Valentine's Self-Care Treats

Self-Love. Self-Care. These are buzz words that are getting thrown around a lot these days, especially in the world of Instagram. And unlike a lot of buzzwords, I’m actually happy about it. Self-care and self-love have been made out to seem selfish or indulgent in the past. I think we are coming to a place as a culture where we are beginning to realize that we can no longer show up fully in life unless we are tending to our own needs first. I feel like I could teach an ongoing course about this topic. Maybe I will. But for now, here is a list of items I’m digging these days. No, I don’t think that self-care or self-love revolves around products, but lets treat ourselves and embark in exquisite self-care. You are worth it.

1) Breast Massage: I have been going back and forth between using Earthtonic’s Healthy Breast Tonic and the Breast Oil by Poppy and Someday. I love both of them. Get to know your breasts. For health reasons and self-pleasure. After applying oil, I massage my breasts and or/gua sha around my breasts and armpits. Both are woman owned companies out of Ojai and Laurel Canyon.

2) Raspberry Earl Grey White Tea by Magic Hour: This tea is great for your skin! I also like that it has a little caffeine, but not as much as coffee or black tea. Plus, the tea comes in gorgeous violet bottles that are refillable in the Ojai store. This is a woman owned company out of Ojai.

3) Stargazer Lily Oil by Moon Flower Ojai: Seriously, if we were going to bottle DIVINE, this is it. I cant get enough of this ultra-feminine oil. Get ready to have everyone tell you that you smell like a goddess. Also made locally and woman owned.

4) Rose Incense by Shoyeido. Japanese incense is superior to all incense. My very favorite daily incense is Morning Zen by this company, but the rose cone incense is GORGEOUS. Enjoy this ritual.

5) You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay: The Priestess who taught us all to heal our shit, take personal responsibility and make your healing and self-love your priority. I have gifted this book to so many people. You can read it over and over and get something new each time. It’s a classic.

6) Restore by Earthtide Botanicals. Made locally by women in Ojai, this wonderful herbal company has a handful of tinctures which I use every day, both for personal use and in my practice. Restore is my favorite. Really treat yourself and join their seasonal CSA box.

7) Wildling Empress Gua Sha Stone: I don’t know why I resisted buying this stone for so long. I have so many gua sha tools, but this is unlike any other. The comb portion is my favorite. I gua sha myself twice a day. It’s probably my favorite part of my practice, and I am so excited this ancient ritual that I have been studying since 2012 is becoming so popular. Wildling has some great tutorials on Instagram. Another woman owned business.

8) Cardamom Oil Pulling by Poppy and Someday. I used to have a strong kriya practice, but when I started Chinese Medicine school I put them on the back-burner. I’ve been slowly incorporating Ayurvedic cleansing into my routine again, and I love this oil. Use it as an opportunity to slow down your morning and or evening.

9) Panty Club by Underclub. I don’t believe in wearing mediocre panties, ever. I joined this club just to see if I loved it, and I do! Once a month I get a fabulous new pair. Do this for you-not for anyone else.

10) Glass dildo: I have tried a lot of them, and honestly I think this one is the best. Throw on your new pair from panty club and some heels and enjoy.

11) Kiss of Venus Chocolate by Julia Corbett: Cacao is truly heart medicine. My dear friend Julia lovingly makes this divine chocolate. I love it.

12) Shobu Body Oil by Ten Thousand Waves: This is my favorite spa in the US, and the shobu body oil is a classic. I could spend hours and hours in the store buying incense, soy sauce, and all sorts of treats, but I never leave without getting another Shobu oil.

13) Petit Ermitage Signature Candle: my best friend and I took a staycation at the hotel this last year, and were gifted these candles! You can only get in person (you don’t have to stay at the hotel). It has lasted for months, and everyone who walks into my house asks what the beautiful candle is. I can’t wait to stock up next time I go.

14) Voodoo on Vinyl by D’Angelo: put this on and partake in all the above. You’re welcome.