The Urban Eco-Woman’s All-Natural Holiday Haul

The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. Since we’ve no place to go, let us glow, let us glow, let us glow!

Instead of mindlessly consuming and rushing through the season why not make this holiday season your most mindful yet? I implore you to slow down and sniff the fresh pine from the trees you walk by, listen to your favourite holiday album (uninterrupted – not as background music), opt for high quality sleep, support your local maker and most importantly check in with yourself.

Glowing from the inside out this holiday season requires a commitment to self-care and community connection. Nourishing your mind, body and soul with nature’s bounty and organic community connection will have you glowing into 2025.

I have compiled a list of all-natural essentials in my Holiday Haul that will help you replenish your glow.

HAUL ITEM #1

TAKE A MINDFUL BREAK: My favourite loose leaf tea blend is ‘Me Time’ by WOASH.

‘Me Time’ Tea Blend

Just as the name suggests, the act of ‘Me Time’ should be on holiday rotation.  As a busy wellpreneur, doggy Mama, and wifey it is imperative that I am intentional about taking time to recharge and reflect. Let’s be honest, as we are living in challenging times we can inadvertently burn ourselves right out. Further, as women we are not only confronted with the double day, but since the pandemic we are now tasked with a significantly increased workload both inside and outside of the home.

‘Me Time’ is no longer just a leisurely act. It is an act of resistance by defying a system that has a tendency to burn us out. Bring out the tea pots, holiday mugs, steepers and WOASH’s loose leaf ultra relaxing blend of adaptogens and sweet herbs. We are pausing to sip!

Organic Ingredients: Krishna tulsi, lemongrass, lemon verbena, chamomile, lavender, ashwagandha.

Top Herbs:

Organic Ashwagandha – Origin India – A powerful adaptogen commonly used to reduce physical and mental stress on the body. Containing properties to calm the brain from daily stressors and support the immune system. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10147008/)

Organic Krishna Tulsi – Origin India – Also known as holy basil, this powerful adaptogen has been known to balance out our cortisol and melatonin levels and may reduce general anxiety and sleep issues. (https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-holy-basil)

Organic Lavender – Origin China – We call herbs like lavender “nervine” because they impact our nervous system. Lavender has long been used to decrease anxiety, induce relaxation and promote sleep. When we ingest lavender, it may deepen that impact by getting absorbed into the bloodstream and directly relaxing the nervous system.

About WOASH: This is a Toronto based, woman-owned loose leaf tea brand inspired by the diverse flavours encountered during global travels. WOASH teas are crafted to provide support and solace, no matter where one is on their journey. WOASH collaborates with experts to develop formulations for skin, beauty, and hormonal support. They prioritize sourcing ingredients from their native regions to cultivate a harmonious sense of home.

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HAUL ITEM #2

NATURAL BEAUTY FAVE: Glomalin – Moisturizing Face Cream

Glomalin – Moisturizing Face Cream

I have been religiously using the Glomalin face cream for the past five years. Its rich and powerful formula is loaded with plant-based goodness that delivers ultra-moisturizing action to my skin. Turtle Island winters can be harsh on the skin. Because I walk my doggy every morning it is imperative for me to use a clean moisturizer that can withstand the elements. In my opinion and based on my industry experience, I believe that the Glomalin face cream is comparable to top mainstream luxury brands – without using toxic ingredients that are harmful to our bodies and the environment.  Its high-quality ingredient profile, along with its reasonable price point makes it a must have this holiday season! Get your glow on with GLOmalin.

Ingredient list: Filtered water, Avocado & Apricot Kernel Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Candelilla Wax, Organic Lavender & Frankincense Essential Oils.

Top Ingredients:

Avocado Oil: Cold-pressed avocado oil is one of the richest sources of beneficial monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid. Not only is avocado oil extremely good at hydrating and softening your skin, it is also often recommended as an effective treatment for acne and blackheads, eczema, and other forms of skin inflammation. One 2013 study found that the essential fatty acids and oleic acid in avocado oil can promote collagen synthesis, which is the process of creating new connective tissue, this gives a visible plumping result to the skin. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1676360/)

Frankincense: A powerful astringent, meaning it helps protect skin cells. It can be used to help reduce acne blemishes, the appearance of large pores, prevent wrinkles, and it even helps lift and tighten skin to naturally slow signs of aging. (https://naturalingredient.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/s58c02301.pdf)

Lavender: Able to eliminate nervous tension, relieve pain, disinfect the scalp and skin, enhance blood circulation and treat respiratory problems. The Latin name of lavender is Lavare, which means “to wash” – due to its aroma which has a particularly clean scent. (https://www.organicfacts.net/lavender-oil-skin.html)

About Glomalin: This is a woman-owned, sustainable skincare maker utilizing 100% botanical ingredients mainly sourced from certified organic producers. Inspired by a close family member’s cancer treatment, they vowed to only use pure ingredients from as many organic sources as possible. Glomalin’s goal is to bring luxurious plant-based, vegan, organic, natural skincare to Canadians and anywhere else in the world where it is needed.

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HAUL ITEM #3

HOLIDAY VIBE CHECK: My favourite holiday candle is ‘Candy Cane Lane’ by Three Wicks  

The Perfect Non-Toxic Holiday Candle: Candy Cane Lane

As a vibe specialist, candles are my go-to when it comes to curating the perfect ambience. I stumbled upon Three Wicks Candles at the National Women’s Show and was impressed by its quality and aroma. I am also by no means a novice when it comes to judging candle quality and experience. Over the years I have partnered with local candle makers to create my own amazing blends. Therefore, I can say objectively that when I first sparked the Candy Cane Lane candle, it instantly ignited joyous holiday vibes. The soothing blend of peppermint, sweet vanilla and mint leaves set the scene for the most relaxing and recharging holiday season yet. It is the perfect non-toxic candle to burn all holiday season long.

Candle Notes – Top: Peppermint,  Mid: Mint Leaves, Corn-mint, Base: Vanilla

About Three Wicks Candles: This is a woman-owned small batch and hand poured candle maker based in Courtice, Ontario. Three Wicks was inspired by founder Diane Kennedy’s three daughters, who she describes as the ‘light of her life’.  Their candles are made from 100% soy wax and are pet-friendly with no added colour, phthalate-free, paraffin-free, with wicks that are lead-free, and made in recyclable jars. All raw materials are Ontario sourced.  They also run a local recyclable program incentivizing customers to reuse their candle vessels.

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HAUL ITEM #4

GIVE THE DIY GIFT OF SOFT LIPS

DIY ‘Candy Cane Lip Scrub’

By certified holistic health coach, Violet Raptou.

Holistic health coach Violet Raptou encourages people to reduce their toxic load and empower themselves by making their own skincare products using natural ingredients. Violet has prepared a fun DIY peppermint-scented lip scrub recipe that is perfect for the holidays. Bye bye dead skin and hello smooth, soft, holiday-ready lips.

What you will need:

1 tbsp. superfine sugar*

2 tsp. unrefined coconut oil

1 drop peppermint essential oil

1 small jar**

*Superfine sugar: You can certainly use regular cane sugar; however, superfine sugar is preferred because the smaller granules exfoliate much better than the larger granules of granulated sugar.

**Your jar should be either made of glass or PET plastic, which is safe for essential oils.

Instructions:

First put the coconut oil in a small bowl. Then add the peppermint oil and stir well.  After that add the sugar and stir until well combined.  Scoop everything into the container. Store your lip scrub in the refrigerator.

To use: Use a pea-sized amount of scrub and rub it gently on your lips.  Wipe the scrub gently with a warm washcloth.  Follow up with your favourite lip balm, like Glomalin’s Shea Butter and Peppermint Lip Balm,  to moisturize.  Use the scrub 1-2 times per week, as needed.

Ingredient Profile:

Superfine sugar: Sugar makes an excellent exfoliant because it removes dead skin cells and is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.

Coconut oil: Coconut oil is a very moisturizing oil that contains essential fatty acids and antioxidants that nourish the skin.

Peppermint essential oil: Peppermint essential oil helps heal and soothe chapped lips.  Be sure to buy a high-quality essential oil when you are using it for skincare.  **Peppermint essential oil is not recommended in any form for anyone with a hiatal hernia, G6PD deficiency, gallbladder issues, taking certain medications or is pregnant / nursing. Always check with your primary healthcare provider before using essential oils in any form.  It should not be used by children under the age of 7.

About Violet Raptou: She is an Ontario-based certified holistic health & wellness coach and speaker with the WellnessXChange. She specializes in holistic nutritional guidance, hormonal imbalance, fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes prevention, aromatherapy, screening beauty products for toxic ingredients and maintaining overall good health and well-being.

In closing, I hope you’ve gained a few self-care holiday gems here and are inspired to navigate the season more mindfully. Being ‘present’ is the greatest gift you can give to yourself, loved ones and community. Wishing all Vitality magazine readers a joyous holiday season and positive vibrations moving into 2025!

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About the Urban Eco-Woman (https://urbanecowoman.com/) – Crystal Harbans is a Toronto-based wellness entrepreneur and founder of WellnessxChange (https://wellnessxchange.ca/), a community of wellness thinkers, creators, registered practitioners, healers and artists. Crystal is a natural wellness enthusiast and advocate who is passionate about natural health and wellness. She has dedicated her career to building businesses and starting initiatives that focus on sharing wellness knowledge and social justice. Crystal’s wellness journey continues to inspire her mission of creating a socially conscious, sustainable, equitable, healthier and happier world. Visit: https://wellnessxchange.ca/