🍓 The Strawberry Moon: Full Moon June 11th

🍓 The Strawberry Moon: Full Moon June 11th

As June unfolds in full bloom, the days stretch longer, and nature’s rhythm slows into a warmer, softer tempo.

This full moon invites us to celebrate abundance and pause to take notice of what’s ripening in your life, and take time to appreciate what’s been growing.

What is the Strawberry Moon? 

The Strawberry Moon is the full moon that occurs in June, and in 2025 it graces the sky on June 11th. While it won’t actually appear pink or red, its name connects to the early summer harvests and the natural sweetness of this time of year. It is named by Indigenous cultures to mark the short but sweet berry harvesting season.

In many traditions, strawberries symbolize love, community, and renewal. They are considered the first fruit of the season, a gift from the earth, often shared in ceremony and celebration. Some Indigenous stories even describe the strawberry as a symbol of connection, healing rifts between people, or bringing individuals back to the heart.

“The strawberry teaches us that all things are connected, and that sweetness comes when we live in harmony with nature and one another.”

🍓 What the Strawberry Moon Represents

  • Ripening – Like fruit on the vine, our efforts over the past few months are beginning to show results. This is a good time to take notice of personal or creative growth.
  • Sweetness – The energy of this season reminds us to slow down and savour the small joys. Such as meals outside, evening walks, time with people we love.
  • Reflection – The full moon is a natural moment for looking back and asking: What am I grateful for right now? What do I want to continue to work on throughout the summer? 

🌿 Seasonal Herbs & Ingredients

If you enjoy working with plants and herbs, this is a beautiful time to incorporate summer’s abundance into your routine. Some gentle, supportive herbs for the season include:

  • Strawberry Leaf – Often brewed as tea, this mild herb is rich in nutrients and grounding.
  • Chamomile – Calming and floral, perfect for slow summer evenings.
  • Lemon Balm – Bright and uplifting, lemon balm can lift the mood and ease tension.

You could try making a simple herbal iced tea blend or a refreshing summer salad with wild greens and berries to celebrate the season.

🌕 A Simple Full Moon Evening Reflection 

Take a moment during the full moon to step outside and enjoy the evening light. Here’s a gentle way to connect:

What you’ll need:

  • A quiet space, ideally outdoors
  • A notebook or journal
  • Your favourite seasonal snack and/or an herbal infusion.  

Steps:

  1. Sit somewhere peaceful and take a few deep breaths.
  2. Reflect on the past few months. What have you been working on? What’s starting to come together?
  3. Jot down a few things you’re grateful for, and what you’d like to focus on next.
  4. Enjoy your snack or drink, and simply be present in the moment.

This small ritual doesn’t need to be complicated. Just being outside, noticing the moon, and taking time for yourself can be enough.

A Moment to Reflect on Connection

While many of us today live far removed from planting cycles or wild harvests, the moon still offers a gentle reminder to pause and tune in. The Strawberry Moon is a moment to:

  • Celebrate life’s small joys and seasonal gifts
  • Connect more intentionally with nature and your community
  • Reflect on how you’re growing—and where you might need to soften or ripen a little more

Honouring the Strawberry Moon doesn’t need to be elaborate. It can be as simple as enjoying local fruit, spending time outdoors, or showing appreciation for what the season offers. You might also take time to learn about the traditions throughout different cultures and the stories that shaped them. 

Happy June 🌕🍓
Here’s to everything that’s blooming.

The Gut-Skin Connection: How Your Microbiome Impacts Skin Health

The Gut-Skin Connection: How Your Microbiome Impacts Skin Health

We often think of skincare as something external — cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and masks. But what if the secret to glowing, radiant skin lies deep within… your gut?

The state of your microbiome, a delicate ecosystem of bacteria in your digestive system, plays a vital role in how your skin looks, feels, and functions. Your skin is not just your body’s largest organ, but a direct reflection of your internal health, especially the health of your gut.

Let’s explore how nurturing your microbiome can lead to a clearer, calmer, and more vibrant complexion. 

Your Skin Is a Mirror

Skin issues like acne, dryness, redness, rosacea, or premature aging aren’t just surface-level concerns. They’re often signals that something deeper is going on.

Many of these symptoms are linked to:

  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Immune dysregulation
  • Gut dysbiosis (aka an imbalance of good and bad gut bacteria)

When your internal systems are overwhelmed or off-kilter, your skin can start to show the strain. Understanding that your skin is a window into your internal world empowers you to approach beauty and skincare in a truly holistic way.

The Gut-Skin Axis: A Two-Way Street

Your gut and skin are both detoxification organs. When your gut flora is balanced, it helps your body absorb nutrients, regulate immunity, and keep inflammation in check. But when the gut is disrupted by stress, poor diet, antibiotics, or environmental toxins it can lead to systemic inflammation, which often shows up on your skin.

Emerging research shows that an unhealthy gut microbiome can contribute to:

  • Acne
  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Premature aging
  • Dull, dry, or inflamed skin

On the flip side, a healthy gut filled with beneficial bacteria helps your skin thrive by:

  • Reducing inflammation
  • Supporting skin hydration and barrier function
  • Increasing absorption of beauty nutrients like zinc, omega-3s, and antioxidants

Where Did All the Good Bacteria Go?

So, what throws your gut out of balance?

Common culprits include:

  • Antibiotics (which wipe out both harmful and beneficial bacteria)
  • Highly processed foods
  • Refined sugar and alcohol
  • Chronic stress
  • Lack of dietary fiber
  • Environmental toxins 

Rebuilding the Gut: The Probiotic Path

Reintroducing beneficial bacteria through probiotics and fermented foods can help restore balance to the gut and by extension support healthier skin.

Look for these probiotic-rich foods:

  • Sauerkraut
  • Kimchi
  • Kefir
  • Yogurt (unsweetened and with live cultures)
  • Miso
  • Kombucha

You can also supplement with high-quality probiotics, especially after taking antibiotics or during times of stress. Aim to take them a few hours before or after any medication to preserve the live cultures.

Don’t forget prebiotics! This is the fiber that feeds good bacteria. Foods like garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, chicory, etc, help your microbiome flourish.

The Gut’s Role in Aging Gracefully

Beyond breakouts, your microbiome plays a surprising role in how your skin ages.

In one study, mice given Bifidobacterium (a beneficial probiotic strain) showed improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, and resilience after UV exposure. This suggests that probiotics could support skin from oxidative stress and even reduce signs of aging like fine lines and dehydration.

When your gut is thriving, your body is better able to absorb the building blocks of healthy skin: collagen, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. These nutrients fortify your skin barrier, fight off free radicals, and help maintain that youthful glow.

A Holistic Approach to Radiant Skin

Instead of chasing every new serum on the shelf, think of your skincare routine as starting in the kitchen.

Here are some simple ways to support your microbiome and your skin:

  • Eat a colorful, plant-rich, whole foods diet
  • Incorporate fermented foods and fiber daily
  • Minimize processed foods, sugar, and alcohol
  • Stay hydrated and manage stress with movement, sleep, and ritual
  • Use gentle, microbiome-friendly skincare products

In Summary: Beauty Starts Within

A glowing complexion is more than just good genetics or topical products; it’s a reflection of your internal health and your microbiome. By nourishing your gut with love, balance, and the right foods, you create a ripple effect that shows up on your skin in the most beautiful way.