britt's picks // herbalist & acupuncturist

If you’re looking for an herbalist and/or acupunturist in NYC, I cannot recommend Paul Kempisty enough. I first started seeing Paul a few years ago, when I was struggling to regulate my menstrual and ovulation cycles in the hopes of one day becoming pregnant. He came highly recommended by multiple friends, and I’m so glad that I ended up going to see him at his practice in Soho. If you’re not familiar, acupuncture is the stimulation of sensitive and powerful acu-points around the body with filiform needles, and has been practiced for thousands of years. Modern science believes that the positive effects on health are achieved by stimulation of the nervous system which in turn regulates the immune system, hormone function, causes pain reduction and so much more.

I’ll admit that I was initially a bit wary of the entire process- I had never gotten acupuncture before, and didn’t know what to expect. But Paul is extremely passionate and knowledgable, and made me feel comfortable throughout the entire treatment process. I love that after meeting with a patient and determining their individual needs and goals, Paul works with you to construct a comprehensive treatment and education plan that works best for you. Not to mention his impressive resume- Before pursuing his formal acupuncture education, he studied aromatherapy and Reiki, eventually becoming a Reiki Master. Paul has a Master's Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, studied advanced herbal medicine with a Daoist priest in New York City’s Chinatown, and even traveled to China to continue studying in the specialties of Oncology and Gynecology!

It’s Paul’s belief that what we put into our bodies makes a significant impact on our immediate and long term experience of life and health, and because of this, he has shared herbs, dietary advice and vitamin supplements with his patients from the very beginning of his career. I enjoyed getting to experience the effects of both acupuncture and herbs, and found them to work together in harmony for the body. It’s pretty remarkable how the right combinations can have such incredible results for so many different conditions.

Since herbs are clearly a passion of Paul’s, I’m happy to say that he recently launched his own line of herbal remedies, Peekay’s Herbs, which offer effective herbal formulations for the entire family. I’ve gotten the opportunity to try several of his custom blends, and from the Calm Down (provides stress, sleep & mood support) to the Eleven Mushrooms for Fun Guys & Gals (a great overall remedy for immune support, energy levels & mental serenity) to the Let’s Make a Baby (which provides fertility support for men & women) , there’s truly something for every ailment. Plus, he even makes gentle herbal remedies for kids, which came in handy when my son came down with a cold recently. The Kid’s Cold & Flu and Seasonal Support tinctures helped reduce his symptoms, and not to mention, he absolutely loved the flavor! Definitely check out Peekay’s if you’re looking to add some effective herbal remedies to your medicine cabinet!

fave products // taïla face oil, eye balm & toning mist

I was recently introduced to Taïla, high performance all-natural skincare rooted in the plant powered science of Ayurveda, and I have to say I’ve been pleasantly surprised. A lot of skincare brands claim to be rooted in this or that, or act like a cure-all for any skin concern, but Taïla really does deliver. Each formula advances treasured beauty traditions of India to awaken your senses and bring skin into harmony. The entire collection is non-toxic, using only USDA organic and wildcrafted ingredients, which I love! I even feel comfortable using the oil on my baby boy, that is, if he gets so lucky… The products are formulated with a team of Ayurvedic Doctors in Kerala, India, and are all sustainable and eco-friendly as well.

The Prana Face Oil is one of the best I’ve tried- it’s a multi-targeted treatment serum that works to nourish your skin in several ways. From smoothing fine lines to diminishing dark spots to boosting collagen production, it really is a jack of all trades. I love the antioxidant-rich superfruit amla, which helps fight dullness and leaves you with a beautiful glow! The Vayu Illuminating Toning Mist is super lightweight, but ultra hydrating all at once. It’s a great way to prep the skin and boost the performance of any subsequent steps in your skincare regimen (like the Prana Oil!). I love giving myself a spritz throughout the day to refresh the skin, and it’s also a nice way to set your makeup. Plus, key ingredient tulsi (aka Holy Basil) helps draw out impurities and neutralize environmental stressors! Yes please. The Nayana Revitalizing Eye Balm works to revive, nourish, and revitalize the delicate skin around the eyes thanks to its concentrated blend of phytonutrients. Manjishta and ashwaghanda work to keep dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines at bay, while also promoting the production of collagen and elastin. I’ve found the balm to be the perfect way to hide any signs of fatigue (hello mom life!). Pro tip- add a layer to your lips at night for an intensive hydration treatment while you sleep!

Everything Taïla makes is free of parabens, GMOs, sulfates, artificial dyes, and synthetic fragrances, making them a wonderful option for those with sensitive skin. What’s more- Taïla is a woman-owned business made in NYC! It’s so important to support these types of small, local businesses, so I’m happy to do my part in spreading the good word! Next up on my must-try list: The Nava Jungol Detoxifying Detox Mask!

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 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

owl venice bone broth & mylkshake reset

I’ll admit, I’m not a big fan of juice cleanses. I believe, for the most part, that the body is self-cleansing, and find that subsiding solely on juice can be really depleting (not to mention make me hangry as all get out!). I also like to think I take pretty good care of my body overall, so any extreme cleansing is unnecessary. On the flip side, a nutrient-dense reset can be a healthy way to get you back on track if you’re feeling sluggish, overly-tired, or find those sugar cravings getting more and more intense. Over the holidays, for example, when there’s even more sweets and alcohol seemingly everywhere, having healthy options to grab can make all the difference, and help ensure you still flood your body with the nutrients it needs to flourish.

I recently got to try the OWL Reset, an organic “cleanse” of sorts from the lovely team at OWL Venice, that helps with bad digestion, bloating, sugar cravings, and fatigue. It’s designed to heal and seal your gut using the principles of Ayurveda and Chronobiology to nourish your body, and consists of three bone broths and three hemp mylkshakes daily. There’s even a vegan mineral broth if you do not consume animal products. The shakes include matcha, turmeric, ginger, and beets, along with homemade hemp mylk, and are super tasty to boot! I like the idea of having a few of these around to supplement my daily foods even when not on the cleanse.

The OWL Reset is packed with ingredients that restore and repair the gut wall, increase digestive fire, reduce inflammation, and draw toxins and heavy metals from the body. Full disclosure, since I’m breastfeeding and definitely did not want to affect my supply, I supplemented with foods. OWL suggests cooked greens, boiled chicken, steamed squash, and avocado, which left me full of energy, and caused no dip in my milk supply. My digestion was regular and comfortable, and I never felt bloated. Even the sugar cravings subsided (a bit… I am still me, after all!). I also love that the broths and shakes come in reusable 32oz. glass jars instead of disposable plastic. Post-cleanse, I store mine in our kitchen cabinet and use them for drinking filtered water or smoothies at home! If you’re looking for a bit of healthy reset, or even just some tasty broths and shakes to supplement your daily food intake, I highly recommend checking out the OWL Reset. Don’t forget- they ship nationwide too!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // huxley secret of sahara face masks

Masks come in many varieties, be it a sheet mask or, more commonly, as a liquid concoction applied to the skin and washed off after a short time. Masks can help treat various skin ailments, including dryness, breakouts, oiliness, dullness, wrinkles, etc. While it may be tempting to try out all the popular new products, it’s important to use a mask that truly caters to your skin’s specific needs. Huxley is a Korean skincare brand quickly gaining fans stateside thanks to a highly effective range of natural skincare. Sahara-sourced prickly pear is the key component in all Huxley’s products, and for good reason. The prickly pear oil extracted from this potent succulent is rich in vitamin E, an anti-inflammatory antioxidant found in many skincare products these days. Vitamin E is a powerhouse of an ingredient, working to help skin heal faster, reduce redness, and slow the breakdown of collagen! Huxley’s prickly pear seed oil is certified organic and maintains a high level of moisture in even the harshest of environments. Sign me up!

The Huxley mask trio is the perfect treat for your at-home spa day. The Scrub Mask Sweet Therapy exfoliates and polishes the skin using sucrose and walnut shell powder, revealing baby soft skin underneath. I like applying it in a circular motion with my hands, creating a thermal warming effect. This helps reduce swelling and draws out impurities from the pores. The Healing Mask Keep Calm soothes sensitive skin thanks to centella asiatica, while nourishing and hydrating with hyaluronic acid. I love the funky jelly-like texture (like grated cactus), which makes for a truly nature-inspired masking experience! The Sleep Mask Good Night helps lock in moisture and softens skin overnight! Plant based botanicals work their magic while you sleep, promoting skin regeneration and reinforcing the skin barrier, while also boosting radiance! Don’t worry- the refreshing gel texture quickly absorbs into your skin, so the mask won’t end up all over your pillowcase. Feel free to use all three for a DIY facial of sorts, or pick and choose depending on your skin’s needs! 

* This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support!