books – VALERIE CODY

By Valerie A. Cody

Valerie

This may be more of a “my favorite things” roundup versus an actual gift guide. But, if you have someone in your life (maybe even you personally) who is obsessed with yoga, all things vegan, reading, and metaphysical science – you have come to the right place.

Let’s see.

Lululemon Leggings: Don’t get lost in the many legging options, my all time favorite is the Wunder Under Hi-Rise Tight in FULL ON LUXTREAM. I own three pairs of this particular legging, in different colors. The high waist is perfect for pairing with cropped work-out tops. Lululemon also makes this legging in a different fabric called Luon, but the Luxtream is far better for practicing yoga. There are no extra pockets on the legs or zippers, making it great for rolling around on the mat. Shop here.

Gorjana Power Gemstone Bracelets: These beautiful bracelets are made with real crystals -everything from Aventurine to Onyx. Read through the description of each stone to find the specific bracelet that resonates with you. Maybe it’s Garnet for revitalizing your energy levels or Amethyst for tranquility. Shop here.

DermaE Skincare: I feel like I’ve hacked the world with this little secret. I have started mixing my body lotion with a serum. We take utmost care of the skin on our faces and necks, why stop there? After getting out of the shower, I will dispense a few pumps of the Vitamin C Concentrated Serum into my hand to combine with my body lotion. It is hard to choose a favorite DermaE product, because their line is so wonderfully inclusive. I advise navigating their website using the “Shop By” tab – from there you can shop by Key Ingredient or Skin Concern. Shop here.

Books: Here is a list of links to my favorite books of 2017.

Sunbeam Velvet Plush Heated Throw: Imagine an incredibly soft blanket with the power to spread warmth across your entire body with the click of a button. Imagine yourself enjoying a morning cup of Golden Magick Mylk (recipe here) whilst cuddled into said blanket. Make these musings a reality with this perfect electric blanket (which comes in a variety of colors). Shop here. Govinda Premium Palo Santo Sticks: This particular brand sources their sticks directly from Peru. I prefer these sticks to other energy clearing mechanisms because they are outrageously easy to re-light. Unlike my experience with sage bundles, you can actually reuse Palo Santo multiple times. Shop here.

Angela Roi Vegan Leather Handbags: I own the Grace Cross-Body in the color russet. Having owned and used other high end vegan bags, I can confidently say that Angela Roi is my favorite. Fashionable and ethical, the brand doesn’t support animal cruelty OR sweatshop labor. If you are looking for quality and style similar to Tory Burch, but cruelty free – look no further. Shop here.

Secret-In-A-Tube Lipgloss: Kiss with confidence, not toxins (I love their slogan!) – but truly, who wants to slather their lips with chemicals? These glosses are 100% vegan, cruelty free, gluten free and organic. My personal favorite color is called Lit. It is a rich blackberry color; perfect to wear into the new year. Shop here.

Jade Yoga Harmony Mat: This has been my mat for the past two years of practicing. I have the teal color. Jade mats are made in a sustainable manner with natural rubber tapped from rubber trees, a renewable resource. Unlike other mats, Jade mats contain no PVC, EVA or other synthetic rubber, and are made in the United States in compliance with all US environmental, labor and consumer protection laws. And, through our partnership with Trees for the Future, JADE PLANTS A TREE FOR EVERY MAT SOLD – with over ONE MILLION trees planted so far. Shop here.

Magical Moon Lamp: If you love the ambiance of a salt lamp, you may enjoy a similar feel from these moon lamps. Great to have on during a meditation session to set the mood. Shop here.

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By Valerie A. Cody

Valerie

March is here! It’s time to shake off winter for good. Snow, sun or a combination of both: Hopefully my curated list of current favorites below will brighten your day. Brace yourselves for a comprehensive list, it has been a wonderful past month.

Green Juice: I adopted my current recipe from the Moon Juice Cookbook by Amanda Chantal Bacon. It is her ‘Goodness Greens’ recipe minus the kale. I’ve been juicing this little concoction every single morning. Notice I do not include any fruit, simply the most potent greens/herbs you can find. The taste is also surprisingly mild.
1. 2 cups of spinach
2. 1 cup of Italian parsley
3. 10-12 stalks of celery
4. 1 cup of dandelion greens
Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozen App: I’ve been using this free app to keep track of my nutrient intake. Michael Greger is a doctor who turned vegan after researching the affect plants have on the body. His book, How Not To Die, is a must-read for any person either suffering from chronic illness or looking to avoid sickness altogether. This app is a user-friendly guide to making sure you are eating the proper amounts of fruit/vegetables/whole grains/etc. per day. It’s so easy. Check out his YouTube Channel here. Use the search bar to find videos answering virtually any food-related question using scientific data.
Ageless Body Timeless Mind by Deepak Chopra: Did you know that aging is a learned behavior our cells can evade? Did you know that you can rapidly decrease the rate at which you age or even halt it altogether? Chopra explains how in this book. Ross and I have been reading a few chapters every weekend. The information presented in this book is unlike anything I’ve ever been exposed to.
Rose Quartz Crystals: For those of you who don’t follow astrology, you may not know that the planet Venus is currently in retrograde (approximately March 4th – April 15th). This means that Venus will appear to spin backwards on its orbit for about 40-43 days. Unlike other planets, such as Mercury, Venus seldomly retrogrades. In fact, it only happens every 18 months. This time period will allow for deep interaction with our higher selves. Meaning, self-esteem may take a hit or we may feel unusually vulnerable to our feelings of love or attraction. Venus typically epitomizes all things love, beauty, and creative expression. During a time of retrograde, these feelings could be stifled leading to creative blocks, dips in self-love, and/or feelings of unworthiness. Fear not, because Rose Quartz will help defend you. Rose quartz is the love stone of this age. Meaning, it resonates all things that the retrograde is dampening: Love, beauty, and creativity. I keep two stones in the most trafficked areas of my home and wear one bracelet of rose quartz as often as possible.
Bubble Masks: I had never tried a bubble mask before, but I enjoyed the Oxygenating Bubble Mask by Miss Spa. This particular one is a sheet mask which bubbles up and creates a foam-like texture on your face. We are using these masks once every two weeks. Product description below:

The Ultimate in Recovery: Delivers refreshing oxygenating effect to revitalize dull, tired looking skin with white tea and pineapple extracts Give skin a breath of fresh air with miss spa® Oxygenating Bubble Mask. Infused with antioxidant-rich white tea extract, this self-activating crème mask turns into a refreshing, bubbly foam when applied to skin to reinvigorate and reenergize. Pineapple fruit extract and vitamin B3 work to gently help exfoliate and even skin tone, revealing optimum clarity and radiance. Skin is left looking and feeling hydrated, revitalized and healthier than ever.
Adore: This 2013 film starring Naomi Watts, Robin Wright and Xavier Samuel is so delicious. The subject matter is taboo, however the beautiful scenery + beautiful cast + incredible acting is reason enough to seek out this film. The fact that it is shot entirely in 35mm Cinemascope also lends to the otherworldly, no rules observed sort of feelings this film will undoubtedly evoke.
Sticky Fingers Restaurant (Washington D.C.): Located in our nation’s capital, this restaurant is all things vegan goodness. Cupcakes topped with an inch of vegan buttercream frosting, mac and cheese, burgers, burritos, and doughnuts …While I am decidedly happy that this mecca is over four hours from where I live, I am also excited to be traveling back there this month. After first sampling the vegan delights in August of 2015, we’ve chosen this destination as the celebration venue for our THREE YEAR VEGAN ANNIVERSARY quickly approaching on March 19th.
Ginger Tea: Herbal tea is caffeine free. For this reason, I have been enjoying this particular brew about an hour before bedtime. Ginger is wonderful for this time of year because it warms the body, helping to transition from the cold winter to the more vibrant spring. Not to mention the incredible affects this tea has on digestion. Want to increase your odds of waking up with a flat stomach? Drink ginger tea. But make sure to wait an hour+ after eating your last meal of the day. I am currently mixing freshly grated turmeric and freshly ground black pepper into my tea for added benefits. Turmeric is the root spice which gives curry dishes their bright yellow coloring. Because of turmeric’s high levels of the antioxidant curcumin, it is also recommended by the Daily Dozen App to have 1/4 teaspoon per day.