Archive for October, 2009

Posted on October 16, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Lavender Sea Salt Soak

We have combined sea salt from the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea to ensure the most luxurious base for our Lavender Sea Salt Soak.

Both salts are high in mineral content and low in moisture content. The minerals in the sea salt assist in cleansing, detoxifying, and restoring a healthy balance to your skin and muscles. The low moisture content allows for easy absorption of the essential oils…that are then released in the bath water as salts dissolve.

The salts are christened with a blend of our Napa Valley organic lavender essential oil and our organic lemon essential oil. The organic lemon essential oil is the same oil that is used in our lemon extra virgin olive oil. The combination of the two oils gives healing, peace, clarity, heightened intuition, refreshment to spirit and strength to the soul…

Our Lavender Sea Salt Soak is produced in small batches in our production facility in the Napa Valley. It is simply packaged in a mini and 16oz. reusable Weck jar.

Mini Weck Jar
$10.00
16.9 oz. Weck Jar
$22.00

Posted on October 16, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Organic Lavender Bath Tea

Our Organic Lavender Bath Tea is a combination of organic lavender flowers, organic chamomile blossoms, organic calendula petals, organic rose petals and our Napa Valley organic essential oil.

The organic herbs were chosen for their healing properties. The chamomile and calendula are for cleansing and softening the skin; the lavender helps calm the nerves; and the rose petals soothe dry and sensitive skin. As the herbs provide nutrients for the body, our Napa Valley organic lavender essential oil releases in the bath water to ease the mind.

The Organic Lavender Bath Tea is produced in small batches in our production facility in the Napa Valley. It is simply packaged in a reusable mini and 16 oz. Weck jar.

DIRECTIONS: Brew a large pot of our lavender tea on the stove…just as you would for a cup of tea. Pour the tea and the tea bag into your bath.

Mini Weck Jar
$10.00
16.9 oz. Weck Jar
$22.00

Posted on October 16, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Organic Lavender Bath Milk

Our Organic Lavender Bath Milk is a combination of fine sea salt from the dead sea, organic buttermilk powder and our Napa Valley organic lavender essential oil.

The salt from the Dead Sea contains ten times the amount of minerals then other sea salts. It is low in moisture content which allows for easy absorption of the essential oil. The salts assist in cleansing, detoxifying, purifying and restoring the balance in your skin and muscles. The organic buttermilk powder is high in fat leaving your skin silky smooth. The Napa Valley organic lavender essential oil releases in the bath water to ease the mind.

The Organic Lavender Bath Milk is made in small batches in our production facility in the Napa Valley. It is simply packaged in reusable 250ml “milk bottle” container. To ensure freshness, the corks are ordered special from the same manufacturer that we use for our oils and vinegar.

8 oz. Milk Bottle – Clear Glass
$18.00

Posted on October 16, 2009 - by napavalleybath

We Need One Another

“We do not realize often enough that we are dependent on one another; at the simplest material level, we are all interdependent for our daily needs, and in this way we owe a debt to all beings. “

Kalu Rinpoche

Posted on October 15, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Napa Valley Organic Lavender Essential Oil

We are proud to present the first production of our Napa Valley organic lavender essential oil.

The lavender varietal, Angustifolia, is grown in the Western hillside of the Napa Valley by the Kahn Family. The lavender was harvested in July of 2009 and distilled immediately on the property. The stems are cut high so the distillation comes mainly from the flowers. The flowers are only distilled once to ensure the highest grade of essential oil and hydrosol is achieved.

This production is very limited. Our yield this year was approximately 10 gallons in total. We have simply packaged the essential oil in 1/2oz. amber bottles. The amber colored glass is to ensure maximum protection of the botanicals.

The Napa Valley organic lavender essential oil is used in our bath salts, teas and soy candles and is blended with French and Bulgarian lavender essential oils to achieve the lavender essential oil signature blend that we use with all of our other bath and body products.

Half Oz. Amber Glass Bottle with dropper
Wholesale Price: $13.00
Suggested Retail: $26.00

Posted on October 15, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Napa Valley Organic Lavender Hydrosol

Hydrosols, also known as flower or floral waters, mists, and distillates are produced from the steam distillation of plant materials. Our Napa Valley organic hydrosol is a product of our distillation of the Napa Valley organic lavender. Most refer to hydrosols as a by-product of the distillation process. We view it as an equal partner to our Napa Valley organic lavender essential oil.

The hydrosol was distilled from the lavender varietal, Angustifolia, that is grown in the Western hillside of the Napa Valley. The lavender was harvested in July of 2009 and distilled immediately on the property. The organic lavender is distilled until the oil is gone…ensuring the highest quality of hydrosol is achieved.

This production is limited. Our yield this year was approximately 300 gallons in total.

Hydrosols have similar properties to the essential oil but are simply less concentrated. Because our organic hydrosol is truly steam distilled(not essential oil added to water), it contains all the beneficial components that the organic lavender has to offer. Our organic lavender hydrosol contains all of the essence of the lavender but in a milder form compared to the essential oil. This “weaker” solution makes them suitable for all different types of applications where the essential oil would be too strong. On average, a hydrosol contains less than 5% essential oil.

Our Napa Valley organic lavender hydrosol has an herby or grassy note which is indicative of it’s authentic and therapeutic properties. It can be used as a facial splash or mist, perfume, deodorant or air freshener. More uses in our blog, “learn to love hydrosols”.

We have simply packaged the organic hydrosol in 2 oz. and 8 oz. amber PET bottles. The amber color is to ensure maximum protection of the botanicals.

2 oz. Amber PET Bottle
Wholesale Price: $4.00
Suggested Retail: $8.00
8 oz. Amber PET Bottle
Wholesale Price:  $8.00
Suggested Retail: $16.00

Posted on October 15, 2009 - by Leslie Billera

Keep Truly Clean with 100% Organic

Last time, we profiled several synthetic ingredients found in ‘conventional’ bar and liquid soap including 1,4 Dioxane, Diethanolamine (DEA), Parabens: this is the stuff that’s supposed to keep us clean?

Maybe you’re thinking, ‘Not me! I use ‘organic’ beauty care products!’

It’s time to face the myth of organic when it comes to personal care products thanks to an unfortunate technique known as ‘greenwashing.’

Greenwashing is Just Plain Dirty

Slapping the word ‘organic’ onto a product is an addiction for big beauty manufacturers.

The sad truth is, it’s misused, abused and often completely wrong. The abuse is so egregious that the researchers the Environmental Working have created a special database to help consumers get a grip on what’s really green and healthy – and what’s not.

Using one drop of organic essential oil in a beauty product is one of the most common greenwashing techniques in the cosmetic industry.  Companies regularly get away with declaring their products organic as a whole, when in truth, only a small percentage is.

Other popular greenwashing terms that often come in tandem with ‘natural’ style packaging – include:

• Made with organic essential oils
• Contains organic ingredients
• Made with nontoxic ingredients
• 100% natural
• Essentially nontoxic
• Earth-friendly
• Environmentally Safer

Look closely at the ingredients list, be a vigilant shopper, and treat yourself to organic products that you can trust.

What is Organic, Really?

We know – it gets confusing. Here’s a simplified guide:

• The farmer or producer must avoid synthetic chemical additives, including fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, genetically modified organisms and sewage sludge

• Farmland must be free of chemicals for more than three years, depending on the country

• All the production stages must be transparent, open for audit and take part in frequent inspections

Next time we’ll give you an amazing recipe for a nutrient rich hair butter using two of our favorite organic ingredients: organic virgin olive oil and organic lavender essential oil!  After all, if you make it yourself, there’s no doubt what’s in it!

Posted on October 15, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Napa Valley Organic Lavender Bundle – Hidcote Varietal

Since the middle ages, the lavender varietal, Hidcote, has been known as the herb of love.

Our Napa Valley organic lavender, Hidcote varietal, was harvested in July 2009 from the western hills of the Napa Valley. The Kahns grew a small amount of the english varietal specifically for our bundles. Hidcote’s deep violet flowers are strongly scented but truly known for retaining their vibrant color. It’s my favorite varietal to double as a decoration and perfume for any room of the house.

The organic lavender is cut and bundled on the Kahn Ranch. They are wrapped in twine and tagged in our production facility in the Napa Valley.

Our total production this harvest is approximately 1200 bundles.

One Bundle
Wholesale Price: 6.00
Suggested Retail: $12.00

Posted on October 14, 2009 - by Leslie Billera

Beyond Luxury: Why Organic Soap is Just Plain Healthier

Your skin is an organ – your body’s largest one in fact.

Skin ingests pretty much everything you put on it. Ingredients travel straight into your bloodstream, which then carries them to your organs. In fact, research shows that skin can absorb as much as 60% of whatever is applied on it.

Soap, a skincare product you use every single day, typically hosts chemical culprits that lurk behind pleasantly packaged bars and bottles. Consider these ‘conventional’ soap ingredients…

1,4-Dioxane

This petrochemical is considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In spite of its toxicity, you won’t find 1,4 Dioxane on ingredient lists since it’s actually a byproduct caused by the manufacturing of other ingredients. If a product has ingredients with an ‘eth’ in their name – sodium laureth sulphate, polyethylene glycol, oleth, myreth, ceneareth – most likely, the product will test positive for 1,4 Dioxane.

Diethanolamine

DEA is a surfactant that helps to stabilize foams and is a potential carcinogen. It is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked with stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder cancers according to the Cancer Prevention Coalition. Beware of synthetic, “natural” ingredients like cocamide DEA

Parabens

A known endocrine disruptor, parabens interfere with the body’s natural hormones. According to the Environmental Working Group and many other sources, parabens are also linked to cancer. On labels, they can be found as methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben.

There’s many more, but you get the point…it turns out that getting clean can be a dirty business. That’s why organic soap isn’t just a luxury…when it comes to your health, it’s a necessity.

Posted on October 13, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Lavender Sugar Scrub

A luxurious body hommage using our own Sevillano extra virgin olive oil, rich in the potent antioxidant, vitamin E, and other valuable nutrients, including oleic and palmitic fatty acids along with squalene and phytosterols. Our extra virgin olive oil is combined with healing butters of olive, shea, coconut and pomegranate in a base of finely-milled sugar for the ultimate in exfoliation.

Pomegranate extract of the seed contains more than 60% puninic acid which is a valuable conjugated linolenic acid. It also contains tocopherols, sterols and a small amount of squalene.

Gentler than salt, sugar provides a softer exfoliation suitable for more tender skin such as the face. The oils and butters work together in a sensual, fluffy soufflé to smooth away rough skin revealing skin renewed to a silky luster.

8 oz. Amber PET Jar
$24.00