Farmers To You

*This post was a collaboration in partnership with Farmers to You. I was provided with a credit to shop in exchange for my honest opinions about the process, the food, the pickup and quality. Farmers To You is a growing partnership of gifted farmers and producers creating the future of food production and committed families gracing their tables with life-giving foods.

In my never ending quest to be the most mindful Mama, it should be no surprise that finding the best and most direct farm fresh ingredients is something that gets this lady excited. I was recently introduced to Farmers to You and was blown away by how very easy it is to place an order for seasonal and local ingredients from farms in and around my region. The site brings together farmers and communities, where we all work together to get the freshest foods delivered to pick up locations right in our towns. Ordering from a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, bakery items, and nuts is super easy and really fun for me, because as nerdy as it sounds, finding amazing ingredients makes cooking less of a chore and more of a pleasure. My local pickup site is literally 7 minutes from house so I knew this was going to be convenient in the very least.

I placed a modest order at first, some fresh herbs, Hake from Red's Best, organic sweet potatoes, Cultured Butter from Ploughgate Creamery at Bragg Farm, rainbow chard, carrots, brussels sprouts, fennel, a couple of rib eye steaks... OK so maybe my first order wasn't modest! I even ordered some Raspberry Blueberry Rhubarb Jam from Norris Berry Farm for my little guy's weekend morning toast, to switch things up a bit! I sort of can't help myself when it comes to fresh produce though my crisper has been known to be the place where good intentions go to perish. So far we've had a couple of delicious dinners just based on what I grabbed from Farmers to You and I've even made some baby food as well. I can feel good about feeding my family the freshest food with local ties.

Farmers to You blog

In addition to the ordering experience, the folks at Farmers to You also have a blog with articles, weekly menus and recipes, that can be broken down by food item. For instance, let's say that I've never cooked with turnips or leeks before and I wanted to be a little adventurous, you can search by turnips (or leeks) and recipes will populate for you, and more than likely, they've been curated by some of the farmers themselves or a local author, someone with a connection to this community. I love it! I think my next order, I am going to pick up some dairy items as well as some homemade pasta and grains for my pantry. My site host, Sarah, also recommended the organic tempeh from Rhapsody Natural Foods, so I might just take that for a spin! I'm so very interested in how I can supplement my grocery store trips with this weekly order. I've got the time to make even these little things, like meal prep and shopping, a more mindful experience. How do you best shop for fresh and local ingredients?

Follow Farmers to You on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and 

Pinterest!

Do you want to try a Farmers to You order yourself? Use discount code PP15 for 15% off of your order. Good until 12.17.17!

Skin Owl + Empowering Young Women

I was introduced to Skin Owl by another great beauty brand, Vapour and to say that I am smitten, well, that would be an understatement. One thing that I love about social media is that I have the opportunity to get to know brands, like really get to know them. I am all about supporting the people who are the makers, the ones who are doing great things. Annie from Skin Owl is one of those people. Her team is right there with her as well. Sure, Skin Owl is offering some stellar clean beauty products but they are also a business with a HUGE heart doing some pretty amazing things. Good people are my favorite.

At first, I was like Oh hey, Skin Owl, cool, this is another green beauty brand that I should check out. They have gorgeous beauty drops (their new Maqui Berry Beauty drops are on my must try list), a renewing beauty steam, beauty bars, and oh so much more. Based on their products alone there'd be reason enough to love them. Plus. you know that I'm always a fan of brands that have the opportunity to get samples before buying the full size. Their blog is awesome (check out the DIY nourishing sugar scrub cubes see below) and their imagery is dreamy to boot. But honestly. the reason that I really, really love Skin Owl? They are rad dudettes who are trying to make the world a better place by starting right in their own communities.

So one day I am sitting on my phone perusing all of the instagram stories and happen upon the Skin Owl team throwing an event for teenage girls. From what I could gather from that particular event, they were looking to educate these girls on skin health, the products they're using and help them influence their peers to make the same good decisions. I messaged Annie and was like #OMGILOVETHIS. I wish there had been this type of learning experience and community when I was a teenager but while I was listening to Backstreet Boys and wearing cargo pants, I was also putting crap on my skin. (I obviously still listen to the Backstreet Boys but am much more aware of quality skincare).  I wanted to learn more so I asked Annie to give me some details on what the Skin Owl team had in the works and what they were hoping to achieve.

What I learned was that this was more than just teaching the young women about skincare but they were also being taught about entrepreneurship. Not only are they learning but they are putting their lessons to good use in a friendly competition being hosted by Skin Owl. Essentially, their assignment is to develop a brand new SkinOwl starter kit for teens or the 14-17 age group. Cool, right? According to Annie, "We have always wanted to offer a limited edition skincare range with a teen-twist. Created by girls, FOR girls. We believe that, now more than ever, this demographic needs a clear cut place to start nourishing their skin the healthy way. No more dyes, animal by-products, or formaldehydes. Young skin needs to be treated with care and with powerful plant-based ingredients that the body recognizes as good for it! Members of this younger demographic (think 15-18) are increasingly becoming influencers as well, so why not have them influence the healthy way! The Dean of the Marlborough School heard about SkinOwl and reached out to us directly. Every year the Marlborough School's Entrepreneur program partners with a business and helps them in some way. That way, they get actual entrepreneurial help. We decided we wanted them to help us MAKE the actual kit, since no one knows what teens want more than teens."  Skin Owl set guidelines based on aesthetics, research, originality, and obviously a strong business viability since they are bringing this Starter Kit to market in 2018. Watching these teens pitch their ideas based on this specific criteria is nothing short of awesome. I can't remember being that driven but I am so proud of Skin Owl for helping to harness some of that magic to really make an impact on these girls' lives! *positive vibes radiating*

I always like to help spread the good word about good work and that's certainly what Annie and the team at Skin Owl are doing. Empowering young women to focus on goals, create new ideas and encouraging them along the way is something that is so admirable. I'd really just say that you should following Skin Owl on Instagram and check their stories periodically. A picture, or a video, paints a thousand words and I don't feel like I'm doing them justice. I can't wait to see what they have in store in the future because you know that I'll be stalking following them on social to see what's up and what starter kit launches next year!

You can follow Skin Owl on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest! 

This Mama in Prana

*I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to post my honest opinion on my blog.*

I've been on a wellness journey and with that journey comes cleaner beauty, more responsible household products and creating a healthy environment for me and my family... and something that often gets overlooked are the clothes and accessories that we put on our body. Finding clothing that is both stylish and responsibly made isn't always easy. There are many aspects to the fashion supply chain that can be sometimes confusing and depending on the brand, not all that transparent which can be frustrating especially if you want to know how your clothes are made and who created them. That's why I am so happy to share with you the amazing things that prAna is doing. Beautiful clothes, beautifully made by happy people with sustainable materials? Well, that's a recipe for great things.

As a Mom of two young boys (as you all mostly know), I try to be "cool" while also comfortable while on the go, living the adventurous little life that we so enjoy living. To find a brand that fits my visual aesthetic while also being comfortable and responsible in many senses of the word, is pretty much all that I am looking for in a brand that I support. We vote where we spend our money and the only thing that prAna is lacking for me is a kids selection. Check out my most recent prAna additions, the Deedra Sweater Tunic and the Kara Jean. This is most definitely the perfect combo for a Fall Mom uniform or actually, the perfect Amanda/ wellness ambassador/ activist/ homemaker/ baker/ crafter/ all around awesome go getter uniform!

The materials that prAna uses to make their clothing will no doubt leave you feeling good about your purchase while also feeling good about how you look. Organic cotton, recycled wool, hemp, recycled polyester, and responsible down are just some of the notable materials that prAna has lined up to create fair trade, responsible and sustainable made apparel for men and women. Respect for the planet and its people- I'm on board with that.

My fave prAna picks right now? The Maja Jacket, Cadwell Dress and Cedar Sweater

Want to shop prAna for yourself? The kind and lovely folks over at prAna are offering Prim and Propah readers the opportunity to save 15% off of their order from today through November 17th using code: MMALF17... oh, and don't forget to use Ebates to get 4% back on your purchase... what's on your list?!

You can Follow prAna on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!

Belly Buttons and Babies + a Giveaway!

I receive a bunch of beauty products and not that I'm not super grateful but it's sometimes lovely to switch things up. When Belly Buttons and Babies offered to send the #PropahKids some bath time goodies, I wasn't going to pass it up. Natural, pure and organic, Belly Buttons and Babies is a line of  fantastic products gentle enough for baby with the highest standards of ingredients for parents. We are lucky to have these on hand and I'll tell ya, the kids never smelled so delicious!

We tried their baby and kids line and I was sure to check all the ingredients as well as take into consideration how well I felt the products actually cleaned. Believe it or not, there are some soaps that I feel leave a residue that I don't much appreciate on my babies. This is not the case with the Belly Buttons and Babies- Squeaky Clean, Sweet Smelling and Safe for the Bod!

Cotton Candy Body Wash and Shampoo: Ingredients: Purified Water, Saponified Organic Coconut Oil (cocos nucifera), Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (olea europaea), Organic Jojoba Oil (w/retained glycerin) (Simmondsia Chinensis) Seed Oil, Vegetable Gum (guar), Organic Aloe Vera (aloe barbadensis leaf juice), Vegetable Glycerin (glycerin), proprietary blend of essential oils, Rosemary Leaf Extract (Rosmarinus Officinalis).

Lavender Chamomile Bubble Bath: Ingredients: Purified Water, Saponified Organic Coconut Oil (cocos nucifera), Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (olea europaea), Organic Jojoba Oil (w/retained glycerin) (Simmondsia chinensis), proprietary blend of essential oils, Rosemary Leaf Extract (Rosmarinus Officinalis).

Unscented Conditioning Hair Detangler: Ingredients: Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) Flower Water, Glycerin, Organic Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera), Organic Sunflower Oil (Helianthus Annuus), Organic Calendula Oil (Calendula Officinalis), Organic Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Seed Oil, Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) Leaf Extract.

The preschoolah loves the silly piggy packaging so is always excited to help me squirt some bubblebath into the tub. Bath time is literally one of the kids' favorite times of the day so I love to get involved and always need to have the best products on hand. My kiddos don't have much hair so I've been using the detangler on myself and it's legit. My hair smells great and I can glide a brush right through this thick head of hair and that's saying something. Belly Buttons and Babies is great and I think they've really got a good thing going. I can't wait to see what they come up with next- you can bet I'll be excited to try!

Want to win the very same products that we tried? The super kind folks at Belly Buttons and Babies want to gift them to one lucky Prim and Propah reader! Go ahead and visit the Instagram post below to enter- Open to US and Canada residents and not affiliated with Instagram. Good Luck!

✨GIVEAWAY✨There's a lot of messy things that happens to kids so as a mother, it is one of my requirements to attempt to keep them clean. When it comes to what I choose to use in the bath, it's not just any old baby wash or bubble bath. I want what's safe for their skin but I also want quality and sweet smells. @bellybuttonsandbabies_ is up on the blog (link in profile) so take a peek at the details then come back here to win a bath set for you and your littles (body wash and shampoo, bubble bath and detangler). To Enter: 1️⃣ Like this Post and Follow @bellybuttonsandbabies_ 2️⃣ Follow @Primandpropah 3️⃣ Tag someone who likes to keep kids clean This giveaway ends on Sunday October 22nd and is not affiliated with Instagram 🌿💛✨✌🏼 #cleanbeauty #ecobeauty #momlife #giveaway #bellybuttonsandbabies

A post shared by Amanda (@primandpropah) on Oct 16, 2017 at 4:34am PDT

Follow Belly Buttons and Babies on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!

What's Wowing Me in Wellness

Things come and go in your life and that includes what's working for you in the wellness space. There are a few things that I'm really digging lately so I wanted to just chat about what's new in my wellness world that I think you should know about. I guess we could call it "What's Wowing Me in the Wellness Space!" Wellness can mean a lot of things but to me, it's all about a healthy balance of what makes me happy, healthy and a joy to be around. If I can tell you about something you've never heard of and it can make you happier, well then it's worth me shoutin' out to ya!

Practice You, a Journal by Elena Brower

I've been a big fan of Elena Brower for a long time and I'm sure you remember me raving about her Yoga Deck, Art of Attention that I had discovered from my friend Rebecca Casciano. Her new journal was just released this Fall and I snatched it RIGHT UP. Practice You (pictured above) is gorgeous, painted with watercolors and sprinklings of other images. Elena writes soft prompts to help guide you in journaling. gathering your thoughts through writing, self discovery and reflection. It can be therapeutic to quiet the mind and this journal is the perfect thing for that, especially if you are low on time. One page while a baby naps works like a charm! Snag Practice You on Amazon.

Bellabeat

It's a fitness and stress tracker that I'm sure you've seen advertised because, well, it's super pretty! They were super kind to let me try a Leaf Urban (pictured above as a necklace) and I've been really into keep track of everything from my sleep, steps, stress, reproductive health and can log everything from breastfeeding to meditation to yoga to running. It's a nice twist on the regular tracker, you can wear it as a necklace or as a bracelet, interchanging with different options. You sync your Bellabeat with an app on your smartphone and double tap to refresh your sync. It's super easy and I'm truly smitten with it. I had that other fitness tracker and it busted not even a year into it and the replacement I received lasted even less time. It was about time to give another brand a try and the Bellabeat is not disappointing me so far. Find Bellabeat on their site, Amazon and Walmart.com

Indacreations

I discovered Indacreations at a JUGs Ladies Lounge this past Summer. The panel was full of interesting and successful women but I was drawn most to Caroline Mauro and her wellness tools for the gypsy soul. I bought one of her Inda Ritual Wraps, which includes INDA Smudge Stick, Abalone Shell Smudge Tray, Palo Santo Stick, Selenite Wand, Loose Crystal Quartz and an INDA Strike Spark Heal Matchbook. (pictured above). There's something very special about the ritual of cleansing a room or your home before and after guests arrive/depart or when you just feel like you need a better energy. It may seem new age-y but I don't look at it that way at all. It calms me and helps me take a quiet moment to myself (notice a theme here?) and whether it's just glorified incense or something that truly does energize, either way, I love the bundle I grabbed. I think next on my Indacreations list is one of Caroline's Inda Pipe Necklaces!

Wellness at Work

This isn't so much something that I'm using but more so I'm excited is a thing! Wellness at Work is the newly launched brainchild of Becky Shade, a lovely lady that I met long ago through the Boston Blogger community. Becky was looking for a wellness based job search site that didn't really exist so she knew she needed to fill the void. She wanted to find a site that would cater to those employers and prospective employees whose specialties lived in the wellness space whether fitness + yoga instructors, natural beauty experts, reiki healers, juice bar associates, health coaches and more! It's going to be the ultimate in posting and finding the perfect position for those seeking to make their lives and those of others the best that they can be! Speaking of positions, Wellness at Work is looking for an intern... do you have a love of wellness and connecting with people? Check out the job description here. Are you an employer looking to book a posting on Wellness at Work? Create an employer profile here. I love this site and I cannot wait to watch it grow, and once I have my reiki training under my belt, perhaps find that perfect place for me!

What's Wowing you in Wellness these days?

White Mountain Shoes + a Giveaway!

It's only just begun to feel like Fall up in these parts. It's been unseasonably warm and all I really want to do is to wear my boots, people! Well, I am getting  my wish plus taking my new White Mountain Shoes out for a spin this month. They were nice enough to send me a peek at their new Fall collection, and let's just say that the boots were made for walkin' (and frolicking and chasing your kids) and I am smitten with my new pairs. It was hard to choose but I managed to make the tough decisions and landed on some versatile and fun additions to the shoe wardrobe. Check out my choices then scroll down for a little giveaway for all of you!

Major Brown Boot

In neutral colors like brown, grey, black and deep navy, the White Mountain Shoes boots will leave you with the comfort, style and affordability that you're looking for in a Fall boot. I always have issues with some styles fitting my calves but I don't have that issue with the boots from WM and they also offer a wide variety of sizing options if that's a concern for you. Just take a look for yourself!

Blackbird Stone Sueded Boot

A post shared by Amanda (@primandpropah) on Sep 19, 2017 at 3:27pm PDT

Since my friends at White Mountain Shoes are the coolest, we've teamed up to offer two Prim and Propah readers the opportunity to win any pair of White Mountain Shoes of their choice! Isn't that awesome? Check out the rafflecopter below and enter in a number of different ways. Giveaway runs from Monday October 9th through Monday October 16th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can follow White Mountain Shoes on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

October Happenings

There are so many great events in and around the city this October that I thought I would do a roundup so you can either check them out yourself or meet me there! I'll be out and about at quite a few and would love to see some friendly faces, whether we're old friends or just meeting one another!

Sunday October 8th, Own Your Glow with Latham Thomas

Join the W.E.L.L. Summit Community in Boston on October 8, 2017, to celebrate the launch of Latham Thomas's new Book, Own Your Glow. Join us for an afternoon to get your glow on followed by a tea time chat with Latham and fellow author and yogi Sara DiVello where Latham will share her wisdom, advice, and rituals for owning your glow and crowning the queen within. All attendees will receive a copy of Latham's book, and VIP attendees will also be treated to a yoga class with Sara. Purchase tickets here.

Wednesday October 11th, Seasonal Floral Workshop with Stow Greenhouse at BPM Kitchen

This fall, Barbara Rietscha, owner of Field and Vase by Stow Greenhouses, will be leading a series of hands-on floral design classes. Each class features locally grown, seasonal, and fresh-cut flowers artfully chosen so each participant can create their own unique and lovely bouquet. Join the team at BPM Kitchen to learn the basic techniques of floral design, color composition and care instructions. While you design your arraignment, you will be treated to a wine tasting of three different wines by Alan Howarth of the Massachusetts Wine Shop. You will also sample cheeses from local Massachusetts farms, compliments of Appleton Farms. Purchase tickets here

Thursday October 12th, Oktoberfest at Dorchester Brewing Co. hosted by The Nature Conservancy

If you like beer, you should love forests. America's forests are the source for more than half of our nation's water — and beer is 90% water. But today a forested area the size of Colorado is in need of restoration, so beer's main ingredient could be at risk.  Join The Nature Conservancy at Dorchester Brewing to celebrate forests, water and beer and to learn how you can protect them all. There will be food, games and a quick talk with Alison Bowden, director of rivers, coasts and oceans for The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts! The event is free and open to the public (21+), but space is limited so please register: http://bit.ly/OktoberforestTickets

Saturday October 21st, Blogcamp Boston

Join passionate bloggers from around the region this fall to share all there is to learn about blogging today. Experts guide you through the ins and outs of personal and professional blogging with hands-on sessions, lively networking, food, and fun. Sessions range from building a B2B corporate blog to how to monetize that food blog you've always thought about. Whatever your style of blogging, you'll find the resources you need to make it better. You will learn how to be a more effective blogger, grow traffic, create revenue, and have more fun. Purchase tickets here.

Saturday October 21st Trick or Treat at The Street

Join the fabulous folks at The Street for a spooktacular afternoon filled with enchanting treats. Kids & canines in costume encouraged! Be sure to stop by some of their stores for trick or treat goodies. 1-4pm Photo Both, Pumpkin Patch + Candy Drive w/ The B Fund, 1-3pm Face Painting w/ Art on The Spot, 1:30- 3pm Live Performance by Kidville, 3- 3:30pm Dog Costume Contest on The Green hosted by Polkadog Bakery

Wednesday October 25th, Monster Mash at Marketstreet Lynnfield

Join Marketstreet Lynnfield for the BEST costume dance party of the season! Their resident DJ,R.J. DeSanctis Entertainment will be on The Green with spooktacular songs, candy, complimentary photos and free giveaways! Dress in your Halloween best and join them for a family friendly Monster Mash!

Weekends through October 22nd, King Richard's Faire

We've been to King Richard's Faire a few times but this the year where we know that we will truly have a blast because the Propah Preschoolah is primed for a fun day like this. He is fun loving and won't know what hit him. We'll partake in turkey legs, jousts, tiger shows, games, shopping and more. If you have a weekend free from now until October 22nd, head down to Carver, MA for a super fun day with the King and his subjects!

Thursday October 26th, Farm to KITCHEN Cooking Class, Seasonal Crepes with Saltbox Farms at BPM Kitchen

The KITCHEN at The Boston Public Market is proud to partner with Saltbox Farm in Concord, Mass to bring you the ultimate seasonal and local cooking class celebrating fall and local farms! This hands-on cooking class will be led by Chef Ben Elliot, Chef, Farmer and Owner of Saltbox Farm and Saltbox Kitchen and Chef Aaron Furmanek, Head Cooking Instructor at The Cooking School at Saltbox Farm. The Saltbox approach to cooking features refined, yet simple menus driven by the seasons, rooted in French technique, and dedicated to preserving culinary traditions while featuring homegrown and locally procured ingredients.

On October 6th, Chef Ben and Chef Aaron's recipes will awaken your senses and introduce you to both savory and sweet crepes using local and seasonal ingredients. The majority of ingredients for the class will be straight from Saltbox Farm in Concord and the Boston Public Market, proving you can buy local, cook local, and still achieve gourmet flavors. Each course will be paired with a tasting of local wines from The Massachusetts Wine Shop. Purchase Tickets here.

Friday October 27th Curious George Halloween Party

Curious George is back visiting his store just in time for the Halloween season! Join them for a Curious George Halloween-themed storytime and craft, then share some hugs and take pictures with the one and only Curious George. Everyone is encouraged to dress up, Curious George will certainly be wearing his Halloween costume. Children will take home a "goody bag" from Curious George and a whole lot of fun memories! The event is perfect for ages 2-6 but everyone is welcome. One ticket is required for each child attending. Purchase tickets here.

So what are you doing this month?

Cost Plus World Market Friends + Family Plus All the Pink!

*This post was written in collaboration with Cost Plus World Market

It's that time of year again, it's the Cost Plus World Market's Friends + Family sale happening October 6th through October 9th! It's really one of my favorite times to be a CPWM shopper because we can get 30% off their amazing, eclectic home decor, furniture, entertaining essentials plus 10% off food and beverages. This business is good online or in your local store, so however you choose to shop, you are more than covered. Whether you're looking for dining room furniture for the holidays you're hosting, halloween decorations, or even thinking ahead to Thanksgiving food, now is the time to pick it up because this is likely the best deal you'll get all year.

I also love October for another reason, it's time to really GO PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness. Cost Plus World Market was amazing enough to work with me earlier this year on a post centered around Relaxing and Recharging through Remission, a piece that I worked on with both my Aunt and Grandmother, Breast Cancer Survivors. I am stoked again that they let me amplify this message along with some great charities using a really fun message- that you can shop with their F+F coupon starting this Friday! I picked my favorite pink pieces from CPWM and I can't wait to shop the sale with y'all!

I searched high and low for my favorite pink items to sprinkle about your home in honor of Breast Cancer awareness month. Whether you need a touch of pink or a stand out conversation piece, Cost Plus World Market always has the most fun and unique items to choose from.

SHOP MY PINK PICKS

Rose Pink Tyley Chair
5'X8' Blush Cotton Dhurrie Print Ariana Area Rug
Pink Elephant Scarf
Pink Jacquard Weekender Bag
Oversized Blush Mongolian Faux Fur Lumbar Pillow
Blush Spinwash Salad Plates
Blush Marbled Linen Napkin
Flamingos With White Frame
Warm Jardin Stripe Apron

When looking for a great Breast Cancer charity to support, it's important to look into where the funds actually go and if you feel 100% comfortable with your donations, whether of your money or your time volunteering. There are fantastic national organizations but be sure to do some searching at the local level, there may be an organization doing great work in your neighborhood who would love to have your support!

SUPPORT MY FAVORITE BREAST CANCER ORGANIZATIONS

Breast Cancer Research Foundation
The Ellie Fund
Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
National Breast Cancer Coalition 
Cancer Research Institute

I'll be heading to my Framingham, MA location (find your local location here) but even if you can't get to a store, make sure to take the opp to use the coupon online, especially if you've been teetering on purchasing something. This is the weekend, people! Tell me, what are you going to pick up at the Cost Plus World Market Friends and Family Sale?!

SNAG YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY COUPON HERE!