Author: geenicolette

Small Changes to Relieve Daily Stress

Small Changes to Relieve Daily Stress

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Ever have those days that seem like you just can’t catch a break? You wake up feeling rushed and are in a hurry to get to your destination on time. I’m sharing a few tips to help relieve unnecessary stress (let’s face it, we can all shed some stress from our lives).

  1. Pick out your outfit the night before work. This is a big one for me! I feel more put-together when my outfit is picked out and I can get ready in the morning with ease.
  2. Unplug before bed. Give yourself 30 minutes to an hour before bed to stop scrolling through social media and let your mind (and eyes) rest before sleeping.
  3. Spend 5 minutes in the morning to yourself. Set your alarm clock 5 minutes earlier and be still. I like to sit in the dark with my oil diffuser on and enjoy the quietness before starting my day. It’s also a great time to meditate or get in some stretching.
  4. Breathing exercises. Spend time throughout your day taking deep breaths. Set reminders on your phone to take deep breaths (I like to count to 4 on my inhalations & exhalations). Release your tongue from the roof of your mouth. Relax your shoulders away from your ears. Unclench your jaw. Just let go of tension in your body.
  5. Drink water. Staying hydrated can keep your stress levels down. Enough said.
  6. Get your body moving. Get up and stretch, go for a walk or workout. Do something to clear your mind and get any built up tension out.

Wearing the Mantra Tee in Black and Black Mesh Legging from Joriki. My followers get 15% off with code: GINA15

Have any tips you want to share for stress relief? Comment below!

XOXO,

Gee Nicolette

CBD

CBD

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I’m sure you’ve heard about the many benefits of CBD and how it’s being used to treat pain relief and reduce stress/anxiety. I’ve been using CBD products for the past few months and am so excited to share my top picks with you guys! I’m a huge advocate in only sharing my favorite products that have actually worked for me.

So here they are:

Meraki CBD Oil

I’ve been using the Meraki CBD oil before I sleep to help me relax and get a more restful sleep. I place 2-3 drops under my tongue before bed. Another great way to use the oil is to add it into your smoothies or tea. Another win: it has peppermint oil added so it doesn’t leave a weird aftertaste!

Get 20% off Meraki products with code GINA20

Meraki CBD Pain Cream

I use the CBD Pain Cream to help with muscle soreness and inflammation reduction. It’s perfect for those days when you wake up with neck pain or are sore from a good workout (or just slept wrong).

Get 20% off Meraki products with code GINA20

10th Avenue Tea Lemon Matcha + Hemp CBD

A great way to kick start your day? Matcha + CBD! 10th Avenue Tea has a yummy Lemon Matcha Tea Powder with CBD. You can make this either a hot or cold beverage. I love the on-the-go packets because you can travel with them and add them directly to a water bottle. I add ice cubes and a fresh lemon wedge to mine.

The ingredients list is short and simple: Organic lemon juice, organic green tea, organic monk fruit extract and CBD-rich hemp extract

Get 20% off 10th Avenue Tea products with code GINA20

What are your favorite CBD products?

XOXO,

Gee Nicolette

Allergy-Friendly and Delicious!

Allergy-Friendly and Delicious!

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Safe + Fair is changing up the food game and I’m here for it. They create allergy-friendly foods at affordable prices (thank goodness) AND they donate 3% of sales to Stanford’s Allergy & Asthma research center.

Why I love them: Their snacks are delicious and affordable, they give back (always a huge win in my book) and have a variety of products (I need options people). Safe + Fair’s snacks are non-GMO and use real ingredients (yes, you can actually understand the ingredients on the label).

What exactly does Allergy-Friendly snacks mean? All of their products are nut-free. Each of their products are clearly labeled with a “free from” ingredients list so you know exactly what you’re consuming. Another thing to note: everything is made in a facility free from the allergens (I know nut free is a big one for people).

Do they actually taste good? YES! The snacks are delicious and I’ve been following the allergy-friendly recipes for the brownies. If you would like, you can use the regular recipe with eggs, milk, etc.

Sounds great, can I get a discount? YES! Safe + Fair is giving my readers 20% off with promo code GEENI20 AND right now they’re offering free shipping! Check out their goodies here.

Double Chocolate Brownies

Safe (+ Fair) Eating!

XOXO,

Gee Nicolette

May Checklist

May Checklist

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Happy May! To get the month started, I’ve created a yoga and wellness checklist for my followers. I invite you to switch up your routine and try some new things this month. You may find something you like!

How many things can you check off?

  • Practice a new style of yoga (Vinyasa, Yin, etc.)
  • Practice visualization (close your eyes and think of your favorite place)
  • Meditate for 5 minutes
  • Close your eyes and listen to a sound-healing meditation (I love finding videos on YouTube. Check this one out)
  • Dedicate your yoga practice to yourself
  • Dedicate your yoga practice to someone else that you want to send love and positive energy to
  • Put together a playlist of your favorite songs (maybe practice yoga to it, play it in the car, listen in the shower. Find some of mine here.)
  • Practice yoga in a new space (roll out your mat in a different room in your house, try a new studio, get outside)
  • Tell someone how much they mean to you AND show them
  • Make a gratitude list
  • Deep breathing exercise (come to an easy seat or lay down, place one hand to your heart and the other to your stomach. Inhale for the count of 4, hold it at the top, and then exhale out for the count of 4. Continue until you reach a 6 or 7 count)
  • Give someone a compliment
  • Smile at a stranger
  • Get rid of something you no longer need (spring cleaning time!)
  • Create boundaries (this will look different for everyone)

Happy May! Tag me in your ‘May Checklist’ pics! Follow me on Instagram here and use #MayChecklist

Photography by: @lostartofstyle
Tank: Spiritual Gangster
Pants: Athleta
Shoes: Nike

XOXO,

Gee Nicolette

Goal Setting

Goal Setting

by geenicolette ♥ 1 Comment

We all have times where we’re stuck in a rut and it feels hard to pull ourselves through. During these times, it’s important to remind yourself of your goals and why you started. I’ve put together a goal setting worksheet that will help you stay motivated and get focused!

If you’re interested in turning your goals into a vision board, join me and Joriki Yoga on April 28th for a Yoga + Vision Board Making workshop. My viewers get a special discount. Purchase tickets here and use promo code GEE10.

Stay motivated & crush your goals!

XOXO,

Gee Nicolette

Brr It’s Cold In Here

Brr It’s Cold In Here

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If you’ve scrolled through social media, chances are you’ve seen people talking about Cryotherapy. Cryotherapy, aka cold therapy, uses subzero temps to relieve pain and decrease inflammation. I recently came across Chicagoland based, CryoEffect, through ClassPass. (New users can get 2 free weeks with ClassPass by signing up here.) CryoEffect also has special pricing for first time clients if you’re not looking to sign up on ClassPass. Click here for more pricing information.

I’ve been doing the Cryotherapy Facials and am loving it. There are so many benefits to the facials (as well as full body and local cryotherapy sessions).

  • Stimulates blood flow and collagen production
  • Anti-aging and helps to smooth skin
  • Reduces inflammations
  • Detoxes and works to kill bacteria
  • Removes dead skin cells
  • Reduces pore size

Why I am loving this facial:

First off, it’s a non-invasive facial (because I am not a fan of extractions). I have acne prone skin and the CryoFacial shrinks your pore size and reduces oil (going to need to do this all summer long)! I also love it because it’s an entirely dry process, meaning you can get it done with makeup on and leave with a nice glow and your makeup isn’t ruined.

How long does it take?

It usually takes less than 30 minutes for the facial but may differ depending on where you go.

Is it unbearably cold?

I’m from the Chicagoland area so I’m used to the cold. But really, the cold isn’t that bad. They start by putting the cold air on your hairline so you can take a moment to get used to the feeling (they even said people who come often see hair growth because of this!). I wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt during my session to keep me warm. During this last session, I went under the blanket of the treatment bed (it was a cold day here).

Happy Freezing!

XOXO,

Gee Nicolette

Self-Assists in Yoga

Self-Assists in Yoga

by geenicolette ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

In a yoga class we know that the teacher will most likely offer hands-on assists. I always ask my students ahead of time for consent before assisting them because their answer might change day-to-day depending on how they’re feeling or what’s going on. I will never give assists if I’m feeling under the weather. Something important to note: if you decide half-way through the class you don’t want hands-on assists anymore just let the teacher know. It’s your practice and you have to feel comfortable.

The biggest thing I want students to know is that if a teacher comes around and gives you an assist it doesn’t necessarily mean you are doing something wrong. While yoga instructors do come around and help students properly get into a pose for safety purposes, we also want you to find an even deeper expression of the posture (I like to come around and give mini massages to help students relax more).

I wanted to share a few tips on how to give yourself a few assists to help you get that deep stretch! These are great to try if you practice yoga at home or go to a studio and aren’t getting hands-on assists from the instructor.

Supine Twist: You may hear the instructor cue both arms out wide, but I like to use one of my hands to encourage my knee closer towards the mat (or a block). Continue pressing your shoulders into the mat while pressing your knee down. Turn your head to the opposite direction for the added neck stretch!


Butterfly or Baddha Konasana: This pose (as any) will look different in everyone’s bodies. Some may be able to fold forward while others can simply tilt their head. This is a great hip opening pose (sometimes I put a block under each knee for added support). Today, I wanted to show you a way you can deepen this hip opening. Place your hands on your ankles and use your elbows to send your knees closer to the mat.

Supine Figure Four or Supine Pigeon: This is all about stretching your quads and hamstrings. For a hip opening and IT Band stretch, place one hand behind your knee to bring your knee closer to you. Place the older hand on your crossed knee to push it away from you.

Downward Facing Dog: When you get to your downward facing dog, peddle out your legs and use your breath here to assist you. On your inhale lift your hips high and on your exhale drop your heels down (it’s okay if they don’t touch your mat).

Pants: Chicago Flag Legging
Shirt: Give Back Mantra Tee from Joriki.
Get 10% off all Joriki purchases with code GINA10

Happy Stretching!

XOXO,

Gee Nicolette