Welcome 2024!

I am thrilled to introduce my new blog series where each month I will share a selection of my favourite products, memorable experiences, wellness advice, recipes, healthy routines, and more. In this month's edition, I'm spilling the tea on my new year ritual, self-care favourites, my go-to breakfast recipe, and things that made me smile in January.

Discover the Power of Setting Goals, Clear Intentions, and Manifesting with a Vision Board!

The start of a fresh year can sometimes bring the urge to scrap old routines and embrace new and wholesome ones. 

The process of setting goals and resolutions can be exhausting, but it doesn't have to be! In truth, I take pleasure in goal setting and I believe it's because I made a shift in my approach a few years ago. I used to make lengthy lists of bold goals and keep myself accountable to achieving them all. Occasionally, I would lose sight of the true purpose behind my pursuits. I overlooked the intention behind my actions.

An intention can be a word or a phrase that brings purpose to your pursuits. So, in addition to setting annual goals, I started to establish an intention or purpose for my year to consistently remind me of why I'm doing what I'm doing and align my daily decisions with my goals.

To start the process, I think deeply about what will bring me immense joy, what I desire to accomplish on a personal and professional level, and where possibilities and opportunities lie to bring me closer to my long-term vision.

Every moment is a chance to embrace your true self. Set your intentions and watch your dreams come to life! Your intention for the year can be anything: confidence, courage, execution, or healthy choices. Practice it daily to bring you closer to achieving your goals!

Once I have clear goals and intentions, I jot them down and begin to imagine what it will be like to achieve them. Manifesting goals and desires through visualization is incredibly powerful, and I love using a vision board to practice this.

Harness the Power of Visualization with a Vision Board:

1. Consider your aspirations and jot them down.
2. Browse magazines, newspapers, or books for visuals and words that depict your goals.
3. Once you have your collection, affix the images to a canvas to craft a stunning collage showcasing your dreams and deepest desires. 

This year my sister arranged an incredible vision board party where we gathered with friends to discuss our goals and create our own personalized vision boards! Try it and experience the magic. Even if nothing else happens, you'll have stunning images that ignite your soul!

Wishing you a year of health, happiness, and abundance.

Self-Care Rituals I'm Loving

January may be a long, cold, and grey month, but it holds a special place in my heart. Not only is it my birthday month, but it's also a time to reflect, recharge, and embrace the new year.

I can't get enough of indulging in steamy baths with our Batch Beauty Lab Body Soak. You can learn more about the benefits of our body soak in our Baths with Benefits journal entry. 

I love to experience a spa-like sensation with our Lavender and Meadowfoam Weightless Body Oil by adding a few drops to my bath for silky smooth skin and an aromatic experience. 

Canadian winters are so harsh, especially on my skin. I’ve been adding more than a few drops of Base 001 Nourish | Hydrate Facial Oil to my moisturizer for lasting hydration.

Pro Tip: Use any of our Batch Beauty Lab Facial Oils as a makeup primer for the ultimate hydrated glow.

Glowing Skin Begins Within 

There is an undeniable connection between the food we eat, the health of our gut microbiome, and the radiant glow of our skin! 

I always make sure to eat a diet full of nutritious whole foods, packed with protein and essential nutrients to fuel my body. Staying properly hydrated is also a top priority!

Starting my day with a high protein, satisfying breakfast sets me up for a healthy day and leaves my skin looking bright and healthy.  I'm totally obsessed with chia pudding for breakfast. After lots of experimenting, I've finally cracked the code on a recipe that's packed with protein, loaded with fiber, and oh-so delicious!

Alexandra's Overnight Chia Pudding

Chia Pudding:

• ¼ cup greek yogurt (can substitute for dairy-free option) 
• ½ cup milk beverage of your choice (I use unsweetened almond milk)
• 1 tablespoon hemp seeds 
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds 
• ¼ cup mixed berries 

Toppings:

• ¼ cup mixed berries 
• 1 tablespoon of nut butter
• Pinch of cinnamon 

Blend the greek yogurt, almond milk, hemp seeds, chia seeds, and mixed berries together in a bowl or container. Stir thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.  When it's time to indulge, garnish the pudding with mixed berries, your favourite nut butter, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. I like to mix everything in a mason jar and fridge it overnight for a quick grab-and-go breakfast.

 

January Joy 

Feeling the joy these days with great company, delicious food, tasty treats, and activities that sparked my creativity. Here's a little visual recap of all the things that brought me joy in January!

• Tufting at Chillax Studio 
• Slow mornings and my favourite croissants at Le Genie
• A warm bath with Batch Beauty Lab Body Soak and Weightless Body Oil
• Birthday spa day! 
• The most delicious (and beautiful) birthday cake made by my dear friend at Rose and Batter
• Afternoon tea with my mom, sister, and niece at Clockwork 
• A morning hike around the Elora gorge
• Hand-building pottery class at Clay With Me
• My favourite homemade french onion soup of all time! 

I am incredibly grateful for your presence on this journey with me. Batch Beauty Lab would not be possible without you! I genuinely mean it when I express my gratitude for the support of this amazing community.

Each customer, comment, like, DM, review, text, call, and conversation about our products and their impact on your self-care routine fills me with excitement. 

Thank you deeply for your support. I hope you enjoyed reading about some of my routines and experiences in January and I am excited to share more.

Sincerely, 

Alexandra