When you can’t give the gift of sleep, give the next best thing!

By Rose, CN Director of People Operations & Mother of Two Kids Under Four

​​New babies are an absolute joy. The warmth, love, excitement, and happy tears that are shed. It’s a feeling quite like none other. And as many know, it’s not all sunshine and roses. Lack of sleep, physical pain and recovery after labor and delivery, limited opportunities for taking care of oneself… the list goes on. The simplest things like eating, drinking water, and even showering can feel and be impossible.

I’ve had two babies, and have experienced quite a bit in my own birth and postpartum journeys including some difficult physical challenges and emotional hurdles. I consider myself lucky to have been able to carry those pregnancies, and despite two not so straightforward births or postpartum periods (I’m talking to you 2020 Covid shut down with a newborn!) it's been a wonderful and wild ride.

When I think about the early days of having an infant at home and the amazing gifts that people dropped off for me, I think about the thoughtful and generous care packages I received from friends and family. Here at Cambridge Naturals, we have a robust selection of items to help support during the postpartum period. Below are a selection of products that I believe make excellent gifts for new moms and parents!

Image courtesy of The New Yorker, Becky Barnicoat.

Post-birth Recovery:

• Motherlove Sitz Bath Spray

• Motherlove Rhoid Balm

• Motherlove C-Section Cream - while the scar from a c-section will never go away, it is generally recommended that the scar is massaged to help aid in blood flow, reduce itchiness, and help with healing. On a purely emotional level, some women experience complicated and negative feelings about their c-section, stemming from societal messages, rhetoric from friends and family, or simply from within. It’s my strong belief that birth is birth and c-section recovery is- to be frank- pretty bad a**! (Picture this: You have major surgery and within just a few hours you’re typically up and at it caring for an infant, contorting your body to try breastfeeding and/or pumping, mixing bottles, changing diapers, etc.) C-section massage can be one small step in trying to get more comfortable with and proud of this amazing feat!

Breastfeeding:

• Silverettes - In the hospital with my second baby, the lactation consultant recommended these to me over any other product. Honestly I was skeptical, but they truly did wonders for me in those first weeks and months of marathon breastfeeding sessions.

• Mother Love- Nipple Cream - helpful in combating sore, cracked, and dry nipples. Does not need to be removed prior to breastfeeding or pumping.

• Fenugreek - this tea has a combination of fennel, fenugreek, and other herbs which can help to support and promote lactation.

Bodycare:

• Acure Dry Shampoo and Ursa Major Face Wipes - for when showers just aren’t happening!

• Deodorant - after childbirth, it’s common to experience significant postpartum sweating due to hormonal shift. While deodorant choices can be quite personal, we have so many great ones to choose from!

Supplements:

• Iron*- can help combat low iron levels due to blood loss during labor and/or low iron levels during pregnancy.

• Ashwagandha*- can help with mood and anxiety.

*While generally the above supplements are considered safe to take while breastfeeding, there is limited testing done on these and how much passes through milk. Please consult with a doctor before taking any of these to ensure they are safe and won’t interact with any medications.

Snacks:

My first attempt at a long walk, two weeks post birth.

• Boxford Bakehouse Everything Seasoning Cashews

• Chocolate!

• BjornQorn Classic Popcorn (or Spicy!)

• Nick’s Sticks Beef, Turkey, or Spicy Turkey

• Pan’s Mushroom Jerky- Zesty Thai

• Earthy Krunchy Kale Chips

• Quinn Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels (gf)

• Prunes- OTC stool softeners are commonly prescribed after childbirth, and prunes are also a natural laxative that can help get things moving

Miscellaneous:

• Hydro Flask Insulated Bottle- keeps tea and coffee nice and hot.

• Klean Kanteen Insulated Water Bottle- keeps drinks cold and has a nifty twist top to make one handed drinking easier.

• Hair clip- to keep hair out of the face when dealing with dirty diapers and little fingers pulling hair!

• Hand Sanitizer

• Sweet Dreams Eye Mask- for when that elusive sleep happens at all hours of the day.

For Baby:

• 0-3 Month Kimono Bodysuit, Thunder (Grey)

  0-3 Month Pacifiers

  Bath Scrubber

  Emily Diaper Skin Soother and Badger Zinc Oxide Diaper Cream

For fur babies that are getting neglected because of the new human baby:

• Dog Toys: Dog Donut, Tug Toy, Glow In the Dark Disc

• Dog treats: Peanut butter, Gingerbread, Bacon and Cheddar w/ CBD, Chicken

• Cat treats: Salmon, Lamb, Hemp CBD, Calming Cat Chews

• Cat toys: Cat Dancer, Catnip Chickens, Bubble Tea

Great Gift Idea! Budget-Friendly At Home Spa Night

By Alyssa P

CN Buyer, Herbalism Student

Give your loved ones the gift of a budget friendly, at home spa night! As fun as the holidays can be, they can also bring stress and a lack of time to slow down. A gift that can help facilitate an evening dedicated to caring for body and mind might be just what’s in order for that special someone. Plus, the whole bundle costs under $25 and has enough for multiple uses of everything (with the exception of the bath bomb).

A bottle of Plantlife Castor Oil is first on the list- it is an excellent moisturizer and makes a great scalp and hair mask too. To use castor oil as a hair mask, place a few drops all over your scalp and rub in. You can also apply it directly to your hair, focusing on the ends. Leave on for about 30 minutes. While you’re waiting for the castor oil to get all soaked in, you can make an herbal facial steam with a custom herb blend (some herb ideas are listed below). To make your steam, heat up some water in a medium sized pot. You don’t need much water- only about 16 oz or so. When the water starts boiling, take the pot off of the heat, add in your herb blend (4-6 tablespoons total is plenty), and cover with a lid. Covering the pot will keep in all of the volatile oils that aromatic herbs contain which can provide extra benefits for you skin. Let the pot cool down for about 10 minutes, and then uncover, find a comfortable spot, and lean your face over the pot and cover yourself with a towel to make a mini steam room. Breathe in the scent of the herbs for 10 to 15 minutes. This is also a great practice to use in times of congestion, as the steam will help to move everything along.

Wash out your hair mask with the next item on the list- a Just Soap Shampoo Bar. I love this shampoo bar because it’s extremely cost efficient at $3.99 as well as cleansing without stripping the hair of natural oils. It also contains rosemary which is an amazing herb for overall hair health. You could also take a nice long bath with a Relaxus Bath Bomb and light the cutest mini candle in the store to add some ambiance. Relaxus bath bombs come in a variety of relaxing scents including lavender, chamomile, and rosemary, and the candle smells like cinnamon.

Together, this gift bundle will be sure to help relax your friends and family without putting too much financial strain on yourself. Here is a cost detailing below:

Plantlife castor oil $4.99

Facial steam herb blend ~

1/4 oz by weight each:

• Lemongrass $.31

• Sage $.44

• Thyme $.47

• Chamomile $.78

• Lavender $.80

• Peppermint $.81

• Red rose petals $.90

Just soap shampoo bar $3.99

Relaxus bath bomb $3.99

Big Dipper Mini Heart Beeswax Candle $3.79

All together this will cost around $22 total!

DIY Mask Refresher Spray!

Mask feeling a little funky from breathing your own breath? Perhaps it’s especially funky after a few handfuls of Organic Sea Salt + Onion Cashews? CN team member Emily J. has created a super simple recipe for a mask-refreshing spray that you can take anywhere! Let us know if you give it a try : )

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Founder Interview: Julia Teren of Thesis Beauty

Sarah, CN’s Co-Director of Purchasing recently chatted with Julia about the origin story of Thesis, the messiness of powdered masks and why we should embrace their mess, and why raw oils are the best for our skin.

Shop Balancing Serum Here

When / why did you get started with skincare formulation?  Have you always wanted to launch your own skincare brand, or was it more of a hobby at first?  As a first-generation American coming from one of the most devastated countries in Europe, becoming a beauty entrepreneur and formulator was beyond my wildest dreams. But I always yearned to break into the beauty industry in some capacity while also messing with ingredients here and there. I turned to serious formulating when my skin started behaving completely out of whack, being dry, oily, itchy, acneic and flakey all at the same time. I tried so many creams, lotions and serums from the brands whose names were roaring in the natural and global beauty scene. I also tried DIY recipes involving pantry ingredients. But to my surprise and desperation, nothing helped. I realized that most brands were focused on the symptoms, not the root cause of skin behavior which is why nothing helps or works long-term. I dedicated 1.5 years to thorough research of the ingredients and skin biology. With my PhD-like approach to things (hence the name Thesis), I developed and tested formulas that cured my skin. I left out pore clogging, cheap carrier oils, animal products, waxes, water and everything that's required to force oil mix with water. The results were shockingly good. And this prompted me to try myself as an entrepreneur and share my remedies with people who just like me were stuck in their search for pure and effective beauty products.

Shop Mermaid’s Cheek Mask Here

What is the benefit of powdered masks / cleansers vs other liquid / paste products? Powdered masks hit 3 points at once: No preservatives, No water, Endless Customization. Now, not all powdered products are made equal. You can see some very popular dry shampoos or powdered/anhydrous cleansers and masks that are filled with chemicals. So just because it's a powdered product, you still need to make sure it's natural or go for a brand whose natural and organic integrity you trust. So speaking of a completely natural/organic powdered product, there should be nothing synthetic in it that only functions to the benefit of the texture and shelf life, like preservatives, emulsifiers, pearlizers, colorants, parfum, etc. When properly formulated, natural powders cleanse very gently, yet effectively without stripping your skin, leaving it too tight and dehydrated like traditional foaming cleansers do. Our cleansers are made with edible ingredients which gently lift off dirt and oils, stimulating circulation and helping skin heal. All skin types benefit from gentle cleansing, even oily skin which conventional products cleanse too aggressively thus perpetuating its problems. Moving on, No water means also that you are getting a concentrate and not shipping water around - you have plenty at home. Lastly, Customization means that you are not stuck with one-size-fits-all texture and benefits. You can make your mask thinner or thicker according to your personal preference. And importantly, you can activate powder with a liquid of your choice influenced by your mood, your skin preferences of the moment, so your treatments can be better fine tuned to your personal needs. The ritual of mixing your powdered mask is one of the important parts of your self-care protocol that helps recharge, restore emotional balance and feel in control of your life.

I admit I'm always hesitant to reach for powders because I'm not the neatest person and I always feel like I am going to make a giant mess.  What advice do you have for those of us who are nervous about using powdered products? Can I ramble a bit here? :) Many people seem to be intimidated by the little messes. But have you noticed how a little bit of chaos while mixing a mask, paint or making dough can bring out your creativity and carefree, childish fun? As children we were often scolded for making messes by our caregivers who understandably were very busy and tired and didn't want to deal with additional cleanups. But unfortunately as a consequence we carry this fear of spills, splats and stains through our lives which inhibits our healthy, natural propensity towards experimentation and creativity. Therefore, against your deep-seated fears and nagging inner critic, allow yourself to make some mischievous, glorious, creative messes! Nobody is a hopeless klutz - you just need courage to practice. 

Ok, zooming in on the mask mixing. Tools should help cut the mess. You will need 3 things: a teaspoon, a bowl, and a brush. The whole process should resemble using your powdered proteins or supplements. Use a clean, dry teaspoon to take out powder from the jar. Keep a clean small mixing dish or bowl right under the jar, so you can immediately pour or spill powder straight into the bowl. If you spill some - draw a smiley face on the splat and move on. The size of the dish or bowl should be medium size, not too small and not too flat or shallow. If powder or water splashes it will be all trapped inside the bowl to be used during the mixing stage with no mess around your bowl. Then use your teaspoon to pour in liquid. Pour one teaspoonful of liquid at a time and mix to get the best consistency for your needs. Using a clean cosmetic or art brush mix powder and water with short folding movements. Our masks mix into very smooth, creamy paste that is soft and spreadable. You can apply it with your fingers or your brush. I prefer brush (a retired makeup brush) for more precise application. You may need slightly thinner consistency for the brush compared to finger application. It looks like a lot of text, in reality it would make less than a few minutes of an instructional video. It truly is simple and not as messy as people might fear. So, courage! :)

Shop West Indies Face Scrub + Mask Here!

It seems that all this staying-at-home is inspiring more and more folks to get into masking (as proven by a Facetime call the other day where my friend had a facial treatment on the whole time!).  You have a lot of really wonderful masks in your product line.  Where do you suggest a person start who is just getting into using a face mask as part of their skincare routine? Thank you so much for the compliment to our masks, coming from you that means a lot! That is true - we've seen a spike in mask sales during the pandemic, including export which means people all over the globe are indulging in facial treatments. For a beginner, I would recommend a multitasking product that is also unisex and can be easily shared. For example, West indies facial scrub and mask which can be also used as a cleanser. This way you can experience how a powdered product works three ways, experiment with it and see what function you like best or maybe all of them. Powders that are too fine like some charcoal masks or other super fine powders will give a beginner a hard time because they do tend to splash and fly everywhere, so stick with heavier textures. Our masks are not superfine powders, so they are rather easy to mix.

Speaking of masks... With all this cloth masking wearing becoming part of our everyday lives, anything in particular you recommend to care for the parts of our face that are often covered with a cloth mask for hours during the day? That's a very good question. Like every part of our body, our facial skin also needs to "breathe". I would encourage people to take breaks from masks whenever it's safe to do so. Masks tend to trap a lot of moisture between skin and cloth. I do tend to get itchy sometimes, especially if I happen to wear a synthetic mask (which I try to avoid). With cotton masks though a similar thing may happen, although they tend to provoke less itchiness in my personal experience. Also, wearing the same mask for over 2 or 3 hours promotes growth of germs and fungi hence they should be frequently changed. I would recommend daily nasal rinses at the end of the day and daily gentle cleansing of the skin with the mildest cleanser - non-soap (powdered or oil-based) cleanser in the morning, soapy in the evening or after wearing a mask. I would caution even more than usual against aggressive, skin damaging, abrasive treatments and procedures like harsh acid peels, micro needling, scratchy sugar scrubs and such. Anything that damages the skin area covered by the mask opens the gate for infections - and you don't need to overburden your immune system with more fights than it should be picking right now.

Your Facial Recovery Serum for Dry Skin is one of your most popular product with our customers.  Can you give us an overview of the ingredients and how they work to support dry skin? Thank you, this is one of the first products in our line. I developed it trying to get under control severe flaking, itchiness and tightness of my skin. Store-bought, water-based products, albeit organic, didn't moisturize enough. Also the ones with preservatives, especially phenoxyethanol, caused irritations. My formula resolved all issues very quickly and felt surprisingly good under makeup - although soon it became obvious that foundation wasn't even needed anymore. My criteria for the ideal base for dry skin included only oils that were: 
1. 100% organic
2. RAW, unrefined
3. non-clogging
4. the highest antioxidant value and naturally high content of vitamin E and lecithin - the components that help skin rebuild itself. 
That's how Jojoba, Sunflower, Argan, Grapeseed, Macadamia, and Rosehip Oil made the cut. All of them are organic and RAW oils except Sunflower. We recently discovered a source of amazing Pomegranate CO2 Extract which is now a star ingredient in this rejuvenating formula. The new formula is also completely soy-free - we replaced soy-based vitamin E with Sunflower based, more potent mixed tocopherols. We never use water as this ingredient tends to dilute and disrupt many of the nutrients and it also invites synthetic ingredients that are unnecessary and sometimes harmful (preservatives, emulsifiers, etc). Therefore our products are also 100% synthetics-free. With all the seeming simplicity, there is a tremendous amount of research that goes into each ingredient and the proportions, what to put in and what to leave out. I am glad this product is helping Cambridge Naturals' customers enjoy youthful, healthy skin.

Thank you, Julia! Shop her entire line here or in-store!

Ease Into The New Year

By Eric, CN Shift Lead + The Naturalist Contributor

Ahhh January. The month of resolutions, broken resolutions, and post-holiday hangovers. Also some seriously icy temps. After a busy holiday season, our staff often crave some R&R - slowing down, reducing stress, taking time to relax. Here are some favorite items to help us ease into the new year:

CBD. CBD. CBD. CBD.

We have a large selection of products infused with the increasingly popular hemp extract CBD (cannabidiol). CBD is commonly used to address your body’s response to tension, both mental and physical. Aside from the tinctures, gummies and capsules, we stock some delicious treats: CBD-infused chocolates, honey straws, gummies, caramels and mints. One of my favorites are the 30mg CBD dark chocolates from Vital Leaf, which come in three flavors: Roasted Hazelnut, Classic Dark and Toasted Quinoa Crunch. All three are vegan.

And, don’t forget the topical options: Cremes, sprays and balms and bath salts. The 4 oz CBD bath salts from Inesscents make the perfect gift for a friend or loved one experiencing challenging times. They come as unscented or with eucalyptus oil. Both include the traditional healing flower calendula as well as relaxing lavender.

Cambridge Naturals Anxiet-Ease

Exactly what the name implies, Anxiet-Ease by Cambridge Naturals is a calming mix of herbs for relaxation as well as Saint John’s Wort for mood support. It’s a tincture in alcohol, so it’s not for everyone. Anxiet-Ease is available in both one and two ounce bottles, as well as by bulk, so you can re-use your bottles and reduce the anxiety of the planet.

TheraWay Stress Ball

These anti-stress balls are perfect for carrying in your bag and using during heightened moments - on long T commutes, during endless meetings, or while watching the next electoral debate.

Anti-AnxieTea™

Our large bulk section includes many herbs that offer traditional stress support. Creating your own herbal tea blends makes a wonderful, creative present. We also have a selection of cool little containers to package your tea blend in. I love the ones with clear window tops so you can see the tea inside. Purchase the herbs separately and combine them at home. Here are some suggested herbs that pair well for a relaxing blend:

Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Linden Leaf, Hops, Skullcap, Blue Vervain

You may want to add peppermint or hibiscus for flavor; maybe sprinkle some gorgeous rosebuds on top of the mix. Release your creative instincts!

Gift Guide: For the DIY-er!

By Emily J, Customer Service Specialist

Do-it-yourself wellness gifts are the ones that keep on giving! Not only is the present itself beautiful, but it encourages activities that emphasize relaxation, stress-reduction, and creativity.

The Budding Plant Parent

For the person in your life who wants to grow a lush indoor urban jungle. Foolproof watering system that can survive any self-proclaimed plant killer. Green thumb not necessary, only water! Great way to brighten up a windowsill, desk, dorm room, or anywhere that needs a little sparkle.

• Terracotta Grow Kit in Prickly Pear or Healing Aloe. Comes in a cute terracotta pot that does not require soil, so no mess! Created with a hydroponic system known as “wicking,” which brings water and nutrients up to the plant's roots, so if you over water or forget to completely, your plant will be fine. This is as easy as it gets!

• Paired with Down to Earth Basics Plant Mister- Both chic and funky, this is delightful glass mister will keep any plant happy and flourishing. 

The Epicurean Expert

When you come over, they always have something delicious simmering, they’re never afraid to try a new cuisine, they know where a farmers market is on any given day, here’s what to get this DIY culinary connoisseur:

• Now Real Food. Sprouting Jar with 3 small jars of bulk Mountain Rose Sprouting Seeds- Alfalfa, Broccoli, Wheat Grass- Add a homegrown pizazz to their provisions. Great way to jazz up their avocado toast, salad or smoothies! This is fabulous for both new and experienced culinary artists. This Jar includes instructions and recipes. 

• Modern Sprout: Hydro Grow Kit. Cultivate an indoor herb garden with this Modern Sprout Hydro Grow kit, fresh basil for that delish pasta sauce or lavender for a soothing tea, both would be a delightful gift for your foodie friend.

• Modern Sprout: Herb Pull & Pinch. This handy bamboo kitchen tool has four sharp beveled holes that quickly strip herbs and leafy greens from their stems into the integrated dish. Easy to use and makes for the freshest of garnishes. 

The Fermented Friend!

Crazy for Kombucha? Kooky for Kimchi? Silly for Sauerkraut? I think you know where I'm going with this,its the perfect present for your pickled pal (sorry,not sorry)!

• A lifetime of Kombucha with Homebrewing Kit and Scoby by Revival Homestead Supply: Not only are you gifting them something they already love but you are going to save them tons of money on their ‘bucha budget! This brewing jar contains everything but the scoby (don’t worry we got that!). Now, They can finally make their ultimate brew!

• Bulk Jars & Regency Naturals Cheesecloth: These two items are the bare essentials for any fermentation or canning. This would pair well with the book, The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz (Winner of the 2013 James Beard Foundation Book Award for Reference and Scholarship, and a New York Times bestseller) a highly praised and incredibly in-depth guide to all things fermentation, they will be a pro in no time. 

The #Selfcare Sweetheart kit

Are 80% of their Instagram posts of them wearing face masks or bathtubs full of colorful bath bombs? Take their self care game to the next level with these DIY staples!

Many home body care recipes call for these items:

• Coconut Oil

• Shea Butter

• Cocoa Butter

• Beeswax

• Essential Oils 

• Rose buds, calendula, lavender.

• Mason Jars or tins 

• Lip Balm Kit by Revival Homestead Supply : This nifty kit offers ten DIY natural lip balms that can be customized to the makers choosing! Plus it only takes 30 mins and won’t break the bank. Fun for all ages and skill levels.

• New to the diy Natural Beauty game? Don’t fret, Wild Beauty by Jana Blankenship is a straightforward guide of self care recipes to get them glowing and relaxed this winter.

Gift Guide: For Your Zero-Waste Bestie

By Meghan B, Customer Service Specialist & The Naturalist Contributor

‘Tis the season to ditch the plastic and eliminate unnecessary waste! Whether your friend/family member is a zero-waste newbie or an eco warrior, these thoughtful gifts will help support a more minimalist lifestyle that doesn’t compromise on quality or function.

Bees Wrap

Upgrade from undesirable plastic wrap and sandwich bags to cute and reusable Bee’s Wraps. Made in Vermont from 100% biodegradable materials and packaged responsibly. Use and maintenance is simple, mold and seal the wrap with the warmth from your hands and a simple cold water rinse to keep clean. With a wide range of sizes you can cover food containers, wrap a loaf of bread or stow your sandwich away. The Explorer Pack is a great place to start for anyone looking to reduce single use plastic consumption and feel that zero waste joy, again and again and again... you get the point!

Eco Bags

These reusable Produce and Bulk Bags from Ecobags are just the thing for anyone looking to move away from pesky plastic bags. The package of three comes in multiple sizes offering versatility to store produce and bulk items from rice to broccoli and beyond. Adorned with delicious vegetable graphics and made of 100% natural cotton these bags will be a helpful addition to any zero waste lifestyle.

Bambu Travel Utensil Set

We all eat on the go and reusable utensils are a necessary tool for the fast-paced, zero-waster.  Bambu makes remembering your reusable utensils simple with this all in one Travel Utensil Set with Eco-Conscious Pouch. The cork pouch keeps the utensils together and tidy in your bag or lunch box. Go ahead and cut disposable cutlery for good.

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Plastic water bottles? Is this 1999? Who needs them when you can refill your own water bottle, with clean, pristine water over and over. With a 100+ gallon filter life  (approximately 474 Klean Kanteens) the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher removes on average 99.7% of harmful tap water contaminants. Proudly built in the USA and extensively lab tested you can confidently give the gift of safe drinking water while adding to the 450,000,000+ plastic water bottles Clearly Filtered users have already saved. Happy Hydrating!! 

Modest Mylk

Plant based and zero-waste! Modest Mylk’s Mylk Bases are a great way to get your plant based milk with zero waste. Each 11 oz, recyclable jar makes 336 oz of plant based milk and saves 11 aseptic cartons from being sent to the landfill. Available in four yummy flavors, Vanilla, Unsweetened Oat, Unsweetened Macadamia and Unsweetened Cashew. Simply blend 1 Tbsp of Modest Mylk with 2 cups of water and store in refrigerator. A delicious, nutritious zero waste must have.

Gift Guide: For the Coffee/Tea Connoisseur

By Andrea, CN Customer Service Specialist

The holidays are a time where I think of home the most. If you have never met a Honduran before, I will tell you the one thing that holds true for us all: we take our coffee very seriously. No smell brings up happier memories than that of a pot of freshly brewed coffee in the morning. A typical day in my house included a cup of coffee every morning with breakfast - and likely after every other meal, too - and a cup of tea before bed. 

Dew Brew-In-Mug 

This mug is a must-have if the tea lover in your life is constantly on the go. It comes with a basket infuser so that they can seep their tea for as long or as little as they want. It also comes with a stainless steel lid so that they may take it with them to work, school, or wherever! If you’re looking to pair this gift with a little something, I recommend Tamim Teas, which are delicious loose-leaf mushroom teas that come in a variety of flavors. 

Coffee by Tandem Coffee Roasters 

This Portland-based company does an amazing job at bringing coffee beans from all over the world right to your home. We Hondurans love our coffee so much that we don’t really go out of our way to export much, so I’ve found it pretty hard to find a good replacement living in the US. To my delight, however, Tandem carries Honduran beans! Grown in El Cielito, Honduras and roasted in Portland, Maine; David Munoz is a delicious light blend that will allow you to gift a little piece of my home to the coffee lover in your life. Tandem also offers beans from Guatemala and Ethiopia, plus seasonal blends and more awesome stuff! 

GROSCHE Oxford French Press

Ditch the single-use coffee filters and opt for the more sustainable, much nicer french press! When I first got mine I was a little intimidated, but after the first week with it it became my most prized possession. Simply add a heaping tablespoon of ground coffee for every cup of hot water, let it seep for a few minutes, press and voila! It’s also great because you can add more or less coffee to tailor the brew to your taste. Alternatively, in the warmer months I like to let the ground coffee and water mix sit in the fridge overnight and press it in the morning for a delicious cold brew. 

Brew Your Own Kombucha Kit

If the tea lover in your life is also a big DIY-er, this is the gift for them! Kombucha is a fermented, sweetened tea that has many health benefits aside from its delicious taste. This kit includes everything you need to make your first brew, including live SCOBY, which can yield an infinite amount of brews. Also infinite is the amount of flavor combinations you can come up with by adding fruits and/or herbs when bottling your brew… the sky’s the limit with this gift!

Ceremonial Matcha + Matcha Tea Whisk

I personally received this as a gift a few years back and it still remains one of my favorite presents I have ever received. Energizing yet grounding at the same time, matcha is an antioxidant powerhouse that has been used to enhance the experience of meditation for years. If your loved one gets unpleasant jitters from coffee, this might be a great alternative for them. I also love sweetening it with a little bit of honey, of which we have a beautiful selection at Cambridge Naturals that I invite you to browse through as well!

Gift Guide: Treat Yourself to these Treats

By Eric, CN Shift Lead + The Naturalist Contributor

Sometimes the best gift is the one you give yourself. Stave off the holiday season scaries with a little treat - and you’ll be crossing off that gift shopping list in no time! If you need an indulgent pick-me-up or a luxuriant calm-me-down, here are some tasty suggestions. Believe me, you’re worth it!

Honey Mama’s Chocolates

Each of the flavors is comprised of amazing natural ingredients. My favorite is the Cocoa-Nectar Bar, which includes raw honey; organic, sprouted almonds; and organic, raw Peruvian cacao powder. They are available in our refrigerated section, and they start melting as soon as they warm up. This is further incentive to eat them as soon as possible and quickly enjoy the mood-enhancing benefits of raw chocolate. Oh, and they are unbelievable delicious!

Vital Leaf CBD-infused Chocolates

Cambridge Naturals stocks several brands of CBD chocolates. My current favorite is Vital Leaf. Each bar contains a respectable 30 milligrams of full-spectrum CBD which, for most people, would be about two servings. But good luck stopping yourself after eating half of one of these tasty dark chocolate treats.

Rancho Gordo Premium Crimson Popcorn

Fun, heirloom popcorn. In my experience, every kernel pops. It’s crunchy & good. This proves I can suggest a non-chocolate treat! Consider popping corn with our reusable microwave Popper. It’s quick, easy to clean, avoids oils and works really well to pop every kernel.

Peanut Butter Halvah Heaven

All natural ingredients - this delicious halvah is highly reminiscent of Butter Fingers crossed with Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies. It makes the perfect gift for your gourmet food loving friend! Halvah Heaven is made in locally Rockport, Massachusetts by a women-owned company.

The Republic of Tea’s Beauty Sleep Chamomile Rose Tea

Includes an amazing blue flower called Butterfly Pea, which contains collagen-promoting anthocyanins. It has relaxing chamomile, delicious hibiscus and the complex flavors of schizandra. And, it’s blue!

Cambridge Naturals has lots of other self-indulgent goodies to discover, from grain-free chips and dairy-free dips, to organic, dried fruit and raw, sprouted nuts. So come in and reward yourself for whatever you need rewarding for.

The Father's Day Gift Guide

It's time to celebrate dad! If you're having trouble finding the perfect gift, Caitlin has rounded up some of our favorite clean and effective body care and lifestyle products to show dad some love:

Brothers Artisan Oil “The Wash”

Charlestown, MA based Brothers Artisan Oil delivers quality cleansing for face, body and hair all wrapped into one! Tea Tree and Charcoal for those long days that need washing away and Blood Orange, Lemon and Lavender for a nice, relaxing weekend wash to relish in.

LEAP Organics Lip Balms

Hyper-local brand LEAP Organics will have your father figure moisturizing their lips in style! Eucalyptus Mint, Lavender and Citrus flavors all feature fantastic artwork of animals in need of our help! When you buy LEAP Organics, you’re supporting local and supporting LEAP’s charitable partner, 1% for the Planet, which receives 1% of LEAP purchases. The earth will thank you!

A Wild Soap Bar Timber and Coal Soaps

These chunks of soap stack perfectly on any surface, and lather incredibly well! If your dad is looking for that powerful, grounding signature scent, look no further! Handcrafted in small batches, A Wild Soap Bar’s Jory Hanus “celebrates the average hardworking American whose hands helped build this great nation, providing a nostalgic look back at a simpler, more honest time”. Worth a wash!

Badger Basic Shave Kit

Fellow local B Corp, Badger, is dedicated to taking care of parents and their children offering the babies at work program and partially subsidized, reasonably priced childcare. Something else Badger is doing for parents is providing the perfect self care products. With the Basic Shave Kit, dad will be enjoying his “me time”, too!

EnviroCare Combs  

Made in the USA from 100% recycled material, GMO and BPA-Free - what’s not to love?! We love EnviroCare because they’re a family-owned business that’s been around for over 40 years, just like Cambridge Naturals! Gifting EnviroCare Combs this Father’s Day not only will make your dad’s hair happy, but it will support an environmentally conscious family-owned business, too!

Maika Travel Kits

Want to ditch the idea of one-time use gift wrapping this Father’s Day? Put your dad’s gifts in these great travel cases by Maika! Printed on recycled canvas with eco-friendly inks, these are sure to be something your father will feel great about using over and over again!