Whew.
This post is coming to you a day late, but what even is time anymore?
April was a long, grey, cold, rainy month that felt so long as it was happening, but now that it’s over, seems to have passed in a flash.
Life is certainly moving at a strange pace these days.
This month I purchased almost nothing other than groceries, and honestly felt like I was just surviving for much of the month. So, I really have very little to report in terms of monthly favorites.
I did, however, use this month to try to support small, local, and/or independent businesses as much as possible, so I though I’d share some of my favorites with you here.
The list below is full of things I use and love, from companies I have a personal connection with, or just plain love their products and their mission. Most of them have (cheaper, lower quality, mass produced) options in the grocery store, but I think there’s so much value in intentionally purchasing from small businesses, particularly during this time where many of them are suffering.
Unique, single origin spices, sourced from small, sustainable farms around the planet. Literally the freshest, most fragrant spices you can buy. I met the owners a few years ago and cannot say enough good things about this spice company. We always keep the smoked paprika, Zanzibar peppercorns, flowering hyssop thyme, royal cinnamon, buffalo ginger, purple stripe garlic, and silk chili in the pantry, and love grabbing a jar of sumac, cobanero chilis, wild mountain cumin, and a few others for more ‘special’ orders. Seriously, you can’t go wrong with any of their spices!
Freshly milled, stone ground flour made from organically grown wheat. It doesn’t get much better than flour that was milled two days before it shows up on your doorstep! Their all-purpose flour has the texture of traditional all-purpose but still has the nutrients of whole wheat flour…so it’s great for everything from cookies to pies to pizza dough to pancakes and beyond. We also love their tortillas (they make such good quesadillas!), and they’re local to me so it’s a win win in terms of acquiring flour in these strange times and supporting my neighbors.
This nut butter company not only makes killer flavor combinations (banana bread almond butter, anyone?), but is dedicated to employing and empowering women in transition. I make 90% of my own nut butters at home, so rarely purchase any, but whenever I do, I love supporting companies like this! Their nut butters are more expensive than most at the grocery store, but are honestly worth every penny. I bought a few jars this month to switch up my usual homemade peanut and almond butter routine, and loved every bite!
This is another company that is local to me, but their products can be found across the country! I’ve especially loved their seed bars and seed-nola (granola!) this month for easy/healthy snack options, and their individual pumpkin seed butter pouches are some of my favorites! All of their products are made in their zero-waste, dedicated nut-free and allergy-friendly bakery, that employs women and disadvantaged people in their community. They’ve also been huge supporters of local food banks in this time of need!
I’ve shared about Luce Farm several times over the years: they grow their organic, sustainable hemp on small family farms in Vermont, gently extract the CBD to preserve it’s full spectrum of nutrients, package it up in a mindful way with minimal plastic, and sell it at competitive price. I’ve been using their full spectrum hemp extract for years (it’s particularly appreciated in the days leading up to my period, or any time that I’m under extra stress (so, like, now)), but was running low and just reordered a bottle for myself and a bottle for Peanut, my little doggo who is stressed by things like skateboards and busses, but significantly less so when she gets a few drops of CBD with her breakfast.
AKA the herbal tea that tastes like coffee. kinda. but not. but also yes. and it’s really good? Clearly it’s hard to explain. I love the bold, bitter, earthy flavor of this herbal tea- I brew it exactly as I do coffee (in my french press), though you can steep it in a tea ball, or brew it any way you would make coffee or loose tea, then stir in a spoonful of honey and top with frothed almond milk for a little caffeine-free afternoon latte.
That’s it! There are SO many great businesses that need our help at this time, but these are just a few that I’ve purchased from this month. If you have a beloved small business, please feel free to leave their website in the comments below so everyone can check them out!
Also: I’m not sharing these to cast shame anyone for their grocery store purchases (I truly believe, pandemic or not, that we’re all just doing the best we can), but rather to provide a few alternatives for anyone who is interested and able.
virtual hugs,
Chelsea