We live in an age where workplace burnout is now officially recognized as an “occupational phenomenon” and anxiety is at an all-time high. As the work/life pendulum swings out of balance during these uncertain times, people are searching for answers in a bid to restore a sense of calm and focus.
That’s where Mab & Stoke comes in with their simple but powerful mission: to make people feel their most amazing selves. And they’re doing just that with their made-to-order, customized herbal super tabs that are putting wellness back into our hands, literally. But this isn’t just another supplement selling empty promises. Their team of artists, explorers, scientists, and makers are done with waste, hype, and bad practices. They want results so they reinvented herbal wellness for modern life. Isn’t it time someone took the guesswork and grind out of amplifying wellness?
So what is it exactly? Well, these individually prepared herbal super tabs are created from a specially-selected blend of potent herbal extracts, including everything from Ashwagandha to Asian Ginseng, Elderberry and Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and more. You simply dissolve one in water, tea, juice, or a cocktail (if that’s your jam) either morning or night, or whenever you need a pick-me-up. To find a Mab Tab made for you, fill out their quick quiz and their herbal experts will get to work crafting your new BFF.
To learn more, we tapped several influential women who have been using the herbal super tab to hear their perspective on the super tab, how it’s positively impacted their health, and their daily self-care and wellness practice to maintain calm and balance.
Separate from their unique custom blends, Mab & Stoke just launched two new Readymade Mab Tabs today—Calm and Immunity—so keep reading to the end to learn more and add to cart for supercharged health.
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Do what your body is showing you it needs to feel complete—that’s a practice I do daily.”
Photo: Alex Palombo
On her morning routine…
The latest iteration of my morning routine, amidst the new normal of social distancing in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, is certainly different. I’m prioritizing my internal health as much as I have historically placed importance on my physical health and strength. It’s no longer enough to just hit the gym. I want to make sure my immune system is as strong and sound as possible. I’ve started using Mab Tabs with a dash of honey as my morning drink in place of coffee, then I work out outside with my TRX and battle ropes while following the Be Exceptional Fitness virtual training program, and then I get to work for the day.
Many of my clients are rethinking what brand innovation means to them in this climate and are realizing there needs to be a focused effort on business continuity and strategy to prepare for the unknown which means lots of sedentary time that I’m not accustomed to. My time is currently spent drafting and stress-testing crisis response scenarios. Working remotely means even more conference calls and video chats and lots of time at the computer, so I try to make sure to end my evening with essential oils and a little mediation practice to reset and calm my energy.
On dealing with stress…
My tips for avoiding burnout at work are to have and promote open lines of communication, clear expectations, delegate to the most capable and always inspire transparency. In that scenario, it’s hard to be unhappy unless you’re not adhering to the principles you’ve set for others. So much of burnout is a misalignment of expectations and an underestimate of bandwidth. I try my best to avoid doing either. As long as I’m happy and healthy, I have no stress.
On her self-care practice…
Self-care to me is synonymous with self-love. Self-care is an active exercise of replenishing and nourishing the parts of your mind, body, and soul as needed. Sometimes it’s a massage, other times it’s a therapeutic chat about life, or you're doing something to fortify an area where you feel weak. Do what your body is showing you it needs to feel complete—that’s a practice I do daily. My self-care routine keeps me feeling consistent with myself so that I can show up consistently for others.
On her top confidence-boosting tips…
Trust your intuition, know if you’re there you belong, and always know that you can create #ThePathRedefined on your life because you’re in control.
On how Mab & Stoke has positively impacted her health…
I’ve recently started using Mab and Stoke’s Mab Tabs as a daily supplement in addition to my vitamins. It’s easy to implement into my daily routine and comes packed with the natural ingredients to give me a homeopathic approach to Immunity support and better living.
On her favorite drink to drop a Mab Tab in…
Hot water and honey!
On her one piece of wellness advice…
Stay active so you can #BeExceptional!
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After spending 20 years in the corporate world, I found myself completely burned out… Turns out, self-care is a secret weapon.”
—Melanie Whelan
On her morning routine…
I set my alarm for 6 A.M. every morning. My 10-year-old son typically beats me out of bed so I need a few minutes of quiet before we leap into the day. I try to start each morning with a 10-minute meditation on my Calm App which I love. I keep clear quartz in my bathroom for manifestation and intention. It's next to my Sonicare toothbrush and I use my two minutes of teeth brushing to set my intentions for the day. I then head out to our kitchen to make breakfast for my kids before we leave the house by 7 A.M. I believe if you win breakfast, you win the day.
While my kids get ready, I drink my three favorites—cold brew iced coffee, seltzer with a splash of lime and my Mab Tab custom herbal tea. I started my Mab Tab routine a few months ago—it's a personally-formulated herbal super tab of highly concentrated, premium quality herbs that dissolves easily in water—and I love it.
On dealing with stress…
I've recently recommitted to a few habits to combat stress. First, I've always believed in the power of exercise to release endorphins and increase energy. I've recently fallen in love with [solidcore]. It's a pilates-inspired, reformer-based group workout in my neighborhood. I also weight train and run—I love it all. Secondly, the power of meditation and positive thinking is real. I try to take 10 minutes out of my day, twice a day, to meditate and clear my head. It's been transformative.
Finally, I read a few years ago that looking at pictures of your kids, releases endorphins and creates happiness. I like to flip through my camera roll multiple times/day and surround myself with family photos in my office. I post pics of my kids far too often on my Instagram but they make me laugh.
On her self-care practice…
After spending 20 years in the corporate world, I found myself completely burned out. I didn't prioritize myself at all, claiming that I was strong enough to power through anything. It turns out that self-care is a secret weapon. Research suggests that when you prioritize your own well-being, you make better decisions, build stronger relationships and are more productive.
Over the past few months, I've shifted my priorities so that I'm making deliberate time and space for myself. Activities like meditation, consistent workouts, putting away my phone by 7 P.M. each day, reading fiction, learning something new (right now I'm studying the foundations of Judaism in our local community center) all add up to a productive self-care routine.
On how a self-care routine plays a role in how she feels about herself…
When I make time and space for myself, I'm more attuned to how I'm feeling. I know when I need a break and when I'm ready to rock. It makes me be a better mother, wife, leader, decision-maker, and friend. You should ask my kids!
On her top three confidence-boosting tips…
Exercise. I can't say enough how good the endorphins make you feel.
Make great skincare choices. I drink a ton of water (I know where most restrooms are in my neighborhood!) and recently discovered a brand called Cocokind, a certified organic and socially conscious skincare line all based on virgin coconut oil. My skin has never felt better which makes me smile more confidently.
Intention setting. Before you go into any meeting, negotiation or conversation, set an intention for your goals and outcomes. When you're clear on your own expectations, you enter any setting more confident and more likely to achieve your desired outcome.
On how Mab & Stoke has positively impacted her health…
Mab & Stoke is my personal herbalist. My custom formulation is designed for me, my goals and my lifestyle. I trust Christina's deep knowledge of herbs and formulation. I love her passion for creating effective and personal products and the subscription makes it so easy.
On her favorite drink to drop a Mab Tab in…
I love that you can pop a Mab Tab into almost any beverage, hot or cold but I prefer my Tab in hot water. It creates a beautiful herbal tea. I love the morning ritual of warm herbal tea.
On her one piece of wellness advice…
You have one life. Live it intentionally, set goals for who you want to be, what you want to accomplish and what's most important to you. Practice them daily.
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Do your best to turn inward and listen to your body.”
—Ali Bonar
On her morning routine…
I consider myself part “morning routine aficionado” and part “slug coffee while sprinting out the door” (#balance, ya know?) There are weeks where I’m on my morning routine game, and weeks where it’s a blessing to remember to remove my retainer before heading out the door. No matter if I have an hour to get ready, or just five minutes, some non-negotiables for me are: warm bevvy (particularly Mab & Stoke with a squeeze of lemon), puppy cuddles (and boyfriend, if he’s lucky), and a quick stretch.
On dealing with stress…
I run my own business, so I’ve become comfortable with the fact that stressful moments are bound to crop up but I’ve definitely learned better coping strategies to deal with them. I’m a recent convert to the world of breathwork, and it’s been *life-changing* for me. I also have a slight obsession with Andy from Headspace (#marryme), and I try to squeeze it in as much as I can, even if it’s only five minutes.
On her self-care practice…
I used to think self-care was just bubble baths and pedicures, and sometimes it is, but I’ve come to realize that it can be much simpler than that—a few intentional breaths alone in my car after a long day, or having a night to myself with Netflix and snacks, or getting creative in the kitchen is also top of my list when it comes to self-care.
On how a self-care routine plays a role in how she feels about herself…
It’s massively important. I struggled with an eating disorder for over 10 years, and through lots of inner work/therapy, realized that I often turned to food (or restricted food) in times where I just needed a bit of self-care. There are weeks where I need a bit more self-care and weeks where I’m coasting. I’m learning to give myself grace and not judge why I might need a bit more during certain periods than others.
On her top three confidence-boosting tips…
Buy clothes that fit you. Don’t worry about the size on the tag. I tried for too long to fit into a smaller size and ended up feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious. My mama always told me: you look good when you’re comfortable.
Take time to love yourself, girl! Take yourself on a solo dinner date, book yourself a massage, go for a hike in nature without your phone (gasp, I know! I believe in you). Investing the time in yourself goes a long way in how you feel in your body.
Surround yourself with people who lift you up. You know the type—someone who leaves you feeling electric after seeing them. They support you and genuinely want to see you succeed. The older I get, the smaller my circle of friends becomes. Quality over quantity, kweens.
On how Mab & Stoke has positively impacted her health…
The personalization of Mab & Stoke really appealed to me. In a world where we’re all looking for a “magic pill,” I think it’s important to realize that we’re all so different and require different supplements at different phases of our lives. I’m pretty caffeine-sensitive, so my morning tab is serving me much better than my morning coffee was (sayonara, caffeine crash!) With my mab-tab, I feel alert but calm, centered and focused.
On her favorite drink to drop a Mab Tab in…
I love hot water, squeeze of lemon and a few drops of stevia. It gives me a tangy, sweet drink that gets me going in the morning.
On her one piece of wellness advice…
Do your best to turn inward and listen to your body. I spent too many years wrapped up in outside noise: do this, eat that. I was constantly trying to change my body, forcing it to slave away at the gym and restricting it from vital nutrients to make it smaller… and it came back to bite me (health issues, anxiety, etc). Now, the more I turn inward and honor what my body is telling me, the better I feel.
Kale salads and green juice are great, but tacos and tequila shots with your girlfriends can be just as healthy. It’s important to nourish your body, but even more important to nourish your soul.
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Water what you want to grow. Focus on the positive, say nice things to yourself. If you reinforce the negative and feelings of inadequacy, that is what will flourish.”
On her morning routine…
It’s so important to, as I like to say, “own your morning” because it sets the tone for the rest of the day. I get up and drink a tall glass of water with lemon to rehydrate. Then invariably, I have coffee. It may be a vice, but I also see it as a ritual—one I’m not planning to give up! Most days, I do intermittent fasting, so I don’t eat breakfast. If I do, it’s usually a combo of greens and eggs, and avo. I’m trained in Transcendental Meditation, but I have fallen off my practice. I really want to get back to that because it enhances everything.
On dealing with stress…
For me, dealing with stress isn’t an acute action or spot treatment. Instead, I try to cultivate a lifestyle that better equips me to deal with on-going stress because it is ever-present these days. That means getting a decent amount of sleep, moving my body, and eating healthfully (most of the time). I recently wrote a book called Sugar Free 3 about ditching added sugars from your diet and doing that has helped everything from my mood to my energy levels to the quality of my sleep.
On her self-care practice…
Self-care takes so many forms and it’s a personal journey for everyone. Some of my favorite forms of self-care are:
Hydrotherapy: Anything to do with water. I find it so healing to be submerged in warm water or to feel the buoyancy and support of water. I am lucky enough to have a beach house with a great free-standing bathtub and a jacuzzi on the roof, so hanging out in one of those places is paradise to me. Swimming in the ocean is pretty awesome too.
Strength Training and Rebounding: My two favorite workouts are training with weights and jumping on a mini-trampoline. I detest cardio, but “rebounding” is a super-effective form of cardio that also feels playful. My friend, Dria Murphy just opened a bouncing studio in NYC called The Ness, where I take classes when I can.
Wine with Friends: There are few things I enjoy more than sharing wine with friends—especially ones who make me laugh. It’s even better if we’re in nature somewhere sitting around a fire pit, but I happily do it crowded around the kitchen counter in my friends’ apartments.
Bodywork: I love a good massage or other forms of bodywork, but when there’s no time for that, a foot rub in the Reflexology Lounge at THE WELL is glorious.
On how a self-care routine plays a role in how she feels about herself…
You know that safety announcement on airplanes: “Put your mask on first before helping others”? Well, I think that’s true in general. You need to feel healthy, whole and strong in order to be a good leader or colleague or partner. Self-care is not selfish—in fact, it’s the opposite.
On her top three confidence-boosting tips…
Engage in observation. We can all feel like imposters at times, but when you look around and really observe people you think are doing well or are “successful” you often see that you are just as competent—if not more—than they are. This isn’t about comparing yourself to feel superior to anyone else; it’s about raising your own awareness that you stack up.
Help someone else. Volunteer to be someone’s mentor or to just lend a hand to someone who needs it—there is always someone less experienced or more in need than you. The gratitude you receive from imparting your skills/talent/gifts—whatever they are—is really powerful and goes a long way toward boosting your own self-worth. It’s a win-win.
Take risks. I say this not only because it’s critical to growth, but also because each time you triumph over a scary situation—or even just survive it—you get a little braver. I’m a big believer in getting comfortable with feeling uncomfortable.
Bonus tip: Water what you want to grow. Focus on the positive, say nice things to yourself. If you reinforce the negative and feelings of inadequacy, that is what will flourish.
On how Mab & Stoke has positively impacted her health…
It’s incredibly overwhelming. I’m a big believer in supplements and more specifically, in the power of herbal medicine. Herbal remedies have been used by many cultures for thousands of years. And though they may not all have clinical data behind them, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that comes out of this ancient wisdom. I have actually used a medicinal herbalist on and off, but that gets incredibly expensive and hard to schedule. Mab & Stoke has brilliantly solved for that with customized, easy-to-ingest supplements that are delivered to you. Most important to me is that what I take is efficacious and Mab & Stoke have taken great care to make sure their formulations come in meaningful doses—that is so key.
On her favorite drink to drop a Mab Tab in…
Just water (hot or cold), no mixers. I guess you could say I’m a purist.
Introducing the New Mab & Stoke Readymades
These fast-acting formulas can be taken when you need them—they act fast to enhance immunity or a sense of calm. They don’t need to be taken every day (as with the Custom Mab Tabs) but can be used daily, and in conjunction with custom blends. Mab & Stoke craft and press all Mab Tabs at their FDA-compliant facility in East Hampton, NY.
Given the current climate, the Mab & Stoke team is working as quickly as they can to make as many of these available for the community. They also plant a tree with every order through their partner American Forests.
Read on to learn more about the new Immunity and Calm Readymade Mab Tabs below and start enhancing your health today.
Mab & Stoke Readymade Calm
Readymade Calm is a Mab Tab to help you chill and unwind. It offers baseline immune support (as do all Mab Tabs) but this blend has been specifically designed to tackle stress when it starts to build up and you need help relaxing. It can be taken up to 3x daily on its own or up to 2x if in conjunction with your daily Custom Mab Tab.
$54 (includes 28 Mab Tabs)
Mab & Stoke Readymade Immunity
The immune-focused Readymade Mab Tab is a highly-concentrated blend of all the herbs you need to support a healthy immune system. This Readymade Mab Tab is designed to be taken up to 3x on its own or 2x if taken in conjunction with your daily Custom Mab Tab, at the first sign of illness or when your system needs an extra boost.
$54 (includes 28 Mab Tabs)
For more information on Mab & Stoke, their new Readymade Mab Tabs, or to order your custom Mab Tab, visit mabandstoke.com.
