Recent Favorites
Banana bread made with coconut flour and sweetened with maple syrup
For the month of April, my favorites include specific products, activities, and fun little things that have helped me improve my time during COVID-19.
My first favorite this month is barre3 online classes. Now that I can’t go to the gym I’ve gotten a little tired of just running, so I tried out barre3 online classes. I did the 15 day free trial and loved it so much that I ended up paying for a membership. These exercises truly give me a run for my money. I finish each session dripping sweat but feeling so energized and strong. The instructors keep me inspired the whole class with their encouraging words so that I can (almost) forget the intense burn of power pose. They offer a variety of classes to choose form ranging from 30 minute strength class to an hour long cardio conditioning. I highly recommend their online classes and am excited to attend their studio regularly when things open back up.
My next favorite for this month is Weleda Skin Food. Due to obsessive hand washing, sanitizing, and disinfecting, my skin have been especially dry. This hand cream is initially thick and sticky, but once rubbed in I feel it immediately moisturize my parched hands. It has a pleasant light scent with a hint of citrus. Considering Weleda is one of the OG companies to make natural products, it’s made with natural healing ingredients such as calendula and chamomile. I found it here on Amazon.
The third favorite is this banana bread recipe. I found I've been creating in the kitchen now that I actually have time. I love making traditional recipes that cater to the way I eat and taste just as delicious. My favorite way to eat this banana bread is warmed up with a pat of butter on top- simple but heavenly. This recipe uses coconut flour and maple syrup as healthier alternatives.
My favorite book this month is City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert. Before opening it up I had a feeling it would be amazing given who's name is on the front cover. Elizabeth did not disappoint. This book has the perfect mix of storytelling, history, love, and whimsy to transport you into a place where COVID-19 does not exist. I became entranced every second I read about a young woman living in the theater world on New York in the 1940’s.
Another thing I’ve been loving this month of April has been making my own orange, ginger, and fennel tea. Full of immune supporting vitamins as well as digestive benefits I love sipping this tea after meals or while winding down before bed. I start by boiling five cups of water then adding one organic orange peel chopped into slivers, one chopped up knob of ginger, and five teaspoons of fennel seeds. I let it all boil for about five minutes and then simmer for about an hour. This lasts me a few days while kept in the fridge. It’s a little bitter and spicy so sometimes I’ll add a spoonful of raw honey.
My last favorite this month is Olive and June nail polish and manicure kit. Now that nail salons are closed and I have more time on my hands I’ve been super into at-home manicures. Not only is this polish free of the seven major chemicals in typical polishes, but it seriously lasts. I find it’ll last about five to seven days with no chips with no reapplying the topcoat. If I reapplied the topcoat it would probably last about 10 days no chip. I ended up purchasing The Everything Box with an additional three colors- a range of opaque and transparent and every single color comes out beautiful. I even ordered these French tip nail stickers from amazon to perfect the French mani.
What are your recent favorite things?