New Rituals to Create Lasting Change

Written by Erika Bloom | Photographed by Caitlin Mitchell

As mamas we are always striving to be the best versions of us AND the best parents we can be. That’s a tall order, especially when our children are having a moment or having a moment with a friend, colleague or significant other. So we enlisted Founder of Erika Bloom Pilates and Wellness Coach, Erika Bloom, in her own words, to guide us through the most challenging times and offer us the tools we can utilize in stressful situations that will help us face the day-to-day with courage, mindfulness and peace. The way we breathe, react, the rituals we cherish - whether a crystal or a workout - can help us in our weakest moments. Not to mention, our little ones will learn their own coping techniques early on in their emotional growth based on how we react to life’s curveballs. And that’s reason enough.

Take it away, Erika!

"Rituals are a tool for impacting change. Unwanted habits can be replaced with healthy practices when we cement our intention in mindful ceremony. Fall is when we create new patterns for the coming year. As you settle into your routines, try implementing rituals to change the flow of your day and the shape your life so that you can be the best mama possible. Here, I outline the most common unwanted habits and with a solution to begin focusing on the positive."

Binge Eating

If you find yourself wanting to mindlessly eat, whether late at night or when you don’t need nourishment for nutrition, instead stimulate your senses with an aromatherapy practice.

How to

Begin by choosing the scents that speak to you. I’m currently connecting with rosemary, clary sage, and geranium. Sit in a peaceful place and put a few drops of essential oil on your palms. Rub them together and then place your palms over your mouth and nose. Slowly and mindfully breathe the fragrance in. Continue through the various scents or create combinations of them until you feel centered and satisfied.

Loss Of Emotional Control

Yelling at your kids, saying less than loving things to your partner, sending petty emails at work- these are all actions we want to be rid of. They come from reacting hastily to frustration inside of ourselves. Creating a ritual that allows you to go inside and find the source of your frustration is the way to move forward, acting with peace, compassion, and love. Lashing out at others often comes from bad feelings towards ourselves. A compassionate self-care practice is the answer.
 

How to

Choose something lovely to do for yourself. Dry brushing, face masks, self massage with healing oils, or giving yourself a foot rub are all beautiful choices. Before you begin your practice, take a moment to express self-love. I value the mantra from Fritz Smith of saying ‘I hold myself in the highest regard. I hold those around me in the highest regard.’ Then mindfully practice your self-care with this intention in your mind. Make it a daily practice. This will place you in a mindset to react with love.

Coffee And Sugar Addiction

Stimulants give us false energy. Overuse exhausts our adrenals and disrupts sleep, creating a cycle of need and leaving us never feeling truly rested or balanced. Begin phasing off of your fix by allowing yourself to embrace feeling tired. Then create a dual ritual of creating energy through movement and rest through relaxation.

How to

As you go through your day and come upon moments of mental fatigue, get your blood and hormones flowing with energizing, balancing exercises.  I recommend breath of fire, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, pilates or swimming. Then, at night, create a routine that moves you towards sleep. Pick a time to begin and a time for the ritual to realize that allows you to achieve sleep at a healthy hour. Take the time to complete the steps of your ritual with intention, being mindful to not become anxious about the goal of sleep. Your steps should include the turning off of all screens and electronics, a bath or shower and a calming scent. Incorporate a relaxing movement or breath practice such as mindful breathing or sustained restorative stretching. I have also found that the habit of drinking a calming tea or herbal tonic, such as Tulsi, chamomile, SunPotion, or MoonJuice works wonders. Magnesium in the form of a supplement or Sakara Detox Water can also be especially helpful and should be consciously placed in the nighttime routine as part of your ritual.

Emotional Blockages

Our past or current life events can create emotions in us that, while valid, block us from moving forward on the path of our life. Processing these events and feelings is part of a healthy process but we also need not allow them to overwhelm us or stand in our way as we try to grow in life. Turn these emotions in to growth with a crystal ritual.

We can find ritual in so many moments of our lives by adding awareness and intention to daily practices. We give love to our bodies with mindful cooking and eating. We send love with our children to school by making them a healthy lunch. We cement the connection of our families with snuggle rituals. We heal ourselves and other with herbal teas . As you go through your day, find ways to use joy, awareness, and intention to turn the daily practices of your life in to transformative ritual. 

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Erika Bloom Pilates

@erikabloompilates

Rituals - Kimberly Johnson

Founder of Magamama

Whether a morning meditation or afternoon cup of tea, the rituals we practice serve us more than we realize. They are our life’s bookends, moments we rely on and enjoy. For mamas especially, these small ceremonies are what gets us through the day. At A Wild Dove, we are so inspired by rituals that we’ve asked some of our favorite mamas to share their smallest, most celebrated acts that help them feel their best.

Up next is Kimberly Johnson, founder of Magamama, an empowering community and resource for new mamas (and a speaker at the WMN Space pop-up this weekend!) She shares her most cherished moment of the day with her daughter -
 

My favorite ritual with my daughter is...

"when I climb in bed with her at night. After a day of running around, it is the time when our bodies get close. These are often the most soulful and deep moments between us when the things that really matter to her come to the surface, when she opens up to me about how her day was and how she is really feeling. She is a professional cuddler, and has code words like "butt launching in" when she wants tighter spooning, or "head on chest" when she wants me to put my arms around her. We both look forward to and get so much out of this closeness at the end of each day."

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Magamama

Now Entering the "Now Age"

Written by A Wild Dove | Photographed by Caitlin Mitchell

At A Wild Dove, we are constantly inspired by the cross-section of new age wellness and luxury - the idea that today’s modern women can clutch her crystals inside her Celine tote. That we can work on our inner selves and outer selves and find joy in both. Ruby Warrington has had her finger on these coordinates since having worked as a features editor at the UK Sunday Times Style magazine. Once she hit a point where she no longer felt fulfilled in her career , she channeled her loved of astrology, tarot and all things “woowoo” into the language of glossy fashion magazines, and thus The Numinous was born. Her sophisticated, stylish site features the latest in fashion, culture and “modern cosmic thinking” (we love that, btw) and shares our philosophy that enjoying a more grounded, centered state of consciousness doesn’t have to exclude life’s finer things. Ruby is also a best-selling author, having recently published her tome, “Material Girl, Mystical World,” which hails her widely embraced gospel. We sat down with Ruby to hear about her personal evolution, what exactly is the “now age” and why the teachings of The Numinous have never been more timely.

1. So we are obsessed with the site and love your book! Tell us, was there a "trigger moment" in realizing the Numinous had to be? 

As soon as I heard the word “numinous” (in conversation with an early mentor, the astrologer Shelley Von Strunckel) I saw it as the title of a magazine. I pictured it being something like The Gentlewoman, with intelligent and sophisticated articles on the esoteric arts, accompanied by beautiful artwork. Numinous means “that which is unknown or unknowable,” and I use it to describe anything within the realm of human experience that can’t necessarily be articulated with words. 

2. Wow. We love that. Have you always been tapped into your spiritual side or was that an evolution? 

I’ve been into astrology since I was a kid—I loved learning that I’d been born in the Chinese year of the Dragon. The evolution has been coming to see astrology as a “spiritual” practice. I see now how it’s a way for me to connect to something bigger than I’ll ever be able to fully understand, and that what connects me to this cosmic worldview, is my “spirit,” what I might also describe simply as my sense of aliveness, and what fuels my imagination, my inspiration, and my intuition.

3. Why do you think the Numinous is so important, especially today? 

There are so many reasons,  not least because they are in service of us answering the Big Important Questions: Who am I? What am I here to contribute/create? And what do I need to do this? Answering these becomes particularly important in what I call the “Now Age,” because the more we interact with and are governed by technology, the more we need to balance this with ancient human technologies like yoga and meditation. Also advertising-led capitalism (and now social media) has created a culture that makes it very difficult to know/accept who we truly are.
 

4. Totally. We certainly feel that way and find it important  to tap into these “human technologies” as you put it. What are some of the ways in which mamas and children can enjoy these spiritual practices together and how do you think they benefit kids? 

Other tools that help me access my spiritual self are yoga, meditation, dancing, writing, and storytelling, all of which can be made into fun activities and games for kids! I don’t have children myself, but thinking back to my own childhood I’m also so grateful that my parents always encouraged my creativity. Learning from an early age that our ideas and our imagination are of value is essentially how we learn to trust our intuition, and to have the confidence to make choices in later life that are in alignment with the path that’s right for us.

5. What is your therapy? 

In the Now Age, any time I can spend offline. Preferably in close proximity to nature. Having my Moon in Cancer also means I need more alone time than most, to process all the big feelings I experience.

6. What are the tools you use to help live your best life? 

My body, mind, emotions, and spirit. These are my tools, and all the practices I mentioned above are in service of keeping them operating at optimum capacity. Obviously diet and exercise also play a role, and in this area following what I call the “sober curious” path and cutting alcohol out of my life has had the most profound effect on my overall well-being—as, for me, it’s a substance that has a negative impact on all of the four “bodies” of my whole self

7. What's one thing you can’t live without? 

Love. For myself, for my families (blood and soul), for humanity, and for our planet.

8. What makes you fly?

In a literal sense, I’m feeling and answering the call to host more and more live Numinous events, experiences and retreats in far-flung destinations, so hopefully it’ll be my work in 2018 and beyond. And metaphorically, becoming enlivened by the possibilities of a new idea always feels like flying to me.

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The Numinous

Rituals - Tata Harper

Founder of Tata Harper

Whether a morning meditation or afternoon cup of tea, the rituals we practice serve us more than we realize. They are our life’s bookends, moments we rely on and enjoy. For mamas especially, these small ceremonies are what gets us through the day. At A Wild Dove, we are so inspired by rituals that we’ve asked some of our favorite mamas to share their smallest, most celebrated acts that help them feel their best.

Up next is Tata Harper, founder of the eponymous organic skincare line, Tata Harper. She shares her favorite with her children...

My Favorite Ritual With My Kids...

"is bath time. We love taking baths together before bed. It’s super relaxing, and my kids love creating custom blends depending on our moods. We’ll use salts, my Aromatherapy Collection (the Bedtime Treatment is a favorite), essential oils, and even dried herbs. The winter in Vermont can really dry out your skin, so sometimes we’ll add a few pumps of the Revitalizing Body Oil for extra hydration."

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Tata Harper

Krushin’ Hard

Written by Michelle Walrath | Photographed by Jay Wen

Ahh there’s nothing quite like back to school. The sweaters, the new sneakers, the smell of fresh notebooks. But one aspect of the September onslaught that we mamas can all commiserate on is LUNCH, specifically taking time out of our busy schedules to pack a protein-packed, healthy, all natural lunch that won’t end up in the cafeteria trash can. 

Enter Organic Krush, an incredible organic restaurant throughout Long Island and the Hamptons. Founded by Fran Paniccia and Michelle Walrath, the pair was inspired to open the eatery after taking their kids to a concert and finding nothing, or nowhere healthy to eat. They signed on Swallow chef, James Tchinni and created a philosophy of  using environmentally-sourced proteins like tuna, salmon and chicken that have zero hormones and are always fresh, always organic. Needless to say we have a major “krush,” so much as that we asked Fran and Michelle to help us design the perfect kids Bento Box so we can incorporate their healthy vision into our kid’s everyday lunchtime staples. Here’s their take on a Deconstructed Buddha Bowl and some deslih snacks to top it all off.

DECONSTRUCTURED BUDDHA BOWL

Toasted Quinoa

"It's one of our favorite hearty, protein-laden grains here at Organic Krush. Toasting quinoa is very simple to do yet people are often intimidated to try it! Toasting quinoa adds a delectable, slightly nutty flavor to the grain!"

Instructions 

• Measure the amount of quinoa you will be using. Place in a fine mesh sieve.

• Rinse with running water

• When the water runs clear, turn water off and shake out as much water as possible.

• Add wet quinoa to heavy duty (we love Le Creuset) on the stove top.

• Over high heat, let the quinoa dry out and "toast"

• Use a wooden spoon to move the quinoa around the pot every few minutes.

• Turn heat off and add the proper amount of water

• Bring water / quinoa to a boil and then lower to a simmer

• Follow directions on bag of quinoa for proper cook time.

"Proteins, like chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu add great flavor."

"Mix in your kids favorite veggies, we love broccoli, sweet potatoes and edamame."

"I cut up veggies and store them raw in the fridge, then you can take out just what you need to do a quick steam or stir fry as you’re packing up the box. (grilled chicken can also be done ahead of time, and then squeeze with lemon and a dash of olive oil right before packing up).

Snacks

• Mix of Berries and Bananas

• Coconut Flakes

• Popcorn with Flavor Topping
  

“When purchasing popcorn kernels, make sure they are certified 100% Organic, as most corn crops in the United States are now GMO-corn. This means insecticides and herbicides have been injected into the corn kernel. We do not consider GMO-corn to be safe corn to eat. Most natural grocers sell organic corn and since popcorn is such a light, healthy, high fiber snack we love recommending it to children. In terms of cooking the kernels, our preferred method is the stove top Whirly-Pop. The kids can help twirl the kernels around the pot (using just a little bit of olive or coconut oil) and then they can also help shake on some fun toppings. We love this shredded coconut on Thrive Market.

Thanks to Organic Krush for these delicious tips, now we just want to know, is there an age limit for Bento Boxes?

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Organic Krush

Yumbox

Rituals - Jaycee Gossett

Photographed by Jaimie Baird

Senior Teacher and Director of Training and Development at The Class by Taryn Toomey

Whether a morning meditation or afternoon cup of tea, the rituals we practice daily serve us more than we realize. They are our life’s bookends, moments we rely on and enjoy. And for mamas especially, these small ceremonies are what gets us through the day. At A Wild Dove, we are so inspired by rituals that we’ve asked some of our favorite women to share their smallest, most celebrated acts that help them feel their best. 

My last ritual of the day is...

"a shower. My post-day and pre-bed ritual is my favorite part of the day. A long hot shower with my favorite products is the perfect way to clear my energetic body and the masses of sweat and salt on my skin! I love all the Onda Beauty bath and shower products from Larissa Thomson. I can go crazy trying out their natural skin care selections. My favorites are the Coco Rose Body Polish, Saya Body Wash and Goe Body Oil."

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The Class by Taryn Toomey

Onda Beauty

Beauty Shop

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

Walk into CAP Beauty and you are instantly transported to a land of luxurious all natural wellness. From the supplements to the teas, to the shampoos, face oils lip balms and a stellar offering for mamas and babies, CAP Beauty is our dream beauty cabinet, kitchen pantry, nursery and vision of an organic lifestyle all rolled into one. This west village zen-den is the brainchild of Kerrilynn Pamer and Cindy DiPrima, friends of 20 years who set out to create a modern, inspiring and inclusive home for the amazing world of naturals. They consider it a "clubhouse" for people to discover the power of plants, make new friends and elevate the way they feel both inside and out. Well this club is growing, most recently with the addition of a West Coast shop coming this fall in the new Fred Segal Sunset Boulevard location, a new website AND an anti-inflammatory CBD adaptogenic oil, The Daily Hit. We sat down with this incredible pair to get the lowdown on the shop, how they choose the line-up and why bee pollen makes for a pretty sweet dessert staple.

So obviously we are obsessed with your shop. Can you describe the “trigger moment” in launching the shop?

When I found out that I had celiac I added a small category of natural beauty to my previous store Castor & Pollux. The response was fantastic, my clients were engaged in a way that I had never seen before and I decided that the world deserved a spot that was inspiring, modern, inclusive and filled with health. CAP Beauty was born.

How do you determine what you're going to buy or showcase for the store? Are there certain checklists you have for a product or brand?

Since there isn't a standardized definition of what “natural” means, we have an in-house definition that all products we carry are free from synthetics. Once that’s been established, we look for products that are effective, a joy to use and speak to us on some level. This can be a very intuitive process or one that is heavy on science, it depends on what product we are considering.

Why do you think there is such a focus on wellness and what do you attribute it to?

Technological advances and our fast-paced way of life have made for a complex and nuanced world. We believe that the rise in self care and wellness is a reaction to everything moving so quickly around us. When we take care of ourselves we are better able to take care of others.

Cindy’s Faves

Kerilynn's Faves

Totally. How do you think the wellness beauty movement, and life at CAP Beauty, has impacted your parenting style, if at all?

Cindy's kids are schooled in yoga poses and ask for bee pollen on their ice cream instead of sprinkles! They are interested in health and have picked up practices simply by being exposed to it through osmosis at home and out in the world.

Must try the bee pollen move! OK lastly, what makes you fly?

Meditation, exercise, spending time with friends and eating the most life-giving foods around allows us to soar.

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Rituals - April Gargiulo

Founder of Vintner’s Daughter

The rituals we practice daily, whether a morning meditation, afternoon cup of tea, or evening snuggles, serve us more than we realize. They are the bookends to our day, the moments we come to rely on and enjoy. Rituals help us feel good and provide comfort in an otherwise chaotic world. For mamas especially, taking the time for these small ceremonies is what gets us through the day. At A Wild Dove, we are so inspired by rituals that we’ve asked some of our favorite mamas to take us through the small acts they incorporate into their day - whether with others or alone, and always with the intention of feeling their best. First up is Vintner’s Daughter, April Gargiulo.

My favorite ritual with my kids...

"well, we have so many rituals, but the most constant is reading books before bed. I have one girl snuggled up on either side of me and it is glorious. I’m trying to get them into hiking too, but they haven’t seen the light yet."

My first ritual of the morning...

"I tend to wake up later than everyone else, so I come downstairs and give everyone a good morning hug. My sweet husband already has my green tea ready to go and I either have gluten free toast or goat milk yogurt for breakfast. I take a few supplements in the am too - multi-vitamins, vitamin D and a multi-adaptogen for adrenal support."

My favorite ritual alone...

"is meditation. It is one of my favorites times of day. I don’t have a set time that I do it. You are supposed to, but that doesn’t work for me. I appreciate the space and time of meditation more if i don’t have the pressure of a specific time and place."

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vintnersdaughter.com

Lynn Loves - Zoe Organics

Written by Lynn Levoy | Photographed by Jay Wen

Welcome back to Dove Loves, our definitive guide to the products and pieces we're loving - our favorites du jour, the holy grail of what we're coveting, researching, talking about, and obsessing over.

Well, the name pretty much says it all.  Zoe Organics Everything Balm is for EVERYTHING. Callum uses it all the time, it’s perfect for little hands. It’s been the only product I can get him to use on his lips, which always seem to get dry. It’s also great for cuts, insect bites and just about any skin irritation. It’s an organic blend of shea butter, coconut oil and jojoba oil. And with a touch of vanilla and lavender, so the smell is oh-so yummy for lil’ ones. The history of the line is pretty powerful too. In 2009, founder Heather Hamilton lost her sister-in-law and left behind her most precious legacy, three-month-old Zoe. Heather had been working on an organic skincare line for months and saw, as a mama, a need for a truly natural line that combined wellness and luxury with social responsibility. After her sister-in-law’s death, the name Zoe Organics dropped into her heart, as an homage to her dear friend and mentor and as a celebration of life.

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Zoe Organics

A Wild Dove x Bhumi Farm - Our Signature Learning Workshop

Written by A Wild Dove | Photographed by Jay Wen

In our latest Signature Learning Workshop, we partnered with Bhumi Farms on teaching children the joys of eating a local, plant-based diet.

Often when kids bite into an apple, peel an orange or suck the juice of a tomato, they have no clue where the food is coming from, other than the market. So in our latest signature learning workshop, we collaborated with Farmer Frank Trentacoste of Bhumi Farms in East Hampton, on a one-of-a-kind experience for kids, where he led children on a tour of the farm, where they learned about where food comes from, as well as the difference between organic and nonorganic and the importance of eating a local, plant-based diet.

At A Wild Dove, our goal is to evolve the minds of our little ones towards wellness, so that habits like eating well and enjoying natural food with fresh ingredients will come early and easily.

So while the mamas enjoyed rosé along with Sakara Popcorn, Flatbread and their Beauty Water, our little doves went into the field to discover the bounty of fruits and vegetables and the joy that is eating locally and naturally. Included in this flock was Lynn’s son Callum, so we asked him to report back on his findings.

“I learned lots...” said Callum. “I learned there there is a girl zucchini and boy zucchini. Farmer Frank also showed us the tomatoes, sunflowers and peas and explained that tomatoes can taste like like sweet candy. He also spoke about how his farm doesn’t use chemicals and why chemicals are bad for us.”

Sounds like Farmer Frank did his job. Check back on A Wild Dove for more information on our upcoming Fall workshops and join our wellness conversation for mama and child. 

To learn more about our upcoming
Fall workshops, 
please sign up below!

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Go to Bhumi Farms

Lynn Loves - Natural Healing

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

Welcome back to Dove Loves, our definitive guide to the products and pieces we're loving - our favorites du jour, the holy grail of what we're coveting, researching, talking about, and obsessing over.

We are huge believers in all aspects of Ayurveda, the Indian philosophy that centers around specific “doshas” to determine how to best care for ourselves. The Pratima Spa in Soho is adored by fans of ayurvedic healing and all natural ingredients, so when Pratima herself launched her serums, oils and cleansers, we jumped at them, naturally. The best part? They are perfect for all those end-of-summer ailments that have built up with every trip to beach, bonfire and nature walk.

Pratima’s Healing Neem Oil is one of those magic elixirs. It’s a cure all, especially during those summer months when your body is exposed to elements like sun burns, insects and city heat. I use it on myself and on Callum. It’s perfect for any skin irritation like cuts, scrapes and bug bites and provides extra extra sun protection and a natural form of repellent. Pressed from the seed of an Indian neem tree, Neem Oil is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. An added bonus? Because Pratima Neem Oil is blended with avocado, basil essential oils, sandalwood and lavender, the smell is amazing. Meanwhile, the Cucumber Aqua Gel is perfect for after those long days at the beach. It’s super soothing, gentle and really cools and hydrates after you’ve had a bit too much sun. It’s a blend of aloe, cucumber and Brahami that just leaves your skin feeling soft, glowing, cared for and ready for fall.

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Botanic Bazaar

Lynn Loves - Vanessa Seward

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

Welcome back to Dove Loves, Lynn’s definitive guide to the products and pieces she’s loving - her favorites du jour, the holy grail of what she’s coveting, researching, talking about, and obsessing over.

 

Vanessa Seward Dover Pink Basket

Vanessa Seward’s Basket Bags are not only dreamy, but they’re about as beachy as you can get. They instantly transport me to somewhere fabulous. Each tote is one-of-a-kind and made in Morocco, colorfully hand-painted by artist Jason Glasser. It’s got that perfect straw feel and fits everything you need for day and yet still works at night. And it’s the kind of bag that just makes you wish for an endless summer, anywhere in the world...

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vanessaseward.com

Immunity

When it comes to Aubrey Levitt, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. As the founder of Immunity, an incredible herbal probiotic, Aubrey was raised by a mother who was very into alternative medicine. “She turned our suburban lawn into an organic garden with compost,” said Aubrey. “We had herb books around the house.” When her mother was diagnosed with liver cancer, she went to Mexico for Gerson’s therapy, a program that encourages the body to fend off illness through an organic, vegetarian diet. Between the constant juices and illegal medications, her mother’s illness became a huge financial burden that changed Aubrey’s perspective on healthcare and what we put into our bodies. As an adult Aubrey suffered from digestive issues, hormonal imbalances and anxiety. When traditional doctors were dumbfounded, she again looked to all natural aides and eventually came up with her best selling supplement. Immunity reduces stress by cleaning up the gut, which in turn stimulates and supports the immune system and lessens the negative impact of stressors on the mind and body. We sat down with Aubrey to learn more about probiotics, her morning rituals and the key to starting a business.

Confession...we love Immunity. Can you describe your background and your journey in creating it? What was your trigger moment when Immunity was born?

Immunity was birthed naturally out of a previous line of herbal tonic and elixirs. I was in fight or flight from 6 months old, which led to being sick often, taking rounds of antibiotics, in turn creating more stress. I tried various cleanses and healing modalities, looking for a way to reset my body and build resiliency to stress. I was very lucky, because I was taught tools like meditation at a young age. But my body still needed a jumpstart. Things changed when I was introduced to the microbiome and the role the gut can play in mood and stress.

Why are probiotics so important and what about your ingredients specifically? What make Immunity special?

The fermented herbs target stress. One of the biggest factors that can play into gut health is stress. When we are in fight or flight the environment in our gut changes and if that goes on for a long time, we are not supporting the body’s basic functions.

 

How did you manage starting this business?

Collaboration. I never really create anything alone and luckily so many angels have shown up along the way. I will say that starting a biz has been a crash course in personal growth. I’ve had to face all the parts of myself that make me uncomfortable.

Have you made any mistakes along the way and how have you learned from them?

Oh goodness, tons. I didn’t know a thing about operations. I really couldn’t plan logistics. I’m only slightly better at both, but I have learned how to trust my instinct and to fail. And that it doesn’t feel so bad to fail, unless it is a result of not trusting myself.

 

We love that. And it’s so true. Can you tell us, what is your "therapy?"

Walks along the ocean watching the waves crash, spending time with good friends, kids and yoga.

Can you describe your morning ritual?

Morning ritual is key for me, especially since my life can be so unstructured. Ideally, I wake up around 5:30/6:00, meditate and do a little yoga. Then I have my herbs and probiotics and head out to do something physical. When I come back home I look forward to espresso with fresh nut milk.

So good!  So we're sure there must be some exciting next steps in the works, is there anything you can share?  

We are really looking to bridge worlds, by making plant and probiotic remedies accessible. That will include personalized formulas in the future and setting a new standard in the industry with research. I am also passionate about starting a conversation around gut instincts and how listening to your gut can be key to happiness.

OK, you're stranded on a desert island, what are you five must-haves?

Ha, I have been asked this before. I’m a Virgo, so I’m pretty practical.

1)     Fire

2)     Water purifier

3)     A friend, preferably someone who has basic survival skills

4)     Chlorella tablets…

5)     Herb Books for identification

Yes!! And lastly, what makes you fly?

I try to fly in my dreams all the time. In life, I really love connection. I joke (but, it’s true) that I can fall in love with anyone within a few minutes. This used to feel like an oxymoron because I am also quite shy and a loner. Both are true.

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Feature Post

Written by | Photographed by

When it comes to Aubrey Levitt, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. As the founder of Immunity, an incredible herbal probiotic, Aubrey was raised by a mother who was very into alternative medicine. “She turned our suburban lawn into an organic garden with compost,” said Aubrey. “We had herb books around the house.” When her mother was diagnosed with liver cancer, she went to Mexico for Gerson’s therapy, a program that encourages the body to fend off illness through an organic, vegetarian diet. Between the constant juices and illegal medications, her mother’s illness became a huge financial burden that changed Aubrey’s perspective on healthcare and what we put into our bodies. As an adult Aubrey suffered from digestive issues, hormonal imbalances and anxiety. When traditional doctors were dumbfounded, she again looked to all natural aides and eventually came up with her best selling supplement. Immunity reduces stress by cleaning up the gut, which in turn stimulates and supports the immune system and lessens the negative impact of stressors on the mind and body. We sat down with Aubrey to learn more about probiotics, her morning rituals and the key to starting a business.

Confession...we love Immunity. Can you describe your background and your journey in creating it? What was your trigger moment when Immunity was born?

Immunity was birthed naturally out of a previous line of herbal tonic and elixirs. I was in fight or flight from 6 months old, which led to being sick often, taking rounds of antibiotics, in turn creating more stress. I tried various cleanses and healing modalities, looking for a way to reset my body and build resiliency to stress. I was very lucky, because I was taught tools like meditation at a young age. But my body still needed a jumpstart. Things changed when I was introduced to the microbiome and the role the gut can play in mood and stress.

Why are probiotics so important and what about your ingredients specifically? What make Immunity special?

The fermented herbs target stress. One of the biggest factors that can play into gut health is stress. When we are in fight or flight the environment in our gut changes and if that goes on for a long time, we are not supporting the body’s basic functions.

 

How did you manage starting this business?

Collaboration. I never really create anything alone and luckily so many angels have shown up along the way. I will say that starting a biz has been a crash course in personal growth. I’ve had to face all the parts of myself that make me uncomfortable.

Have you made any mistakes along the way and how have you learned from them?

Oh goodness, tons. I didn’t know a thing about operations. I really couldn’t plan logistics. I’m only slightly better at both, but I have learned how to trust my instinct and to fail. And that it doesn’t feel so bad to fail, unless it is a result of not trusting myself.

 

We love that. And it’s so true. Can you tell us, what is your "therapy?"

Walks along the ocean watching the waves crash, spending time with good friends, kids and yoga.

Can you describe your morning ritual?

Morning ritual is key for me, especially since my life can be so unstructured. Ideally, I wake up around 5:30/6:00, meditate and do a little yoga. Then I have my herbs and probiotics and head out to do something physical. When I come back home I look forward to espresso with fresh nut milk.

So good!  So we're sure there must be some exciting next steps in the works, is there anything you can share?  

We are really looking to bridge worlds, by making plant and probiotic remedies accessible. That will include personalized formulas in the future and setting a new standard in the industry with research. I am also passionate about starting a conversation around gut instincts and how listening to your gut can be key to happiness.

OK, you're stranded on a desert island, what are you five must-haves?

Ha, I have been asked this before. I’m a Virgo, so I’m pretty practical.

1)     Fire

2)     Water purifier

3)     A friend, preferably someone who has basic survival skills

4)     Chlorella tablets…

5)     Herb Books for identification

Yes!! And lastly, what makes you fly?

I try to fly in my dreams all the time. In life, I really love connection. I joke (but, it’s true) that I can fall in love with anyone within a few minutes. This used to feel like an oxymoron because I am also quite shy and a loner. Both are true.

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Lynn Loves - Derm Institute

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

Welcome back to Dove Loves, Lynn’s definitive guide to the products and pieces she’s loving - her favorites du jour, the holy grail of what she’s coveting, researching, talking about, and obsessing over.

Derm Institute may be my fave new line. I just started working their products into my routine and well, I’m loving them. Very rarely do you see an instant difference, but this is magic, we’re talking life changing. The genius behind this line is, literally, the geniuses behind it. Derm Institute collaborates with top research institutes to create ingredients and ahead-of-competition technologies in nutrition, cosmetic, DNA and stem-cell sciences to create its groundbreaking products. Using the advanced technology Fillift Complex, their Cellular Rejuvenating Serum plumps, tightens, reduces wrinkles and increases brightens. I use it morning and evening, right after toner and before I layer on on my other products. For some reason I feel that if I use it on its own, I get more benefits. Either way, science wins again.

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