I hope you're having a great summer. Maybe some stress-free and relaxing days are coming your way? If you can't think of HOW that would even happen, I do have something to enjoy!

On June 24, both Wander Home and Green Living are holding a 1 Day Wellness Event, designed to fill your day with some much-needed self-care.

It's an all-day event held via Zoom, so it's super-easy for you to attend. Click whenever you're available, and jump on for any moment that's interesting. In fact, you can find the schedule at the bottom of this blog.

The only thing you need to do is spend the previous day finding a calm space and gathering any wellness products that will make your life a little lighter and easier. In addition, I will be there to provide relaxing gift baskets to those who sign up for the gift bag.

Find more details on the event here.
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One of the biggest obstacles on my end is making relaxation seem fun! Why? Because the idea of breathing deeply and laying down can sound kinda boring to people. That's why I made this Self-Care Bingo for this month!

Print out a copy and practice with your family -- they'll appreciate it a bunch!

Are you? It feels like things are starting to get back to normal again. I can finally go around without this dang mask on! I'm so blessed to be vaccinated and for my family to be healthy.

Even then, there's still way too much stuff to worry about. Running my business is at the top of this, but also planning vacations can be stressful. Funny right, what's supposed to make you relax is actually a stressor!

But I am planning a few ways to combat the anxiety and make this my most relaxing summer ever. What is that, you might ask? Well, I'm happy to share:

1) Have a Fizzing Good Time with a Bath Bomb!

I believe every person deserves a good bath once a month. It's a great way to slow down your day. Let your skin soak in the warm water and lather yourself with soap that nourishes your body.

You can also make the bath fun? How you might ask? With a fizzy bath bomb that dissolves right in the water!

2) Wake Up to the Smells of Essential Oils!

I have this setting on my diffuser where it only runs during certain times, so I program it to wake up right when I do in the morning. What better way to start off the crack of dawn then with calming vibes? Getting the kids dressed for school is a lot less stressful when there's lavender in the air, let me tell ya!

Better yet, wear a Wisdom Body & Soul eye pillow as you sleep to give yourself the most comforting rest the body can provide. Not even stress can take you down!

3) Give yourself a Gua Sha Massage!

Gua Sha tools are funny, aren't they? They look like little pieces of Gumby, when they're actually as stiff as they come. But their hard texture ain't a bad thing, because these specialize in unknotting those tight areas of your body. Use a Wisdom Body and Soul version and you'll feel like entire knots just come undone -- it's okay to make noise if it feels good!

Purchase one here!

#ThankfulThursday Day 5 of @wearestrob 

#PreserveYourselfChallenge

1. What are you thankful for today? 
2. Pause and take the time to appreciate. 
3. Demonstrate gratitude to others.

Taking the time to cherish what is beautiful, what is going well, your wins, thank your loved ones or friends.

Self-preservation week is about making intentional choices to radically practice self-care.
How does it work?

1. Follow us @wisdombodyandsoul & @wearestrob on Instagram or www.facebook.com/wearestrob
2. Take some time before the week to evaluate where you're at physically, mentally, and spiritually. This is a great time for some journaling!
3. Decide how you'll practice your self-care for the week. You might decide that you need to go to bed earlier each night, or that you'll take a walk outside every day, or you'll cook a healthy meal for yourself each night. Self-care is open-ended! Pick one thing that you think will benefit your physical, mental, or spiritual health. Our co-founders and other small-business co-sponsors will be participating along with you!
4. Use #PreserveYourselfChallenge and #PreservationCheck to check in with everyone throughout the week! STROB Apothecary and our small-business co-sponsors will be responding to your #PreservationCheck tagged posts under the hashtag #STROBChallenge to keep the conversation going and offer our support in your journey! You may offer your own self-care tips, talk about your own journey, or comment on how important you find self-care in pushing forward.
5. At the end of the week, make a wrap-up post or video using #PreserveYourselfChallenge. How did your week of self-preservation go? Was it difficult to devote the time to self-care? Do you feel more rested or otherwise able to tackle the challenges that lie ahead of us? How can you make this practice more important in your every day life?

At the end of the day, self-care by itself is not going to solve the systemic problems that we're facing today. But, we know that to keep pushing forward, we have to take care of ourselves as well as others in our community. We're big believers in the old adage, "You can't pour from an empty cup!" Therefore, STROB Apothecary's Self Preservation Week is about keeping our cups filled so that we can all keep moving forward.

Check out the main event and other cosponsors HERE

Choose your intension and need tools to help archive your selfcare goals and pamper yourself check out the Owlet Membership Box HERE

I will be posing a few of my favorite self care tasks on Instagram! 

​You can also check out the bingo card below for ideas.  

Soap is a great way to sooth your skin, but what about soothing that stressed-out mind? Try a Gua Sha Massage Tool!

What exactly is Gua Sha, besides a funky-sounding word? According to Healthline, "Gua sha is a natural, alternative therapy that involves scraping your skin with a massage tool to improve your circulation. This ancient Chinese healing technique may offer a unique approach to better health, addressing issues like chronic pain."

Better circulation means less stiffness in the body, which in turn can lead to more relaxation and a better life! 

1) Facial Massage Wash face I like to use oil cleanser, use toner and apply oil to your face. Always use your tool flat or at a slight angle, never use too much pressure and extremely gentle around the eye area.   Wash your stone with soap and water when done.  ​
2) Body Massage  Perfect for easing sore muscles and tense areas. Pro tip put your stone in the freezer or fridge for body massage its amazing!  
3) Neck Tension. Studies out there show that people who were massaged with Gua Sha felt less neck pain than the ones who weren't. I have a LOTTA neck tension and I can tell you that Gua Sha massage has always help massage my neck tension.

Do you read this how-to and crave the comfort that a Gua Sha can provide? Then take time to check out and order the ones I have! $20 gets you stimulated circulation and a happier life, which sounds like a bargain to me!

Life is always stressful, but it is best to turn the home into a place where you can block out all distractions and negativity. In my opinion, an amazing way to do that is with a steam facial!

If you have not done a steam facial, you really should!  Steam facials are a great DIY way to hydrate your skin, refresh your sinuses and release any stress from your day.  

Want to try one yourself? Here are some extremely easy steps:

1.  Wash your face
2. Grab a comfy large thick towel
3. Boil 2-3 cups of water, add 1-2 Tablespoon tea, cover and steep for 5 minutes.
4. Add to large heat proof bowl or place you pan somewhere heat safe.
5. Place on a very steady table/ counter somewhere you can sit for 10 minutes.
6. Remove cover, sit down near bowl, place thick large towel over your head and bowl
make a tent.
7. Place your face at least 12-15 inches from bowl and close your eyes.  Rest in your tent for 5-10 min. You can lift towel or take breaks if needed. 
8. Once done you can do a moisture mask or you can refresh with cool toner and moisturize.  
9. You can use cool tea in bath, hair rinse or water your plants. 


In case you are reading this blog and really like the idea of a steam facial, you are going to love that I'm introducing new steam facial teas in my care boxes next month! Check back on my website and stay tuned.
 
If you don’t have time for a steam facial, I also enjoy a really warm soft washcloth.

1. Add hot water to a soft washcloth
2. Lean back in tub or your chair and properly place the towel on your face where you can still breath.
3. Leave it there for 5 minutes, if you need to get more hot water.  Not too hot!
4. Make sure to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
5. Moisturize afterwards

*Steam facials are not recommended for injured skin, sunburnt skin, extremely sensitive skin, rosacea, broken capillaries and inflamed acne.  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. We make no medical claims, and our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, or heal medical conditions. Women who are pregnant or nursing or persons with medical conditions should consult their physician before using any herbal products.
 

Recommended herbs
Normal/ Combination- Lavender buds, peppermint, rosemary, rose petals, calendula, chamomile, raspberry leaf and comfrey leaf.
Dry- Crushed fennel seeds, lavender buds, rosemary, rose petals, calendula, elderflowers, chamomile and comfrey leaf.
Oily- Peppermint, raspberry leaf, sage, rosemary, calendula, orange peels
 
 
You can add a few drops of essential oil if you desire too
Normal/ Combination- Lavender, peppermint, rosemary, chamomile, geranium and frankincense.
Dry- Lavender, rosemary, chamomile and frankincense.
Oily- Peppermint, juniper, frankincense and lavender.
 
 
 
 
 

Surprise! It's a blog post!

Okay, it's not just any blog post -- it's one about surprises. Right now, we probably have a negative connotation of the word. 2020 has been filled with one surprise after another: lockdowns, sickness, the craziness of the election, etc. It feels like one curve after another.

But what if I told you that surprises can actually be a great thing in life? In fact, they're something to be truly thankful for! I want you to embrace the surprises in life and, with a little help from my products, conquer any uncertainty that comes your way. 

Here are the reasons why surprises are GOOD:

1. They Keep You Sharp

Nobody likes a dull day, and too many dull days can make a dull life. So embrace the excitement of surprise -- without it, you'd never have a day worth remembering!

2. Sometimes You Can Look Forward to Them!

If somebody tells you they have a surprise for you, aren't you usually happy about that?

We all love to know that someone planned a celebration or is saving a precious gift for us, so you should embrace a more positive view of surprises!
​
3. They Help You Grow

Nobody likes being shocked by something, but the truth is that surprises test your mettle and prove you've got what it takes to succeed. As a business owner and mom, everyday I'm surprised (good and bad) by whatever happens in the day.

But you know what? Even if it caused a brief moment of anxiety, once I calmed down, I took on whatever happened and always felt good about accomplishing it. Whether it was starting my own business, dealing with parenthood or working events, the surprises that come from them make me a better person.

We all love meditation, but there are a few times when it just won't do. Maybe it's because you've done the same routine too many times. Maybe you're just so overwhelmed with everything that the mere thought of calm is a no-no.

While I don't want to intrude on a bad moment, I hope this message finds you in a receptive time; if you're looking for a new form of meditation to give you a calming feel, try Shower Meditation.

The instructions are as simple as what the graphic says, but I want you to try the steps and tell me how you feel.

Take a nice warm shower and imagine washing away all the anxiety, stress, unkind thoughts, all the negativity all down the drain. 
Slowly let these negative thoughts to the surface and wash them away.
Focus on your breath and clear your mind, once all the negativity is down the drain forgive yourself, be kind, and importantly relax.
If you really want to make sure it works, make sure to include a bar of my soap as you scrub the negative emotions outta your body like it was dirt from a hard day's work.

In case you want to know more about shower meditation, check out this link! I want you to know the ways of the calm!