These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things
At BB&R, we are often asked what products we are using or what we are eating to further our health and wellness. So we thought it might be fun to compile some of our favorite things in one place for easy reference. And BONUS: we’ve included direct links for ease. Perfect timing for the holiday season because what’s better than the gift of better health. Happy shopping!
Doro
I love my cup of morning coffee. I drink it early when no one else is awake and the house is quiet. I take this time to meditate and to read morning devotionals. It’s a comforting routine that I cherish. I also loved my Half and Half which I liberally added to my morning coffee. Paying attention to what I put in my body has become a priority, and I learned that there are healthier alternatives to creamer that are just as delicious. Enter Nutpods! They are the plant-based alternative to Half & Half, made with almonds and coconuts. I know some of you might be stubborn about changing up your morning coffee routine (I was!) but trust me, your body will thank you.
Primal Kitchen Chipotle Lime Mayo
This one is a gamechanger. My husband Bobby and I like to use our grill year round. We often find ourselves making grilled chicken and vegetables and sometimes they need a little spice or pizzaz. Enter Primal Kitchen’s Chipotle Lime Mayo. It is a perfect substitution for other condiments that are filled with bad ingredients, especially sugar. Throw it on a sandwich. Heck, try some with your Thanksgiving turkey? Tis the season! My kids have all gotten on the Primal Kitchen Chipotle Lime Mayo train too. It’s a real crowd pleaser.
Drinking enough water each day is a challenge for me but this water bottle makes it a bit easier and is actually fun! It's BPA free and has encouraging inspiration and time goals to track water intake. Even if I don't drink the whole gallon, I always drink more water than I normally would.
This book is a comprehensive collection of the most beautiful poetry of all time. Mary Oliver's poems will transport you to the natural world where she makes observations about love, life, loss and the order of things in a way that will touch your heart and soul.
Unfortunately I need reading glasses all the time. But I've decided to embrace this reality by choosing glasses that are interesting, stylish and fun. AND because I've been known to lose or misplace my glasses, Peepers are reasonably priced.
Tricia
One of the first times I heard about Manuka Honey was when I attended a DIY Facial Workshop with Barbara Close, founder of the holistic beauty brand Naturopathica. One of the products we used during our facial was Naturopathica’s Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm. Barbara was raving about the health benefits of Manuka Honey in healing our skin. I bought one for myself and our team. Manuka Honey can also be eaten - I use it in my turmeric tea to sweeten it. It can go on top of your oatmeal or even straight from the jar. Be aware: it does cost a pretty penny - but that is because of the antibacterial properties that set it apart from your traditional raw honey. Manuka honey also has antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
Organic Valley Ghee Clarified Butter
What the heck is Ghee? That’s what I thought when I first heard about it. Now I use it almost every day! Ghee is a form of clarified butter that originated in India. The milk solids are removed to allow for a higher smoke point. Meaning it is ideal to use for high cooking temperatures AND it is a fantastic butter alternative for anyone with a dairy intolerance. I like to use it in place of oil when cooking vegetables or meat in a skillet. It can also be spread on a piece of my new favorite toast, Paleo Thin Bread, with avocado and egg on top.
I was recently turned on to Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, which is a great substitute for soy sauce. Bragg’s Liquid Aminos is a seasoning sauce made up of soybeans and purified water and it contains no chemicals, artificial coloring or preservatives. I use it when I make veggie stir fry and I promise you can’t tell a difference between this and soy sauce. It has the same savory, delicious taste.
Bone Broth has so many health benefits -- too many to list here -- but there are two that stand out to me. First, it is a natural detoxifier. It helps our body expel waste more effectively and stimulates cell and liver detoxification. Secondly, it is a power boost to our immune system and aids healthy inflammation response. There are many ways to use bone broth. I used it in my Thanksgiving stuffing as the “secret” ingredient. It is a good idea to always look for ways to incorporate more nutrition whenever possible - we call this “leaning in”! But it also can be eaten as a soup, with your favorite grain or even in a bone broth smoothie bowl. Yes, that’s a real thing!
Magnesium Oil is one of my favorite things right now, especially since I am currently dealing with plantar’s faciitis that I just can’t kick. Magnesium Oil is touted to help cure many conditions, including insomnia and migraines and it can be taken in pill form or rubbed on the skin as an oil. I’ve recently learned that rubbing it on our feet is the best way for our body to absorb the magnesium, which is what I’ve been doing on a daily basis recently. Magnesium is an important nutrient for a healthy functioning body. It regulates nerve and muscle function, supports healthy pregnancy and lactation, maintains healthy blood sugar levels, maintains optimum blood pressure levels and manufactures and supports protein, bone and DNA health. If you feel like you are low in magnesium, check with your doctor to see if it’s the right choice for you.
Ellie
The second the weather turns cold, my hands start to dry up and crack. Living in Boston up until last year didn’t help the situation. I’ve tried everything - dousing my hands in coconut oil and sleeping with gloves on. I’ve tried not exposing my hands to the cold winds. I’ve tried every moisturizer under the sun. But it never let up. Until I found Skincando’s Combat Ready Balm. This balm was originally created for and used by U.S. soldiers at war. It is a powerful jar of goodness and soothes my dry hands every night before I go to bed. I also throw it on my dry lips and I wake up feeling smooth and moisturized all over!
Mary’s Gone Super Seed Crackers
Ok, so this might be old news to you but these are my favorite crackers in the world. I like a crunchy (but healthy) snack and these are the perfect answer. Chock full o’ seeds and loaded with nutrition, they are perfect as they are, dipped in hummus or, if you’re feeling fancy, featured on a cheese board at a dinner party. My favorite thing: the ingredients are all real and recognizable. Highly recommend!
Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Coconut Water Hydrating Face Mist
Full disclosure. Up until about a year ago, I didn’t know I needed to use a toner. Slowly but surely I have been turned on to a CLEAN skincare routine and this face mist toner is a go-to. I use it before bed after washing and moisturizing. It feels like a refreshing boost with the loveliest hibiscus and rose smell that puts me right to sleep at night.
I make a smoothie every morning. If you follow us on Instagram (@bbandrwellness) you may have seen recently when my smoothie exploded all over my kitchen one morning. Major fail. But what’s NOT a fail is my cacao nibs that I add to my smoothie. A few years ago my Uncle Marvin introduced me to cacao nibs in a smoothie and I haven’t turned back. I went to look up the health benefits of cacao nibs and there were so many I couldn’t possibly list them all here but just know they are highly nutritious little guys - packed with antioxidants. Cacao nibs offer anti-inflammatory effects, boosts our immune system and protects against diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. The best part about it - they actually taste good too! Like chocolate but with ZERO sugar.
Tessemae’s Organic Habanero Ranch Dressing
I love this dressing! It packs a little punch (nothing too crazy) and actually gets me excited to eat a salad. I used to be an oil & vinegar only person which gets very boring until I found Tessamae’s. All real/clean ingredients and no added sugar. I’ve tried all of the Tessamae’s flavors but this one is the best.
Liz
Palmetto Derma Double B Facial Oil
Growing up with oily skin I never thought a facial oil would be something that I would use but the Double B Facial Oil by Palmetto Derma completely changed my mind! The combination of natural oils has a structure similar to the skin's natural sebum and Jojoba oil in particular actually helps regulate the production of facial oils. Black Currant, Evening Primrose, and Grape Seed oils also deliver the super powers of antioxidants that fight free radical damage. I use a few dabs every night and wake up with my skin feeling smooth, refreshed, and NOT oily!
One with Nature Dead Sea Spa Mineral Bar Soaps
My go-to for cleansing are the Dead Sea Spa Mineral Bar Soaps by One with Nature. These soaps are triple milled and combine pure Dead Sea salt, argan oil, and shea butter to give you a deep cleanse and tone while also leaving your skin feeling moisturized. I've tried many of the varieties and they're all great but my current favorite is the Activated Charcoal as it acts like a magnet to attract and absorb bacteria, poisons, chemicals, dirt and other micro-particles it comes in contact with.
One of my current favorites for my son's bathtime is Everyone Kids Soap. These soaps are perfect for kids because they're very gentle and free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, and dyes. This soap is also EWG verified! While it can be used as both a shampoo and a soap, it isn't tear-free, so depending on the age of your little one you may want to use a separate tear-free shampoo. Our current favorite scent is Tropical Coconut Twist!
Alaffia Shea & Lemon Balm Bubble Bath
Another bathtime favorite is Alaffia Shea & Lemon Balm Bubble Bath. This bubble bath is great for sensitive to very dry skin and is made with Ethically Traded unrefined shea butter. We love the Lemon Lavender scent! I also love that the company's Alaffia Foundation has a mission to empower African communities through the advancement of Fair Trade, education, sustainable living and gender equality. You can read more about the foundation's work here.
Simple Mills Rosemary & Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers
I have been loving the deliciously herbaceous Rosemary & Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers from Simple Mills. They are gluten free and made with a mix of almond flour, sunflower seeds & flax seeds. They're also a good source of Vitamin E and each serving contains 3g of protein. Perfect for snacking or to bring to your upcoming holiday parties!