By: Morgan English

The holidays are here, there’s no avoiding it now. The to-do lists are a bit longer, the days are shorter, and the stress is higher than normal. That means it’s time to exercise and ease the mind. Here are two quick and easy workouts that anyone can squeeze into their day, even during the holidays. All you need is about ten minutes and a little bit of room to move your body.

I like to alternate these workouts, doing yoga two times a week and jumping once a week. Listen to your body and follow what it needs, whether that’s cardio focused or more restorative yoga.

 

For the adrenaline junkie:

Let’s jump! That’s right, jump. This set is inspired by my favorite Portland-based fitness class, backbody project. Jumping gets the heart rate up quickly and boosts your mood at the same time. It’s an exercise that helps you strengthen your weaker muscles without even knowing it. Blast some of your favorite music, ideally songs that have a hard beat, and jump your heart out!

• Small jump steady jump, arm twists side to side

• Mountain climbers (20x per leg)

• Jump squats (jump – jump – squat)

• Donkey kicks (20x per leg)

• Jump and high knees (alternating your right arm to left knee then left arm to right knee)

Bonus!!: Check out this Playlist for some high energy tunes to get you through this workout!

 

For the sensitive soul:

Let your body flow and find its strength in the quiet. Follow this quick and easy yoga flow to keep yourself feeling restored and ready for the day. This is a great set for you to start the day with or unwind before bed.

• Cat cows (45 to 60 seconds)

• Move your body in a figure 8 for a few rotations

• Lean back into child’s pose

• Lift into downward dog

• Raise one leg straight up, bring into your chest, straighten leg (repeat 25x each leg)

• Downward dog to upward dog

• Lean back into child’s pose

Bonus!!: Check out this ChillAF Playlist to help you relax and get grounded.

Moving your body truly is a wonderful way to combat the stress that the holidays bring on, and so is fueling your body with better ingredients. Making better food choices for my body during the holidays is, and always will be my biggest challenge. This CBD banana date smoothie has become my winter staple and has been quite the game changer for me.

Whether you’re looking for a smoothie to get you going in the morning or something to curb those late night sugar cravings, this smoothie is honestly for you. For those early rising go-getters, I recommend trying to this smoothie with a shot (or two) of espresso in it. The espresso blends in beautifully with the flavors of the banana and almond butter. And what’s better than a smoothie with coffee in it? Especially during the holidays when you’re running on empty!

And for anyone with a serious sweet tooth trying to avoid late night holiday treats, this smoothie is also for you. Blend this up after dinner, set in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes, and enjoy. It’s like a milkshake, but without the bad stuff.

CBD Banana Date Smoothie

• 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk

• 1 ripe banana

• 1 frozen banana

• 2 tablespoons unsalted almond butter

• 4 to 5 pitted dates

• ¼ cup of ice

• 1 to 2 droppers full of BARE CBD

• Optional: an espresso shot  

Add all ingredients into a blender, blend until smooth, and enjoy.

 

I hope these workouts and CBD smoothie help keep you balanced and bright throughout the holidays!

By: Ben Mervis

A common misconception is that Hanukkah holds great importance as a Jewish Holiday… it doesn’t. Actual “big” holidays for the Jewish peoples are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These early-fall events mark the Jewish New Year and come with multiple days of repentance and atonement (aka reflection and self-growth). Fun, right?

As a kid, Hanukkah was a convenient excuse to celebrate while 70% of my friends and all the other goyim (non-Jews)  in town were preparing for Christmas. It allowed us to put aside our pre-teen differences and create gift lists in peace. It built a sense of camaraderie as we stole each other’s ideas, and wondered who would, in fact, show up to school with the full set of Spice Girl barbies. ??‍

When that peace would inevitably fall apart, the arguments were often the same: Hanukkah was better than Christmas because we got 8-days/8-nights of presents. Christmas was better than Hanukkah because 1) you got to put a tree INSIDE the house, 2) you got presents from your parents AND Santa Claus, and 3) there was a chance that you could catch Santa breaking in at night, and become super famous for being that person.

My Bubbe has always been thoroughly unimpressed with both cases, and after I became a bar-mitzvahed MAN at 13-years old, she decided it was time to have “the talk.” It’s around that age that most Jewish elders can be quoted with famous lines such as “we don’t need to do that present thing anymore, right?”

Heartbreaking as it might have been, it was a great lesson to learn that holidays aren’t about material goods, but about tradition, pride, and community. You see, the real gift of Hanukkah as a kid is that every night for 8-nights, my two parents and I would break away from work, homework, Oprah shows, boat magazines, and light the menorah together, sing the Hanukkah prayer/song, and call other relatives to see how their Hanukkah was going.

And because they aren’t monsters, a few material gifts still seem to make their way into the mix each year. But not 8 of them, and usually something practical.

Hanukkah as an adult is an opportunity:

• to recall warm memories of Jewish holidays of the past

• to enjoy the irreplaceable nostalgia of lighting a menorah

• to sing the ONE Hanukkah song

• to create new Hanukkah traditions, like replacing candles on the 8th night with Kosher Kush joints, and making your friends help you light and finish them.

I’m grateful for this understanding, appreciation, and that I’ve never once had to wonder if a large jolly man was going to fall down my chimney.

And because there’s a little kid in all of us, and TBPFH I do love presents, here’s my 2018 Hanukkah list. It’s never too late so feel free to DM for my venmo or Amazon wishlist link.

1. Ariana Grande “F*CKING GRATEFUL” sweatshirt

2. These “adulting is hard” pencils that my mom found and I pretended to hate

3. 17 of these West Elm wall-planters for a new bedroom concept I have

4. Kush Queen’s Ignite Lubricant (cus baby it’s cold outside)

5. A long-weekend at Four Seasons Santa Barbara

6. Donations to some of my favorite causes (oh wait, done, thanks Kush Queen!)

7. DEFYNT anti-serum for my dry winter skin

8. Health and happiness for my family and friends <3

 

 

We want to see how you have been using your favorite Kush Queen products this season! Don’t forget to follow and tag @kushqueenshop and @kushqueenco in your insta posts and stories!

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By: Olivia Alexander

With the holidays in full swing, life has gotten crazy. My jam-packed schedule combined with the winter cold took my skin from fabulous to freaking the F out. I have been off the wagon on eating healthy (gimme all the toffee and dessert drinks), neglecting drinking enough water, and regrettably not getting enough sleep. My super sensitive combination skin was not having any of it. I was simultaneously broken out and dry (the worst combo), so I had to get my skin life together. No one wants to attend holiday parties or gatherings not looking your best, for me it all begins with healthy glowy skin. So, I took a long hard look in the mirror and jotted down a plan to get on top of my winter skin.

 

Desert Springs Spa at the JW Marriott

Facial Time

When it ’s this bad, I do sometimes need the help of a professional. I realized it had been well over 4 months since I gave my skin over to an esthetician. So, on a wedding trip to Palm Springs, I visited the Desert Springs Spa at the JW Marriott. I opted for a 90-minute Infinity facial with Red light therapy and Vitamin C. At $235 it wasn’t cheap, but it was a revelation. With every stroke, I could feel my skin coming back to life. The light therapy felt like a nightclub for my face. My esthetician yelled at me for picking at my skin and I left feeling like it was the perfect kick in the butt to get my winter skin back on track. I do not believe in regular facials as much as I used to, but I do think everyone’s skin is different. Getting facials too frequently was breaking me out and now I only do them when I feel my skin is too far gone and needs a swift kick in the butt.

 

Hydrate

The seasons’ festivities of parties means I am having way too much alcohol and sugar. I believe in enjoying the season to the fullest, so I won’t hold back on all the delicious cocktails and treats. So, the key is to kick the hydration into high gear. During times I am committing known crimes of my body, I try to double my intake of water. Track your aqua intake by marking up a water bottle or by filling up reusable water bottles every night before bed. I fill my fridge with 2 liters every night, so the next day I know exactly what I need to stay on top of my hydration. You can spice up your hydration with a crystal water bottle by VitaJuwel.

A few years ago, I received one as a gift and love it!

 

Stick to the program

Admittedly, with being so busy my routine has been completely disrupted. I have had to focus heavily on prioritizing my daily routine of using my Soaked cleanser, Herbivore Green Tea Toner, Defynt Serum, and Clinque moisture surge. I have begun to incorporate Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Facial oil 3 days a week to help with hydration. I always try to finish off my routine with a little lip care with Aquaphor and Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm . Whatever you can do to commit to your routine, do it. I have been writing myself a note on my bathroom mirror to COMMIT TO SKINCARE!! It’s a simple way to keep reminding yourself to commit to your program.

 

Oral Supplements

With the winter being so cruel, I really believe that topical applications to the skin are not enough. It’s the perfect time to benefit from incorporating oral supplements. I have seen such great results with incorporating oral supplements. In the morning, I take one dropper of our Bare Tincture with my breakfast. At night, I have been incorporating the Super green molecule by Fountain. Oral beauty supplements are trendy, but I truly believe in them. Between CBD and hyaluronic acid, I see such amazing results. I really believe in cultivating a beauty routine from the inside out, so if you haven’t tried oral supplements I really suggest checking them out.

 

We would love to see how you are incorporating Kush Queen into your skincare routines. Don’t forget to follow us and tag us @KushQueenShop and @KushQueenCo in your insta posts and stories.

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By: Angela Viesti

There you have it, folks! 2018 is in the books and it’s the dawn of a new year. As always, the pressure to make New Year’s resolutions is real. And that’s a good thing! The beginning of a new year is a symbolic marker in time and it inspires us to aspire to do better. The key to making and keeping our New Year’s resolutions is to approach them with love, intention, and positivity.

 

Check your Mindset

Approach your resolutions from a place of abundance—you already have everything you need to make this a good year! Focus on letting go of unhealthy behaviors and habits, like negative self-talk, and then move on to cultivating positive change.

Aim to become the best version of yourself and avoid comparing yourself to anyone else. Rather than setting out to match the success of your mentor or an influencer, set specific goals you want to achieve and plan check-ins throughout the year to measure your outcomes.

The reason most New Year’s resolutions don’t stick is that they are too drastic and we are too rigid in their enforcement. If you fall off the resolution wagon dust yourself off, figure out what went wrong, modify your approach, and get back on! Take defeats and failures as lessons and use them as measurements of your progress as you carry on.

 

Get to your why

The goal is to turn resolutions into a new way of living, not setting resolutions for resolution’s sake. If you want your resolutions to stick, you have to uncover your “Why?”

Take an honest look at what you want to prioritize. Want to lose weight? Ask yourself: Do I want to improve my health, have more energy, increase my stamina, or be the fittest version of myself? Understanding what drives your desire to set a particular goal will help you to remain aligned with it as the months go on.

Maybe you want to step up your self-care game and transition your cannabis consumption into your wellness routine. Or perhaps you want to cut out dairy and processed foods and make healthier food choices overall. You may be committing to being more environmentally friendly in 2019. Whatever your goal is, identify the root intention behind it and work with that as you craft your plan.

 

Plan for Success

Make realistic resolutions. Don’t expect to go from holiday-season-feasting to raw-organic-juicing in one week. Make small, gradual changes over time to see results that will continue throughout the year. Equip yourself with knowledge and a plan to set yourself up for long-term success. Who knows? This could spark an interest in a new lifestyle or passion.

Say you want to cut out alcohol and processed foods, find an assortment of recipes for healthy snacks and replace booze with lemon water and kombucha. Stick to fresh foods as much as possible, and when buying packaged foods, always read the label and buy items with minimal ingredients, preferably only ones that exist in nature.

Are you giving up alcohol, gluten, meat, dairy, nicotine, tobacco, or something else? Fantastic! Let your friends and loved ones know your plan so they can help keep you accountable; find community with others on similar paths in person and online to gain insight and share struggles and successes. You never know who you might inspire or help by sharing your progress.

Planning on getting serious about your career or education this year? Want to become more active in your community or begin volunteering? Great! Make time in your calendar to commit to these goals so you can map out how these responsibilities will fit into your life; planning now will save you from overcommitting and over scheduling.

 

Make it a Happy and Healthy New Year!

I hope this first blog of 2019 helps you to make self-honoring resolutions with intention. Remember that these goal-oriented self-improvements should come from a place of self-love and are meant to help you blossom into your highest self.

We at Kush Queen wish you a happy, healthy, and abundant 2019!

 

Grab some of our Favorite Kush products below and Kick off your new years with some Relief, Relaxation and a lot of Self Love! Don’t forget to follow and tag us in your Kush Queen Instagram Posts and Stories @KushQueenShop & @KushQueenCo.

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For many of us, 2018 was a doozy, but we here at Brit + Co are ready to hit refresh in 2019! Follow our Hit Refresh series through January and February for new ideas, hacks, and skills that will help you achieve (and maintain!) those New Year’s resolutions.

Make this the year (as well as every subsequent year) the one where you finally take care of you, inside and out. Here are the wellness products that will help treat your mind, body, and soul to a little extra TLC every day.

Read the Article

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Jessimae Peluso is an amazing comedian who you might recongnize from MTV, E!, Fox, VH1, Comedy Central, TruTV and NBC. She’s been featured in the Moontower Comedy Festival, New York Comedy Festival, Boston Comedy Festival, North Carolina Comedy & Arts Festival, and Just For Laughs and featured on Kevin Hart’s LOL Live network. She’s also contributed to Cosmopolitan Magazine, High Times Magazine, DOPE Magazine, Self Magazine, GQ.Com, Playboy.com, MadeMen.com, and was highlighted in Huffington Post as ‘one of the funniest comics to follow on Twitter’.

Jessimae, most known from MTV’s “Girl Code”, can be heard weekly hosting the Sharp Tongue and Highlarious podcasts. Both available on iTunes, Stitcher, Sound Cloud and Google Play. You can watch her LIVE every Wednesday on her Instagram and Facebook show “Weedsday”.

On this hilarious episode of Shenk, Comedian Sara Weinshenk sits down with Comedian Jessimae Peluso.  When asked how she preps for her podcasts, Sara said, “I love to use Kush Queen’s Bäre tincture before I interview my guests and while editing my podcast because it helps minimize my anxiety and keeps me present, it’s truly one of my favorite products.” Thanks to Bäre, Sara is definitely present in this Episode. It’s funny, enjoyable, and a great hour long escape from your day to day life.

The comics discuss everything from the scent of ferrets to the peculiarities of ‘bird women’ and San Diego drunk dad culture. Peluso talks about her fashion choices from her high school years, which were mainly hip-hop inspired and included: jerseys, braids and baggy jeans. Jessimae talks about how she was the only white girl on her basketball team at an inner-city school. The girls talk fear-based sexual education experiences and the lack of actual information about sexual health for adolescents. Plus they touch on what they wish they learned in school and the need for educational system reform.

They move on to talk about art and some of the boring themes that occur in older oil paintings such as still lifes, bowls of fruit, and exposed renaissance boobs. Peluso jokes about art, when she says, “Was Picasso like, ’I’m on acid, here’s a horse?’ ” Which is a fair question.

Listen to this episode of Shenk with Jessiemae here.

Follow Jessimae @jessimaepeluso on Instagram / @jessimaepeluso on Twitter.

Listen to Shenk on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Laughable.

Subscribe,Rate & Review on iTunes.

New episodes every Wednesday.

Submit any fashion advice help to shenk.pod@gmail.com.

Follow @princessshenk on Instagram/ @princessshenk on Twitter for podcast updates, funny tweets and comedy tour dates.

 

Sponsored by KUSH QUEEN.

By: Ben Mervis

The history of my real skin-care journey began when I was somewhere around 10 or 11, when my mother – whom I love so much – brought me to Tanya for my first facial. Upon entering from the street, we would immediately begin to climb a steep staircase, with a blinding light coming from Tanya’s “spa” on the second floor. Being a Jew “light at the end of the tunnel” means I get to be anxious about going to a place where it’s always so bright.

Tanya often worked the receptionist desk herself, greeting guests with a smile that hints she knows something you don’t. Tanya’s thick glasses meant that she’d be precise, and since I didn’t even know what a pore was yet, I had no reason to fear what precise squeezing would feel like. All I knew was that my mother – whom, again, I love so much – said this was going to be “a good experience.”

None of this helped the facade of a closeted gay boy. Really, it just added ammunition to my rebuttals for unwarranted “you’re so gay” comments from my less-evolved peers.

“There’s nothing gay about caring for your skin” I would respond, not realizing that the accompanying self-satisfied smile was about as gay as it gets. As if that wasn’t enough, I often followed up with a weightless threat; “I have so many girl friends (note the space) because I know what girls like.”

Admittedly, mom says the facials “weren’t necessary or necessarily appropriate” but again she thought it would be “a good experience.”

Experience it I did – Tanya’s steaming and poking and squeezing for about a full year. Like a dog being brought to the vet, I began to dread getting in the car for my appointments with Tanya, and it took every ounce of courage to climb up those stairs towards the bright light. I eventually told mom that my skin was reacting worse to Tanya’s forceful touch than it was to hormones and grease.

Throughout my childhood and to this day I enjoy a variety of sweets and am lucky that neither my skin nor my blood sugar has reacted poorly. With the exception of an occasional zit or blemish, I’ve been #blessed with pretty clear skin.

My real skin struggles have been a homage to my Eastern European ancestors – I’m what you call “sensitive.” The elements tend to leave my cheeks puffy and red, clogged by things like dander and whatever else is floating around out there. My time with Tanya taught me the basic concepts of cleaning my skin and spotting blemishes before they become a real issue.

Witch hazel became my best friend, and many years later I would begin buying that iconic yellow bottle of Clinique “dramatically different moisturizing lotion.”

In 2014 I moved to San Diego from Vermont and spent more time sunburned than not. I left the DRAMA behind and got into Kiehl’s – as was the trend. My face became a Kiehl’s face, and below the neck, I was a walking/talking aloe leaf.

In 2015 I moved to Los Angeles and began visiting a local beauty store – I enjoyed working with their sales reps more than I did at Kiehl’s, and still got free samples! It was around this time that I was introduced to hyaluronic acid moisturizers, and the effects were noticeable early on. I bought inexpensive face cleanser from the drug store, and settled into a routine I was finally comfortable with.

So now let’s flash forward to Spring 2018 – I’d known Kush Queen’s CEO Olivia Alexander for about a year and had been working with her for a couple of months. As we were wrapping up a meeting, Olivia hands me an unlabeled container and says I want you to try something we’ve been working on.

When someone hands you a mysterious liquid and says “I want you to use this as your moisturizer for the next week” – it’s normal to question them. But not when Olivia asks. It was then that this rosy-cheeked Bubbe’s boy began his love affair with what is now known as the Defynt Anti-Serum.

I regularly shower at the gym after my morning workouts; the water pressure is strong and the towels smell like eucalyptus. After a hot shower, my skin is perfectly primed for Defynt to simultaneously clean and shrink my pores in a way that Tanya only ever dreamed about.

After seeing your Defynt skin for the first time, you’ll have a new standard for yourself. Tighter, evenly-toned, DEWY even. As I said, I’ve never really had bad skin, but after using Defynt for less than a week, I received my first-ever skin compliment. Even my own mother noticed my skin improving, so I sent her a bottle of Defynt and told her I thought it would be “a good experience.”

 

We would love to hear how Defynt is helping you #skincarejourney! Don’t forget to follow and tag us @kushqueenshop & @kushqueenco in your intagram posts and stories.

 

Feeling FOMO? Shop Defynt below!

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It’s incredible to see the world changing. I remember a time when even CBD could not be sold online and now it’s going nationwide. With so much excitement in the air, it seems some truth is getting lost in shuffle. Ultimately, CBD or cannabidiol is just a molecule. Our endocannabinoid system interacts with this molecule which triggers effects inside the body. While CBD is non-psychoactive, there are still effects experienced.  CBD is currently unregulated, thus consumers are dependent on businesses to self-regulate. This is why it’s important to us at Kush Queen to have as much transparency as possible. Recently, we have begun to see our products on lists’s with other products that are labeled CBD, but do not actually contain CBD. It’s important to set the record straight.

Hemp CBD vs. Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp CBD is not the same as hemp seed oil. Hemp CBD is extracted from a fully grown cannabis plant using either solvents or a solventless method, while hemp seed oil is pressed from seeds. Furthermore, hemp seed oil contains absolutely no CBD.

Recently we have begun to see our products next to many different hemp products. Some products are ‘cannabis-inspired’ (contain no hemp seed or CBD oil) , some are hemp seed oil, and some contain CBD. As we usher in a new era and industry, it is important to educate and have transparency. For years, we worked behind the scenes at cannabis companies and at Kush Queen we make cannabis products that are in the most regulated cannabis system in the world. Currently, our cannabis products must test within a 10% margin of error for potency, while the FDA allows a lax 20%. In addition to strict potency guidelines, all of our products are tested at the highest sensitivity for residual solvents, over 60 pesticides, heavy metals, microbials, mycotoxins and foreign materials. Every batch is fully present at the time of testing and samples are randomly selected. Until CBD is regulated, we follow this same standard at our Hemp CBD facility. This is how we make products at Kush Queen and it’s important for our customers to know. We do this because we believe in safe products and the effectiveness of the plant.

We believe that putting hemp seed oil products next to Hemp CBD causes confusion, or worse, that a company may be trying to mislead customers. Ultimately, a lab test will show how much CBD is present in a product. Accurate dosing is important with CBD because it is an active ingredient. That is why every Kush Queen product has the exact dosing on the front of every package. CBD is not a buzz word, for many, it is the only medicine that can help. We take our products seriously, and we hope that you take CBD seriously. Ask questions, demand transparency and clarity. As a consumer, you have a right to know that the products you are putting in or on your body are safe and effective.

Below are lab tests which show the differences between Hemp seed oil and CBD products. You can see the products containing hemp seed oil show no CBD detected. The third lab reported shows our Immunity bath bomb and detects 104mg of CBD.

 

While the industry booms, consumers will have more options than ever. It’s our hope that we will be able to arm them with the knowledge they need to choose the CBD beauty and wellness products right for them.

By: Angela Viesti

Being able to express our views by participating in nonviolent demonstrations is what actually makes America great. There’s no feeling like being part of a crowd that gathered because we share a common bond, be it a cause we’re supporting or an injustice we’re resisting.

It takes a huge amount of energy to put on such events and to make them safe and enjoyable to participate in. Being in the crowd also requires its share of energy and patience, and coming prepared physically, mentally, and spiritually can make all the difference in how much fun you have. Here are some self-care tips for before, during, and after a march, protest, or strike that will make all the difference.

 

Pre-March Self-Care

Considering that you’ll be out and about for several hours, it’s best to ensure that you start your day well prepared. You’ve had a nutritious breakfast, checked the weather, planned your commute, and packed a bag with water and healthy snacks like nuts, seeds, and fruit–plus, a few joints to help mellow you out when things get hectic. So far so good, but let’s not leave without doing the following:

• Hydrate! If you can start hydrating the day before you’ll be in great shape. You want to drink water during the march, but not so much that you’re stopping to the bathroom every five minutes. Being hydrated before you get there will save you trips to the dreaded port-o-potties

• Stretch! Nothing ruins the high from a day of marching like foot and leg cramps. Being hydrated helps, but I strongly recommend a 15-minute yoga stretch before you head out. Check out this runner’s yoga video that’s also great prep for long walks.  

• Protect your skin! This is no time to skimp on sunscreen, even if the weather reports cloudy conditions. UV rays can penetrate clouds and burn your skin if you aren’t protected. Bring a hat or umbrella to block your face from direct sunlight all day

• Show your feet some love! Before you put on your comfy walking shoes, get some Melt Lotion and rub it into the soles of your feet (I actually do this every day!). While you’re at it, give them a mini-massage and express gratitude for being able to walk in the name of what you believe in

Staying Present in the Crowd

You’ve got your sign held high and your squad by your side as you navigate the streets and the crowd collectively. Chants break out all around you and you feel like part of something bigger. This is what you came here to experience.

While you’re out enjoying the vibe, make sure you listen to your body and take breaks, drink plenty of fluids, and get out of the sun when necessary. Look out for the people in your group and others around you. If you tend to get anxious in big crowds or small spaces, pair up with someone in your group so that you can be each other’s safe space if you need to break away from the group.

One thing I didn’t expect during my experience at the Resist March in 2017 was the overwhelming emotion I felt when I looked around and took in what we were all marching for—people’s human rights. Whenever we’d turn a corner and encounter an opposing group, the crowd directed their chants toward them and I could feel the energy of everyone around me. As an empath, this was super intense. Thankfully, someone in my group had a sage bundle that they lit from time to time, which helped me ground myself. I strongly suggest bringing a talisman of your own—a smudge stick, a crystal to carry in your pocket or on a necklace, a vape, Hemp-PreRoll or tincture ,—something to bring you back to Earth when your senses are overloaded. Your higher self will thank you for this!

 

Post-Demonstration Recovery

After you reach the end of the event, you’ll likely feel the need to decompress as you make your way back home. Plan to have mellow day post-march with plenty of nutritious food and restful activities, like a foot massage or bath—or both! Soaking in the tub will provide a much-needed reset and help you ease out of the day’s event. Throw a Relieve or Immunity bath bomb in the tub to take this to the next level—you deserve it after exercising your rights and body all day long.

 

Power to the People!

Are you going to the 2019 Women’s March? Let us know how you showed up and how you recovered by tagging @kushqueenshop and @kushqueenco on your Instagram posts and stories!

By: Ben Mervis

As a walking-talking Kush Queen billboard, I spend a lot of time talking about topicals. I share my elation over post-workout relief from a Soaked + Melt; I attribute my new and improved complexion to Defynt, and I have some seriously fun conversations about sex and consent regarding our Ignite lubricant.

 

Hold on, why consent?

For starters, because Consent should always be part of the conversation. Always.

And also because the Ignite lubricant delivers an extremely effective dose of THC or CBD to some of our most absorbent “parts.”

About 30-45 seconds after application, you’re likely going to feel something. Odds are it’s going to be a good something; I haven’t heard a BAD Ignite story yet.

The fact remains that if you’re incorporating cannabis, it’s going to affect your body – often by increasing sensation via increased blood flow – and with those physical changes, our feelings might change about what is on the sexually proverbial menu.

So how are you defining consent?

After four years at a college that was fairly progressive on the topic, I went on to work with public health experts, many who focused on sexual risk factors facing LGBT young adults. From my own experience, I’d highlight the pillars of consent as the following:

• In order to grant consent, you must first establish mental presence.

  As a brand made for adults, I won’t patronize this audience about confirming mental acuity, but check in with your partner and ask something as simple and sexy as, “how are you feeling? “

• Consent should be explicit – it cannot be assumed or interpreted

  Consent to blow on someone’s neck is different from consent to nibble

  Consent to do something “extra” one time, five years ago, does not mean consent to do it again now

• Consent may change at any time

  Never be afraid to say “I’m not enjoying that right now/anymore”

 

Is cannabis lube for me?

Oh, honey, it’s for everyone honey.

Ignite is an intimate/personal lubricant. It can be used on your own, or with your partner(s). Because it’s water-based, Ignite can be used with toys and condoms, and won’t mess with your pH. That water-base also aids in your body’s ability to absorb the nanoparticles of THC or CBD.”

My disclaimer – again – when incorporating cannabis into your sex life, is that regardless of how much experience you have smoking/vaping/consuming edibles, your comfort level can change at any time. Whenever we elevate ourselves for a mind high or body high, even the most seasoned consumers need to check in with ourselves, and whoever we’re with.

Put that into context with sex and lube, and you understand the importance of affirming consent for certain activities. Consent is sexy!

 

Important times to discuss consent when incorporating cannabis

• Understanding and agreeing

  to use the cannabis product and the effects you’re looking for from it.

  CBD often results in a major increase in blood flow and sensation.

  THC usually results in a body high for both partners, with a mild head high akin to a low-dose edible using just a couple of pumps, with greater efficacy through application to mucus membrane… which leads me to…

• Where you’re going to apply it

  Think absorption, feeling a pulse, movement, friction, and mucus membrane.

• Checking In

  with yourself or your partner(s) about 1-minute after application, about how each partner is feeling, excitement to try new things, to slow things down, to incorporate other senses like temperature sensitivity, which changes with increased blood flow. (think: a brisk breeze on warm skin.)

  Remember, you can always add more, and it takes effect QUICKLY, so this part of consent often includes the final question: “should we use more?”

This is why I often refer to Ignite as a great foreplay lube : because it’s a great time to gauge consent without the stopping to talk thing feeling weird.

There are so many nuances to sex, and Ignite by Kush Queen makes a great addition to anyone’s nightstand drawer. Ignite is WATER-BASED, so it is condom and toy safe.

Enjoy sexual activity because you want to, not because someone else wants you to – be responsible – and don’t forget to stay hydrated!

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