Best to the Nest with Margery & Elizabeth

EP. 516 Best to the Nest: Buy Once

We are passionate about becoming smart, thoughtful, and responsible consumers. This week we are chatting about the products we love, and we hope that our searches inspire you to find good companies run by good people. Here are just a few of the products and companies we love:

Vacuums https://www.riccar.com/

Tea Kettle https://aarke.us/

Rugs https://eastperry.com/

Snow Pants https://www.llbean.com/

Wooden Toys https://www.grimms.eu/

Loungewear https://aizome-textiles.com/

Also, our thanks to Dr. Senia Mae and the team at Healing Insight:

Go to http://healinginsightonline.com to find out more about the new Create Your Vitality Program. Check out the Pre-Black Friday offer –– $1,000 off Create Your Vitality, now through November 22. The offer will end on November 22. Lock in your spot now, enjoy the season, and start in January with a plan built for you.

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 515 Best to the Nest: Fertile Ground

We are so excited to be chatting with Nicki Balian from Healing Insight. Nicki is a licensed acupuncturist, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, yoga practioner, and a body worker, and she has all of these certifications, MaOM, LAc, FABORM, LMT. Yup. Nicki has seventeen years of experience including more than a decade of specializing in fertility, pregnancy, and reproductive health. She is one of only 9 practitioners in the State of Minnesota to hold a certification with the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (ABORM).

Also, thanks to the wonderful people who sponsor our little podcast:

Dr. Senia Mae and the team from Healing Insight. Please download her free guide: 3 Everyday Habits Burning You Out After 40, and How to Get Your Energy Back. http://healinginsightonline.com/energy

Minnesota Credit Union Network. Find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 514 Best to the Nest: Retreat Yourself

Yoga teacher and retreat leader Kelly Smith joins us to talk about retreats and how to find the right one for you.

You can find more about Kelly here:

https://www.instagram.com/yogaforyouonline/?hl=en

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindful-in-minutes-meditation/id1295718287

More about the Worthy & Well Retreat with Kelly and Elizabeth here:

https://www.wetravel.com/trips/worthy-well-wellness-retreat-kelly-smith-9937664575#about-this-trip

Use the code BESTOF200 for $200 off the retreat.

Also, thanks to the wonderful people who sponsor our little podcast:

Dr. Senia Mae and the team from Healing Insight. Please download her free guide: 3 Everyday Habits Burning You Out After 40, and How to Get Your Energy Back. http://healinginsightonline.com/energy

Minnesota Credit Union Network. Find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

Hennepin County One Million Trees Campaign. Find out more at http://hennepintrees.org.

And Schuler Shoes. Find out more at http://schulershoes.com

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 513 Best to the Nest: October 2026 WRL

Happy watching, reading, and listening!

Margery:

Watch: Ted Lasso on Apple

Read: The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald

Listen: Dan Fogelberg, Randy Newman, Supertramp

Eat: Breckenridge Honey Whiskey

Elizabeth:

Watch: The Gentlemen on Netflix

Read: Protocols by Andrew Huberman

Listen: Cozy Fall Instrumentals on Spotify

Eat: Egg Bakes

https://hometohomestead.com/2026/10/07/sweet-potato-sausage-feta-egg-bake/

Also, thanks to the kind people who sponsor our little podcast:

And Schuler Shoes. Find out more at http://schulershoes.com/

Hennepin County One Million Trees Campaign. Find out more at http://hennepintrees.org.

Dr. Senia Mae and the team from Healing Insight. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/.

Minnesota Credit Union Network. Find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 512 Best to the Nest: Cher Willems and The Elephant & Piggie Cookbook

Cher Willems and Mo Willems are the creators of The Elephant & Piggie Cookbook, We Really Like Cooking Slop! Cher is a writer, actor, producer, and pretty fun conversation partner. She drops lots of little gems in this episode.

Find her book here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/cher-willems/we-really-like-cooking-slop/9781454963196/

And find the Hidden Pigeon You Tube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb3Uve6PelFfxPKcXXH0C7g

Also, thanks to the wonderful people who sponsor our little podcast:

Dr. Senia Mae and the team from Healing Insight. Please download her free guide: 3 Everyday Habits Burning You Out After 40, and How to Get Your Energy Back. http://healinginsightonline.com/energy

Minnesota Credit Union Network. Find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

Hennepin County One Million Trees Campaign. Find out more at http://hennepintrees.org.

And Schuler Shoes. Find out more at http://schulershoes.com

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 511 Best to the Nest: Kids Sports Takeover

What the heck are we doing? For a bit of background, you can read this: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/business/youth-sports-private-equity.html. Or you can join us for a discussion of the crazy expensive world of kid’s sports. How much time and treasure are you willing to give up to build a star player?

Also, thanks to the wonderful people who sponsor our little podcast:

Dr. Senia Mae and the team from Healing Insight. Please download her free guide: 3 Everyday Habits Burning You Out After 40, and How to Get Your Energy Back. http://healinginsightonline.com/energy

Minnesota Credit Union Network. Find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

Hennepin County One Million Trees Campaign. Find out more at http://hennepintrees.org.

And Schuler Shoes. Find out more at http://schulershoes.com

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 510 Best to the Nest: September 2026 WRL

Happy watching, reading, and listening!

Margery:

Watch: Then Came You on Amazon Prime

Read: Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck

Listen: Harry Styles Together Together Tour

Eat: Chocolove Salted Peanut Butter Bars

Elizabeth:

Watch: Disney Nature Orangutan

Read: 1929:Inside the Greatest Crash In Wall Street History and How It Started a Nation by Andrew Ross Sorkin

Listen: Dinner Party by Niall Horan

Eat: Chia Seed Pudding from Emily Maxson

https://emilysfreshkitchen.com/coconut-yogurt-chia-pudding/

Also, thanks to the kind people who sponsor our little podcast:

Hennepin County One Million Trees Campaign. Find out more at http://hennepintrees.org.

Dr. Senia Mae and the team from Healing Insight. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/.

Minnesota Credit Union Network. Find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

And Schuler Shoes. Find out more at http://schulershoes.com

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 509 Best to the Nest: The Art of Frugal Hedonism Part 2

Amazing what a little book can do! The Art of Frugal Hedonism: A Guide to Spending Less While Enjoying Everything More is just the right book at the right time for us. Maybe it will be for you too. Read a free copy here: https://archive.org/details/artoffrugalhedon0000rase/page/14/mode/2up

Also, thank you to the fabulous people that support this podcast:

Dr. Senia Mae and the team from Healing Insight. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/.

Minnesota Credit Union Network. Find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

And Schuler Shoes. Find out more at http://schulershoes.com

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 508 Best to the Nest: The Art of Frugal Hedonism

Amazing what a little book can do! The Art of Frugal Hedonism: A Guide to Spending Less While Enjoying Everything More is the right book at the right time for us. Maybe it will be for you too.

Also, thank you to the fabulous people that support this podcast:

Dr. Senia Mae and the team from Healing Insight. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/.

Minnesota Credit Union Network. Find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

And Schuler Shoes. Find out more at http://schulershoes.com

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 507 Best to the Nest: Guilty Pleasures at the Minnesota State Fair

Thank you to all the Nester’s that braved the rain and met us out at the Minnesota State Fair. We are having the perfect conversation in the perfect place. What is your guilty pleasure?

Also, a BIG thanks to the kind people that support this podcast:

Minnesota Credit Union Network. You can find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

And Dr. Senia Mae from Healing Insight in St. Paul Minnesota. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/

And Schuler Shoes. Find out more at http://schulershoes.com

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 506 Best to the Nest: August 2026 WRL

Happy watching, reading, and listening!

Margery:

Watch: Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Amazon Prime

Read: Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

Listen: The Greatest Showman with Hugh Jackman and Right on Time by Truman Sinclair

Eat: Greek yogurt with chia and flax seeds, goji berries, and pumpkin seeds

Elizabeth:

Watch: The Five Star Weekend on Peacock

Read: Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy by Elizabeth Beller

Listen: The Wise Traditions Podcast with guest Michel May from Aizome

Eat: Chocolove Salted Peanut Butter Bars

Also, thanks to the kind people who sponsor our little podcast:

Dr. Senia Mae and Healing Insight based in St. Paul Minnesota. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/

And Minnesota Credit Union Network. You can find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 505 Best to the Nest: Nicole Kidman’s Face: Art or Artifice

We are doing a quick follow-up to last week’s conversation about Instagram Face by discussing Nicole Kidman’s cover turn for the September issue of British Vogue. We think we may have made a cultural breakthrough.

ALSO, please come hang out with us at the Minnesota State Fair. We will be recording the podcast in front of an audience (YOU) at 10:15 to 11:00 AM at Dan Patch Park on August 29th.

Also, a BIG thanks to the kind people that support this podcast:

Minnesota Credit Union Network. You can find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

And Dr. Senia Mae from Healing Insight in St. Paul Minnesota. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 504 Best to the Nest: Instagram Face

We are inspired this week by Jia Tolentino’s essay in The New Yorker, “Our Plastic-Surgery Nightmare.” https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/our-plastic-surgery-nightmare What is beauty when it is defined by an algorithm? So much to unpack. Never hesitate to join the conversation.

Thank you to the kind people that support this podcast:

The Environmental Center in Ramsey County MN. Find out more at http://ramseyrecycles.com/EC.

Minnesota Credit Union Network. Find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

Healing Insight is based in St. Paul Minnesota. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 503 Best to the Nest: Summertime Memories

Is it too soon to tell stories about the Summer of 2026? We don’t think so. Here are some good storytelling prompts:

Describe your…

Best day of the summer

Best meal of the summer

Best taste of the summer

Best read of the summer

Best movie of the summer

Best friend memory of the summer

Best laugh of the summer

Best party of the summer

Best find of the summer

Best sports memory of the summer

Best quote of the summer

Also, big thanks to the kind people who sponsor our little podcast:

Minnesota Credit Union Network –– local financial institutions helping real Minnesotans save money and build a future that actually seems attainable. Find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/.

And The Environmental Center in Ramsey County MN. It’s wonderful. Find out more at http://ramseyrecycles.com/EC.

Founded by Dr. Senia Mae, Healing Insight is based in St. Paul Minnesota. New patients receive $200 off a Women’s Health Acupuncture package when you mention Best to the Nest. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 502 Best to the Nest: July 2026 WRL

Happy watching, reading, and listening!

Margery:

Watch: Toast on Amazon Prime

Read: On the Calculation of Volume 1 by Solvej Balle

Listen: How Great Thou Art by Harry Connick, Carrie Underwood

Eat: Old Fashioned and Pub Pretzels

Elizabeth:

Watch: Clarkson’s Farm Season 5 Amazon Prime

Read: The Moon Tavern by Kurt Johnson and Stephanie Hanson

https://www.stephaniesdish.com/cookbooks/

Listen: The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

Eat: Potato Salad

https://hometohomestead.com/2026/07/22/herby-potato-salad/

Also, thanks to the kind people who sponsor our little podcast:

Founded by Dr. Senia Mae, Healing Insight is based in St. Paul Minnesota. New patients receive $200 off a Women’s Health Acupuncture package when you mention Best to the Nest. Find out more at

https://healinginsightonline.com/

And Minnesota Credit Union Network –– local financial institutions helping real Minnesotans save money and build a future that actually seems attainable. Find out more at http://acreditunionthing.org/

And The Environmental Center in Ramsey County MN. It’s wonderful. Find out more at http://ramseyrecycles.com/EC

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 501 Best to the Nest: Just Laugh

Take a listen back with us as we remember some of our favorite episodes. Elizabeth’s choices this week:

EP. 427, 428, 429: Best to the Nest: Find Your Farmer (2025)

EP. 165 Best to the Nest: Baby Talk (2020)

EP. 439 Best to the Nest: Consider the Monastery (2024)

EP. 420 and 421 Best to the Nest: Find a Bolthole (2025)

EP. 20: Best to the Nest: Cooping with Elizabeth (2019)

A BIG thanks to our 501st episode podcast sponsors:

Founded by Dr. Senia Mae, Healing Insight is based in St. Paul Minnesota. New patients receive $200 off a Women’s Health Acupuncture package when you mention Best to the Nest. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/

And Minnesota Credit Union Network –– local financial institutions helping real Minnesotans save money and build a future that actually seems attainable.

And The Environmental Center in Ramsey County MN. It’s wonderful. Find out more at http://ramseyrecycles.com/EC.

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 500 Best to the Nest: Just Breathe

Take a look back with us as we remember some of our favorite episodes. It has taken us 500 episodes, but this time, we have perfected the laugh/cry.

Our special guests:

Ep. 24 Best to the Nest: Be Kind with Joan Steffend (2019)

EP. 34 Best to the Nest: Three Words with Stephanie March (2019)

EP. 109 Best to the Nest: Home Is Where the Kitchen Is with Amy Thielen (2019)

Ep. 117 Best to the Nest: Finding Faith with Ian Punnett (2020)

A BIG thanks to our 500th episode podcast sponsors:

Healing Insight is based in St. Paul Minnesota. New patients receive $200 off a Women’s Health Acupuncture package when you mention Best to the Nest. Find out more at

https://healinginsightonline.com/

And Minnesota Credit Union Network –– local financial institutions helping real Minnesotans save money and build a future that actually seems attainable.

And The Environmental Center in Ramsey County MN. It’s wonderful. Find out more at http://ramseyrecycles.com/EC.

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 499 Best to the Nest: We Are Energy

Who knew we could get this excited about mitochondria? They are the organelles in the cells that may be responsible for, well, everything. We’ll explain, as we do, with a couple of digressions.

The Diary of a CEO with The Mitochondria Scientist Dr Martin Picard is the podcast we mention.

A BIG thank you to our podcast sponsor:

Healing Insight.

Founded by Dr. Senia Mae, Healing Insight is based in St. Paul Minnesota. Healing Insight is a sanctuary for women seeking answers beyond conventional medicine. New patients receive $200 off a Women’s Health Acupuncture package when you mention Best to the Nest. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 498 Best to the Nest: Lessons from the Garden

We’re having a good chat about gardens. They’re magic, really. So hang with us a bit and enjoy joy. Here are the book recommendations:

Small Scale Homesteading https://a.co/d/0jebx76k

Plant, Grow, Harvest, Repeat https://a.co/d/0fSKTPvD

We always like to give a BIG thank you to our podcast sponsors.

Schuler Shoes.

There is nothing better than a pretty dress! You can find the perfect shoes to complete the look at any one of the ten Schuler Shoes locations in Minnesota or shop online at https://www.schulershoes.com/

Healing Insight.

Founded by Dr. Senia Mae, Healing Insight is based in St. Paul Minnesota. Healing Insight is a sanctuary for women seeking answers beyond conventional medicine. New patients receive $200 off a Women’s Health Acupuncture package when you mention Best to the Nest. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP. 497 Best to the Nest: Good Neighbors

We’re diving into the book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert Putnam. Stay until the end. Elizabeth shares the solution.

As always, thank you to our sponsors:

Healing Insight.

Founded by Dr. Senia Mae, Healing Insight is based in St. Paul Minnesota. Healing Insight is a sanctuary for women seeking answers beyond conventional medicine. New patients receive $200 off a Women’s Health Acupuncture package when you mention Best to the Nest. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/

Schuler Shoes.

It’s all about sandals at Schuler Shoes. Buy 1 pair of sandals, save 10 dollars. Buy 2, save 30 dollars. Buy 3, save 60 dollars until June 28th. Birkenstocks, Hoka, and Ugg excluded. Find out more at schulershoes.com.

Hennepin County Trees.

Hennepin County has set a goal of one million trees planted by 2030. And we’re half way there. 500,000 trees planted. You can help plant 500,000 more. Planting a tree is as easy as 1, 2, Tree. Pick the right tree, plant it, and take care of it. Find out more at http://hennepintrees.org/.

Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest

Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.