One day in November 2020, Shanita, my new Dominican friend, showed me a basket of 100% Dominica-made natural products she received from a lady called Terri. I wanted to try everything in the basket! So, I asked Shanita to ask Terri to put a basket together for me, as Terri is the chairwoman of the Dominica Spa, Health and Wellness Association. It’s an NGO operating on the vision of a collaborative environment for spa, health, and wellness rooted in Dominica’s naturally diverse and rich healing heritage. All members of the association are small businesses based on the island.

A few days later, a cheerful, vibrant, and approachable Terri delivered my basket, beautifully adorned with fragrant flowers. The basket was made by women in the indigenous Kalinago Territory.

The basket had the following goodies from seven small businesses.

• Moringa powder from Layou Park Farm

• Moringa face scrub and mask from Natures Touch

• Seasoning, chlorophyll powder, and a garlic syrup from Healthy Islander

• Balms and lip balms from BeeNatural

• Clay and oatmeal soaps from Nature’s Caress

• Body wash & shampoo, body scrub, and clay face mask from Jaydees Naturals

• Cocoa sticks from Black Gold

I wasted no time to start trying the products. That night, as I stood in the shower and felt the warm water glide down my skin, I opened the 2-in-1 body wash and shampoo from Jaydees Naturals and was greeted with a flowery, sweet, and musk scent. It was lovely! After lathering and then rinsing off the body wash, I exfoliated with the body scrub. My recent breakouts called for a face mask, so I used the clay and turmeric mask and felt the impurities being sucked out of my skin. After washing off the mask and then toning and moisturizing my face, I ran the lavender lip balm from BeeNatural over my lips. Then I went to bed.

I woke up the next morning with smoother skin and softer lips, looking and feeling my best.

If you would like to order a basket to be waiting for you in hotel room when you arrive in Dominica or to be delivered to you while in Dominica, send an e-mail to wellnessdominica@gmail.com or call +1-767-277-5845.

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