In her early childhood Rachael Rapinoe suffered from anxiety and panic attacks. Her mental distress was later compounded by physical pain and injuries she endured in her collegiate and professional soccer career. Having a family history of undiagnosed mental illness and addiction, Rachael was determined to find a natural remedy for her physical, mental and emotional challenges. That’s when she discovered the medicinal benefits of hemp-derived CBD (a non-impairing derivative of the cannabis plant), and a new passion for helping others like herself stay balanced, naturally. Rachael set out to design plant-powered CBD products that would be more widely accessible, approachable and trusted– thus, Mendi CBD Solutions was born. In the beginning, Mendi focused on creating products for elite female athletes to feel their best and manage pain naturally. However, recognizing a growing demand in the market, Rachael expanded the brand focus to include all people with active lifestyles who want to improve their quality of life in the most natural way possible.

Dean Foor, owner of Entangled Biome in Eugene, has used his background in environmental engineering and fermentation science to good effect in creating SweeTinctures, an innovative line of probiotic-rich fermented hemp tinctures. These tinctures, available at Market of Choice, combine botanicals, adaptogens and mushrooms in a water-soluble metabolite form, easy to take with long-lasting effectiveness. Available in six varieties, SweeTinctures are made with ingredients from certified organic sources and in some cases are certified biodynamic, too. Elevate + Empower includes ashwagandha and red ginseng; Energy + Immunity features adaptogens; Belly + Brain relies on turmeric, ginger and black pepper; Helping Hand features aged, fermented hemp; Calm + Focus includes lion’s mane mushroom; and Rest + Renew features adaptogenic mushrooms and herbs. All are alcohol free.