It’s May. The month that our Herbal CSA shares become available. Remember our Herbal CSA?? We have made some changes to simplify the process, and make everything easier for our customers and me, too. Here’s what’s new:

Instead of the 3 different sizes (Mini, Small, Large) and 3 different installments (May, August, November), we are now offering just 2 sizes: Small and Large, and these shares are now available Year-round, not just in May, August and November.

To simplify even further, customers can now choose any product in any quantity and size, for their CSA order. You will no longer be limited to picking out 1 tincture, 1 syrup, 1 salve, 1 tea, etc… Now you can pick out anything in the dollar amount specified for your size share. (Gift sets are not included for CSA orders) Here’s the breakdown:

SMALL SHARE – $100 for each installment, receives $120 worth of any herbal products.

LARGE SHARE – $200 for each installment, receives $250 worth of any herbal products.

Basically, this new CSA program is a way for our customers to receive a great discount (approximately 20% off) on our products at any given time. It is a great way to stock up and save on some quality, organic and handmade herbal products. I invite you to read more about it on the Herbal CSA page on our site. Please feel free to browse our products to see what you can order for your CSA share, and let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for supporting your local community Herbalist.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) blooming in the garden

Yesterday was the first of May. Some people celebrate Beltane on this day. It is the celebration of fertility, renewal, awakening & new beginnings. Beltane marks the arrival of summer. I know it’s not officially summer until the Summer Solstice, but it is more symbolic of the renewal of summer. It is a cross-quarter day, marking the midpoint in the Sun’s's progress between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice.

At this time, it is Spring, and life is renewing itself. Birds and animals are mating, newly planted seeds are beginning to grow, emerging from the darkness of winter and shooting up from the Earth, reaching for the Sun. Even the 17 year cicadas are emerging from the Earth (not my favorite creatures, but a part of Nature, indeed). Beltane is a time to fertilize your dreams with action, and make a fresh start.

It’s going to be a busy month of graduations, Mother’s Day (May 13), birthdays (my sweet son’s Golden Birthday is also on May 13. Yes, he’ll be 13!) and don’t forget Memorial Day. There’s a lot to celebrate. And, to celebrate Beltane,  and fertilize my dreams, Soothing Herbals is offering a May Day Giveaway. That’s right. We’re starting this month off with a Giveway of a gift set which includes: Sweet Orange Blossom Special Creme, Chamomile Rose Facial Toner, and a sample vial of our lastest and greatest product, Restore Facial Serum, which has been selling like hotcakes! This is a $25 value and could be yours if you win the drawing! All you have to do to enter is comment below or on Soothing Herbals Facebook page. Your name will be entered and the winner will be chosen at random on Monday, May 7. So spread the word and tell your friends to enter. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

While I’m here, I’d like to remind you that we have some great products that will make excellent gifts for your Mom, fellow graduate, or birthday celebrant. There’s only 10 more days until Mother’s Day, but that’s still enough time to place an order and get it shipped to you. We have gift sets, individual products, gift certificates, you name it. If you are local you could even come in to the Apothecary and create your own Aromatherapy gift for Mom or loved ones. I am here to serve you. So just ask, and you will receive.

Questions? You can reach me at 540.460.2722 or chin@soothingherbals.com

Here’s wishing you and yours a blessed and Happy May Day!

Don’t forget to comment  below to enter to win the Giveaway

***Update: the winner of the giveaway is Laura Scott, number 3. Congrats!

New growth is happening here at Soothing Herbals. It’s been a busy spring so far. Between the recent forest fires in our neighborhood during my kids’ Spring Break, and the recent appearances in both the Rockbridge Weekly and the News Gazette’s Weekender edition, it’s been crazy these past couple of weeks. I’ve had my busiest week in the Apothecary to date. For this, I am very excited and extremely grateful to be welcomed to the Main Street community so graciously.

The Lexington Farmer’s Market is now under way. The opening day was this past Wednesday, April 18. It was a chilly rainy day, but the long, slow, steady rainfall is just what we needed to put out the fires that had been burning for nine days straight. I had mixed feelings about not being at the market that morning. I missed the camaraderie and connections I made with other fellow vendors, but only for a few moments. The rest of me let out a sigh or relief, for not having to load up my car the night before, wake up early and leave before everyone else im my family– to have to unload and set up shop,  and sit under my tent in the cold, wet rain wearing many layers of fleece and rain gear, even handwarmers and fingerless gloves. Instead, I enjoyed the comforts of dryness and warmth and  in the Apothecary, listening to music and making products. And it was a really great day. A steady stream of customers ventured in. Some made their own Aromatherapy creations of Body oils, Toners and sprays, and others purchased bulk herbs and face cream. Thanks, everyone for coming in and showing your support.  This is just the reason why I scheduled shop hours on Wedesdays and Thursdays, from 9am-3pm.  So my loyal customers can conveniently wander in after doing their shopping at the Lexington Farmer’s Market.

If you can’t make it in during shop hours, here are some other places in Rockbridge county where you can find Soothing Herbals’ products:

Healthy Foods Co-op, at 110 W. Washington St, Lexington, VA carries our Divine Face Creme, Bug Off Spray, Heal All Salve, herbal tinctures and more.

Farm To You, at 637-C Waddell St, Lexington, VA carries a variety of our skin care products and gift sets.

Hummingbird Inn, at 30 Wood Lane, Goshen, VA carries our Mountain Hiker Set, which features Heal All Salve, Bug Off Spray and Hemp Calendula Lip Balm.

The Staunton-Augusta Farmer’s Market also started on Saturday, April 7. I am no longer attending that market either, but here are some Staunton businesses that also carry Soothing Herbals’ products:

Sacred Circle at 112 E. Beverly St, Staunton, VA carries our Divine Face Creme, Sweet Orange Blossom Special Creme, Eye Pillows and essential oils.

Clever Bean, a Staunton- based online business, also carries a variety of our skin care products and gift sets.

And if you can’t make it to any stores, you can always shop here on my website. Another great option is buying an Herbal CSA share.

So, as you can see, like our apple tree in the above photo, Soothing Herbals is branching out, growing with the energy of the Spring season, offering many ways to make it easy and convenient to find our products. We’re also blossoming into a trusted Holistic Healing Practice, since completing my clinical training last year.  If you are interested in my services, such as a Holistic Herbal Health Consultation or a Reiki-Aromatherapy treatment, please feel free to get in touch.

Stay tuned for upcoming classes and events to be posted soon. And thanks again for all your support!

A rainbow of tulips in my garden

What a beautiful spring it’s been so far. Everywhere I look it’s alive with color and fragrance, warm sun, fresh air and spring rains. This brings me a feeling of gratitude, awe and deep peace. It’s the season of New Beginnings and I can confirm there are new beginnings everywhere I turn: the seedlings coming alive in my trays, the perennials emerging from the earth, trees blossoming, baby birds chirping and chickens laying eggs. The birth of new life and new adventure is in the air.

Persistent Dandelion in the city's drainpipe

Plants are emerging everywhere. Violets, Ground Ivy, Chickweed and so much more. Dandelions are thrusting their abundant assertiveness in every corner of my yard (and everyone else’s)– growing in the cracks in my driveway, the city sidewalks, sometimes even in the curb drain.  It reminds me of something I heard at an herb conference in Massachusetts 10 years ago by Medical Herbalist David Hoffmann. He said something along the lines of this: “We find dandelions and other plants growing in cracks in the pavement; and we think to ourselves, how did that plant find that crack?? When really, it was the plant who made that crack!”

Plaintain leaves growing in cracks in the driveway

He was referring the life force and intelligence plants have, the awe-inspiring strength and vitality which keeps them growing, thriving and multiplying. I realize, not all plants make cracks in the pavement. Some do find pre-existing cracks. But there are definitely others that have such strength and vital life force that they, in fact, do create cracks in the pavement. Do you know what I mean?  I feel its presence everywhere. That life force is speaking to us. It is so apparent right now that I just had to share.  As Darwin said: “It’s the one that is most adaptable to change that survives longest.”

photo by Question Everything

Seriously, one of you is going to.

WIN an autographed copy of Jessie Knadler’s new book, Rurally Screwed: My Life Off the Grid with the Cowboy I Love. Yes, really! In celebration of the release of this book on Tuesday, April 3, Jessie has graciously signed the beautiful hardcover that is her autobiography, for the lucky winner to enjoy. All you have to do is leave a comment here or on the Soothing Herbals Facebook page, and your name will be entered in a drawing. The winner will be chosen at random this weekend, and the book will be mailed out Monday, April 2, the day before the book hits the shelves. My hope is that whoever wins this book will read it, love it and buy more copies to share with friends and family. So good luck, everyone!

If you’re new to my blog, then maybe you don’t know Jessie yet. We’ve been good friends for 5 years. We met in 2007 at a mutual friend’s “ladies birthday dinner” out one night. She had just moved here from NYC and was engaged to be married. She told me she was a pilates instructor and a writer. I was intrigued. I wanted to learn pilates. I got to know her in the months and years following by attending her pilates classes, getting together with her at girls nights out, baby showers, birthday parties, dinner parties and her wedding.

Our friendship grew over the years as we had connected and related to one another through the fact that our husbands both had their own businesses, which required the use of heavy machinery and equipment. They both read Truck Trader. Our eyes would gloss over while listening to our husbands talk about diesel engines, wood splitters, chippers, chain saws and power tools. In fact, many of our friends here also have husbands who bonded well because of this. When we’d get together at dinner parties, it was common to see all the wives in the kitchen, drinking wine and preparing food, while the men were out on the deck with one of Jake’s home brews or flavored moonshine in hand, engaged in conversation about converting their diesel engines to run on grease.

Besides our husbands, we connected on another level too. The way women usually do. Common interests in yoga, food, shopping, kids and being there for one another. One summer we got a group of our girlfriends together and had several canning sessions— made batches of salsa, jams, peaches, dilly beans and whatever we had a surplus of. I think this gave her some inspiration, as it was later that year when she wrote her first book, Tart and Sweet: 101 Canning and Pickling Recipes for the Modern Kitchen — also a good read. Two years ago, when I was debating whether or not I should take the plunge and go into debt and study to become a Clinical Herbalist, it was Jessie who encouraged me to go for it.  And I can honestly say that had I not gone on that walk with Jessie that day and had that conversation with her about my career, my dreams and fears about it, I would have played it safe and not taken the risk. If anyone has inspiration, drive and determination,  and can also inspire, encourage and motivate, it’s Jessie. She is a go-getter, is passionate about her life, is true to her self and a true friend.

Jessie has featured me and Soothing Herbals in her blog, Rurally Screwed, a few times this past year. You can read them here and here.

It is this weekend that she celebrates the homecoming of her husband Jake, who spent the last year deployed in Afghanistan. It is today that she gets to meet their new dog, Solha, who was rescued from Afghanistan. It is Tuesday that her book comes out.  All of theses major milestones packed into one glorious week. All of these blessings are so well-deserved. I have tears of joy flowing down my face for all of them. So much gratitude for you Jessie and Jake.  Congratulations on everything!!!

4/1/12 UPDATE: The winning number is 4. That winner is is Julie B! Congratulations and hope you enjoy reading it.

Thank you all for entering the giveaway.

2 days ago I received a most pleasant surprise in the mail. I did not know who sent it until I opened it up and saw what it was. A lovely calendar, called “Gardening by the Moon 2012″!!! How exciting!

My dear friend, Molly Cliborne Gauthier, Astrologer and Gardener extraordinaire, surprised me with this fine gift after reading my blog post last week about planting seeds with the Moon. Molly has a really cool website, Molly’s Astrology, where she posts a monthly Astrological forecast, has articles, tutorials, a blog and even prints a yearly calendar with all the Astrological details of the month. I have that calendar too, of course. I read her forecasts each month and always go back to check them throughout the week to see how my own life has played out with the planetary energy. Molly does private consultations for people who want their birth chart done, help in finding a good date for weddings, surgery, opening a business, you name it. I can personally attest to the accuracy and good work she does in her consultations, for I have had my birth chart, business chart and optimal dates picked for opening the Apothecary done by her. I can’t recommend anyone better than Molly. She is professional, personal, present, and her work is quite effective in helping people. Molly, if you are reading this, Thank you so much for this gift and for all you have done for me!

Now back to Gardening by the Moon. Here’s what’s in store for this month:

For this week, it is time to prune, water, compost and fertilize what’s in the garden. Just after the New Moon would be a good time to plant seeds, especially annuals, and ones that will produce an above ground harvest, such as leafy greens and cabbages. It’s perfect weather for gardening this week. Highs in the 80s and chance of showers in the afternoons. Have a good time in the garden and remember to take breaks. Gardening is hard work!

For anyone who wants to order this calendar, it is available at Gardeningbythemoon.com. Enjoy!

A few weeks ago, we started planting seeds in the soil blocks you see in the photo. Usually I like to plant them during or just after a New Moon. The New Moon energy is about new beginnings. It’s  the beginning of the 2 week period when the Moon increases in light, or is waxing toward the full moon. If I can’t plant exactly on the New Moon, I try to do it when the moon is waxing. The waxing energy of the Moon is all about growth and expansion, which is what we want our seeds to be doing. Growing and expanding, reaching for the light. Astrologically speaking, during a New Moon, it is generally a good time to start something new. Planting seeds is a perfect example.

But sometimes between the lunar calendar and my schedule, the timing don’t always work out to be able to plant on the New Moon, or even a waxing Moon for that matter. In which case, I throw my hands up and just plant seeds anyway. Which happens a lot. So when the “timing” is off, I like to send my seeds some Reiki energy to promote their healthy growth and expansion.  What is Reiki, you may ask? Reiki is a Japanese spiritual and healing practice that involves hands on or above  a person, animal, plant or object, which transmits healing Reiki energy to it. It enhances and supports health, promotes relaxation and well-being and reduces stress.  It is quite amazing, and it works.

So, between my hectic schedule and the lunar calendar, I was able to plant a few flats of seeds during the New Moon, and then I planted a few more yesterday, which happens to be a waning Moon with the additional Mercury retrograde to add to the mix. Astrologically speaking, it was not a good time to plant seeds yesterday. But I had to “Git ‘r dun”, so to speak. So I gave these seeds some extra love and attention, and Reiki as well.

It’s an experiment to see which group of seeds will grow and thrive better. My hope is that all will, but we will see.  You may think I’m weird or a New Age wacko, but, I really do believe in Astrology. And Reiki. If you want to learn more about Astrology, my friend Molly, of Molly’s Astrology has a great website. And to read her article on New Moon energy, click the links.  More on Reiki here too.

It’s going to be a beautiful week of 70 degree weather, so Happy Gardening everyone!

It is almost officially Spring. It already feels like it with the 60-70 degree weather we’ve been getting, as well as the pollen counts climbing and my spring time hayfever coming alive.  Even with Daylight Savings Time, there’s still not enough time in the day to get everything done ( or, “Git ‘r dun” is how it’s said around here). This month we will start planting our seeds, prepping our garden beds, setting our intentions and making plans for the growing season. In the meantime, Id like to share with you all the new changes and things happening at Soothing Herbals this year so far.

The Apothecary is Open!

If you have not yet heard, Soothing Herbals Apothecary is now open for business. We are located at 205 South Main St, Lexington, VA. Shop hours are on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 9am-3pm.  Come by anytime during those hours to shop, pick up your CSA order, make your own products or drop off recyclable containers. If you can’t come by during that time, or if you come another day and I’m not there, just call me at 540-460-2722 to make an appointment to come by. The rest of the week is reserved with By Appointment Hours for clients who want a private consult, Reiki session or private class time.  My schedule is set this way to accomodate my clients, customers, classes and Farmer’s Market shoppers. I hope to see you soon.

Our New Aromatherapy Bar

I am excited to announce to you that we have an Aromatherapy Bar at the Apothecary! What is it, you may ask? The Aromatherapy Bar is the counter and shelves which hold an array of Essential oils, Floral hydrosols, carrier oils, butters, waxes and other herbal and natural ingredients for you to use to make your own custom creations. We even have unscented creme that you can mix your own personal blend of essential oils into. So next time you come by, ask about it, or just pick something out that you want to make for yourself, or as a gift. Prices vary, but all are reasonable.

2012 Farmer’s Market News

It is with mixed feelings that I announce I will NOT be attending the Lexington or Staunton Farmer’s Markets this year. After 10 years of selling my products at many Farmer’s Markets in Virginia, I am closing this chapter of my life and my business. There are a few reasons why I came to this decision.

Since the Apothecary is only about 3 blocks from the Wednesday Lexington City Farmer’s Market, it is my hope and intention that those of you who frequent the market and use my products will not hesitate to walk on over to the Apothecary after you’ve bought all your fresh veggies. I love the Lexington Farmer’s Market, as it has grown to thrive and be diverse and fun for vendors and shoppers through the years. I was there in the beginning, in 2002, when this market used to be held in the late afternoon on Washington St, in front of the Co-op. I remember bringing both my kids then, one of them still breastfeeding, and thinking, “What a great market!”

I have been coming to the Saturday Staunton-August Farmer’s Market since 2002 as well. I was actually thinking I might still be able to do this once a month like I did last year. But today I just received an e-mail from the Committee Chair saying that I cannot come back to the Staunton Market because they have a rule that does not allow vendors who have a store to sell at the market, unless they are grandfathered in. Since I’m not grandfathered in, I am out of luck and therefore not coming back to Staunton Farmer’s Market.  I loved that market too. If anything, this is confirmation that my business is evolving, and  that as much as I love and support the Farmer’s Markets and all the vendors and friends I’ve made throughout the years there, it is time for this chapter to close and to create the new ones.

Sign up for the Herbal CSA 

One of the new chapters: The Herbal CSA. I started this last year to show my support for all the CSA programs out there, as well as to offer a wide variety of my products to people at a discount as well as at multiple intervals throughout the year.  Since our products will not be available at the Farmer’s Markets this year, this is the best and most reasonably priced way to get our products to you. They can be shipped directly to you or picked up at the Apothecary, and if in Staunton please stay tuned for the CSA pick up spot. (It will most likely be at Sacred Circle on Beverly St.)

To read more about the Herbal CSA and sign up, click here

Private Classes

If you and your friends have always wanted to learn more about Herbs, Aromatherapy and creating products, I offer private classes in the Apothecary at your convenience. Feel free to get in touch and ask about scheduling a class. You can even host a small gathering with your friends to make custom creations at the Aromatherapy Bar. The possibilities are endless!

–

That’s it for now. There will be more new developments to announce so please stay tuned. Thanks for your support. Enjoy the beautiful weather this week!

]]> http://www.soothingherbals.com/2012/03/springtime-news/feed/ 0 http://www.soothingherbals.com/2012/03/apothecary-menu/ http://www.soothingherbals.com/2012/03/apothecary-menu/#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:59:39 +0000 Soothing Herbals http://www.soothingherbals.com/?p=1332

I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out where to place a sign for product prices in the Apothecary. Then it dawned on me to use the door to the Reiki studio. Have you ever used chalkboard paint?  I never have. Until last week. It only took 5 minutes for me to paint the door, but one must wait 4 hours in between coats, and it takes 3 coats until it’s finished. Then another 3-4 days to cure, so it must be left untouched during that time. I painted last week, let it cure over the long weekend, and today I finally wrote out the “Menu”. My handwriting’s not that great but it will have to suffice until something better comes along. What do you think??

There is a lot of new stuff happening with Soothing Herbals this year. I will be writing more in a newsletter type post in the coming days. But right now I must get back to making products. Please stay tuned, I will keep you posted as soon as possible. Thank you for your support!

It’s leap day, the last day of February. My sign finally arrived the other day and I’ve just successfully installed it– by myself– above the door that leads to the Apothecary.  Yes, after 3 trips to the hardware store and many different consults and opinions from my husband and other handy men I know (none of whom were available to help me hang the sign), I was left to my own devices to figure this out alone. It took just an hour after I returned from the hardware store to hang this beautiful baby up. And now I can say I’m very proud to have done it all by myself. Well, just the sign hanging part. I have some incredibly talented people to thank for creation of this sign.

First off, is Sheila Igoe of IgoeCreative, my website designer, label designer and also sign designer. Thank you so much for this incredible design. It is old fashioned, clean, authentic and just what I was envisioning. Sheila has given my entire business image a whole fresh new look which is so aesthetically pleasing to me. I am blessed to have her and her web savvy husband Joe, in my life. Without them,  the Soothing Herbals website, shopping cart and blog would not exist. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to you both.

Next, is Christelle Francois, of CreateYourWoodSign. She took Sheila’s design and made it a reality by hand painting the entire sign on both sides. It even has an antique distressed look and the attention to detail on the font is incredible.  Thank you so much Christelle! I am so happy and proud of my new sign. Much gratitude for you as well.

I am amazed by the talent these people have. It is inspiring to know that one’s talents and gifts are boundless and completely unique. Life is good. Blessings to you all.