The Season to Think Small
Season’s greetings to those tiny and small shops that have just what any gift list needs. Wines, teas and skincare delight everything from hosts or stockings. No need to seek out the Wizard in Oz, thinking small is beneficial for the brain and heart.
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The $cience
Shopping at a small business and spending money on others boost feelings of happiness. Show up with a locally made treat or bottle of wine during the holidays. To feed the Ayurvedic lifestyles, comfort Vata and Kapha doshas with a warm tin of tea and hot seasonal soup.
Wine: Paul Brady and Wölffer
The Orange sparkler from PBW exudes a fragrant blossom. Their white sparkler, Melody Harlow, is also light. Wölffer’s Trebbiano is a go-to white and their Cabernet Franc is light and fruity without being too sweet.
“Vata wants to go easy on the white wines due to their drying quality.”
Tea: Herbs Fit Life and Harney’s
Herbs Fit Life has a stall at the Bryant Park Holiday Market. Owner Heather is very personable and mixes a detox blend with standard herbs. Just do not use more than 1 tablespoon per cup. Trust this tip. Harney and Sons is a staple at The Magazine and EIC. Any tin or sampler box makes a warming gift. TM recommends Paris, Dragon Pearl Jasmine and Hot Cinnamon Spice.
Skincare: Umm and Lavender by the Bay
Take away the Sunday Scaries with a luscious caress of Umm The Body Oil. Unreal. A formulation of saffron, ashwagandha and bakuchi herbs in sesame oil brightens skin and calms nerves. To soothe dry skin or get an extra dose of topical anxiolytics before bed, try Lavender by the Bay’s Lavender Goat Milk Creme. Aloe, coconut and neem amplify the curative effects of their lavender essential oil.
“Nourishing and intoxicating beauty products are effective for Pitta skin and temperament.”
Food: Milk Pail and Loaves and Fishes
Grab a gallon of Milk Pail’s apple cider for warm nights by the fire. Anything from Loaves and Fishes is a smart pick, but look out for when they whip up a batch of their butternut apple soup. It is next due on their Thanksgiving week menu. (We drank the cider before snapping it, but the apple cider donuts are really good).
“Warm and spiced drinks and soup are perfect to speed up Kapha’s metabolism.”
Treats: Hakan and Round Swamp
Passion fruit literally bursts in one bite at Hakan Chocolatier and RSF’s mini chocolate muffins are the perfect treat for a morning gathering or tea time. (We ate the muffins before snapping a picture. They’re that good!)
