Vendor Spotlight: Veronica with Cedar & Clove

There are certain little things that help a home feel steady—especially in busy seasons. For me, a warm mug is one of them.

At The Salt and The Light Co, I care a lot about intentional partnerships. I only want to share makers I genuinely love, actually use, and would tell my best friend about. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to introduce you to Veronica—the herbalist and heart behind Cedar & Clove.

This month we’re talking about pruning and abiding—what it looks like when God lovingly cuts back what’s draining us, so there can be healthier fruit in the long run. And while pruning can sound “big” and spiritual (and it is), I’ve learned it also shows up in small, everyday choices:

- Choosing a gentler pace

- Creating margin where you can

- Returning to Jesus instead of pushing harder

- Letting simple rhythms hold you when you don’t have extra strength to manufacture peace

That’s where Cedar & Clove fits so naturally for me. It’s not a magic fix. It’s just one of those small, faithful practices that helps me slow down and come back to center.

How I actually use Cedar & Clove:

I reach for these teas in the moments that are easy to rush through—the ones that quietly set the tone for my whole day.

Here’s what it looks like in my house:

- When I’m winding down at night and I want my body to get the message: it’s safe to rest now.

- During Bible study—especially on mornings I feel distracted and need a calm on-ramp into being present with the Lord.

- In the middle of homeschool when everyone’s energy starts to fray and we need a quiet reset without making it a whole production.

- After a long day of “doing,” when I don’t need another task—I need a moment to breathe and be held by something warm and simple.

Tea has become a “stay” practice for me. A pause. A small way of abiding.

About Veronica + Cedar & Clove:

Veronica is a holistic herbalist and the founder of Cedar & Clove—an online herb shop rooted in traditions of plant wisdom.

Her story is one of the reasons I think you’ll connect with her. She didn’t build Cedar & Clove from a branding idea—she built it from lived experience, a desire for gentler care, and a deep respect for the way God made the earth to nourish and support us.

Through Cedar & Clove, she offers handcrafted organic herbal tea blends that honor the seasons, support the nervous system, and bring intention and nourishment to daily life. Whether it’s a quiet moment alone or something you share with someone you love, each cup feels like an invitation to slow down and return to the present.

What you’ll find in her shop:

Cedar & Clove offers organic, handcrafted herbal tea blends designed to nourish both body and spirit—supporting seasonal rhythms, calmer evenings, and more intentional daily rituals.

And if you’re like me and you just want someone to tell you where to start, here are three “try this first” picks—morning, afternoon, and evening:

Morning (Bible study / gentle lift): Duchess Herbal Tea Blend

An Earl Grey black tea with bergamot, lemon peel, and lavender—soft, floral, and a gentle lift to start the day. (Contains caffeine.)

Afternoon (reset + recenter): Midwinter Herbal Tea Blend

A lighter, brighter seasonal blend—perfect when you want a calm reset without crawling back into bed.

Evening (wind-down + cozy): Hearth Herbal Tea Blend

This one reads like comfort in a cup—cozy, grounding, and perfect for the end of the day when your shoulders are up around your ears and you need a real exhale.

If you’re new to herbal tea, don’t overthink it. Start with what sounds comforting and let it become part of your rhythm.

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I interviewed Veronica so we could all get to know more about her and what brought her to form Cedar & Clove. This is what she had to say. 

“Why I Started Cedar & Clove

I’ve always been drawn to a natural and holistic lifestyle, but everything shifted after going through IVF with my first child. My body had been through so much, and I began to crave a deeper understanding of how to care for myself in gentler, more nourishing ways.

That curiosity led me to explore home remedies, ancestral wisdom, and the power of plant medicine. In 2020, with a newborn in my arms and the world in lockdown, I made the decision to take it further, I enrolled in herbalism school.

That’s where the seed for Cedar & Clove was planted.

One of my instructors suggested I start selling blends, at first I was hesitant, but when I followed that nudge, it all felt right. Blending herbs became a form of creative expression, and Cedar & Clove became the space where I could share it.

What started as personal healing grew into ritual, and now it’s a place where comfort, nourishment, and herbal magic meet.

My Favorite Tea Blend? That’s a Hard One.

Each blend I create has its own personality, season, and intention.

But if I had to choose a favorite, it might be the Autumn Harvest, a cozy blend made with dehydrated apples. The whole process of making it feels like a seasonal ritual, and the aroma fills the kitchen with warmth and memory.

Another one close to my heart is Hearth. With cacao and chaga mushroom, it’s a grounding, earthy blend that tastes like sitting by the fire during a winter storm. It’s pure comfort in a cup.

Where I Source My Herbs

I care deeply about the quality and ethics behind the herbs I use. That’s why I source from Mountain Rose Herbs, a company I discovered through herbalism school and one that shares my values.

They’re independently owned, prioritize sustainable and fair-trade practices, and their commitment to organic and wildcrafted herbs makes them one of the most trusted names in herbalism. I know exactly where my herbs come from, and that means a lot when you’re creating something meant to support healing and ritual.

My Advice for New Tea Drinkers

Start by listening to your body. Herbal tea isn’t just about flavor, it’s about intuition and connection.

Ask yourself: What do I need right now? Maybe it’s a calming nervine, a mineral-rich tonic, or a warming digestive blend. Your body is always speaking to you, and herbal tea is one way to listen.

Let it be slow, intentional, and sacred.”

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Where to find Cedar & Clove

Shop online: www.cedar-clove.com

Local (Missouri): Salon Turbo in New Town, St. Charles.

If you’re in a pruning season right now, hear this clearly: you don’t have to hustle your way back to “fruitful.” You don’t have to force peace, force productivity, or force your heart into pretending you’re fine.

Sometimes abiding looks like choosing one small, faithful pause—one cup, one quiet moment, one breath prayer—where you stop striving long enough to remember you’re held.

Let your tea be that reminder: God is not careless with you. He’s not rushing you. And He’s not wasting this season.

Memory verse for January

John 15:2 (NASB) — “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.”