Martha Stewart accomplished many things during her career: she wrote and almost 100 lifestyle books, had several successful TV shows and became the first female billionaire when her company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, went public in 1999. This just to name a few.
And at 79, Stewart has no plans to slow down, even in the midst of the pandemic.
“I thank the heavens for my luck, for being able to continue to work and keep the people around me working and being productive,” Stewart told CNBC Make It.
On Tuesday, Stewart, a well-known dog lover (she has two French bulldogs, Creme Brulee and Bete Noire, and two chow chows, Emperor Han and Empress Qin) announced the launch of their CBD pet product line with Canopy Animal Health. (CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is one of several cannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp plants. However, it does not contain THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana.) Stewart partnered with cannabis producer Canopy Growth in 2019 to develop hemp derivatives CBD products (for humans).
Stewart says she was curious about the CBD after working with rapper Snoop Dogg (aka Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.), who is a well-known cannabis user.
“I am not a user of [marijuana]”Says Stewart. But she was interested in exploring plant derivatives that are said to have health benefits, especially those that help with sleep. (Some studies have shown that CBD can be effective in relieving symptoms of anxiety, chronic pain and can helps with insomnia. Other benefits are anecdotal.)
Here, Stewart talks to CNBC Make It about her health and wellness routine, where she gets her drive, how she handles stress and how to get the Covid vaccine.
CNBC Make It: In what ways do you relieve stress? Do you meditate?
Stewart: Do you think a hyperactive person like me can meditate? No, I’m not good at that, but I like yoga. And it is not relaxation; I do Iyengar yoga, which incorporates a little bit of relaxation. [Iyengar is a form of yoga that focuses on alignment and can involve holding poses for longer periods of time.]
What else are you consistent with when it comes to your health and wellness routine?
I drink green juice every morning. I have a vegetable greenhouse where I grow my spinach, celery and parsley. Even the arugula goes for green juice and other types of strong lettuce. And then I buy organic cucumbers. Pomegranate juice also goes there. But this is my green juice and it is an essential part of my daily diet, because it really helps in anti-aging. I don’t like the word “anti-aging” – I mean successful aging. It also helps a lot with hair.
I [also] horseback riding. I was lucky to have my horses throughout this [pandemic]. The outdoor activity is very good. Sitting inside, I don’t think it’s a good thing.
How do you use CBD?
I am insomniac and drops of CBD oil Martha Stewart are very useful. A dropper filled with orange [flavored oil] or a dropper full of lemon … I also love my CBD gums.
Where do you get your motivation from?
Definitely my curiosity. As with CBD, my curiosity, which was initially aroused by Snoop Dogg. I mean, I did three seasons on our show, “Martha and Snoop Dog Potluck Dinner Party”, learning a lot about cannabis. I am not a cannabis user, but I was very interested not only in cannabis, but also in hemp and its derivatives.
I’m very interested in supplements … what will make you live longer, what will make your brain clear and what will keep you active. That’s the kind of thing I’m looking for, not the secret of eternal youth – I’m not taking any shots. But I’m trying very hard to stay in good shape for as long as possible.
What advice would you give to people looking to reinvent themselves?
Go ahead. That’s what this is about. To experiment. Give up trying, you give up. It is always better to try, try and try.
I am constantly trying new things. My new line of [CBD] Skin care is a new thing for me, but I am very excited about it. It is something that I have dreamed of for a long, long time. This will come out a little later this year.
I love to develop and build things. I am building a new house. But these are things that keep the person young, interested and relevant.
How do you feel after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine?
The vaccine was great. I look forward to my [second] filmed next Monday.
But I’m sure I won’t let my guard down. We are very careful. There is no way to let your guard down, you can still be a carrier and maybe you still can.
But I feel a little safer with my health and I will be very careful with everyone’s health too.
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