My Favorite Things! Feat. Local, Women & BIPOC Owned Small Businesses
First of all, I have to tell you how deeply I'm filled with gratitude for the wonderful students like you that keep showing up to my classes week after week, whether virtual or in-person. And to those who subscribe to my On Demand Library- you are making a huge difference in the continuation of my work through your support! Every time someone subscribes, I am over here doing a little jump for joy. I am filled with encouragement and pride in the work I do and can't wait to witness the positive effect it will have on you! It is my deepest pleasure to provide health through movement to you.
Holy Moly, your inbox's were full to the brim with gift guides and sales for the last several weeks! I absolutely love the effort I've seen to shop local, women or BIPOC owned, as well as eco-friendly and natural health oriented. After I saw the influx of emails about shopping, I am beginning to wonder if you even have the space for more! But I've been working on collecting a few ideas of my favorite products for a while now and wanted to share. Plus, an option to purchase gift certificates for my On Demand Library or single virtual class!
Shop Small & Local
I regularly use and/or gift all of these products!
A few, but not many, are linked with affiliate links where I receive a tiny percentage of your purchase at no extra cost to you. Some are direct links to company websites, and some are Amazon affiliate links. I totally get that some of us are not trying to contribute to Jeff Bezo's fortune, but if you plan to shop Amazon anyway, using my links to click through even if you buy other items will give some of his profit to me and my small business!
Local Shops
Aurora Coffee Shop: A new coffee shop in the middle of the 'burbs out here between Beaverton and Forest Heights. They have retail goods for sale including lots of locally made foods, treats, coffee mugs, etc. Stop by for a latte, grab a couple gifts, and lounge around with a book in the adorable inside or impressive covered back patio.
Hammer & Vine: My old favorite local plant shop located downtown. Now that I live equally close to downtown Beaverton, I enjoy Staghorn Mercantile. Best part is they will pot any plant for you. Pick out a plant for a gift and then grab an air plant or succulent for yourself!
Craft + Boogie: Women owned, Portland local business offering unique and super fun Craft Kits for kiddo's. While I am not a subscriber (yet!) I have helped Meghan put together the boxes in the past with a group of friends and have seen her dedication to the community. She makes large donations of her craft kits to foster kids. 20% off your first month with code WELCOME20 and free shipping for $59+with code SHIP59
Books & Fun Gifts
(Local, small biz, and/or online)
Just Like Flowers: Written by a Sunset High School student, this is a beautifully diverse children's book. I love reading this to Jaden and teaching him how we are all beautiful yet distinct. I'm thrilled to support Jenny Jiang by mentioning her amazing work in my gift guide and I hope she has much success with her first book!
Momo's Book Club: A woman and BIPOC owned small business that offers subscriptions for diverse children's books ages 3-8. I hope to raise Jaden with the empathy and awareness that these types of books emulate!
Ordinary Habit Puzzles: Who even are you if you didn't do a puzzle during the pandemic? This is a woman owned small business selling really beautiful puzzles that would make a fun gift!
Bando: Trendy, colorful, and perfect for gifts small business that is transparent about being dedicated to inclusivity by being vocal on what they're doing to achieve this. I have purchased gifts from Bando many times and this year I'm eyeing their Letters for a Year of Gratitude and their FriendSheep Eco Dryer Balls (replace your toxic dryer sheets with these!)
Thrift Books and Semicolon: Book store options I've been using lately when ordering books. Neither are local but both have aspects I am supporting! Thrift Books is eco friendly as you're purchasing a used book and Semicolon is a Black owned book shop a student suggested to me.
Natural Minded Products
(Mostly small business or woman owned)
Uncle Harry's Natural Products: Small business out of Washington. I use the toothcare products. Did you know that glycerin is a harmful ingredient found is nearly all toothpaste? Uncle Harry's is an affordable and natural toothpaste that comes in glass jars that I've recently begun using on rotation with Bite, a plastic free packaging toothpaste with only good for you ingredients that isn't quite as affordable (but I realize we must often pay more for quality and sustainable products!). Additionally, I really love products by the Wellness Mama and her toothpaste is made in a recyclable tube, is glycerin free and my experience using it is that it is very similar to conventional products!
Further Food: I respect and admire this woman owned business and have been using their collagen for years. Collagen is known to support the joints, aide with injury recovery (including heal in the postpartum period!) as well as many other health benefits. Not to mention it has 18 grams of high quality and respectfully sourced protein per serving. I was recently emailing with them about an order and they saw my signature line and offered to make me an affiliate! Use code MANDEE15 to receive 15% off your products. I recommend their Collagen Peptides over any other brand, and also enjoy their Superfood Tumeric to sprinkle on roasted veggies or toss in chicken salad for added nutrient and adaptogens. I regularly use the Premium Curcumin Turmeric capsules in place of Ibuprofen (which can irritate your gut). PS If you've been on retreat with me, I always had their collagen in the coffee/tea bar and sent you home with travel packs!
Grounding Sheets: My acupuncturist recommended these grounding sheets which connect to the Earth's natural electron current. I've experienced positive health benefits like deeper, better quality sleep, less stress, more energy, improved circulation, and reduced inflammation. It would have been wonderful during pregnancy as well. You just plug it into the ground socket of the electrical outlet (which doesn't mean the electricity needs to be on!) Other 'grounding' techniques include walking on grass barefoot or resting your forehead on a solid surface. I have an entire Yoga sequence dedicated to grounding in my On Demand Video Library as well!
Beauty Counter: You know how important it is to me to only incorporate safe ingredients into my everyday life and that includes my skincare routine! I started using Beautycounter more than a year ago and their products are not only clean but effective! The Overnight Resurfacing Peel is so unique, targeting fine lines and wrinkles while you sleep. The Counter + Charcoal Facial Mask leaves my skin feeling exfoliated and glowing, and I think a clean face mask would make an excellent gift! I also love the Countertime products because they contain retinatural, a safe alternative to toxic retinal that really works. Plus, I feel confident using these products when Jaden is in such close contact with me- even having his head lean against my skin makes me think twice about what I put on it because we absorb so many toxins through our skin! Check out my favorite BC products and other clean beauty HERE through my consultant (who was my college roommate!) You may shop through that link through Dec 12th. First time customers receive 20% off by using the code “CLEANFORALL20” at checkout.
LMNT: Pronounced 'elemental', this electrolyte blend (magnesium/potassium/sodium) has seriously changed the way I feel everyday! Did you know that most of us are not getting enough salt? Yup, even though we're told to lessen our sodium intake, new research is showing that most of us are actually deficient in this necessary element. With things like low quality table salt and reverse osmosis water (which doesn't contain enough minerals) as well as the low recommendation for sodium by reputable sources, it's no wonder people are often deficient in what their body needs. The folks at LMNT suggest that missing salt may be the thing that is holding us back from some of our health goals. The science is explained on their website so take a look! I usually use about 1/2 packet per 24 oz water. My favorite flavors are citrus and watermelon! And, they have a seasonal flavor right now that is good in hot water or coffee- Mint Chocolate! Use my link to purchase a 12c Variety or Fiesta pack, a 30Ct box or Value Bundle and you'll receive a bonus Sample pack of all the flavors with your order!
Best White Elephant Gifts
Lazy Reader's Glasses: True to their name, you can read lazily in bed and can see the page without even having to tilt your head down! Hilarious yet admittedly functional.
Wine Puzzle Challenge: You must solve the puzzle before you're able to open this bottle! Fun and funny, you know I love a challenge especially one with this kind of reward!
The Louie's Favorite Local Restaurants for Take-Out
If you're going to get takeaway, get local!
Nong Khao Man Gai: Tony and I love this Thai Chicken & Rice with peanut sauce. I mentioned this last year in my #shoplocal guide and I must do it again! The original Khao man gai is from Hainan province, China and we ate something similar on our honeymoon in Vietnam. Nong is the owner and she just makes one dish like they do at food carts back in Thailand-and she does it very well! SO good and she uses Mary's organic chicken. It comes with the liver if you want it (organ meat is a super big nutritional powerhouse and also something we regularly give Jaden for its huge nutrient value) Located just over the Burnside bridge. Pssssttt.....get a side or two of the fried chicken skins- you may have to ask when you walk up! Click here for direct link to buy a gift card.
Plus, a few exercise related ideas for you. Because I'm your Pilates teacher.
*Everyone can use a soft foam roller for my classes or On Demand Videos.
*Mini Stability Ball- if you have the smaller blue one, try the Orange one!
Light Hand Weights- one or two pounds are all you need for either Ellové or Mat Pilates!
And the ULTIMATE way to support a local, small, woman owned business is by subscribing to my On Demand Video Library!
On Demand Video Library Subscription: Access to more than 150 videos by yours truly with additions coming monthly! Pilates, Yoga, Pilates + Fitness, Tutorials, Express classes and a Prenatal section. As always, you will hear my detailed cues and be guided into the movements with attention to form and posture.
To gift the library, see the button link below to purchase a gift certificate. If you're looking to subscribe for yourself, visit my website and hit Subscribe Now. Within 24 hours you will receive a password to the site. Login, fill out the waiver and get moving! You will be automatically billed $25 each month and receive a special subscribers only email newsletter at the start of the month with news on new videos and a new password. NEW THINGS ARE COMING SOON FOR THE VIDEO LIBRARY!
My favorite thing is having someone referred to me or gifted a gift card.
Santosha Pilates Gift Certificate
As always, my favorite reset routine is FREE for everyone on my website! Find this free video on my subscription page here. These are my go-to exercises when things don't feel quite right in my body. It can be used to 'reset' your body to better posture when feeling tight or imbalanced.
What People Are Saying about the Video Library:
"Mandee is an AMAZING Pilates & Yoga Instructor. Her workouts are some of my favorite. I feel a huge difference! She is the best- SO knowledgeable, caring, and incredible at her job!"
-Renee
With so much gratitude, love, and JOY!
Mandee Louie
