60. What Happens When You Switch to Ghee for Cooking, Skincare, and Ritual

In this warm and practical conversation, Kate sits down with her longtime friend and colleague Emilie Reid, co-owner of the beloved Ayurvedic lifestyle brand Farmtrue. Emilie shares the full-circle story of discovering Ayurveda through cracked knuckles and toasted sesame oil, building a thriving yoga studio, navigating its closing during COVID, and ultimately finding her dharma in reviving Farmtrue with her husband. Emilie walks listeners through the process of making thousands of pounds of ghee each year, the subtle differences in butter quality, why Farmtrue’s ghee is casein-free, and why ghee behaves differently than other fats inside the body and on the skin. She also breaks down the skincare line, the philosophy behind their dosha-specific body oils, why ghee makes an effective nasal oil, and how slow medicine has reshaped her life and routines. If you love ghee, natural skincare, seasonal routines, or small-business stories rooted in purpose, this episode will be a favorite. Episode Breakdown The story of how cracked knuckles and a frozen Boston bus ride led Emilie to Ayurveda The rise, relocation, and closure of Borealis Yoga Studio How Emilie and her husband came to purchase Farmtrue What makes ghee unique from a Western and Ayurvedic perspective The process of making 100–200 pounds of ghee a week Why Farmtrue’s nasya oil works differently Ayurvedic skincare: why simple really is better A DIY face mask for winter skin How Emilie uses ghee daily in cooking and rituals Introducing the new Cardamom Limeade Fix Stick collaboration Emilie’s daily routines Guest Bio: Emilie Reid Emilie is co-owner of Farmtrue, a modern ayurvedic lifestyle brand. Together with her husband, she handcrafts face care, body care, teas and spices using ayurvedic herbs and ghee. Emilie is also Faculty at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Ma. She leads workshops, retreats and yoga classes online and in-person. Emilie’s superpower is sharing meditation, Ayurveda and Yoga in a way that is practical, useful and fun. Emilie leads retreats, teaches Ayurveda, creates handcrafted herbal products, and brings her love of slow medicine into every batch she makes. Kate's Cardamom limeade Fix Stick: https://shopfarmtrue.com/products/fix-stick-ghee-based-balm-cardamom-limeade Skin mask Recipe from Emilie: 1 tsp Triphala powder 1 tsp Neem powder 1 tsp peppermint powder* 1 tsp coconut oil Mix into a paste with a spoon or your fingers. Massage all over your face, avoiding the eyes. Then let sit for 5 minutes. Wash thoroughly with warm water and pat skin dry. Relevant Links Farmtrue Products Farmtrue Website: https://farmtrue.com Call to Action If this conversation inspired you to rethink how you use ghee in your kitchen or your skincare routine, explore the full Farmtrue line at farmtrue.com. For more Ayurvedic wisdom, seasonal routines, and practical tools, follow Kate at @kateodonnell.yoga and visit healwithkate.org for programs, books, retreats, and resources. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Gift Guide: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/digital_downloads/gift-guide Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership