1. Keep. Drinking. Water. This one is huge. Dehydration leads to many things that affect our body, mind, and spirit. I found it easy to drink water while in a regular work routine and find myself too distracted with other thoughts now that my schedule has changed. If you need to set an alarm on your phone for a water reminder, do it. It's worth it.

2. Less still is more. When you are at the grocery store, while being mindful of your self isolation, keep your time short by going with a shopping list and not leaving with excess items. When we see empty shelves, we can find ourselves in a panic and start grabbing a bunch of items we really don't want or need. Try your best to avoid doing this. 

3. Think of more substitutions BEFORE going to the store. As someone that drinks oat milk instead of regular milk, I'm finding myself to be quite lucky because those milks seem to still be fully stocked. So if you're a regular milk drinker, but the milk is out, take a chance on a nut based milk. They are often packaged in glass or paper containers which is a nice bonus!

4. Take stock of what you have before buying new. Want to avoid the stores all together? If you've run out of hand soap, look around your cabinets to see what items you do have that can create a DIY recipe. If you've run out of paper towels, now would be a great time to utilize the cloth napkins you often save for special occasions. You may be doing a bit more laundry, but if you're stuck at home, you've got extra time. (PSA: Check out Dropps for eco-friendly, plant-based laundry and dish detergent. This referral link will get you $20 off your first subscription!)

5. Less scrolling, more reading. This one has been hard for me. I've found myself trapped in the Instagram rabbit hole quite often during this time, but try to be mindful about what you're consuming via social media. While it's very helpful in staying in touch with friends and family, it can also definitely take a toll on you. 

6. Spend some time in nature while keeping your distance from others. As of right now in Philadelphia, I can still take my dog for a walk. This is HUGE for me. Being able to breathe fresh air is something that I do not take for granted. If you are able to get outside, please do so. Remind yourself exactly why you're reading this blog in the first place, to make the world a greener place. If you can't get outside, open up the windows and enjoy a bit of fresh air that way.

I could go on and on with this list, but for now I'll leave it here. I hope you are all doing well! Sending you all virtual hugs and hopeful that we can see each other (in person) again soon. <3 Let me know what you're doing to stay conscious during this time of chaos on our Facebook page. 

- jamie

P.S. Have kids in the house? Chances are you'll have a LOT of toilet paper rolls lying around. Save them and use them for art projects! 

We all know what's going on in the world right now and while much of what we're hearing is scary and negative, we can always turn to something more positive in these moments. For example, doctors around the world helping other countries, fitness instructors leading classes on rooftops, music being shared from window to window...all truly beautiful things. 

So how does Conscious Living play a role in all of this? The lifestyle changes that I've been making over the last few years has really helped in times like these when items that we are in need of (NOT items that we are hoarding) are flying off the shelves. 

I've heard women talking about their need for menstrual products, but the shelves being out of stock. I've heard people in need of hand sanitizer, but unaware that they probably have many of the ingredients in their home already to make their own. I've heard people worried about cleaning supplies, shampoo, mouthwash, you name it, it's all hard to come by in stores and online. BUT! So many of these items are items that can be made from ingredients you already have in your home.

So, for those of you interested in a little DIY while you're distancing yourself from the public, I've rounded up a few past blog posts that you can try out AND a new hand sanitizing recipe.

For women who are having trouble finding pads, tampons, etc. PLEASE take this time as an opportunity to get more familiar with the menstrual cup. It saves so much time, money, and worry to know you're taken care of each time your cycle arrives. I've shared a discount code below for $10 off your first Grove Collaborative order which sells Sustain Natural's menstrual cup (the one I use every month!).

$10 OFF YOUR MENSTRUAL CUP! (Bonus: FREE 5-piece gift set with this referral link!)

Many of these recipes can use substitutions to fit your needs, so please, feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

doTERRA makes a really great sanitizing mist that contains 64% alcohol which by the CDC rules, makes it effective hand sanitizer. Unfortunately, it comes in plastic and is current sold out. That said, I've started making my own sanitizer and refilling this bottle which has been great for the current state of the world.

The products I had in my home aren't perfect, but will do for now. This recipe makes a larger batch than necessary for the spray bottle so I store it in a glass jar and refill the bottle when needed.

5 tablespoons Aloe Vera Gel
4 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon Jojoba Oil
12-15 drops of On Guard 
Mix in with witch hazel or 60% ethyl alcohol (CDC requirement)

Combine in a bowl and pour for a spray sanitizer. Reduce water for a thick gel-like sanitizer. 

Let me know if you've tried any of these recipes/what recipes I should give a go over on our Facebook page!

- jamie

I’ll admit, I’ve never been the best at skincare. I wash my face in the shower, but I never really stuck with a routine that involved moisturizer or exfoliators or serums. I finally ordered a full skincare set that I can’t wait to receive (more details about that to come), but in the meantime, I thought I’d share with you the nightly “serum” I’ve been using that keeps my skin hydrated during these cold to warm winter days.

Each one of the items listed below comes in glass containers (with plastic caps) that can be reused to make new serums, diffuser blends, etc. If you’re interested in reading about more up-cycling for these small glass containers, let me know!

• 3-4 drops Rosehip Seed Oil
• 2-3 drops Prickly Pear Oil
• 2-3 drops Collagen Boosting Serum
• 1 drop Copaiba
• 1 drops Turmeric

You can multiply this recipe by X amount of days and store it in a separate bottle to avoid having to mix it every night. Simplifying your routine often makes it easier to stick to it!

For a full breakdown of each ingredient, read on.

Baja Basics Rosehip Seed Oil: Organic oil high in Vitamin A which moisturizes while promoting skin regeneration. Helps in reducing acne marks and scars due to its anti-inflammatory properties. 
Prickly Pear Cactus Seed Oil: Organic and undiluted, non-greasy and good for all skin types. Natural antioxidants such as Vitamins E and K, Omega 6, Omega 9, and Amino Acids. No parabens, preservatives, sulfates, synthetic perfumes, or chemical fillers. Bottled in the USA and cruelty free.
Collagen Boosting Facial Serum: Helps build natural collagen, full of Vitamins C, E, B, and A. Super hydrating, helps fight free radicals, signs of aging, dark spots, sun spots, and uneven skin tones. Includes ingredients such as: Pineapple Extract, Lemon Extract, Orange Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Papaya Extract, Horse Chestnut Extract, Apple Extract, Comfrey Root, Aloe Vera and Glycerin.
Copaiba: Promotes clear, smooth skin, and reduces the appearance of blemishes. (I personally use Copaiba frequently for it's aid calming the nervous system! Approximately 150 drops/15ml)
Turmeric: Supports healthy-looking skin while reducing the appearance of blemishes. Can be used as a spot treatment. (Approximately 150 drops/15ml)

Order both Copaiba and Turmeric with this link!

What nightly routine do you stick with for your skincare? I would love to know! Leave a comment or head over to our Facebook page to discuss.

- jamie