With love from Monni...

To celebrate Valentines Day, we chatted all things love with our Tea and Tonic Founder Monni Jansen. Monni gives us a peak into her self care rituals and insights on love...

I like to begin my day with a series of cleansing rituals. I scrape my tongue, oil pull, perform the Big Six lymph massage, dry brush my skin, and finish with a cold shower. These self care rituals take me about 10 to 15 minutes.
Afterwards, I enjoy a cup of liver detox tea, followed by a blend of BePure Vitamin C powder mixed with BePure collagen and gut regular powder, along with one teaspoon of Matakana Superfoods greens powder.

It feels important for me to incorporate movement into my morning routine, whether it’s a Pilates workout, a walk, or a swim in the ocean. Following my exercise, I take the time to sit and enjoy an organic decaf coffee with homemade nut milk, my favourite at the moment is cashew and coconut. This morning routine leaves me feeling refreshed and ready for a full day’s work, which, most of the time, involves doing something I love.

In the evenings, if my workday hasn’t been too long, I like to move my body again, followed by a healthy dinner.

During this time, I also enjoy creating art and listening to music. After my evening shower, I incorporate an organic body oil—typically, I use extra virgin olive oil from Ti Point and a selection of products from Maryse and Country Kitchen for my décolletage, neck, and face. To wind down, I practice facial yoga and then lie with my legs up against the wall before heading to bed

I am in tune with how I feel and believe that prevention is the best cure. It’s important to be mindful of your emotions and needs while being proactive with your self-care.

By paying attention to how I feel, I can take the necessary steps to maintain my well-being and address any issues before or as they arise. I also want to feel my best so I can enjoy and get the most out of each day and show up as best as I can for others around me.

To truly affirm that you already have love in abundance, embody the feeling of having more than enough. When you express a desire for more love in your life, you are placing it in the future as something you don’t currently possess. In contrast, when you say, "I have more than enough love in my life," you are affirming that you already possess it. This shift in mindset creates a positive energy that attracts even more of what you’ve already acknowledged to the universe. By embracing this energy, you invite more love into your life.

If you find yourself feeling lonely, take a moment to ask yourself why. Approach this introspection with curiosity and without judgment. Once you identify the reason behind your feelings, take steps to create what you need. Reach out to a friend or initiate a special moment for yourself, whether that involves spending time alone, with a friend, or with your partner. Additionally, think of all the people who have shown you love, kindness, care, appreciation, support, compassion, empathy, patience, connection, remember those moments and the feelings they brought you and perhaps you may feel a little less lonely. It’s important to acknowledge that while loneliness may arise at times, there have also been many moments when you have felt comfort. Recognising this can help shift your perspective and remind you that you are never truly alone.

I believe that Tea & Tonic and Valentine’s Day align if you have someone in mind who would appreciate a thoughtful gift. This gift would be ideal for someone who values New Zealand-made products from businesses founded and led by women, as well as those who want to support small enterprises. It’s a beautiful option for individuals who prioritise products that are not packaged in plastic and are free of harmful chemicals, synthetic fragrances, additives, and preservatives.