I love the buzz of the most wonderful time of the year, from dressing up for festive soirees with friends to soaking up cozy time with family. My heart overflows with gratitude as our church fills with parishioners there to celebrate the birth of Jesus and attend the Christmas pageant, with eyes glistening with nostalgia.
Of course, that magical sense of wonder can often feel fragile. An overpacked calendar and the delicate dynamics of extended family gatherings, with their well-meaning yet sometimes unsolicited advice, can easily cause the mood to shift toward stress.
My best tip for staying centered is to intentionally lean into gratitude. By focusing on the blessings, both big and small, we can reframe our perspective and find a deeper peace amid the chaos. In that spirit, I’m sharing a few essentials that help me find my own sparkle (both literally and figuratively), nourish my skin against the winter chill and relax my mind. I’m also revealing my favorite go-to person on my wellness journey.
My grandfather taught me that it’s always better to give than to receive, and while these essentials are perfect ways to show yourself some self-care, they also make for thoughtful gifts for others.
THE ESSENTIALS
Limited Edition Pink Mirage Eye Shadow Palette by Bobby Brown
Julian Gold, 3840 South Alameda St.
Neutral browns, luminous metallics and romantic pink tones complement the merriest of activities in this chic new eye palette from Bobby Brown’s holiday collection. The buttery smooth mattes blend like a dream, moving seamlessly from a polished daytime look to a captivating evening statement. The shimmers are pure, perfect for that subtle, head-turning glam. Although this palette is great for holiday sparkle, these shades are year-round staples of mine.
Artisan Tallow Countryside Naturals, countrysidenaturals.com
Grow Local Farmer’s Market | Southside Farmer’s Market
Sometimes the best skincare secrets are found not in a department store, but right in your own backyard. A spring visit to the Southside Farmer’s Market revealed a local gem: Countryside Naturals, a brand crafting incredible, Texas-made tallow products. The secret to its success lies in grass-fed tallow, a hero ingredient with a fatty composition almost identical to our skin’s own sebum, making it highly absorbable and nourishing. Two of my favorites include the Tallow Face Balm with Frankincense and Myrrh and the Tallow Magnesium Butter.
Frankincense and myrrh were ingredients chosen wisely to gift the tallow with a powerful blend of anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and healing properties. I love adding it as a final step to my nighttime routine and enjoy the aromatic experience of the essential oils within the balm. As for the Magnesium Butter, I keep a jar by my bed and do a quick swipe on the bottoms of my feet to improve my sleep quality.
Beyond the exceptional quality of the ingredients, the passion and integrity of the team at Countryside Naturals truly stand out. They are approachable and knowledgeable, and their commitment to quality is clear: They use tallow from Texas cattle that are born, raised and finished on grass. It’s this kind of care that elevates their products from good to exceptional.
Martha Moon, FNP-C APRN
Zona Azul – 443 Houston St., Portland
After several occurrences of friends hearing me say “Well, Martha Moon said this …” regarding different health recommendations, she became somewhat of a mythical reference and was dubbed “Natalie’s Magical Martha Moon.” Although the benefits of her assistance seem magical, they are rather rooted in fact with her wellness optimization methodology.
Martha Moon has changed my life. Where others were quick to assign a prescription, she truly uncovered root issues within my lab work to address nutrient deficiencies and hormone imbalances, and has led me to a more functional and better quality of life with simple changes to my diet, supplements and regimens. She leads an amazing team at Zona Azul—named after the Blue Zones of the world, where people live exceptionally long and healthy lives—and provides a variety of services complemented with personalized treatment plans that provide long-term wellness for men and women.
