I believe it’s the little luxuries in life that make a difference, no matter how small they are. While not huge in size, Lip Whip by Kari Gran is mighty when it comes to style and effectiveness.

I have to say it’s been awhile since I came across a product that feels so luxurious, from packaging to performance. This whipped treatment balm is a pleasure to apply and wear.

I tend to lick my lips a lot throughout the day but after applying this balm I had no desire to, as it left behind a thick and protective barrier. The product was still there even after a long walk on a cold, windy day.

Lip Whip can be slathered on during the day, or overnight for deep treatment. It hydrates rather than just covering up dry, flaky, chapped lips. And it leaves behind a beautiful and glossy shine

The powerful formulation includes certified organic ingredients like beeswax and oils such as castor seed, beeswax, camellia seed, avocado, olive, and sunflower.

Cruelty free, eco-luxe, and sustainably conscious, Lip Whip by Kari Gran can be worn alone or layered with your favorite lip color.

Lip Whip is available naked or tinted. Choose versions with either a hint of peppermint or cinnamon derived from organic oils.

A .25 fl. ounce jar retails for $21.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been incredibly stressed and on edge lately. There’s not enough meditation, deep breathing, calming mantras, or nature walks I can do to completely balance myself.

While all of these things undoubtedly help, I think I’m finally accepting that nothing is going to change for me overnight. I have to go through things to get to the other side. I’m sure this will be by no means quick or easy, but I’m here for the journey.

To that end, I’m always looking for support—whether it’s supplements, healing modalities, or mind-body techniques to give me peace.

Lately I’ve been relying on Dr. Christoph Streicher’s Blissful Balance Tri-Essence Power Blend to boost my spirits. This ingestible liquid blend is known to help alleviate stress and insomnia and to increase nervous system functioning. It offers a sedative, balancing, relaxing, and soothing formula for facing life’s stressors.

If you’re high strung (yup, that’s me), it works on three levels of your body: physical (eases tension and discomfort); emotional (settles an overactive mind and alleviates stress); and spiritual/consciousness (relieves fear and instills peace).

Blissful Balance Tri-Essence Power Blend accomplishes this through a combination of herbal extracts, essential oils, and flower essences to support communication between the psyche and physical body. Lavender is the star here, as it’s included in each of these three forms. Other supportive herbal ingredients include passion flower, skullcap, cherry plum, clematis, Star of Bethlehem, neroli, and others.

Blissful Balance helps my sleep and brings ease to my day, soothing the harsh edges of stress that upset my well-being. I take this product as needed by adding the liquid drops to water.

Each 30 ml (1 fl. oz) dropper bottle is $25.50.

Sometimes you just want a cookie.

There’s something about this portable treat that satisfies you no matter what your age. 

My latest favorite is Maxine’s Heavenly. Of all the gluten-free cookie brands I’ve tried, they come the closest to homemade for me. This comes as no surprise. The company’s cookies are based on one of the founder’s mother Maxine’s original recipes, but the ingredients have been updated to reflect the modern desire for healthier options.

I’ve tried four varieties of Maxine’s Heavenly. Two were super-soft and moist: seasonally offered Pumpkin Pecan Spice and Chocolate Chocolate Chunk. Two were crispy: Cinnamon Speculoos Crunch and Chocolate Chip.

I liked them all. Each flavor was wholesome and satisfying. But my favorite was the Cinnamon Speculoos Crunch. You can really taste the cinnamon, and the cookies were satisfyingly crunchy with a distinctive snap.

Everyone can enjoy these flavorful oat-based cookies. They’re certified gluten free, low-glycemic, vegan, kosher, and non-GMO. Just sweet enough, these cookies use organic coconut nectar and coconut sugar in place of white sugar. These natural sweeteners add a caramel flavor that’s similar to but healthier than brown sugar. The soft variety of cookies also includes dates, which add richness, moistness, and flavor. 

The Cinnamon Speculoos Crunch Cookies, along with the Chocolate Chip variety, are packaged in individually wrapped take-with-you pouches that contain two cookies—the perfect amount for a snack. Some of the other flavors are packaged in grab-and-go packs as well.

Maxine’s Heavenly offers plenty of traditional and modern varieties to try. Consider: Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk, Snickerdoodle, Walnut Banana Bread, and Almond Chocolate Chunk.

There are two other seasonal flavors besides the Pumpkin Pecan Spice: Gingerbread and Chocolate Peppermint Candy Cane (which I will definitely have to try!).

Individual boxes are $6.99. Bundles of four are available for $29.99 with reduced shipping rates.

It’s a sad fact of life that our skin changes as we age. What was once soft and supple with a youthful glow can become dull, dry, and tired. As the years have passed, I’ve noticed enlarged pores, fine lines, and age spots reflected back to me.

I know I can’t (nor do I want to) eradicate every negative change my skin shows. How exhausting would that be? But I do my best to support my skin’s health by carefully selecting what I put on it.

Harmful chemicals, preservatives, and additives can absorb through the skin, and I want nothing to do with these types of ingredients.

Clara’s New York follows this philosophy too. They use skin-loving formulations that do not contain harsh chemicals. My favorite offering of theirs is the Moisturizing Rosehip Oil Serum. After applying just a few drops, my face feels nourished, supple, and smooth.

I apply the serum in the morning before sunscreen, and it leaves a soft and dewy finish. A couple of times a week, I apply it at night to help with dullness, dryness, and irritation. My skin never feels greasy after applying this serum.

This best-selling product is 100 percent natural. The ingredients (rosehip oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil, vitamin E, and others) offer essential fatty acids to enrich all skin types with moisture.

This serum contains no sulfates, parabens, or alcohol. The product is non-comedogenic, dermatologist tested for safety, and safe for sensitive skin.

1 fl.oz bottle retails for $25.

One of my favorite types of food is Thai. When I go out for it, I often order Thai iced tea. I love the robust flavors, intriguing orange color, and creamy consistency.

But sometimes I want this drink without having to go out to get it. With Thaiwala’s Thai Tea black tea concentrate, I’ve been enjoying it at home. 

Thaiwala says they’re obsessively authentic. They ethically source their herbicide- and pesticide-free tea from a small farm in Northern Thailand. Thaiwala knew it would be a good product when they saw swarms of honeybees hovering over the organic herbs on the farm.

Brewed black tea, pure cocoa extract, organic pandan leaf, organic vanilla flavor, and organic caramel syrup (organic cane sugar and water) blend together to create a first-of-its-kind tea concentrate for home consumers.

Thaiwala won a silver medal in the tea category from the Specialty Food Association in 2021, so when they say on their packaging that it’s crazy good, it really is.

Thaiwala’s goal was to make the tea 100 percent natural without sacrificing flavor. I think it smells and tastes as authentic as restaurant versions. It’s not bitter and has a smooth, rich, and balanced flavor.

Easy to make, just add your favorite type of milk and an equal portion of the concentrate. Heat or chill for hot or iced tea. I add bobas (tapioca pearls) for an iced bubble tea.

Thaiwala comes in unsweetened and original versions in aseptic containers that make approximately 8 servings each.

Their website has a store locator, or links to purchase the tea from retailers. Each 32-ounce container costs approximately $6.

I love peanut butter.

If you’re a fan like I am, check out Once Again. They’re the first certified organic peanut butter that doesn’t separate. Over the years I’ve snapped a couple of knives trying to incorporate the oil in less processed brands, so an already blended, natural option is a big deal for me!

Once Again’s Lightly Sweetened Creamy Peanut Butter is made with ethically sourced, blanched organic peanuts that are dry-roasted and ground. (Crushed peanuts are added to the crunchy version.) This tasty spread is lightly sweetened with organic sugar and is made creamy with organic, ethically sourced palm oil from sustainable orchards. 

Smooth and satisfying, the roasted peanut flavor is wonderfully pronounced. The sweetness level is low, so you can easily combine it with jam, jelly, or honey without creating a sugar bomb.  

Certified Gluten-Free, Kosher Certified, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and vegan, each 16-oz jar costs $8.39. Once Again also offers no-salt, unsweetened, and crunchy varieties.

Their website has plenty of tasty recipes for you to try (and one to make for your dog!) available on their site.

One of my biggest gripes about winter is how dry my hands get. I’m not just talking about a few flakes. I get seriously chapped and cracked skin. 

I’ve tried lots of hand creams in the past (some good, some ok, some terrible), but I’ve yet to land on one I can’t live without.

Lately, I’ve been giving Waxelene Multi-Purpose Ointment a try. It’s celebrated widely for being a fast-acting treatment for eczema and psoriasis. I’ve had eczema in the past. I don’t right now, so I haven’t tried it for that. But I have been using it on my dry hands, and I really like the results I’m seeing.

This product goes on smooth, and it immediately feels like it’s protecting my skin. After applying it, my hands feel so much softer. I like how it doesn’t leave a greasy feel behind. I can immediately touch things without depositing an oily film on them.

Waxelene Technology

I hadn’t heard of the technology Waxelene uses, but it’s interesting. A patented aeration is employed, which infuses air particles into the ointment. Because of this process you only need to use a small amount of the product—even on a large area. A waterproof barrier forms on the skin with no clogged pores.

Waxelene can be used on dry skin, cuts, rashes, chapped lips, scars, calluses, cuticles, and more. It has just four effective ingredients: organic beeswax, organic soy oil, organic rosemary oil, and natural vitamin E. The product is safe for infants and children. 

All of Waxelene's packaging is 100 percent recyclable and BPA free. Two percent of their sales go toward the purchase of plastic offsets.

A 3-ounce travel jar of Waxelene Multi-Purpose Ointment retails for $26.99.

I think I’ve found a keeper with this one!

Give me something to smile about. Dentalcidin’s professional-strength system has done just this.

I’ve been a fan of Biocidin Botanicals’ Biocidin LSF for years. Internally taking this proprietary extract of herbs (bilberry, milk thistle, echinacea, goldenseal, garlic, and white willow—to name a few) has helped me with bacterial issues and gut imbalances. I’ve even applied the product topically to treat athlete’s foot.

So when I found out that Biocidin Botanicals has products to support oral health, I knew I had to try them. Dentalcidin Oral Microbiome Toothpaste Gel and Dentalcidin LS Oral Microbiome Liposomal Rinse is a two-step system designed to improve the health of the teeth, the gums, and, ultimately, the entire body. 

Stop Bacteria in Its Tracks

As gross as it is, bacteria grow in the mouth and can then be swallowed, travelling throughout the body and possibly creating health concerns. Biocidin Botanicals’ toothpaste and rinse products are designed to help destroy these icky oral biofilms (known as plaque), and to help rebalance the oral microbiome.

Eighteen botanical extracts and essential oils from their legacy blend Biocidin (the one I’m such a fan of) give these two products their potent formulations. Quercetin, myrrh resin, clove oil, tea tree oil, CoQ10, and aloe are just some of the powerful ingredients these two items contain. 

After using the powerful duo, I noticed whiter enamel, fresher breath, less inflamed gums, and that smooth just-cleaned feeling I’ve only ever experienced after dental cleanings.

I like how only a little of this toothpaste is needed to be effective. It’s a gentle fluoride-free formula that also works on sensitive teeth. The mint flavor is thankfully not too strong. 

I’ve not used mouth rinses much in the past. But I’m impressed with this one. The liposomal technology allows the rinse to go deep into the periodontal area. Just two pumps and a swish in the mouth for one minute, and my whole mouth felt even more refreshed and clean than when using the toothpaste alone. 

The toothpaste has recently been reformulated to be 100 percent plant-based in a completely recyclable tube. No artificial colors, flavors, soy, corn, gluten, dairy, or animal products are in these products. If you’re sensitive to nuts, be aware that walnut leaf and hull are in the items.

Dentalcidin Oral Microbiome Toothpaste Gel retails for $27.97.

Dentalcidin LS Oral Microbiome Liposomal Rinse retails for $42.47.

If the two are purchased together, the cost is $66.97.

Whether we like it or not, our hair is tied to our identity. How we style it, what color it’s dyed, how long or short it is, how neat or messy it appears, how healthy it looks—all of these things send out messages about our personalities, lifestyles, and well-being.

So when you start to dramatically lose your locks, it’s like losing a part of yourself. I’ve been on this traumatic journey for the past few months. I watch in horror as ribbon-thick pieces of hair swirl down the drain whenever I wash it. Clumps of hair litter my hairbrush every time I brush it, and strands constantly drift over my clothing and pillow. 

Not only is my hair falling out, it’s also drier. And its texture is more brittle and fragile than ever. I’m trying to limit how often I wash it, as this seemingly simple task seems to cause the most loss. But, still, my hair needs to be cleaned. 

I know shampoos and conditioners won’t regrow my hair or stop its loss, but I’ve found a brand that is nourishing it, so at least it looks healthier. That brand is Niucoco.

I’ve been using their Signature Shampoo Bar and their Smoothing Conditioner. My hair, thankfully, looks shinier and feels softer and smoother. I’m not surprised by these results, as the key ingredient in both of these items is coconut oil.

Can You Really Trust Bar Shampoo?

I didn’t know what to think at first about using a shampoo bar. It looks just like a bar of soap. You wet the bar and then rub it into your hands to create a film that you apply to the hair. You can also rub the bar directly onto the scalp. I’m impressed with the amount of lather the bar creates, and that the lather doesn’t feel at all harsh or drying. 

Some of the bar’s ingredients include Moroccan lava clay, pro-vitamin B5, and cold-pressed extra-virgin coconut oil. This particular type of coconut oil is used, because it’s high in lauric acid. This fatty acid has molecules small enough to pass through the hair’s cuticle to moisturize and strengthen it. 

Niucoco’s Signature Shampoo Bar contains no palm oil, silicone, parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. The product is also cruelty-free and vegan friendly. There’s a slight nutty coconut aroma to the bar, which is packaged in a palm-sized box. This cuts down on plastic packaging and makes it easy to travel with.

The Smoothing Conditioner also contains pure coconut oil as well as antioxidants for protection. I like how this conditioner doesn’t weigh down my hair and helps it feel softer. 

Niucoco’s Signature Shampoo Bar and Smoothing Conditioner each retail for $29.

Holiday gatherings can be rough. Some of us find ourselves spending time with people we’d rather not be with, because that dreaded sense of obligation kicks in. Add to that the stress of deciding what to bring to an event, and it’s no wonder the holidays are the most stressful time of year.

I suggest we make our gatherings more sparkly. I recently discovered a brand of sparkling water called Waterloo. I immediately thought how their two limited-time seasonal flavors (Spiced Apple and Cranberry) would make a refreshing, non-alcoholic alternative for the holiday table.

More Bubbles, Less Bad Stuff

If you like bubbles, you’ll like Waterloo. It’s more carbonated than other brands, so sipping it gives you a lively kick.

Naturally flavored with no added sugar, Waterloo uses a multi-step filtration process that gives the purified, carbonated water a clean taste without any unwanted additives, fluoride, or sodium.

I found the Cranberry flavor to be refreshing, bright, and a bit tart. Spiced Apple offers a taste reminiscent of apple crisp. I tried it with a splash of apple cider for a hint of sweetness. The spiced flavor came through and put me in an autumnal state of mind.

If you’re looking for other Waterloo varieties, consider their offerings: black cherry, grapefruit, pineapple, watermelon, grape, strawberry, and lemon-lime, to name a few. And speaking of flavors, they’re all natural and sourced from non-GMO and vegan plant extracts, oils, and essences.

Certified Gluten-Free, non-GMO, vegan, and kosher as well as Whole30 Approved, this sparkling water comes in cans that are free of BPA.

Festive Mocktail Recipes

Enjoy this refreshing beverage ice cold. And if you’re looking for fun and tasty seasonal sippers to make at home, the Waterloo website offers recipes like Spiced Pomme Pom, ‘Loo-ner Eclipse, Spiced Apple Ginger Fizz, and Spiced Cran-Apple Punch—all made with limited-edition Cranberry or Spiced Apple.

Locate a retailer near you.