When Fran and I co-founded Organic Krush, we were two moms with a passion to create a better restaurant offering. We had no idea how much our childhood resources and mothering experiences would influence the business for the better.
I have many things about me that people consider different, but here are two that keep jumping to the surface. When I was young, and if my 4 sisters or I got sick, my mom would have us place a raw onion on our ear to combat an ear infection. Onions draw out fluids, the reason you cry when you cut an onion, so when an ear infection clogs the ear, the onion draws out the fluid. To this day, I’ve never taken an antibiotic as I always search for alternative ways to combat an illness. In our household, my parents used homeopathic medicine to help us get through illnesses, and it had so many quirky aspects to it (wearing wool vests in winter to trap body heat so the lungs never got cold, sweating out a fever instead of taking tylenol) but it gifted me a foundational health that I am so grateful for today.
My second unique lifestyle habit is my daily 4:30am wake ups. I learned when my kids were young that if I could grab the first two hours of my day to myself, to yoga, to meditate, to read, to journal, to plan.. I could settle into a day that felt directed and rewarding. I have discovered so many resources during this time of morning so I thought this holiday I’d share some gift ideas for us Moms and the special women in your life!
Here is some inside scoop on truly healthy lifestyle tips and gifts!
52 Weekly Affirmations for Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murray– all of Dr Murray’s books deal with the subconscious and I think it’s one thing that hasn’t received enough attention in the world of health. We are in charge of directing the way we think and this book offers the tips and wisdom to do so.
Medical Medium Life Changing Foods – Anthony William aka Medical Medium offers the gift of wellness and hope and day to day inspiring recipes and practices to own your health journey. This is a must read along with all of his other books as well.
Rifle Stitched Notebook Set – As I read, I write and take notes about what is resonating. I have sooo many notebooks filled with the ideas that led to Krush and that direct my families’ health and well-being.this style is my favorite because the pages bend over, they are light to carry around, and perfectly designed for writing.
Essential Oil Kit by Young Living– essential oils add so much flare to everything! The lavender oil to deepen sleep, the lemon oil drops in water to energize, the Thieves oil for deflecting viruses (always with me on the plane), Frankincense drops rubbed into my moisturizer . the list goes on and on, but this is such a treat for a mom to have her little oil kit at all times. Perhaps add a beautiful little bag that she can carry these around in !
Clean Candles- if we are trying to eliminate toxins in the home, its important to burn clean wax. Organic soy and coconut and beeswax, look for the notation that says 100% organic. I buy organic candles from local shops like our Roslyn Salt Cave; (not to mention, a zillion other things I love about this Salt Cave- its a must do!) For online candle shopping, This option is really nice!
Organic Coffee – Organic Krush coffee beans are truly the most decadent. There’s no way my 4:30am wake ups would be nearly as energizing and inspiring if I didn’t have these delicious clean beans to enjoy! Certified Organic fair-trade coffee means you aren’t ingesting pesticide sprays and negative aspects of the industry. Im a crate and barrel coffee mug girl since my early days. Grab some Krush beans and a beautiful mug and you will jumpstart an organic day for anyone special in your life!
Organic Tea by Serendipitea – I’m also a tea drinker and when I need to support my health / gut a bit extra I start adding in teas. I don’t love super floraly flavors (my personal flavor profile), so this company which Organic Krush has used for 10 years satisfies all my desires! There’s chocolate teas, fruit teas, incredible green teas.. Either loose leaf or bagged, but i do love the loose leaf process of “creating” the tea experience for myself. It’s like a little meditation!
Dr Joe Dispenza Meditations – discovering Dr Joe so many years ago has been the most amazing gift! He has countless meditations for all different types of topics, and when you need inspiration for healing, calm, abundance, clarity, confidence, his incredible voice and music are life altering.
Lifestyle Programs – sometimes a committed course of action is just what’s needed to propel us moms forward. I love the offerings by Evolve By Erika and Marci Baron; Im always inspired by the quote, “change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change”.. These two leaders offer up a whole new approach to wellness and thriving. A fantastic gift for people you love who want to take things to the next level.
Wild Blueberry Juice -this is the nicest addition to a day of healthy imbibing! In the evenings I make a mocktail of homemade bubby water, an ounce of blueberry juice, and some fresh sliced basil leaves. It’s so refreshing, so mind altering, there’s no need for alcohol! Wild blueberries per @medicalmedium offer up their strength for us, as those blueberries that grew in the wild and had to defend off the elements, now gift that strength to us when we drink it.
Electrolytes- some other drink boosters I love are made by two mom – founded, holistic brands. Just Ingredients has excellent flavors and their collagen doesn’t have an aftertaste the way so many others do. Their authentic clean brand is so appreciated. I’m also loving Purest Electrolyte by my good friend Pam Sweeney. These ingredients are so clean; I use these powders as my afternoon / early evening pick up. The chocolate flavor is my favorite treat.
Vimergy Supplements – its a giant world of confusing supplements out there and I cant state enough how important it is to take high quality organic supplements. This company is the real deal, and while pricey, the bottles last for a long time, and as droppers they are nicely absorbed and gentle. I’d suggest trying a few like D3, vitamin C, zinc (take only at night so you don’t get nauseous). Bundle them in a pretty gift box and these might just be the supplements that stave off the winter flus.
Organic Mattress- I really believe the organic mattress splurge is an investment that provides a strong foundation to your health- we use Avocado Mattresses which have been majorly crowd pleasing and really nice pricing or Coco-Mat which was one of the first companies in the organic mattress market, and they are indulgent and over the top incredible!) For the 6-8 hours that most of sleep each night, its so important that toxic chemicals not be circulating in your lungs.
Organic Sheet Sets- The Coyuchi sheets have become associated with organic and pure and they really are so lovely. They are crisp and authentic- I have so much trust and faith in this brand, one of the first to market and they’ve never wavered from their principles. I also love the sheet sets from West Elm. They arrive quickly and have a softness to them that works really well for me when I cuddle in.
Organic Skin Care – Tammy Fender has an incredible product line as well as stunning spas on the east coast of Florida, and Naturopathica was founded by a woman who has a profound understanding of a holistic lifestyle. The products are top notch, my two favorites being the manuka honey cleansing balm and the carrot seed oil. There is also a spa, the original in East Hampton and some pop ups in Aspen and Palm Beach.
Enjoy the wide array of unique ideas and promise to take great care of yourself now and in 2025. If moms don’t care for ourselves it’s really hard to care for so many others who depend on us.
Xo, Michelle
