holiday

Blogs – by Lauren Fitzpatrick

Cozy Blume Chai Latte

There’s nothing like a chai latte to warm your soul—or, in this case, to cool it when served iced! While your favorite coffee shop versions might taste like a dream, they often come with a not-so-sweet reality: 20-40g of sugar, artificial flavors, and oils like canola!  But don’t worry, chai lovers—I’ve got you covered with a cleaner, healthier version you can make at home. Featuring Blume’s Chai Latte Blend. This latte is proof that indulgence doesn’t have to come at the expense of your health. Ingredients for the Iced Chai Latte: 1 cup MALK almond milk (or your favorite milk) 1 tsp Blume Chai Latte Blend (or adjust to your spice preference) 1 shot of espresso or 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee (optional for a dirty chai) 1-2 tsp maple syrup (to taste; you can start with less and adjust) Ice cubes Ingredients for the Cold Foam: 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream (for extra creaminess)OR 1/3 cup canned coconut milk (for a dairy-free option) 1 tsp Blume Chai Latte Blend 1/2 tsp maple syrup   Instructions: Step 1: Blend the Chai Milk Base (No Heating Required!) In a small mixing cup or jar, combine MALK almond milk, Blume Chai Latte Blend, and maple syrup. Use a handheld frother or small electric mixer to blend until smooth and frothy. Step 2: Brew Coffee (Optional) If you’re in the mood for a dirty chai, brew a shot of espresso or 1/4 cup of strong coffee. Let it cool slightly. Step 3: Make the Cold Foam In a small bowl or frothing pitcher, combine heavy whipping cream (or coconut milk), Blume Chai Latte Blend, and maple syrup. Use a handheld frother to whip the mixture until thick and creamy. Step 4: Assemble the Latte Fill a glass with ice. Pour in the blended chai milk mixture. Add the espresso for a dirty chai Spoon the cold foam over the top and option to sprinkle cinnamon on top!  This iced chai latte is proof that indulgence doesn’t have to come with a sugar crash or questionable ingredients!!   

Blogs – by Lauren Fitzpatrick

Reishi Hot Chocolate with Gut Healthy Marshmallows

Nothing beats a warm mug of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows on a chilly evening. But, if you’re anything like me, you may be trying to avoid the artificial sweeteners and low-quality chocolate that often come with it. Luckily, there’s a way to keep all the cozy nostalgia of a classic hot chocolate while skipping the processed ingredients—thanks to Blume’s Reishi Hot Chocolate! This recipe brings together the comfort of homemade marshmallows and the superfood boost of Blume’s Reishi Hot Chocolate mix, creating the ultimate cozy treat that’s as good for your body as it is for your soul. With gut-friendly ingredients and adaptogenic benefits, you can truly savor each sip (and bite!) knowing you’re nourishing yourself from the inside out. Gut-Friendly Collagen Marshmallows Ingredients for Marshmallows: 1 cup water, divided 3 tbsp grass-fed gelatin powder 1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option) 1-2 scoops of collagen (Agent Nateur Collagen) (Truvani Collagen)  1 tbsp vanilla extract How to Make Marshmallows: Bloom the gelatin: Pour 1/2 cup of water into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the gelatin powder on top. Let it sit for a few minutes to soften. Heat the honey mixture: In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of water and honey. Warm it gently on low heat for about 4 minutes. Combine and whip: Begin mixing the gelatin on low speed with a hand mixer or stand mixer. Slowly pour in the warm honey mixture, mixing continuously. Add vanilla & collagen, whip to fluff: Add the vanilla extract, increase the mixer speed to high, and whip for about 8 minutes until the mixture becomes thick and fluffy.  Set the marshmallows: Quickly (move fast here to prevent clumping) pour the marshmallow fluff into a parchment-lined baking dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Cut into cubes and get ready to top off your hot chocolate!   Blume’s Reishi Hot Chocolate Once your marshmallows are ready, pair them with a mug of Blume’s Reishi Hot Chocolate! This mix combines the soothing taste of cacao with reishi mushroom, known for its calming and adaptogenic properties—perfect for unwinding. Ingredients for Reishi Hot Chocolate: 1 cup milk of choice (almond, oat, or regular milk) 1-2 tsp Blume’s Reishi Hot Chocolate mix 1 tsp sweetener of choice (optional, like honey or maple syrup) 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (optional) Pinch of sea salt (to enhance the flavor) How to Make Reishi Hot Chocolate: Warm the milk: Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scalding. Add cacao mix: Once warm, whisk in 1-2 tsp of Blume’s Reishi Hot Chocolate mix, adjusting to taste. Sweeten & add extras: Stir in a sweetener, pinch of sea salt, and a dash of vanilla extract for a richer flavor. Froth (optional): If you enjoy frothy hot chocolate, give it a quick blend with a milk frother. Top & serve: Pour into your favorite mug, drop in a few marshmallow cubes, and let them melt into the hot cacao for a creamy, dreamy finish. Not only will this pairing transport you back to those nostalgic, chilly evenings with a cup of hot chocolate, but it will also help you wind down and recharge with every sip. So get cozy, grab a blanket, and treat yourself to a wellness-infused hot chocolate

Blogs – by Iliriana Zeneli

Supplements to get you through Holiday Season

The holidays always seem like a time where everything gets thrown out the window: habits, morals and definitely our routines. Let's be real, with all the running around, stress and more I don't always have the time to prioritize my 56 step routine so that's when my mighty supplements come in handy. I do not take all of these simultaneously but I definitely keep a few in my tool box for whenever I need them. In no particular order here are some of my favorites to whip out during family time.   Break it down digestive enzymes: I love these because they contain 15 digestive enzymes to help alleviate common digestive issues like bloating and occasional constipation (which are both super common around this time because of everything we're neglecting). It also includes one billion probiotics to help promote the health of your intestinal wall, which can get damaged when foods are poorly digested. It's easy to overeat or come across an unknown food sensitivity, or find that you feel bloated after certain meals. I personally like the powder because I can make it into a fun mocktail and sip on it before meals. On the topic of gut health one of my favorite supplements from Juna is their new Gut Therapy formula which can really be taken not just around the holidays. It helps with everything from blood glucose levels, gut immunity, reducing nausea, indigestion, bloat and gas. Taking it long term can positively impact your overall gut health if you've been struggling.  I recently made a mocktail using our Cymbiotika Molecular Hydrogen and it was amazing and can totally be remixed in different ways! Molecular hydrogen helps beat oxidative stress which can be brought on not just from food but even toxins and things out of our control. Especially if we're not hosting the holidays at home we can be exposed to unnecessary toxins elsewhere with candles and cleaning products.  The next two supplements are so important for liver health. Our liver takes a hit not just when we drink but when were exposed to toxins or eating foods that don't love us back. Our Zuma liver detox is great as a tea, in water or juice.  Some kind of liver support is ALWAYS in my supplement rotation especially when I cant do my nightly castor oil packs.  If you're looking for something more fun that you can add to smoothie or drink as a mocktail our Well Told Health Face The Day powder is perfect for those of you who still like to enjoy a glass of wine or two around the holiday season. It helps to relieve discomfort resulting from what you ate or drank the night or day before & if your liver needs a little extra support after a busy weekend or holiday festivities.  Another aspect of health people don't think about much during the holidays is their lymphatic system. When we wake up after a day or weekend of drinking and eating a lot we also wake up puffy, sluggish and have that "full" feeling. This can be due to how taxing the overeating, the drinking and lack of movement can be during the holiday season. Our Zuma Lymphatic Detox can help toxins be eliminated from the body so we don't become more susceptible to sickness. (this is also great for those of us who are acne prone) Last but not least if you're looking for a good probiotic to support you through the end of the year Zuma also makes a great multi-strain one that helps with mood, metabolism and overall gut health.  Again like I said, I really pick and choose some that I feel I need. My holiday season will be low key this year but I do plan on eating half my body weight in turkey and cranberry sauce FROM THE CAN so definitely will be adding some digestive support to the tool box. Happy Holidays! 

Blogs – by Illie Z

Illie's Healthie Holiday Gift Guide

It is almost that time of year to start gifting the family CLEAN PRODUCTS (that they'll probably roll their eyes at, but appreciate in the long run).  I am the black sheep of the family when it comes to my lifestyle. Like who asks for an air purifier for Christmas? lol me.  Now I wanted to make a list that DIDN'T involve my website although, anything from my website is a perfect gift/stocking stuffer. Personal favorite: candles, grow fragrance, skincare! If you are reading this - we are getting actual stocking stuffers up on the site in a few weeks with such cute minis and trials for the fam who is still hesitant!  But enough of that let's get to the ultimate healthie holiday gift guide for literally anyone in the family!  1. COYUCHI Literally anything coyuchi. This brand is all organic, luxurious and definitely pricey BUT you really cant match the quality. Here are a few I would personally go for as a gift: Super Soft Organic Throw Blanket Unisex Organic Waffle Robe Organic Bath Towels 2. For the Nut Milk Lover Definitely a splurge with the $218 price point BUT you literally never have to buy your own milk ever again so..... feel like it pays itself after a while.  Nut milk maker 3. Natural Perfume This is something I personally bought for myself and the scents are really light and beautiful. Comes in a set of 3 roller balls and they are all clean scents. They are simple and easy to just pop in your bag. Feel like this is good for any age group too!  4. Mate The Label Who does'nt love an ORGANIC matching set? like cmon. If you build your own matching set its 20% off so I think thats a pretty good deal. Perfect for anyone but especially the HOME BODY.  Make your own set here.  5. Clean Self Care Set Okay personally, I LOVE just making a basket full of things depending on what the person likes. So picture this: get some clean bath salts, clean candle, clean exfoliant and then biohack the heck out of it and add a BATH WATER FILTER. Tbh, I would love something like this.  6. The BioHacker That Has Everything This is a product Ive personally been trying for a while now (on the low low because I'm the biggest skeptic) BUT I stayed open minded and it's actually INSANE. I got a somavedic to structure my water and block emf in my home. Water can be really poor quality, as most of us know, so with all the chemical treatments out water gets - the structure of it gets damaged. One thing I've noticed is I literally sleep like an absolute rock. You know those sleeps where you wake up and wonder when the heck you even fell asleep in the first place? yeah. They also have a 100% money back guarantee which is unheard of with most products. The price point is hefty but they gave me a code: HEALTHILLIE20 7. Blue Light Blockers This is a great gift for anyone in your family or friends list that you know is in front of a computer or TV screen all day. A good pair of blue light blockers can be a total game changer in someones health. I love these from RA Optics - lots of nice frames and the right amount of color so that you are actually blocking blue light. The one the eye doctor gives you is NOT enough like... at all.  8. The skincare obsessed These are two brands I plan on holding on my website - very soon BUT I dont want to hold out on you all because they are THAT amazing. Agent Nateur is for the absolute bougie skincare babe that you know. They have a higher price point, but for good reason. If you want to absolute change your skin and defy aging this is it. Really great for all skin types and even mature skin.  This is a fun set to gift!  The second brand was a black friday find for myself 2 years ago and I used every single drop. I personally got "The Whole Shebang" and it came with their skincare, body oils, body creams, masks and literally everything they have. I used every single thing. They have other gift sets for hydration, clear skin, body and more so you can really find something for most. I personally cant wait to hold them on LiveHealthillie so hopefully by the time you are done with ur trial - well be rocking and rolling!  9. Red Light Therapy Another major splurge that I also asked for for my birthday last year and use it constantly is my red light therapy . Any size does the trick and this is perfect for literally anyone that suffers with pain, poor sleep or are just active people. This can even help with skin to help produce more collagen. I personally use it before bed for about 10-15 minutes to help promote deeper sleep, help with my skin and even on my thyroid to reduce inflammation. It's really a great investment.  10. Toss The Toxins As the last product on my list, this may be a weird one. I really feel like a full kit of Branch Basics is perfect for someone who is really ready to make the leap or has just been wanting it for a while. You get $$ off with my code HEALTHILLIE so thats def a perk. Branch Basics completely swaps out any cleaner you have from toxic ass windex to greenwashing fake clean Mrs. Meyers (yes i said it, fake clean) AND the need to any type of powerful detergent or 'oxiclean' crap. The starter kit is the perfect place and tbh if you don't get it for someone else, get it for yourself. I have such a peace of mind knowing I don't have to worry about my home cleaners being toxic at all.  11. Most Aesthetic Diffuser Ever I personally have a diffuser from here and I absolutely love it. (also got it for christmas) I feel like most diffusers are so typical and ugly tbh but these are so pretty to just have as decor in your house!  That's my ultimate healthie list! I know there are SO many more but I felt like most health and wellness peeps always suggest similar things so I wanted to add some unique gifts here for people at all levels of their journey.  Also stay tuned for our stocking stuffers slowly hitting the website, we already have one live which is our grow fragrance discovery set! If you are hesitant or want to get someone else on board to ditch the febreze it's such a good stocking stuffer or add on to a gift basket!  Happy Holidays!