Group Chat 💬 December's Holiday Gift Guide Roundup!

Welcome to last week’s ✨ Group Chat 💬 , where we spill what’s happening behind the scenes. From everyday chaos to the things we can’t stop talking about, consider this your front-row seat to the sister thread. Here’s what was on our minds (and in our texts) last week…

Every Home Chef Needs This…

• FOND Bone Broth has been a recurrent staple in our Fall/Winter menu lineups, and we’re bringing them back this month because their other products are also so aligned with cozy-season cooking and immune support. Obviously, their bone broth is our kitchen workhorse. It’s the base of our bone broth hot chocolate (yes, still obsessed), soups, stews, mac & cheese, quinoa…. If it bubbles on the stove, we’re usually adding FOND for extra protein and flavor. It tastes like something your grandmother slow-cooked all day, but it takes zero effort. But BEYOND their broth, we’re loving their demi-glace to elevate our holiday recipes, as well as their cooking fats and tallows for high-heat cooking!

  • We’re also extra excited about their brand-new duck fat. It’s a traditional cooking fat that’s been used for centuries because it’s insanely flavorful and performs beautifully at high temps. FOND sources theirs from small farms and slow-renders it so it’s clean, pure, and nutrient-dense. It’s perfect for searing, roasting veggies, baking, frying… Basically anytime you’d reach for oil or butter.

• Long story short: if you’re trying to stay nourished during the busiest month of the year, FOND makes it easy. It’s one of those “add it to what you’re already cooking” swaps that makes a real difference without adding a single extra step to your routine (code BALANCEDBEYARS).

Our Kids’ Sleep Sitch…

• We’ve spent the past year being a lot more intentional about what we bring into our sleep spaces, especially for our kids, and Savvy Rest has become one of our favorite swaps. Their waterproof mattress protector is such an easy upgrade: breathable, comfortable, and made without all the usual questionable chemicals you find in conventional bedding (flame retardants, formaldehyde, PFAS, pesticides, etc.).

• All three of us ended up investing in Savvy Rest bedding for our babies and toddlers because it just felt like the safest, simplest choice for our families. And honestly, this protector has been a lifesaver for potty-training little ones…. It holds up beautifully, protects the mattress, and doesn’t have that crunchy, plasticky feel most protectors have. We even have them on our KING beds so no mattress goes unguarded :)

Dessert-Level Protein…

• We are always loving on Equip Protein… It’s one of those rare products that makes getting extra protein feel fun! The flavor is indulgent and dessert-like, but it’s packed with bioavailable protein that’s especially perfect for breastfeeding mamas who need a simple way to stay nourished and hydrated. We use it straight in smoothies, but it’s also a game-changer in baking… pancakes, waffles, muffins, you name it. Their chocolate collagen is another favorite (tastes like Nesquik!), and both make our bone broth hot chocolate extra decadent and nutrient-packed. It’s a staple that effortlessly fits into every part of our day, and we have used it throughout each phase of our womanhood journeys (preconception, TTC, pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding). (code BALANCEDBEYARS)

  • PS: Do NOT sleep on their new Prime Bars. 20 grams of protein per bar (which is actually INSANE), loaded with collagen, tallow, and colostrum, and they actually taste fantastic. These have become Julie’s go-to snack while on walks with her new girlie.

Complete Pregnancy Support…

• Even with a whole foods diet, modern life makes it tough to get all the nutrients you need, which is where WeNatal comes in. All three of us have used it from preconception and TTC to pregnancy (in addition to our husbands, who use WeNatal for Him), and Julie is still taking it 2 months postpartum to support breastfeeding and replenish key nutrients. Packed with a potent blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, this prenatal is a comprehensive solution for optimizing couples’ health at every stage:

  • Supports hormonal balance

  • Enhances egg & sperm health

  • Promotes healthy pregnancies

  • Helps prevent postpartum depletion

  • Supports baby’s growth & development

  • Aids in inflammatory responses

• As a special bonus, if you subscribe, you get a free month of WeNatal’s Rest & Digest Magnesium, which is a critical nutrient in conception as well! (code: BALANCEDBEYARS)

Our Weekly Faves & Finds…

• Back with all our weekly faves! From gifts for the kids, hubbies, and friends, to restocking our own favorites and empties we can’t live without, THIS is your weekly guide to shopping like you’re in our sister group chat. We’re sharing, swapping, and highlighting the best finds of the week, including…

  • The organic cotton thongs we have replaced allllll of our undies with.

  • This bath filter (that is currently on SALE!) we bought to protect our babies sensitive skin.

  • These adorable, cozy, minimalist clogs perfect for a cold-weather capsule wardrobe.

  • The tool that is causing Alaina to get all sorts of compliments on her hair recently (which, btw thank you so much for the kind words!!!).

Our Holiday Gift Guide…..

• For a full list of our holiday picks, check out our Holiday Gift Guide! We’ve rounded up everything from stocking stuffers under $50, to our favorite small businesses, gifts for him and her, mamas and mamas-to-be, in-laws (we know how tricky that can be!), kids, home, and everything in between.

We’re feeling extra thankful this season…. For you, for this community, and for the simple ways we get to connect and share life together. We know the holidays can feel overwhelming, and while there’s plenty of shopping noise out there, our goal isn’t to add more “stuff.” We’re just passing along a few things we genuinely love and use, in case they make your days a little easier or your gift-giving a little simpler.

And while giving gifts is so much fun, we always try to remind ourselves that the best things aren’t material… a cozy night in with friends, a shared laugh, or a genuine hug.

Here’s to soaking in those little wins, embracing what truly matters, and giving yourself permission to pause, breathe, and savor the season.

Talk soon 💌

Alaina, Carly and Julie

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