By: Olivia Alexander

With the year coming to a close, you can’t help but reflect on the best moments of the year. 2018 was a huge year for us at Kush Queen. It was a landmark year for cannabis in California and was filled with so many memories. While cannabis has become an undeniable trend, it’s really just our life. Our brand has had the privilege of being on the shelves of California’s best dispensaries and available online for the world to experience our Hemp CBD products.

 

Legal Weed

2018 marked the first year of legal cannabis in California. Despite the new regulations, we survived. Between compliant child resistant packaging changes, to the strictest lab requirements to date on testing, we faced every hurdle imaginable. We were blessed to close our Series A funding with Connected Cannabis Co. We wouldn’t be on the shelves without the support of Connected and Sol Distro.

 

Cover Girl

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We have had so many OMG moments this year for our beloved products and brand. From the cover of Ember Mag with Lake Bell, to our CEO & Founders moment on the cover of Dope Magazine we have remained shooketh by the media’s passion for our products. From WWD to Vogue, CBD beauty has become mainstream. We felt the great shift when we were selected as a GOOP! Favorite .  This month we achieved another huge milestone for our brand with our first ever billboard with Blum.

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Leaders Lead

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It may surprise some, but banking to sell CBD online only became reliable in the last year. Access to banking is still a controversial issue in cannabis and CBD. In March of 2018, our Kush Queen Shop was shut down along with hundreds of other CBD merchants. Luckily, we were able to get the shop re-launched just in time for 4/20. In July, we launched Defynt Skincare with the release of The Anti-Serum our nanotechnology skin serum. We loved being a part of the conversation around the science of CBD. Kush Queen remains one of the only brand currently selling in the regulated California cannabis market and online with Hemp CBD products.

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Storytelling

One of the greatest things about Kush Queen is using our platform to help worthy causes and share incredible stories. We believe in cannabis not just a plant ,but as a tool for social change. After all, cannabis is a social justice issue too. We raised money for a few different organizations close to our heart: Born this Way Foundation, BeYOUtiful Foundation ,and Trans Life Line. We also decided to tell our story behind the scenes at Kush Queen. Our family experienced some serious trials and tribulations you can now watch on The Budd.

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

It’s truly been an incredible year and we cannot wait for 2019. Make sure to subscribe to our mailing list to stay up on all our new releases coming in the new year. Thank you for being a part of our dream.

By: Morgan English

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Thought you weren’t going to host anything for New Year’s Eve and now you are? Or maybe you always planned on throwing a get together, but Christmas shopping and celebrating kept you from the NYE planning? Don’t let the stress get to you, we’re here to help!

Here are some go to KQ tips for the perfect NYE party.

Set your budget + make a list

The best thing to do going into your last minute party is setting a budget and making a list of what you need. This keeps the overspending to a minimum and let’s you tackle the to-do list in an efficient way.

A few items that are good for any party, especially a NYE party

  • Party hats

  • Noisemakers

  • Confetti poppers (optional)

  • NYE Banner

  • Balloons

  • A backdrop for the photobooth (optional)

  • Napkins

  • Recyclable cups

Pro tip: Don’t purchase too many NYE decorations with the actual year on it. This way you can save a few party hats, banners and leftover noisemakers for next year. It’s a great way to slowly build having decorations without breaking your bank.

 

Skip the dinner + big menu

One of the best parts about New Year’s Eve is that it’s a late night celebration. Skip the dinner! Start your party around 9 PM (at the earliest), build a cheese and charcuterie board, throw together an easy dessert, and get the sparkling cider ready to go! We’ve got you covered with this easy CBD fudge recipe and a fun way to class up the sparkling cider.

CBD Fudge Recipe

Everything you’ll need:

  • 1 (12 ounce) bag of semisweet chocolate morsels

  • 9 ounces (¾ of a 12 ounce bag) of butterscotch morsels

  • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 tablespoon BARE CBD tincture

  • 8 inch cake pan, lightly greased with softened butter

  • Optional toppings: walnuts, candy canes, toffee bits, sea salt

     

Directions:

  • Place a heavy pot on the stove and preheat it over low heat

  • Add chocolate + butterscotch morsels and condensed milk into pot, stir until morsels are melted and combined with the condensed milk

  • Stir in vanilla extract and BARE, once combined remove pot from heat

  • Spoon fudge into pan, it will set almost immediately. Add garnishes right away (first minute that fudge is in the pan)

  • Chill covered in the refrigerator, slice into small pieces when ready to serve!

Apple Cider with CBD Apple Slices

Everything you’ll need:

  • Sparkling apple cider

  • Apples, sliced

  • Cinnamon sugar

  • BARE CBD tincture

Directions:

  • Slice apples and place on flat cutting board

  • Lightly drizzle BARE over the apple slices. You can use a spoon or small spatula to evenly spread the BARE on each apple slice.

  • Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the apple slices

  • Flip apple slices and repeat on other side

  • Pour sparkling cider into glass, and place the apple slice on the rim!

 

Make it a BYOB party

Whether it’s booze or buds, ask your guests to contribute! They really won’t mind and it takes the financial burden off the hostess, and I promise you will still be the hostess with the mostess!

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Set up + P A R T Y!

Now it’s time to decorate before the guests arrive…

Not quite sure where to put the party hats? Throw them onto the Christmas tree! It’s a fun way to decorate the tree for NYE without spending additional cash. As guests arrive, encourage them to take a hat off the tree.

I always recommend finding a little place to set up a photo booth. Hang up some streamers or a premade backdrop and a NYE banner, and boom! A great place to snap photos and make memories with your best friends.

Blow up a ton of balloons and just let them float around on the floor! It’s fun to have, people will start playing with them, and they add an extra element that you can pull together quickly. If you’re brave and don’t mind the mess, blow one of the confetti poppers before the guests arrive.

Need some music to get the party started? Try one of these Kush Queen Curated Playlists.

Hope this helps you pull together a wonderful New Year’s Eve.

We can’t wait to see how you are using Kush Queen to bring in the New Year! Don’t forget to follow and tag @kushqueenshop & @kushqueenco in your instagram posts and stories!

Feeling FOMO? Shop Bäre below!

Shop Bäre

By: Alison Musat

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‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, and well, of course, I’ve got the munchies. Much like Ol’ St. Nick, I love a good spin on the classic gingerbread cookie recipe. When I get that craving, I reach for my traditional Swedish Pepparkakor recipe. Pepparkakor, by definition, are traditional Swedish ginger snaps that also double as the perfect gingerbread cookie.

This recipe has been handed down 3 generations of my family and was originally from a publication in McCall’s magazine. Nothing gets me into more of a holiday mood than the smell of the ginger, cinnamon, and cloves aromatically blending together in the air to provide a scent that just screams ”IT’S CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!”.

 

Tradition

The Swedish tradition is to place 1 of your cookies in the palm of your hand, make a wish and then use your pointer finger to tap on the cookie 3 times. If the cookie breaks, your wish will come true! I think we can all use a little luck around the holiday season so I happen to love sharing this tradition with my friends and family.

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By incorporating bäre when creaming the butter, sugar, and eggs,  I am able to benefit literally from my sweet tooth, while adding to my daily ritual of microdosing CBD to enrich and support my daily life and activities. For more information on how bäre works in your endocannabinoid system, I recommend reading another informative Kush Queen Blog post that goes into detail about the products abilities.

 

Traditional Pepparkakor Recipe

3 ½ Cups unsifted flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoons ginger

1 teaspoon cloves

1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

½ cup unsalted butter (softened)

1 teaspoon or 6 full droppers bäre Tincture

¾ cup sugar

1 egg

¾ cup light molasses

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel

  • In a large bowl, sift flour with spices, salt, and baking soda. If you don’t have a sifter at home, you can always shake the flour through a sieve to break up any clumps while evenly blending in the spices.

  • In another large bowl, separate from your flour mixture – beat together with an electric mixer, the unsalted butter, sugar, egg, and bäre; until blended smoothly.

  • Add molasses and lemon peel; beat ‘til well blended, making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl intermittently to ensure an even mixture.

  • With a large spoon, stir in the flour mixture.  Once the flour is incorporated into the mixture, use your hands to knead the dough together until completely smooth again.

  • Wrap the dough with a piece of wax paper or foil and put into a plastic bag, ensuring no air can get inside. You can even use parchment paper tied up with hemp string if you’d like a more eco-friendly option!

  • Refrigerate the mixture for at least 4-5 hours or overnight. It is important that the dough is cold enough to work with.

  • Having the dough ready to go ensures you and your guests will have freshly baked cookies, hot out of the oven, on Christmas morning. You may even lure Santa back down the chimney to steal a bite or two!

  • Preheat oven to 375°. While the oven is heating up, prepare your cookie sheets by greasing lightly with butter.

  • Divide dough into 4 parts, keeping one section out and return the rest back into the refrigerator.

  • Lightly flour a pastry cloth and rolling pin, keeping a small pile of flour off to one side. This will make it handy to re-flour all surfaces regularly.

  • Take the ball of dough in your hands, pressing between your palms to make it flat like a pancake.  Lightly rub flour on the top of the dough.

  • Start to roll the dough to a ⅛ inch thickness. Flip dough occasionally, re-flouring all surfaces including the rolling pin as needed, so that the dough will not stick to anything.

  • Cut rolled dough into desired shapes with cookie cutters.

  • Transfer the cookies onto a pre-greased baking sheet using a metal spatula, placing ½ inch apart. The metal spatula will help maintain the edge and definition of the cookie.

  • Combine the leftover trimmings together with the unused dough and return to the fridge. I like to transfer the cookies one at a time, however, you can also cut the cookies first and then place them onto the sheet.

  • Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let the baking sheet cool for 1 minute and then using a metal spatula carefully scrape the cookies off, removing them to wire racks to cool. After cooling, frost if so desired.

  • Makes 6-7 dozen cookies depending on size.

Helpful Tips

  • Grate your lemon first using a box grater on a plate. This step can be time-consuming and I find it much easier to gather all my ingredients first, ensuring no last minute trips to the store.

  • It is also handy to keep a pile of flour in case the dough becomes too warm and sticky.

  • If you find that the dough is becoming too warm during the process, feel free to put it into the freezer for a few minutes. This allows you to work the dough, without it being unmanageable- if you don’t want your cookies to look like they had one too many eggnogs.

These cookies are amazing unfrosted, or fully bäre, as I like to call them.  However for a more traditional frosted cookie please see the recipe below. I love this step because it really can add the custom holiday vibe to your creation! Every year it is what I look forward to the most.

Royal Icing Recipe

1/4 C Egg Whites

3-4 Cups Powdered Sugar

Create your piping bag

  • In a medium bowl, beat egg whites with powdered sugar, using an electric mixer on medium speed, until smooth and stiff. Be sure to have enough powdered sugar on hand if you need to adjust the stiffness of your frosting. The frosting needs to be thick enough to hold its shape on the cookie, however not too thick as it will not connect well while decorating and be tiresome to use. If the frosting is not stiff enough, add a little more powdered sugar.  If it is too stiff, add a few drops of water.

  • Once the frosting is done, take your premade piping bag and spoon ½ cup of the frosting into the bag.  Once done, fully roll the end of your bag down, so that while working you will not have frosting coming out of the top.

  • During the decoration process, be sure to cover mixture with a damp paper towel so that it doesn’t dry out.  This will give you ample time to work.

  • Use a #4 piping tip for writing or following the outlines of each cookie. Get Creative!  I like to use tips 3 and 4 however you are welcome to use any style tip.

Adding bäre to your daily ritual will not only help your overall wellbeing, but it can also serve a multitude of beneficial long-term effects as well. I find that the value it brings to my life is immeasurable. If you’re feeling especially festive, pair our Black Magic bath bomb – an excellent belated stocking stuffer or gift for the family member who deserves better than the traditional lump of coal.

We would love to see how you are incorporating Kush Queen recipe ideas and products into your Holidays! Don’t forget to follow and tag @kushqueenshop & @kushqueenco in all your instagram posts and stories.

Feeling the FOMO? Grab your Bäre below!

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By: Megan Lyn Farley

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Hello, My name is Megan, and I am a procrastinator.

As it stands, we are just three days away from Christmas and I am not even close to finishing my shopping. Typical.

I am making the flight from Cali to Texas for the Holidays tomorrow and I haven’t even started to pack. Obviously.

I scheduled appointments for my nails, hair, brows and my pups grooming for the day before traveling because I like to live my life on the edge I guess?

Why I torture myself with the last minute hustle, I have yet to uncover, but I do it and I go hard every time.

If you happen to be anything like me and have procrastinated your Holiday gift shopping to the last critical moment, I am here for you. I support you. I am taking care of you, and I am doing it for free!

That’s right. We are offering FREE printables to help you with your last minute gifting needs. It doesn’t matter if you are in need of a quick gift for your white elephant party, are still in need of a little something for your roommate, or had some people slip through the cracks while shopping, these printables are a playful and versatile gift for all. Not sure how to gift a printable? Here are a few of my favorite Ideas to help spark your imagination. Have fun, adapt as needed and breath. You are all set now.

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The Placeholder Gift

While you may have missed the cut off to receive your Holiday gifts from Kush Queen in time for Christmas day, that does not mean all hope it lost. You can still gift your bestie that bottle of Defynt she has been hinting at. Start by placing your order now, print and frame one of our free printables, and include a note letting them know the gift will arrive directly to their door soon. They still get to open a gift on Christmas and you still get to save the day with Kush Queen.

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Keep it Simple

The easiest way to gift a printable would be to pick your favorite one, grab a frame and wrap it up. If you are framing your printable you can totally print it out on your standard printer paper too. The frame will hide the fact that it’s not a high-quality paper. Keep the person in mind when choosing the frame. Do they have a desk they will be putting this one? Print a 5X7 and make sure the frame will stand up on the desk. Will they be hanging it on a wall? Print an 8X10 and make sure the chosen frame will easily mount to any wall. You can even let them know in a note that you picked this print out for their office or bedroom. The thought means so much, and the fun printables don’t hurt.

Make it Unique

With a quick trip to your local dollar store you can actually create some fun and unique custom framing options. Adding a little whimsy can take a basic print to the next level. For these methods below I would recommend printing on a nice cardstock as they will not be hidden behind a glass frame.

  • Clipboards: a Basic clipboard makes a great alternative to a traditional frame. Print your Image, place it under the clip and add some command strips or a wall hanging kit to the back and it is ready to add to any wall.

  • Clothespins: This is such a cute Idea and so affordable. Using a standard clothespin, add command strips to the back of the pin and cut to size. Clip in the printable and you are set. Alternatively, you can skip the command strips and opt for some twine. Hanging three to four photos from the twine using the clips adds even more interest.

  • Foamboard: If you would like to add a more modern touch, mounted prints make a great option. You can actually mount your own printables easily with some glue, an Exacto knife and a sheet of foam posterboard. You will glue the print of choice to your foam board, let the glue dry completely and then using the knife, cut the board to size. Using a permanent marker in the color of your choice, fill in the exposed sides of the foam board for a more refined look. Add a couple of command strips to the back and done.

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Go all out

If you want to take your printable gifting to the max then it’s time to go full gallery wall. All of our printables were created to look amazing alone or together so they will make a great collection for a gallery wall. The prints are available in two sizes so you can play with formation options. Print all your images, choose one of the methods above for hanging or go with your own personal favorite method. You win at last minute gifting!

 

Whether you choose to gift just one printable, or gift all six, I would recommend adding a heartfelt note so that the receiver knows you picked this gift just for them. You can even use one of our free printable greeting cards for this! Now wrap it, Bag it or simply add a bow. How easy was that?

Download 8×10 Prints

Download 5X7 Prints

 

We hope these printables help with your last minute Holiday needs. Don’t forget to share how you are gifting with Kush Queen this season by following and tagging @kushqueenshop & @kushqueenco in your instagram posts and stories.

 

Feeling the Fomo? Shop Kush Queen below!

Shop Kush Queen

 

Shenk is a comedy, fashion and cannabis podcast hosted by Comedian and cannabis influencer Sara Weinshenk ( @princessshenk ) and sponsored by Kush Queen. In each episode, Sara sits down with LA-based comedians, artists, influencers and musicians for candid conversations about their creative & personal style journeys. Each episode is different and always interesting. Guests may reveal anything from bizarre fashion choices to wild stories from their creative journey and their favorite way to smoke pot. Find out which comedians had goth phases and which have tattoo regrets. The conversations are packed with hilarious anecdotes from comedians and guests as they open up to Sara and take the audience on a funny & always colorful journey.

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In this ridiculously entertaining episode of Shenk, Comedian Sara Weinshenk sits down w/ Comedian Doug Benson. Sara and Doug discuss why it’s a weird move to keep your hands in your pockets. Sara claims it’s shady and Doug says, ‘I need to be able to see where your hands are at all times’. Doug talks about epaulets on ‘Members Only’ Jackets & how they tricked everyone into thinking they were more than just windbreakers. He also tells a funny story about an experience he had while doing a radio spot with Steve Harvey. They also dive into Doug’s comedy journey and his experience with The Comedy Store. We also find out about Doug’s serious trenchcoat phase and why he thought they were cool. Plus they discuss Piers Morgan’s inappropriate comments about Ariana Grande and why ‘Piers’ is a bad name to have. Their conversation takes many fun turns as they also discuss their excitement as cannabis legalization continues to spread to the east coast. They discuss George Carlin’s take on writing after cannabis consumption and Doug says he’s very lucky that people offer him cannabis due to his career path.

Listen to the podcast

 

Listen 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/Twitter for podcast updates, funny tweets and comedy tour dates.

By: Morgan English

Whether you’re looking for a new twist on a holiday classic or something easy you can make in bulk to utilize for hostess gifts, we’ve got you covered. These all-time favorites are dosed with just the right amount of CBD and perfect for everyone, especially those new or interested in giving CBD a try. Not to mention they’re easy to make and easy to eat…

Hot Chocolate with CBD chocolate rim

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Hosting a group? Make the hot cocoa a focal point of the get together! Offer different chocolate bases and a few different toppings. Marshmallows, candy, and toffee bits are always great options for toppings! If you are having hot chocolate for a group, sometimes it’s easier to go with store-bought hot chocolate powder. However, if you have the time and the dedication to homemade hot cocoa, I highly recommend giving this a go.

Everything you’ll need: (serves 2)

  • 2 cups milk (I prefer whole milk, any milk works though!)

  • 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 4 oz bittersweet chocolate

  • 1 dropper of BARE CBD

  • ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

  • Optional toppings

Directions:

  1. Warm milk and sugar in a saucepan over low heat

  2. Break bittersweet chocolate into chunks and microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir. Continue to microwave in 15-second intervals with stirring breaks until chocolate is completely melted

  3. Add melted chocolate to milk in the saucepan – the milk should be bubbling just along the sides of the pan

  4. Whisk together, let rest and stay warm on an unlit burner

  5. Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips in a low and wide bowl in the microwave. Once melted, add 1 dropper full of BARE and mix. Dip the rim of the mug into the melted chocolate, top as desired before chocolate sets

  6. Pour hot cocoa

Don’t be afraid to add an extra drop or two directly to your hot chocolate!

Warm Apple Cider with CBD sugar rim

There are two ways you can go about apple cider… You can make it from scratch at home, or you can save your time and add some Trader Joe’s apple cider to your cart the next time you go grocery shopping. Personally, I do the latter.

If you’re making this for a party, I recommend heating up the apple cider in a pot on the stove and prepping the rims on the glasses just before the party begins. If you’re just making one glass to sip on by the Christmas tree, feel free to warm it up in the microwave!

Everything you’ll need: (serves 2)

  • 2 cups of apple cider

  • BARE CBD

  • Cinnamon sugar

  • Cinnamon stick

Directions:

While the cider is heating up, sprinkle a fair amount of cinnamon sugar onto a flat plate or surface and set aside. Run some BARE CBD oil around the rim of the glasses you’re using to serve the drink. Once the BARE is lightly coating the rim of the glass, dip the coated rim into the cinnamon sugar. Add the warm cider and a cinnamon stick, and enjoy!

 

CBD Peppermint Bark

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Everything you’ll need:

  • 8 oz milk chocolate bar

  • 8 oz white chocolate bar

  • ½ tablespoon BARE CBD

  • ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract

  • ⅓ cup crushed candy cane

Directions:

  1. Line an 8×8 pan with wax paper, set aside

  2. Chop up milk chocolate bar into pieces, microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir. Continue to microwave in 15-second intervals with stirring breaks until chocolate is completely melted

  3. Add BARE to the melted milk chocolate, mix well

  4. Spread melted milk chocolate evenly into the pan, allow to set for a few minutes  before melting the white chocolate (do not refrigerate)

  5. Chop up white chocolate bar into pieces, microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir. Continue to microwave in 15-second intervals with stirring breaks until chocolate is completely melted

  6. Add peppermint extract to melted white chocolate, mix well

  7. Spread melted white chocolate evenly on top of the milk chocolate, work carefully in case the milk chocolate is not completely set

  8. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of white chocolate before it sets

  9. All to set overnight at room temp

  10. Cut or break as desired

     

CBD Chocolate Coated Pretzel Sticks

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Everything you’ll need:

  • 12 large pretzel sticks

  • 16 oz milk chocolate bar

  • 8 oz white chocolate bar

  • 1 tablespoon BARE CBD

  • ½ cup crushed candy cane

Directions:

  1. Lay out pretzel sticks, set aside

  2. Break up milk chocolate into pieces, microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir. Continue to microwave in 15-second intervals with stirring breaks until chocolate is completely melted

  3. Add BARE to melted chocolate, mix well

  4. Dip pretzel sticks into melted chocolate then lay on pan

  5. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes before chocolate sets

For white drizzle design:

  1. Break up white chocolate into pieces, microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir. Continue to microwave in 15-second intervals with stirring breaks until chocolate is completely melted

  2. Spoon melted chocolate into a ziplock bag. Once filled, cut off a small corner

  3. Lightly squeeze and drizzle white chocolate over milk chocolate coated pretzels

     

Both the peppermint bark and the chocolate coated pretzel sticks make for great hostess gifts. Wrap them up in small cellophane bags or tin cans and you’re good to go! A holiday season’s worth of hostess gifts can be done in one night.

Hope these holiday classics with a CBD twist brought some joy to your holiday season!

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We want to see how you are incorporating our BARE Daily Wellness Tincture into your Holiday recipes this season! Don’t forget to follow and tag @kushqueenshop & @kushqueenco in your insta posts and stories so that we can see & share them!

 

Feeling the FOMO? Grab your bottle of BARE below!

Shop Bare

By: Angela Viesti

‘Tis the season of giving but you have no idea what to get your loved ones! Don’t stress out and spend all your hard-earned money on boring, mindless items that’ll be regifted or returned before the year is over. Give them the gift of wellness and show them how much you care about their self-care!

 

The Experiential Gift

If you’re shopping for a millennial, chances are they’d prefer an experiential gift to a tangible one. Even if they’re outside the millennial age group, you can still wow them with a luxurious mani-pedi or massage enhanced with CBD.

Kush Queen’s collaboration with Bellacures makes the perfect experiential gift to give Mom after she hosted the whole family for Christmas. Send her to one of Bellacures’ Southern California nail salons for a Canni Cure—a CBD-infused mani-pedi—that’ll ease her right into the new year. Or make it a date and treat Mom and yourself to a CanniCure—you both deserve it!

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Another great gift to pamper your loved ones with is a CBD-infused massage that’ll keep their pain away long after they leave the spa. Check out our store locator to find a spa or nail salon near you that offers services using Kush Queen’s Melt Pain Lotion and CBD bath bombs.

If you can’t find Kush Queen in your area, send your Secret Santa home with the Canni Cure Kit and let them be in charge of their spa experience! They’ll have everything they need for a CBD-infused foot bath, sugar scrub, and hand massage in the comfort of their own home.

 

Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice

Gift cards can seem like half-assed, last-minute gifts that impress no one. This year, make that gift card to their favorite coffee shop shine under the tree by pairing it with Kush Queen’s Limited Edition Holiday Bath Bomb Collection, complete with the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Peppermint Latte, and Black Magic Bath Bombs. They’ll flip when they see the Latte Bath Bombs packaged in beautifully branded coffee cups!

Get creative and write them instructions on how to make the most of your gift. For example:
“Enjoy a latte on me before the annual Candy Cane Lane stroll. After that, warm up in a soothing bath with a seasonal Kush Queen bath bomb.”

Your holiday gift card bundle will be anything but basic!

 

Bundle Up with CBD

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Kush Queen’s curated collections are perfect for introducing someone to a host of amazing wellness products at once—plus they make the shopping experience easy on you!

Shopping for a novice? The CBD Wellness Collection is the ideal gift set for the CBD-curious folks on your list. Complete with an Immunity Bath Bomb, Bare Tincture, and Melt Pain Lotion, this set has all the essentials to begin integrating CBD into their daily wellness routine. Equip them with some ideas on how to incorporate CBD into their lives by sharing these blog posts with them.

“We Wish You a Healthy Holiday”

“Finding your Creative Flow”

Shopping for the CBD-enthusiast in your life? Go all out and get them the Ultimate Kush Queen Collection this year. This set includes 6 full sized bath bombs, Bare Tincture, Soaked Bath Gel, Renew Sugar Scrub, Melt Pain Lotion, DEFYNT Face Serum, and Ignite CBD Lube. You’ll win Christmas and they’ll go into 2019 with everything they need to live their best (healthiest) life!

 

The Gift of Wellness Keeps on Giving

Thoughtful, creative, and unique gifts add an extra element of cheer to the holiday spirit for both the giver and recipient. Giving your loved ones the gift of wellness will remind them that you care about their health and wellbeing well into the new year. I can’t think of a better way to end 2018.

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How are you sharing the gift of Kush Queen Wellness this year? Tell us all about it in your #sharingiscaring insta posts and stories! Don’t forget to follow and tag @kushqueenshop & @kushqueenco!

Feeling the FOMO? Grab some Kush Queen Wellness below!

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By: Olivia Alexander

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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

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.

 

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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!

 

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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.

 

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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: Ben Mervis

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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. ??‍

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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?”

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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

 

 

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By: Morgan English

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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:

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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:

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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.

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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

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  • 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!