Our Story
Hi there!
I’m Melanie
Founder of KANDgoods, nurse practitioner, mom of two, and backyard herbalist.
Our story started when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. That journey led us to grow our own food, raise chickens, and explore natural healing — right in our suburban backyard. What began as homemade holiday gifts turned into something much bigger: a line of herbal therapies and wellness products made with love, intention, and plants I grow myself.
At KANDgoods, you’ll find small-batch, hand-crafted remedies that support the body and soul — teas, tinctures, salves, and more — all rooted in the belief that healing starts at home.
Our name is a tribute to our sons: Kevin Anthony and Nathan Domenik — K.A.N.D. — who also help with the garden and naming the goodies!
Come say hi, smell the herbs, and let’s talk about how nature can help support your wellness journey.
Items we sell/provide:
- Custom made herbal tea blends and therapies
- Pre-made herbal tea blends and therapies
- Fresh ground flour (gluten and non-gluten)
- Homemade Apple Scrap Cider Vinegar
- Fire Cider
- Elderberry Syrups
- Dried Fruits
- Honey
The Origin Story
Much like my herbal therapies and product offerings, KANDgoods has been a homegrown labor of love. The story begins with my husband, Tony.
Tony was first diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2021, just before the birth of our second son, Nathan. With surgery and faith, he was cured, and we gratefully returned to our normal life. But as the saying goes, “Man plans, God laughs.” In 2023, the cancer returned — this time at Stage IV, with less than a 5% chance of reoccurrence from his original Stage I diagnosis.
Looking back, we began to question everything, especially what we were putting into our bodies. Determined to take control of what we could, I started a garden, brought in chickens, invested in a flour grinder — and soon our suburban homestead was thriving. The harvest became homemade Christmas gifts for our family, and the joy those simple, thoughtful items brought was undeniable.
Encouraged by their response and driven by a desire to share, I felt called to bring this lifestyle and these gifts to my community. As Tony's treatments continued, we explored holistic options and functional medicine — and while he still has cancer, he is in the best physical shape of his life. His curiosity sparked my own.
As an oncology nurse practitioner by trade, I have deep respect for the role of allopathic medicine. But this journey opened my eyes to the power of integrative, holistic healing. I began growing and cultivating my own herbs, and from that, KANDgoods was born.
Named after our sons — Kevin Anthony and Nathan Domenik — who even helped name some of our products, KANDgoods is more than a business. It’s a reflection of our journey, our healing, and our hope.