I’m a big believer that we are either expanding or contracting, growing brighter or diminishing our presence– there is no “same old, same old.” When things are the same for a long stretch of time, I know that means I’m actually gradually in a period of decline.

I also know that when I’m too complacent, not learning and not evolving at all, I am apt to ultimately get bored, complaining, idling, creatively blocked and some version of unhappy.

While constant growth is the greatest feeling I know, I am just as passionate about simplicity. I don’t need or like complex regimes, difficult workouts, impossible scheduling or anything that requires me to be rigid.

Growing and thriving is the vibe I’m always after. Simple and easy are the best way to characterize my favorite ways to get there.

Because I’m always pulling more wellness and self-care into my life for my own sake as well as to share, I’m always experiencing both overwhelming success and underwhelming response to things. I thought a high tech machine I experienced last November to clear chakras would be epic, and it actually made me feel sick. I believed that celery juice would be not-that-great and it has been life-changing.

Today, I’m excited to share five wellness additions that have proven to be keepers in my daily routine, and a preview of what I’m eyeing next! It may not all be for you, but I hope you find something of value in these!

Celery. I’ll likely devote a full post to the glories of celery juice that you may have head about 200 times in the last day thanks to Anthony William the Medical Medium and his information channeled from Spirit that guides him in healing people.

Right now, I can tell you— 16 oz. of fresh celery juice first thing in the morning at least 15 minutes before eating is the recommendation. I have about half that amount and I feel excellent, but I’m gradually raising it to the full 16oz. I’ve found it’s a potent detoxifier so I go slowly, even after six or seven months of this, and it keeps getting better.

How does it get better? My skin feels like it’s changing to a more deeply hydrated new texture even on the driest spots, my eyes look brighter (*the 9 day Liver Rescue really helped with that!) and I feel like I’m digesting food more efficiently because I seem to feel the energy of the food I eat much more. I also feel more clear minded, and without much effort or thought have dropped to 90% plant-based in my diet.

Foam Rolling. Maybe I should call this Lo-Rox’ing because I’ve been doing a foam rolling body alignment class with Lauren Roxburgh for the last month and a half and her methods of breathing and body awareness have been a huge shift for me.

Now, I breathe into my body and feel the breath moving more consciously through my system. I’m more aware of where I’m holding onto tension. I know I’ve gained some core strength and that I have quite a ways to go… and I’m excited about that! My hips are more open, my body feels more toned… and I am just getting started!

I love that this is the kind of habit you can pick up and do for five minutes or ten and feel big effects. I also love all of this learning and building strength and space in my body.

Next for me — rebounding on the trampoline rebounder Lauren recommends! I’ll be continuing my foam rolling journey, for sure.

Chaga Mushroom Lattes.

I’m not a nutritionist. I have been personally hearing about chaga for 6 years and I finally decided to give it a whirl.

It’s apparently amazing for the immune system , Anthony William says it helps destroy Epstein Barr virus (which lots of us been exposed to over the years) and it’s full of vitamins. (You can read more about it here from an actual Health source, including more about who should avoid it)

One dose a day and I felt a lightness and vitality I’ve craved. It was one of those “I didn’t know how grounded and energized I could feel at once until I tried this,” moments for me. I have increased to two doses as recommended on my chaga package.

I have chaga as a dairy free latte.

I put a small handful of raw walnuts or sunflower seeds or cashews (whatever I have on hand) into my Vitamix with enough water to cover them and blend it up for a minute until I have milk.

At the same time I get some water boiling.

I add my chaga powder to a mug, and then fill half the mug with boiling water that turns my chaga into something that resembles old school instant coffee.

Then, I pour in the nut/seed milk and stir in some raw honey.

When I skip a day, I truly notice the difference. Because I’ve started doing this in the last two months I know that the added energy and glow I feel is definitely not all from celery juice, it’s the chaga!

Olive Oil Sugar Scrubs

While I love to do dry brushing (more here) as an exfoliating and detoxifying habit, when my skin feels too dry, I mix up a sugar scrub with olive oil. Olive oil is full of antioxidants, and, as Allure notes, it also contains skin-moisture-magic-ingredient squalene. 

I’ve made big jars of this and have found that they spoil on me, so I much prefer to mix up one of these per shower.

I keep a little mixing jar handy and mix about equal parts white sugar (extra-fine is possible, it tends to clump less on me) and olive oil right before I take a shower. After rinsing under the shower quickly, I shut the water and grab my jar to do a several minute long scrub, gently scrubbing the sugar and oil in circles on my damp skin from my feel all the way up to my shoulders.

Once I feel really well “polished”, I finish my shower quickly and end with exceptionally smooth skin.

The massage of sugar and oil has been awesome for waking up in the morning without extra caffeine and, at the same time, my small bumpy patches of skin on my arms and ankles are history!

And as a bonus #5 for you today: making more art has been my greatest of all wellness habits. I think it brings me the the most balance of all things.

Whether you try all or none, greatest intention is that any of this encourages you to explore your own small steps, little decisions, tiny rituals that bring more energy, joy and expansion to your life!

The adventure and experiments are a part of the fun of wellness and the joy of choosing self-love and growth!!!

Keep it simple, and enjoy it all!!!

xoxo!!!

Dana

P.S.: If you want to really immerse yourself in the light of joy so much more, my favorite Feng Shui and cutting-edge energy-shifting tools that I use almost every day are HERE for you in the Joy Immersion: 30 Day Negativity Detox!