bed. Magnesium glycinate is wonderful for relaxing and allowing your body tap into your parasympathetic nervous system. Cherry juice helps support optimal production of melatonin. Match made in heaven. I like using the blue moon juice magnesium (discount glowwithella) + then pure cranberry juice (I use Lakewood Organics)
Amandine Reusable Eye Petals
These are amaaazing. They are eye petals that actually work and I love that they are free of toxic chemicals + also reusable! So fun when you want some relief on your undereyes.
Olive Oil on Everything.
I drizzle a heavy hand of olive oil on each meal I have, I pour it into my drinks, sweet and savory, and I eat it by the spoonful. My favorite is HEAL by Zimms (discount glowwithella10). Makes me feel really good and is some of the most pure high quality olive oil I have had. + ofc, with olive oil comes flakey sea salt on everything too. Just makes everything better.
Another one of my favorites is making homemade gummies. I make them with ingredients from home so that they support a healthy gut, and these ones specially can help to support immunity (which we all need a lil extra of this winter)
Immune Supporting Gummies
Ingredients*
1/4 cup grass-fed gelatin
1/4 cup liposomal vitamin C (citrus vanilla)
1/4 cup tart cherry juice (or juice of choice)
1/2 cup elderberry syrup
*I got all of these ingredients excluding the juice from Thrive Market. This link gets you 30% your first order.
Recipe
In a bowl mix together cherry juice, vitamin C and gelatin, set aside
Heat up elderberry syrup on stove top continuously mixing until hot, not boiling
Pour elderberry syrup over gelatin mixture and stir until fully combined
Place liquid into molds and let set in the fridge for ~45 minutes
Remove from molds and enjoy! Place in an airtight container in the fridge to store
I will be doing another “Ask Ella” Segment soon, so make sure to ask away on any specific questions you have!
Have a beautiful rest of your week! & I will talk to you soon :) Don’t forget to embrace rest this week. It is winter after all. Xo - Ella
I have been dry brushing for over a month and i absolutely love it as a part of my morning routine.
And I will definitely need to try the recipe for immune support gummies!!