lavender

Wednesday Giveaway!

by admin on April 7, 2011 · 9 comments

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Ok, ok, we know it’s really Thursday, but we’re positive you’ll love this giveaway even though it’s a little late. What better time of year than tax season to take a little time for yourself and just relax? We’ve put together a few of our products to help you do just that. One lucky winner will receive:

Lavender Massage Oil: Great for a therapeutic massage. You can also add a few drops to your bath for a penetrating and aromatic soak.

Lavender Soy Votive: This candle has a low burn point so when the candle melts it does not burn to the touch. You can massage the melted wax into your cuticles and your skin. It will also fill your room with the peaceful scent of Lavender.

“Being Peace” by Thich Nhat Hanh: “If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
Need we say more?

You can enter the giveaway by answering the question below in the comment section of this post. Double your chances by commenting on our FB page too! Our giveaway will be live through Sunday. Monday morning we will pick a winner at random and announce it here on our blog and on our FB page.

Question: When life is hectic what do you do to center yourself and restore your inner peace?

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Why Hydrotherapy Gets a Good Wrap

by Leslie Billera on October 21, 2010 · 0 comments

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Hydrotherapy is the therapeutic use of water, steam and ice. For centuries, hydrotherapy has been used to treat injuries and a wide range of illnesses. Whether it’s used for something serious or as a mental stress reliever (which, let’s face it, can also be ‘serious’), hydrotherapy is a wonderful way to unwind.

The three types of hydrotherapy are cold water, hot water and alternating between the two.

In warmer climates, we tapped into the benefits of cold-water therapy. With temps going down, hot water therapy takes center-stage.  Hot water:

  • Stimulates the immune system
  • Increases circulation
  • Calms and relaxes the body
  • Soothes nerves

Alternating between hot and cold water treatments have been found to alleviate upper respiratory congestion and stimulate organ function through improved circulation.

That’s a Wrap!

One hydrotherapeutic technique usually reserved for the spa can be easily done at home – with the help of a friend or special someone.  A body wrap can help you lose inches, speed up metabolism, purge toxins from your body and best of all – simply slow you down.

To do a DIY body wrap, you’ll need:

Follow these steps to hydrotherapeutic bliss:

1. Exfoliate arms, legs and torso in a circular motion. Rinse off in the shower or use washcloths

2. Apply essential oil moisturizing in circular motions. Take your time and enjoy putting it on.

3. Wrap legs and torso in plastic wrap, leaving arms free

4. Lie down on a flat surface. Place wool blanket over your body, and lie heating pad on top of that.

5. Breath deep, sweat, and detoxify for 15 minutes.

6. Cut yourself out of plastic wrap with safe scissors.

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We’re in Vogue!

by Leslie Billera on October 7, 2010 · 0 comments

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Pick up a copy of iconic Vogue magazine, turn to page 228, and join us in a congratulatory cheer for Peggy O’Kelly! Peggy, Napa Valley Bath and St. Helena Olive Oil Co. are all featured in the issue under a piece aptly entitled “Fields of Dreams.”

Highlights of the piece include:

Kudos to Peggy, her hard-working, devoted staff, and all the farmers who make her products so quintessentially wonderful. As the Vogue piece says, Peggy ‘follows her heart’ — and the proof is in every one of her products!

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Mano-a-Mano

by Leslie Billera on October 5, 2010 · 0 comments

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Are you hands in fighting form?

The term mano-a-mano  – translated in Spanish as “hand to hand” – originated with bullfighting and refers to a knock-down, drag-out direct confrontation.

Hopefully, your mitts don’t need to be on that level of fighting condition…but they do need some TLC from time to time.  In these DIY recipes, organic lavender partners with other non-toxic ingredients to keep your fingers frisky and fresh.

Before you get creative, don’t forget one of the easiest, chemical-way to clean fingernails – a toothbrush and good old-fashioned baking soda dipped in water! This is a quick way to refresh your digits, kind of like mouthwash for your hands!

Give a Hand for Lavender Love

Hand Rescue Cream: yields 5 oz.

Ingredients:

How to: Melt beeswax in a pan. Add the lemon juice and oils and stir with a wooden spoon until blended. Transfer to a jar. Shake occasionally until the cream is cooled and uniform. Use as an all-natural hand cream every day.

Manicure in a Jar: yields 4 oz.

Ingredients:

How to: Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and transfer to a wide-necked jar so you can easily gain access with your fingertips. One by one, dip your fingertips into the jar, massaging the sugary mixture gently into cuticles and knuckles. Julie Gabriel, the creator of this yummy recipe, recommends waving your hands gently to please your senses. Then, briskly immerse your hands in warm water to remove excess oil. Dry your hands and apply Hand Rescue Cream.

Recipe Source: the green beauty guide, by Julie Gabriel

If you opt for a professional manicure, consider how your salon measures up on the green front.

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Bring the Spa-gasm Home!

by Leslie Billera on September 30, 2010 · 0 comments

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Your body feels supple and smooth. Your skin is glowing. Your busy brain is at rest.

The Zen-tastic feeling you get when you leave the spa is like nothing else. If you’re like me, you feel rested, relaxed – and ready to take on the world in a calm, self-assured way.

Home is Where the Spa Is

On the the reality front, frequent visits to your favorite spa can be pricey and time-consuming. As fall approaches – along with harsher climates that may dry out your skin – now is the perfect time to commit to an at-home program of sumptuous bath and beauty that delivers benefits beyond great skin.

  • Add it to the Agenda: It may seem silly to add ‘take bath’ or ‘give self massage’ to your calender…but if you don’t, will it get done? Prioritize yourself the way you prioritize so many other things. You deserve it.
  • Gifts from the Heart: Check out Napa Valley Bath’s gift packages and gift one to the CEO of Your Life: YOU.  The Ultimate Body Care package is a great value and includes Lavender Lotion, Lavender Sugar Scrub, Lavender Salt Scrub, and Organic Lavender with Flowers Soap. This is the starter kit you need to combine the therapeutic affects of aromatherapy with the all-natural skin care (from sloughing to soaking) your body craves.
  • Light My Fire: There is a reason fabulous upscale spas are alight with flickering candles. Napa Valley Bath sells a unique Organic Lavender Soy Massage Candle that serves double duty as both massage oil (soy has a lower burn point so the oil is warm to the touch…not boiling hot like synthetic candle wax). A friend of Peggy’s swears by the soy wax as a cuticle softener!
  • Lost and Sound: While silence is golden, you probably need at least some kind of soundtrack to drown out the noise of your home or the world beyond it’s doors (urban dwellers, I’m talking to you). Visit iTunes, search for “Spa Music” and download a couple of tracks for under five bucks.
  • Sip to Sanity: A cup of tea (ideally rich with antioxidants) can transport you. Add a spoonful of artisinal honey and all the sweeter!
  • Daily ‘Do-Nothing‘ Time: Call it meditation, checking out, me-time…whatever nomenclature you use, put 15-20 minutes aside – every day – to shut your eyes, breathe deeply and clear your mind. After all, a high end spa experience delivers solitude and peace in addition to rubs and scrubs.

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Cooking Good!

by Leslie Billera on September 21, 2010 · 0 comments

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Combine your love of culinary arts with your concern for toxin-free personal care and you’ve got The Green Beauty Recipe Book.

Julie Gabriel – green beauty aficionado and resource for many DIY recipes we’ve posted using organic lavender – is at it again. Her newest tome is a hands-on how-to devoted to homemade bath and beauty that will help you keep both gorgeous and green.

A Cookbook with a Catch

If you’re ready to craft all-natural and organic lotions and potions from your very own kitchen, this is the book for you. The catch? Less ka-ching at the beauty counter – more pure goodness at your finger tips (and on your face, neck, arms, etc.).

With The Green Beauty Recipe book at your side, you will:

  • Get guidance on formulating your own cosmetic products to minimize the risk of irritation and achieve maximum benefits for your skin condition
  • Learn the (dirty) secrets of the cosmetic industry
  • Create your own beauty products without chemicals using only natural ingredients
  • Discover which vegetable oils, herbs, floral waters, essential oils, plant-based emulsifiers, and natural preservatives to use
  • Push the envelope by packing and labeling your very own beauty products
  • Get tips for safe storage
  • Choose from over 250 recipes based on your own personal beauty desires and dilemmas – and learn how to combine all natural ingredients for best results
  • Purge phthalates, parabens, and other toxic chemicals from your bath and beauty routine forever
  • Learn about active botanicals, vitamins, minerals, and other formerly mysterious ingredients that are perfect for your homemade beauty products.

Whether you’re a curious first-time DIY-er, or an experienced beauty practitioner, Julie’s new book (available from her website)  has something in it for you.

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Flower Your Food

by Leslie Billera on September 16, 2010 · 0 comments

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Edible flowers – like organic lavender – can add both flavor and elegance to many dishes.

Sorbets, custards, jams, jellies, wines and teas work well with lavender, rose, nasturtium, jasmine, and orange blossom.

The splash of color provided by cornflowers, geraniums, chrysanthemums, and marigolds stimulate the palette – even if their flavors are not very potent.

Follow these tips for top chef cred on the floral front:

  • If getting your flowers from the garden, pick early in the day and ideally in dry weather
  • Rinse quickly under gently running cool water
  • Don’t gather more than one day in advance as the flowers will wilt.
  • Remove pistils, stamens and the white part at the base of the petals (known as the ‘heel’, this part will add a bitter flavor if not removed.
  • Dry flowers like lavender, hibiscus, heather and rosebuds for out-of-season use; one great options is flavoring sugars…simply grind the dry petals, mix 1 part petal to 4 parts sugar and let it sit for about a month to mellow out the flower’s intense flavor.

As we enjoy the last summer sun, put your love of lavender and respect for raspberry to the test with this summer jam recipe. You’ll need:

  • 3 1/16 cups fresh raspberries (you can use frozen if fresh are not in season)
  • 2 1/2 cups caster sugar (super fine sugar)
  • 1/4 cup dried lavender, heads (stalks removed)

Get the step-by-step ‘how to’ over at food.com, and let us know how it came out right here!

Buy Organic Lavender Flowers for cooking from St. Helena Olive Oil Co., here!

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Raves for Rosemary

by Leslie Billera on September 11, 2010 · 0 comments

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I’ll never forget my first roasted chicken with rosemary. It was made with love by an Italian friend we were visiting in Tuscany and I still dream of it from time to time.

Now I can apply this warm and fuzzy feeling for this native Mediterranean herb to my personal care experience.

Greeks wove Rosemary wreaths into their hair believing that Rosemary strengthened the brain and enhanced memory. From a health and skincare perspective, rosemary – a member of the mint family (the same as lavender!) – is known to:

  • boost mental activity
  • relieve respiratory problems
  • stimulate hair growth
  • tone skin
  • heal skin dryness

The Sweet Scent of Rosemary Therapy

On the aromatherapy front, rosemary is a potent inhalant that enhances mental energy. Since it’s known for strengthening memory, it is also an ancient symbol of fidelity and has been referred to as the ‘remembrance herb.’

Delight your senses and indulge your skin with a unique take on rosemary goodness – try Napa Valley Bath’s Organic Rosemary Soap (it includes barley grass for extra, earth-bound richness) and let us know what you think!

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Breathe, Be and Believe: Empower Yourself with Essential Oils

by Leslie Billera on August 26, 2010 · 0 comments

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Essential oils positively purify three critical areas of your physical well-being: lungs, body and mind.

The Aromatherapy Bible, by Gill Farrer-Halls, cites the following benefits in his info-packed, go-to guide for all things aromatherapeutic:

  • Lungs: The cleansing breaths you take at your favorite spa put you instantly at ease: that’s essential oils at work. Essential oils replace waste products like carbon dioxide with oxygen and essential oil particles, truly clarifying every breath you take.
  • Body:  Once soaked into skin, essential oil circulates around the bloodstream, traveling to different organs and body systems. Extra bonus: different essential oils have a therapeutic affinity for certain organs. Rose essential oil, for example, is known to have a regulating effect on the uterus.  Lavender, when taken internally as a tea, has been known to help upset stomach, gallbladder and liver problems
  • Mind: Essential oils have powerful mental, emotional and psychological effects. Lavender alleviates anxiety, depression and nervousness – no chemicals, nothing synthetic. Try this holistic approach and watch your mood lift and your frazzled nerves unwind.

Put the power of essential oils to work for you – whether it’s organic lavender (as always, our vote!) or something else and add a true scent-sation to your personal care routine!

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Rough patch? The ‘Why’ Behind Dry

by Leslie Billera on August 24, 2010 · 0 comments

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Your skin is more complicated than it looks. The average square inch of your skin holds:

  • 650 sweat glands
  • 20 blood vessels
  • 60,000 melanocytes (pigment skin cells)
  • 1,000+ nerve endings

All three main layers (epidermis, stratum corneum and dermis) work in harmony with one another. If any of the following are a part of your daily life, dry skin may disrupt your natural ability to moisturize:

  • Exposure to excessive sun
  • Excessive bathing
  • Use of conventional, detergent-based soaps
  • Low humidity
  • Central air and heating

It’s time to get rid of pesky dry patches one and for all!

Moisturizing Madness to the Rescue!

Napa Valley Bath’s Moisturizing Madness gift set includes 3 steps to moister, smoother skin:

  1. 8oz. Lavender Lotion – Certified organic herbal extracts, the highest-quality natural food-grade safflower vegetable oil, nourishing seaweed (algae) and healing aloe vera blend with four lavenders selected from around the world. Decadent, delightful…and mortal enemy of dry skin.
  2. 4 oz. Body Butter - Combines the highest quality shea butter from Uganda, healing herbs, health-food-grade fresh vegetable oils, natural vegetable waxes, and soothing aromatic lavender water from the Aromatic Plant Project. A must-have for cracked, callused and parched skin.
  3. Hoof Cream – This tin of rich balm revitalizes your hands and feet with a blend of olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax, tocoperol, orange essential oil, lavender essential oil and peppermint essential oil

…given the prices of typical department store brands (which are chock full of synthetic ingredients, toxic fragrance and may even be tested on animals) the Napa Valley Bath Moisturizing Madness package is a steal at $58!

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