As part of the #NOWWellness Influencer Program, I received product samples and compensation from NOW® to thank me for my participation, but the product selection and all opinions are genuinely my own.
Blissful Holidays with NOW® Foods
When you’re a kid, holidays are all about you: your hobbies, your friends, your favorite foods, your gifts, sleeping in, playing games… Not going to lie, I miss those days! As an adult, holidays are a mixed bag; we still have all the usual daily responsibilities on top of the holiday preparations, and sometimes it can be hard to even find time to relax. This year has been a particularly stressful one and I think it affected the Holiday plans for most of us. For me, this is the first time I spend the Holidays without seeing my loved ones in person. My family canceled our annual Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year get-togethers and even though I’m still spending them in the company of my husband and our cat Luna, it still feels a little lonely, like something’s missing. On days like these, I remind myself that one day this crisis will be over and we can see each other again.
This is why this year I curated a very special gift guide for you guys. It features some of my favorite self-care products from NOW Foods that you can send as gifts to your loved ones or use yourself by incorporating them into your daily routine.
Self-care is different for everyone: some of us hop on a treadmill, some reach for comfort foods, while others spend a little more time on their skincare routine; my self-care gift guide has a little bit of everything and I bet you’ll find a few neat things you’re going to love!
BEAUTY:
As much as I love beauty products, sometimes skincare can get overwhelming, especially during the holidays. For this gift guide, I chose three products that can help simplify your routine without sacrificing the skin benefits and they will make great gifts for skincare minimalists, too! Clean skin is the cornerstone of every successful beauty routine and there are two products that can help you on your #skingoals journey: Charcoal Detox Face Mask to deeply purify the skin once or twice a week and the gentle Vitamin C & Manuka Honey Gel Cleanser that you can use daily. The latter has a wonderful low-pH formulation that makes the skin feel soft and clean, never stripped of moisture. After cleansing it’s important to use a serum that can offer multiple benefits, and I can’t recommend Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid Serum enough! It’s formulated with a potent blend of antioxidants to boost the skin’s free-radical protection, improve the visible signs of aging, and offer brightening benefits. It doesn’t feel sticky or heavy, making it a great pick for all skin types. After the serum, just use your favorite sunscreen or night cream, and you’ve got yourself an easy beauty routine for the holidays!
I have a special treat for the skin on your body, too. Tranquil Rose Massage Oil has been one of my favorites NOW® products because it’s a wonderful multitasker! Use it as a moisturizing body lotion on damp skin after taking a shower, indulge in a soothing massage session, or dissolve a teaspoon of oil under running water before taking a bath for a wonderful aromatherapy experience and soft skin.
What do you think about beauty from within? I’m a huge believer that what we put into our bodies reflects on the skin, so I’m no stranger to beauty supplements. Right now this Collagen Peptides Powder* is my go-to because it helps support healthy skin, joints, and bones. I like that it blends easily into any drink or a smoothie without clumping, and I even use it as an ingredient in my matcha and golden turmeric chai lattes. It turns any beverage into a wellness drink and makes them creamier and so much more satisfying!
WELLNESS:
Speaking of aromatherapy, if you want the house to smell nice for the holidays, try using essential oils and oil blends as a more natural alternative to wallflower plug-ins. NOW® offers many different designs of diffusers so you’ll be sure to find one that will look great in every room of the house. Personally, I really like the look of their Real Bamboo Ultrasonic Diffuser so much, in fact, that I own several! Natural bamboo grain, beautiful color shifts, and minimalist design make it a lovely decor piece and the soft sound of water vapor is always so relaxing. New to essential oils? Try Peaceful Sleep Essential Oil Blend** to create a relaxing ambiance, and there are a bunch of other choices on this page.
Another thing that helped me manage my stress levels this year is something I never knew existed until recently, and I’m excited to share this finding with you guys. Have you heard of GABA? It’s an abbreviation for Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, an amino acid naturally produced in the body that functions as a neurotransmitter in the human brain.* Apparently, its presence within our central nervous system may help promote relaxation and ease nervous tension.* NOW makes several GABA supplements, but I personally prefer GABA 500 mg* for its smooth delivery. I made it a habit to take one capsule whenever I’m feeling nervous or agitated and love the effects so far! Unsurprisingly, I went through several bottles this year.
TREATS:
Don’t forget to treat yourself to something delicious once in a while, too! Naturally, my favorite treats are sweets and novelty drinks and I was so excited to find out that NOW® offers two of my favorite things: Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder and Manuka Honey. With these, you can be your own barista and make that perfect cup anytime you crave it. Honestly, now that I know how to make my matcha latte exactly the way I like it, I no longer buy them at coffee shops which saved me a lot of money. I also use this matcha powder in various homemade desserts, smoothies, and even sprinkle it on top of ice cream – I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it!
Manuka Honey is another fantastic ingredient you can add to your drinks as a sweetener. It tastes like regular honey but also has a bit of a spicy kick which makes the drinks even more interesting. We love using it in our matcha lattes, turmeric lattes, and making honey milk tea.
Lastly, if you can’t imagine your day without a peanut butter sandwich, then you should definitely try Nutty Infusions™ Mango Chili Cashew Butter. It tastes amazing on a toast, a croissant, in smoothies, and in oatmeal, but you can eat it straight from the jar too – no judging here, I do the same, haha! I sent these as gifts to my friends last Christmas and they all loved it!
COUPON:
Be sure to visit NOW Foods to check out all the curated Holiday gift guides from the family of NOW® ambassadors and influencers! Don’t forget to use the coupon GLAMORABLE for 20% off any purchase if you decide to pick up a few things. This is an exclusive coupon to thank you guys for choosing NOW®, not an affiliate code, and I don’t earn any commission if you use it. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy & healthy holiday season!!
What’s your favorite self-care ritual? Are the holidays different for you this year?
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Don’t forget to consult with your physician before taking any new supplements.
**Essential oils are highly concentrated and can be irritating to the skin. Use with care and dilute as directed. For adult use only. Keep out of reach of children. Not for internal use. Avoid contact with eyes.
