Support Local:: Casitas Valley Creamery

Purchasing local goods is one thing each of us can do to help support our communities and the environment. I always feel gratified when I know exactly where my product was produced and who put their sweat and tears into making it. It is a feeling that cannot be compared to much! That is the case with my friends over at Casitas Valley Creamery and Regenerative Earth Farms out of Carpintera, California. My friend Jesse Smith, who I have known since Santa Barbara High School, and his beautiful fiancé Ana Brush have been on a roll with their business endeavors and this is the first of many to come from their local & environmentally sustainable project at Regenerative Earth Farms. I had the pleasure to pick up some cheese from their very first batch at Isabella's Gourmet Foods in La Arcada on Figueroa Street (where more is still available to purchase). I am a total foodie so cheese is right up my ally, as I am sure it is for you, and they hit it the nail on the target with their flavors, textures, and pairings. I was happy to walk away with some organic cheese and a smile on face. So happy when my friends are doing rad projects! Congrats to both of you, this was a day to celebrate!

Make sure to check them out on FB for updates on their next tasting and how you can order some cheese :)

 

xox

Purchasing local goods is one thing each of us can do to help support our communities and the environment. I always feel gratified when I know exactly where my product was produced and who put their sweat and tears into making it. It is a feeling that cannot be compared to much! That is the case with my friends over at Casitas Valley Creamery and Regenerative Earth Farms out of Carpintera, California. My friend Jesse Smith, who I have known since Santa Barbara High School, and his beautiful fiancé Ana Brush have been on a roll with their business endeavors and this is the first of many to come from their local & environmentally sustainable project at Regenerative Earth Farms. I had the pleasure to pick up some cheese from their very first batch at Isabella's Gourmet Foods in La Arcada on Figueroa Street (where more is still available to purchase). I am a total foodie so cheese is right up my ally, as I am sure it is for you, and they hit it the nail on the target with their flavors, textures, and pairings. I was happy to walk away with some organic cheese and a smile on face. So happy when my friends are doing rad projects! Congrats to both of you, this was a day to celebrate!

Make sure to check them out on FB for updates on their next tasting and how you can order some cheese :)

 

xox

Apple Cider Vinegar Cocktail

For the past 6 months or so, I have been on an apple cider vinegar adventure and it has taken me quite some time to get my body trained to drink it. It really hurt my tummy at first! However, now I can drink it with no problems and I would owe it to this easy, simple little recipe. All you need to do is mix a cup or two of organic unfiltered apple juice, 2 tablespoons of Bragg's apple cider vinegar and a dash of cinnamon.  You can also soak the mix overnight with cinnamon sticks which is yummy as well. Either way I would highly recommend this recipe.

For the past 6 months or so, I have been on an apple cider vinegar adventure and it has taken me quite some time to get my body trained to drink it. It really hurt my tummy at first! However, now I can drink it with no problems and I would owe it to this easy, simple little recipe. All you need to do is mix a cup or two of organic unfiltered apple juice, 2 tablespoons of Bragg's apple cider vinegar and a dash of cinnamon.  You can also soak the mix overnight with cinnamon sticks which is yummy as well. Either way I would highly recommend this recipe.

Natura Culina

All natural skincare products are defiantly something I have been getting really into, especially local brands that I have came across in Santa Barbara. I had the opportunity to try out a variety of products from Natura Culina and boy are they yummy!!! Owner Lenka Tinka grew up in the Czech Republic

outside of Carlsbad, one of the central Europe's most famous natural spa cities, and experienced first hand the powerful effect of nature on peoples' health. She believes that "every person deserves to feel healthy, loved and cared for. That is the reason I've created Natura Culina skin care with absolutely NO parabens, sulfates, artificial colors or synthetic emulsifiers and absolutely YES with love & care."

  

One word for Natural Culina:: DELICIOUS!

After trying these natural products, I am defiantly hooked. The hand soap is like nothing I have ever tried because it contains tee-tree oil, and if you are a germaphobe like me, you probably wash your hands quite a bit so a nice hand soap that doesn't try your skin and smells refreshing and clean- a must in your kitchen or bathroom.

Antibacterial Tea Tree & Lavender Hand Soap

Did I mention in came in a glass bottle? 

Another item that I tried was the Bath Salt Mixture, it was so fragrant that I could smell the lavender from the other room, it made me craaavvee it. After a long stressful day, this is the perfect remedy. 

Layered Chocolate Lavender Body Scrub

This mixture of ingredients really surprised me and works great for exfoliating dead skin. The lavender with chocolate smells so wonderful, it really makes you want to just lather yourself up and give yourself   a good scrub. I think exfoliating your skin is something that is defiantly underrated and a MUST in skincare. I am so happy to have this in my routine again because I was slippin' for a bit.

My delicious basket of goodies!

I seriously can smell the lavender and chocolate through the packaging! It is so alluring !

My happy place :)

So I would have to say that my favorite product and scent, even though they are all marvelous, is the Coconut Fruit. This smell is just so aromatic and savory. When I get a whiff  I feel like I have just woken up in Tahiti or somethin'. This is a perfect product to exfoliate with and it must be followed up with my absolute favorite, the Shea Butter in Coconut Fruit. I am a stickler for perfume products that stay on forever. I wear Issey Miyake and Channel Number 5 just so you know what I am working with. My test is- you must be able to smell the perfume after wearing it all day, in the shower, or when working out. So, I lathered my body up in the butter after a shower and later that day I went to yoga, and I could smell the Coconut Fruit on myself, it was a very pleasant surprise. :)

From the site:

Natura Culina products are formulated with high quality ingredients, most of them are certified organic. The original line of Natura Culina products is made with certified organic ingredients, only natural preservatives and fragrance oils. The Simply Nature line of Natura Culina products do not contain any fragrance oils, relying on essential oils completely. All our products are made in very small batches upon your order to ensure freshness. 

If you are interested in trying some products, please check out the site Here.

Like Natura Culina on facebook  

http://naturaculina.com/

xox

All natural skincare products are defiantly something I have been getting really into, especially local brands that I have came across in Santa Barbara. I had the opportunity to try out a variety of products from Natura Culina and boy are they yummy!!! Owner Lenka Tinka grew up in the Czech Republic

outside of Carlsbad, one of the central Europe's most famous natural spa cities, and experienced first hand the powerful effect of nature on peoples' health. She believes that "every person deserves to feel healthy, loved and cared for. That is the reason I've created Natura Culina skin care with absolutely NO parabens, sulfates, artificial colors or synthetic emulsifiers and absolutely YES with love & care."

  

One word for Natural Culina:: DELICIOUS!

After trying these natural products, I am defiantly hooked. The hand soap is like nothing I have ever tried because it contains tee-tree oil, and if you are a germaphobe like me, you probably wash your hands quite a bit so a nice hand soap that doesn't try your skin and smells refreshing and clean- a must in your kitchen or bathroom.

Antibacterial Tea Tree & Lavender Hand Soap

Did I mention in came in a glass bottle? 

Another item that I tried was the Bath Salt Mixture, it was so fragrant that I could smell the lavender from the other room, it made me craaavvee it. After a long stressful day, this is the perfect remedy. 

Layered Chocolate Lavender Body Scrub

This mixture of ingredients really surprised me and works great for exfoliating dead skin. The lavender with chocolate smells so wonderful, it really makes you want to just lather yourself up and give yourself   a good scrub. I think exfoliating your skin is something that is defiantly underrated and a MUST in skincare. I am so happy to have this in my routine again because I was slippin' for a bit.

My delicious basket of goodies!

I seriously can smell the lavender and chocolate through the packaging! It is so alluring !

My happy place :)

So I would have to say that my favorite product and scent, even though they are all marvelous, is the Coconut Fruit. This smell is just so aromatic and savory. When I get a whiff  I feel like I have just woken up in Tahiti or somethin'. This is a perfect product to exfoliate with and it must be followed up with my absolute favorite, the Shea Butter in Coconut Fruit. I am a stickler for perfume products that stay on forever. I wear Issey Miyake and Channel Number 5 just so you know what I am working with. My test is- you must be able to smell the perfume after wearing it all day, in the shower, or when working out. So, I lathered my body up in the butter after a shower and later that day I went to yoga, and I could smell the Coconut Fruit on myself, it was a very pleasant surprise. :)

From the site:

Natura Culina products are formulated with high quality ingredients, most of them are certified organic. The original line of Natura Culina products is made with certified organic ingredients, only natural preservatives and fragrance oils. The Simply Nature line of Natura Culina products do not contain any fragrance oils, relying on essential oils completely. All our products are made in very small batches upon your order to ensure freshness. 

If you are interested in trying some products, please check out the site Here.

Like Natura Culina on facebook  

http://naturaculina.com/

xox

ALKIMIE ♥♡☽ ♥♡☽ ♥♡☽

Experimenting with all natural skin care and self love remedies has become one of my favorite past times. I have to give my friend Kimmy credit at The October Union for inspiring me beyond words. But if I could describe the feeling it would be like...  I am 13 and playing with magic potions with my girl friends after watching The Craft and Now and Then. I swear thats the nostalgia it gave me. I previously did a post on my visit to her Ventura studio and after I left, I ordered the book The Herbal Alchemist's Handbook after scanning some of her Alchemy books. I am excited to share her *new Herbal Face Steam and Honey-Rose Face Scrub on my blog and I can't wait to try them myself. Make sure to check out The October Union's yummy line of all natural skin care, love potions, organic goodies, and her threads at her onlineshop. 

♥♡☽☽☽☽ HERBAL STEAM - FACE TEA ☾☾☾☾♡♥

An herbal steam is the best way for a deep pore cleansing.

Each of the herbs used is rich in nutrients that nourish and tone the skin. The aromatic oils of the plants are released by the heat and absorbed by the skin. It's like drinking a beautiful tea... with your face!

Use 1-2 times a month, after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Toss 1-2 tablespoons of Face Tea into a pot of 3 cups just boiled water, cover and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Place pot on heatproof surface, drape a towel over head and pot to capture steam. Uncover pot, inhale deeply and unwind. Lift towel to regulate heat. Steam for up to 10 minutes.

TIP: strain remaining tea and use as a final hair rinse for naturally healthy and lustrous hair.

Choose from:

NORMAL - OILY skin; with 6 organic herbs including rose, peppermint, sage and more!

NORMAL - DRY skin; with 6 organic herbs including comfrey, lavender, calendula and more!

MADE WITH ☮ ♡ & :

all certified organic flowers, leaves, herbs and roots.

Full ingredient list and directions for use on each package

available in:

Normal to Dry skin types

Normal to Oily skin types

Buy here

☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾

♥♡☽☽☽☽ HONEY + ROSE Face Scrub ☾☾☾☾♡♥

A gentle exfoliator packed with aromatic and organic rose petals,

the "Queen of Flowers", to smooth, hydrate and balance the skin.

Raw honey draws out impurities and draws moisture in.

Oats soften and soothe dry and sensitive skin.

Use to clean the face 1-3 times a week

Can be used as a mask and left on for 10-15 minutes.

MADE WITH ☮ ♡ & :

Wild Raw Honey - draws in moisture, soothes, heals and nourishes

Organic Rose Petals - heart opening, aromatic and hydrating

Organic Oats - soothing and anti-inflammatory, good for dry skin

Organic Blue Cornmeal - gentle exfoliator

Himalayan Pink Salt- drawing and cleansing, antiseptic and astringent

HONEY + ROSE

Face Scrub // all skin types

Buy Here

Experimenting with all natural skin care and self love remedies has become one of my favorite past times. I have to give my friend Kimmy credit at The October Union for inspiring me beyond words. But if I could describe the feeling it would be like...  I am 13 and playing with magic potions with my girl friends after watching The Craft and Now and Then. I swear thats the nostalgia it gave me. I previously did a post on my visit to her Ventura studio and after I left, I ordered the book The Herbal Alchemist's Handbook after scanning some of her Alchemy books. I am excited to share her *new Herbal Face Steam and Honey-Rose Face Scrub on my blog and I can't wait to try them myself. Make sure to check out The October Union's yummy line of all natural skin care, love potions, organic goodies, and her threads at her onlineshop. 

♥♡☽☽☽☽ HERBAL STEAM - FACE TEA ☾☾☾☾♡♥

An herbal steam is the best way for a deep pore cleansing.

Each of the herbs used is rich in nutrients that nourish and tone the skin. The aromatic oils of the plants are released by the heat and absorbed by the skin. It's like drinking a beautiful tea... with your face!

Use 1-2 times a month, after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Toss 1-2 tablespoons of Face Tea into a pot of 3 cups just boiled water, cover and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Place pot on heatproof surface, drape a towel over head and pot to capture steam. Uncover pot, inhale deeply and unwind. Lift towel to regulate heat. Steam for up to 10 minutes.

TIP: strain remaining tea and use as a final hair rinse for naturally healthy and lustrous hair.

Choose from:

NORMAL - OILY skin; with 6 organic herbs including rose, peppermint, sage and more!

NORMAL - DRY skin; with 6 organic herbs including comfrey, lavender, calendula and more!

MADE WITH ☮ ♡ & :

all certified organic flowers, leaves, herbs and roots.

Full ingredient list and directions for use on each package

available in:

Normal to Dry skin types

Normal to Oily skin types

Buy here

☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☽☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾

♥♡☽☽☽☽ HONEY + ROSE Face Scrub ☾☾☾☾♡♥

A gentle exfoliator packed with aromatic and organic rose petals,

the "Queen of Flowers", to smooth, hydrate and balance the skin.

Raw honey draws out impurities and draws moisture in.

Oats soften and soothe dry and sensitive skin.

Use to clean the face 1-3 times a week

Can be used as a mask and left on for 10-15 minutes.

MADE WITH ☮ ♡ & :

Wild Raw Honey - draws in moisture, soothes, heals and nourishes

Organic Rose Petals - heart opening, aromatic and hydrating

Organic Oats - soothing and anti-inflammatory, good for dry skin

Organic Blue Cornmeal - gentle exfoliator

Himalayan Pink Salt- drawing and cleansing, antiseptic and astringent

HONEY + ROSE

Face Scrub // all skin types

Buy Here

Juice Ranch SB

Last Christmas I requested a juicer and Santa fulfilled my wishes. Since then, I have been going in and out of my juicing and I am happy to say that I am back on the juice program.With the help and motivation of a new juice bar in town, I am on my way into a healthy 2013. Couple Erin Gomez and Scott Walker have collaborated together to open Santa Barbara's first organically pressed juicery the Juice Ranch. I can't stop drinking their Almond Milk... from someone who drinks Whole Milk everyday, I just found a new love. The thing I love about juicing is that I just keep adding it to my diet, so I am not substituting or going on a cleanse, yet. I am just getting more vitamins per day by having a couple cups of fresh juice! Stoked on the Juice Ranch's creative recipes! Make sure to stop by their spot in the Funk Zone right across the street from Yoga Soup and say hello!

Juice Ranch Owners Scott Walker and Erin Gomez

 
Each bottle is $2 which is part of the recycle program at the Juice Ranch. So you can either return your bottles and receive $2 off your purchase or get charged the $2, juice is $10 with the bottle. There is something about the juice that tastes so yummy from the glass and I have also found that you can use these bottles for your own juicing and they work great. 

Juice Ranch feature in The Independent 

Owner Erin Gomez and juice specialist & nutritionalist Megan Santana 

The great thing about the Juice Ranch is that they use a Cold Press to make their juice. I didn't know there was different ways to make juice before I got into it so I wanted to make sure you knew the difference.

Centrifugal Juicers Vs Cold Pressed Juicers 

These appliances extract juice from fruit with an internal high-speed blade that spins against a metal strainer. The juice is separated from the flesh of the fruit by the centrifugal force generated by the blade and strainer separates the juice from the flesh of the fruit.

Cold-press juicers (sometimes referred to as masticating juicers) also produce juice from whole fruit. Instead of cutting fruit like centrifugal juicers, cold-press juicers chew or mash fruit to extract juice. Gears inside cold-press juicers compress fruits, vegetables and greens to squeeze out the juices. These juicers keep the juice intact, meaning naturally-occurring nutrients are retained in the extraction process.

Juice from a Cold-Press Appliance- Many health-conscious people prefer cold-press juicers to centrifugal juicers because they operate with lower heat. This lower heat setting keeps fruit enzymes intact. Since cold-press juicers mash fruit, they do not oxidize nutrients found in the fruit. They are believed to produce a more pure juice, as the finished product does not differ greatly from the juice inside the fruit.

I personally do not have a Cold Press Juicer, they range from $400+ but totally worth the investment in the end. 

I personally think these two drinks are my favorites so far from the Juice Ranch, the Almond Joy and the Pink Panther.

Hope you can make it down there to try it out for yourself. 

33 Parker Way Santa Barbara, Ca 93101

Last Christmas I requested a juicer and Santa fulfilled my wishes. Since then, I have been going in and out of my juicing and I am happy to say that I am back on the juice program.With the help and motivation of a new juice bar in town, I am on my way into a healthy 2013. Couple Erin Gomez and Scott Walker have collaborated together to open Santa Barbara's first organically pressed juicery the Juice Ranch. I can't stop drinking their Almond Milk... from someone who drinks Whole Milk everyday, I just found a new love. The thing I love about juicing is that I just keep adding it to my diet, so I am not substituting or going on a cleanse, yet. I am just getting more vitamins per day by having a couple cups of fresh juice! Stoked on the Juice Ranch's creative recipes! Make sure to stop by their spot in the Funk Zone right across the street from Yoga Soup and say hello!

Juice Ranch Owners Scott Walker and Erin Gomez

 
Each bottle is $2 which is part of the recycle program at the Juice Ranch. So you can either return your bottles and receive $2 off your purchase or get charged the $2, juice is $10 with the bottle. There is something about the juice that tastes so yummy from the glass and I have also found that you can use these bottles for your own juicing and they work great. 

Juice Ranch feature in The Independent 

Owner Erin Gomez and juice specialist & nutritionalist Megan Santana 

The great thing about the Juice Ranch is that they use a Cold Press to make their juice. I didn't know there was different ways to make juice before I got into it so I wanted to make sure you knew the difference.

Centrifugal Juicers Vs Cold Pressed Juicers 

These appliances extract juice from fruit with an internal high-speed blade that spins against a metal strainer. The juice is separated from the flesh of the fruit by the centrifugal force generated by the blade and strainer separates the juice from the flesh of the fruit.

Cold-press juicers (sometimes referred to as masticating juicers) also produce juice from whole fruit. Instead of cutting fruit like centrifugal juicers, cold-press juicers chew or mash fruit to extract juice. Gears inside cold-press juicers compress fruits, vegetables and greens to squeeze out the juices. These juicers keep the juice intact, meaning naturally-occurring nutrients are retained in the extraction process.

Juice from a Cold-Press Appliance- Many health-conscious people prefer cold-press juicers to centrifugal juicers because they operate with lower heat. This lower heat setting keeps fruit enzymes intact. Since cold-press juicers mash fruit, they do not oxidize nutrients found in the fruit. They are believed to produce a more pure juice, as the finished product does not differ greatly from the juice inside the fruit.

I personally do not have a Cold Press Juicer, they range from $400+ but totally worth the investment in the end. 

I personally think these two drinks are my favorites so far from the Juice Ranch, the Almond Joy and the Pink Panther.

Hope you can make it down there to try it out for yourself. 

33 Parker Way Santa Barbara, Ca 93101

Sweet Blessed Bee Magic

I recently started using this amazing product and I couldn't be happier with the results. Thank you so much Jackie Cossart!! Check out Sweet Blessed Bee Magic if you have a chance at your local health food store or retailer. I picked up my jar at Lazy Acres here in Santa Barbara and my skin hasn't been happier! I use it for everything and carry it around in my purse daily. It is amazingly hydrating, works as a great night cream, heals cuts and scrapes faster, and the bee pollen and honey proteins help eye lashes grow! Best of all it is organic and local!

Contains only pure, live, natural ingredients:
Organic extra virgin olive oil, organic beeswax, organic honey, propolis extract, organic bee pollen and royal jelly.

While doing some research online, I came across this informative website that had lots of info including the benegfits of honey! Read up! Makes me want to go purchase bee pollen right now!

Honey can assist wound healing because:

   1. Antibacterial and rapidly clears infecting bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains. 
   2. Honey's antibacterial property can diffuse deeply into skin tissues, so that it can reach deep-seated infections.
   3. Cleans wounds. Honey has a debriding effect.
   4. The osmotic effect of honey lifts dirt out of the wound bed.
   5. Dressings do not stick to the surface of the wound allowing easy removal of dressings. The osmotic effect of the honey keeps the wound moist, clean and prevents the dressing sticking to the wound. Tissue damage and pain are reduced when dressings are changed as there is no tearing away of newly formed tissue. Healing is more rapid.
   6. Reduces scarring. The honey draws body fluids and nutrients to the wound area and so assists cell growth and prevents a scar forming as the wound is kept moist. Honey provides nutrients (vitamins, minerals and amino acids) to tissues
   7. Promotes more rapid healing because the honey stimulates tissue regeneration.
   8. Acidity of honey releases oxygen from haemoglobin new growing cells need oxygen. Honey stimulates the white blood cells.
   9. Hydrogen peroxide in honey has an insulin-like effect and promotes wound healing. Insulin is a growth hormone
  10. Anti-inflammatory action of honey soothes and promotes healing, reduces pain and swelling
  11. Honey forms a protective barrier to prevent cross-infection of wounds.
  12. Honey removes malodour from wounds by killing the bacteria which produce ammonia
  13. Honey does not damage the surrounding tissue
  14. Honey minimizes the need for grafting

I recently started using this amazing product and I couldn't be happier with the results. Thank you so much Jackie Cossart!! Check out Sweet Blessed Bee Magic if you have a chance at your local health food store or retailer. I picked up my jar at Lazy Acres here in Santa Barbara and my skin hasn't been happier! I use it for everything and carry it around in my purse daily. It is amazingly hydrating, works as a great night cream, heals cuts and scrapes faster, and the bee pollen and honey proteins help eye lashes grow! Best of all it is organic and local!

Contains only pure, live, natural ingredients:
Organic extra virgin olive oil, organic beeswax, organic honey, propolis extract, organic bee pollen and royal jelly.

While doing some research online, I came across this informative website that had lots of info including the benegfits of honey! Read up! Makes me want to go purchase bee pollen right now!

Honey can assist wound healing because:

   1. Antibacterial and rapidly clears infecting bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains. 
   2. Honey's antibacterial property can diffuse deeply into skin tissues, so that it can reach deep-seated infections.
   3. Cleans wounds. Honey has a debriding effect.
   4. The osmotic effect of honey lifts dirt out of the wound bed.
   5. Dressings do not stick to the surface of the wound allowing easy removal of dressings. The osmotic effect of the honey keeps the wound moist, clean and prevents the dressing sticking to the wound. Tissue damage and pain are reduced when dressings are changed as there is no tearing away of newly formed tissue. Healing is more rapid.
   6. Reduces scarring. The honey draws body fluids and nutrients to the wound area and so assists cell growth and prevents a scar forming as the wound is kept moist. Honey provides nutrients (vitamins, minerals and amino acids) to tissues
   7. Promotes more rapid healing because the honey stimulates tissue regeneration.
   8. Acidity of honey releases oxygen from haemoglobin new growing cells need oxygen. Honey stimulates the white blood cells.
   9. Hydrogen peroxide in honey has an insulin-like effect and promotes wound healing. Insulin is a growth hormone
  10. Anti-inflammatory action of honey soothes and promotes healing, reduces pain and swelling
  11. Honey forms a protective barrier to prevent cross-infection of wounds.
  12. Honey removes malodour from wounds by killing the bacteria which produce ammonia
  13. Honey does not damage the surrounding tissue
  14. Honey minimizes the need for grafting