Plus more good news this week.
Key Points
- Stonyfield’s new Organic Cow Spa offers farm-inspired wellness treatments for humans in Maine.
- Guests can enjoy massages, aromatherapy, pedicures and stress-reducing cow cuddle sessions.
- Plus more good news, like the simple habit that can significantly lower cardiovascular death risk.
This is Good Food Newsyour weekly installment of positive food and health news from around the world. These feel-good stories are hand-picked by EatingWell editors to help make your week just a little bit brighter.
Featured Story: Stonyfield Brings *Udder* Relaxation to Their New Organic Cow Spa
Picture this: You’re laying back on a cool late-summer day at the newest spa in town. Post-massage, you have a green juice in hand and a pedicure scheduled—but not before a cow cuddle session.
Stonyfield Organic just made this a reality with their newest innovation. The Organic Cow Spa, located at Rainbow Valley Farm in Sidney, Maine, officially opens on September 10 for humans to experience spa treatments inspired by the care practices for cows on organic farms. Safe to say, it puts your typical goat yoga and cat cafés to shame.
Stonyfield’s director of PR and consumer engagement, Kristina Drociak, tells EatingWell how the idea came to fruition.
“We have very close relationships with our direct supply farmers and after many visits to farms throughout the region, we saw a pattern,” she says. “Many cows had grooming brushes, some farmers used peppermint and lavender oils and because of organic standards, all of the cows spent at least 120 days grazing fresh pasture. We saw a playful metaphor between human wellness and spa days to the care that the cows were receiving.”
So while the idea is to receive “grooming massages” and “hoof-care” just like the divine bovine, it’s more luxurious than it sounds. The massage and peppermint aromatherapy is inspired by the peppermint essential oils used at some Stonyfield direct supply farms. The “pasture pedicure” and foot soak presents a human take on the practices that keep healthy cows relaxed and mobile. You can “free roam” on the meditation trail meant for peaceful walking, and the most delicious part has to be the Green Graze Juice—it’s not quite a cow’s choice of grass, but close enough!
“The idea is to take some of the thoughtful care that goes into keeping organic cows comfortable and translate it into a playful self-care experience for people,” Drociak shares. And cows are benefitting from this experience too; there’s cow cuddle sessions for guests to meet the cows, up close and personal.
Positive interactions with animals can help reduce stress, and there’s plenty of science to back this up. Specifically, a small study published in The International Journal of Indian Psychology showcases how “cow cuddling” used as a therapy tool can help lower both stress and anxiety levels in participants.
There’s limited slots left for bookingso act fast if you want to be pampered like your favorite farm animal. As of now, the experiences are only running through October 3, but Drociak notes that there’s “potential for expanded dates.”
More Good News This Week
This Habit May Lower Heart-Related Death Risk by 39%
Next time you need to choose between stairs or elevator, pick the stairs. Regular stair-climbing may lower cardiovascular death risk by 39%, and climbing six flights a day could help maximize the heart-healthy benefits. Learn more about the new meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs.
Trader Joe’s Releases Lower-Sugar Version of Fan-Favorite Product
Cookie butter lovers, this one’s for you. Trader Joe’s new Granola Butter contains just four grams of added sugar per serving, making it a healthier alternative to their famous cookie butter. We’re definitely using it next time we need an overnight oats upgrade!
A Personal Trainer’s Advice That Helped an Athlete Avoid Burning Out
Health writer and plant-based athlete Adam Meyer shares the advice he’s received from his personal trainer that helped him stop burning out: don’t skip rest days. He reflects on the advice and how rest days are essential for muscle repair, strength and preventing fatigue.
Video of the Week
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We’ve all faced the consequences of ruining a perfectly good white shirt while cooking a not-so-white-shirt-friendly dinner. But honestly, these five-star pasta recipes are worth sacrificing your favorite tee for: