This solar holiday, also known to some as "Midsummer," marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. There is much folklore and myth associated with this holiday, and some traditions consider Midsummer’s Night to be a night where the veil between the human world and the world of the Faerie Folk is at its thinnest—a night the denizens of Faerie might be seen frolicking, making mischief, and dancing in merriment! Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a good illustration of this mythical thread. 

Well, it seems as if summer is finally here in the northwest! The weather has been absolutely stunning, and it’s been such a joy to get out and enjoy the sunshine. I’ve been hitting the hiking trail, the outdoor basketball courts, and the river a lot these days.

I love raspberry leaf! It is a pleasant tasting herb with a mildly sweet flavor reminiscent of black tea but sans all that caffeine. I have fond memories of drinking this blend during my pregnancy many years ago. Since it’s gentle on the stomach, I drank quite a bit, and it really agreed with me at a time when many other foods didn't!

This blog was originally published in 2013. Because it's so popular, we decided to update it for you. Enjoy! 

If you love the aroma of toasty sesame seeds and the oceanic saltiness of seaweed, you might soon find this seasoning blend gracing your dinner table nightly. With just a flick of the wrist, this delicious combination of flavors adds a nutritive boost and subtle richness to just about any savory recipe. 

I’ve always been a food fanatic. If the ingredients are high-quality and the fare freshly prepared, I typically like what’s on my plate. So it was with much dismay that I recently discovered I’m gluten and lactose intolerant. I’ve been experimenting with many substitutes for my favorite dishes at home and stumbled upon this combination, which doesn’t make me miss gluten or dairy one bit!

We are in love with this organic muscle rub highlighting essential oils that are not seen in many recipes. It has a soft floral top note and a pleasant herbaceous scent that is slightly balsamic. Applying a muscle rub after a strenuous day of work and play can ease grumpy muscles that may be occasionally sore.

It’s chai time, and I’m about to make some of my favorite tea.

Would you like some?

With half of my family from North India, I’m fairly accustomed to the ritual of drinking chai. Not the frothy, ultra-sweet, flavored-milk drink you get from national coffee chains. I mean real chai, made from raw ingredients, and crafted to suit the individual’s preference. And it never fails to surprise me how varied people’s tastes can be.

Growing up in the Midwest in the 1980s, my family was the rarity – eating organic salads made with real (not iceberg) lettuce every evening. My trendsetting mom’s insistence on organic leafy greens at the dinner table instilled in me a lifelong love of veggies.

In my household, with all of our food sensitivities, it can be hard to satisfy sweet tooth cravings. Vegan baked goods can often seem dry and bland, and my son has lamented a couple of times that all of the fun things have dairy. Tackling fun recipes within the framework of these limitations can seem overwhelming, especially for those of us who aren't professional vegan chefs! In the spirit of my own sweet tooth and with the hope to devise a truly yummy baked vegan treat, my partner and I experimented with this recipe using Mountain Rose Herbs ingredients until we found success.

I love this season of celebration. This time of year I'm often dreaming of chocolate truffles, forests covered in snow, and catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Making special foods, festive treats, and gifts while singing along with my favorite songs brings a glow of happy cheer to my heart—but my favorite part of the holidays is seeing the joy and excitement in other people as they unwrap the gifts I have made for them! This year I decided to create a rich and moisturizing balm to soften the appearance of rough dry skin, using the scents of sacred resins and trees that are often associated with this time of year.

You may have heard about the resurgence in returning to diets higher in fat. Ever since learning about this trend, I’ve been experimenting with ways to add fat back into my diet. I especially enjoy the luxury that a boost of fatty goodness can bring to a cold morning.