Emily Kanter

Keeping your furry friends safe this holiday season!

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!

A Bit of Winter Color

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! 

Allison's Fat & The Moon Makeup Tutorial!

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.

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

    1. I find that this foundation has more staying-power if I use a face primer with a tacky finish after my regular moisturizer.

    2. I also went in eye primer because I feel it increases the longevity of eye makeup.

  2. Apply foundation.

    1. 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.

  3. Fill brows.

    1. 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.

  4. Give brows hold by combing through with a brow gel.

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

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

    1. I used a white Tarte concealer, but you can use any full-coverage concealer.

    2. 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. 

  6. Apply eye shadow.

    1. 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.

    2. 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. 

    3. 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.

    4. Then, I used the FATM Highlighter in Lit all over the center of my lid, making sure to blend it into the other shadows.

    5. You can touch up the shadow in the inner corner, if needed

    6. 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.

  7. Apply Mascara.

    1. 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.

  8. Apply blush

    1. 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.

  9. Apply highlighter

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

  10. Apply lipliner

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

  11. Apply lip color.

    1. I used the FATM Lip Paint in Wood Nymph

 And this…is the finished product!

Roasted Squash Linguine with Sautéed Leeks and Feta

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! 

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

By Amber S, CN Supplements Education Specialist & Stargazer

  1. Pancakes

  2. Street musicians

  3. A hot cup of tea on a cold day

  4. Fresh strawberries

  5. Sunshine on your face

  6. Local cafes

  7. That funny face cats make when they smell something stinky

  8. Your favorite armchair

  9. Getting to the subway platform just as your train pulls up

  10. Fire escapes

  11. Good coffee

  12. Stepping on a perfectly crunchy leaf

  13. Children dancing

  14. Seeing a friend you haven't seen in a long time 

  15. Bookshops

  16. Googly eyes

  17. Gel-ink pens

  18. Lemonade

  19. A new jar of peanut butter where the top is all smooth and hasn't been dug into yet

  20. Dogs

  21. Scented candles

  22. The first snow of the year

  23. Smooth rocks

  24. Little Free Libraries

  25. Frogs

  26. Falling asleep with the window open and rain falling gently outside

  27. Goat cheese

  28. Your favorite song coming on the radio

  29. Backrubs

  30. Triple-milled soap

  31. Street fairs

  32. Buttered toast

  33. Learning other languages

  34. Live music

  35. Hugs

  36. Hot sauce

  37. Stargazing

  38. Windy afternoons

  39. Street art

  40. Dark chocolate

  41. Bubbles

  42. Getting cards in the mail

  43. Art museums

  44. Pie

  45. Farmers markets

  46. Finding a dollar in your pocket

  47. Houseplants

  48. Making up silly songs for your pets

  49. The smell of wet earth

  50. Your favorite local natural-products store where everyone knows you

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

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

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)

(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.

'Tis The Sneezin: Herbs For Immune Support!

By Amber, Supplements Buyer + Herbalism Enthusiast

While leaving my apartment this morning to go to work, I saw my breath fog the air for the first time this year. The little cloud reminded me that cooler days are coming, and with them, cold and flu season. Here's some of Cambridge Naturals' favorite immune-boosting herbs and how to use them!

Andrographis (andrographis paniculata): Native to Southern Asia, andrographis has been used in both Ayurvedic medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries as a remedy for the common cold. Early scientific research suggests it may stimulate the immune system to produce more of a specific type of cell called lymphocytes, which fight off diseases. The compounds in andrographis also possess anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can find it in tincture and capsule form, and it's also an ingredient in several of our Cambridge Naturals supplement blends like the perennial favorite Sinus Blaster.

Echinacea (echinacea purpurea and echinacea angustifolia): Echinacea is one of the more familiar immune-supporting herbs to many people and has cemented itself in the canon of Western medicine. Consequently, the scientific research supporting it is better established than many other herbal remedies. Its immune-boosting properties are well studied, and recent research has suggested a number of potential other benefits such as anti-inflammatory action and even possibly providing relief from anxiety. Aside from being available by itself in tincture and capsule form, it's also one of the primary ingredients in our Ginger Zinger Immune Syrup and Immuno-Well Rx formulations, and is a constant Bulk section favorite.

Elderberry (sambucus nigra): Elderberry stands out in the materia medica of immune-boosting herbs for being delicious as well as medicinal. The berries (which must be dried or cooked before use) and flowers are used in tinctures, teas, and syrups. They're particularly high in Vitamin C and may be useful in particular against sinus infections, bacterial infections, and potentially even the flu. However, elderberry can have a diuretic effect and bring on sweating, so it's important to drink plenty of water while using it! Both the berries and flowers are popular bulk herbs at CN, as well as the syrups, tinctures, and capsules made from them. 

Mullein (verbascum thapsus): One of our favorite wonderful weeds at Cambridge Naturals (and one whose virtues I've extolled on the CN Blog before)  mullein's antibacterial and expectorant properties have been the subject of much attention lately. This fluffy leaf makes an antitussive addition to a healing tea or an easy-to-consume tincture. Indigenous Americans used the leaves variously as a tea, a topical poultice, and as an ingredient in smoking blends. Mullein also has a long and respected history in African American herbal traditions; the Black agricultural scientist George Washington Carver notably endorsed its healing properties. It's one of the best-selling herbs in CN's Bulk Herbs section, and we've recently brought in tinctures and capsules  as well. 

Osha (ligusticum porteri): Osha grows mainly in the Rocky Mountains of the United States, and is related to the wild carrot (apiaceae) family. It is considered an important plant by many Indigenous American communities such as the Diné, who tell a story about learning to use the herb from watching wild bears consume it. Its gnarled, dark-brown roots are made into a tea or tincture valued for its antibacterial and anti-microbial properties. Early research suggests it may also protect against cellular damage due to its antioxidant compounds. You can find it in products like our Bronchial Syrup and Congest-Eeze capsules, as well as in a tincture by itself. 

These are only a handful of the products we stock to keep you feeling hale and hearty all year round. Check out our full stock on our website, or come in to our Porter Square location for a chat about what we've got to help you feel your best! 

Sources:

https://nativeplants.ku.edu/ethnobotany-research/ligusticum-osha 

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-973/andrographis

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/echinacea

https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/elderberry

https://theherbalacademy.com/blog/african-american-herbalism-history/

The information in this blog post is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.

Pomegranate Day (A Meditation)

By Amber, CN Supplements Buyer & Pom Enthusiast

In my household, there exists a holiday found nowhere else in the world. A very simple holiday, to be sure, but a holiday nonetheless. I call it Pomegranate Day, and I've celebrated it once a year for about a decade now. 

The gist of Pomegranate Day is this: it is the first day in autumn when I find pomegranates in the grocery store. Because they have such a short time they're in season, that means Pomegranate Day can happen any time in September or early October. 

It's a plain enough celebration. The first day I get a pomegranate for the season, I take it home and clear a space on the kitchen table. I lay out a bowl and rag and put on a shirt I don't mind staining. I light a nice candle, turn off my phone, and put away any potential distractions. And then, for the next hour or so, I dedicate my entire self to the consumption of my pomegranate. I focus on the sensory aspects: the soft tearing of the thick dusky-pink rind, the split of the seam as it parts to reveal the wet red jewels of arils within. I press the arils to the roof of my mouth with my tongue until they pop in a tangy burst, then crunch the seeds between my molars. I let my hands get stained until juice runs down my wrists; my fingertips will wear the yellow memories for days after. I get messy. I slurp, I crunch. I devote my body to the miracle of the heavy fruit. 

And with it, I give thanks for the brief bliss of pomegranate season. I remind myself how wonderful it is to have these fruits, if only for a few months out of the year. I consider how I'm not meant to have everything I want all the time: a pomegranate in June is just not the same as a pomegranate in November, and the fruit is all the sweeter for being so fleeting. 

I recently celebrated this year's Pomegranate Day, and it was one of the most wonderful yet. The fruit the size of both my fists, the seeds like glowing embers. There will be other pomegranates this year, to be sure, but none hold the pure animal joy of the season's first. 

May your pomegranates be glorious, and your gratitude boundless. 

My Month of Josh Rosebrook 

By Dev, CN Manager + Skincare Connoisseur

A compliment we frequently get at Cambridge Naturals is that there’s always something exciting and new waiting for customers on our shelves. In a general sense, I would say that every industry puts a lot of energy behind building expectations for the hot new thing that everyone simply must have. 

One downside of this tendency in our wider culture is that - in all the hustle and bustle of identifying new up-and-coming brands and fun products - it’s easy to overlook the accomplishments of truly foundational, innovative brands. Brands with products that opened industry doors and delighted consumers in unexpected ways, setting up new possibilities and standards in skincare from which those new up-and-comers work.

One such brand, and the focus of this specific post, is Josh Rosebrook. 

Josh Rosebrook introduced his skincare line to the general public in 2009, with a focus on high quality botanical and biomimetic ingredients. (Within the realm of skincare, biomimetic refers to ingredients that “mimic” the natural compounds produced in the human body. These aid in the absorption and maintenance of our skin’s natural pH range. A great example of this is botanical hyaluronic acid, which is highly similar to the same hyaluronic acid our bodies produce in our joints, eyes, etc.) Josh and his team have truly put in the work to produce skincare products that are founded in research-driven cosmetic science.

After an informative brand training, I was recently given the generous opportunity to try a sequence of their face care line, from cleanser to face balm. As a fun challenge to myself (and as a way to really test the renowned excellence of their products,) I decided to use nothing but Josh Rosebrook face care products as part of my daily routine for at least a month. Which I did this July!

(Important note: I didn’t stop after a month! You probably won’t want to, either.)  

Here’s a more specific run-down of the products I was gifted, all of which have unique formulas and strengths on their own, but make botanical and biomimetic magic together. 

  1. Complete Moisture Cleanse Gel: one thing I appreciate about JR’s skincare line is that you can easily tell from the scents alone that they utilize high quality botanicals in their products. No cloying fragrances at all. Their cleanse gel is pleasantly mild and a great choice for anyone with sensitive or reactive skin. It leaves my skin feeling smooth but not stripped of necessary moisture. 

  2. Daily Acid Toner: time to tone! JR’s acid toner is a powerhouse of actives, including citric, malic, glycolic, and pyruvic acids. It’s a great exfoliator and the addition of aloe means that it isn’t too drying, and will leave your skin happy and pH-balanced. 

  3. Active Infusion Facial Oil: a great moisturizer on its own, for all skin types. It contains a uniquely gentle retinoic acid ester that provides the antioxidant and age support benefits people are seeking in retinols, but without the associated high level of sensitivity afterwards. Feels light and amazing underneath the next one on our list…

  4. Vital Balm Cream: the true darkhorse of this experiment! I didn’t go in expecting to love this specific product so much, but I’m afraid this is one I won’t be giving up anytime soon. It has a delightful whipped, sponge-like texture and a fantastic scent. It melts into your skin and absorbs quickly, leaving you feeling plump and glowy for hours afterwards. 

The following two products are ones I already owned and, of course, already swore by:

  1. Nutrient Day Cream SPF 30: Particularly in the hot summer months, a good SPF is indispensable. Josh Rosebrook’s SPF day cream is light, goes on smoothly, and is additionally a great base for any cosmetics you might want to follow with. They also have produced a tinted formula to cut down on the milky cast for those with darker skin tones.

  2. Advanced Hydration Face Mask: Not a daily product for me, but could be for you! A great staple to have for times when a little extra moisture is needed, or when skin is particularly dull or lackluster. Great for use overnight if you want to wake up with deliciously plump skin. I would say that all of JR’s products are extremely clean and mildly pleasant smelling, but the Advanced Hydration mask is a stand-out in this category with a beautiful color to match. 

After a month, I would say that I noticed some specific changes in my skin that I was happy to see. “Plump” is the one word I would lean on the most; my skin was very hydrated and dewy, even after a full workday. I received a lot of compliments on how soft it both looked and felt to the touch, which was definitely downstream of how gently resurfacing and balance-focused their skincare line is. 

It’s a brand I would highly recommend to those with reactive and sensitive skin in particular, as so many of their products are geared towards retaining moisture and keeping the facial skin balanced. I always wake up and look forward to the simple ritual of my face care routine, and the added enjoyment of getting to experiment with just a single, powerful line of products is one I’d be more than willing to try again! 

Additionally, this past month we did a fun mini-facial event with Josh Rosebrook, as well! Keep an eye on our social media and newsletter for similar opportunities in the future.

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Dev's Yuzu Kava Relaxer 🍹

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By Dev F, CN Manager + Fizzy Beverage Connoisseur

Fizzy and functional, together at last!  

I’m always interested in casual ways to make our favorite food and drinks go even further for us and our bodies… beyond just tasting good, of course. Last year was big for what we might call ‘fizzy and functional’ drinks - I was thrilled by the refreshing and delicious simplicity of Mountain Rose Herbs’ own Functional Fizzes from their blog last summer, and most of us active on social media of any kind at least know of the existence of the viral “Sleepy Girl Mocktail,” which emerged on TikTok in 2023. 

(For those who missed out on the phenomenon, it’s a calming and tasty combination of magnesium powder, tart cherry juice, and lemon-lime soda/seltzer meant to be used as a tasty sleep support beverage.)

Naturally - with so many cool sodas, seltzers, and herbal extracts on our shelves–it made sense to try my hand at one! 

First up, my own stress and sleep support mocktail: A blend of tart yuzu and bittersweet kava kava, with a fragrant note of lavender. Kava is known for its sleep supportive properties, so this is a great one to sip on a balmy summer evening while you’re winding down and ready to fall into the sweet embrace of slumber…

Ingredients:

Prep is very easy and fast, and the ingredients can be modified to suit your own taste. I mixed the lavender and kava extracts together in a glass with both Portland syrups, added ice, and then poured Sanzo’s yuzu sparkling water over the top. Just stir slightly and you’re ready to go! 

(Or stay! Possibly in bed, or another comfy spot.)