New Years Resolutions: Canna-sure Your Success in 2015

Every year come January we subject ourselves to a month of fasting, running fast, and falling on the couch even faster than you can say, “hey weren’t you doing something speedy?” The problem is that rarely do our “resolutions” stay resolute when we try to change everything at once. 

Why can’t you randomly start exercising, eating healthy, and banish treats forever, right now, all at the same time? Probably because you’re a human being and that’s ridiculous. 

So forgive yourself and make a change that will actually stick!

Solving the Exercise Problem:

Recently a basic insight from High Times changed my life and I truly hope it changes yours:

exercise medicated.

The thing is, working out doesn’t always suck, it’s just rough when you get started (especially if you haven’t seen a pair of gym shoes since PE was mandatory). BUT once you’ve been doing it for a minute it actually feels really great, you might even start to crave the exertion! The trick is not pushing yourself farther than makes sense, and setting realistic goals. Exercise is not one size fits all, it’s about figuring out what works for you. If your resolution is to exercise for hours everyday until you look like Chanel Iman, let’s just go ahead and take a step back friend because you are on a train heading straight for deadresolutionsville. Try something a little more achievable to start, depending on your fitness level it could be anywhere from simply walking a little more everyday to taking a weekly group exercise class. Amp it up after you’ve met your initial goal and you’ll feel a sense of momentum, which will help the change be more sustainable!

What works for me? A Solstice Pre-Rolled Tangelo Joint (my canna-motivation) and a very comfortable yoga class, like one taught by the crew at Poseurs. Emily, fearless yoga teacher and one of the minds behind kick ass yoga gear by Poseurs (see their rad sports bra to the right) and Actual Pain, can make the most anxious yogi beyond comfortable. Even the “but I never medicate and leave my home” first timers will love her open, cool vibe.

Find Emily teaching a beginners class at CorePower on Thursdays at 1:30pm, and starting next quarter at Noise Yoga as well! Now keep in mind, I never would have suggested a group class before cannabis fueled by practice but medicating before class was a complete mind opener.

Suddenly its way less embarrassing when your dog is less downward and more awkward. When you can get past that initial anxiety, there is something about a being around other humans that makes exercise more bearable. It’s about perspective and remembering that you are beautiful not because your body is losing mass, but because you are treating yourself with respect and connecting with the most powerful tool nature has given you.

Poseurs is for everyone, but if you’re looking for a sense of what they’re about check out their videos on the myth of Balasana and chakra.

If a group class is just too much, because that’s totally reasonable and no one is judging you, exercising at home is a great (way more private) option. Especially if you’ve never worked out medicated, it’s smart to take it slow and figure out what works for you before venturing into public. Considering we basically live in the future there is no reason you can’t get an awesome workout with professional guidance from the comfort of your own space…

Check out these great exercise sites for videos to do at home:

Be Fit – some of the greatest names in exercise, all for your youtubing pleasure!

Pump It Up – 2004’s ultimate dance workout, bonus points if you pull out 2004’s ultimate leotard. 

Pop Sugar –tips from the folks who train Victoria’s Secret models? check. hangover cures? check.

Fitness Blender – something for everyone and exactly how to do it, broken down, so you never wonder if you’ll wake up with a sore back and zero impact on your actual goal.

And hey, before you get your fitness on, remember these rules for exercising with cannabis:

1) Know your limit, and then undershoot it. When deciding on a pre-exercise dosage, don’t forget that physical exertion may make the effects of your medication stronger.

2) Always walk to class after medicating, safety-first!

3) Bring your own water and a granola bar in case you get light headed, if you’re new to this being active thing make sure to take care of yourself. No pain, smarter gain. Amiright?

4) Never exercise away from home on a medication you are unfamiliar with.

Good luck, and don’t forget, just because it’s 2015 doesn’t mean you suddenly became an android that loves kale smoothies and jogging at 6am, it’s about integrating real, sustainable change. 

A Holiday Cannitale from Starbuds

‘Twas the day before Christmas, when all through the town

all the people were stirring, what’s that all about?

The stockings were hung but so empty and bare,

In hopes that Starbuds will provide medicine with care.

The patients were edgy in need of some rest,

with anxieties plaguing their thought ridden heads.

Our budtenders thought, using their thinking cap,

what would settle their brains for a long winter’s nap?

When out at the desk there arose such a clatter,

they sprang from their spot to see what was the matter.

The patients have arrived, they knew in a flash,

it’s time for a Starbuds Christmas, that’s a sure smash!

The sun from the window shown through as we dabbed,

giving light to all the new medicine we have.

When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,

but the perfect stocking stuffers, for patients you hold dear.

With sweet little Janice, so lively and quick,

and Big Steve, who loves to help when you feel sick.

So rapid and smart, Becky will find you a cure,

and quick witted Julian, for medicine most pure.

"Now Solstice has capsules,

and don’t miss their joints!

Now Kind Awakening is here,

with organic oil for bonus points!

On, Cannachews!

On, Mary’s Medicinals! 

On, OG Kush

and Granddaddy Purp!

To the healthiest you can be! to nature that cures all!

Now come on by! Come on by! We’re having a ball!"

As dry herbs that before the patients do smoke,

when they meet with an obstacle, take a strong toke.

So up to Starbuds the patients they flew,

with the stockings so bare, if only they knew.

And then, in a twinkling, they were treated with care

addressing the needs and ailments, soon hardly to be there.

Green Light in their heads, Capitol Hill Bar

a gluten free + vegan delight,

or raspberry, coconutty, key lime and lemon bars

(if their stomachs show less spite).

Starbuds filled those stockings, from top to the foot,

presents from nature (no charcoal to boot!).

A bundle of treats for when you throw out your back,

painkiller death rates reduced by 50%, so skip that crap.

Their eyes - how they twinkled!

their lids suddenly heavy!

healthy cheeks like roses,

not nausea from the pain killer bevy!

Patients happy mouths in a smile that would show,

with happy cakes in their bellies, wouldn’t you know. 

When who should appear, stump of a pipe tight in his teeth,

we know by the smoke encircling his head like a wreath.

It looks like Santa Claus approves of your treat,

How he shook when he laughed, “now that’s a stocking for me!”

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

and filled all the stockings, that now smell like medicinal dessert.

And rolling his cannabis, tight like a pro.

he smiles as he said, “I’ve got glaucoma, you know!”

He sprang to his sleigh, but his team gave a whistle,

Santa, you just medicated, driving would terms for dismissal.

But I heard him exclaim, as the uber drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

A Friend in Need is Friend Indeed

 'Tis the season of giving! Here at Starbuds we are all about that, especially when it’s for a worthy cause. That’s why this season we are giving you a way to help out some folks in need. Because a friend in need is a friend indeed, amiright?

We are currently collecting for two holiday drives, Toys for Kids and Northwest Harvest.

p.s. if you choose to donate, we will treat you to a little holiday giving of our own!

p.p.s. x-mas trivia changes every week (win a treat from our tree).

Toys for Kids

Toys for Kids mission is to ensure children, less fortunate, know they have not been forgotten. Donations directly benefit children in need throughout greater Seattle, Western Washington and Oakland, CA. Annually, they serve more than 8,000 kids throughout the year. Often the toys are the only ones they receive, sometimes, it’s the only toy they have ever received.

Starbuds is giving away free grams to patients who donate a toy. Bring in an unwrapped, unused toy with a retail value of $10 or more and will give you a free premium holiday gram! The more toys you give, the more medicine you get! Our Toys for Kids drive will end on December 19th (so Santa has enough time to get the toys on his sled, of course).

Want more info? Check out: www.rickstoysforkids.org

Northwest Harvest

1 in 5 kids in Washington state lives in a household that struggles to put food on the table, but it doesn’t have to be that way people! Northwest Harvest’s mission is to provide nutritious food to hungry folks statewide in a manner that respects their dignity, while fighting to eliminate hunger. Bring 5 non-perishable items (see the list below) to Starbuds Cooperative and receive 1 gram of Thor's Hammer. Giving back sure feels good, especially when it’s for such a worthy cause.

What types of food does Northwest Harvest need?

Northwest Harvest can use any nonperishable food donations. They are looking for select shelf-stable food with the lowest saturated fats and refined carbohydrates (sugar, white flour). We buy white rice and beans in bulk, so we encourage you to donate other items.

Here are some suggestions…

General food items:

Oatmeal

Whole grain pastas

Brown rice

Tomato products

Canned vegetables

Canned fruit, especially with low sugar 

(but not artificial sweeteners)

Canned fish or meat

Shelf-stable milk

Beef stew, chili, etc.

(low sugar + saturated fats)

Infant and baby foods:

Baby formula

Canned milk

Infant cereal

Jars of baby food

Powdered or canned milk

We also accept baby diapers!

Find out more here: www.northwestharvest.org

No one should have to live with food insecurity, but to let some many go hungry in a country where 30% to 40% of our food supply is wasted, man that’s just wrong.

If you feel thankful for what you have, bring in a toy or food donation for someone who needs the help. It might not seem like much to you, but it could mean the world to a kid in Washington State. 

Happy holidays friends!

Give the Gift of Relief: Topical THC

Physical pain is a constant for many of our patients. For those living with muscle tension, sports injuries (be careful out there!), and even headaches, you may find that the most effective relief comes from topical applications of thc and cbd. Oils, balms, and lotions allow you to focus your treatment on specific areas of pain rather than providing generalized pain relief like you would from smoking cannabis or eating an edible, though they can provide a similar feeling of well being, especially when combined with a talented massage therapist (or loving partner, thanks honey!).

Essentially cannabis topicals are much like using a sports balm (or tiger balm for all the old hippies out there). Topicals are multi-use, work-safe (though some do have a mild cannabis scent), and don’t have the creepy chemicals of your standard pharmacy sports balm. Application can cause serious muscle relaxation, so we suggest you do initial experiments in the evening until you know how the topical treatment affects you.

At Starbuds we offer a variety of thc and cbd topical medications. If you are new to this kind of pain relief the below guide may be helpful in making a selection. Of course, if you have any questions or would like more information about any of the following topicals our friendly budtenders will be happy to help you chose one that is right for your specific pain relief needs.

Vita Verde, it’ll change your life.

Vita Verde is a great place to start for the topical beginner as they offer a wide range of options that very by type and level of relief. Depending on what you need (or prefer) they offer topical aid in cold, hot, and somewhere in-between.

Patients looking for warming relief to moderate muscle pain or joint stiffness will love Vita Verde’s Cayenne Balm. Marianne (a fan of their products) explained on their Facebook page that the Cayenne Balm, which she calls, “my sauce" is awesome because it “helps take the edge off (especially at bedtime) providing relief from the burning and tingling running down my arm from a neck and shoulder injury.”

After a hardcore workout slather on Vita Verde’s Soothe-Ice Cream to banish sore muscles and soothe those larger muscle groups, hands and feet. This cream should be applied generously, and makes an excellent addition to your next massage.

Need a little more kick? Vita Verde’s Fire Balm takes pain relief to the next level. This is by far the most powerful product offered by Vita Verde. A warming sensation is matched with heavy mint aromatics to produce a relaxing effect with pain relief that is both instant and long lasting.

Vita Verde is geared toward athletes, nature wanderers and those suffering from aches and pains looking for a more natural solution.

 Liberty Lotion, pursue your right to be free from pain!

Fans of essential oils (and CBD!) will love Liberty Lotion. While some topicals have a mild cannabis scent, Liberty Lotion smells of lavender making it far more discreet. It also packs a powerful pain relief punch, as each ounce contains over 50mg of CBD. We would suggest it for arthritis, bursitis, spasms, sun burns, razor burn, migraines, back pain, sprains, carpal tunnel, menstrual cramps, fibromyalgia, sore muscles, workout fatigue, tattoos, psoriasis and eczema (just to name a few). Not sure you can commit to the whole bottle? We’ve got a $5 sample size (which makes a perfect stocking stuffer for your favorite patient, happy holidays indeed!) so go on and test it out, we think you’ll be pretty darn impressed.

Cannabis Basic, keeping it simple (and effective).

We love The Remedy Pain Stick by Cannabis Basics. Seriously, ask anyone on our team at Starbuds if they have one in their bag. The Remedy is our go to for headaches, nausea, muscle tension, and joint stiffness, all without getting your hands dirty! The combination of terpenes (from cannabis) and essential oils is like magic in a stick, rub it on your temples, back of neck, whatever hurts, and don’t forget to apply a little right under your nose. With CBD, THCA and THC along with Arnica Montana and other therapeutic botanicals there are some major aromatherapy benefits along with the natural relief from pain and inflammation.

Cannabis Basic also offers massage oil (with relaxing lavender x tangerine aromatherapy), a tattoo treatment for those first 24 hours, and a Repair Cream (cannabis + tea tree oil) for your brutalized hands and feet. Their products are beyond basic, they are essential.

We hope this has been helpful and illuminating, but of course, our budtenders are always happy to clarify and continue your topical education! Keep it cool Seattle, you’re on your way to pain-free days, even if it’s only 30 degrees outside. Happy holidays from all of us here at Starbuds!

Thanks for the Good Times, Let's Do it Again!

Last week we celebrated our one year anniversary here at Starbuds, it’s been a week of reflection and love as we think back on the patients that helped get us started (and kept us going!). Starbuds is Capitol Hill’s Premier Patient Cooperative thanks to you guys! We’d also like to thank Happy Cakes for kindly donating delicious birthday brownies, it wouldn’t have been a party without cake, but it was a better party because our cake was happy.

Over the last year we’ve offered an extensive variety of medical cannabis strains and products (for valid WA MMJ patients), with a selection that is ever growing and changing. We are committed to providing the best cannabis possible to ease your ailment, whether it’s sleep or nausea, we’ll help you determine what strain best suits your individual needs. It’s like our Janice (our store manager) told Capitol Hill Seattle over the summer, “I have a sense of stewardship here,” she said. “We have a higher standard than you would find at a recreational store… It’s not just about building a brand but personal relationships.”

We even got a present on our birthday! To make both all of our lives a little easier, we now have an ATM in our access point, hurray! Cheers to continued herbal prosperity and the growth and sustainability of our shared cannabis community. We truly couldn’t have done this without you!

P.S. Don’t forget about our daily specials, they’re how we say thank you for choosing Starbuds.

Monday – Gold Medal Monday

(all gold medal shelf strains are $6 a gram)

Tuesday - Top Shelf Tuesday

(all top shelf strains are $8 a gram)

Wednesday - Hash Wednesday
(get 1 gram of hash, receive a second half off)

Thursday - Vapor Thursday
(get 3 cartridges, receive 1 for free)

Friday - Free Joint Friday
(free joint with any donations – our favorite!)

Saturday - Free Gram Saturday
(get 3 grams, receive 1 for free)

Sunday - Sunday Funday

(pick your favorite daily special, today is your day)

We hope to see you soon Seattle! Join us at our dab bar the next time you want to walk Capitol Hill and watch the leaves change; they’re beautiful and like us, ever shifting.