There are a lot of different definitions of self-care and a whole lot of suggestions on how to do it, but there's one thing it all comes down to, self-care is all about you. As part of our newest initiative, NF.edit, our quarterly subscription box, we set out with the ambitious goal to help equestrians take a bit better care of themselves.
So what is self-care all about? It’s about taking the time to know and understand your likes, wants, and needs. It’s about ensuring that you are taking seriously good care of you.
It’s no secret that this equestrian lifestyle we love can take a toll on us. The time, effort, and stresses of our sport and our dedication to horse care, not to mention exposure to the elements, can leave us mentally, physically, and emotionally drained. With so much to think about, sometimes our self-care practices look a little more like, ‘well, that’ll do.’
That’s why we’re stepping in to help. With the NF.edit, we’re here to support you on your journey in finding the best products and practices that elevate your life both in and out of the saddle.
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We’re researching and talking with brands that understand athletes and horse lovers, and more importantly, are using their knowledge of thoughtful ingredients and practical applications to create products that cater to your mind, body, and soul.
Each NF.edit curation will always provide items that are specifically geared towards riders, and we also want to introduce you to new brands and products that may not be equestrian-focused but will fit perfectly into your lifestyle and self-care routine.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the contents of your very first NF.edit:
Dreamers and Schemers
“Stay Grounded” custom NF socks
DAS Regular Boot Socks Retail Value: $17.95
This popular and well-loved company needs little introduction. Kristy Lake has made it her mission to help bring custom designs to life with the quality and durable material of some of the best boot socks in the biz.
With all of the exciting new ventures that NF has embarked upon this year, even the name Dreamers and Schemers was a great fit for our very first custom socks.
As high as our goals may be, it’s important to be rooted in the foundations, both principles and people, that keep us at our best. That’s why we added a friendly reminder to ‘Stay Grounded’ every time you put on our socks.
They are a little thicker than DAS’s normal socks but have no fear, they won’t get caught in your boot zippers and they’ll give your toes a little extra warmth heading into fall and winter, not to mention that we're loving our custom polka-dot and NF logo design!
Scentuals natural & organic skin care
Aromatherapy De-stress and Balance Roll-ons
Retail Value: $12.28
Say hello to your new favorite toxin-free and cruelty-free company, Scentuals natural & organic skin care. We’re a fan of this Canada-based company for so many reasons, one of them being that by utilizing 100% essential oils and natural ingredients in their collections, they’re creating some of the best quality all-natural products available today.
Two of these products are Scentuals Aromatherapy Roll-ons – Balance and De-stress. The curated blends of ingredients, based on pure essential oils, have countless benefits like alleviating stress, getting better sleep, calming nerves, improving memory capabilities –you name it.
De-stress utilizes lavender, chamomile, and lemon to help calm nerves and reduce stress - especially those nerves we get on the morning of a big class or clinic. Balance has ylang-ylang and neroli to relax the mind, relieve tension and uplift spirit - perfect for decompressing after a long day at the barn.
They’re easy enough to keep in your tack trunk, in your ring bag, or even on-hand when you walk your course. The applications of these roll-ons are endless for riders. The true value of essential oils is in using them on a daily basis to help train the nervous system to be calmer and to recover better.
Scentuals natural & organic skin care
Grapefruit Turmeric Hand Repair Cream
Retail Value: $7.66
All hail the wonder root, Turmeric!
Remember when we said that Scentuals uses the best natural ingredients? Well, this is one of them. If you don’t think you’re familiar with turmeric, you’ve probably seen it in more places than you think –in tea, facial masks, and now in your hand lotion.
Colder weather is coming our way and with as much as your hands do around the barn, it’s nice to treat them to some of their own therapy. But dry winter hands aside, this lotion will benefit your skin year-round.
The shea and cocoa butter keep your hands moisturized, sweet almond oil and aloe rejuvenate skin, grapefruit gives a naturally refreshing scent, and last but not least, turmeric acts as a potent anti-inflammatory. For all of the sensitive skin people out there, turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are said to help with psoriasis, healing wounds, and scarring.
Need more turmeric in your life? Get the September box.
Ruespari
Classic Thin Width Black & Silver Surcingle Belt
Retail Value: $75.00
Their tagline is "Be Flexible," and it’s spot on when it comes to describing these belt designs.
Ruespari gets the comfort that riders need in the saddle. Their belts are cruelty-free and made with elastic to allow for great stretch and free movement as you ride. The silver surcingle buckle lies perfectly flat against your breeches so tucked in or out, you won’t have to worry about a buckle hitting you in the stomach as you get into two-point.
This classic black design can also go with any style you feel like rockin’ for your #ROOTD.
Equestrian Wellness
Essential Helmet Spray
Retail Value: $14.00
Many of you have already discovered the magic that is the Equestrian Wellness Essential Helmet Spray. A lot of natural, non-toxic goodness is packed into this little spray bottle.
Here’s a rundown of the ingredients: distilled water, distilled spirits, clove, cinnamon, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, rosemary, & eucalyptus essential oils.
All of these potent oils have been effortlessly blended to bring you a bold, refreshing scent and natural bacteria-fighting power that truly does the job when it comes to combating that dreaded sweaty helmet.
Don’t miss out on all of its additional uses, though, just because it says ‘helmet spray’. It’s also great to spray in your boots, car, clothes – it’s even safe to spray on animals!
Founder Valerie Breslow has applied her holistic health background to creating products that truly benefit riders and address their realities. Partnering with Valerie and EW was a no-brainer for the first NF.edit and we hope to bring you more of their sweet-smelling wellness goodness in boxes to come.
What are you waiting for? Give NF.edit a try today and give yourself the gift of self-care.
All photos by Danica Taylor.
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