I am thrilled that a local family has opened a cafe in a small town near me. The farm-to-table focus along with the home-made breads, biscuits, and desserts are exactly what I've been craving. In addition to the delicious meal options, they offer handmade soaps and hand poured candles. All made with fewer ingredients than mass produced soaps and candles. The great news is that even though these candles and soaps are made locally in my area the Wild Roots Cafe & Co. offers a mail order option so you can consider these for yourself or gifts even if you don't live here.
Just a few years ago, I was living in a small metro apartment and dreaming of moving to a rural setting. I watched gardening and homesteading videos for entertainment, relaxation, and education. And with those videos I tuned out the noise from the adjoining apartments, parking lot, and the frequent police helicopter circling overhead. One of those channels was Wild Wonderful Off Grid. I knew that they were a family working to build their off grid home, raising their children, and raise chickens and sheep. I knew they were in West Virginia. What I didn't know is how close they were to the raw land I had purchased in West Virginia.
Fast forward a few years and my small home was built on my land, I transferred to one of our buildings near here for work, and I am now a West Virginia resident. I continued to watch gardening and homesteading videos in order to make progress toward my goal which is retirement on my land and growing as much as my own food as I am able. I am learning to live a healthier life. Imagine my GREAT surprise when I learn that Josh and Erin from Wild Wonderful Off Grid lives somewhat in this general area AND have built a cafe in a small town near me.
Wild Roots Cafe & Co
The videos show the remodeling process of what was once a flower shop in small town Romney, West Virginia. It has been turned into a cafe that offers coffee, breakfasts, and lunches. So far, I've had the cinnamon rolls (the best I've ever had!) and a BLT. A woman named DeAnna is in charge of the kitchen and her bread recipes are amazing! The cafe only very recently opened. You can learn more about the cafe and shop on their website Wild Roots Cafe & Co.
Hand Poured Candles
The candle selection is poured at the Wild Roots Co. in Romney, WV. I purchased the Appalachian Forest scent which is Balsam Fir, Cypress, and Cedar. I had intended to purchase the "Bare Naked" which is the unscented candle since I struggle with so many perfumes and over-powering scents these days. One whiff of the Appalachian Forest scent had me hooked. I am having no sign of sensitivity to this scent.
Wild Roots offers seasonal scents and holiday scented candles. They have just sold out (online) of their special Mother's Day candle.
About their candles, they say:
- size - volume 8.5 oz
- wick - cotton (lead and zinc free)
- burn time - 40+ hours
- wax - 100% soy and made in the USA
- Premium non-toxic - phthalate-free
- hand-poured in small batches
They also list excellent reminders about general candle care and safety on their page.
Hand Made Soaps
I was so thrilled to learn they were making soaps. I had started to learn to make my own soaps but I'm just too busy currently with work and other obligations. In the meantime, I've wanted to buy locally made soaps from small businesses. I am a firm believer that handmade soaps are far better for our skin than mass-produced soaps. Even better if I can find these soaps locally.
With the publicity of the Wild Roots Cafe opening, there has been a super high demand on the merchandise. As I write this, I notice that several of the soap types are currently sold out. Please don't let that deter you.
When I was at the Cafe, I purchased the patchouli sunrise and the mountain mint. These bars are 4.5 oz. Both have a very short ingredients list: saponified oils of coconut, olive, palm and castor.
In addition to that list of ingredients, the Patchouli Sunrise also has patchouli essential oil, sweet orange essential oil, and Brazilian clay. The Mountain mint includes eucalyptus powder, spinach powder, spurline, peppermint essential oil, and eucalyptus essential oil. I chose both of these soaps for their scent. The Mountain Mint will be perfect when I have colds or allergies. I also like to use peppermint and/or eucalyptus on my skin before I go hiking or camping. I feel as though those scents repel some of the bugs that want to swarm me when I'm outdoors. The Patchouli Sweet Orange is a scent that I've always enjoyed. With my chemical sensitivities, I have to be careful to now use over-powering scents. I am aware that patchouli can be over-powering. But these bars are at a nice level of the scented essential oils; not too soft and not too strong. In my opinion.
As soon as they re-stock I will purchase a bar of the Detox soap. I have used activated charcoal and tea tree soaps in the past. I look forward to getting my hands on a bar of this soap by Wild Roots.
I highly recommend either these candles or soaps as gifts (for someone or for yourself). I am excited about pampering myself with the natural soaps and candles that Wild Roots Cafe & Co has to offer.
Related Links:
Josh and Erin's primary YouTube channel can be found here at Wild Wonderful Off Grid. You can see their home build, home life, the cafe remodel and and more
Wild Roots Cafe & Co has an Instagram account here.
I often find the most updated information about the cafe on the Wild Wonderful Off Grid Instagram account here
Wow. Having a favorite off-grid family, with a lifestyle you have been admiring, turn out to be practically a neighbor must be thriling. The new cafe sounds wonderful, as do their homemade products of candles and soaps. Thanks for the information on the Wild Roots Cafe & Co.
ReplyDeleteIt really does sound as though you are living your best life, Dawn! What a wonderful thing to consciously craft your ideal life. Josh and Erin and their Wild Roots Cafe & Co. enterprise sound marvelous. The patchouli soap would definitely remind me fondly of my college days, when patchouli was the “in” scent. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome! I have enjoyed watching your transition from big city life to country life and I have been so proud of your determination to make you dreams come true. I also love all of the "homemade product" stands and small cafes that we have around us. Like you, I prefer things to be made without preservatives, chemicals or extra fluff junk. I am thrilled that you have found scented soap & candles that you can enjoy. As you know, I also cannot be around artificial/synthetic scents so I know what a magnificent find this really is!
ReplyDeleteI've been very impressed at your ability to transfer from city to country life, live of the land, and truly live your dream. These products sound absolutely perfect, and watching how you've transitioned to country life, I can absolutely understand why you find these products ideal for your lifestyle (and of course because they're great products as well - I took a peek at their website - very nice.
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