Holiday Gift Guide: Indigenous Edition

Holiday Gift Guide: Indigenous Edition

by | Oct 30, 2020 | Featured Post

If there is one thing we can all look forward to in 2020, it’s the end of the year (yes, its finally in sight). With the current pandemic this holiday shopping season is looking, how do you say, a little different.

According to a recent CBS poll, 52% of shoppers plan to spend less money than they did in 2019, with 48% planning to shop for all of their holiday gifts completely online. 

Let’s face it, big box stores are not worried about going out of business but small businesses and especially small Indigenous run businesses are. We are all going to look for ways to support small businesses and I for one am obsessed with supporting my fellow Indigenous entrepreneurs.

I have a few Indigenous brands and businesses that I absolutely love, so here is an Indigenous Owned Holiday Shopping Guide. Just in time for the 2020 Holiday Shopping Season. 

Let’s get started!

Lauren Good Day

Lauren Goodday Company

The Lauren Good Day clothing company is the eppitome of authentic indigenous design. Lauren is a multi-award winning fashion designer who has created a brand that embraces what it means to be a native in today’s world. Her use of colors and patterns is well thought out, leaving you with a brand that is not only stunning, it’s a perfectly authentic Native American design. 

A few gift ideas…

Beadwork Hoodie (remix line) $122

Floral Bodycon Dress (remix line) $118

Ermine Tail & Gold Chain Jewelry Set $325

Thunder Voice Hat Co.

Thunder Voice Hat Co.

I came acrosse the Thunder Voice Hat Co.(TVHC) on TikTok and let me say, I quickly became obsessed with their hat making videos.  Every clothing item they sell is repurposed, hand sourced and reclaimed, thus allowing TVSHC to create meaningful native fashion while addressing the waste created by the fashion industry. Seriously have some powerful street cred there. Thundervoice Eagle is the creator, founder and maker has merged repurposed with style and created an iconic fashionable line. 

A few gift ideas…

Sandstone Ridge Mask $40

Native American Gothic Fine Art and Print $48

Heart of a Warrior Fine Art Print $79

The Trickster Company

The Trickster Company

The Trickster Company was founded by brother and sister duo Rico and Crystal Worl. They offer indigenous designs that represent their culture in a modern context. I’ve fallen for their classic style and designs that are drawn from the northwestern region – OMG, seriously gorgeous. In addition, Rico and Crystal are advocates for diversity and civic engagement. You’ll see this reflected in some of their products, like Cards Against Colonization (must have holiday gift IMHO). 

A few gift ideas…

Cards Against Colonization $12.50

Wood Carved Magnets $10

Breathe Formline Face Mask $27.50

Three Ravens Crop Top $30

Cheekbone Beauty

Cheekbone Beauty

Cheekbone Beauty was founded by Jennifer Harper in 2016 Cheekbone Beauty is an indigenous founded company that offers cruelty free products. Some of the products are less waste and some even aim to be zero waste by 2023. That’s hella impressive if you ask me. There is also one more reason to feel good about Cheekbone Beauty, they have a fundamental mission of giving back via product, project and monetary donations. Whew, that’s awesome. I don’t know about you but there is something about using products that you can feel good about!

A few gift ideas…

Aki – Red Lipstick $25 

Your Brows Eyebrow Gel $15

Agava Lipgloss$15

Decolonial Clothing Co.

Decolonial Clothing Co.

Decolonial Clothing Co. came up in my Facebook news feed (probably because I’m immersed in Native Facebook) and I’m loving the style. It’s perfect for every age bracket, even my picky teen likes the brand. Based in Canada, the brand features styles that mimic other colonizer brands, like Champion, and honor native ancestors like Sitting Bull. The owners are a Nehiyaw-Anishinaabe family who created the brand to empower generations to embrace their Native heritage as they move through their decolonizing path. 

A few gift ideas…

Justice for Indigenous Hoodie $59.99 

Decolonial Champion Toque $29.99 

F Colonialism Tee $24.99

Spotted Owl Healing Junkie

Spotted Owl Healing Junkie

Well the list wouldn’t be complete without a plug for my online store. While the offerings are few, there are a few gems that would make great gifts this holiday season. If you have a friend or family member who has a spiritual practice then you will have to check it out. All of the products are handcrafted, indigenous made and blessed. 

A few gift ideas…

Beaded Suede Bag

Sage Smudge Spray

Black Protection Salt

 

These indigenous owned businesses are literally just the tip of the iceberg. This holiday shopping season take a look at gifts available from small businesses, especially those that support our native communities. Not only are you supporting a small business, you are giving a gift that can’t be found anywhere else, especially not in a big box store.

What small business do you plan to support this holiday shopping season? Let me know in the comments!

A Healthier Pumpkin Spice Latte

A Healthier Pumpkin Spice Latte

by | Sep 18, 2020 | Featured Post, Health, Recipes, Weight Loss

It is that time of year again, fall. I’m in love with my own personal Pumpkin Spice Latte that turns up everything fall while saving a few calories at the same time. 

I recently ordered a Pumpkin Spice Latte at a local coffee shop and I couldn’t beleive the drink packed around 350 calories. If you’re looking to fulfill your fall craving while still staying on track. This is the recipe for you!

Ingredients

4 tbsp Pumpkin Puree

1/2  cup Milk – any type that you have on hand

2 tbsp Creamer – anytype you have on hand

1/4 Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix (more if you like it spicy)

2 tbsp International Cafe Vanilla Latte Mix – Sugar Free

1 cup coffee – anytype you have on hand (I a carmel version)

 

Pumpkin Spice Latte Shaker

Recipe

In a mason jar – I used a 16 oz. large mouth jar – combine the pumpkin puree, milk, creamer and pumpkin pie spice. Pop that in the microwave for about 45-60 seconds. Remove halfway through – apply lid to the jar – to shake and make frothy. Remove lid and finish heating in the microwave. When done, remove and shake again. Be careful, this will be hot. I used a towel to hold the jar. Then stir in International Cafe Vanilla Latte mix and your one cup of premade coffee. Shake one more time! Ta da, your PSL is ready!

If you like a sweeter version you can always add your favorite sweetner – sugar, honey, maple syrup. 

It’s that simple! Let me know if you try this recipe and if you like it in the comments.

You Know You’re Having a Spiritual Awakening If…

You Know You’re Having a Spiritual Awakening If…

by | Sep 3, 2020 | Featured Post, Healing, Spirituality

Here are 10 Signs of a Spiritual Awakening

 

10. You Start to Question Things

 

By that I mean EVERYTHING. When you are going through your spiritual awaking you will start to question societal norms around work, love, bodies, relationships. Don’t worry though, because you are starting to see that in our society these norms exist simply to keep us held back and from living our true medicine.

The Office Meme

9. You Start to Get Brain Fog

Waking up is hard to do and when you do it’s foggy. You might find that you can’t stay focused on work or finish what you started. Just keep plugging away because this too shall pass.

 

Homer Simpson's Brain

8. You Start to Notice Numbers

You might be in your car and notice the license plate of the car ahead of you has 777, or check the time and its 2:22. Numbers in these forms having meanings and are messages from your Spirt Guides. You are now starting to notice because you are waking up.

 

Zach Galifianakis

7. You Start to Feel Deeper Connections with People

You’ll find that when you are going through your Spiritual Awakening that you sense and feel strong connections with people that you never really felt before. You’ll also find that friends who have always been there before start to fall away. Don’t worry, this is so others can enter your life and help you along your path.

 

Kermit and Miss Piggy Meme

6. You Become Aware and Take Responsibility for Your Toxic Patterns

We all have patterns that don’t serve us and when you are going through your Spiritual Awaking you will start to notice these patterns. Not only will you notice them, you will want to do something about them.

 

SNL Meme

5. You Start to Experience Compassion For Others Unlike Anytime Before

As you start to wake up you’ll notice that you begin to experience compassion for people that you would never have before. People that hurt you, or wronged you, rather than feel anger or pain you will start empathize with them and look past their misdeeds and more at what may have cause them to behave the way they did.

 

South Park Meme

4. You Become Okay with Letting Things Go

As you progress on your path to Spiritual Awakening you will find that you are okay with letting things go. People, outcomes to situations, jobs, even life long goals (toxic goals of course). You find peace in losing your attachment to these things and thus continue further on your awakening path.

 

Let it go meme

3. You Realize Everyone and Everything Has a Purpose

And that includes you. As you wake up you come to the realization that not only do you have a purpose, so does everything in your life. You begin to see the lessons in each interaction you have and work on developing your natural abilities so that you can pursue being who you were sent here to be.

 

We all have a purpose

2. You See How Everything is C O N N E C T E D

Even little things that were insignificant to you in the past will now bare some sense of meaning and connection with other things in your environment and in the world. You will appreciate the ties that you share with others, nature, animals and the Universe.

 

Everything is Connected

1. You’re Ready to Start Really Living

Congrats, you’ve reached the final stage. You’ve embraced your flaws and see that they are what set you apart and make you uniquely perfect. You are ready to set out on a new way of living outside of the confines of the limited belief patterns of society and yearn to wake others up to join you – AND YOU WILL!

 

Beyonce Meme

Are you going through a spiritual awakening? Let me know in the comments.

How To Build An Alter

How To Build An Alter

by | Jun 26, 2020 | Featured Post, Healing, Spirituality

Building an alter in your home is an essential way to honor your ancestors, spirit guides helpers and angels. Remember that whatever resonates with you is who you will build your alter for. For easy reference I’ll refer to them as your “guides” throughout this post. Your alter is your space to acknowledge, honor and give thanks to your guides. You will want to locate a space (or spaces) in your home or garden that is a comfortable space to stand, kneel or sit. I have mine located on a wall that is just below head level. This allows me the ability stand comfortably and meditate in front of it, but the height is completely up to you and what position you like to meditate in best. 

If you are finding it difficult to decide where the best place is to have your alter, do a little meditating on it. Have your guides show you where you should have it. Perhaps they will show you a few places and you can determine how and when to put them into place.

Once you have determined a space it’s time to assemble items for your alter. Here’s a list of what you will need. This is just a list to get you started, you should personalize it to what fits best with your uses and needs. It’s time get creative!

 

What you need to build an alter:

  • Small shelf, stool or table
  • Comfy pillow for sitting or kneeling
  • Dish or pedestal bowl for offerings
  • Crystals – choose a variety that fit with who you are, your goals and that naturally resonate with you
  • Bell, drum or some other object to clear the energy via vibration
  • Candles
  • Incense
  • Cloth or materials that hold special significance to you

Smudging supplies

  • Small heat resistant bowl
  • Feather – this can be one you already have on hand or find in nature
  • Sage – not Palo Santo (see below for explanation) – often found at local shops or co-ops or order online
  • Matches or a lighter

Offerings or Gifts to Guides

  • Tobacco
  • Cornmeal
  • Indurata (also known as Indian or Calico Corn)
  • Alcohol
  • Moon Water
  • Milk
  • Honey
  • Dried and fresh flowers
  • Spices
  • Anything else that feels right to you to offer!

Here are a few exampls of what to use. (Includes affiliate links)

Wooden Alter Bowl

Buffalo Hand Drum

Intention Candles

Create Your Alter

Now comes the fun part. Get all of your supplies together and start to place your items in the space. I like to place the large dish/pedestal in the center of my alter because this is the main source of giving area (and largest area of your alter) that you will have. Be sure to leave plenty of room because as you are making your offerings, the center will naturally grow on itself.

Continue laying out your items the way that feels best to you. Trust me, you will know when it feels right. Intermix candles and crystals. Feel free to change out the crystals as you need to.

Healing Junkies Pro Tip

Keep several different colors of candles or votives on hand so that you can change them out as you meditations and needs change. For example, you will want a red candle for love, a green candle for prosperity, a purple candle for self renewal. This will allow you to make full use of your new alter. Okay, now back business…

Once you have set up your alter, take a moment to thank your guides, bow your head, say a special thank you vocally and make your first offering. As you begin to use your alter you will build a special relationship with it and your guides. As you grow closer together you may find that you want to create a special vocal expression or prayer that further honors them and you and binds the bond of trust and knowing together.

Before I wrap up, I did want to touch on outdoor or garden alters. These are phenomenal ways to honor your guides. It can be as simple or extravagant as you like. For me I like to keep it a bit simpler. Again you will want to locate a space, plant flowers or special plants that have meaning to you. Include rocks, crystals, coins and make an area to leave offerings. This can be the same as listed above, you’ll just want to make sure there is an offering dish in place as well.

What are they ways or things that you like to include in your alters? Let me know!

Spiritual Healing

Spiritual Healing

by | Jun 12, 2020 | Featured Post, Healing, Spirituality

What is Spiritual Healing?

Spiritual healing is bringing peace and balance to your life through your own personal energetic being. Many different modalities, prayer, rituals and ceremonies, can be used when healing spiritually. Spiritual healing does not inherently mean you have some religious belief system. It is a self reliance that at the core you have what you need to heal within you already. You use the tools at hand to help you find your way through. Using them to uncover your own self worth, love, balance and peace. Spiritual healing is realizing that you are the medicine that you seek. 

Spiritual Healing Methods

When you tap into your own spirit you may find that some healing methods resonate more than others. The key is to identify the healing techniques that speak to your soul and thus bring harmony to your life. To truly heal our unseen wounds we must dig past the surface layers. We’re not simply ‘raising our vibration’ or ‘becoming our best self.’ True healing takes place when we start to understand why we came to this world and learn the lessons we are supposed to learn in this lifetime. True healing happens at the soul level and has systemic benefits that heal past ancestral generations and upcoming generations to come. It’s healing that transcends time, place and dimensions. It’s about letting go of all attachments and expectations we have in this life to truly experience peace, love and happiness. 

As an indigenous, Paiute woman, I myself have embraced the sacred spiritual side of this lifetime, finding the love and grace in times of fulfillment and heartache. Here’s a few healing modalities that have been life changing.

W E A R E A L L C O N N E C T E D

And we are all energy. Everything in this realm is energy. Energetic Medicine has been an amazing healing modality. From Reiki sessions to energetic light cleansing, working with energy can work to reprogram yourself, healing your heart and helping you to energetically attract abundance. Working with energy also gives you the ability to retrieve what you have lost along the way in times of fear and trauma. We’ll be explore all of this and more, together.