Kosmic Favorites for Spring

ideas for growing roses, satisfying snack plates, spring skincare, and a little personal update from me

If you’ve been following me on IG, you might have seen some special news I shared last week. As I write this, sitting on my deck in the morning sun, I’m currently 24 weeks pregnant :)

While the start of 2025 looked very different from what I anticipated, being pregnant has been the biggest gift that I haven’t taken for granted, despite its ups and downs.

You might also remember I shared about how sick I was during the first few months of the year, first with the flu, then a head cold, followed by an eye infection and a staph infection—on top of the fatigue and nausea that often accompany the first trimester. Needless to say, going through that prevented me from cooking, teaching, keeping up with this substack, and my normal life in general.

No one can prepare you for what that experience is like, and I found it's not often talked about even among friends. I felt completely unprepared, even as someone who’s dealt with chronic illness, for how exhausted and alone I would feel.

Nothing felt normal—not my body, my routine, or my outlook. Nourishing with food felt like a distant comfort since I could barely stand long enough to make anything in the kitchen.

Now that my energy has been more consistent and I’m out of the fog of sickness, it feels so good to finally be able to be more transparent about what this year has been like and to be on the other side of the struggles that can come with those tender first months.

With that, I’m excited to share some of what’s been swirling around my brain, inspiring me lately, in the hope that you'll glean some inspiration too as we head into the warm summer months.

And if you’re in the area on May 29th, I’d love for you to join The Magic of Herbal Foods 1-Day Retreat at Osmosis Day Spa in Freestone, CA. This will likely be my last workshop for the year, so if you’ve been wanting to take an in-person herbal cooking class with me, now is your chance! Plus, you’ll get access to spa treatments, relaxing time in their stunning Japanese gardens, and leave the day feeling refreshed and renewed. You can learn more and sign up here for the workshop.

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Kosmic Favorites for Spring

Snack plate ideas | Food has become even more important in my life with this pregnancy, and I’ve been trying to nourish myself as much as possible. Even if you’re not expecting, finding healthy snacks is always a good way to help kick that afternoon blood sugar slump.

Some of my go-to little snack plates consist of a good cheese, usually feta, cheddar, monchego, or Mt. Tam triple cream, sliced fruit or berries, some sort of dip like hummus or pesto, and something crunchy like whole grain chips, sourdough crackers, or toasted nuts.

Another snack I’ve been craving, which is more on the sweet side, is a yogurt bowl. Again, super simple but comforting to have in the afternoon. I love the organic Strauss brand Greek yogurt with a spoonful of apricot jam, some sliced fruit or berries, granola, and almond butter. I’ve been loving the fresh apricots from the market, and I’m working on a pan-fried apricot yogurt bowl recipe, so keep an eye out for that soon.

Artichoke & Arugula Pesto | I’ve been seeing this recipe from Giada all over TikTok and had to give it a try—I can attest that it’s delightful and super quick to whip up. Plus, there are so many ways you can incorporate fresh herbs of the season right in. Adding in a handful of cilantro, holy basil, blanched nettles, lemon balm, or even spicy nasturtium leaves would all be delicious. Use it as a dip, slather on a sandwich, swirl over a grain bowl, or thin it out with more olive oil and lemon for a quick dressing.

Spring / Summer Skincare | Keeping my skin hydrated in the dry California summers has always felt a bit challenging for me. Luckily, over the years, I’ve discovered some highly effective herbal products that help me stay moisturized, regardless of the season. Laurel Skin has been my go-to for years now, and I’ve never had a better facial than with their products. You truly feel “high” on plants afterwards, like you’ve left your body and entered some relaxing ethereal realm. Plus, they use organic herbs grown in Sonoma County, so everything they make is super potent.

I’m honored to be a part of their ambassador program, and Laurel Skin has kindly shared a discount code for this kosmic community. Use the code KOSMICBALM to get a free travel-size Recovery Balm with orders over $150.

Personally, I love using their Effortless Cleanser, Hydrating Elixir I, Essential Lipids, Antioxidant Serum, Recovery Balm, Honey Berry Mask, Almond Rose Exfoliant, and have been using their California Body Oil on my belly for extra hydration this pregnancy. You seriously feel like you’re just lathering yourself in botanicals, and it’s just so nourishing.

Spring Teas | Now that the weather has gotten warmer, I’m back to making cold infusions by the quart. I love this method of tea making. It’s so simple since you’re just adding 3-4 tablespoons of dried herbs to a mason jar, filling it with water, putting the lid on, and letting it sit in the fridge overnight. Strain in the morning to sip on throughout the day and get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.

I shared the Everyday Spring Brew at the beginning of the season, if you need some inspiration. I’ve also been loving my prenatal tea made by my midwives. It’s a blend of red raspberry, nettle, alfalfa, milky oats, lemon balm, and rosehips, so it’s super nourishing for anyone. My friend Kristen of Moon Canyon came over last week and gifted me her Meadow Medicine Tea if you’re looking for a ready-made blend.

Roses | If you’ve been following along on IG, you know how obsessed I’ve become with roses. So far, we’ve planted 10 rose bushes, some potted on the deck and some in the ground, and I can’t seem to get enough of them. A few of the varieties we’ve planted and that have thrived here in Northern California are Sally Holmes, Peace Rose, Alnwick’s, Teasing Georgia, and Julia Child.

I’ve developed quite an affinity for the David Austin Roses, and they breed English roses for not only fragrance, but disease resistance, repeat bloom, grace, and charm. You can find them at some local nurseries, or you can order them online.

If you’re new to roses and don’t know where to start, consider where you’d like them to grow, if you’d like them to be fragrant, what colors you're drawn to, and the types of blooms. I’ve planted both climbers and bushes, depending on what part of the garden I’m trying to fill in, and typically just end up picking out roses that call to me when I’m looking around.

For instance, I fell in love with the stunning cupped pink petals on the Alnwick’s rose, but had no idea it also smelled like raspberries until I brought it home and it started blooming!

Roses do well in full sun and partial shade but will need tending so they stay vibrant and healthy. Deadheading is essential to encouraging new growth, and you want to snip the stem just above the first set of five leaflets (or leaf clusters) on the stem. The Huntington in LA is a great resource if you’re looking to learn more about caring for roses.

Current Reads | Deciding what books to get on pregnancy can feel daunting. Everyone has an opinion on which books are best, but I’ve opted to get the ones that called to me, and I’ve really been loving these in particular: 1. Matrescence: On Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood 2. Growing Together: Doula Wisdom & Holistic Practices for Pregnancy, Birth & Early Motherhood 3. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

Upside-Down Lemon Meringue Pie | And last but not least, dessert! I made this for Easter, and it was a real hit. So many of you asked for the recipe on IG, and of course, it’s a Martha Stewart recipe. What’s great about this dessert is you can make it a day ahead of time and serve it room temp, so you don’t have to fuss over it on top of all the other things you need to do when entertaining.

Enjoy!

xx - Sarah Kate