GOLDA KOMBUCHA
Launched in 2013, Golda Kombucha is an Atlanta-based business creating oak-aged kombucha tea. Hand-crafted in small batches, the tea is fermented in an American white oak barrel which enhances the health benefits and provides a unique tart flavor. Named after Golda Glasgow, the 92 year-old grandmother of brewer and creator, Melanie Wade, Golda Kombucha is made with the same recipe passed down through each generation. The tea is currently sold at many of the Atlanta Farmers' Markets ($4 off if you bring your Golda Growler) and can also be found at The Mercantile -- the only Kombucha growler site in Atlanta.
GK has grown tremendously and quickly and recently began a Kickstarter campaign to help fund their expansion - we hope you will take the time to check it out and support this incredible local business!
Name: Melanie Aurelia Wade, Atlanta, GA
Business: Golda Kombucha
Mission: To provide readily available kombucha tea + its benefits to Atlantan's and southerners-alike.
Personal Mantra: "Take me as I am, 'cause I can't stay long." - Tom Petty
Pick a Superfood: Tomato Soup!
Favorite form of release: Riding my 1972 Suzuki motorcycle with my knees in the breeze.
Most rewarding aspect of GK? Seeing the look on customer's faces when I tell them my grandmother taught me the recipe and is still alive today due to her daily kombucha intake.
FINDING BALANCE WITH FRIENDS
From our latest post, you'll know that at IFF, we have amped up our yoga and meditation methods. For inspiration, we called upon our fine feathered friend, Lisa, and fellow friend and instructor, Kayley, to talk through the (literal) ups and downs of at-home yoga and how pushing personal limits through pose and breath helps us find our balance on the mat and in life. We love these two beautiful, intelligent women for sharing their honesty about the not-so-glamorous in-between moments of filming their personal practice (but of course we only showcased their best sides below.) Be sure to follow them on instagram at @murphy_lisa_a and @kayqui. PS thank you Macon for the gorgeous lighting and backdrop!
Tell us your name: Lisa Murphy, soon-to-be Lisa White (Shout out to my love, Ryan!), proud mom of Tacocat.
Hometown + current city: I’m a Military brat but most of my growing up years were spent in Warner Robins and I currently live in downtown Macon.
Inspo for healthy choices? I’ve always been very active but consciously making healthy food choices has become a focus for me in the last couple of years. I’m inspired by the desire to feel good, to be strong and to fuel my body wisely so I can live this life to the fullest. I want to stay as active as possible for as long as possible and somewhere along the way I’d feel honored to be an encouragement to others as well.
Personal Mantra: "Life is all about balance."
Preferred pose: Without a doubt, handstands! If I’m upside down I’m happy.
Favorite forms of exercise: I run, I bike, I lift weights, I do yoga and I’ll try anything if you show me how. I became serious about yoga last summer when I met my instructor Kayley Squire from PureBalance Yoga in Macon. She is inspiring and absolutely the reason why I decided to really focus on my practice. I love running for the mental challenge and feeling of accomplishment it brings. Weights have been incredible for developing my body and taking me from weak to strong. Yoga combines the mental and strength aspects of those two activities and adds balance and flexibility. It’s also incredibly freeing. There’s no finish line, no stopwatch urging you to go faster, no numbers or any other form of measurement. That allows me to enjoy it for the journey that it is and not some end result.
JUST HERE FOR THE SAVASANA
Recently at IFF we have been taking our yoga practice more serious by joining a studio in the city along with an at-home guide via the YogaStudio app. I've been at it for a few years and Haley is a bit of a neophyte so we are learning the ins and outs of meditation and strength training together.
It is impossible not to immediately become aware of the benefits of yoga once you begin so we wanted to share a few of our favorite yogi tools to help inspire your personal practice! And let's be honest, there's no greater incentive that those last few minutes of Savasana heaven. #Namaste.
TASTE & SEE COFFEE WITH MELODY JOY
Taste and See Coffee Shop and Gallery, located on Poplar Street in downtown Macon, offers a unique coffee house environment. Whether you need somewhere to sit and blog or sip brew with friends, Taste and See is the spot. They offer a delicious variety from Counter Culture Coffee made by professionally-trained baristas; everything from classic coffee to housemade specialty beverages. From the early stages of menu-planning, Taste and See was determined to offer high quality, natural and pure ingredients. A portion of each day is spent making fresh syrups and sauces. They do not use any synthetic sweeteners, chemicals, or preservatives and only serve organic coffee, milks and organic nondairy milks. In addition, they use raw organic cocoa powder, raw agave nectar, local raw honey and raw cane sugar.
Since "April showers" is a very real thing in Georgia, we decided to enjoy a particularly greyish day by curling up on the plush couches at Taste with our friend Melody of Melody Joy Designs to talk coffee, community and how she keeps healthy with a busy bee calendar of traveling!
Tell us your name: Melody Joy Munn
Hometown + Current city: I was born in Tampa but consider Chicago my hometown since I moved there early on. My current city is Warner Robins, GA. God has given me wonderful friends in this area and it is definitely a calm escape from my delightfully exciting life of traveling.
Biz inspo? My business is called Melody Joy Designs. I am a web and graphic designer. I absolutely love re-branding businesses and helping startup companies become more well-known. My inspiration is definitely the fact that my husband Christopher (Munn Brothers) has many creative talents as well and we are able to spend quality time traveling and working alongside each other on different projects.
Coffee community: My coffee journey started when I was in elementary school. I would sneak coffee at my grandpa’s all of the time. Through college it became more of a “tool” for studying and staying awake during my all-nighters. Present day, it is important to me because I have “matured” in my coffee choices and can taste more of the notes of the beans and blends. While traveling, I am able to try some of the best coffee around the country; Chicago, New York, Savannah, and Atlanta have some of my favorite shops. As my taste for coffee improved, I realized that I needed less flavoring, sugar and cream. I now make my coffee black at home and only have lattes or blended drinks at my most favorite spots. Black coffee not only tastes cleaner but leaves you feeling better. I have definitely noticed a difference in not only my waistline but my budget as well.
Describe yourself in one word: Joyous (my personal mantra is to always choose joy.)
Favorite form of exercise: I enjoy running and swimming. Well, I enjoy the results of running more than the actual running, of course. Even with a busy schedule, I try to make time for it a few days a week.
Pick a Superfood: Blueberries. My husband makes the best blueberry pancakes!
Taste and See Coffee, owned and operated by Brian Nichols and Kevin Reaves.
MIDWIFERY STUDY: STERLING KITCHENS
In keeping with the theme of this month's pregnancy posts, we wanted to spotlight our fine-feathered friend, Sterling, a student of midwifery and an all-around badass chick. With her extensive knowledge about women's health and wellness as well as good coffee, she knocked our Q&A out of the park. Check out her responses below + our stylized shoot to showcase her inner and outer beauty.
Tell us your name: Sterling Kitchens
Hometown + Current city: Everywhere and Macon, Georgia
Profession: Holistic full spectrum doula/student of midwifery
Inspiration: I am an advocate for sexual and reproductive health. I vehemently believe in a woman’s right to choose regardless of where that choice falls on the spectrum. I came to midwifery as a platform to support women with unbiased and evidence-based information as they encounter these decisions. I’ve witnessed pregnancy, labor, and birth to be such a powerful and sacred state it seems odd to automatically pair it with allopathic and paternalistic medicine. The full spectrum of reproductive rights belongs in the hands and bellies of women.
Current practice: I am currently attending Birthwise Midwifery School. My education and clinical apprenticeships will prepare me to attend homebirths of women with low-risk pregnancies. I will be graduating in a year or so and upon graduation; I will sit before a national board and apply for my license to become a certified professional midwife (CPM). I hope to create a small practice with a sister midwife.
Describe yourself in one word: "Lithe,” as suggested from a kind friend.
What makes you tick? Equality. Community. Sharing a French press. Vulnerability. Predictable jokes.
Personal mantra or quote: Assume positive intent.
Favorite form of release or hobby: Bath time all the time.
Pick a Superfood: Garlic!
Best indulgence: IPAs and coffee… but not together.
Trend you are loving: My new year’s resolution is to revisit what “sustainability” means in my life, specifically my relationship with food. For the past couple of years I have been trending toward whole foods, prepared simply, and shared with good people…I’d like to continue that: eating intimately.
Favorite form of exercise: I recently joined The Compound in Macon. It is such a supportive community. We do interval training; sometimes it makes me want to cuss, but my thighs thank me for it.
Holistic health to you: For me holistic health is self-care that I am forever growing toward. It’s recognizing and acknowledging the relationship of my mental, physical, and emotional health is directly influenced by what I engage and indulge in.
FINE FEATHERED FRIEND: SUSANNAH
At IFF, our mission is to showcase the movers, shakers and makers in health throughout Georgia. Our friend Susannah Maddux, founder of Goods Public Relations and an instructor at Hometown Yoga, is one of those said shakers. The thing we love most about Susannah is her authenticity -- from her work as Macon's biggest cheerleader to her passion for public health -- she is truly a bright light to everyone she encounters! Read below about her love for yoga, Macon (did we mention it's Cherry Blossom season) and soon-to-be motherhood.
Tell us your name: Susannah Maddux, Founder of Goods Public Relations + yoga instructor at Hometown Yoga.
Hometown + Current city: Monroe, NC / Macon, GA
Inspiration for managing your own biz? For myself: My first boss Allison Beale, my sister, and all the women in the world who wake up every day and change the world. For others: Be flexible and eager to learn from others; ask for help; collaborate often; find a mentor; create and know your team of support; learn from failure; reinvent when necessary; laugh at yourself; show gratitude to others; make time to let go and nourish your creativity; try things.
What is the goal of your company? Short: To get in on and share a good thing when I spot it. Long: To promote and tell the story of small business, brand, or cause via thoughtful, detail-oriented efforts.
What makes you tick: Serving others, collaboration to create good, diversity and inclusiveness, brilliant design, grand vision with obvious fruits, faith, yoga, thoughtful PR, beautiful music, preserving history, storytellers and their stories, artists and their art, selfless people, passionate people, the pursuit of a perfect playlist, NYC, travel, good coffee, shiny things.
Mantra: No day but today.
Best indulgence: Dark chocolate, red wine, a book + a bath… and the occasional new handbag or Alexis Bittar earring.
Health trend you are loving: The local + real food movement.
Describe yourself in one word: Lively!
Preferred pose: Currently: all hip openers. For life: Backbends and Savasana.
How has practicing yoga influenced you? I've been practicing for ten years. Yoga gives me better breath, more space, and releases worry. It makes me shake it out and feel less crazy. It is an absolute must.
What is your go-to source for pregnancy info? What to Expect When You’re Expecting and my mom + sister guidebook.
What moment are you most looking forward to as a mother? Giving more love.
LIFT. TONE. BURN.
Have you been to the barre lately? The past few years, the ballet body has made a resurgence and rightly so due to the rigorous but results-driven workout behind it. Pure Barre is a total body workout that utilizes the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements which proves to be one of the fastest, most effective ways to change your body. But beyond the trend, we wanted to learn more about all that PB can offer. Read below for the interview with our friend, Whitney Berry, owner at Pure Barre Macon.
Tell us your name:
Whitney Berry
Inspiration for starting your own biz?
My Dad is a small business owner and from an early age, it has always been my dream to own my own business. Having the opportunity to see him have a positive effect on the lives of others, both clients and employees, was something I always admired and wanted to bring to others one day.
What is the goal of the company?
My goal with Pure Barre Macon from the beginning has been to create a fitness center that was not just about the workout, but to create a sense of family where everyone could feel welcome and be challenged to reach personal goals for themselves while bringing a great sense of well-being.
Personal mantra:
"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty and find the best in others; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived-- this is to have succeeded." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pick a superfood:
Avocados!
Health trend you are loving:
Regular Massages
Favorite form of exercise:
Pure Barre is my absolute favorite form of exercise! I was born with a joint condition that has caused me to undergo two shoulder surgeries and limited my ability to do some workouts. When I found Pure Barre I was immediately in love, because it was the most challenging workout I had ever done. With only slight modifications I was able to complete the full workout. My love for Pure Barre began just over two years ago and I can honestly say I have never once been bored during a workout and they have not become any easier, if anything they become more challenging the longer I do them, because I have gained a better understanding of my own body and know how to push myself to achieve maximum results.
Preferred pose:
All thighs. I still find my shakes in every class!
Best piece of advice received during your pregnancy:
Stay active. It truly affects your physical and mental well-being during pregnancy. And fingers crossed will make delivery and recovery much easier as well!
TEN UNDER TEN
Haley and I have been friends for over ten years (do we get an award?) which means we share a few commonalities + a few differing traits. Even though one of us (ahem, Haley) is a product junkie, I on the other hand like to find my beauty staples and stick to 'em (classic case of FOMO vs. Fear of Change.) Thankfully we both share the gift of thriftiness. Recently we began making the slow but sure switch to DIY or locally-sourced products (COCONUT OIL ON EVERYTHING!) But, let's be honest, sometimes you just need a grab and go store-bought back-up. So, below I have gathered our fav bargain beauty buys -- ten tried and true items under ten dollars that can all be purchased at your local drugstore or drugstore.com. What are some of your best-kept beauty secrets?
Neutrogena Naturals Cleanser // MARVIS Toothpaste // J.R. Watkins Body Scrub (under $10 at Publix) // Shea Moisture Body Bar // MOP Mint & Basil Shampoo // Burt's Bees Hand Crème // OGX Hair Mask // Nourish Deodorant // Smith's Rosebud Salve // Not pictured: Spectrum Coconut Oil
RUN #LIKEAGIRL
ICYMI the #LIKEAGIRL Super Bowl XLIX ad, brought to us by Always, topped Twitter during Sunday's big game. The ad was smart, effective and empowering which is why it serves as the perfect inspiration for today's post on running.
Neither Haley or myself consider ourselves runners (light joggers, if you will) but there is some scientific magic behind the fact that I will always push a mile longer on my treadmill and/or Atlanta's beautiful Beltline when I'm sporting attractive activewear.
Along with cute clothes ('cause again, science) the right routine + music can make or break your stride. After scouring Pinterest, I stumbled upon this gem a year ago -- Self Magazine's Treadmill Mixup. It's my go-to cardio routine and can easily be modified to fit your running needs.
Lastly, we both rely on the 8tracks app for gym mode mood-setting, but we decided to create an IFF-approved workout playlist to get you (and your booty) groovin'. Just know in advance, there's a lot of Queen Bey. Play on.
Pants: Nike // Tank: Victoria Secret // Sports Bra: H&M // Shoes: J.Crew // Earbuds: Urban Outfitters // Bottle: Kleen Kanteen // iPhone Case: Melody Joy Designs
HOMETOWN YOGA
Macon's health and wellness scene has recently come alive with more farm-to-table restaurant options, a producers-only farmers' market, locally-owned health food stores and a handful of yoga studios to boot. The new kids on the block, Hometown Yoga, set themselves apart by offering unique sessions such as Shake Your Asana, Hot Method and even Toddler Yoga. Owners, Rachel Gerrity and Ashley Dunwody, are a true inspiration - on and off the mat. Their passion and talent make them a dynamic duo + the perfect #GirlsBoss team to take on an IFF Q&A!
QUICK ABOUT: Hometown Yoga’s mission is to foster a vibrant, lively and diverse yoga community in Macon. We strive to do so by bringing you the best teachers in the area who are committed to teaching classic yogic principles and alignment in a manner that is accessible and relevant to all people. We are named Hometown Yoga because we are committed to the value of community. We are a community that supports one another, strengthens one another and works to make one another shine.
Co-Owner, Ashley Dunwody, in Upward Facing Dog Pose.
Tell us your name:
Rachel Gerrity and Ashley Dunwody, Owners of Hometown Yoga. We were both born and raised in Macon, Georgia and after living in different parts of the country, we are excited to be back in our hometown!
Inspiration for starting your own biz?
We were teaching yoga at several different places in the area. We were inspired by the amazing teachers and yogis we were meeting, and we wanted to create a space where we could all come together to build one community.
What makes you tick?
Rachel: My passion is in creating, whether that’s making up a silly game to play with my 15 month old daughter or developing a workshop at the studio. I am excited by the ability to come up with an idea and then see it through to creation.
Ashley: I think my passion is creating more space and capacity for love, in all areas... establishing a soft heart with more compassion for ourselves and others.
Personal mantra:
Rachel: Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ashley: Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet. - Thích Nhất Hạnh
Pick a Superfood:
Rachel: It’s not a particularly exciting one, but I swear by the power of apples and eat at least one a day. Hopefully the fact that it is usually covered in peanut butter doesn’t negate its Superfood powers!
Ashley: Kale!
Ideal indulgence:
Rachel: Teen Mom, Miley Cyrus and frozen Girl Scout Samoas.
Ashley: Pumpkin beer and chocolate.
Co-Owner, Rachel Gerrity, in Bound Revolved Side Angle Pose.
Health trend you are loving:
Rachel: Juice cleanses – now I don’t love juice cleanses while on them, but I love the way they make my body feel. We recently did a 5 day juice cleanse at the studio in coordination with Fountain of Juice. It was a very tough five days but my body has never felt better.
Ashley: Recently, doterra essential oils have been an incredible addition to my family's health care.
Preferred yoga pose:
Rachel: Wheel - I always feel energized both physically and emotionally after a good long wheel!
Ashley: I gotta say wheel, too! Deeply invigorating.
WELCOME!
Hello!
Firstly, we are so thrilled that you are here - visiting our first post, on our first blog. We figured a formal introduction would be helpful to let you know a little bit more about us and why we've started In Fine Feather (IFF).
In Fine Feather:
Excellent appearance, In good form. Healthy; full of vitality and spirit.
Alludes to a bird of a clean, bright feather.
The concept of IFF is to showcase the movers, shakers and makers throughout Georgia, highlighting trends in food, fitness and well-being. Founders Tess Harper and Haley Sheffield intend to - through their unique trades - foster inspiring ideas while spotlighting the South's holistic health community.
For more about Tess and Haley, see Birds Of A Feather.