Top Ten

What I've been using and loving in April

The last day of April! I’m not sure how we’re already to May but all I can say is that time is FLYING. I haven’t done a round up of my favorites in awhile so I’m excited to share some things I’m really loving. I’ve changed a lot in the past five months — added many things in, taken some things out, and simplified my life, routines, and rituals because at the end of the day — simplicity is the most healing thing of all. One thing I want to note here as well: Wellness is so individual and while it’s fun to get inspiration from other people, we can’t rely on what works for others as our baseline. In other words: the best thing you can do for your mind and body is do what feels good to you. And that only! So here’s what’s currently working for me and what I’m absolutely loving and hopefully some of it resonates & inspires you!

1. Broc Shot

I’ve been taking this now since the end of January (I haven’t shared about it yet because I wanted to take it for many months to observe the changes in my body) and I can confirm how much of a difference it’s made in how I feel. I started taking Broc Shot every single day a few weeks after the LA fires broke out to help my body detox from all of the toxins in the air and have felt the inflammation in my body (specifically in my chest and lungs) reduce drastically. The air in LA (during and post fire) triggered an inflammatory reaction in my body and I’ve been working to calm the inflammation and detox as much as I can. I heard about Broc Shot from someone in the functional health space that I trust immensely and bought it immediately. If you don’t know what Broc Shot is — it’s sulforaphane. Natural sulforaphane is found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and broccoli seeds and acts as a cellular bodyguard against environmental toxins. In a clinical trial, broccoli sprouts were found to promote detoxification and enhance the excretion of airborne pollutants, like benzene, in humans up to 61%. Sulforaphane activates the bodies defense systems. Within only minutes of consumption, it activates the NRF2 pathway (the master regulator that switches on over 200 protective genes in the body) to promote detoxification, gut health, and reduce inflammation in the body. I mean it’s POWERFUL stuff and I don’t know why it’s not talked about more. But then again — nature always has the answers and we already knew that. If you’re someone that lives in LA (or someone looking to heal their gut, support their bodies detoxification processes, reduce inflammation) I cannot recommend Broc Shot enough. You can use my code BELLA15 for 15% off your first order.

2. Hatch Alarm

I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve heard someone you follow talk about their Hatch alarm. And I’m sure you’re sick of it by now. But truth be told, it’s amazing. I got my Hatch in December after getting so sick of my phone alarm spiking my cortisol every morning. I don’t like going on my phone in the first hour of the morning — a phone free morning changes the trajectory of my day and my mental health — so having to immediately reach for my phone in the morning to turn my alarm off started my day off in a stressful way. Cut to: I got my Hatch alarm after a year of going back and forth on buying it and mornings have been cortisol-spike-free since. I have white noise playing while I sleep, birds chirping in the morning, and my Hatch does a nighttime wind down for me including but not limited to red light, calming jazz music, and a bedtime story to put me to sleep. I mean, c’mon. So, yes, I love my Hatch and if you want to wake up to birds chirping and fall asleep to nervous system regulating jazz, I highly recommend it. This is one of those products that I can confidently say is worth it (because most wellness items people say you need, I will say are not worth the $). Said alarm clock.

3. Loose Leaf Breathe Tea

One of my favorite parts of each day is my cup of tea at night. I love a cup of herbal tea with raw honey while I sit in bed with my red light. I’ve been drinking this tea for the past few months and it’s heavenly. It’s amazing for lung and respiratory health — if you’ve gotten sick a lot this year or just want to keep your immune system up, this tea is amazing. It’s soothing, delicious, and has kept me from getting sick many times (and has also helped me recover from getting sick this year). Add some raw or Manuka honey and you’re in heaven. Said *heavenly* tea

4. Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm

When it comes to cleansing balms, I’m super picky. I feel like so many cleansing balms are thick, greasy, and get stuck on the skin? Most of them also make my eyes cloudy and foggy — anyone else?? I tried this ginger turmeric one for the first time and it’s the ONLY one that doesn’t do that. It’s smooth, buttery, light, gets your makeup off in one cleanse, and doesn’t make my eyes go blurry (amen). It also has ginger and turmeric in it, which if you know me, are two of my favorite ingredients in the entire world. Anything with that ginger or turmeric in it, I need immediately. It’s also clean, non-toxic, and made with zero endocrine disruptors which is a non-negotiable for skin and body care products in my home. If you need a new cleansing balm, this is the one. It’s anti-inflammatory to the skin and made for sensitive skin, and as an acne prone girl with sensitive skin, I’m particular with my products.

5. Open Breathwork

Not to be dramatic, but Open (and breath work in itself) has changed my life. I’ve been using the Open app daily for the last couple of years and it’s become a non-negotiable in my life. However, in the last couple of months it’s become even more crucial and transformative for me. After a really difficult few months, I’ve noticed so much pent up emotion stored in my body and an even greater need to implement breath work into my every day. I recently did their Good Grief Program and it was so timely. Something also worth mentioning — I went to an Open breath work class at their studio in Venice recently week and it altered my brain. We screamed, hummed, cried, moved. By the end of the class, I had tears streaming down my face uncontrollably. And it wasn’t in a sad way nor was it conscious. It was simply my body releasing. We hold SO much in our bodies — from the present day to two months ago to two years ago. The body keeps the score. What we don’t process, grieve, feel, release… our bodies hold onto. When we do breath work, our bodies are given the space to release those deep seated emotions that we may not process otherwise and it’s really such a beautiful thing. To be able to FEEL and then RELEASE is the most powerful medicine. I can’t recommend Open enough. If you want to try it for 30 days free you can use my code BEWELL — and if you do try it, please DM me and let me know how you like it! I love hearing people’s experiences with Open because it’s changed my life and I know it has for so many others too.

6. Magna Electrolytes

Specifically the Tea & Lemonade flavor! These electrolytes I like for a few reasons — 1) they include 3 types of magnesium (Magnesium L-Threonate, malate, and glycinate 2) there’s turmeric and spirulina in them to support further detoxification and reduce inflammation 3) they’re formulated without refined sugar which many electrolytes contain. There’s also less sodium in these ones than in other ones which I like, too. I put these in my water before my hot pilates class and before an infrared sauna and I feel so good, hydrated, and energized during and after sweating. Not depleted and unable to function. You can use code: BELLA for $ off if you want to try them. Other notable flavors: lemon lime (a classic) and apple juice (maybe just me thing? But also trust me on this one.)

7. Pique Mold & Toxin Free Matcha

I’ve been using this matcha for years now and truthfully every time I try a new one, I come back to this one. It’s vibrant green, high quality, quadruple screened for mold, heavy metals, toxins, and pesticides and it tastes incredible. It’s not bitter or dull tasting like many matcha powders on the market. I make my matcha every morning (besides the few mornings a week I go to Cha Cha Matcha to get a house almond milk matcha with honey — this is the best one in LA hands down) and I’ve perfected my recipe. Pique matcha, Elmhurst coconut cashew milk, a dash of organic maple, and cinnamon to top it off. It’s creamy perfection. So if you are a matcha lover or new to matcha and wanting to try it, this is the one for you. No other matcha compares to this one!

8. Spirulina

Spirulina is what I like to call “Nature’s protein powder”. It’s high in protein (containing all essential amino acids — many people don’t know this), rich in antioxidants and nutrients, anti-inflammatory, helps to bind to heavy metals for detoxification and elimination, supports the immune system, and so much more. I use spirulina every day in my morning smoothie. I personally use spirulina over protein powder as it’s from the earth and unprocessed (most protein powders contain binding agents, gums, sugar, and oils). I’ve been having spirulina every day for the last few months as I’ve been on the journey of removing toxins from my body post fires and I feel so energized, my body is heavily detoxing, and the inflammation I felt before has gone down so much. This is my favorite spirulina as it’s high quality, tested for impurities, and tastes good on it’s own — not like it’s from the sea (that’s how you know it’s the good stuff). You can use code: BELLAC5 for $ off.

9. Red Light Box

This red light therapy box has become an every day ritual for me and I LOVE it. While the big red light panels are incredible (if you have the means and the room for it, it’s a great option) I love having a small, portable red light box that I can bring with me wherever I go. Each morning I do 10-20 minutes of red light therapy while I meditate or do breath work and each night I do the same with my legs up the wall in bed. Red light therapy is amazing for inflammation, stress reduction, improved sleep, mental clarity, skin healing & acne, nervous system regulation, wound & tissue healing, and cellular regeneration & repair. It’s helped my chronic joint paint, reduced inflammation in my body, healed my acne scars, and improved my sleep (among many other things). This one is also more affordable and a great option for target RLT. This is the red light box I use. Code: BELLA15!

10. Liposomal Glutathione

Tried and true — my favorite supplement and a daily must in my routine. I’m a “more is less” kind of girl when it comes to supplements. Less supplements and medications, more real foods and simplicity. That said, glutathione is one supplement I believe is beneficial for anyone. It supports the bodies detoxification processes, gut health, clear skin, cellular health & repair, energy. I take this every morning first thing 20 minutes before anything else or right before I sweat.

Let me know if you try any of these & how you like them — and let’s have a beautiful new month! Love you guys. Xx