People who have never homebrewed always ask me why I bother, citing the plethora of amazing craft beer choices available today. While there are a lot of great independent breweries making beers that I adore, nothing beats savoring a glass beer I brewed myself. Plus, homebrewing my own beer ensures I’ll always have access to my favorite styles brewed just the way I like them. Some of my favorite herbal additions include grains of paradise or smoked peppercorns in rustic saison, a big floral pop of chamomile in a Belgian witbier, or adding a kick to a rich stout with bird’s eye chilies and cacao nibs.

In midsummer, our fields of certified organic Echinacea purpurea are a purple blaze as far as the eye can see. The nearly shoulder-high flowers that take root in these Pacific Northwest soils are a pollinator favorite, and native bees and butterflies flock to the fields in droves. The sheer multitude of winged beings that encircle each bloom is an impressive sight to behold—visual proof of the power of organic agriculture.

Matcha is an alluring powdered green tea with deep historical roots in Japanese tea ceremonies. Like all true teas, matcha is produced from the tender young leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The way in which the leaves are grown and processed is what sets matcha apart from other green teas. All matcha is shade-grown, hand-harvested, and quickly steamed. After steaming, the stems and veins are removed from each leaf, and the leaves are then left to dry flat before being stone-ground into a fine powder. Whether whisked hot in the traditional preparation, or combined with milk and honey poured over ice, matcha offers a truly remarkable flavor experience!

If you’re anything like me, your schedule is often a little too crowded. And the struggle of trying to balance our always-on culture against some quality “me” time is real. While I haven’t been great at saying no to as many things I would like to this year, I have been better about finding those quiet moments of me time. One of the things that helps me to quickly find a moment of tranquility is to eliminate the distractions of technology and enjoy a little aromatherapy. These buckwheat and lavender eye pillows check both of those boxes, plus they’re easy to transport and they’re adorable! 

The first time I cooked spaghetti squash I was heartbroken. I had recently broken up with gluten and was trying desperately to fill the hole in my stomach left by pasta. And while my marinara game was on point that day, the spaghetti squash only added to my heartbreak. Thankfully a dear friend challenged me to think outside the Italian Seasoning box and these smoky Southwestern-inspired spaghetti squash bowls were born.

For chocolate lovers, very few things compare to snapping open a raw cacao bean, rubbing it between your palms to crumble your own cacao nibs, and taking a deep inhale. If you’ve never tried raw cacao (pronounced “kah-cow”), you might be in for a bit of a surprise.

I’ve been a little obsessed with cranberries since I learned that these bright red beauties were native to my home state of Oregon. And while our organic cranberry powder is a customer favorite in everything from herbal capsules to natural DIY make-up, I can't help but find ways to use the fresh berries I love.