What’s Cooking This Winter: Ginger Sesame Chicken, Broccoli Cheddar Soup & More

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root vegetables on a plate

As far as winters go, this year’s has been manageable. We’ve had a lot of warm days, barely any snow and as we head into the month of March, it’s clear that spring is on the horizon… woohoo! So as we close in on the end of our season of soups, stews and roasts, we thought we’d share some of our favorite recipes that we’ve been cooking up all winter long.

Ginger Sesame Chicken Tacos

If there’s one thing we know to be true, it’s that tacos are on our menu all year round. In this unique take from Half Baked Harvest, however, we trade out spicy and limey chicken for more savory flavors. The best part is, we make a big batch of the ginger sesame chicken at the start of the week and have it as tacos one night, and on top of white rice in a bowl format another. Two weeknight meals down!

Ingredients:

Chicken:

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • Sesame or olive oil, for drizzling

Sauce: 

  • 1/2 cup tamari or soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup orange juice + 2 tablespoons zest
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1-3 tablespoons chili paste
  • 2 teaspoons creamy peanut butter
  • 2-4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger

Tacos:

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 12 hard shell tacos
  • nori sheets, lettuce, kimchi, cilantro, green onion, and queso fresco or your favorite cheese, for serving
  • yum yum style sauce, for serving

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 475° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease with oil.
  2. In a bowl, combine the chicken, egg white, tamari/soy sauce, and orange zest. Toss well to coat. In a separate bowl, add the cornstarch.
  3. Coat the chicken with cornstarch and place on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with oil. Bake for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken and bake another 3-5 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Switch the oven to broil.
  4. Whisk together the tamari/soy sauce, orange juice, honey/maple, chili paste, peanut butter, garlic, and ginger. Pour the sauce over the chicken, then toss to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Broil 1-3 minutes, until the sauce begins to stick to the chicken and thicken.
  5. Stuff the chicken into shells, then top as desired. Serve with any extra sauce from the sheet pan and/or yum yum style sauce.

Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

For those nights when you’re wanting something healthy but hearty, we highly recommend cooking up a batch of Detoxinista’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Using white beans, instead of flour, to thicken it and cashews, instead of heavy cream, for added creaminess, this soup will warm and fill you up, without making you feel too full.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion , chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 (15 oz.) can white beans , rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews (optional, but recommended)
  • 1 pound broccoli florets , chopped (about 10 cups)
  • 1 large carrot , shredded (about 1 cup)
  • Salt & black pepper , to taste
  • 4 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese , shredded (1 cup)

Instructions:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat, and saute the onion until it starts to soften, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic and stir briefly, just until fragrant, about 1 more minute.
  • Add the drained beans to a blender, along with the water and cashews (if using). Blend until very smooth, then immediately add it to the pot, so the garlic won’t burn.
  • Add in the broccoli and shredded carrot, along with 2 teaspoons of salt and a 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil.
  • Once the liquid is boiling, lower the heat and cover with a lid. Let the soup gently simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the broccoli is very tender.
  • Transfer roughly 3 cups of the soup to a blender, making sure to grab any large pieces of broccoli, so there won’t be large chunks in the soup. Blend briefly, pulsing the broccoli into smaller pieces, but not blending until it’s totally pureed. You want some texture in this soup! (Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender to blend directly in the soup pot.)
  • Return the blended soup back to the pot, then add in the shredded cheese. Stir briefly, just until the cheese has melted, then adjust any seasoning to taste. I usually add in more salt, just a 1/4 teaspoon at a time, until the soup is extra flavorful.
  • Serve warm with extra toppings you love.

Basmati Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are one of our favorite meals to make at the end of the week because you can pretty much stuff the peppers with any leftover ingredients in the fridge and if you make extra, they’re easy to freeze and re-heat. Bonus! We especially love these Basmati Stuffed Peppers from the Bad Manners crew because they’re heavy on the vegetables and pack a lot of punch in flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups brown basmati or other long grain rice
  • 1 large tomato
  • 1 large carrot
  • 1 zucchini
  • 1 large onion, yellow or white
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika*
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 2 1/4 cups veggie broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 ½ cups white beans or 1- 15 ounce can**
  • 2 tablespoons of chopped onion or 1 shallot
  • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar (or whatever vinegar you’ve already used)
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon oregano dried
  • 4 large bell peppers
  • fresh basil to top

Instructions:

For step-by-step instructions, we recommend reading it straight from the author’s website, so you can get a full serving of their “cook with what you’ve got!” attitude.

 

Let’s Move! Tips for Sneaking in Exercise Every Day

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As a mother of a 1 year old who is in the thick of his first winter at daycare, I can safely say that all expectations of a consistent gym routine are officially out the door. But in the ongoing practice of being kind to myself, I don’t sweat it (literally.) Instead, I look at it as an opportunity to get creative and make some changes to my lifestyle, by sneaking in fitness where I can.

If you struggle with creating a consistent gym routine, here are some tips for how you can move your body every day to get the exercise you need.

Set a daily step goal

If I can’t fit a workout into my day, I always try to get my 10,000 steps in. For those of us who live outside of a major city, that means doing at least a 1-2 mile walk, parking at the back of the parking lot, taking the stairs, and in general doing whatever you can to work a little extra walking into your everyday routine. A fitness tracker will help you get serious about your daily step goal and will majorly up your likelihood of reaching it every day.

Include yoga in your morning routine

One of the best ways to get moving first thing in the morning, is to carve out 5 minutes for some stretching and sun salutations. Not only is it a relaxing way to wake up your mind and begin your day, but it gets the blood pumping too! Especially after laying down for 7-8 hours, our backs, shoulders and limbs need some stretching before we put them into overdrive for the day.

Stand while you work

Standing desks are no longer just for tech startups. Everyone is hip to the fact that just because we may be sitting at a desk 5-8 hours per day, doesn’t mean we need to be sedentary. We can move while we work! I don’t have a standing desk (I like to stand at my countertop or a hightop table in my office,) but standing desks are excellent ways to secure some fitness in your work day.

Keep weights & fitness bands in your office

Another way to incorporate fitness into your workday, is by keeping your weights and fitness bands nearby, in your office space. This way, you can set a reminder to get up every hour and do 5 minutes of activity. And if you don’t have weights or bands, don’t fret. Set that reminder for every hour and do 10 push ups, 25 crunches and a 1 minute plank. An excellent way to build strength and force yourself to take necessary work breaks!

Join a fitness class… last minute

When I’m out of my routine, it’s extra difficult for me to be inspired to create a balanced workout for myself in the gym. That’s why I choose fitness classes in the winter season. Not only are they the most efficient workouts, but all you have to do is show up and stay the length of the class. That, I can do!

Instead of booking the class ahead and then potentially having to cancel it because you or someone in your family got sick, just call up the studio (or log onto MindBody) a few hours before to see if there are available spots. I find that if I sign up within two hours of the class, I don’t have time to think about it – I just go.

If you’re in the Exeter area, you can look up a yoga and fitness class at Bryony Body, here on our class calendar.

Get moving at Bryony Body

Even though we’re in the business of fitness, we still understand how difficult it is to keep a consistent workout routine week in and week out. That’s why we strive to give you tools and confidence to work wellness into your life, in whatever way works for you. And if you ever get a chance to stop by Bryony Body for a class, we think you’ll love it and will welcome you with warm arms. Get out there!

How to Reset & Renew at the End of the Year

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Sure, the holidays are busy. But there is also a lot of downtime while businesses shut down and employees are encouraged to take a break and spend time with their loved ones. What you do with that time, determines how you end your year. Here at Bryony & Birch, we’re all in favor of an intentional reset and renew – and we’ve outlined some of our favorite ways to do that below.

Organize the Year’s Best Photos

If you have a pet or a child, your phone probably looks pretty similar: it’s filled with photos of them. We know the drill – you take 10-20 shots in an effort to get the smile and then you move on with your life and forget to delete the outtakes, which results in an overwhelming camera roll that ultimately stops you from doing anything at all with the good shots.

This quiet time at the end of the year is the perfect space to go through and pick out the year’s best shots. Delete the outtakes or tuck them away in the cloud. Print, frame or do something creative with your favorite shots from the year and hand them up in your home. Being surrounded by recent photos of our loved ones is one of those things (alongside rugs and curtains) that makes a house a home.

Bake Something

I should start out by saying that I do not identify as a baker. I’m too much of a loosey goosey, salt-to-taste kind of gal. That said, when I bake, it’s because I’ve carved out a no-plans afternoon to do it. I’ll put a TV show on my iPad or a record on to set the vibe, make myself a fresh cup of coffee and take as much or as little time as I need to. And the best part is: later that day (or maybe right when it’s done) you have a fresh pie or some cookies to indulge in or share with friends.

Set the Phone Aside

It feels like all year long, I’m on my phone. When I’m not checking email or Instagram, I’m Facetiming with friends or texting to coordinate with caregivers or home projects. It’s honestly relentless, if you don’t set aside intentional no phone time. There’s no better time to do it then during the slow and cozy winter season. Take that week between Christmas and New Years to set aside your phone and instead focus on your people or taking a walk. A no phone reset may be the most important one of them all.

Practice Doing Nothing

This one is slightly controversial, but yes – do absolutely nothing. For some, that looks like laying on the couch with a good book and a cup of tea and for others, that means doing some yoga while the baby plays nearby. It doesn’t have to look a certain way because the point is for there to be no pressure at all about how you spend the time. Delight in your nothing, even for just an hour, and you’ll be surprised at how refreshed you may feel.

We’ll See You Next Year!

Anddd that’s a wrap! This being our final post in 2022, we can officially say, we’ll see you next year. We will be open from 9am – 8pm on Thursday, Dec. 22nd, for your last minute shopping needs and closed from Dec. 24th – 26th to celebrate the holidays with our loved ones. If your end-of-year reset & renew involves finally taking time to get your hair done, come in and see us –  you can book an appointment here.

Wishing you the happiest holiday season and new year, from our team to yours!

A Guide to Mindful Holiday Shopping

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When it comes to shopping of any kind, it’s safe to say that it’s a love/hate relationship. Here at Bryony & Birch, we’re pretty much all on the same page about this: we love meaningful gift giving and spending our money with brands where it counts, but we can’t help but feel the consumer-culture pressure of “more is more” because we know the truth: more is more… anxiety. So this year, our gift giving is all about intention: less gifts, more quality and at every budget level. Below is our guide to designing a mindful holiday shopping action plan.

Step 1: Make your list

Where are my Google Sheets ladies at? In our house, spreadsheets aren’t just for work stuff. I use one to map out exactly who I need to buy gifts for and ideas for what to give them. Keeping this info listed out all in one place keeps me in-check and organized, so I don’t accidentally over-buy or forget anyone.

Step 2: Jot down gift ideas for each person

Once I know who I’m shopping for, then I also list out how many gifts I need to give to each person. For example: in my immediate family, we give two gifts + a stocking to each person. For my extended family, we do one family gift. Once I have that mapped out, then I start listing out ideas for each gift. Planning out these gift ideas ahead of time, allows me to meaningfully source the gift, create it or to wait for a sale to strike.

Step 3: Sourcing your gifts

Buying on a budget

Making your list ahead of time allows you to keep an eye out for sales, which as we know – are rampant this time of year.

Buying used

Not all gifts need to be brand new. You can get a really nice pre-worn Everlane sweater on Poshmark for half the price of new and in excellent condition, and a brand new (but owned by someone else) fire truck toy on the used marketplace, Kidizen. And if your loved one loves tea sets, you could find a really unique vintage one at a local thrift shop. Pair it with a new box of tea and you have yourself a very thoughtful gift set.

Buying ethical

Making your list ahead of time allows you to research which ethically-minded brands to buy from. Our hot tip is to visit ethical & sustainable product marketplaces, so you can shop multiple brands at once.

Buying experiences

Sometimes the best gifts are tickets to a comedy show or a gift certificate to a nice restaurant or spa in town. What makes them so special is that they’re treats. And ones that someone may not necessarily buy themselves.

Not buying at all

My local friends and I exchange gifts every year, and ya know what? We don’t spend a dime. I’ve received DIY’d cocktail kits, jars of cookies, homemade dog biscuits and special handmade knit items. I love all of them because they’re a. DELICIOUS and b. from the heart. The best kind!

Step 4: Planning your gift wrapping

Aside from the gifts themselves, you’ll also want to plan a way to mindfully gift wrap your items. Sure, you could go to Target and pick up a bunch of new wrapping paper (no judgment – it’s too easy), but one thing I’ve started doing is buying my gift wrapping at my local thrift shop. Next time you check out your local thrift shop, look out for gift tags, wrapping paper, bags, tissue paper and unique containers that can all be used for your gift giving needs.

Intentional gift giving goes a long way

Taking a few extra steps to make your gift giving organized and thoughtful will go a long way in making you feel happy, relaxed and even excited about your holiday gift giving. It goes without saying that our favorite form of holiday shopping is buying local and we encourage you to check out our Holiday Event Round-Up to check out some opportunities to buy local and have fun while doing it!

Do your holiday shopping at Bryony & Birch

Come say hello and stay for some holiday shopping in store at Bryony & Birch in downtown Amesbury. We have a variety of wellness and self-care gifts (perfect for stocking stuffers), as well as a vintage rack filled with interesting pre-loved pieces! We’re always happy to make a recommendation and even point you in the direction of some of our favorite local business owners, who may have what you’re looking for.

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy (and calm) holiday season from all of us here at Bryony & Birch and Bryony Body!

What’s Cooking This Fall: Nourishing & Cozy Recipes from Bryony

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When the weather starts to turn cool, our favorite way to warm up is with hearty and healthy recipes that can easily last us a few meals (we’re taking pre-made lunches for the workweek!) While we prefer to keep it vegetarian, meat can be added to almost any of these for some extra protein.

One Pot Lemon Orzo Soup

The best part about this one pot meal from Half Baked Harvest is that it takes 30 minutes from start to finish. Easy to put together on a weekday, it gets us our greens, tastes delicious and is very hearty and filling. Not to mention, it’s flexible and allows you to use what you have on hand!

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 4-6 garlic cloves, smashed
  • Red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp salted butter
  • 2 cups dry orzo pasta
  • 6 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 can cannellini beans
  • ½ bunch of kale, spinach (or whatever green you have on hand)
  • ½ cup basil pesto
  • ½ cup whole milk or coconut milk (whatever you have on hand)
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon

Instructions:

  1. Heat your olive oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat.
  2. Add shallots, garlic and chili flakes. Cook for about 5 minutes.
  3. Drop in the butter, and then stir in the orzo. Cook until golden (about 1-3 minutes) and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Stir in your beans and your green of choice.
  5. Simmer for 8-10 minutes – it will become very creamy!
  6. Stir in the pesto, milk, parmesan and lemon and cook for another few minutes to warm through.
  7. Serve in bowls with additional parmesan and black pepper.

Spiced Moroccan Butternut Squash & Couscous

A vegetarian take on one of our favorite recipes from New York Times Cooking: Sarah Digregorio’s Slow Cooker Chicken Tagine with Butternut Squash. Don’t be intimidated by the list of ingredients – the concoction of flavor that this delivers is unbelievable. With its sweet, savory and nourishing profile, this dish is perfect for the Fall. We like to make a big batch on Sunday afternoons and eat it for lunch all week!

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium to large butternut squash – cut into slices and then halved, gutted and cut into wedges
  • 8 pitted dates
  • 1 onion – chopped
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1½ tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp hot smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 large red onion
  • ¼ cup minced ginger
  • 6 garlic cloves, chopped
  • ¼ cup lemon juice (or 1 large lemon)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • Served with: Cooked couscous and flavored to your liking (we like adding walnuts and cranberries)
  • Garnished with: Plain yogurt & toasted almonds

Instructions:

  1. Add your oil to a 6 to 8 quart slow cooker or dutch oven and set to medium. Add your dates, butternut squash, garlic, red onion and ginger.
  2. While everything is heating up, combine your spices in a small bowl and add to the pot. Mix everything together in the spices and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Once brown bits are starting to form on the bottom of the pan, add your broth and lemon juice, stirring to scrape up the bits and get everything submerged.
  4. Cover your pot and let it simmer on medium low for 1 – 1.5 hours (or 4 hours, if using a slow cooker.)
  5. You’ll know it’s done when the squash is almost falling apart. Serve with couscous and top with yogurt and almonds.

Chili Verde with White Beans

This vegetarian (and slightly simplified) rendition of J. Kenji López-Alt’s Chicken Chile Verde is the perfect way for a spice lover to warm up this fall. While Kenji recommends roasting your own peppers, we prefer buying them pre-roasted and skinned, to make it extra easy to throw this together!

Ingredients:

  • 7 tomatillos, quartered
  • 1 pound of roasted and skinned hatch green chilis or poblanos
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 1 large white onion, chopped
  • 2 serranos or jalapenos (don’t include, if you don’t like spicy)
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 can cannellini beans
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • ½ cup cilantro
  • 1 tbsp asian fish sauce
  • Serve with: Cornbread and cheddar cheese

Instructions:

  1. Combine tomatillos, hatch green chilis, garlic, onion, serranos, cumin and a pinch of salt in a dutch oven, over medium high heat.
  2. Once the vegetables are toasted, add your broth and bring to a simmer.
  3. Once simmering, put the cover on your dutch oven and turn the heat down to medium low. Let it cook for 1 hour.
  4. Add your cilantro and fish sauce and use an immersion blender to blend your chili together until smooth.
  5. Add your white beans and cook for a few more minutes, until everything is heated up.
  6. Serve with cornbread and some shredded cheddar cheese.

Best Hair Salon Tips for Your Post-Summer Hair

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There’s no doubt about it, this summer has been a hot one. We’ve beached, pooled, road tripped, ate and drank all the things, and ultimately – had ourselves the exact kind of hot girl summer we’ve been craving the last few years. But all of the fun aside, this summer has taken a beating on our hair. Before we officially enter sherpa fleece season, a hair reset is a must. If you’re with us on that, read through our tips for repairing your sun-bleached summer hair and resetting your hair regimen for a healthy fall and winter ahead.

Get a Haircut

The best way to get rid of those crusty sun-bleached dead ends is to chop them off! At the Bryony & Birch Hair Loft, our stylists can do just that and more. If you’re looking for more than a trim, and want to change up your look, come in and treat yourself to a cut you’ll love. Get more information on cuts, colors and pricing at our hair salon in downtown Amesbury.

Get a Moisturizing Treatment

From the pool to the beach to the trail, your hair has been soaking up all of the sun, wind and salt it can handle! If it’s feeling dry and damaged from all of the adventures, you can pump some life and shine back into it with a moisturizing treatment. At Bryony & Birch, we love Electric London’s line of ultra-moisturizing products. Come into the Hair Loft to pick up one of their moisturizing hair masks or tack a moisturizing treatment onto your next haircut. Book a treatment with one of our stylists here.

Get a Toner

If you typically get a hair color service, then you’re probably familiar with your hair color starting to dull a few months after you get it done, especially if you’ve been spending a lot of time outside in the sun. To give that color a refresh and extend the life of it, book a toner with one of our hair stylists. A toner is like a top coat for your hair – it enhances your current color and gives it that fresh, polished, hair salon feel. In the Bryony & Birch Hair Loft, you can come in and get just a toner, blow dry and style, if a refresh is in order, but no haircut is needed.

Refresh Your Hair Regimen

Sometimes we get so married to a haircare product line or brand, that when the condition of our hair inevitably changes, we fail to treat it with the proper care that it actually needs and craves. That’s why we recommend taking a look at your hair regimen at least once a year and giving it a refresh. Our stylists at the Bryony & Birch Hair Loft are more than happy to give you some recommendations on product lines that can treat your hair’s specific needs. We always recommend finding a line with a shampoo, conditioner and moisturizing mask that you can incorporate into your daily and weekly regimen. Out with the old and in with the new!

Accessorize Your Hair

If you’re looking to update your look without making changes to the length or color of your hair, we always look to hair accessories for a nice bump in style. Think: butterfly clips, scrunchies, bright earrings or even a cute new beanie. All of them do the work of elevating your look without making any semi-permanent changes.

Bryony & Birch Offers Haircuts, Colors and More

Located in downtown Amesbury, Bryony & Birch is a hair salon that offers cuts, colors, toners, moisturizing treatments, extensions and more. We offer wedding party preparation services and also have a studio rental space that we rent to local entrepreneurs, creatives and anyone looking to host an event or workshop. Stop in the next time you’re in the area to browse our vintage rack, get a haircut or just say hello. We love our community and we’d love to meet you!

How to Start a Daily Meditation Practice

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I’ve flirted with having a solid daily meditation practice since my early 20’s. Back then, I’d get on a good streak for a couple of weeks, and then head out to a wedding weekend or into a busy season of work and it would fall to the wayside. It wasn’t until I became pregnant in March of 2021, that I not only felt motivated to wake up each and every day to do it, but I genuinely loved and looked forward to it.

When it comes to starting a daily meditation practice, the rule of thumb is to be easy with yourself. This is not one of those habits that you need to get mad at yourself for not sticking to – it is self-care work, yes, but it’s still work! Sitting in the same category as exercise and a healthy diet, meditation can be challenging to work into a daily routine, but oh-so-rewarding when we do. Here are some insights from my own meditation journey that might help you start your own.

The benefit of a daily meditation practice

Throughout our day, we have experiences and conversations that we’re constantly reacting to. Oftentimes, without thinking or processing how they actually make us feel. And having those unaware reactions over and over again block us from feeling the calming and healing power of being present. Meditation is a beautiful practice that allows us to embrace stillness, presence and observance of our thoughts, by simply pressing pause.

The benefits of a daily meditation practice include lowered anxiety, increased happiness, and a myriad of health benefits that all follow suit when your body is less stressed.

Set a time and a place

One of the best ways to introduce a positive new habit is to attempt to do it at the same time and in the same place every single day. I meditate every single morning, before my baby and dogs wake up. I set my alarm for 6am, pour myself an iced coffee, and head to my little meditation corner – complete with a cozy rug and pillow to sit on. Creating this ritual every morning has made meditating as easy as brushing my teeth.

If you’re the kind of person who loves tracking a good habit streak, check out the Streak app. A friend of mine uses this to track her meditation practice and finds that seeing herself on a good streak, is enough motivation to keep going.

Start with a 5 minute meditation

You may hear about people who meditate for an hour a day and think: who has time for that? The funny thing is, once you have a developed meditation practice, you might be that person. But you don’t have to start there! Start with something easy and attainable, like a 5 minute meditation. You may want to increase that over time – or not!

Use a meditation app

Almost everyone I know who has a daily meditation practice, uses (or has used) an app to help guide their meditations. To me, listening to another person guide me through the process of clearing my mind is the ultimate relaxation. It’s one less thing I have to do, which makes the experience that much more enjoyable.

Another thing that’s nice about using an app is that these days, there are so many specific types of meditations to help someone through literally any season of life. Pregnant and struggling with first trimester nausea? There’s a meditation for that. Wanting to quit your job, but don’t know how to approach the conversation with your boss? There’s one for that too.

Meditate while doing yoga

If you’re having trouble finding the time and space to meditate, consider working your meditation practice into a routine that you already have. For example, during yoga! You can sign up for a yoga class at Bryony Body in Exeter, NH and treat your entire class as an exercise in meditation. Movement & meditation go hand in hand, so please – feel free to combine them.

Join us for yoga and meditation in Exeter

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

We offer in person and virtual yoga classes at Bryony Body in Exeter, NH. Take a look at our membership options to find the best fit for you. We can’t wait to see you in class!

Take a Barre Yoga Fusion Class For an Optimal Mind Body Experience

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It’s April, and we’re willing to bet more than a few of you have gotten behind on those well-meaning New Year’s resolutions. Well, why not get a fresh start with a new class? Maybe you’re familiar with our yoga classes, but did you know that we also offer strength training classes as well? Today we’ll be talking to one of our instructors, Jessica Gutstein, about her specialty – our Barre Yoga Fusion class! But first let’s tackle a couple of common questions regarding barre.

What is a Barre Yoga Fusion class?

If you’ve never heard of barre, don’t get confused – it’s not just for ballet dancers! Our 45-minute Barre Yoga Fusion class combines the essential elements of barre and yoga for an optimal mind-body experience. The low-impact, high energy Barre workout is designed to improve flexibility, tone, and strengthen the body through the use of small isometric movements, weights, and resistance exercises. The yoga elements of the class focus on breathing, lengthening the muscles, and quieting the mind. By combining these modalities, you will feel relaxed, recharged and ready to make the most of your day. This unique sequence is designed for all fitness levels.

Is a ballet background necessary to do a Barre Class?

No! You don’t need any ballet or dance experience at all to fully interact in and enjoy our Barre Yoga Fusion class. Barre was originally designed by a dancer, Lotte Berk, who started teaching in the 1970s and continued until she was well into her 80s. Some of her more famous clients included Joan Collins and Barbra Streisand. Because Lotte wanted both dancers and non-dancers to be able to reap Barre’s benefits, she designed the exercise to use basic dance positions that aid in developing muscle tone and core strength. Many Barre classes utilize a barre like ballet dancers do, however, it can also be done on mats on the floor or with no equipment at all. Barre can have therapeutic benefits as well and many have used it to ease back into exercising after an injury.

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Meet Our Barre Yoga Fusion instructor, Jessica Gutstein

Jessica has been practicing yoga since 2002, teaching yoga since 2007 and teaching barre since 2017. To the Seacoast community and Bryony Body, she brings years of experience as well as a love for the mind-body connection each exercise provides.

“Leading this class is the greatest joy for me. Each student arrives with whatever body and mind they were blessed with on that particular day.

My goal is to help quiet the noise that life is constantly throwing at us through movement, breath work and a grounded approach to full body wellness. I want students to leave feeling a sense of strength and space in their bodies and minds, ready to tackle their day.”

Why might someone enjoy a Barre Yoga Fusion class as opposed to just doing Barre or just doing yoga?

Our instructor, Jessica says, “A barre yoga fusion experience combines the core tenants of both a high energy barre workout with the meditative and healing aspects of yoga.”

The beauty and healing lies in the strength and stillness, grit and grace that this synergistic practice offers.

Jessica continues, “The practice can be modified for all fitness levels and emphasizes basics of breath, stretching/lengthening, body awareness and concentrated muscle and core development.”

What times and days of the week do you offer the class?

Our Barre Yoga Fusion class is offered at Bryony Body in Exeter, NH on Wednesdays from 9:30 – 10:15am. To try it out, you can sign up on MindBody and if you’re a first timer, take advantage of our introductory 1-month trial membership.

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Join us at Bryony Body

Now that you have a better handle on Barre (excuse the pun), we hope you will come check out a class! We look forward to welcoming new students no matter your age, body type, or experience level. Barre not your thing? We have several other types of classes to choose from, including strength training and basic yoga which you can find on our Bryony Body Yoga and Wellness Classes page. We are committed to meeting you where you’re at, so contact us today so that we can help you get started on the next step in your wellness journey!

Continue reading The Bryony & Birch Times:

Have the Winter Blues? 5 Ways We’re Investing in Wellness This Winter

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Winter is hard. Our skin is dry and itchy, we’re vitamin D deficient and even going for a little mental health walk can seem daunting. Thanks a lot, February windchill.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the headspace that winter is never ending and our self-care isn’t as important. Thoughts can play over again in our minds, “Well if I gain these extra five pounds, no one will really notice because of all the layers I’m wearing.” “If I don’t get this pedicure it doesn’t matter because I’m in socks and boots for the next two more months.” But listen, you deserve to feel great even if the weather doesn’t. Here are some surefire ways to get back into the rhythm of your life so that the winter blues don’t keep you down.

Invest in loungewear

Sitting at home in the same old sweats can really affect our self-esteem. One of our favorite ways to spice things up is by investing in cozy loungewear sets or a new waffle knit sweater from a woman-run small business like VETTA or Darity (if you’re nursing or pumping.) Not only do they make you feel cute and comfortable, but you’re making your dollar count by supporting a small sustainable business. Get comfy!

Use a humidifier

Purchasing one of these handy little guys for the bedroom has been saving our sinuses this winter, and our plants too! You can find these for a decent price at a local big box store. As a moisturizer enthusiast, my lotions and body oils still just don’t cut it this time of year. Save your skin and your sinuses this season and find a humidifier ASAP.

Try heat light therapy

There are so many benefits to trying relaxation, muscle tension relief or detoxification in the winter months. One way us New Englanders love to relax in the dark winter months is with heat light therapy. Not only does it have positive effects on our mood, but it also provides many benefits for blood flow and cardiovascular health. You won’t have to look far for local heat light therapy, but if you have trouble finding somewhere, ask your dermatologist for a recommendation.

Relax in a healing bath

You deserve a mystical escape from your everyday routine once and a while. Treat yourself to some holistic soap and organic wellness products from our local favorite, Rooted Body Co. and set up a healing bath with crystals, candles, bath salts, a glass of wine and some soothing music. Anything that will make you feel like you’re at a spa, right from the comfort of your own home. If you don’t have a bath, hang a Eucalyptus sprig from your shower head. Calming scents, especially while bathing, nourish our minds and bodies.

Nourish with soups & stews

Are you on a rabbit hole of soup TikToks lately? No? Just us? Soup tok is all the rage right now. Invest in a Crockpot or slow cook a soup on your stove midday while you finish your work into the evening. The scent of a warm stew brewing throughout the home is no match for winter dread. And if you prefer sweet over savory, treat yourself to a relaxing CBD baked good from our local favorite, Fairy Good Organics. We’ll take their triple chocolate brownies any night of the week!

Hopefully these tips and tricks inspire you to embrace this winter with a fresh attitude. The cold months are hard, but they make the spring and summer feel that much better. Get in touch with your body and don’t forget to indulge – you’ve got this.

Galentine’s Day: 5 Ways to Spoil Your Girlfriends This Month

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You’re probably already aware of an immense pressure around the second week of February each year: Valentine’s Day. A stigma surrounds this holiday saying that we have to be in love, have the perfect relationship and shower our lovers with gifts. But why should extravagant love only be shared in romantic relationships, why can’t we spoil our platonic relationships as well? These are just as valuable relationships full of love. Continue reading for ideas on how to spoil your girlfriends this Valentine’s Day, they deserve it!

Food

There’s no better way to a person’s heart than through their stomach. Some say this only works for men, but we beg to differ. Whether it’s knowing your bestie’s favorite meal and cooking for her or taking her out to a hot new restaurant in town, share the gift of food this Galentine’s Day. Get dressed up, light some candles and have fun with it. Candle lit dinners are not strictly for romance, set the vibe right and indulge, it will bring you closer together and create the space for deeper conversations. See where The Bryony girls are keeping warm and well-fed on the North Shore this winter.

Crystals

Find a crystal that protects your friend based on her birth month or treat her to a reiki and crystal healing session at Bryony & Birch Different stones have different properties for protection and abundance that resonate with each zodiac sign in different ways. This way you can always be there in spirit, even when you physically aren’t. Not to mention… crystals and gems are beautiful decor to have in your home, so it’s a win-win.

Pamper Them

What better way to relax than knowing someone is gifting you the opportunity? There can never be enough self-care and a gift card for a manicure and pedicure appointment is a great place to start. If you have the budget to splurge a little more, a spa day including a massage or facial will really show your appreciation for their well-being. In our most recent holiday gift guide we cover all of our favorite ways to pamper our friends with gifts from local North Shore small businesses.

Cocktail Night

What’s more exciting than a cocktail night with the girls? Everyone comes prepared for the evening with a signature cocktail. You each take turns prepping your drink and presenting the cocktails with a grand entrance. Get creative with the themes of the drinks that are unique to your friendships. This is fun too because you can spread them out through the evening and everyone gets to be the star for an hour or so. February cabin fever setting in? Get out of the house to enjoy food and drinks at these Bryony & Birch favorites on the North Shore.

Flowers & Plants

Gardens and flowers raise the vibration of anyone’s home. If your girlfriend is already a green thumb, give her a new flower to plant and bring her joy. Getting in touch with our feminine energy is also getting in touch with our ability to nourish. If your friend is a little more glamorous or doesn’t enjoy gardening, a beautiful bouquet can also do the trick.

Ultimately you know your friends better than anyone else, so whatever feels sentimental to you and your crew will be special. There are so many ways to cherish love other than romance, so take a moment to celebrate all of the relationships in your life this Valentine’s Day.