Abby
Sumac Berry Powder
Sumac is one of my favorite spices year round, but especially during the summer. Such a lovely, tart, and refreshing flavor that works for both savory and sweet. I love finishing tzatziki, kebabs, and salads with it.
Alina
North Coast Organics Death By Lavender Deodorant
Summer means sunshine, plant growth, happiness, and everyone’s favorite bodily excretion... sweat. Enter North Coast Organics Death by Lavender deodorant! I am a rather sweaty gal myself (I’ve been diagnosed with hyperhidrosis — you’re jealous, I know) but this all-natural deo leaves me smelling fresh and floral even after a full day of activities. We also have a little travel size version of this for your Summer getaways. Happy sweating!
Alyssa
DRAM Apothecary Gingergrass +Hemp
During the warmer months all I want to drink is seltzer. Dram was the first herbal seltzer I tried and it's held its place as my favorite over the years. The Gingergrass + CBD always leaves me feeling refreshed, calm, and cool on even the hottest days. It tastes amazing and the added benefits from adaptogens and CBD really make this a special product.
Amber
After winter months stuck in heavy boots, it's nice to finally wear sandals again. A bright pedicure with Triple O Nail Polish (my choice is shade Dakodonu, a vibrant royal blue) is the perfect way to bring some spring into your steps.
Brenden
Getting to eat good food outside with good people is a good time. Pick up these TO-GO Ware utensil sets for a zero waste experience the next time you order takeout and head to the hills, or the park, or the backyard.
Caleb
Ursa Major Daily Defense Lotion with SPF
I’m a big fan of this light, clean, and effective SPF lotion! It’s easy to apply, blends well and doesn’t leave a white zinc cast on my skin. I have a bottle at home, one in my car, and another in my overnight bag. SPF is so important, even on cloudy days.
Courtney
Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Throat Spray
This lightly sweet, propolis-packed spray is portable and pocket sized which makes it convenient to support my immune system on quick trips this summer. Propolis is produced by bees via tree and plant resins and is known to have antifungal and antibacterial properties. I love it as a daily supplement, and I usually increase my intake when I'm feeling a little stressed, or out of my usual routine. Beekeeper's Naturals also makes a kids' version of this!
Deborah
Bjorn Quorn Classic
As a summertime snacker, I am loving the Bjorn Quorn classic. I love a good chip or popcorn to throw in my bag to take to the beach. Especially when the treat is relatively guilt-free but still totally yummy!
Emily J.
Here we are again, its time once more for my annual 'Ode to Badger's Anti-Bug Spray'. How I loath mosquitoes yet they are obsessed with me, its a unrequited love story of the ages. But with Badger's Anti-Bug Spray, they stay away and I stay itch free, smelling like lemongrass! It also comes in a solid stick, which I keep in my bag all summer (you never know who's cook out is in a mosquito den of a backyard..), so you'll be Deet-free and ready to party ;)
Emily K.
Patagonia Provisions Smoked Mussels
Tis the season of outdoor picnics and (finally) small social gatherings! I'm a little rusty at preparing big, extravagant meals for friends (and who wants to be standing over a hot stove for hours) so I love quick fixes like a snack platter, complete with my favorite smoked mussels from Patagonia Provisions. These delicious, sustainable morsels are perfect atop a salty cracker, perhaps with a little dijon mustard or hot sauce. Or, sauté them in with a little garlic, olive oil, white wine and chopped parsley for a quick and easy pasta that's even better the next day!
John
It's grilling season again, and Dark Horse is here to help you up your condiment game! Their new fermented Umami Ketchup offers a depth of flavor for your burgers, portabellos, or dogs (if you're one of those "ketchup on hot dogs" philistines) that will have you forgetting all about traditional ketchup and/or catsup. Pair it with their equally flavor packed fermented mustard for a combination that can't be beat!
Meghan
Meow Meow Tweet Everyday Sunscreen SPF 25
I have been using this sunscreen for 2 years now and I love it. Lightweight, silky, even coverage. Safe and effective ingredients. Cute, environmentally friendly packaging. Very accessible price point. However, my approval is more of the roar than a meow ;)
Mike
Tiny Arms Coffee Earthtones Blend
I'll admit, I have not been a robust coffee drinker throughout most of my life. Soon becoming the new Grocery Lead for Cambridge Naturals, I have felt determined to dive into our curated selection of wonderfully sourced and locally owned coffee brands, and I am finally feeling the magic! One of our newest lines of locally owned + roasted coffee that we are proud to carry is Tiny Arms Coffee Roasters - located in Lowell MA! I have fallen in love with their Earthtones Blend, which brews up a full bodied experience with tasting notes of dark chocolate, toasted almonds, candied orange, and black cherry. I've used my french press thus far, but they note that it is well enjoyed as pour over or espresso. I'll be experimenting with these different brew styles and falling in love with this coffee all summer long!
Molly
Siete Kettle Cooked Potato Chips Sea Salt & Vinegar
I'm a potato chip fanatic and these Siete chips do not disappoint! The addition of Serrano pepper makes for a fun spin on the classic Salt & Vinegar flavor. They are kettle cooked to crunchy perfection with a bold and tangy flavor and just a touch of heat from the Serranos. These babies just scream, "Beach Snack!" To me, there is nothing better than sitting next to a lake/pool/the ocean, post-swim with a delicious sandwich and bag of chips for lunch. These Sea Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips will be an excellent addition to my summer picnics.
Morgan
Heritage Store Rose Petals Rosewater
Rose water is anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and soothing: the perfect cool down mist in the summer heat.
Nancy
The warm cozy weather is finally here and if you're an outdoorsy - adventurous person like me would know that exposing your face skin for hours and hours to the sunlight could affect that gorgeous glowing skin. For this precise reason, I'm sharing a fabulous DIY facemask. Of course you could thank me later! You only need to mix: ground Star Anise (powder form, you could use a coffee grinder), one organic yolk or organic plant based yogurt, and a tsp of organic grapeseed oil. Leave it for 25 minutes. Remove it gently with a warm piece of cloth. Star Anise - Skin health: this herb can help minimize the appearance of wrinkles, boost skin elasticity, and cover-up old scars and blemishes to keep your skin looking young and vibrant. Star Anise is actually the hard pericarp of the fruit of the star anise tree. The name anise is a combination of its shape and its similarity in flavor to aniseed. It contains a high level of antioxidants, a significant amount of iron, and smaller amounts of vitamin C, calcium, potassium and magnesium.
Rose
Hillside Harvest Sun Kissed Tomato Hot Sauce
Hillside Harvest's Sun Kissed Tomato Hot Sauce has a bright and zesty flavor and medium heat that is the perfect addition to so many of our favorite summer dishes. Add a dash, or 10, to any dish to ramp up the flavor with minimal effort. Great on eggs, in mayo or yogurt as a spicy condiment, or really, on anything. Bonus that it's locally made right here in Boston with roots in Jamaica.
Sally
Spring is the time for local farmers markets to open back up, and for picnics outside on lush green grass to commence.
African Market Baskets are all hand woven in village co-ops in Ghana, West Africa. Each basket is a sturdy colorful creation that is perfect for holding all your farm fresh vegetables and locally baked goods while shopping your local farmers market, and can double as the perfect picnic basket! The purchase of these baskets help provide funding for healthcare and school supplies for the weavers and their families.
There are several shapes and sizes, find the one right for you.
Sam
It Feels Good To Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity
This book is a wonderful way to introduce readers of all ages to the concept of gender identity. The art is beautiful in both color and style, and the writing is thoughtful and welcoming. As a nonbinary reader, this book made me feel joyfully seen, and the central message that resonated with me (and I expect will resonate with other readers) was encapsulated in the title - it feels truly good to be yourself.
Sarah
tenoverten Reparative Base Coat
My nails take a toll all times of the year, but I especially love to frequently change bright polish colors in the summer which can start to wear my nails out. The tenoverten Restorative Base Coat is a rock star at strengthening nails. I felt a huge change right away. It even leaves enough of a shine to be worn alone. I will seriously never go without this again.
Steph
De La Calle Tepache- Tradicional Pineapple Spice
New at CN, and my new favorite summertime bev, De La Calle's Pineapple Spice Tepache. These Mexican fermented pineapple drinks are delicious and refreshing on their own, but even better with tequila or mezcal, a squeeze of lime and a tajin rim.
Vicki
Sprout Living Epic Protein- Pro Collagen Plant Protein
I only drink smoothies during the warmer months, when our bodies can tolerate the cold. Originally I was hesitant to try this, as I thought it would be super fruity (the packaging screams berries to me) BUT it tastes like cake. Sprout Living Protein Powders are one of the cleanest and tastiest protein powders we stock. I am currently sipping on my morning smoothie, with powerhouse additions such as: I used 1 packet of the powder, 2 cups of homemade cashew milk, and half teaspoons of cordyceps powder and spirulina powder from the bulk section, and half a teaspoon of Host Defense Turkey Tail Powder.
Zach
CN Dad Hat
Finally the weather is warm enough to get in some more hiking and outdoors time! But you gotta protect your skin from UV. And what better way to do just that and to represent than in my new Cambridge Naturals Dad Hat! A new version with a 'deeper' feel which I prefer, plus great new colors! Olive Green is my perennial favorite.