Celebrate our 3rd Birthday THIS Weekend!

Lookin' for a rockin' good party this weekend? Stop by Crunchy Granola Baby Friday, Saturday or Sunday and help celebrate our 3rd birthday with some killer deals!

We'll have storewide savings, including huge markdowns on babywearing and cloth diapers.

And by huge markdowns, we mean 10-50% discounts storewide, including 20% off Little Beetle Diapers and Covers, as well as 50% off pouches and ring slings!

Fall CSA Share Opportunity!

We're At It Again . . . MORE Produce!

Our friends at Heaven's Harvest Farm have started a Fall CSA Share!

If you're not familiar with this great idea, a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for people to build a relationship with a farm. By making a financial commitment to a farm, the people become “shareholders” of the CSA and receive weekly baskets of produce. It’s a perfect (and affordable) way to eat healthy and support a local farm.

Shareholders will receive produce for about 8 weeks, at least until a killing frost, and pickup will be Thursday afternoons. Prices are as follows: Full Share $320 and Half Share $200.

Please Note: Shareholders must register for the Fall CSA by Friday, July 31. Payment is due by Friday, August 14. To register (or if you have questions), please call 978.741.0800 or crunchygranolababy@verizon.net.

Expected produce includes: Arugula, Beans, Beets (Red, Golden), Bok Choi, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage (Green, Red, Savoy, Napa), Carrots, Caulifower, Collards, Corn (Butter/Sugar, Gold, White, Indian), Cucumbers (Pickling, Slicers), Eggplant, Endive, Escarole, Kale (Dino, Green, Red), Lettuce (6-8 varieties), Onions (Red, Storage, Fresh white varieties), Peas, Peppers (many varieties- Purple, Red, Yellow, Orange, Chocolate, Hot), Potatoes, Pumpkins, Radiccio, Radishes, Spinach, Summer Squash, Tatsoi, Winter Squash (Acorn, Buttercup, Butternut, Carnivale, Hubbard, Sweet dumpling) and fruit like Apples, Late berries, Pears, and Plums.

What About Meat?

Interested in a local, grass-fed, organic, meat share?

Lucky for you, Houde Family Farm in Vermont is offering a deliver-based meat CSA. The farmer drops the meat right at your doorstep each month and, according to our meat-eating friends, is reasonably priced in comparison to other meat CSA's.

To learn more, please visit HoudeFamilyFarm.com.

Weekend Events!

There are a lot of great events happening this weekend!

CGB has teamed up with artist/jewelry creator Keri LaVarnway of Gem & I Originals to host a vendor booth at Newburyport's Olde Fashioned Sunday.

This year's Olde Fashioned Sunday promises to be a lively day packed with music, entertaining events, period costumes, dunk tank, children’s entertainers, and much more! A variety of food vendors will be on the Bartlet Mall to satisfy everyone's tastes.

Hope to see everyone in Newburyport for a great Sunday event!

And if you're looking for something a bit more local, we've heard about a great yard sale (yes, yard sale) this Saturday from 9AM to 3PM at 12 Franklin Place in Beverly (off Cabot St, across from Sam's Cleaners, park in parking lot, first house on left in back). A friend of the shop (ahem, Catie from Spirit Wellness Center) passed along a flier for her friend, who is moving and desperately needs to rid herself of some items.

And by some, I mean: furniture, household items and small appliances, books, jewelry, kitchenware and gadgets, women's clothing, toys (ages <3), href="http://www.crunchygranolababy.net/event">calendar!

Have a Very Wellness Wednesday Tomorrow!

Looking for something to do tomorrow? Check out what Spirit-Wellness has to offer!

Feng Shui for Abundance
Wednesday, July 22 (6:30-7:30PM) at 10 Derby Square in Salem
$15 fee
Learn how to use Feng Shui in your home to manifest abundance and increase prosperity in your life.

Meditation Class
Every Wednesday (7:45-8:30PM) at 10 Derby Square in Salem
$15 fee
Successful people keep their minds focused on potential and positive outcomes and resist the habit of negative doom and gloom thinking that is pervasive in the media right now. You can't afford to miss this class if you want to succeed in this economy and attract positive opportunities and relationships.

Waldorf School Events

The Cape Ann Waldorf School is hosting plenty of summer events to keep you busy! Check 'em out!

Children and parents are invited to A Summer Story Hour!

Gather for refreshments, play in the kindergarten playground, and then join a Waldorf teacher for a story! Suggested ages 3-7. And the best part? It's free!

These story hours will take place at the Cape Ann Waldorf School at 668 Hale Street in Beverly Farms on Tuesday July 21 (9:30 - 10:30AM) and Tuesday July 28 (9:30 - 10:30AM.

You're also invited to A Summer Handwork Gathering!

Sit in the shade and knit, crochet, or work on another handwork project in a relaxed setting, while your children play in the kindergarten playground. There will be an extra pair of hands for pushing kids on the swing, so yours can keep knitting.

All levels of experience are welcome, instruction will be provided and experience shared, bring along your own materials. Only a $5 drop in fee.

These gatherings will take place at the Cape Ann Waldorf School at 668 Hale Street in Beverly Farms on Friday August 7, Friday August 14 and Friday August 21 (9:30 - 10:30AM).

To learn more about these programs or the Cape Ann Waldorf School, please visit CapeAnnWaldorf.org.

TONS of New Products!

We've received TONS of new products in the last few days! And, let me tell you, they are super cute and super useful!

First up: eight3one

Parents and urban cool designers Sven and Aimee were tired of searching (and coming up empty-handed) for soft baby clothes that combined the look of Fifth Avenue with high quality. Feeling frustrated, they began to experiment with design and silk-screening, which led to the creation of eight3one. These adorable onesies are organic, made in Seattle, and available in a variety of patterns, including lion, monkey, elephant, birdie and wren (pictured here). Check them out at our Web Store!

Next up: Grippees

These ultra soft bamboo/cotton washcloth mitts fit parents hands and help moms and dads wash their little ones more easily. How? They've got super soft, non-toxic grips (placed on the lower palm) that help hold slippery wet children! Genius! And adorable! And don't worry, we've got Mini-Mitts for toddlers who are learning to master hygiene skills. Plus, they come in fun geometric characters that make bath time even more exciting. Check 'em out at our Web Store.

Finally: BurpArmor

A plush, absorbent burp cloth that is all natural, soft, ergonomic, and most importantly, has enough traction to stay put. Burp Armor burp cloths feature an ergonomic design and innovative flap that fits completely over the shoulder and stays put. This unique Dad-designed product is made in the USA (Rhode Island, in fact!), has a 3-layer organic cotton and hemp absorbency, AND gives 5% of each sale directly to Children's Hospital Boston. Seriously, it doesn't get any better than that. Learn more about this amazing product at our Web Store.

What We're Reading: Operating Instructions

"It seems no mother of a newborn has ever been more hilarious, more honest, or more touching than Anne Lamott is in "Operating Instructions." A single parent whose baby's father is out of the picture, Lamott struggles not only to support her little family by her wits and her writing but to stay sober at the same time. Faith in God helps; so does her loyal band of helpers, from her childless best friend Pammy to her mother and "Aunt Dudu" to the folks at the La Leche League hotline. And between colic, wheat-free diets, and the triumph of solid food, Lamott learns that blessings and losses come together, and as our capacity for job increases, so does our capacity for grief."

Available as part of Crunchy Granola Baby's Lending Library.

Free Concert THIS Sunday!

DON'T FORGET! Join singer Charlie Hope for a free concert at Crunchy Granola Baby TOMORROW at 11 AM!

Called "refreshing," "fun," and "sweet & infectious," Charlie Hope's raspy lilting voice has been compared to famous singers like Ani DiFranco and Carly Simon. Her music touches upon everything important to little kids: naptime, kangaroos, fire trucks, new babies, frogs, etc.

Learn more by visiting Charlie Hope's MySpace page

See you tomorrow!

New Play Group!

Crunchy Granola Baby is introducing a new play group: The CGB GLBT Parenting Group!

GLBT families are welcome to relax and connect with other parents and their babes of all ages during this free group. The inaugural group will be THIS Saturday, July 11 at 2PM. If you have questions, please contact Jennie or Amy at 978.741.0800 or crunchygranolababy@verizon.net.

Free Concert THIS Sunday!

Join singer Charlie Hope for a free concert at Crunchy Granola Baby on Sunday, July 12 at 11 AM!

Singing songs from her new CD “I’m Me,” Charlie Hope’s music touches upon naptime, kangaroos, fire trucks, new babies, and frogs, among other themes. Her music is melodic, interactive, and sing-able, as well as relevant to children’s lives, reflecting and respecting their experiences.

Reviews on Amazon have called Charlie Hope’s music “refreshing,” “fun,” and “sweet and infectious,” and her raspy lilting voice has been compared to Carole King and Carly Simon. Besides Charlie Hope’s experience as a singer/songwriter, she also holds her degree in Art Therapy with Children and has worked as a trusted caregiver for years.

Get a preview of Charlie Hope’s debut CD “I’m Me” by visiting her MySpace page. CD’s will be available for purchase at Crunchy Granola Baby after the show.

If you have questions, please contact Jennie or Amy at 978.741.0800 or email us at crunchygranolababy@verizon.net.

Forest River Park Playground!

It's finally happening!The Forest River Park playground is going to be built!

But we still need your help. We're looking for able-bodies people to help with the build during the weekend of July 17-19. If you're interested, please contact Holly Grose at hollygrose@aol.com or 978.745.5513.

Hooray for playgrounds!

CGB CLOSED July 4

Crunchy Granola Baby will be CLOSED on Saturday, July 4 for the holiday! Happy 4th of July and we'll see you Sunday, July 5!

Community Interview: Courtney Heath

Courtney Heath is a local mom/wife, marketing/public relations genius, blogger and the new co-owner of Seed Stitch Fine Yarn on Front Street.

We caught up with Courtney to learn more about her wonderful family (pictured above) and her life here in Salem.

Q.) Are you originally from Salem? How did you end up here?

Not originally from Salem, but it sure feels like home. I grew up on the Cape and my husband in L.A. When we were looking to buy a house, Cambridge and Boston were too expensive for what we wanted so we sought to find a place that had a great sense of community but still enough of “a city feel” to offer amenities we were used to as city dwellers. I also wanted to live close to the water, having grown up on the Cape. Salem really fit the bill but it wasn’t until we had our daughter that we realized this place would be our home and that we’d want to invest time and money in making this a community for us for the long haul.

Q.) Tell us a little about your family, your community, etc.

We have a two and half year old little girl Mazie May who is really the reason we fell in love with Salem. As a new mom with a preemie, I was amazed to find a place like CGB and was part of the inaugural Friday morning play group.

Q.) What do you do for work?

Right now it seems like I have four jobs. After having Mazie I went back to my former job three days a week, helping biotech and healthcare companies with public relations and marketing needs.

In a totally different direction, my husband and I have recently purchase Seed Stitch Fine Yarn on Front St. here in Salem. So now much of my time is also spent managing the store, purchasing product, and working with customers.

Tack on the job of Mummy and Wife and I’m keeping pretty busy.

Q.) Can you tell us more about Seed Stitch? Why you bought it, your vision for the shop, etc.

Searching for something a bit more tactile to supplement my career over the long term, we had long thought about starting or buying a business in Salem. We really wanted to contribute to something for ourselves and for our community. When we heard the previous owner of Seed Stitch wanted to sell, we jumped and are so pleased we did.

We hope to add to the amazing foundation that was created for us at Seed Stitch, increasing the community involvement, bringing in additional new and exciting products, adding to the eco friendly lines of yarns, seeking to showcase local designers and talents, etc. If you’re a knitter or crocheter, please stop in and say hello and if you’re not, we have great classes to get you started.

Q.) Your blog is great! What prompted you to start a blog? How do you find the time?

I’ve had a personal blog for several years and found it a great way to express myself and focus my energies. Unfortunately, that blog has been a little neglected for the new Seed Stitch blog, http://www.ayarntale.com/ , which is equally rewarding to write and I hope interesting to read. I just can’t manage both right now. Maybe one day I’ll pick the old one back up. Blogging no doubt takes a lot of time and commitment. Readers expect posts often and you’re constantly challenged with what will be an interesting tidbit, but luckily the posts are often thoughts or conversations already spinning around in my head so it comes fairly naturally.

To read Courtney's personal blog, visit http://www.mymamay.com. For the Seed Stitch blog, check out http://www.ayarntale.com/.

July Promotion: Earth Mama Essentials!

Throughout the entire month of July, Earth Mama Essentials Nursing Pillows are 35% off!

And you receive a FREE Buddha Belly Soap with your purchase of a Nursing Pillow!

*Please Note: Buddha Belly Soaps are free, while supplies last. Offer good in-store only.