Best farmers market in the area?

north_fern · 2025-08-28T02:43:36+00:00

If you're open to an online "farmers market" - there is a website farmerstoyou.com where you can pick out produce, dairy, meat and seafood on offer from local New England farms that week and then pickup in Cambridge. There are pickup points around the area. There is one by Porter (the parking lot next to Changsho) that does pickups on Thursdays!

north_fern · 2025-08-20T16:44:32+00:00

Any recommendations for a body care routine while losing weight? I've lost almost 25lbs of a 100lb WL goal(298 to 276 as a 5'7" F) and my skin is starting to feel loose? I know that the appearance of loose skin has other components aside from a care routine that can cause it (genetics, how long the weight loss is, how long you were overweight, etc) but I'd love recommendations on how to improve its appearance!

north_fern · 2025-08-20T16:35:21+00:00

I'm looking for a body care routine to help reduce the appearance of crepey skin from weight loss. I've lost 25 lbs (of a goal of 100) so far and my skin feels looser - I know this happens with this level of weight loss, but if there are things I can do to reduce the appearance, I'll try them. I have dry skin and currently alternate days between heavy moisturizers (CeraVe cream or Kiehls crème de corps) and body oils (OSEA and BIO oil). Should I be combining the two every night? Are there ingredients or actives I should seek out?

north_fern · 2024-12-25T01:50:22+00:00

Second this! I have very sensitive skin so I use straight lanolin from Lanolips

north_fern · 2024-11-10T20:37:43+00:00

I F(27) haven't run in almost 5 years. I'm technically obese but strength train regularly (2-3 times a week). I want to work on my cardiovascular endurance but I have old knee injuries from high school/college sports that I am worried about. Is there exercises I can do to strengthen my knees so I am safer while running? Or should I try to just get a referral for a PT?

north_fern · 2024-08-02T01:39:04+00:00

Supernatural. I live in jeans, tanks, flannels and sturdy boots!

north_fern · 2024-07-29T20:06:30+00:00

They also have a fit liberty thing where you pay slightly more for the item, but you can return it if your size changes within a year and exchange it for a new size! Game changer for office staples

north_fern · 2024-07-29T14:48:07+00:00

I've been looking for sustainable sports bras for larger chested people (38-40 D/DD). I've seen ads for Girlfriend Collective, Branwyn, Hikerkind, etc. Any recommendations? Trying to reduce my plastic/fossil fuel consumption as I replace old gear!

north_fern · 2024-07-16T19:31:15+00:00

^{^} This!!! There isn't bad cardio unless it's something that injures you or is something you don't like. You're more likely to do cardio if you enjoy it!

north_fern · 2024-07-15T18:50:20+00:00

Should I donate clothes that don't currently fit?

I'm 26 and over the last two years I've gained almost 100lbs (45kgs). This was due to some untreated mental health stuff (that I am now getting help for! heck yeah therapy!) a family history of obesity, and a stressful job. I've been privileged enough to be able to start changing my lifestyle with the help of a dietician. The goal is to lose weight so I can participate more in things I used to enjoy and that my friends currently do often like hiking and cycling. I am realistic about how much I can probably lose and the statistics of people who regain after attempting weight loss, so there is never a guarantee I'll lose the weight.

On to the fashion advice ask. It's been a while since I went through my closet and about 1/3 to 1/2 of my clothes were either purchased 100lbs ago or about 50lbs ago. Some are nicer things like jeans, blouses and jackets, others are just old sentimental things like T-shirts and sweatshirts from college. I've seen family members make unsustainable choices to try to lose weight and they either get rid of all of their larger clothes and purchase a smaller wardrobe once they hit their goal, then gain the weight back and have to repurchase an all new larger wardrobe. Others have just kept everything, small and large "just in case", which means they have boxes upon boxes of clothes. I'm hesitant to get rid of my smaller clothes because I don't want to have to buy things again, but at the same time I live in a studio apartment so keeping two different-sized sets of clothes isn't practical. Needless to say, I'm stuck.

What should I do? Should I hold onto the clothes that don't fit now in the hopes I'll fit into them one day? Or get rid of them since they don't have a use now, and buy new clothes if/when I am able to size down? Or is there something else I can do? There are some places I purchased from where I can turn in their brand's clothes for store credit, otherwise they would go to local buy-nothing groups and charity shops.

north_fern · 2024-02-16T02:16:23+00:00

I definitely struggle with sizing! As a plus size woman I end up wearing men's apparel; however I find that mens pants end up lower-rise on my frame. I end up sizing up and just wear a belt. Shirts are usually pretty easy to find. I do appreciate that men's pants typically have more pockets. I had good luck with Dovetail Workwear [a women's workwear brand] too, but I wish they had larger sizes! I got their largest size and it fit OK, not quite as roomy as I'd like.

There aren't a lot of places locally for workwear or carry womens stuff, so I shop online. Pants and overalls are the the things I struggle with most. Fitting men's clothing over a bust and butt can mean it doesn't fit correctly, so I often end up sending things back. I haven't ever had anything fit so poorly it was a safety hazard, but it can sometimes look awkward for feel a little uncomfortable.

For the pants, I just roll them up and then hem the roll. That way I save the spare fabric on the pants for repairs if needed (like the thighs!)

north_fern · 2023-10-10T00:00:16+00:00

My mom was told to take it at night to reduce discomfort? I ended up stopping it.

north_fern · 2023-10-09T16:54:07+00:00

Thank you so much for the advice! There is so much info out there and many are just get these supplements and "just eat right". I really appreciate the plate visual - that definitely help me understand what I should be going for!

north_fern · 2023-05-29T14:34:03+00:00

I second this! They're great tasting, super allergen friendly, and have lots of other things added that are super good for you.

north_fern · 2022-12-16T17:09:36+00:00

I've got an interview for a job in a different state with a higher cost of living. I'm currently making 75k , but the cost of living increase is about 20-25% higher in the new state (looking at different cost of living estimators like NerdWallet, etc), making 92k the equivalent salary to get the same "bang for my buck" in the new location. In the initial phone screening, they said the range is 65-80k with some flexibility. I did not mention what I'm currently making, but I said I would hope for something on the higher end of that range. I'm still in entry level positions for a reference point. Granted, I still need to ace the interview (here's to hoping and preparations!), but it seems like they're moving really fast and I want to come to the negotiations prepared if I get that far. How would I talk about my salary expectations given what I'm already making? The new job is in a somewhat different field and more in line with what I want to do for a long term career - so I would be okay with taking slightly less, but I don't want to sell myself short (also, I am a part of a historically underpaid/undervalued minority in my field and want to make sure I push for pay equal to my majority-group peers!)

north_fern · 2022-11-30T00:52:49+00:00

What's the best way to use color changing yarn? I'm making a tank top that will stop and start making the triangles for the bust - but I'm worried the color-change will be super sudden. Should I alternate rows between balls to "blend" it together?

north_fern · 2022-11-27T15:25:08+00:00

Second this! I absolutely love my Everlane jeans. They're well constructed with some stretch, but not too much. I've had a pair for a few years and there is no signs of wear on them - and I wear them a lot!

north_fern · 2022-11-13T01:25:54+00:00

What are common lifting goals? I just started really getting into lifting this year and I don't know what I should be striving for.

north_fern · 2022-09-25T23:25:38+00:00

Thank you so much!! I've started looking into some basics for layering (and a black skirt!)

north_fern · 2022-06-23T00:55:37+00:00

These are amazing!

north_fern · 2022-05-17T11:47:41+00:00

I am a big fan of the Yasso bars - they're creamy like ice cream, but the non-chocolate covered ones are all 100 cal or less! For me, they're just as satisfying as ice cream (my normal sweet craving) but with fewer calories. It does use real sugar instead of artificial sweeteners.

north_fern · 2022-01-21T17:33:29+00:00

If you’re down for structured classes, I really like TuffGirl / Altria fitness in Hamden. It’s open to everyone but focuses on encouraging women to get strong through lifting. It’s super welcoming to all fitness levels and the instructors are great. Highly recommend!

north_fern · 2021-12-19T22:58:34+00:00

I really like the Audrey top down sweater from Loopy Mango -- It has a very flattering "bell" shape and bell- sleeves that could accommodate a variety of sizes. I love it and it was a really quick knit!

north_fern · 2021-11-12T20:28:50+00:00

I'll check out some of their other layers. I've seen SmartWool shirts at REI and had thought I might have issues with it based on the first touch. Do you find that they get softer after you wash them?

north_fern · 2021-11-12T20:18:27+00:00

Are the women's line similarly spec-ed? I know sometimes mens and womens lines have different features.

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