by Dennis Richardson | Oct 28, 2021
Fall is upon us, and we all know what that means: cool and crisp air, changing color of leaves, longer hours of darkness, heartwarming holidays and drinks that get you into the seasonal spirit!
We’re glad you’re here, because the drinks we’re talking about aren’t the kiddie kind. Hot chocolate and apple cider are nice, but sometimes life needs you to take it up a few notches, and it’s safe to say the folks over at Dahlia and Silencio have the right idea. Dahlia launched in February with it’s sights set on a new wave of tequila aficionados, offering an enchanting, modern and masterful Cristalino expression that can be sipped or mixed, day or night – holiday or not.
Made in Jalisco, Dahlia is the vision of Fausto Zapata and Vicente Cisneros — the Mexican-American entrepreneurs behind the largest independent Mezcal Brands in the World — known as El Silencio. As is the case with their award-winning mezcal, there is no famous face of the brand – the star of this show is in the bottle. The same can be said for El Silencio. Read on for a hefty list of some Fall-Inspired Recipes showcasing both Dahlia and El Silencio as the stars of these seasonal cocktails. (Make sure you see the very end for some bonus rounds.)
Mezcal El Silencio Halloween Cocktail Recipes
“Children Of The Candy Corn” – The perfect way to indulge yourself with this timeless flavor in a more…refined way. Combining butterscotch, maple syrup, and even pumpkin with our Mezcal Espadin, this cocktail might be the perfect way to bring in the fall.
“Sour Peche Kid” – Our friend and award winning mixologist, Julian Thomas Cox, is back again with a delicious cocktail themed after the tart Sour Patch Kids candy, crafted especially for the season.
“The Eternal Kiss” – An indulgent blend of Mezcal El Silencio Espadin, angostura bitters, chocolate syrup, and whole milk, this chocolate cocktail can indulge your sweet tooth and remind you of your favorite candy stash as a kid. For a little extra texture and flavor, try it with our grenadine whipped cream on top!
“The Ofrenda” – Full of rich and bold spices, this Dia de Muertos-inspired cocktail is meant to transport you to the most important season and celebration in Oaxacan culture. It’s called The Ofrenda as the ingredients used to prepare this drink are reflective of those found in a traditional Ofrenda – a vibrant altar created to help welcome and guide the spirits of loved ones who have passed on home (spices, pumpkin, and flowers).
“The Almond of Dr. Moreau” – If you’re in the mood for something refreshing that still hits a little on the sweeter side, our Almond Joy cocktail is just the thing. An unusually refreshing combination of coconut milk, lime juice, pineapple juice, and Mezcal El Silencio Espadin, this pineapple & coconut cocktail will help you revisit a favorite candy from your childhood without the guilt – and without all the coconut in your teeth.
Dahlia’s Fall-Inspired Recipes
Dahlia Hot Chocolate:
2 oz. Tequila Dahlia
1 oz. Rumchata
5 oz. Hot Chocolate
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a mug.
Stir to blend.
Top with whipped cream.
Garnish with grated nutmeg and cinnamon.
Dahlia Dagger
2 oz. Tequila Dahlia
< 0.5 oz. Pineapple Gum
5 dashes Coffee Bitters
Orange Zest
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a double rocks glass with ice.
Stir for at least 15 seconds.
Garnish with an expressed orange peel.
Dahlia Crossfade
2 oz. Tequila Dahlia
2 oz. Cold Brew
0.75 oz. Unsweetened Coconut Cream
0.5 oz. Licor 43
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin with ice.
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
Strain into a highball glass with crushed pebble ice.
Garnish with mint.
Americano En Jalisco
1.5 oz. Tequila Dahlia
4 oz. Ginger Beer
5 oz. Campari
0.5 oz. Sweet Vermouth
Method:
Combine Dahlia, Campari and sweet vermouth in collins glass.
Top with ice and ginger beer.
Stir gently.
Garnish with half an orange wheel.
And there you have it. Whether celebrating the holidays with the family, mustering through a holiday party with colleagues, or just feeling the seasonal vibes at home, following these recipes will be sure to impress not just you, but everyone else around. You’re welcome.
by Dennis Richardson | Oct 27, 2021
In the post-pandemic age, we have seen the telemedicine industry really take off, and that’s with thanks to brands like TytoCare.
TytoCare, the at-home, hand-held digital exam kit, is a hybrid approach to telemedicine, featuring a palm-sized, hand-held exam camera and attachments (like a stethoscope or tongue compressor) to stream a patient’s real-time symptoms, to the clinician on the other side of the screen. Meant for guided use by a board-certified clinician, during a 1:1 virtual appointment, the TytoCare system gives patients the tools to help remote medical professionals see symptoms, as if it were IRL (in real life).
In addition, TytoCare is offering $100 off on BestBuy (no code needed), and on the TytoCare website all through November with code CYBER100 and all through December with code HOLIDAY100. In a world currently led by advanced technology, don’t miss the opportunity to bring your healthcare into the future.
by Dennis Richardson | Oct 20, 2021
There’s a brand out there reimagining how we approach creativity, and it goes by Pilgrim Soul! Self-help books are getting a hefty upgrade and taking advantage of your creative mind after using cannabis, as Pilgrim Soul empowers you both in business and in life.
Pilgrim Soul is a mission-driven brand focused on optimizing human creative performance to gain a competitive edge in business and life, collaborating with experts in diverse industries to create products and content to facilitate enhanced creative thinking.
It has sold $3.5M worth of its flagship product The Creative Thinking Journal since its launch in 2020, offering two versions: All Ages and Cannabis – conceived to be used while you’re high, however you get there. Pilgrim Soul quickly expanded its product offerings to include a range of premium live resin vape pens, built on the belief that cannabis helps us tap into our innate creativity.
Why should consumers (cannabis lovers or not) have Pilgrim Soul on their radar? See below for a snapshot of the products & benefits:
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The All Ages Creative Thinking Journal ($29.95)
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This guided journal is filled with fun and shareable, creative challenges meant to spark the imagination. Each challenge pushes you to rethink the way you see yourself and the world around you to uncover new possibilities and ideas. Throughout these exercises, we reveal misconceptions about creativity, annoying aspects of the mind that lead us to repress creative thinking, and the research behind these methods. (Ages 13+)
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The Cannabis Creative Thinking Journal ($29.25)
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The first of its kind, this unique journal is filled with over 50 surprisingly effective, yet highly amusing, creative challenges that provide hours of entertaining self-reflection. The journal will engage your imagination to uncover new ideas, build more productive habits, and expand your application of creative problem-solving to all facets of your life through its unique exercises.
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Live Resin Premium Disposable Vape Pen ($45 – available in select CA dispensaries)
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Pilgrim Soul analyzed hundreds of cannabis strains that index high for creativity, along with secondary and tertiary states of mind, with blends for Creative Awareness, Creative Imagination, Creative Focus and Creative Reflection. Each vape pen is paired with a section of The Creative Thinking Journal to further enhance your creativity.
by Contributor | Oct 19, 2021
We turned our attention to the heavens and local astrologer Rachel Lang to answer some of our urgent questions about astrology. If you have questions that you would like answered—let us know!
Should I believe the astrology pages in magazines?
Astrology is so much more than your sun sign. Sun sign columns just consider one aspect of astrology. So, it’s more accurate to receive a reading from a professional or even to read your customized astrological transits from a site like astro.com or an app like Time Passages. That said, I know excellent astrologers who write horoscopes for magazines and websites. If you’re looking for guidance, astrology columns can be a source of inspiration.
What’s a rising sign?
Your rising sign is the eastern horizon at the time of your birth, and it represents your first impression. It’s the face you show the world. It’s a significant factor in determining the way you look and your personality. It also represents how you interact with the world around you.
What’s this Mercury-in-retrograde we keep hearing about?
It’s actually Mercury retrograde (no in)! 3-4 times a year, Mercury gives us the appearance of going backward in the heavens. It’s similar to the optical illusion you see when a car is driving right next to you at approximately the same speed. Mercury is the planet of communication, our thinking patterns, and transportation. When Mercury goes retrograde, we have a chance to reflect on how we communicate as well as what we’re holding back that needs to be said. It’s a more introspective time. So, sometimes, we do deep personal reflection and have insights about our lives. It is always a good idea to back up computers and communication devices. Also, if you have delays, be patient! Mercury is a trickster and lets us know if we’re taking things too seriously.
Is astrology a science?
Astrology is similar to psychology in that our knowledge of astrology is based on observation and case studies over thousands of years. We can watch cycles repeat themselves over and over, and each time a cycle retreats itself, we see similar themes playing out in our lives and in the world. It works with archetypes and symbols, and astrologers interpret these symbols to gain context for what’s happening here on earth. It maps out the skies for any moment in time, like your time of birth. So, many of my astrological colleagues know astronomy and math.
Meet Rachel Lang
Rachel Lang is a professional astrologer, healer, and psychic medium who has worked for the past 15 years with businesses and individuals, including A-list celebrities, tech startup entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, activists, and students. Rachel holds a master’s degree in theology from Loyola Marymount University and as an internationally recognized speaker, she offers classes, lectures, and workshops on a variety of topics to her clientele. Some of her business collaborations have included workshops on Goddess asteroids, Solar Returns, Money and Love, Astrology 101, among other topics. She serves as the Vice President of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR), is the Outreach Director for the international board of the NCGR, and is also a member of the International Society for Astrological Research. Additionally, Rachel writes a monthly horoscope column for the Omega Institute’s Omega News, as well as LVBX Magazine and she has contributed to publications such as Bustle, Well+Good, and Romper. Rachel recently released her book, Modern Day Magic, across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia via publisher Hardie Grant.
by Dennis Richardson | Oct 12, 2021
When you think of Halloween treats, candy might come to mind. However, there’s a new special spooky drink on the scene – if you can find it.
Streetwear and meme brand PizzaSlime has partnered with functional wellness brand, VYBES, to launch their limited-edition Watermelon Slime beverage, available now! Both brands collaborated on this new flavor to help consumers slow down and destress. Watermelon Slime is a professional-grade drink for the ultimate chiller: the easy-going, go with the flow person (or those who TRY to be).
VYBES has created a celebrity cult-following, including Benny Blanco, Seth Rogen, Kim Kardashian and more, thanks to its emphasis on using ingredients to boost mind and body, while fighting off stress. Together, these highly effective plant-derivatives improve mood, mental clarity, and the body’s immunity & vitality.
The limited-edition Watermelon Slime flavor is available for purchase online at idrinkVYBES.com and exclusively at Erewhon for $35.94 for a 6 pack.
- 40 calories, 7 grams of sugar. Certified Vegan & Independently Lab Tested
- Fresh watermelon & sour cherry juices make for a delicious, exhilarating, refreshing and mind & body stimulating beverage.
- Not too sweet, you get that nice burst of tartness from the sour cherry & lime juices.
- Activated by 25mg hemp CBD
by Mia Barnes | Oct 12, 2021
You may remember talking about the various layers of the skin in biology class, but how does that apply to taking care of your own face in your beauty routine? Taking care of your skin means going deeper, and taking care of all the layers beneath. Depending upon which source you consult, most people consider the human skin to have between seven and eight layers. Although certain skincare practices Are purely surface level, there is so much more that you can do to take care of the whole of your skin. Here are a few things that you can do to make sure that you’re taking care of the different layers of your skin.
Use Chemical Exfoliators
Although chemical exfoliators might sound a bit harsher than physical exfoliators, the truth is actually the opposite. Most products can only penetrate the uppermost layers of the epidermis, as the skin’s natural barriers are designed to keep harsh and abrasive particles out. When you use scrubs and washes with beads, you can cause breakage and damage that ultimately harms the skin. Instead, go for a chemical exfoliator.
Always Moisturize
Speaking of protecting your skin’s natural barriers, moisturizing is always important, no matter what skin type you have. By using a moisturizer at the end of your skincare routine, you can offer a bit of extra protection by locking in moisture and preventing transepidermal water loss from taking place.
Avoid Alcohol In Your Skincare Products
Although it can sometimes feel satisfying to use products that contain alcohol — think of that clean, refreshing feeling that many toners and witch hazel products can leave on your skin — alcohol can actually throw your skin’s layers completely out of balance. Specifically, alcohol can strip your skin of the natural oils that it needs for protection and hydration, drying out the epidermis and causing damage to your skin over time with repeated use.
Try a Deep Mask
Just because you don’t want to cause deep damage doesn’t mean you can never go deep with your skincare treatments. In fact, there are plenty of times that going a little beneath the surface is important. In the case of things like blackheads, using masks and products that are intended to go deeper into the epidermis can help fish out excess debris and sebum that you can’t get from traditional products. Ingredients like clay and activated charcoal can be fantastic for this.
Head to a Professional
At the end of the day, the only person that is specifically qualified to go deeper into your skin on a consistent and regular basis is a skincare professional. Whether you schedule regular visits to the dermatologist to plan out your skincare regimen or you book a bi-monthly facial with your favorite aesthetician, putting your face in the hands of a professional is a great way to cover all your bases.
Taking Care of Your Skin, Top to Bottom
There are so many ways that you can take care of your skin from the top to the bottom. By avoiding harsh products and chemicals, moisturizing regularly and going to a professional when you can, you can make sure that your skin is always at its best, even in the places you can’t see.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Cover Photo by nappy from Pexels
by Dennis Richardson | Oct 8, 2021
It’s that time of year when we start contemplating the upcoming holiday season. What’s a good gift for him, her, and them? Well, as always, we’re in the business of making gift searches a little easier. With that said, you can mark one, or even a few people off of your holiday gift list with this innovative company, whisl.
Last month, Canopy Growth Corporation, a world-leading diversified cannabis, hemp, and vaporization company, announced the launch of the company’s first-ever CBD vape, whisl. The sleek, nicotine-free CBD vaporizer is designed to deliver the wellness effects of CBD from morning, throughout the day and into the night.
With an innovative design that incorporates custom, interchangeable pods, whisl offers three uniquely formulated options to help consumers dial into their desired effect – focus, calm, or winding down before bed – as their needs and activities shift throughout the day, including:
- Tune In Pod: Focus on the task at hand.
- Intermission Pod: Relax throughout the day.
- Fade Out Pod: Get ready for bed.
Crafted with Canopy Growth’s category-leading science and rigorously tested for quality, safety, and efficacy, whisl offers a convenient and immediate way to manage your mood and experience the benefits of CBD – conveying effects within seconds or minutes as compared to longer onset CBD ingestibles.
“At Canopy Growth, we are pioneering the concept of using CBD to help consumers manage their moods at any given time of day,” said Andy Lytwynec, Vice President, Global Vape Business at Canopy Growth. “With whisl, we want to empower consumers to quickly achieve focus, calmness or prepare for sleep with a modern CBD solution that is fast-acting and can fit seamlessly into anyone’s daily routine.”
Each whisl pod contains 200 mg of premium CBD isolate, a purified form of CBD, sourced from licensed hemp providers within the United States and no THC. whisl devices come in two sleek colorways – Warm Grey and Deep Blue – and feature a rechargeable aluminum battery and a host of industry-leading safety and quality features, including:
- Automatic shut-off temperature control
- Precise glass-atomizer heating
- UL-certification
- Rigorous third-party testing and inspection
Through an exclusive partnership, whisl will be available on store shelves at 3,000+ Circle K convenience stores nationwide beginning October 1 – marking Canopy Growth’s largest national retail launch yet. With an MSRP of $39.99 for the starter kit and $19.99 per package, whisl delivers an effective way to harness CBD wellness at an accessible price point. Beginning today, whisl is also available for purchase online at Canopy’s one-stop U.S. ecommerce destination, www.shopcanopy.com.
For more information about whisl, visit www.enjoywhisl.com.
by Dennis Richardson | Oct 5, 2021
If you’ve been paying attention to the food and supplement space, you’re very aware of the mushroom wellness wave. A number of companies have sprouted up offering their own spin on wellness foods and supplements using fungi. One brand, however, has an interesting approach to the market, offering all the amazing benefits, but without impeding upon your routine. Earth & Star, the functional mushroom brand bringing powerful immune-supporting benefits by way of ready-to-drink lattes, has expanded their product portfolio and launched Organic Ground Coffee, Dark Chocolates and Tinctures.
The launches mark exciting growth for the brand, and Earth & Star founders and wellness industry veterans Zoë Sakoutis & Erica Huss – who are the former co-founders behind the wildly successful BluePrint Cleanse of the mid-2000s – believe that fungi is the future. As the power duo owned the juice cleanse space, they are now taking over the functional mushroom category and rather than expecting consumers to add yet another product to their wellness repertoire, Zoë and Erica’s line of RTD lattes, Ground Coffee, Dark Chocolates, and Tinctures serve as a seamless integration to supercharge our daily routines, making wellness easier and accessible for all.
As founders at the forefront of the mushroom movement upon us, the pair offer incredible insight into the mushroom movement, and benefits of their products:
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BluePrint Product Pioneers + Fungi Forerunners – As creators of the multi-billion dollar cold pressed juice industry through BluePrint Cleanse, pivoting to the crowded adaptogen and functional foods category wasn’t the most expected step for Zoë and Erica. Explore why they’re leaning into the true, enriching roots of wellness and how Earth & Star is developing the magical world of mushrooms differently (100% fruiting bodies vs typical mycelial-based products on the market).
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Adaptogens For XY & Z – In the midst of the pandemic and political + social turmoil, consumers have sought out ways to boost immunity, ward off viruses, ease anxiety and discover simple, yet effective, ways to be well. As such, the ‘magic mushroom’ market within the wellness industry has skyrocketed, offering an adaptogenic product for just about every need. Products made with functional ‘magic mushrooms’ offer everything from focus & clarity to immunity, muscle recovery, and balancing hormones.
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4th of Wave of Fungi – Adaptogenic mushrooms have been used for centuries, but there is still a lack of education and stigma surrounding some mushrooms. The 4th Wave of Fungi will take the combined power of industry leaders in the health & wellness industries to show how mushrooms can deliver on the promise to create homeostasis in the body — from relieving depression and reducing physical stress to providing glowing skin, and more.
The line-up of new and existing products feature the brand’s signature synergistic blend of mushrooms that provide lasting therapeutic doses of calm, focused energy, immune support and more. Never sacrificing on quality or taste, the adaptogenic infused products tastes just like your favorite brew, matcha latte or chocolate, and are plant-based, organic, and without refined sugar, preservatives.
Meet The New Products
Earth & Star Ground Coffee: Dark Roast, 1,200 MG Functional Extracts Per Serving, USDA Organic, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Small Batch
Pricing/Where to Buy: $24.99/bag | earthandstar.com/products/organic-ground-coffee
Earth & Star Organic Mushroom Dark Chocolates: First certified organic dark chocolate that delivers on flavor and the functional benefits of adaptogenic mushroom extracts. Science backed ingredients that targets performance, brain function, and immune support.
Flavors: Minty (Defend), Coffee (Perform), Orange (Glow), Salty (Think)
Pricing/Where to Buy: $50/12 bars | earthandstar.com/collections/chocolate
Earth & Star Tinctures: Take two dropperfuls daily and put them in any vehicle you like – coffee, tea, water, smoothies, etc! Flavors have different functions including cognitive support, glowing skin, immune support, and more.
Flavors: Brain Drops (w/ Lion’s Mane), Beauty Drops (w/ Tremella + Shiitake) and Everything Drops (w/ Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps and Turkey Tail)
Pricing/Where to Buy: $34.49/unit | earthandstar.com/collections/tinctures
About Earth & Star
Founded in 2020 by serial wellness entrepreneurs and thought leaders Erica Huss and Zoë Sakoutis, Earth & Star is a functional mushroom company bringing powerful immune supporting benefits through ready-to-drink lattes, coffee and chocolate, available nationwide. Enhanced with a therapeutic dose of the most powerful adaptogenic mushrooms (Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi + Chaga) to create the ultimate “entourage effect”, Earth & Star’s products provide your daily dose of calm, mental clarity and immune support to supercharge your everyday routine. To experience Earth & Star, visit EarthandStar.com and @earthandstarco #thefutureisfungi
by Mia Barnes | Oct 2, 2021
Skin care has become so much more popular in recent years, and for good reason! Skin care is about so much more than looking beautiful — although it can certainly do that too. Caring for your skin is about caring for the inside of your body as well as the outside, just like any other health and wellness routine.
There are so many ways that you can take care of your skin, and just the same, there are plenty of bad habits that might be impacting your skin. While of course everybody is different, there are a few universal skin care tips that are worth trying out no matter who you are. If you’re curious about the kinds of habits that can affect your skin, here are just a few of them.
Not Drinking Enough Water
Staying hydrated is one of the most important ways to keep your skin healthy, and therefore not drinking enough water can have its consequences on your skin. Whether it comes as a result of dehydration or drinking sugary sodas and coffees, lacking water can contribute to dryness and breakouts.
Eating Processed Food
Similar to sugary drinks, processed foods filled with artificial sweeteners, processed sugar, white flours and complex fats can cause breakouts, excess sebum and oil that you’re likely in the market to avoid. Of course, everything is okay in moderation, but it’s best to keep processed food to a minimum.
Using Physical Exfoliators
This is a bad habit that can often be in good faith — while using scrubs, brushes and loofahs can sometimes feel good in the moment, it can actually cause abrasion and break down the moisture barrier that your skin needs protection.
Extra Hot Showers
Super hot showers, much like physical exfoliators, can feel good in the moment, but they are often much too harsh, especially if you have sensitive skin. Instead, try to take warm showers so you can relax and take care of your face.
Going to Sleep In Your Makeup
It can be tempting to crash at the end of the day without doing your evening skin care routine — especially if you’re extra tired. But going to sleep in your makeup is actually a bad habit that can cause breakouts, irritation and excess sebum and oil. Try to at least cleanse with micellar water before you hit the hay.
Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol is another habit that can affect your skin. Specifically, if you struggle with rosacea, hyperpigmentation, redness or dryness, drinking regularly can often trigger those skin issues. Try cutting back on alcohol or even going completely sober to see how your skin reacts.
Changing Products too Frequently
It can be fun to change up your skin care routine whenever you catch wind of a fun new product you’re itching to try — but let’s not forget that skin care routines are important for a reason. When you find products that work for your skin, you should keep them in your rotation.
Smoking Cigarettes
Smoking cigarettes is bad for your health, but it’s also bad for your complexion. If you smoke cigarettes, try to cut back or quit, as they can cause premature aging, spots, hyperpigmentation and breakouts.
Skipping the SPF
Speaking of premature aging and spots, skipping out on sunscreen is one of the most common bad skin habits. Make sure that even during the colder months you keep applying an SPF of at least 30 before you leave the house in the morning — you’ll thank yourself in a few years.
Popping and Picking
Although pimple popping videos can sometimes be satisfying to watch and even satisfying to reenact, it can actually be a very bad idea to pop and pick when you have breakouts. Not only can it get bacteria underneath the surface of your skin, but it can also lead to scarring and spots.
Bad Skin Habits to Kick
Taking care of your skin is truly about going from the inside out. From the food that you eat to the way that you hydrate yourself, and even the temperature of your showers, there are so many places that you can improve your habits in order to take better care of your skin. Do you have a tendency towards any of these habits?
Cover photo by Shiny Diamond from Pexels
Interior photo by Maria Orlova from Pexels
