No More Crunchy Knees :-)

By Eric, CN Customer Service Specialist + Shift Lead

For the first time in 40 years, my knees don’t crunch. I am 56 years old, and my knees feel better than they did when I was 20. This is a brand new development; my knees have only been flexible and healthy since I began working at Cambridge Naturals a year ago. What’s my secret? Is it basking in the friendly glow of my coworkers? Is it the huge quantity of our high-end organic, fair trade chocolate that I consume daily? Perhaps, but I think a much more likely reason is the healthy oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids that I’ve been taking every morning.

Omega-3s are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids that our bodies can’t make. We need them for cell membrane formation as well as for making hormones that regulate blood clotting, the contraction and relaxation of artery walls, and inflammation.

Every morning, I eat a capsule containing a modest amount – 500mg – of omega 3 fatty acids. If I were addressing a specific condition I might take more, based on the advice of my doctor. In my case, I take omega-3s because I am a vegetarian and I know they are deficient in my diet. While fish eaters get a nice dose of omega-3s naturally, I take Ovega-3, a plant-based omega-3 supplement.

There are three types of Omega-3 fatty acids important to human physiology: ALA, EPA and DHA. ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is abundant in nuts and seeds.  To a limited degree, your body converts ALA to the essential EPA and DHA forms of Omega-3, but this conversion is thought to decrease in efficiency as you age.

It’s the EPA and DHA Omega-3s that I take my Ovega-3 supplement for. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is widely recognized to offer cognitive support and support for the developing brains of children. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is thought to offer, among other benefits, support to your body’s response to inflammation. It’s the DHA that I suspect is helping with my formerly crunchy knees.

When customers approach the Omega-3 oil section of the store, they may be overwhelmed with the choices we offer. All of the brands are well-sourced. I always advise people to follow the advice of their healthcare practitioner when contemplating dosage, and then to consider whether they would prefer a liquid or capsules, and in the case of a liquid, whether added flavor is important. In addition to the fish and krill oils, there is a selection of plant-based Omega-3 supplements, which are derived from marine algae. Below those on the shelf, as well as in our refrigerated section near the probiotic supplements, are flax and other plant oils that may provide ALA or other healthy oils, but not EPA and DHA.

As a daily part of my job, I am frequently squatting to straighten and re-shelve products. I am continuously thankful for my healthy knees. And, I am living proof that your joints don’t have to get crunchier and stiffer when you age; with proper care, they may end up feeling better than they ever did when you were a crunchy 20-year-old.

This blog series is for general health information only. This website is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any health condition or problem. Users of this website should not rely on information provided on this website for their own health problems. Any questions regarding your own health should be addressed to your own physician or other healthcare provider.

Packed Lunches That Pack a Punch!

By John B, CN Assistant Grocery Lead

Well, it’s back-to-school time already and here in Cambridge the air is positively abuzz with student activity. Among the least exciting things about the yearly return to academic mode can often be the lunches. Whether you’re a parent planning for your little ones or a student living on dining room grub, we all can get pretty despondent about square pieces of cardboard masquerading as “pizza”, reheatead chicken fingers, and mystery meat.

Thankfully, packing hearty and healthful lunches that taste good whether they’re hot, cold, or room temperature is easy with help from our grocery section and our fine selection of reusable food containers! Below, you will find 5 recipes to get you started, each with a suggested container in which it can be stored and transported. Hope you find it helpful! 

Mashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich in Beeswrap Sandwich Wrap

Ingredients:

• Dan’s Bread Whole Wheat Sourdough

• 1 15.5oz can Chickpeas

• 2 stalks Celery

• 2 Carrots

• 3 Scallions

• 1 Avocado

• A handful of your favorite leafy greens

• 1 cup Magic Bites Hummus thinned with 2 tablespoons water

• 1 tablespoon Dark Horse Fermented Dijon Mustard

• ¼ cup Living Intentions Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds

• 1 teaspoon Cambridge Naturals bulk garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon Lakewood Organic Lemon Juice

• Maldon Sea Salt and Cambridge Naturals bulk black pepper to taste

Dice the celery, scallions, and carrots. Roughly mash the chickpeas (some should still be whole, for aesthetics and texture). Add the carrots, celery, scallions, mustard, hummus mixture, pumpkin seeds, lemon, salt, and pepper to the mashed chickpeas and combine. Scoop the mixture onto your Dan’s Bread and top with avocado and greens. Voila! There should be enough of everything for several sammies. Store in Beeswrap Sandwich Wrap.

Wrap up that sammy nice and tight!

Miso Sweet Potato and Broccoli Bowl in W&P Porter Bowl

For the Bowl:

• 1 cup Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice, uncooked

• 1 to 2 large Sweet Potatoes

• 1 large head Broccoli

• 2 tablespoons Oleamea Sogukoluk Olive Oil

• 2 tablespoons Cambridge Naturals bulk sesame seeds, toasted

• Maldon Sea Salt and Cambridge Naturals bulk black pepper to taste

For the Dressing:

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

• 1 minced garlic clove

• 2 tablespoons South River Sweet White Miso

• 2 tablespoons Dastony Tahini

• 1 tablespoon Crystal’s Own Honey

• ¼ cup Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar

• 2 tablespoons Spectrum Sesame Oil

• 2 tablespoons Oleamea Sogukoluk Olive Oil

Cook your rice according to package instructions and preheat oven to 400. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes. Cut tops off broccoli and separate into bite-sized florets. Peel the broccoli stems and cut into 1-inch pieces. Coat a large tray in olive oil. Layer sweet potatoes on tray and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, until beginning to brown. Toss, and add broccoli. Roast another 10 to 20 minutes, tossing one more time if it’s cooking unevenly.  While veggies are roasting, prepare your dressing: Combine ingredients and blend until smooth. Assemble bowls: Scoop some grains into each, then pile on your sweet potatoes and broccoli. Coat lightly with dressing and finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Store in W&P Porter Bowl.

W&P’s colorful to-go bowls will make your lunch the envy of the office.

Soba Salad with Honey Ginger Dressing in Klean Kanteen Insulated 16oz Food Canister OR Hydro Flask Insulated 18oz Food Flask

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos

• 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

• 1 tablespoon Crystal’s Own Honey

• 2 tablespoons Spectrum Sesame Oil

• 2 inches ginger, peeled and grated

• 7 ounces King Soba Sweet Potato Buckwheat Noodles

• 2 carrots

• 1 cucumber

• 1 endive

• 1 tablespoon Cambridge Naturals bulk sesame seeds, toasted

• 1 tablespoon Cambridge Naturals pine nuts

• 2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped

In a small bowl, lightly whisk aminos, vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and ginger. Peel and slice the veggies to uniform size (about half inch pieces). Cook your noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse noodles under cold water and drain thoroughly. In a large bowl, mix your noodles, sauce, and veggies, as well as the sesame seeds, pine nuts, and chives. Store in Klean Kanteen Insulated 16oz Food Canister OR Hydro Flask Insulated 18oz Food Flask.

Keep your lunch as snug as a bug in a rug

Coconut Sweet Potatoes with Wild Rice in LunchBots Stainless Steel Leakproof Food Container

Ingredients:

• 8.5oz Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice

• 4 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ¼ inch pieces

• 1 cup frozen edamame, thawed

• 1 can Native Forest Organic Coconut Milk

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1/3 cup Once Again Organic Smooth Peanut Butter

• 1 tablespoon Entube Curry Paste

• 2 teaspoons Nutiva Coconut Sugar

• Fresh basil (optional)

Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease a 2 quart casserole dish and set aside. Prepare rice according to package instructions. In a medium saucepan cook sweet potatoes, covered, in enough water to cover for about 8 minutes. Gently combine sweet potato, rice, and edamame in casserole dish. In a large skillet combine coconut milk and onion. Bring to boiling, reduce, and simmer for 3 minutes. Whisk in peanut butter, red curry paste, and coconut sugar until peanut butter is melted and smooth. Pour coconut mixture over vegetables and rice. Bake covered for 15 minutes and uncovered for an additional 15 minutes. Top with basil. Store in LunchBots Stainless Steel Leakproof Food Container 3 Cup.

Soon the robots will be making our lunches, too

Curried Chicken Salad in U-Konserve Divided To-Go Stainless Steel Container

Ingredients:

• 1lb boneless chicken breast, cooked and cut into cubes

• ½  carrot, shredded

• 1 stalk celery, thin sliced

• ½ cup Cambridge Naturals Curry Cashews

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• ¼ cup Cambridge Naturals golden raisins

• For the Dressing:

• ½ cup Primal Kitchen Mayonnaise

• ¼ cup White Mountain Bulgarian Yogurt

• 1 tablespoon Lakewood Organic Lemon Juice

• 2 teaspoons Cambridge Naturals bulk curry powder

• ½ teaspoon Crystal’s Own Honey

• Maldon Sea Salt and Cambridge Naturals bulk black pepper to taste

Whisk dressing ingredients. Combine everything else in a large bowl, pour dressing over the salad and toss. U-Konserve Divided To-Go Stainless Steel Container. 

We have no witty caption for this one, it’s just super awesome.

Celebrating Juneteenth!

Image via Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

Are you familiar with Juneteenth? Over the last couple of years, members of our staff have called our attention to this historical event that rightfully deserves its own national holiday.

Juneteenth (June 19th) marks official end of slavery in the United States, and so in many ways, should really be our national “Independence Day”. News of the Emancipation Proclamation, which became official on January 1st 1863, did not reach Texas (whether intentionally or not) until two and a half years later, on June 19th, 1865, when over 250,000 enslaved black people were finally freed.

Our nation’s history of black slavery is gruesome, abhorrent, and still very much with us today. Juneteenth marks the very beginning of our progress towards liberty and justice for all, and we have a LOOOONG way to go.

To celebrate Juneteenth is to celebrate our collective freedom and humanity. It’s about time that we made it a national holiday.

For more on the history of Juneteenth (thank you, Sawyer!), see:

Vox.com

Juneteenth.com

Wikipedia.com

Atlantic.com

Time Magazine

To support organizations doing the work of racial justice, see:

Anti-Racism Collaborative

The Innocence Project

Showing up for Racial Justice

Interaction Institute for Social Change

Black Lives Matter

The Magic of Flower Essences

By Eric, Customer Service Specialist

I’ve been familiar with Bach’s Rescue Remedy for many years. You may know the one - a little yellow box… a few drops and your stress level seems to quickly drop. Dr. Edward Bach invented Rescue Remedy in the 1930s. Although Cambridge Naturals also carries individual flower essences from Bach, Rescue Remedy remains the Bach company’s only multi-flower preparation.

Recently, Cambridge Naturals started carrying a line of flower essences from The Flower Apothecary. These are multi-flower preparations with names like Pure Love, and Crisis Intervention, that utilize combinations of flowers to address a condition or concern. Outside of Rescue remedy, I was completely unaware of flower essences when I tried The Flower Apothecary’s Pure Confidence. It was like magic for me; I couldn’t believe how powerful the effect was.

What are flower essences?

Flower essences are akin to homeopathic remedies; they work on a vibrational level, instead of the bio-chemical level of most tinctures. From The Flower Apothecary’s website:

Flower essences works on the premise that every flower has a particular healing attribute in the form of a vibrational frequency.  Similarly, an emotional imbalance also has a vibrational frequency. So if an individual is fearful, they may ingest the flower essence that floods their body with vibrations of courage in order to counteract the fear and begin to resonate in a state of courage and fearlessness. This is called sympathetic resonance and is the science behind this system. Can you think of a time that you felt better simply by being around a happy person? Vibrations can be contagious and flower essences are a way to acquire the positive vibration of a particular flower.

For many people, consulting with a flower essence practitioner to figure out the right combination of single flower essences from Bach may be the right route. But for people who don’t have the time to invest or whose situations seems to match the pre-made mixes, the Flower Apothecary provides a wonderful and convenient alternative.

There are many natural modalities to address health and wellness concerns. If you aren’t achieving a desired result from extracts and supplements, you may wish to try one of our flower essences formulas. Because they are essentially water energized with the property of flowers, they are among the safest natural remedies to try.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this website is intended as, or should be construed as, medical advice. Consumers should consult with their own health care practitioners for individual, medical recommendations. The information in this website concerns dietary supplements, over-the-counter products that are not drugs. Our dietary supplement products are not indended for use as a means to cure, treat, prevent, diagnose or mitigate any disease or other medical or abnormal condition.

It’s bbq season (finally!)

By John B, Assistant Grocery Lead

Whether you’re using wood fire, charcoal, or are strictly about that “propane and propane accessories” life, the time of year has finally come to dust off the ol’ grill, grab your best tongs, and invite your friends and family around to crack some cold ones, blast some tunes, and feast most heartily! This means it’s time for another round in what has become something of a series for me here at The Naturalist, my epic BBQ meal plans! These four recipes, packed with amazing natural ingredients you can find here at CN, will satiate a crowd of about six with surprisingly little effort on the part of the grillmaster or grillmistress. 

My apologies to vegetarians and those who keep kosher, as half this meal plan is out-of-bounds, I’m afraid. Don’t let it stop you from trying the cauliflower steaks and grilled strawberries. You should also check out my prior ALL-VEGAN BBQ post or just come by our Porter Square location, where I will happily suggest recipes to you in person all day long!

One last thing before we get started: you may not know this about me, but when I’m not dropping knowledge about healthy, natural foods I am both a DJ and musician! As such, I’ve included a great little Spotify playlist of BBQ music for you to enjoy while cooking and eating. What is BBQ music, exactly? Can’t say I know for sure, but it definitely spans genres, continents, and decades in search of something fun, sunny, and a little saucy. Enjoy!

HONEY MUSTARD GRILLED PORK CHOPS

INGREDIENTS:

6 6-ounce pork chops
½ cup Crystal’s Own cranberry honey
3 tablespoons Primal Kitchen dijon mustard
3 tablespoons grain mustard
3 tablespoons Bragg’s apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon South River sweet white miso
1 tablespoon Bragg’s liquid aminos
3 cloves garlic, chopped
Maldon Sea Salt to taste
CN bulk black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Marinate the chops in a mixture of all the remaining ingredients for at least thirty minutes (overnight for maximum flavor) and grill over medium-high heat, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

LEMON PESTO SHRIMP SKEWERS

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb medium or large frozen shrimp, deveined and thawed
3 lemons, thinly sliced
8 Bambu bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 20 minutes
Cadia extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Maldon sea salt to taste
CN bulk black pepper to taste
½ cup Dan’s Power Plant Fauxmaggio pesto

DIRECTIONS:

Pre-heat grill to medium-high, skewer shrimp and lemon slices, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until shrimp is opaque and lemons slightly charred, roughly 4 to 5 minutes. Brush with pesto and serve.

LOADED GRILLED CAULIFLOWER

INGREDIENTS:

2 large heads cauliflower
¼ cup Cadia extra-virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon CN bulk garlic powder
½ tsp. La Chinata smoked paprika
Maldon sea salt to taste
CN bulk black pepper to taste
2 cups Neighborly Farms green onion cheddar, shredded
Primal Kitchen ranch dressing, for drizzling
2 cups Phoney Baloney coconut bacon
2 tsp. finely chopped chives
If You Care aluminum foil

DIRECTIONS:

Remove and discard leaves from cauliflower heads, then trim the stem so cauliflower can lie flat on the cutting board (leave the core intact). Cut each cauliflower in to “steaks” about ¾ inchthick. Reserve any loose florets to cook with the steaks. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat the grill to medium. Brush one side of each steak with your olive oil mixture and place the brushed side down on a grill. Brush the top sides with the olive oil mixture and cook until tender and charred in spots, about 8 minutes per side. Top each steak with cheese and cook until melted. Toss extra florets in the olive oil mixture and grill, turning often, until charred and tender, about six minutes. Drizzle steaks with ranch and then sprinkle coconut bacon and chives on top.

GRILLED STRAWBERRY PINEAPPLE SKEWERS

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb strawberries
1 pineapple, skinned and cut into 1-inch chunks
6 tbsp. Organic Valley butter, melted
1 tbsp. Crystal’s Own Blueberry Honey
1 tsp. lemon zest
8 Bambu bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 20 minutes
Maldon sea salt to taste
Lakewood lemon juice, for drizzling

DIRECTIONS:

Thread strawberries (stem to tip) and pineapple chunks onto your skewers. In a small bowl, whisk melted butter, honey, lemon zest and salt. Brush mixture onto your skewers. Heat grill to medium and grill on each side until slightly charred, brushing continually with butter mixture as you go. Remove from heat, drizzle with lemon juice, and serve!

Celebrating our 45th Anniversary!!

Can you believe it’s been 45 years?! Cambridge Naturals was founded in 1974 by Michael and Elizabeth*, at the ripe young age of 23, and we are still proud to be local, family-owned, and independent. And, we’re so lucky to have many customers who’ve been shopping with us from the beginning!

To celebrate, we’re pulling out all the stops the weekend of May 3rd - 5th (Friday - Sunday) at both locations, with special flash sales, events + tastings, raffle prizes, and more!

We’ll be updating this blog post with specifics, so stay tuned!

*Would you look at these two wild + crazy kids?!

Supplement not Supplant!

By Eric, Customer Service Specialist

Do you have both a morning and evening regimen of natural pill popping? Perhaps you take natural supplements to address a specific condition? Maybe it’s for general health and wellness, for disease prevention… Do you take a tincture to calm down when you feel anxious and another to give you energy? Do you take an herb when you feel sad? A few to help you sleep?

If you answered yes to all of these questions then congratulations, you’re like me! And, like me, possibly a bit out of balance -  finding quick solutions while still avoiding deeper lifestyle improvements that may require a bit more effort, but are totally worth it.

At Cambridge Naturals, we try to balance effective herbal and supplemental supports with holistic recommendations for healthy lifestyle. Here is a reminder of some basic ways to honor your body, mind and spirit that support a healthy life brimming with equanimity and a general sense of well-being:

Sleep. It’s the cornerstone of health and happiness! If you’re not getting enough (roughly seven to nine hours per night), herbs and extracts can definitely help. And, relying on those alone may not support your longer term healthy sleep needs. It’s a healthy expectation to feel energized when you wake up. Consider this:

• Sleep feels good. Go to bed early so you can experience more of it.

• Avoid bright lights and screens for an hour before bedtime.

• Try playing a YouTube video of soothing sleep-promoting music or a guided meditation when you go to bed.

• Choose a cool room temp, snuggling under lots of blankets, as opposed to a warm room.

• Use progressive muscle relaxation techniques.

• Practice deep, slow breaths.

• For supplements, consider deeper, long term solutions like adrenal health formulas that support those very important organs responsible for regulating your healthy cortisol levels.

Eat a nutritionally diverse plant-based diet. If sleep deprivation is your issue, consider avoiding eating meat at your evening meal. Pizza and chocolate may not be the best choices either - pizza is loaded with difficult to digest grease and eating chocolate before bed may keep you buzzing all night long.  If you’re craving a late night snack, try a banana. Bananas are rich in many of the ingredients found in natural sleep support supplements such as potassium, magnesium, tryptophan and vitamin B6. They even promote the production of melatonin.

Exercise. For increased energy and to feel better in your body, consider committing to an exercise regimen, preferably three or more times per week. It can help to bring a buddy to the gym or yoga studio for mutual motivation! If you’re physically able, walking is an excellent, low-impact exercise that can have an amazing impact on mood and fitness in the long run. Consider 30 minutes a day.

Meditate. You’ve heard it from lots of people! Maybe you used to do it, and just need to get back into it. Consider waking up an extra 20 minutes early every single day to meditate. It may seem like a drag until you are actually meditating, and then it feels so right. There are countless wonderful methods, but if you just can’t get into them, try a guided meditation on YouTube, possibly one with positive affirmations about your day ahead. There are also several apps including Headspace and Insight Timer which offer free meditations!

Gratitude. Improve your mood and outlook on life through gratitude! If you think you don’t have much to be grateful for, you are a perfect candidate for this technique:

Make a list of 10 things you are grateful for, big or small. I will start you off with my own list:

• I am grateful for the opportunity I had to help raise my stepson.

• I am grateful for my warm winter coat.

• I am grateful for the beauty of trees when their branches are covered in snow.

• I am grateful for blue skies….

It’s easier than you think to come up with 10 things. Write them down and say them out loud. Consider doing o this every day for a week. Then, challenge yourself by writing down and reciting a list of 100 things you are grateful for! Focusing on the positive can change your life in dramatic ways.

While none of these healthy lifestyle suggestions come in a capsule, they can be benefited by taking the right supplements and herbs for you personally, in moderation. Cause you don’t want to end up like this guy!

This blog series is for general health information only. This website is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any health condition or problem. Users of this Web site should not rely on information provided on this website for their own health problems. Any questions regarding your own health should be addressed to your own physician or other healthcare provider.

Routinized Ritual: A V-Day Self-Love Recipe

By Bex, Events Director

Happy Valentine’s Day, folks! For a “holiday” that conjures up cliché after cliché (I love you to the moon and back. You are my heart’s desire. A rose by any other name...), Hallmark card after Hallmark card upon which you may find those clichés glorified, and box after box of those flavorless food-coloring infused heart candies rife with ”LOVE ME” neediness, we don’t focus as much on going inwards and asking: “How can I love myself more deeply?”

Here’s a more fitting self-love cliché in my opinion: “Time is of the essence.” Honestly. Is being an adult this hard for everyone? Why is it so hard to take care of myself?! Part of it has to do with time allocation. I thrive when I load my schedule with waaaay too much to possibly accomplish on any given day. While I want to do everything to take care of myself, self-care becomes yet another area of stress if don’t leave room for anything.

As someone who relishes new experiences, adventures, and spontaneity, “routine” has always been a word that I’ve felt best applied to what I want to do on the dance floor rather than, well, what I “should” do to my bed everyday: make it. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve embraced what I call: Routinized Ritual. Every morning and night, I set aside just a little bit of time for a few tools that help me enter and exit the day. They don’t require a luxury lifestyle or excessive amounts of time. The best part? It turns out that these daily acts of self-love help me remember to prioritize my own well-being and fit other acts of self-care into my day when extra time presents itself. An unexpected victory? I’ve made my bed every day this week!

Bex is feeling the self-love this season

Recipe:

1. Pick an amount of time that you can commit to and for yourself each and every day.

2. Morning? Night? Both? The important thing is that you are carving out just a little bit of time to remind yourself that you are worth it! Consider planning larger chunks of time (weekends, vacation, a random 3-hour chunk when you need it) for deeper self-care fests.

3. Choose 3 acts of self-care to gift yourself with today! These can rotate, or they can stay consistent. Give yourself the leeway to switch it up. You might find that these changes are weekly, monthly, seasonal, or completely random. “Go with the flow” would be the fitting cliché here.

Here are my current routinized rituals, completely subject to change:

Morning:

1. I scrape my tongue and oil pull (let us know if you have questions about the details of those rituals,) which has somehow also made me love flossing. What?!

2. I drink one large glass of water followed by a large dose of L-theanine laden green tea during which I plot out the day ahead and set myself up for success

3. I dry brush my skin and oil it up before I shower--and butter it up again afterwards if it is a particularly dry time of year (like right now…)

Night:

1. A daily dose of exercise followed by a short stretch and self-massage

2. My gratitude practice: at the end of the day I like to write down at least three things that I’m grateful for

3. Grab-bag (because I still like to leave room for switching it up.) Tonight this will likely be a face mask. Last night, it was a long reading from the Mystic Mondays Tarot Deck. Tomorrow it might be an epsom salt bath.

More Acts of Self Love:

• Burning incense, lighting a candle, or diffusing essential oils

• Write your dreams down in a dream journal

• Sweat! Go find an infrared sauna or a steam

• Buy yourself flowers!

• Talk yourself up in the mirror. It may feel awkward, but telling yourself how wonderful, beautiful, and accomplished you are has been proven in studies to support confidence and wellbeing.

• Deep clean an area of your home with music blasting!

• DANCE!

• Take a yoga class, or just stretch a bit

• Listen to good music and journal

• Calling your parent, sibling, best friend

• Garden! Buy a plant, water your plant, look at your plant

• Sing or play an instrument

• Read a book!

• Take a meandering walk

• Draw, paint, or color in a coloring book (Guess what? Finger painting is still fun when you’re an adult)

• Find a swing-set and go for it! (Seriously… Also still fun when you’re an adult)

• Meditate for a few minutes or longer, even if you think you don’t know how to meditate

• Make yourself a special elixir, smoothie, tonic, or meal. Soup is my personal favorite.

• Sleep in!!!

Why we don't stock vapes

By Zach, Supplements Manager + Co-Director of Purchasing

We take health seriously. We curate our selection. We agonize over our products. Many factors contribute to how we evaluate products and brands: ingredient sourcing, base ingredients, testing methods, and dozens of other variables are taken into consideration when choose (or choose not) to stock something. In light of that, we want to talk about vaping. Yes, vaping. Specifically CBD Vapes. But before we get there, let's lay down some base info.

Vaping nicotine is considered a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, no doubt about it. But what about those who just vape nicotine and don't smoke cigarettes? Early research shows that vaping nicotine vapes alone may increase risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack risk vs not vaping at all.  And some researchers have proposed that vaping while also being an active cigarette smoker may actually be doubly bad for your health. So it seems like vaping itself isn't inherently 'healthy' and is potentially 'unhealthy.' 

So what about CBD vapes? 

Based on anecdotal reports and our understanding of physiology, vaporizing CBD does likely have a very high absorption rate because it bypasses digestive processes and enters the blood quickly through the lungs. As a result, it may have a more noticeable, 'fast' effect compared to a tincture, oil, or pill.

But there is still controversy to be hashed out around the potential health benefits and potential health risks of CBD vapes. The pens themselves are made of metals, plastics, and sometimes glass. In most all E-Cigs (AKA Vapes), high temperature pieces of metal or quartz wrapped in metal wire are what actually vaporizes the CBD oil. Multiple studies done by prestigious institutions like Johns Hopkins, the NHI, and others have shown that the vape pens themselves may expose the user to unnecessary intake of toxic metals like nickle, cadmium, and lead.

As a health focused business, we aim to provide solutions for health. While 'vaping' CBD may be an effective tool for some people, we believe that ingesting it orally and using it topically has broad potential health benefits. Therefore CBD can be effective without the potential exposure to toxic metals that vaping and potential health risks that vaping may have. We appreciate the value vaping may have, and the need it may fill, but at this point, we have decided not to stock any CBD Vape products. If a CBD Vape is what works for your health, for your needs, 'more power to you.' We support you on your health journey!

Beautiful fields of agricultural hemp from our partner SunSoil in VT.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this website is intended as, or should be construed as, medical advice. Consumers should consult with their own health care practitioners for individual, medical recommendations. The information in this website concerns dietary supplements, over-the-counter products that are not drugs. Our dietary supplement products are not intended for use as a means to cure, treat, prevent, diagnose or mitigate any disease or other medical or abnormal condition.

Heal your winter skin!

Ahhh, the joys of wintertime in Boston. Shorter days, bone-chilling temps, icy sidewalks, frigid winds whipping through the streets. As if that wasn’t delightful enough, one’s skin begins cracking and peeling, and that dormant dermatitis temporarily finds a new and vigorous lease on life.

But fear not! There are healthy solutions to dry and itchy skin. Along with drinking lots of water and getting ample rest, our squad of staff experts have some go-to favorites for keeping your epidermis baby smooth all winter long!

Evanhealy's Blue Cactus Beauty Elixir

”I slather on Evan Healy's Blue Cactus Beauty Elixir every morning after washing my face. It keeps my face super moisturized and has really helped with the amount of dry flaky skin on my nose and cheeks. The sweet smell of Blue Tansy oil is an added bonus!'“
- Stephanie, Body Care Buyer

Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream

”Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream is that product I can’t live without. Clean ingredients, works wonders on my dry skin, giving it immediate relief, especially during the winter season. It is light yet super hydrating, a little bit goes a long way and it also gives my skin a dewy look after application. Definitely recommend!”
- Jessi, Body Care Buyer

Heart Grown Wild In The Trees CBD Body Oil

”This body oil is phenomenal! Not only does it smell like an evergreen forest, it has just the right amount of CBD oil to truly soothe tired muscles and nourish dry or inflamed skin.”
- Ellen, Body Care Buyer

Weleda Skin Food

“The scent is just so unique, and it has a thicker texture compared to other lotions that I really like. When I need serious repair for my dry hands and cuticles, Weleda Skin Food is my go to!”
- Mike, Grocery Buyer

Alaffia Fair-Trade Unscented Shea Butter

”Alaffia’s Unscented Shea Butter is a year-round staple for me, but especially in these dry winter months. I find that adding even a tiny dab to my daily face regimen helps stop dry, flaky spots from forming, and leaves my skin with a nourished glow. Sometimes I’ll even use it as a face mask – slathering my face with a thick coating, letting it sit for an hour or so, and then taking the excess off with a warm damp cloth. And on days where I’m blowing my nose a lot, applying a little shea butter afterwards can keep my skin from getting angry.”
- Sam, Body Care Buyer + Assistant Manager

Ginger Chi Jade Roller

“Is there anything more luxurious than rolling a cool, smooth stone over your skin? Perhaps, but this certainly does the trick for me. Jade rollers have been used for centuries in China to refine the skin, enhance elasticity, tighten pores, increase circulation, and soothe inflammation. My tired and worn-out winter face feels amazing after I apply on my facial oil and roll!”
- Emily Kanter, Co-Owner

Dry Skin Brushing

”Dry Skin Brushing has been a transformative addition to my skincare routine. Dry brushing somewhat forces me to take 10 minutes to myself and focus on each inch of my body. Working in long, slow strokes or small circles, I work my skin brush from my ankles to my armpits and everywhere in between. I feel and see a noticeable difference in my skin's softness as well as experiencing a rejuvenated, renewed feeling of shedding the old and welcoming the new. Dry skin brushing is an easy addition to a routine or a perfect way to start a new routine. Wake up every inch of YOU!”
- Caitlin, Body Care Lead