To say that this second volume is a labour of love is quite an understatement.

Kare and I have been talking about a second book while we were still writing the first one, as if we were putting these things out like John Grisham.

I imagined that when we did finally get the second one out, we would be on the other side of this pandemic, but that's now a joke I tell myself, similar to how I once exclaimed that I could do the edits for this in "an afternoon".

The dream to share food with loved ones outside of our bubble is still alive, and not being able to yet has become oddly commonplace. Throughout this year, cooking and baking at home has become a means of true comfort for me. Something to focus on and quell my low-lying, yet ever-present, anxiety. We asked 30 members of our community to contribute a recipe with the subtle theme of hygge (hoo-gah); a Danish term that refers to finding comfort, pleasure, and warmth in simple, soothing things.

We hope that you fall in love with the recipes in and even more so, the process of spending time in the kitchen making nourishing and delicious meals. To learn more about the inspiration for these cookbooks, you can read about it here.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A note from Registered Holistic Nutritionist & Co-Creator, Kare

Britt and I had such an enriching experience while putting together our first Community Cookbook that we pretty well immediately started thinking about putting out a second. The PNW winter can feel dark and wet. Working on this collection of cozy and nourishing recipes while collaborating with our lovely contributors was exactly what I needed.

Cooking these dishes has made me feel connected to my community and has added some colour to my all-too-bland pandemic lifestyle. While I realize I may one day look back on these days with some nostalgia for how simple day-to-day life is at the moment, I also know I’m excited to travel again, to eat pasta in a quaint Italian city I’ve never been to or to simply have a night in with my closest friends.

I hope this cookbook serves as a reminder that no matter how much we may wish to explore beyond the horizon, good food and good company is always close to home when you know where to look!

Partnering People and Businesses from Volume One and Two:

All proceeds from Volume Two book sales are donated to the Island Kids Cancer Association. Get your copy here.

Britt Buntain and Karolina Gnat of Picot Collective

About the Island Kids Cancer Association

The Island Kids Cancer Association has come recommended to us from friends who had benefited immensely from their programs and we are pleased to highlight their work and contributions to their community. IKCA helps families navigate the diagnosis of childhood cancer.

Their services and programs offer practical assistance, emotional support and financial support. This is combined with firsthand knowledge of what this experience is like and how families can best work with the medical system to understand processes, treatments and avenues of care and healing. In doing so, we become part of the family support system, walking alongside, helping to ease uncertainty and feelings of isolation.

Touchstones Mental Health Support Program is a critical program, providing kids, youth and their families access to service providers, limiting financial barriers and stigmas. Island Kids Cancer Association works with several service providers across Vancouver Island such as registered counsellors, psychologists, music therapists, art therapists, play therapists and a creative writing therapist.

Volume One : Sold Out

The first Community Cookbook was a labor of love to bring people together again during the stressful year that we will always remember as 2020. We partnered with 28 local businesses to create our first volume of recipes with 100% of the profits donated to:

Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour
Indigenous Harm Reduction Team
Victoria Women's Transition House

Philosophy

Hi! I'm Britt.

This business I created is kind of funny to me. We make scented candles and natural skincare and yet, I find I'm mostly drawn to thinking of wellness routines, self care, why those are important, and how I can use my business as a means of support for others. It’s the intersection of anti-hustle culture and non-toxic fragrance, and what they have in common. If you're interested, I wrote the whole story down and linked it below.

The short story, is that In 2015, a health-scare taught me that I needed to manage my stress in a healthier way. I started creating self care routines with candles. Burning them as I meditated, read at night, had a bath... you get it. Shortly afterward, I learned about all the harmful chemicals that are commonly used to make candles, and it felt ridiculous for me to be focusing on bettering my health while breathing in harmful chemicals like phthalates, paraffins, and synthetic musks. When I realized that most people don't know about the toxic ingredients in candles, I decided to develop my own.
⁠⁠
My products are for anyone who wants to build self care routines with safe products. For anyone who needs a reminder to slow down, enjoy life off-screen, and listen to what their physical, emotional, mental, and soulful needs are.

Read Britt's Story

Value #1

Simple, clean, and sustainable products

We are thoughtful and intentional about our product line down to the ingredients and packaging.

Ingredients
Our fragrance blend is vegan and free from phthalates and synthetic musks. We use a blend of soy, coconut, and beeswax for our candles, all of which are safer alternatives to the cheaper, paraffin waxes used in other candles.

The rest of our ingredients are easy to pronounce, organic, and made from plants.

Packaging
Waste shouldn't be on the consumer. We'd rather focus on the quality of what's in our products while reducing what's on them. We take resposibility for our environmental impact by reducing the amount of packaging included in our orders. We choose recyclable paper materials over plastic, and reusable, glass bottles instead of plastic.

Blog: Choosing Natural Ingredients

gluten free zucchini yam fritters recipe

Value #2

Build Holistic Wellness

We know that wellness is more than just face masks and scented candles. Building a self care routine is a series of small, daily habits that support nourishment on a physical, emotional, and mental level.

We share simple, healthy recipes on our blog and use our Monthly Newsletter to share yoga playlists, thoughtful podcasts, book reviews, and other resources that we find helpful for carving out time away from screens.

Some of our newsletter content can be found on our Lifestyle Blog, but the newsletter is the best place to get updated.

Our Recipes

Value #3

Help others when and how we can

A portion of profits from our cookbooks and perfume are donated to support people recovering from trauma.

Helping others is at the heart of what we do. Whether it's through donations or sharing the holistic health resources through our blog and newsletter.

We donte products to charitable fundraisers, sobriety meetups, and other community events that align with our values.

Learn More

Behind our Name

Picot is my grandmother Marion's family name. It's also known as as small loops of twisted thread in lace or embroidery decorating the border of a fabric. Both my mother and grandmother love to knit, and naming my business after her represents familiarity, honouring, and coming together again.

Marion passed away from Alzheimers in November 2020, and her name for my business will always keep her spirit alive through sharing a love for comforting, handmade goods, caring for others, and delicious recipes.

FAQs

Where are your products made?

Our products are all hand made on Pender Island in BC, Canada.

Can I pick up my order?

Sorry, we don't have a pickup location. We closed our brick and mortar shop in 2017 and now offer everything online with free shipping!

How long does shipping take?

Not long at all! We ship all orders within 1-2 business days.

Can I refill my products?

We get this question a lot! We are working on a container exchange program. Stay tuned through our newsletter!

Community Cookbook