In June of last year, Seagrape coordinated a set of Black + BIPOC Care Packages that quickly grew into a whole project! These care packages were created with luscious donated self care goodies from the community - our beloved customers, local businesses, and more! We were able to put together and deliver over 275 care packages to our neighbors throughout all of 2020 and are so grateful to have been able to coordinate this effort to meet the
excitement of receiving these small gifts! We believe deeply in making self care accessible for our entire community, and providing these luscious care packages to our neighbors during a year of crisis and upheaval felt very nourishing. Thank you so much to everyone who donated, delivered care packages, and helped make this project happen!
We are so excited to carry this vision of care into 2021, with some updates! In 2021, our team will focus our efforts on fundraising for care packages rather then soliciting donations through our Bi-Annual Solstice Symposium! All proceeds raised through ticket sales at the Symposiums will fund purchases from local Black + BIPOC Owned Businesses, which will then be included in care packages for the Black + BIPOC Community members. We are so excited to focus on
fundraising - the vision is to reinvest money in Black + BIPOC Owned Businesses while also supporting community self care! All care packages for 2021 will be available only for Pickup at our storefront in Portland, OR.
Our goal for 2021 is to share 300 care packages with our community! To get involved in this project, keep your eyes peeled for a JUICY raffle in March and September of this year, and plan to buy your ticket for the Summer and Winter Solstice Symposiums now! If you'd like to donate to the purchase of a box you can do so here, and please share this effort with your loved ones!
Black + BIPOC Community members who would like to receive a care package, please keep an eye on our social media and newsletter for updates closer to Solstice! We will send out more information and details very soon. In the meantime, here are some soothing recipes for the times:
Skin Soothing Salve and Oil:
- 1/2 cup of oil like coconut, jojoba or olive
- 1 Tbsp of beeswax (depending on consistency you like)
- 1 Tbsp of shea or cocoa butter
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 20 drops orange (or grapefruit) essential oil
- 5 drops ylang ylang essential oil
Melt together in a double boiler and stir to combine. Pour mixture into a clean container and apply to dry skin, this especially soothing for dry winter hands. Combine just the essential oil blend into 1 cup of oil (any kind you want to use on your skin) to make an easy body oil for an uplifting and soothing massage.
Guiding Light Shower Steam:
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 1 3/4 cup baking soda
- Guiding Light Essential Oil Blend - 20 drops lemongrass, 20 drops orange, 15 drop ginger (sub any citrus here for an uplifting blend!)
- 4 tablespoons water
Combine dry ingredients with essential oil, stir in water slowly until combined. Form steamers into tablespoon sized balls or use moulds if you have them. Set them on parchment to dry for 24 hours before using. To use simply place a ball in the shower (out of direct stream) and let the steam release the essential oils slowly as you shower for a mood enhancing experience. If you don't have the above ingredients simply put 1-3 drops of pure essential oil
on a small dish in the shower (out of direct stream) and let the steam diffuse it for you.
Herbal Tea for Immune System Support:
Combine and one or all of the following herbs into an immune system boosting tea:
1 part elderberry - antiviral
1 part ginger - circulatory support
1 part rose hips - high in vitamin c
1 part echinacea - immune boosting
Herbal Tea for Self Compassion:
1 part rose - calls in self love
1/2 part lavender - clearing energy
1 part Passion flower - relaxing nervine support
1 part lemon balm - soothing and calming
Anxiety-free essential oil diffuser blend:
10 drops lavender
10 drops lemon
5 drops clary sage
10 drops bergamot
3 drops rose or 1 drop rose geranium
