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Mother Essentials: The Mamas Behind Spring & Mulberry

Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano

The brand-new chocolate brand Spring & Mulberry checks all the boxes in our eyes: beautiful packaging, health-minded ingredients, delicious flavors, and mama-founded! The first-of-its-kind, date-sweetened chocolate is the brainchild of Kathryn Shah and Sarah Bell—mothers to 3 children amongst them. The gorgeous chocolate bars—which come in flavors like Mango, Urfa Chili & Black Lime and Lavender, Bee Pollen & Rose Petal—were born from a very personal space. In her early thirties, Kathryn’s cancer diagnosis led her to quit refined sugar and explore the healing power of food. While looking for ways to satisfy her sweet tooth, she began experimenting with the flavors of dates, nuts, and cacao that now form the foundation of Spring & Mulberry’s offerings. Read through the duo’s Mother Essentials below for more wellness-focused faves and other busy mama must-haves!

Sarah’s Picks

My Morning Ritual. “This includes doing the New York Times crossword puzzle over coffee in my favorite East Fork mug. And taking HILMA Elderberry for immune support.” The Mug, $40, East Fork. Elderberry Immune Gummy, $25, Hilma.

Our Local CSA. “To make sure we have the best in-season produce and I love chatting with the farmer.”

Rancho Gordo Beans. “I always have these on hand to easily make a meal with my CSA vegetables, without an extra trip to the grocery store.” Beans, $7.25, Rancho Gordo.

My Library Card. “We get a fresh bundle of books each week for the kids, and I love to read cookbooks—such as Joshua McFadden’s Six Seasons or Meera Sodha’s East.” Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables, by Joshua McFadden & Martha Holmberg, $37.20, Bookshop and Amazon. East: 120 Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes from Bangalore to Beijing, by Meera Sodha, $32.55, Bookshop and Amazon.

Nugget Play Couch. “This has captivated my children and they love coming up with new ways to play with it.” The Nugget, $229, Nugget Comfort.

Go-To Foodie Staples. “Fat Gold EVOO and KATZ Vinegars, Ekone smoked oysters—these are the things I special order!” Fat Gold Standard, $30, Fat Gold. Katz Vinegar, $14, Katz. Ekone Original Smoked Oysters, $72 for 6 cans, Amazon.

Lunya Robe. “It’s chic and cozy with thoughtful details (the modesty flap!). I can throw it on when the kids demand breakfast before I’ve gotten dressed.” The Robe, $250, Lunya.

Dagne Dover Fannypack. “It’s the best accessory to keep my hands free so that I can pick up my kids or hold their hands when we are out.” Ace Fanny Pack, $90, Dagne Dover.

Spring & Mulberry Medjool Date, Pecan, and Himalayan Salt Bar. “This tastes like the candy of your childhood—chewy, salty, crunchy, and sweet.” Medjool Dates, Pecan, and Himalayan Salt Chocolate Bar, $15, Spring & Mulberry.

Elizabeth Suzann Cotton-Linen Dress. “It’s easy to throw on, keep cool, and look somewhat put-together.” ElizabethSuzannStudio.com.

Hedley & Bennett Kids Aprons. “My daughter, Nell, loves to help me cook and this keeps her (sort of) clean and makes her feel involved.” Kids Apron, $52, Hedley & Bennett

Kathryn’s Picks

Block-Print Dresses. “They are perfect for everything from work meetings to dinner out, plus 100% cotton fabric keeps me cool in the Carolina heat. I like Anna Cate Collection and Dôen.” Villette Dress, $398, Dôen. Marisa Maxi, $258, Anna Cate.

Spring & Mulberry Mixed Berry Bar. “We source micro-dried raspberries, which are just so tart and chewy. They are like nature’s version of NERDS candy.” Mixed Berry Chocolate Bar, $15, Spring & Mulberry.

Wagh Bakri International Tea Blend. “My husband makes chai on the stovetop every morning with cardamom, shaved ginger, and cinnamon. Wag Bagri is the only tea for chai allowed in our pantry.” Wagh Bakri Masala Chai, $8.99, Amazon.

Happy Hour Apertifs. “Ghia’s Ginger Spirtz and Haus’ Lemon Lavender are perfect for when 5 o’clock rolls around and I love that they use real fruits and botanicals in their concoctions.” Le Spritz 4-Pack, $18, Ghia. Lemon + Lavender Botanical, $35, Haus.

Favorite Spring-Summer Treat. “Steamed whole artichokes with fresh lemon and Duke’s mayonnaise—for vegetarians, it offers the same fun as crab legs or lobster and I look forward to it every spring.” Duke’s Real Smooth Mayonnaise (2-Pack), $12.40, Amazon.

The Daily Podcast.The Daily is my go-to podcast and the best way to get news with kids around.”

Whole Food Cooking Everyday. “Amy Chaplin lured me with the cover of this cookbook. Plus, all of her recipes are plant-based and refined sugar-free.” Whole Food Cooking Every Day: Transform the Way You Eat with 250 Vegetarian Recipes Free of Gluten, Dairy, and Refined Sugar, by Amy Chaplin, $37.20, Bookshop and Amazon.

Long Baths. “It’s my time to catch up on my favorite magazines without distraction.”

Melissa Wood Health Online Classes. “Her non-judgmental, quirky energy is infectious, and each workout takes less than 25 minutes.” MelissaWoodHealth.com.

Lindi Face Moisturizer. “A skin-care line designed to be delicate enough for cancer patients (I went through treatment for breast cancer in 2018). Their face serum is divine.” LINDI SKIN: Face Moisturizer, $42, Amazon.

Grocery Store Flowers. “My husband brings them home each week, they are cheap and cheerful. Ranunculus and peonies are my favorites.”

Mix and Match China. “I mix and match my dishes because I loved a layered effect, plus it allows you to change the look and feel for each occasion. But, at the heart is Syracuse by Robert Haviland (it’s my wedding pattern) and Cutipol Goa flatware (so easy and chic).” Goa Cutlery (5-Piece Set), $122, Horne. Syracuse Turquoise Dinnerware, $225 and up, Gearys.

Artesano. “They make gorgeous hats and work with artisans in their home country of Ecuador. I put this on with a t-shirt and jeans and still feel so stylish.” Spring ’22 Hat, $288, Artesano.

Goodnight Moon. “It’s such a classic and my daughter loves finding the mouse on each page.” Goodnight Moon, written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd, $8.36, Bookshop and Amazon.

Cuddle + Kind Dolls. “We have a collection going for all the little girls in my family. They are adorable and the company gives back to children in need through each doll purchased.” Baby Lamb (*gives 5 meals), $33, Cuddle + Kind.

Montessori Carrot Game. “My daughter is just learning how the carrots must be arranged by size.” Wooden Toy Carrot Harvest Game, $16.99, Amazon.

Explore more Mother Essentials of inspiring moms across the U.S.!

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