Guest User March 14, 2024 Staff Picks Staff Picks: Spring Forward Edition 🌱 Guest User March 14, 2024 Staff Picks Sharing our favorite products for this vibrant season of longer days, blooming buds, itchy noses, closet clean-outs, runner’s highs, and so much more! ZachMoss Mango-Ginger Sea Moss BeverageI've been waiting for this product to exist - a sea-moss drink with a meaningful dose but with a flavor and texture that are delicious all on their own. Refreshingly funky with lots of Organic Mango and Organic Ginger, this new-to-CN drink is gonna be my springtime go-to for something juicy but not sugar-laden (plus all the trace mineral goodness of Sea Moss!) AmberSurely Wine Non-Alcoholic Sparkling BrutPicture this: you're sitting on a blanket in your favorite local park, the scent of crushed grass beneath your legs. Fat bumblebees nose their way through early-spring flowers. A street performer bows their violin somewhere nearby. You've got some crusty bread, raspberry jam, sharp cheddar cheese, and this deliciously tart non-alcoholic wine filling you up like sunshine. You take a deep breath. Winter is finally over, and the sky has never seemed bluer. EllieWeleda Calendula Intensive Skin Recovery Skin CreamWhen the days start to gradually trend warmer and longer, many of us start to emerge from our winter burrows and spend more time outside. It can take some time to remember to be careful and apply plenty of SPF in the changing season... so when I get a little too bold and get burnt (whether by the sun or in a clumsy kitchen slip-up) I've been finding this calendula cream from Weleda soothing and supportive with the healing process. It's thick, luxurious and intensely moisturizing, so when I use it I get to feel like I'm *really taking care of myself*. Good to have on hand for those unfortunate moments! BrendenBeekeeper's Naturals - Sinus SupportBeekeepers Naturals has combined the the superstar of immune support- propolis - with quercetin, bromelain and nettle leaf to provide a potent dose of seasonal sinus care that helps support healthy histamine levels. I love this product all year round but especially during spring allergy season! EmilyReal Pickles Red Napa KrautAs we ease into spring I start to crave fresh produce: crunchy veggies from the local farmers market. Unfortunately it's not really till late April or May that we get to take advantage - so I'm getting my crunch fix via Real Pickles' delightful red napa kraut. Lacto-fermented in small batches with using all organic ingredients including zesty purple daikon, red napa cabbage, ginger, and savory Atlantic sea vegetables, it's the crispy tangy umami kraut of my springtime veggie dreams. ShannonEvanhealy Lavender Argan Light Facial MoisturizerThis is a great product to use when I'm ready to switch out the heavy moisturizer that protected my skin through the winter months! It's light, fast absorbing, and still leaves my skin feeling hydrated all day long. Plus, the light scents of Lavender & Argan Oil are nonirritating and reminiscent of blooming spring flora. DevNantucket Spider Laundry Detergent Strips (Chamomile)There are few items in the store that I use more regularly during the week than these helpful little squares. Spring on the horizon means new growth, blooming flowers, open windows, and of course....spring cleaning, including laundry! If you haven't yet, making the leap to detergent strips is so worthwhile. These save on space, have a lovely and mild floral scent, and come in totally plastic-free, biodegradable packages. More importantly, they take almost no effort--just toss one or two in with your laundry load and you're good to go. (Unscented strips are also available for those who are particularly sensitive!) CalebVibrant Health Green Vibrance I have now been drinking this every day for two months and I honestly feel better than I have in a long time. Packed with essential nutrients and probiotics, this has been one of the most welcome additions to my daily routine! And, they are a wonderful company to support with strong values of transparency and quality. MikeAya's Tasty AF Hot Chili OilWinter, faint as it was, is departing. At least, we think so. However, you may still need a wake up call to really get your bones moving into the new season, as I do. Personally, I prefer to do so with tasty goods, and this is one tasty good that will jolt you right out of winter hibernation! You can eat it as a dip for chips (my preferred method), or you can cook with it, but a little dab will surely awaken your taste buds for the wonders of spring! Tom:Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte MixAs I progress in my training for some trail races later this spring, I always mix Ultima powder into my hydration bladder. This electrolyte concoction serves as a tasty source of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, chloride, potassium, and sodium - plus vitamin C and zinc. It comes in a variety of flavors derived from fruit and plant extracts with stevia leaf. I have yet to try them all. Ultima helps my body keep up with whatever activity I am doing no matter how physically demanding it is. AllisonDr. Bronner's Liquid Castile SoapTis tis tis the season for spring cleaning! Dr. Bronner's is a very useful multi-purpose soap, but I personally like to use it to clean my makeup brushes. I like to set aside time at each seasonal shift to clean commonly used items that are easy to neglect, like makeup brushes. Just run your brush under water, apply some Dr. Bronner's, swirl the brush in your palm to clean, and rinse until water runs clear. DeborahJeni's Ice Cream - Lemon & Blueberries ParfaitEnjoying a bowl or cone of Jeni's Lemon and Blueberry Parfait Ice Cream is the perfect way to welcome in spring. It achieves a perfect balance of smoothness and tartness, complemented with the sweetness of real blueberries. SarahJane Iredale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain in "Forever You"Jane Iredale's Just Kissed lip and cheek stains are magical PH activated formulas that react to your body's natural chemistry to create a unique color that's just for you!My personal favorite is "Forever You" which goes on clear leaving the shade a total surprise. For those who'd like a little more control over the color family, they also come in Forever Pink, Forever Orange and Forever Red. The stains can be used on both lips and cheeks and, like the name suggests, they are long lasting.What color will you choose? More importantly... what shade will choose you? JuliaQuinn Filled Pretzel Bites-Chocolate-y Peanut ButterThese are a perfect delicious shareable snack, as long as there are no nut allergies! They are organic, gluten-free, vegan, Non-GMO, and Kosher! I can share them with my gluten-free friends, and...there are people who eat gluten and are skeptical of gluten-free pretzels, who really like them! I like having a snack and/or treat that is sweet and salty. These are gone within hours. There is an amazing crunch and then the peanut butter chocolate gooey-ness inside melts in my mouth. Quinn also has the plain peanut butter option, which is incredible as well. Yet, anything with dark chocolate makes my day better. JuliaSienna Naturals-Mini Repair Ritual KitAs someone with super curly (3C) curls who has been looking for the right natural curly hair products for a long time, I think I've found my match. My hair is very fine and thick product designed for many curly types weighs my hair down, creates stickiness and/or crunchiness. Sienna Naturals' Mini Repair Ritual Kit includes the Deluxe Mini H.A.P.I Shampoo, the Deluxe Mini Plant Power, and the Deluxe Mini Dew Magic. I began with the Plant Power deep conditioning mask. It restored my hair, making it super silky soft. Opinions differ on no wash, co-wash, or gentle shampoos for curly hair. I have never been happier with a shampoo than the H.A.P.I. one. Then, to put a cherry on top, the Dew Magic leave-in conditioner leaves my hair soft (NOT crunchy) and defined curls for the day. The products also dry quickly, not causing it to look like I have wet hair all day! Bonus: I am super sensitive to fragrances and can only wear and use essential oils. Some essential oils are even too strong for me. Sienna Naturals uses the gentle and uplifting scents of lavender and geranium. Sienna Naturals combines shea butter (an essential for curly hair in my books) and baobab oil, which for me, is key to softness and hydration. I just tried this mini-kit, and now I want to fill my shower with all of their products!