“With no surroundings there can be no path,
and with no path one cannot become free.”
—Gary Snyder
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If it’s not one cold, it’s another! Even though the cold season is supposed to be nearly over, allergy’s are just around the corner. Here are some all-natural tips to help relieve sinus and chest congestion.
Loyal readers of our Napa Valley Bath blog may remember our lavender-infused sinus cure which combines organic lavender essential oil and steamy hot water resulting in clear-headed bliss.
In addition to lovely lavender, there are other all-natural aromatherapeutic blends that help relieve sinus and cough congestion with nary a prescription or co-payment in sight. Using essential oils and herbs for therapeutic use elevates them from simple perfume applications to powerful healing treatments.
Best of all, these are products you buy over the counter at your local grocer – far, far away from the pharmacy. They include:
Eucalyptus: a natural decongestant and expectorant
Rosemary: used for respiratory issues…but it fresh in the produce department and then use the rest on a rosemary organic chicken…another great cure-all!
Thyme: a natural antibacterial
There’s nothing fancy to using these herbs to help you breathe better. Simply boil some water, add one or more herbs (you can blend them or use them separately) and allow the steam to flow into your nasal passages. The essential oil versions of the herbs work as well.
Do you have any all-natural recommendations for relieving sinus or chest congestion? We’d love to hear about them!
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The marriage of our Napa Valley organic lavender essential oil and pure, hand-mined salt found naturally deep inside the pristine Himalayan Mountains seemed only natural. We are excited to give you a chance to experience this luxurious soak for free!
Answer the question below in the comments section of this post and get a chance to win our 16 oz. Pink Himalayan Bath Salt. We will pick a winner on Sunday, March 20, 2011.
If you comment on our Napa Valley Bath Co. Facebook Page, you get an extra tally thrown in the hat for the name draw.
The question for this week is:
What 2010 issue of Vogue Magazine featured the story of our Company and our Pink Himalayan Bath Salts?
Good luck!
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Science can alter the DNA of natural substances to make a plant…
• more resistant to pests
• more resistant to harsh climate
• last longer on a shelf in-store
• increase nutritional value
When it comes to personal care, soya and corn are the most common GMO players as found in the three Ms: moisturizers, masks and makeup.
Greenpeace has cited that 50% of the world’s soy contains GMOs-however no GMO labeling is required on cosmetics (the same is true of food — GMO labeling is simply not mandated!).
What can you do to ensure your bath and beauty routine remains GMO-free?
1. Look for ‘GMO-free’ or ‘non-GMO’ on the label
2. Contact the manufacturer – hop online and send an email or call to inquire whether your favorite personal care product is soy-based – and if so, query whether it’s GMO-infused soy
3. Go with personal care products that have nothing to hide…like Napa Valley Bath of course!
Are you concerned about GMOs? Let us know how you feel here.
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“Find your place on the planet. Dig in, and
take responsibility from there.”
— Gary Snyder
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“Dry, dull hair” These three words are probably the most popular words found in hair care advertising. Most women lament frizz, crave shine – and will do anything to get it (including yours truly!).
Good news: all it takes for shiny hair is a trip to the grocery store – or maybe to your pantry or fridge! The following four recipes are 100% natural ways to add shine to your hair without silicone serums and petrochemicals-laden products.
Share Some Shampoo Sheen: add a teaspoon of baking soda to two teaspoons of your shampoo. It will remove residue from your hair without stripping out natural moisture.
Love Me Some Apple Cider & Lemons! Dilute one half cup of organic vinegar in one cup of water and use it as a final rinse after shampooing. Lemon juice mixed with water in the same proportion also gives hair a shiny, bouncy look.
Brunettes Beware: If you want to avoid the bleaching potential of lemon juice, brew up some extra shine with organic coffee. A strong cup or organic joe, once cooled, makes a great hair rinse!
Cooling Care: After shampooing, rinse your hair with cool – not cold – water. Cool water closes hair cuticles which adds shine. (Cold water may cause a headache due to its tendency to restrict blood vessels, so don’t go there!).
Let us know what worked for you and if you have any suggestions for a shine-tastic, all-natural hair care solution. We love hearing from you!
Source: the green beauty guide, Julie Gabriel
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It only makes sense to follow a Sugar Scrub giveaway with our luxurious Napa Valley Organic Lavender Body Butter!
Answer the question below in the comments section of this post and get a chance to win our 4 oz. Napa Valley Organic Lavender Body Butter. We will pick a winner on Sunday, March 13, 2011.
If you comment on our Napa Valley Bath Co. Facebook Page, you get an extra tally thrown in the hat for the name draw.
QUESTION: When do you use a butter vs. a lotion in your skincare regimen?
Good luck!
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Q: When is ‘skin deep’ not deep enough?
A: When technology worms its way into your personal care products!
Nanoparticles are a hot new technology and all the rage in the beauty industry. But beyond the hype, the picture isn’t so pretty.
One of our skin’s key jobs is to keep harmful substances out; but it has met its match with nanoparticles. These ultra fine particles act as ‘penetration enhancers’ that deliver ingredients past the skin to a deep, cellular level – with unintended health consequences.
Nanoparticles enter the bloodstream almost immediately, carrying chemicals to organs. According to the Environmental Working Group, nanoparticles slide up the optic nerve to the brain or burrow inside red blood cells.
Nano No No
Although nanoparticles are found in more than one-third of all products, from sunscreen to moisturizers to foundation – they aren’t easy to spot on ingredient lists!
The following is a list of known nanoparticles to look for on labels – and avoid:
- Nano Zinc Oxide
- Fullersomes
- Nanosomes
- Fullerene (C60 Hydroxide)
- Microspheres
- Ingredients containing the words ‘nano’ or ‘micronized’
Peruse this list of 256 products with nano-scale ingredients from the Environmental Working Group, and read their full report to the FDA on the topic for a more in-depth look.
Natural Know-How
Take control of your beauty and bath routine. Remember…
- Less is More: the more natural the product, the fewer ingredients it’s likely to have
- Herbal Essence: Look for products high in herbal content like lavender and aloe vera
- Plant It: Natural, plant-based options – like pure essential oils – are your best option, especially since we absorb 60% of anything we put on our skin.
Stick to the all-natural basics, and feed your body all the nourishment it needs – and leave the nanoparticles for NASA.
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Welcome to our first of many Wednesday Giveaways! We will feature a product every week and invite you to join in on the conversation for a chance to win.
This week….Napa Valley Organic Lavender Turbinado Sugar Scrub.
Before I started Napa Valley Bath Co., I had no clue how to use a sugar scrub…..for some reason it didn’t seem right….sugar? on my skin? I know….I was SO wrong!
Sugar produces glycolic acid, a natural alpha hydroxyl acid that exfoliates your skin. Alpha hydroxy acids stimulate dead cells on the surface of the skin and inside the pores so they can slough off more easily. The scrub helps to dissolve and remove the outer layer of dead skin cells as well as in the pores. By decreasing the thickness of dead cells on the surface, a new layer of skin with a smoother texture and a more uniform color can be revealed. In other words, your skin looks and feels more alive and beautiful.
We use Turbinado Sugar in our scrub because it retains the mineral and vitamins present in sugarcane juice and includes: phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron. We combine the sugar with a blend of luxurious oils (Sweet Almond, Apricot Kernal Oil, Jojoba Oil and Aloe Oil) to provide the maximum moisture to your new cells. We finish our scrub with our signature Napa Valley Organic Lavender Essential Oil. Lavender essential oil is known for aromatherapy but also has antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is used to treat various skin disorders such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammations. It heals wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns rapidly as it aids in the formation of scar tissues. We preserve our sugar scrub with natural ingredients including Vitamin E, Rosemary Oleoresin, and Neem Oil. As in all of our products, we try our best to give you the Rolls Royce of ingredients and this is no exception….give yourself a chance to win and see for yourself!
To enter our giveaway, please answer the following question on our new and improved NVB Facebook Page:
What do you do in the winter to keep your skin looking soft and supple?
We will notify the winner on Monday, March 7, 2011 and your Napa Valley Organic Lavender Raw Turbinado Sugar Scrub will be shipped immediately.
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