What is Agni? 

Agni the word, pronounced, ag (rhymes with “jog”) -nee, means “digestive fire” in Sanskrit. It’s the process by which the foods we eat are broken down into the nutrients that sustain us. You could think of it like an ancient word for “microbiome.” In Ayurveda, Agni is considered vitally important to health — something to always be mindful of and attentive to. It is a concept particularly attuned to the idea that even more than what we eat, we are what we digest.

Agni the company is a movement that strives to help empower you to eat and digest nutrients that support healing and balance for whatever life sends your way. Whether that’s caring for a newborn baby, dealing with painful periods, improving gut health or getting regular, restful sleep, we’re here for you.

Why did you create food products by life moment?

There is an amazing body of research from experts across a number of medical specialties pointing to the capacity of specific nutrition protocols — eating a specific way — to support specific illness, imbalances, and transitions. For example, flax seed has been shown to reduce self-reported symptoms of PMS and improve hormone balance in women after just one ovulation cycle. Eating certain foods has been shown to support cognition and memory and even reverse cognitive decline. There are even foods out there (known as galactagogues) that can help nursing moms produce breast milk as quickly as … overnight!

And yet this information is hard to come by as Western Medicine doctors don’t typically study nutrition in school. In addition, once we are feeling off, it can be even harder to navigate what to eat to feel better as we are spending so much mental energy just trying to feel better. We wanted to make this information — what to eat for when — accessible, easy to act on, and super tasty. 

How can food help me to feel better? 

At their root, many health ailments are caused by an imbalance in the body — too much of some things and/or not enough of others. This imbalance often takes the form of nutrient deficiency. There are so many reasons our bodies could be nutrient deficient — from regularly ingesting processed foods to overtaxed soil that often results in nutrient-sparse crops. For example, a carrot grown in 1982 had far more nutrients than a carrot grown today. So even when we are “being good” and eating plenty of fruits and veggies, we may fall short of key nutrients like magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, selenium, etc. As a result, our immune and endocrine systems suffer and fail to produce the antibodies or hormones they used to. And so we get sick. We experience headaches, painful PMS, or recurring colds. 

What ails us becomes the clue to how the body is imbalanced, which can ultimately become our key to feeling better. At Agni, we take these clues and turn them into delicious, healing foods.

We don’t believe food is a replacement for working with a skilled health provider that you trust and connect with. We believe food is one supportive piece of the puzzle, and it can be incredibly empowering to include as part of any recovery or re-balancing process.

Why do you have a Medical Advisory Board?

There are many healing traditions that historically haven’t worked very closely together. Sometimes it’s because they were developed at different times in different cultures and didn’t have a chance to coexist, other times it’s because there was a mutual lack of understanding. Because of this, they’ve stayed relatively siloed. These disciplines include Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Herbalism, Ayurveda, and many more. 

Increasingly, modern research is finding that some or many of the remedies in each tradition have incredible potency. Western Medicine is becoming much more inclusive of ideas and prescriptions from these other traditions, combining tools and techniques in a form called “Integrative Medicine.” (If you’re curious to read more about Integrative Medicine check out this interview with Dr. Eve Henry, an expert in Integrative Medicine who sits on our Medical Advisory Board). 

Because each discipline has plenty to say about what types of foods and herbs can be used to support us through various times in life, we wanted to be sure to incorporate the best (most verified and accepted) wisdom and information from each field. We’re delighted to find that more often than not, these disciplines often point to the same solutions for various ailments or transitions. We think that’s pretty awesome: that even if for different reasons, people in China 3,000 years ago as well as a modern researcher in the United States both conclude that seaweed is a fantastic food for postpartum women to consume to support their unique health needs.

Working with experts across disciplines is part of our commitment to making every product as effective as it is delicious. You can learn more about our Medical Advisory Board here.

What types of ingredients are in your products?

We only use the best available, whole ingredients and leave out anything unnecessary. We never use nuts, dairy, gluten, soy, or ingredients that have been genetically engineered, though our production facilities sometimes do. Even the brewer's yeast we use in the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie is gluten-free. How? Brewer’s yeast is typically grown on barley and therefore contains trace amounts of gluten, but we use a brewer’s yeast that is grown on beets. We also always choose organic when that's an option. We only let you taste things that we're obsessed with ourselves, and we hope you love them as much as we do. If you have questions about our ingredients, please reach out to us at support@agniforall.com.

Are your products certified organic?

Our cookies and teas are USDA organic certified. 50% of the ingredients in our seasonings are certified organic and we are working on getting that number to 100%.

Are your products gluten-free?

All of our products are free of gluten. For our Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, we source a special type of Brewer’s Yeast (usually grown on wheat) that has been grown on beets to ensure there are no trace elements of gluten for anyone who is sensitive or intolerant to gluten. 

Are your products allergen-free?

All of our products are free from the most common allergens, including milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy. Our cookies are packaged in a facility that handles tree nuts. 

Are your products non-GMO?

All of our products are made with non-GMO ingredients. We strive to never use any ingredient that has been genetically modified. 

Are your products vegan?

All of our products are 100% vegan. We do not use any animal-derived ingredients, such as milk, eggs, or whey protein in our products. 

Why do you use coconut sugar in some of your products?

Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener made from drying the sap of the coconut palm and grinding it into crystals. We love it because it has a much lower glycemic index than cane sugar (35 vs. 50) and includes micronutrients (including potassium, magnesium, and zinc) that support hydration, digestion, and other vital functions. We prefer using coconut sugar to any artificial or refined sweeteners, and think that balanced sweetness makes certain foods taste awesome. When things taste good, they make us feel good which is also important for our health. 

Are your products perishable?

All of our products are shelf stable. To maximize shelf life and quality, please store our products in a dark, cool place. The cookies taste freshest if enjoyed within six weeks of purchase. They have a safe shelf life of one year, but they’ll probably disappear long before then :) 

Do you complete clinical trials on your products before releasing them?

We are very passionate about getting people access to nutrient-dense foods that can support them through life moments. We are also grateful that our society already has a wealth of insight and research around science-backed foods that can help specific recovery processes. We’re starting by tapping into these existing studies (and experts) so that we can get these foods out into the world. Over time, we’re excited to gather enough resources to complete trials of our own. For now, here’s a little more detail about how we ensure we (and our Medical Advisory Board) feel great about recommending everything we create:

(1) When we create products, we select ingredients that have already been studied and have demonstrated efficacy for the desired use case. For example, flax seeds have been shown to support healthy menstrual cycles. In this case, the study on a food's efficacy has already been completed on our behalf.

(2) There is significantly less research completed on whole food ingredients as well as a lack of research studying women’s health needs. While the scientific community catches up on both fronts, we turn to biochemistry and physiology to understand the impacts of certain compounds and ingredients on our bodies. This means understanding a certain truth or pathway in the body and how a substance reliably interacts with it. For example, it is known that a category of foods called galactagogues (these include oats, flax, brewer’s yeast, fennel, and fenugreek) reliably stimulate prolactin and positively impact breast milk supply.

Are your product safe to consume during pregnancy?

Our Medical Advisors have stated that all of our products are safe for pregnant women (our CEO & Co-founder Astrid recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and often consumed Agni foods and teas during her pregnancy!). 

The two ingredients we highlight when discussing/recommending these products to pregnant women are ashwagandha and shatavari (in the Tulsi Cinnamon Tea & in the Double Chocolate Chip Cookies). There are extremely limited studies on (1) pregnant women and (2) herbs, so it is possible to come across statements online like "there is no evidence that ashwagandha/shatavari is safe for pregnant women" when in reality, no clinical trials exist. Both of these herbs have a long history of consumption by pregnant women across the world for millennia. That said, we would encourage you, as with any product, to do what feels best for your body. 

We will be coming out with a Prenatal Box in 2022 specifically tailored for pregnancy, but in the interim we highly recommend the Cinnamon Maca and Sesame Nori seasonings. They’re a great way to boost micronutrients in any meal made at home!

Is your packaging eco-friendly?

This is incredibly important to us, and we spent a lot of time and treasure searching for the most sustainable packaging possible. We also did our very best to source all of our materials — from ingredients to packaging — from the United States and specifically from the west coast so that we could minimize the carbon required to transport and produce our products. The cookie tubes are compostable and the inner bag is recyclable. Please dispose of accordingly. If your city doesn’t collect compost, you could consider starting your own in your backyard with a backyard compost tumbler. If you don’t have a yard or if this is too challenging for you at the moment, you can put it in the trash and it will degrade in landfill, though over a much longer period of time. Thank you for helping us to care for our one and only earth!

How do you source ingredients?

All of our products are made in the United States, and our ingredients are sourced from partners we trust that use practices that are conscious of human and environmental health. When possible, we prioritize sourcing locally from near our manufacturing facilities located in the United States. Some specialty herbs are not yet grown here organically and/or in sufficient quantities, so in some cases we source from abroad. We require all of our suppliers to have strong food and safety best practices and certifications in place.

Where do you ship?

We ship anywhere in the world where mail is received. 

When will my order be delivered?

All orders will ship within 1 business day. Domestic orders (in the United States) usually take 1-5 business days, from time of shipment, to arrive with standard shipping. You can select your preferred shipping method at checkout.

Please note that we cannot alter or cancel an order once it has left our facilities. To adjust your shipping details after this point, please contact the carrier directly. 

*Note that because of COVID-19, all major carriers are experiencing surges in package volume and reduction in staff. As a result, they are not scanning all packages in real time. Your tracking information may show that your package has not left a warehouse or made much progress, even though it is likely well on its way to you!

Orders to military bases within and outside the US may experience an additional delay in shipping. International orders can take anywhere between 7-21 days to arrive, and you will receive two tracking numbers. One (a DHL number) will be active until the package reaches the destination country, and the second will allow you to track the package once it's within the destination country. If you do not receive a second tracking number, please contact us at support@agniforall.com, and we will send this to you as soon as possible.

A package is considered lost after 15 business days for US orders and 21 business days for international orders. If your package has not arrived after this time period has lapsed, please contact us for support at support@agniforall.com.

How do I check the status of my order?

You will receive an automatic email with tracking information once your order ships (if you don’t see it right away search your inbox for “Agni”). You can also access your tracking information and order history via agniforall.com after logging into your account. For additional help tracking your shipment, email support@agniforall.com with your order number. We’ll get back to you in one business day.

What is your return policy?

We want you to be happy with your purchase. Although we cannot take any opened product back, we are happy to provide a refund for any product that you’re not satisfied with for up to 30 days after purchase. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@agniforall.com.

How do subscriptions work?

You can choose to subscribe to any of our products or collections of products. You can also choose your subscription frequency to receive products every 1-6 weeks. You can edit your subscription any time, and we always remind you about this a couple days before any renewal order processes.

When will I receive my box each month?

Your products will ship on the same day of the week or month that you initially started the subscription. For example, if you subscribe to the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and the Sesame Nori Seasoning every two weeks starting on a Wednesday and you receive those products by Friday, you will receive those products every second Friday (unless there is a federal holiday that delays shipment) unless you modify or cancel your subscription. 

Can I delay my next delivery?

In your account on agniprovisions.com you have the option to delay your next delivery. You can find this by signing in and clicking into Your Plan while logged into our site, and then clicking the Edit Date button and then the Delay button on whichever subscription you'd like to delay. If you have an order that just processed or is in transit, any changes you make will be applied to your next, unprocessed order. 

How do I cancel my subscription?

To cancel any of your Agni subscriptions, ensure you do so at least 5 days before your next processing date:

Log in to your Agni account with your username and password. If you have a subscription and have not created an account yet, you can create an account using the same email address you used to place your subscription order. Once you're logged in, under “Manage Subscriptions” in your account, you will be able to fully manage all of your subscription settings — from skipping a single delivery to pausing your subscription to changing your delivery address.

To re-activate a subscription you’ve previously canceled, select Reactivate.  

I’m moving. How do I change my subscription to my new address?

You can update your shipping and billing address at any time by signing into your account, selecting “Manage Subscription,” and clicking into “Address and shipping information.” 

If you do not have an Agni account, Check your inbox for an invitation to create an account from Agni. If you can’t find one, email support@agniforall.com and we’ll resend it to you. Once you create an account, you can manage your subscription at any time by logging into your Agni account and selecting the "Manage Subscriptions" tab on your account page. Heads up -- if you're accessing your account on mobile, you'll need to flip the phone sideways to landscape mode to see this tab (we're working to optimize our web page for mobile!).

How do I create an Agni account? What can I access from my Agni account?

Visit https://agniforall.com/account/register. By creating an account, you can see your order history, manage your subscriptions and orders, and update your personal information. You can also sign in to your account when making future purchases to save time, and refer friends to Agni to save money on future orders. If you haven’t set up your account yet, we encourage you to do so!

How do I reset my password?

Visit https://agniforall.com/account/login?return_url=%2Faccount and click Forgot Password. 

Is there a way to retake the quiz?

Yes! You can navigate to https://hello809420.typeform.com/to/uTJedn and take the quiz as many times as you’d like. Each result will end up in your inbox with a date and time stamp so that you know exactly when you took it. 

Can I add your products to my Babylist or another registry I’ve created?

Absolutely! Visit here for instructions on how to add the Babylist to your browser bookmark button. Also, you can use chrome extension to add products from other sites you’re perusing.

Who are you? And how did you meet?

Hi! We’re Astrid and Mir. We met through a mutual friend who was probably tired of hearing us talk about how the world needed more healing foods and told us to talk to each other about it. Our first phone call ended abruptly after 60 seconds when Astrid looked up at the ceiling of her then office (which also happened to be her living room) and noticed a massive leak. Our second call went much more smoothly, and by the end, we had a strong feeling that we’d be working together sooner rather than later. Fourteen very full months later, here are the fruits of those initial conversations (and many years of thinking and reading and talking about food and healing on each of our parts). 

What’s your favorite Agni product, present and future? 

Astrid: Current favorite? Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. I mean, come on. It’s a healthy cookie that hits the spot and has yet to make me feel sick, no matter how many I eat in a row. I can claim that I personally “taste test for quality assurance”! Future favorite is definitely going to be the tart cherry ginger shrub for restful sleep. If you haven’t tried shrub yet, wait until ours comes out. It’s magical. 

Mir: Sesame Nori Seasoning, because I can put it on pretty much anything and everything! I have yet to find a savory meal that isn’t made tastier with it… >.< But some of my favorite uses are sprinkling it over rice, eggs, and any roasted or steamed veggies. For a future favorite, I’m REALLY excited about our Peppermint Chasteberry tea because it’s so refreshing. I love starting off my day with a tea like that.

What is your favorite meal to eat that feels healing for you?

Astrid: Soups and stews loaded with awesome toppings — herbs, yogurt sauce, olive oil, seeds, or whatever’s on hand. I love how there seems to be infinite combinations of veggies and spices to try and combine into chunky or creamy or brothy creations. I also love making the same soup feel like a totally different meal by mixing up how I serve it: over rice, with some crusty bread, with noodles added etc. etc.

Mir: Definitely kitchari — a traditional Ayurvedic cleansing food. My body always feels so happy eating that meal, which is on most nights in our house. (Here's a recipe you can try if you're curious.) My favorite toppings / mix-ins are always rotating. Right now I’m on a steamed broccoli kick — we steam it with garlic and drizzle it with lemon. The citrus with the broccoli’s crunch together is so satisfying!

What are some of your favorite books about food and healing?

Astrid: The End of Alzheimer’s by Dale Bredesen, Womancode by Alissa Vitti, The First Forty Days by Heng Ou, A Mind of Your Own by Kelly Brogan, Letters to a Young Farmer by Stone Barns Center, Food Fix by Mark Hyman, The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Vasant Lad

Mir: Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach, What to Eat for How You Feel by Divya Alter, The Third Plate by Dan Barber, Setting the Table by Danny Meyer, The Healing Power of Water by Masaru Emoto, Comfortable with Uncertainty by Pema Chodron, The Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss