Calling all aspiring plant moms! This is a great starting guide for the best plants to have in your home.

Looking to elevate your space with some bright, happy, greenery and improve your health simultaneously? Here are the HealthyGirl top picks for incorporating Mother Nature into your home. Plants and greenery have so many benefits and make your space look mature, trendy, minimalist and modern.

1) Aloe Vera

Our top pick is aloe! Not only are aloe plants easy to care for, but they are inexpensive and last a long time. Having aloe around the house is great if you want to experiment with some super hydrating aloe water, and it’s helpful to have in the event of a burn (ouch!), in which case you can apply it directly to your skin.

• Blend aloe into your smoothie for a digestion boost!
• Doesn’t need to be watered often.
• Freeze aloe and rub on your face for natural aloe face serum.

2) Eucalyptus

Next is a super easy bunch of eucalyptus. A couple of dried stems of this clean greenery not only makes for an aesthetic space but can also be a breath of fresh air – literally! Eucalyptus is great for respiratory wellness, so hanging this from the head of your hot shower will create a heavenly, steamy eucalyptus shower that’s amazing for lung health and feels like a spa at the same time. The BEST!

The best hack is to get the eucalyptus leaves at Trader Joe’s – they are literally $3.

3) Snake Plant

Our third plant pick is a snake plant – don’t worry, she won’t bite! This plant naturally filters the air, helps get rid of air toxins and pollutants, and is super easy to care for. It’s like an air purifier but way cheaper!

• Go to a local greenhouse (you can even go to the Home Depot or Lowe’s greenhouse), and pick up a snake plant, they aren’t expensive at all.

4) Homegrown Herbs

Fourth up will be exciting for anyone with a green thumb! The HealthyGirl team LOVES homegrown herbs, and we know you will, too. Anything from rosemary, mint, or basil can be easy and delicious to grow yourself. You can test your skills by tending to them from seed to sprout, or you can look into an LED Smart Garden to grow your herbs easily indoors. Check out some other great kitchen appliances.

Make sure to grow rosemary, basil and mint for air purification and to elevate your cooking!

• Plant herbs in your backyard if you have a house or on a balcony if you’re in an apartment style building!
• Planting herbs at home makes it so easy to use them in your cooking.
• Don’t want to plant herbs? Buy bunches of herbs from the grocery store and keep them in a mason jar with water (or bundled in a paper towel in the fridge).

Bonus Tip: Recycle Your Veggies

Don’t throw away the end of your romaine lettuce!

For those of you who might not be up for the challenge of mothering a plant from the very start, we’d suggest you look into propagating your own vegetables! This means that you reproduce a plant from its parent plant in the comfort of your own home.

This is as easy as cutting off a plant’s base and placing it in a shallow cup of water, and refreshing the water on a regular basis.

You can start off with something as simple as the base of a head of celery and watch it grow until it’s ready to harvest for your next salad. Yum!

We hope you find ways to green up your space and sow good vibes all around you. Now you know some of the best plants to have in your home. Happy planting, besties!

We’ve tried a lot of kitchen appliances here in the HealthyGirl Kitchen and we’ve narrowed it down to one’s that are great quality, will last you a long time and that we truly love and use all the time. These must-have kitchen appliances will complete your kitchen and will make your cooking experience that much better.

Before we jump in, a must in everyone’s kitchen is Azuna Pods. They’re my favorite non-toxic air-freshener and odor eliminator. Use my discount code HEALTHYGIRL25 to save!

1. High-Speed Blender

A true kitchen essential is the Vitamix blender! It’s a blender you use every single day, sometimes even multiple times a day, and it is so versatile. The reason we recommend this blender over others is because of its ability to blend at such a high-power making things like dressings smooth and creamy. Other blenders seem to leave chunks and didn’t fully blend up the ingredients.

Not only is the Vitamix blender great for dressings, but it is also perfect for smoothies, ice cream, nut butters, soups, and doughs. It is definitely on the pricier side when it comes to blenders, but it is worth every penny because of how well it works, and how long it lasts. You won’t find yourself re-purchasing blenders every few years because the Vitamix is built to last.

The Vitamix is perfect for your morning routine to make a healthy breakfast like a smoothie.

2. All Things from Smeg!

We can all recognize a Smeg product when we see it because of the cute retro pastel colored look. Not only does Smeg have great reliable products, but they are also aesthetically perfect to have out on your counter for guests to see. 

It is hard to pick a favorite because they offer so many different kitchen essentials, but if we had to choose, it would be an immersion hand blender. If you want a cup sized amount of liquid blended up, for example herbs and oils to spread on bread, or berries to make a compote, and instead of having to get out the food processor or dirty a larger appliance, a hand blender comes to the rescue and is easy to clean, as well. Order it here!

3. Smart Toaster

We are obsessed with the Revolution InstaGLO toaster. Get this: its touch screen. This is the toaster you never knew you needed, but once you get it you’ll be so glad you did! It’s a great investment. This toaster has insane technology that is able to cater to so many different types of food. It has settings for white bread, wheat bread, gluten-free bread, artisan bread, and waffles just to name a few of the many settings it has.

It has a built-in algorithm that is able to detect the ingredients inside the food and adjust accordingly as it is toasting your food.  This toaster also has the ability to save your favorite settings to a personalized home menu for easy access for next time.

4. Non-Stick (non-toxic) Pots and Pans

Having a good set of nonstick pans in your kitchen is essential. The last thing you want to do when you’re finished cooking is clean up, and there is nothing worse than a crusty pan that you have to let soak.

Caraway pans are the perfect kitchen must have because they have a non-stick coating and make cleaning up a breeze. Caraway also has a tidy storage set for you to keep your pans which helps with clunky clutter that pots and pans can make. 

Many pots and pans are made with toxic ingredients that cook into your food. Caraway is made with non toxic naturally smooth ceramic. You’ll feel good knowing that you are using the best quality materials when cooking for yourself, your friends and your family.

5. A Good Juicer

The Omega juicer is one of my favorite kitchen items to take out and use. I can let my creativity run wild and I just know that whatever I create is going to be so delicious. The Omega juicer is easy to use and you can put in any fruits or vegetables you have to create a delicious and nutritious juice. The Omega juicer separates the juice from the pulp, and you can use the pulp in a variety of ways so you have zero waste.

My two favorite ways to use the pulp are to mix it in with overnight oats or oatmeal (especially when making apple carrot juice), or to make banana bread with added fiber from the pulp.

6. Food Processor

A food processor is necessary and is different than a blender. In a blender, you almost have no choice but to blend something super smooth (that’s almost always the goal). However, with a food processor, you’re able to achieve texture and make recipes that don’t require liquid. A blender needs liquid in order to blend properly.

For example, if you’re making an energy ball recipe with dates and nuts, a blender would fail to blend this properly, and a food processor would be needed for the job.

7. Clean Your Appliances

When it comes to cleaning products, so much plastic is used and wasted bottling soaps and detergents. Zero Waste Dish Washing Block combats this by creating a non toxic, vegan dish soap that lasts 2-6 months. This vegan dish soap is also free of any sulfates and palm oils and has ingredients that are derived from plants. It comes with a block, the soap and a brush and will look so cute next to your sink. Use this to wash your appliances well.

Herbs and spices don’t just amplify the flavor of your cooking, but they come with many amazing health benefits!

Try incorporating these five spices into your daily routine and diet to help you feel like your healthiest self. These five spices will help you slay your hot girl wellness journey without having to break the bank. 

1. Fennel Seed

Fennel seed is our first pick as a major source of magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Not only is it tasty, but fennel seed will help you regulate your hormones and is rich in fiber. It will get you on track for regular digestion and a healthy menstrual cycle. Throw some fennel into a cup of tea or a savory soup to reap benefits your body will thank you for!

• Try fennel tea
• Get fennel seeds for cooking

2. Ginger

Ginger is a pantry essential. We seriously are loving ginger! Whether you’re sipping on ginger tea or even having some with your sushi, ginger will aid with its anti-inflammatory properties that will help you achieve digestive, immune, and even mental wellness. Ginger is said to boost serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain, which can help to aid anxiety. Sprinkle a bit of ginger on your next Asian-inspired dish to get that kick of flavor that your body will LIVE for.

• Get the HealthyGirl recommended ginger tea
• Stock up on ginger spice to cook with

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is our next favorite spice. She’s got a distinct taste so she might not be for everyone, but wow is she a boss spice. Basically, ginger’s hotter, sassier cousin, turmeric also aids in easing inflammation and helps with heart health. With turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties, you can alleviate some of that brain fog and strengthen your immune system. While turmeric tea can be a bit strong for some, a teaspoon of the spice in your next homemade Indian-inspired meal will fuel your bod’s wellness journey. You can even take a turmeric supplement if that’s easier for you.

• Get turmeric for your pantry
• Try a turmeric supplement

4. Bay Leaf

Bay leaf is our fourth spice pick – definitely a lesser known of the bunch. You might recognize bay leaf from an old family soup recipe, and we’re hype to know she’s been an ingredient in the lineup for a reason. A great source of vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin C, bay leaf is great for your immune system and overall health. Throw a bay leaf or two in your next hearty soup to soak up all these benefits.

5. Cinnamon

Our fifth spice pick is cinnamon! Contrary to popular belief, cinnamon serves a higher purpose than just being the best autumnal spice. Packed full of antioxidants, cinnamon has many properties that can support the immune system and help to balance your blood sugar levels. Throw a pinch of the fragrant seasoning on your oatmeal or even into your next smoothie, and enjoy. 

Who knew your wellness journey could be inspired by somewhere as close by as the spices aisle at the grocery store? Any of these picks can be added into your everyday diet through something as simple as a new flavoring in your favorite dish, or a tea to help you kickstart your day. Spice up your life, bestie!