I AM Modern Magazine for Moms

What do you get when you have a Greek and a Romanian in a room? Other than fireworks, you get alchemy. Not gold exactly. You get a garden. A great marriage. A farm. Cosmetics. Scone mixes. You have to wonder what on earth we are talking about. We will start at the beginning

Peter and Sarah Roussos met over 30 years ago and although it wasn’t love at first sight, they quickly found their common European heritage and aspirations for the future a bond that brought them closer. They went to school together and no matter how hard they fought it, Cupid’s arrow found its way to them. They married shortly after leaving their teen years behind.

Their golden dream for the future was to one day move to the country and own a farm. After 30 years of working, loving each other, raising a wonderful son, they did just that. They planted the first seeds of what was to become a new supplier for the Whole Foods Supermarket chain--the Green Alchemy Herb & Mercantile Company.

Three years ago they started with a few beds of herbs and quickly evolved into supplying fresh herbs to local restaurants and farmers markets. The Roussos take extreme pride in their traditional planting techniques and the fact their farming is eco-friendly and green. They use traditional 2:1 foot method to plant their plants, meaning they dig 2 feet down, plant and fill for 1 foot, a technique that utilizes the least amount of water. A bonus with the drought in Loudoun and it is no surprise to hear, they were not affected.

When the demand grew, they increased production, and with the increase came surpluses. One surplus they experienced was with lavendar. What do you do with fresh lavender? You can dry it, of course, or use it to blend teas and cosmetics. Which is exactly what they did next. They mixed, blended, mixed again until they found fantastic recipes for relief and relaxation. They even offered consumers a chance to have private blending sessions for specific needs, such as puffy tired eyes and remedies for sleepless nights that are safe even for babies.

They created a complete line of fragrant and luxury spa products and were even given a chance to serve the buyers of Whole Foods their special blend teas. The tasters loved it and the supermarkets now carry the line of products in their stores.

Sarah and Peter still deliver herbs and blends to local restaurants, but their special offering is a tea tasting that is served with a five-course meal in their lovely home. A home that is designed and built for doing what they love and live to do.

Is there anything this vibrant and loving couple will not do? We are simply grateful it is all made in Loudoun.

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