Guest User

March 20, 2025

Staff Picks

Staff Picks: Spring 🌱 Forward!

Guest User

March 20, 2025

Staff Picks

Our top picks for this season of soft light, warm breezes, cooling showers, budding plants and trees, renewed energy, and more!

**Ellie**

**Superieur Plant Based Electrolytes Tub - Lime Blueberry**

Dehydration is sneaky! With the weather becoming more beautiful, it's essential to make sure that as we spend more time outdoors we supply our bodies with the water and electrolytes they need to keep us going. The Lime Blueberry flavor electrolyte powder from Superieur is my personal favorite hydration support - it's delicious enough to motivate me to keep my water bottle close by.

**Amber**
**Tilden Lacewing Non-Alcoholic Cocktail**

When I say this beverage reminds me of a pickle, trust that I mean it in the best way possible. Cucumber, basil, and juniper berry are blended with lemon and a hint of szechuan pepper for an herbaceous, tangy treat that's ready to drink with no mixer required. Enjoy it with a fancy ice cube and a cucumber garnish--and preferably on a porch.

**Victoria**
**Big Picture Foods - Organic, Whole, Mixed Greek Olives**
Organic, regeneratively farmed, never pasteurized, naturally fermented - sounds too good to be true, but it is! Olives are a go to snack for me while making dinner after work to curb my appetite for a little until food is ready. When we got these olives in, I didn't think they'd be any different. Once I ate them, I realized how much more delicious and firm they are! Plus, since they are naturally fermented and not pasteurized, you're getting probiotic benefits! I love snacks that support our gut health and mood and immune function!

**Dev**
**Matr Boomie Orange Jasmine Incense**
After a day full of cleaning and gardening, there's nothing more that I like to do than relax with a cup of tea while I let the calming, delightful scent of Matr Boomie incense waft through my apartment. All of their incense is fantastic, but Orange Jasmine in particular smells like spring itself unfolding around you.

**Molly**
**Mid-Day Squares Bar - Cookie Dough**

Now that the weather is getting better, I find myself on-the-go more. Mid-Day Squares Cookie Dough are my favorite afternoon on-the-go snack! Juuuust sweet enough to satisfy my afternoon sugar cravings without the crash, with 4 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. The cookie dough is my personal favorite, but all the flavors are good!

**Shannon**
**Simply Curated Soy Candle- Vanilla & Lavender**

Lush lavender combined with sweet vanilla provides the most delicious springtime aroma that makes me excited for the colorful, sunny days ahead!

**Caleb**
**Four Sigmatic Instant Mushroom Elixir Mix with Cordyceps**

Smooth, hydrating, luxurious, made from lobster! Marin’s super unique face and body cream is a game-changer for those of us who struggle with dry winter skin and the conditions that come with it. Hydrating enough for body, light enough for face, I keep a large one at home a small bottle in my bag.

**Ashley**
**Himalayan Chandra Neti Spray Sterile Saline Spray**
Plant love is in the air, everywhere I look around. Achoo! Tis the season for pollen and spore allergies to rear their heads. To help bust out of the cycle of seasonal snotieness, it's nice to give my nose a soothing saline spray before I wash away the irritants of the day from my face.

**Brenden**
**FC Brands Micro Manager Detail Brush**
Being micromanaged is something that I can't stand but when it comes to cleaning I love the Full Circle Micro Manager detail brush. I recently moved and the previous tenets, had maybe never cleaned anything, so this handy-dandy tool has worked wonders in my home. From the stiff bristle brush on one side to the rubber detail nub on the opposite end, this is your new spring cleaning friend. Throw out that old and flimsy toothbrush and pick up the Micro Manager to spring forward into a clean living space.

**Zach**
**Sunwarrior Active Creatine**

I've spent the past three months working hard on my fitness goals and as part of that I've been using the Sunwarrior Active Creatine to support my increased exercise output and to aid in recovery with great success. The flavors are enjoyable and Sunwarrior uses the optimal form in Creatine Monohydrate too!

**Emily**
**Cambridge Naturals Brand Magnesium Glycinate 400mg**

As I'm turning 40 this year (gasp!) I've been thinking more seriously things like bone health, managing my stress levels and maintaining healthy blood sugar, and all the boring but necessary considerations of aging well. Therefore I've been laying off the coffee (sigh) and renewing my commitment to daily magnesium supplementation - which has the added benefit of helping me sleep! I love our Cambridge Naturals Brand Magnesium Glycinate 400mg - easy-to-swallow capsules that I can take as part of my daily bedtime routine for a restful night of sweet dreams and a new decade of feeling my best!

**Mike**
**De Soi Italian Spritz Mocktail**

The weather is warming up, which means it's time to start strollin' around. You know what makes that even better? A strollin' around beverage. This one is as refreshing as the warm breeze that tempts us with wisps of comfortable weather. Plus, hydration always helps a good stroll, whether it slakes your thirst or washes down whatever wonderful treats you find along the way.

**Daisy**
**Harmless Harvest Raw Coconut Water**
My goal is always to drink more water throughout the day. However, as somebody who doesn't like electrolyte powders and needs to take a break from plain old water sometimes, I love to break up my daily water intake by switching to coconut water. Coconut water is not only a great source of electrolytes and tastes great on its own, but you can also use it as a base for smoothies and juice blends. We carry a few different brands of coconut water but my absolute favorite is the Harmless Harvest Organic Raw Coconut Water. With a naturally occurring pink color, this 100% pure coconut water is perfect for quenching your thirst. And pro tip, place the bottle in the freezer until chilled and then shake to create a coconut water slush!

**Rose**
**Weleda Skin Food Nourishing Body Lotion**

I love all of the Weleda Skin Food products and find this lotion to be super nourishing while also being lightweight and non-greasy. For the winter months I opt for their body butter, and in other parts of the year I prefer this body lotion. The scent is absolutely delicious and while I enjoy it all year round, it always strikes me as having an especially "springy" scent (or maybe it's just their green labels that make it feel like spring!) If you fall in love with the scent the way I have, do not fear! They sell many other products in this line so you can get completely absorbed in all things Weleda Skin Food!

Guest User

January 21, 2025

Staff Picks

Staff Picks: Winter Wellbeing ☃️

Guest User

January 21, 2025

Staff Picks

Our top picks for this icy season of sniffles, dry skin, winter winds, and also cozy time indoors!

**Ellie**

**Baraka Ceramic Neti Pot**

My chronic sinus inflammation and irritation gets a lot worse in the brutally dry air of the winter. Though I had heard about the benefits for sinus hydration and symptom relief, I dragged my feet on regularly doing sinus rinses until this year, and the difference has been palpable. Integrating a rinse into my routine using one of these beautiful ceramic neti pots has been really supportive for managing my symptoms. Plus, the glaze colors are gorgeous!

**Amber**
**Gibson Games Puzzle, Autumn Equinox**

True story: It's a Saturday morning in January and I'm off work. I've slept a little later than usual, so when I wake I'm delighted to realize it's snowing outside. I bake a batch of cinnamon muffins, work my way through a pot and a half of tea, and spend the morning at my kitchen table working on this gorgeously illustrated jigsaw puzzle while my cat paws at it and tries to steal the pieces. It's as close to a perfect snowy morning I've ever experienced in my life.

If you could reasonably call yourself 'indoorsy', these beautiful puzzles will be your new winter favorite!

**Victoria**
**Baking Powder (Organic) in Bulk**

During the winter I try to leave my house as little as possible, and since spending time at home means more time in your kitchen, in comes the baking! So I buy lots of baking powder during the winter. Plus I occasionally use the baking powder to shine stainless steel pots. You can also use baking powder to remove stains from your clothes! SO bring in a 32 oz jar, get it weighed at the bulk section, and fill it up with baking powder!!

**Allison**
**Himalayan Chandra Neti Flo Kit**

Whenever I start the feeling a little congested, I use the Himalyan Chandra Neti Flo kit to clear my sinuses. I find that doing this right away can really open things up and provide some relief from whatever impending cold I have at the moment.

**Rose**
**Ere Perez Wild Tomato Riche Creme**

This face cream is a new obsession of mine. It's thick and luxurious, and is suitable for use both at night and in the morning. I was worried it might be too heavy and rich but I was completely wrong. It melts right into my skin and is proving to be an amazing moisturizer during this harsh winter. Its red hue comes from tomato seed, which is a source of lycopene, an antioxidant that can help with skin elasticity and dryness. A little goes a long way!

**Shannon**
**Eco Lips Lip Scrub Stick-Vanilla Bean**

Protect yourself from chapped lips this winter with Eco Lips Lip Scrub Stick! I love that this lip scrub comes in a stick for easy application! The sugar gently exfoliates while the blend of jojoba oil, coconut oil & olive oil leaves your lips soft and hydrated.

**Caleb**
**Marin Soothing Hydration Cream**

Smooth, hydrating, luxurious, made from lobster! Marin’s super unique face and body cream is a game-changer for those of us who struggle with dry winter skin and the conditions that come with it. Hydrating enough for body, light enough for face, I keep a large one at home a small bottle in my bag.

**Ashley**
**Flora Sophia Focus Mushroom & CBG Gummies (Mixed Berry)**
A gem for supporting completing manageable tasks centered around my personal goals!

**Sally**
**Nova Scotia Fisherman Hand & Body Lotion - Sea Kelp**
Needing a new hand and body lotion this winter that promises to "cast away dry, cracked, scaly skin ?" Nova Scotia Fisherman Sea Kelp hand and body lotion is for you. I noticed a huge improvement on my dry hands this winter after only a few uses, and the smell is truly delicious - not fishy at all - Available in additional scents of Sea Fennel and Sea Buckthorn & Shea Butter, as well as a travel size, perfect for carrying with you at all times !

**Zach**
**Fur Scrub Sheet**

Every winter my skin suddenly lets me know I've got to pamper it and this is one of my favorite new skincare secrets. I've owned a bunch of different show poofs and exfoliators and this one from Fur is hands down the best one ever. It dries quickly, is just the right amount of scratchy without being too irritating, plus it's extra long making it easier to use.

**Emily**
**Cambridge Naturals Brand Sinus Blaster**

A perennial favorite, I keep this on hand all season long for that tingly, back-of-the-throat scratchy feeling that lets me know the sniffles are about to descend. Made with powerful, immune-boosting herbs like echinacea, elderberry, garlic bulb, andrographis and olive leaf, and packed with respiratory-supportive herbs like spilanthes, osha, and wild cherry bark, this is my absolute go-to for those pesky seasonal ailments!

**Mike**
**Diaspora Co. - Chai Masala Spice Blend 45g**

It's cold. I hate it. Chai warms you up, but what if we had... REALLY GOOD chai? I confess, I don't make it the way the tin asks you to. But, it revitalizes the years old black tea I have (and refuse to throw out) with the help of a little honey and milk. Imagine if you made this with fresh tea, too. It's wonderful!

**Daisy**
**Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant - Tangerine**
One of my favorite products year-round (especially in winter) is the Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant. Inspired by the nopal plant, also known as the prickly pear cactus, Nopalera utilizes prickly pear cactus oil and pad fibers in this exfoliate to create a powerful cleanser and moisturizer all in one. When my skin is feeling especially dry and dull, this exfoliate is a wonderful addition to my shower routine and leaves my skin noticeably softer, moisturized, and less dull. As a bonus, it comes in two amazing scents, tangerine and hibiscus!!

**Tom**
**Solaray High Energy Multi**

Besides having all of the usual vitamins and minerals in a multi, this one is especially packed with B-vitamins that help me combat wintertime fatigue. The whole food and herb blend are there to provide immune support as well. I find it to be a great value as well - a 4 month supply for $34.99!

Emily Kanter

December 9, 2024

Keeping your furry friends safe this holiday season!

Emily Kanter

December 9, 2024

By Amber S

The holiday season is upon us. There's bright decorations everywhere, scrumptious baked goods in full supply, and friends and family descending on our homes for cheerful gatherings. But if you're furry, finned, or four-legged, the holidays can be an overwhelming sensory experience. Here's a few tips to keep your beloved pets safe and happy during the holidays.

Consider your decorations. Many holiday plants such as poinsettias, lilies, and holly are toxic to cats and dogs, and should never be placed where animals can get to them. (When in doubt, avoid them entirely.) Opt for pet-friendly decorations -- there are some wonderfully realistic fake plant replicas available, or you could opt for a more whimsical felt version. Be mindful of your candle usage -- while a display of softly flickering candles may look lovely and romantic, it's less than ideal for curious kitty paws or wagging tails! Lastly, if you have a Christmas tree, make sure it's sturdily-anchored against climbing cats (I have experience with this one personally!).

Try a stress supplement for your pets. The pet supplements industry has ballooned in the past few years, and brought with it lots of helpful stress remedies for your furry friend. From homeopathic options to treats blended with L-Theanine (which comes in a form for humans, too!), there's a de-stressing trick for every pet. Pet CBD in particular has seen a huge rise in interest! (Here's a neat trick courtesy of our friends at Head & Heal: If your pet needs a stronger CBD dosage but you're watching their weight, apply the dosage of liquid CBD to a CBD treat for a more potent punch.)

Respect your pet's needs. You may love it when the crowd at your Solstice party coos over how adorable your cat is, but your cat might prefer to be hiding under the dresser in your bedroom. Allow your pets space to decompress. If you're hosting a holiday gathering, consider making a safe, cozy spot with some toys, a water bowl, and a bed for your pet to retreat to if they get stressed. Young children, especially, may need an extra careful eye around animals -- no tugging on kitty's tail!

Be mindful of food. We humans may get a thrill the first time we find candy canes or (ahem) Taza's Eggnog Chocolate on the store shelves, but your pets probably won't see the fun in it. Many common human foods like chocolate are toxic to dogs and cats. Even holiday treats specifically designed for animals can be overwhelming in large amounts, and sometimes abrupt changes to your pet's diet can cause gastrointestinal upset. When in doubt, check with your veterinarian before giving your pet any new food, and always keep them away from toxic human treats!

A couple of other notes about animals and the holiday season:

The ASPCA recommends only giving animals as gifts if the person has expressed a serious interest in and commitment to owning one. Never give a pet to someone as a present without discussing it with them beforehand.

If you're interested in adding a new furry friend to your family, consider doing so a month before or after the holidays, and ensure you have adequate time to familiarize your new pal to to their environment. The season can be a chaotic time, so giving pets time to adjust is important. (And consider adopting a pet from a shelter instead of buying from a breeder -- there are plenty of animals looking for a loving home.)

Even though the holidays can be stressful, being mindful of your pet's needs can vastly improve their well-being. From the Cambridge Naturals team, we wish you and your pets a festive holiday season!

Emily Kanter

December 6, 2024

Herbs and Botanicals

A Bit of Winter Color

Emily Kanter

December 6, 2024

Herbs and Botanicals

By Amber S, CN Supplements Education Specialist & Flora Enthusiast

Winter in Massachusetts is a monochrome time. The color palette seems limited to cold, hard hues: slate-grey of sidewalks, ash-grey skies, fallow-brown grass. For the months between November and March, color is a rare commodity in the natural world. But it is there - if you know where to look. Here are a few of my favorite colorful plants to keep an eye out for this winter!

Common Holly (Ilex Aquifolium): Possibly the best-known winter plant, holly is easily recognizable by its distinctive toothed leaves and bright-red berries. It's a pop of color in an otherwise monotone seasonal landscape, and has since become a symbol of winter festivity. It's a popular ornamental plant and you can find it in many neighborhoods around the Boston area.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis species): Witch hazel is one of my favorite winter plants to look out for. Its strange, spiky yellow-and-red flowers bloom in mid to late winter, drawing all eyes to them. Interestingly enough, it's neither a member of the hazel (corylus spp.) family; nor does it have anything to do with witches. (The epithet 'witch' comes from the Old English wice, meaning 'bendable' -- the same place we get the word 'wicker'.) The bark of the plant has strong antiseptic properties, and is often used in topical preparations for skin ailments like acne and eczema.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata): Technically a member of the holly family, winterberry can be distinguished by its bright red berries that stay on the branches even after the leaves have fallen. The berries are a favorite food source for birds during the colder months!

Red-Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea): Bright berries and evergreen leaves aren't the only appealing features of winter plants! The aptly-named red-twig dogwood's winter appeal lies in its brilliant scarlet branches that only become visible once the leaves have fallen. It's also native to North America, making it a popular choice as a landscaping plant in New England.

Japanese Barberry (Berberis Thunbergii): After repeatedly encountering this vibrant-leafed shrub with its bright-red berries on my walks to work, I was finally able to identify it. I also learned that Japanese Barberry is considered an invasive species due to its ability to displace native plants, and is actually illegal to propagate and sell in Massachusetts. It's also a prime habitat for ticks! If its name sounds familiar, that may be because barberry is one of the main sources of the alkaloid berberine, often used as a supplement. But please don't make a tea out of your neighbor's hedges!

So when the greyness of the season seems to be overwhelming and you can't imagine another few months like it, bundle up and set out for a wander. I guarantee you'll be able to spot at least one of these bright botanicals along the way!

Guest User

December 3, 2024

Staff Picks

Staff Picks: Holiday Gifting!

Guest User

December 3, 2024

Staff Picks

Sharing some of our favorite seasonal gifts!

**Amber**
**Beverly Bees Cat Candle**

Got a feline fan in your life? This adorable, locally-crafted candle makes the *purr-fect* gift!

**Mike**
**Goodnow Farms**

It's really good chocolate. You really can't go wrong. They do it all in house, and they do it RIGHT.

**Amber**
**Taza Spiked Eggnog Chocolate Disc**

I wait eagerly every year for this seasonal sensation to arrive. This 55% dark chocolate, redolent with flavors of nutmeg and rum, is the perfect warming winter treat.

**Dev**
**Everyday Oil - Mainstay**
Everyday Oil's Mainstay blend truly lives up to its name, as I've been using it after showers for years now and plan on sharing the love in gift form! It's a great time to support them in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, since they're headquartered in Black Mountain, NC.'

**Rose**
**Potager Soap Company Bar Soap Minted Lemon Tea**
Some soaps just look fancy, and that's their only selling point. Not Potager. This locally made soap is organic, fair trade, vegan, and has an incredible scent and delightful packaging to boot. It makes a lovely gift for the person who you know appreciates well crafted and beautiful products, as well as for the person who might not be inclined to splurge on themselves.

**Brenden**
**Sweet Dreams - Small Heat Wrap (Assorted Patterns)**

’Tis the season to give the gift warmth. This is for anyone and everyone. Whether the recipient deals with aches and pains, or needs extra comfort through hard days, this is the gift for them. Support for the person you care about, even when they think they don't need it!

**Laura**
**DIY Local Tea Sampler:** **Mem Earl Grey**, **Mem Masala Chai**, **Mem Golden Buds**, **Mem Vanilla Rooibos**, **Sweet Birch Herbals: Heart Lifting**, **Sweet Birch Herbals: Sleep Deep**, **Sweet Birch Herbals: Immune, Respiratory & Allergies**

There are ample options for this fun DIY gift but below are some varieties I know are delicious and am thinking of including myself! I like that this idea leaves room for your own personal touches and can be tweaked accordingly. You could fill your own tea bags or jars- both of which can be found at CN. Happy Gifting ❤

**Shannon**
**Maggie's Mountain Hiker Socks in** **Heathered Purple** & **Heathered Green**

I have many avid hikers in my family so I can't wait to gift them these gorgeous and warm wool socks from Maggie's Organics!

**Emily**
**Farmhouse Pottery Wassail Candle**

I adore our year-round candle selection (especially our beautiful beeswax tapers!) but I look forward to this gorgeous, limited edition Yuletide-themed candle from Farmhouse Pottery every December, which fills my home with the delicious scents of freshly cut pine, evergreen boughs, spicy clove, and a little hint of log fire.

**Caleb**
**Upstate Elevator Supply Co. Deep Calm CBN 10 mg + CBD 50mg Gummies Raspberry 30CT**

Happy Holidays! Feeling stressed? Trouble sleeping? These Deep Calm CBN + CBD gummies might just be a new favorite part of your (or a loved one’s) bedtime routine.

**Molly**
**Marin Lip Treatment Blueberry French Toast**

The Marin Lip treatments would make a luxe stocking stuffer for the skincare lover in your life! They are a cool local Maine company utilizing marine glycoproteins from lobster to create amazingly moisturizing products. Perfect for battling the dreaded cold weather chapped lips. AND they come in deliciously cozy flavors like Blueberry French Toast, Campfire S'mores, and a Holiday Limited edition Gingerbread.

**Daisy**
**Miya Spoon Otter** **Light Brown**/**Dark Brown**

Who doesn't love Otters? I certainly do! So for everyone in your life who loves them too (or just appreciates an adorable animal) I present the Otter Spoon. Designed to rest on the edge of your cup, this otter is the perfect companion for your tea, coffee, matcha, and more!

**Ellie**
**Badger Orange Spice Holiday Jumbo Lip Balm**

These BIG seasonal lip balms in 3 varieties are warming and hydrating for parched winter skin. I use them on my hands too in a pinch - there's enough to go around!

**Sarah**
**Felt So Good Ornaments (Sammy Snowcrab** & **Agnes the Mouse**)

Felt So Good ornaments are new to the store this year and I am OBSESSED. These Fair Trade ornaments are whimsical, colorful and extremely well crafted down to the tiniest detail. Sammy Snowcrab has been our most popular this year but I am also a devoted fan of Agnes the Mouse

Emily Kanter

November 26, 2024

Allison's Fat & The Moon Makeup Tutorial!

Emily Kanter

November 26, 2024

By Allison S

Your favorite indie makeup brand is on sale until November 30th! Fat and the Moon (cosmetics only)! We’ve put together an autumnal makeup tutorial using some of their products. Disclaimer: I am an enthusiast, not an expert! The good news is that these FATM products are face, lip, and eye safe, per the FATM website.

Start by prepping your skin with your usual skincare, and wait for it to absorb.

I find that this foundation has more staying-power if I use a face primer with a tacky finish after my regular moisturizer.
I also went in eye primer because I feel it increases the longevity of eye makeup.

Apply foundation.

I used the Evan Healy Oil Serum foundation in shade 10. First I spread the foundation with a brush. Then, I used a damp beauty sponge to blend it into my skin - you can use a setting spray to help blend it as well. This type of foundation may take more time/effort to blend because it is oil-based.

Fill brows.

While I let the foundation absorb into my skin, I filled my brows using gentle sparse strokes of the Jane Iredale Pure Brow Precision Pencil in Medium Brown.

Give brows hold by combing through with a brow gel.

I topped my brows with the Ere Perez Aloe Gel Clear Lash & Brow Mascara, so they hold their shape throughout the day.

For the eyes, apply concealer or eye shadow primer to the lids and set with setting powder.

I used a white Tarte concealer, but you can use any full-coverage concealer.
This will help the eye shadow stay without creasing. This is important because FATM’s makeup products are oil and wax based products, so they are more likely to crease on your eyelids.

Apply eye shadow.

I started with the Jane Iredale Eyeshadow Palette in Wildflower. I applied the lightest shade all over my lid, focusing the bulk of the pigment on the inner portion of my eyelid.
Then, using a mildly fluffy eye shadow brush, I applied the FATM Lip Paint in Wood Nymph to create my desired shape on the outer portion of my eyelid, blending outwards above my eyelid’s natural crease.
I followed that with the darkest shade in the Jane Iredale Wildflower Palette. I applied this to the outer portion of the upper lash line and into the crease, following the shape I’d just created using Wood Nymph. I concentrated the pigment along the upper lash line and the crease, but I used a fluffy brush to diffuse shadow over the outer portion of my eye lid.
Then, I used the FATM Highlighter in Lit all over the center of my lid, making sure to blend it into the other shadows.
You can touch up the shadow in the inner corner, if needed
For the lower lash line, I applied the darkest shade in the Wildflower Palette along the outer portion of my lower lashline, using angled brush. Then, I used the same angle brush to apply the highlighter to the rest of my lower lashline, blending it up into the outer third of the lashline.

Apply Mascara.

I curled my lashes using the Tweezerman Classic Lash Curler. The, I used the Dr. Hauska Defining Mascara in Brown on both my upper and lower lashes.

Apply blush

I used the FATM Lip Paint in Dusk as blush by applying it to the apples of my cheeks and blending it up toward my temples using a blush brush.

Apply highlighter

I applied the FATM Highlighter in Lit along the tops of my cheek bones, and blended it upwards towards my temples.

Apply lipliner

I used the Dr. Hauschka Lip Liner in Cumaru (04) to define the shape of my lips.

Apply lip color.

I used the FATM Lip Paint in Wood Nymph

And this…is the finished product!

Emily Kanter

November 18, 2024

Roasted Squash Linguine with Sautéed Leeks and Feta

Emily Kanter

November 18, 2024

By Dev, CN Manager

Squash is a fall favorite for many of us! Myself included. It’s versatile enough to be used in many delicious recipes like soups, roasts, spiced cakes, and more….. The ‘more’ here, of course, is referring to the pasta that happens to be the subject of this blog post.

Note: I used three different types of squash because they were what I had on hand, and they also were slowly taking over my kitchen counter! But even one type would be sufficient. Same instructions would apply even if pre-cubed butternut squash is what you have readily available.

Ingredients from the outside world:

1-2 Whole Butternut Squash
1 Whole Acorn Squash
1 Whole Delicata Squash
1 Fresh Leek

Ingredients from our shelves:

Preparation:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.

Slice squash lengthwise into halves or quarters. Remove seeds with a spoon.
Rinse and finely slice leeks.
Using a mixture of olive oil with a pinch of salt and Chinese Five Spice added, lightly glaze your sliced squash until the meat of the squash is evenly oiled.
Place open-faced squash onto a baking sheet or other oven safe pan, and roast for roughly 20-25 minutes. Cooking times may vary based on oven heat, but the squash is ready when it’s lightly browned and can be easily pierced with a fork. While the squash is roasting, time to work on our sauce and pasta!

For the pasta, start boiling a medium-sized pot of salted water. Once boiling, add in the dried linguine and cook for roughly 8-10 minutes, until soft.
For the sauce, start by heating a spoonful of olive oil in a pre-warmed skillet over medium heat, and introduce the leeks with a pinch of garlic powder. Sauté until the leeks are lightly brown around the edges (around 6-7 minutes).
The squash should be fully roasted at around this point. Once it’s been removed from the oven, let cool for a few minutes and gently scoop out the cooked squash meat. Add the squash meat directly to your pan of sliced leeks.
Add a splash of broth to your skillet–around ½ cup.
Pour in about 3/4ths of a cup of butternut squash puree and stir until the roasted squash, leeks, broth, and puree are warm and evenly mixed. As your sauce thickens, you can add more broth as needed to maintain its consistency.
Once the linguine has finished cooking, drain and introduce it straight into the skillet. Mix until the linguine is fully coated in your sauce.
Almost done! At this point you can start adding the final ingredients–a dash of rainbow pepper and feta cheese. Mix well over low-to-medium heat until everything is deliciously creamy, and get ready to serve!

Emily Kanter

November 8, 2024

Fifty Things That Are Nice (Even Though The World Is Scary)

Emily Kanter

November 8, 2024

By Amber S, CN Supplements Education Specialist & Stargazer

Pancakes
Street musicians
A hot cup of tea on a cold day
Fresh strawberries
Sunshine on your face
Local cafes
That funny face cats make when they smell something stinky
Your favorite armchair
Getting to the subway platform just as your train pulls up
Fire escapes
Good coffee
Stepping on a perfectly crunchy leaf
Children dancing
Seeing a friend you haven't seen in a long time
Bookshops
Googly eyes
Gel-ink pens
Lemonade
A new jar of peanut butter where the top is all smooth and hasn't been dug into yet
Dogs
Scented candles
The first snow of the year
Smooth rocks
Little Free Libraries
Frogs
Falling asleep with the window open and rain falling gently outside
Goat cheese
Your favorite song coming on the radio
Backrubs
Triple-milled soap
Street fairs
Buttered toast
Learning other languages
Live music
Hugs
Hot sauce
Stargazing
Windy afternoons
Street art
Dark chocolate
Bubbles
Getting cards in the mail
Art museums
Pie
Farmers markets
Finding a dollar in your pocket
Houseplants
Making up silly songs for your pets
The smell of wet earth
Your favorite local natural-products store where everyone knows you

Feel free to share yours with us in the comments below!

Emily Kanter

October 29, 2024

Lavender Bunny Balm: for your bunnies and other pets too!

Emily Kanter

October 29, 2024

Try as we might to protect them from the slings and arrows of the world, our beloved pets do occasionally find themselves in sticky situations that result in minor scrapes, cuts, or bruises. I recently decided to try my hand at a pet-safe balm that would be effective at healing minor injuries yet gentle enough for use on my bunny’s delicate skin. However, this combination can be useful for a range of other pets, as well!

Like many topics in the world of herbalism and natural goods, there are differences in opinion and spirited debates over what traditionally defines a ‘balm’ or a ‘salve’. A common answer is that a balm has a ratio closer to 1:1 between infused oils and beeswax, whereas a salve has less wax and is slightly more oil-heavy. Balms are typically harder and useful for protective coatings on skin, whereas salves are useful for being spread more efficiently over larger areas of skin.

Supplies:

Your choice of oil (I used coconut, but jojoba and olive would be great choices as well)

Dried yarrow leaves
Dried lavender flower
Beeswax pastilles
A jar with a lid, to use for your herb infusion.
Cheesecloth or muslin for straining
A small pot or heat-safe glass bowl
A larger pot (we’ll be creating a double boiler)
A metal strainer
A metal spoon
Tins or small jars, for keeping your balm!

(Why lavender, and why yarrow? Both have useful healing properties! Lavender is gentle on skin, pleasant smelling, and has antimicrobial / antibacterial properties. Yarrow has traditionally been used within herbalism to aid in arresting bleeding and reducing swelling. Both provide useful support for minor scrapes, cuts, bruises, and itchy bug bites.)

Step 1: Fill your infusion jar about halfway full with a 1:1 ratio of yarrow and lavender flowers. Cover with your oil of choice….and it’s time to play the waiting game! I infused my oil over 5 weeks in a sunny windowsill. You’ll want to shake or mix the contents every now and then during this process.

Step 2: Once your oil has been sufficiently infused, it’s time to strain it and free it of its dried herbs. Use cheesecloth or muslin fabric over a metal strainer to strain your oil directly into your small pot or glass bowl. At this time you can also place a metal spoon in your freezer.

Step 3: Unless you’re fortunate enough to have one already, create a double boiler on your stovetop range. Place the bowl or smaller pot containing your oil directly inside of a larger pot that has a few inches of water in it. Make sure the water isn’t touching the bottom of the smaller pot or bowl; the idea is to seamlessly melt the beeswax and oil together over simmering water.

Step 4: Once the water in the larger part has reached a simmer, and the infused oil pot / bowl is starting to heat up, you can begin to mix in beeswax pastilles. There is no set amount of beeswax to add because the amount all depends on the consistency you want your final balm (or salve) to be. If you want a harder balm, which I made, add more beeswax in a 1:1 ratio. If you want a buttery salve, add less.

One easy way to test the hardness of your balm and/or salve is by dipping a small amount onto the spoon in your freezer. After a few minutes have passed, you can take the spoon out and test the hardness.

Step 5: Once your balm is of its desired hardness level, you’re done! Pretty easy, right? Now you can just add your balm directly into your tins for storage and future use. If you’d like a stronger scented balm (for example, if you’re making this for humans and not pets,) you can also add a few drops of essential oil during the ‘cooking’ process.

You’re done! And ready to face the world with your little friend.

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October 9, 2024

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