I ran every which way until I ran my spirit into the ground. When I had no other choice, when I felt so completely broken, I finally had to take care of myself, of my spirit, of my soul.

By chance — and with the help of curiosity and a little exploration. In 2015, my sister-in-law took a bottle of lotion out of my hands and asked me if I knew what I was putting on my body. I had never given it much thought. She handed me a chunk of cocoa butter and told me to go spend some time with myself. She also prompted me to explore what was actually inside many of the products I was purchasing. Once I jumped down that rabbit hole, there was no going back.

As a former pastry chef, I brought the cocoa butter into the kitchen and started to tinker with it like I used to play with chocolate. I wanted to see if I could enhance the application process (which isn’t too lovely with pure raw cocoa butter). I was in the middle of my yoga teacher training and incorporated the oils I had learned about through Ayurveda. I poured the original mixture into jars and dug it out with a wooden spoon after showering. The first “Stones” were poured into my old French pastry molds and given out at our wedding. People liked them, so I kept pursuing it. 

What I discovered along the way was that the days I used my product and “accidentally” took care of myself were better days. I had discovered the power — the absolute magic — of self-care.

Wellness to me is a total state. It has more to do with my level of awareness than what I am eating and how I am moving. I am well when I am aware. You can work out, you can eat well, you can have a laundry list of “self-care” practices, but if you are just going through the motions, approaching them as a “to-do list,” then they lose their power. I thrive when I live in the moment. I thrive when I am aware of what is alive in my body, of how I am feeling. I am healthy when I am aware of my emotions, and when I am aware of the stories I have a tendency to play in my head.

The importance of setting up daily routines. I normally speak about ritual. I believe there is a difference between ritual and routine; for me, that difference lies in the intention behind the action of the former. My rituals are sacred; they stoke my soul. But my routine keeps me sane, keeps me grounded and keeps me functioning.

Love, chocolate, movement.

It’s a three-way tie: Conversations with God, everything by Brené Brown and cookbooks — I love (and collect) cookbooks.

“Don’t kill the beast, you fool, because that’s your power.” — Ana Forrest

The Body Stone! And my GHD hairdryer. I have a wild mane of hair (it’s my power!) but it must occasionally be soothed and tamed — this machine is my baby.

My go-to bedtime routine is a quick dry brush (we’re launching ours in April), an indulgent hot shower and a moisturizing rub down with the Body Stone. You’ll wake up feeling silky smooth.

My mat, my favorite tea, a crystal and a Grounding or Naked Stone (Body Stones are carry-on approved!).

Eating early, no stimulants and going to bed in harmony with (on the same team as) my partner.

My relationship to food has been a roller coaster since early childhood. Pregnancy and postpartum recovery was deeply healing for me. I’ve come to actually believe the following: Trust your intuition, listen to your body, everything in moderation

Mustard. I have a passion for Maille Mustard.

Decaf poured over cocoa powder with a little oat milk.

Easy question: the Body Stone!

Dance

Breathe

Family — Justin and Ollie are my home.

Like a really good, belly-hurting laugh? Earlier this week with my husband. I forget what it was over, but I’m so grateful to be sharing this life with my best friend.