A woman should treat herself regularly. That’s my philosophy. I love getting manicures, enjoying a spa massage, and visiting my Los Angeles esthetician Adina Diaz. Each visit leaves me refreshed, confident, and motivated to chase my goals.
There was a time when I never questioned the products used during those pampering sessions. Were they cruelty-free? Vegan? Free from synthetic fragrances? Could any ingredients be linked to health risks? I simply didn’t ask my specialists those questions.
After I became vegetarian, I started paying more attention to everything I put into and on my body. As I cleaned up my diet, it made sense to choose cleaner beauty products and work with practitioners who share that commitment.
Today my daily skincare routine focuses on natural, food-grade ingredients. Coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and Aztec clay are staples in my at-home regimen. But I still enjoy the occasional professional pampering.
On my last trip to LA I had a soothing herbal body wrap with Adina — a detoxifying, rejuvenating treatment. Adina uses very clean natural products in her studio, so it wasn’t surprising that her friends do too. When I arrived, Aja, founder of Habit Cosmetics, was there with a gift: a set of her all-natural nail polishes.
Not all nail polishes are harmful
I had avoided nail polish and salon visits because many conventional varnishes contain toxic additives like formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate. Why spend money on something that might damage your health over time?
I was thrilled to have my nails done with Aja’s non-toxic polish. Her formula even includes myrrh, an ingredient that can strengthen nails rather than weaken them like some conventional polishes. I love my manicure, and now that I know there are brands dedicated to making safer products, I’ll continue to pamper my hands alongside the rest of my self-care routine.
My bright, summery manicure inspired a sweet recipe to match: Raw Mango Coconut Macaroons.
You’ll also notice the magazine shown in some photos is Thoughtfully — a new publication focused on natural, ethical beauty. It’s a lovely read if you care about cleaner products and conscious living.
Enjoy these treats and remember to pamper yourself! xo
Raw Mango Coconut Macaroons
Ingredients
- 5 sheets of dried mango, chopped
- 2 cups shredded coconut, unsweetened
- 1/3 cup coconut butter, not coconut oil
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions
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Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until the mixture holds together, about 20–30 seconds.
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Shape the mixture into macaroon mounds or roll into small balls.
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Serve immediately. Store at room temperature; refrigerating may make them too firm.
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