What in the world is a facial steam? Some people who are new to the idea of skincare routines are always perplexed by facial steams. As a lover of beauty regimens, I have been doing steams for quite sometime. Many cultures have been facial/body steaming for centuries. Facial steams help to open up your pores and release any clogged dirt within. Steaming can also be beneficial in reducing acne while also helping with circulation, etc.

How to do a facial steam at home: Simply put the herbs into a bowl(about 4-5 tablespoons), heat some water in a kettle to a boil, pour the water into the bowl, and kick off your shoes, relax and put a towel over you head, and get to steamin'! The recommended steaming time is 5 to 10 minutes. I can only steam for five, as I have a really awful neck. But even within that five minutes, it is pure bliss. A little spoiler of what is to come down below. ;)

Aphrodite facial steam, a new release to Earthwise Beauty in July of this year. Ava wildcrafted most of the herbs in the steam. The herbs were set to dry in the sun, and then be picked apart by Ava herself. Her in-laws even brought the highest quality Pu-erh tea from China to add to her steam. Ava selected herbs that would nourish, soothe, and moisturize the skin. All of the herbs are from this Spring and Summer, making them super fresh.(Picture posted below is a close up of the inside of the Kraft bag featuring the steam. All of the herbs come dried and smell absolutely divine.)

I have to say I had high hopes for this steam, and Ava surpassed them, as always. If you read my blog, or follow me anywhere, you know I think that Ava is a skincare wizard!
When you open the bag of this steam, you are immediately engulfed in the scent of fresh herbs. The steam smells even better when you are steaming, as it takes you away to a forest near a lake. I can feel the willow trees swaying behind me, the flowers dancing in the wind, and the little critters running all over the land. This steam is spa quality relaxation.
Ava puts all of her energies into this steam, and you can feel them throughout the experience. One of the reasons I have come to love Ava's products is that there is more that meets the eye. She doesn't just create amazing formulations, but her products have an energy force I can't really describe. There are only a couple of other companies I get this from, and when I do, I stick with them. The plants within the steam make me feel at home, even though I am home when I am steaming. At home in a sense that I feel as I am one with them. I hope that others get this feeling too, as it is magical and comforting. Doing a steam weekly is beneficial for your skin, but also a great time to meditate and be still. I have been all about just being as of late, and it's a great state of mind.
As for my skin, the steam is extremely moisturizing. I highly recommend steaming if you have dry skin (or irritated, acne prone, or just have skin in general). Steaming has helped balance my skin over time. Each time after steaming my skin is soft, supple, and feels new. I can see a brightness in my skin, where before it had become dull with all of life's doing! I love being able to bring my skin back to life each week through this ritual. I don't see facial steaming as a luxury anymore, as I have come to crave its ways of healing. Steaming weekly is a must have for me, as the results are just too good not to notice or not care about. If your skin feels and looks like it needs to be renewed, I highly recommend steaming. I recommend picking this steam up more than any others I have tried. I make a DIY steam, but I have to say I prefer this one over mine. Yup, I said it.

Thank you for reading. Make sure to pick this up before it's all sold out, as it is a limited time product. I ran to the computer and bought it the week after, fearing that it would have already been gone, haha. You can use the code 'GreenQueen' for 15% off. I don't get any kick back from this code. I truly LOVE Earthwise beauty and enjoy supporting the brand and its owner Ava. Also, Ava is kind enough to offer it to the people who want to try out her products! :)
Follow EWB on Instagram @Earthwisebeauty

Come along and taste the most amazing flower essence filled chocolates! Come on, you know you want to! ;)

If you know Lotus Wei, the amazing flower essence company created by Katie Hess, then you know their sister company, Wei of Chocolate. Wei of Chocolate is run by Lisa Reinhardt, who like Katie Hess, just exudes inner peace, calmness, and awareness to the beauty of the world. Lisa combined the worlds of meditation and chocolate, a genius idea I might add. What a way to to get people to relax, slow down, and simply be. One quote that I think of is "The next message you need is always right where you are."-Ram Dass

Wei of Chocolate is vegan, dairy free, soy free, gluten free, organic fair trade chocolate and GMO free. These chocolates are made with coconut blossom sugar making it low glycemic. The chocolate also only contain 2g carbs and 30 calories per piece. Oh yeah, they are also infused with flower essences from Lotus Wei! Probably the best idea for a chocolate EVER! They currently sell nine different flavors, but the Wei Love is soon to be discontinued, and replaced with a new exciting flavor. (Go catch the Wei Love while it's on sale before it's gone.) You can purchase these in a 30 piece box, or an 8 piece tube. The tube is also perfect for travel. Isn't the packaging adorable? I love how each one comes individually wrapped making them easy for on the go.
So what're the flavors you're asking? Wei of Chocolate offers Wei Gratitude (Chai Spice), Wei Love (Rose Chili), Wei Pure (Rich Dark Chocolate, Wei Joyful (Citrus Infused), Wei Inspired (Himalayan Pink Salt), Wei Relaxed (Creamy Dark Chocolate), Wei Beautiful (Peppermint), Wei Radiant (Extra Dark Chocolate), & Wei Peace (Lavender Grey)!

Alright, let's talk chocolate! (As if we already weren't)

1. Wei Beautiful: The Peppermint-y taste actually surprised me. I thought this was going to be my least favorite, as I was imagining Peppermint patties (YUCK). But the peppermint flavor mixed with delicious 68% dark chocolate is perfection! This is actually my favorite flavor, and I have a whole box of it waiting in the refrigerator. I especially feel light and new when I indulge in the Wei Beautiful chocolate. Ingredients: Organic 68% dark chocolate (organic cocoa mass, organic coconut blossom sugar, organic cocoa butter), organic essential oil of peppermint, with a proprietary blend of Lotus WeiTM flower remedies including Globe Mallow and Lotus to renew youthful vitality and awaken your inner & outer beauty.
   
2. Wei Gratitude: A chai Spice flavored chocolate is welcome on my tongue any day. I am a huge chai lover! (This also happened to be the boyfriend's favorite flavor) The flavors of cardamom, cloves, and  cinnamon make me feel warm and content. This flavor even contains Rhodiola, which is an adaptogenic herb, aiding in fatigue and stress. Extra added benefits of healing herbs is an A+ in chocolate for me. Ingredients: Organic 68% dark chocolate (organic cocoa mass, organic coconut blossom sugar, organic cocoa butter), organic cinnamon, organic lemon balm, organic rhodiola, organic cardamom, organic clove, organic coriander, organic fennel, organic orange peel and Lotus WeiTM flower remedies including Dyssodia, Red Clover and Pomegranate to relieve stress and enhance peacefulness.
   
3. Wei Inspired: Himalayan Salt Infused. This is the first chocolate I had ever tried from WoC at the Indie Beauty Expo in NYC 2015. I was immediately drawn to the table with their set up of cocoa pods! I saw Himalayan salt and I knew it needed to be mine. It's salty and sweet, the perfect combination for a snack if you're craving either or. I am one of those people who needs a salty snack, then needs a sweet snack, so I like that I can enjoy both in this decadent chocolate. This chocolate makes me feel aware and clear. I especially like to meditate with this when the New Moon is upon us. As I am typing this, I realize today is a new moon! Ingredients: Organic 72% dark chocolate (organic cocoa mass, organic coconut blossom sugar, organic cocoa butter), organic & Kosher Himalayan pink salt with a proprietary blend of Lotus WeiTM flower essences including Pink Primrose, Date and Fire Star Orchid to awaken possibilities and bring forth new projects with clarity & freedom.
   
4. Wei Joyful: A lime-orange inspired chocolate. I am very familiar with this flavor, as I used to drink my coffee infused with orange and mocha! I like to kick up my morning in strange, yet delicious ways! This chocolate is absolutely delicious, I love the combination of flavors. This flavor actually helped me immensely one day, as I had a confrontation with someone at work earlier on. Through meditation with this chocolate, I had gained clarity and peace, for which I am not sure would have happened if I had not taken the time to be still. Ingredients: Organic 70% dark chocolate (organic cocoa mass, organic coconut blossom sugar, organic cocoa butter), lime and orange essential oils, organic ginger, organic cardamom & a blend of Lotus WeiTM flower remedies including Night Blooming Cereus for more insight, joy & laughter. (WAIT, NIGHT BLOOMING CEREUS?! LIKE THE ONE IN DENNIS THE MENANCE!!!!!!!! YES, LOL)
   
5. Wei Love: Rose Chili infused. Chris (my boyfriend) was on this one like a lion on a carcass in the wild. He LOVES anything chili infused. This definitely impressed both of us. I at first tasted rose, which is one of my favorite ingredients in baked goods. Half way through I got a kick from the cayenne, and then the center which  produced a milky chocolate flavor. There's also maca inside this one, which is one of my favorite adaptogenic herbs to take! This chocolate made me feel light and airy. This one was a bit more chalky, as all of the others are incredibly smooth. It definitely wasn't a problem for me, and I will miss its flavor. Although, I am psyched to try the new flavor. Ingredients: Organic 74% dark chocolate (organic cocoa mass, organic coconut blossom sugar, organic cocoa butter), organic maca, organic eleuthero, organic astragalus, organic cinnamon, organic ginger, organic mace, organic cayenne, rose essential oil blend and Lotus WeiTM flower essences including Hong Kong orchid, Fireweed and Magnolia to enhance love and dissolve worry & irritation. 
   
6. Wei Peace: Lavender Grey Infused. You get the hint of Bergamot and Lavender right when the chocolate makes contact. I am HUGE lover of Earl Grey tea, so I knew this one was going to be delicious! I especially like that I can enjoy this flavor without having to intake the amount of caffeine that black tea has. This flavor in particular was satisfying and relaxing. This flavor inspired me to listen to gongs and stare at the clouds from above. A dreamy vision if you can imagine. Ingredients: Organic 70% dark chocolate (organic cocoa mass, organic coconut blossom sugar, organic cocoa butter), lavender + bergamot essential oils and a hand-collected blend of Lotus WeiTM flower essences that includes lupine, hibiscus, mountain laurel and lotus.
   
7. Wei Pure: 70% Cocoa. This chocolate is deliciously creamy. The dark flavor at 70% really comes through. I am a lover of dark chocolate, a phrase I thought I would never say or actually mean. Growing up in America, I think we are slapped in the face with milk chocolate, it's everywhere. I never actually had dark chocolate until I went vegan. At first, I couldn't understand why anyone would want to eat that dirt flavored chocolate, but the darker it gets now, the more I enjoy it. Dark chocolate is intoxicating! This contains Yarrow essence, which I am actually taking a single blend of right now. I kept being drawn to this particular flavor, and besides the taste, I had wondered why. Ah Yarrow essence, be still my heart, you always heal and protect me. Ingredients: Organic 70% dark chocolate (organic cocoa mass, organic coconut blossom sugar, organic cocoa butter), with a proprietary blend of Lotus WeiTM flower essences including Jade Succulent, Yarrow and Smoky Quartz for more strength and protection. 
   
8. Wei Radiant: 80% Cocoa. HOLY dark chocolate. It is so rich in flavor, I almost only want to have half of it at a time. I intuitively ate one of these as I was in the middle of writing this post. This particular flavor is supposed to help you feel balanced & creative, which I can definitely attest to. Ingredients:  Organic 80% dark chocolate (organic cocoa mass, organic coconut sugar, organic cocoa butter), and a hand-collected blend of Lotus WeiTM flower essences that includes jasmine, pomegranate flower, navel orange flower, freshwater pearl and lotus.
   
9. Wei Relaxed: Creamy Dark Chocolate. For all who are afraid of dark chocolate, I would recommend this one. It tastes more like milk chocolate than any other. This is seriously creamy, and I am HOOKED! I actually like to eat one an hour or two before bed time, and then spray my Lotus Wei Inner Peace; an all in one relaxation ritual. This flavor really puts you at ease when you need it most. Ingredients: Organic 68% dark chocolate (organic cocoa mass, organic coconut blossom sugar, organic cocoa butter), and a hand-collected blend of Lotus WeiTM flower essences that includes passionflower, bird of paradise, dandelion, lotus.
   

All in all, I am going to be a customer for life. These chocolates are truly out of this world. These also helped me to stop my craving for ice cream. I admit it, I am an ice cream-aholic! These chocolates have changed my nights into a relaxation ritual, instead of mindlessly eating ice cream. Did I mention you can get a monthly subscription too?! So awesome. Be sure to check out Wei of Chocolate: here. They are also on Instagram @weiofchocolate. Lisa just recently traveled to Iceland, and the pictures are magical! Thanks for reading as always! Be sure to sign up for their newsletter, as you can get a discount code!

*Disclaimer. There are affiliate links above, which mean I make a small percentage if you choose to click them and purchase. I thank you if you do, as it helps me to grow and further my hobby. One box was gifted to me for review, but I also made a purchase at the same time.