Self-care is not about what it looks like but how it feels

Fat and the Moon prides itself on using locally grown and sourced herbs and simple and wholesome ingredients. Nationally known and seen in Vogue and Outside Magazine, based in Grass Valley, the small team continues to nourish the place they call home.

"We love the sense of community BriarPatch has built around supporting local farmers and small businesses in our area. We believe we all need to take what we put on our body as seriously as what we put in it, and BriarPatch is a one-stop shop for all of the above,” says Rachel Budde, founder of Fat and the Moon.

The company carries a cosmic array of products, all natural and nontoxic. Enjoy a full range of hand-crafted herbal body products from adornments like eye coal, shimmers and lip paint, items for mama and baby, gateway potions like Deodorant Cream or Sensitive Pit Cream and basic bath necessities like Tooth Polish, All Cream and Lavender and Cocoa Dry Shampoo.

At its core, Fat and the Moon is about healing. Their mission is knowing that self-care is fundamental to showing up fully to care for others and the world.

“We really try to cultivate the view that caring for ourselves is fundamental to being able to do anything else well for any sustained amount of time. For some of us, walks are critical to regrouping. For others, it’s being with animals. Some of us need activity, some need to cuddle up. The most important thing about self-care is not what it looks like, but how it feels,” says Rachel.

Each product is handmade by a small team of conscientious makers. Along with herbalist Rachel, the team consists of a budding herbalist, a practicing herbalist, a talented baker and an esthetician.

They work with plants that are ethically harvested and organically cultivated and combine them in formulations that are non-toxic. In their commitment to the earth, reusable and recyclable containers are used whenever possible.

Looking for a fail-safe gift? Try All Cream, Aloe Lotion, All Salve, Sage and Rose Face Mist, Shampoo and Conditioner Bars, and for the makeup wearers in your life, Lip and Cheek Stain is a fan fave.

Find Fat and the Moon at both of our store locations and at our Demo Counter in Auburn. Also, each month be sure to check out free Herbal Live on Zoom classes with Rachel when she does deep dives on medicinal properties of herbs, shares recipes, techniques and herbal traditions. Learn more at fatandthemoon.com

Rosemary & Mandarin Marmalade

Submitted by Fat and the Moon

This marmalade recipe is a beautiful and delicious marriage of two underrated ingredients. Rosemary is one of those special enlivening nervines with a long list of medicinal properties, and the peels of citrus actually contain the highest amounts of Vitamin C in the whole fruit, not to mention they’re chockfull of flavonoids! Mandarin peel has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a lung and digestive herb, for fullness and phlegm.

Eating marmalade on toast with butter is an easy-peasy, delicious way to get a good dose of your medicine. Not bad.

RECIPE

Makes 2 pint jars

• 5-6 large mandarins, small oranges or lemons, chopped into quarters then sliced very finely, seeds removed Handful of fresh rosemary, cleaned and tied up in cheesecloth

• 1+ cups honey or other sweetener, to your taste

• 1-2 cups water

• About 3 tsp pectin (follow instructions on packet for ratio)

Simmer citrus and water for about 20 minutes.

Add cheesecloth-wrapped rosemary to pot and simmer for 10-15 minutes, tasting along the way for the right balance of flavor.

Remove rosemary bundle after about 15 minutes.

Continue to simmer marmalade until peels are soft.

Remove from heat and let sit overnight, if you’re patient like that.

When the peels are soft, add sweetener, then follow the instructions for pectin.

When you’re in the BriarPatch Wellness Department, be sure to check out other wonderful local products!

Frontier Angel Soap – Wholesome and environmentally responsible products for the body and home! Only top quality non-GMO, organic and fairly traded oils and butters and essential oils. No preservatives, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, artificial colorants or plastic packaging!

Kathryn Wronski Greeting Cards –Have a special occasion and need a special statement card? Northern Californian artist Kathryn Wronski who specializes in colorful pet portraits, featuring dogs, cats, cows, pigs and chickens!

Heritage Farmed - Since 2017 organically grown plant-based goods for people, pets and Earth sourced from farmers who care. This body care product line uses sustainably-grown and harvested medicinal herbs, flowers and plants, including CBD.

Grab n’ Go! Be sure to grab a handcrafted and fairly traded African basket to load all your goodies into!