nature

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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Avoid Foodless Food

by Leslie Billera on September 28, 2010 · 0 comments

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Q. How many cherries does it take to make Cherry Jell-O?

A. Zero.

Frankly, if I had given thought to this, I may have guessed the answer. But that’s the point: I didn’t think about it. And neither do millions of mothers and fathers who allow their children to ingest enormous amounts of food additives every day. That’s when high value not-for-profits like The Feingold Association come into play.

Just 7 minutes after watching The Feingold Association’s home page video – featuring a very non-preachy and articulate host named Jane Hersey who is the Association’s Director – I was both extremely enlightened and deeply disturbed.  Highlights of the hard truth about food additives, which contribute to behavior, learning and health problems – depending on the individual – include:

  • Food dyes are made from petroleum, some of which may include lead, arsenic and mercury
  • Food additives are cheaper than food, hence their popularity with large food manufacturers  (the original Jell-O contained a combination of gelatin and fruit; now, the manufacturers save big by including artificial flavors vs. real fruit)
  • Food dyes are everywhere: toothpaste, medicine, candy, cake mixes, vitamins, beverages, mouthwash, cereal, and many, many more
  • Food dyes are made from petroleum, some of which may include lead, arsenic and mercury
  • Food additives are more of a problem now because of the frequency with which they are consumed

Jane also introduced me to a term I hadn’t heard before: foodless food. What an interesting concept. She cites today’s modern school lunches as excellent examples of ‘foodless food’ – processed food with very little whole ingredients and lots of petroleum-based food additives and synthetic flavorings. (See Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution for the prime time version of the battle for school food).

Yuck.

And Now, A Note From Our Fearless Leader

Peggy O’Kelly, founder of both St. Helena Olive Oil Co. and Napa Valley Bath dove into The Feingold Association’s deep resource pool when she found her own daughter was allergic to food dyes and preservatives many years ago. In fact, it was this discovery – and the lifestyle changes it brought to her family – that eventually led to her interest in organic, whole foods and pure personal care.

“The information I got from The Feingold Association helped change my daughter’s life – and that of my family – for the better. They were able to help us find food we enjoyed, but in more natural versions…and more importantly, helped my daughter feel better.  The premise is simple: eat nutritious, chemical-free food, and get back to basics.  We have to fuel our body and mind with what’s real – not synthetic.”

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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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The Cold Coal Truth

by Leslie Billera on August 3, 2010 · 0 comments

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Coal tar, a thick liquid or semisolid obtained from bituminous coal, is an oft-used ingredient in:

  • Anti-dandruff shampoos
  • Hair dyes
  • Topical treatments for psoriasis and skin rashes
  • Moisturizers
  • Most of the synthetic colors and dyes found in our cosmetics

Why the Goal Should Be No Coal

Coal tar is a…

  • known human carcinogen
  • contributor to lung and urinary tract cancer
  • potent skin irritant

The European Union banned coal tar in 2004. But yep, it’s still in play here in the U.S., even though it scores a 10 (highest hazard rating) in the super helpful Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database, and the Centers for Disease Control recommends that coal tar simply should not come in contact with your skin.

Coal tar can also be listed on ingredient lists as:

  • Tar
  • Coal
  • Coal tar solution

What to do? Invest in organic personal care products. The Organic Trade Association says it best with their campaign Organic: It’s Worth It. I love this title since it frankly admits that yes, organic is more expensive…but it is a worthy investment in order to protect your health and the health of your loved ones.

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Goosebump Alert: Try Cold-Water Therapy!

by Leslie Billera on July 3, 2010 · 0 comments

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As the temps get hotter and hotter this time of year – true of pretty much anywhere you live in the U.S. – now is a great time to tap into cold-water therapy!

The underlying premise of cold water therapy is that briefly and somewhat regularly exposing the body to certain kinds of natural stresses (like cold water) can enhance health.

Cold Shower Power

The communal DIY site, Earth Clinic Folk Remedies, recommends cold showers – but encourages you to heat the bathroom before to make exiting a cold shower more palatable. According to the site, cold-water therapy…

  • Brings blood to the capillaries, therefore increasing circulation throughout the body
  • Cleans the circulatory system
  • Reduces blood pressure on internal organs
  • Provides flushing for the organs and provides a new supply of blood
  • Strengthens the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems
  • Contracts the muscles to eliminate toxins and poisonous wastes
  • Strengthens the mucous membranes, which help resist hay fever, allergies, colds, coughs

Note that the site also warns against cold showers for women who are menstruating.

4 Steps to Chilling Out

How to take a cold shower may seem obvious, but taking a modified approach will help you ease into cold-water therapy.  Here’s the best way to introduce a cold-water shower into your personal care routine.

1. Begin with your standard warm water shower, hopefully scrubbing up with a bar of organic soap.

2. When finished, step out of the water stream and turn off the hot water; leave the cold water running.

3. Start the cold-water therapy by wetting your feet first. Next, expose the hands and face.

4. Finally, step under the shower. Let the cold water run over your scalp, face, the front of your body, then down your back. Start with a couple of seconds and work up to 40 seconds.

Do whatever is comfortable: you can get great benefits from applying cold-water therapy to your feet, hands and face alone!

Cold Water Trivia

Cold-water therapy was first popularized by the German priest Sebastian Kneipp (1821-1897). In the winter of 1849, Kneipp successfully battled then-incurable tuberculosis by plunging several times weekly into the frigid Danube River. His 1886 book, My Water Cure, became an international best-seller.

Still committed to your languorous bath time? We support you 100%!

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What is Biomimicry?

by Leslie Billera on June 3, 2010 · 0 comments

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A concept as old as the hills (literally!), biomimicry has recently taken the spotlight as green awareness continues to grow.  But what exactly is ‘biomimicry’? According to the not-for-profit Biomimicry Institute:

“Biomimicry is the science and art of emulating Nature’s best biological ideas to solve human problems.”

Consider these eye-opening examples…

Nature’s Know-How

Janine Benyus, author of Biomimicry, says that biomimicry is simply the act of  borrowing nature’s ideas.

Here are 9 top principles Benyus includes in her book worthy of our introspection:

  1. Nature runs on sunlight
  2. Nature uses only the energy it needs
  3. Nature fits form to function
  4. Nature recycles everything
  5. Nature rewards cooperation
  6. Nature banks on diversity
  7. Nature demands local expertise
  8. Nature curbs excesses from within
  9. Nature taps the power of limits

Is it any wonder that personal care brands like Napa Valley Bath count on nature to fuel our products – and feed your skin?  Nature is a master designer, worthy of our affection, recognition and pure respect.

Do you use any products or services that are directly inspired by nature’s practice? Let us know, right here!

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3 Easy Tips to Try Aromatherapy At Home

by Leslie Billera on March 3, 2010 · 0 comments

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We’ve touched on what aromatherapy can do for your body.  So let’s look at what amazing aromatherapy can do for your home.

Aromatherapy is the use of pure essential oils to enhance our physical and mental well-being. Essential oils are highly concentrated distilled essences of plants that smell truly delightful. They are diluted either by water or with a ‘carrier oil,’ depending on the intended use of the essential oil.

Organic lavender essential oil – our personal fave – has the ability to evoke and increase the release of serotonin, thus producing a calming effect.1

Try these simple at-home tips and bring the soothing power of aromatherapy to your abode!

1. Create a Simmering Scent

To freshen air inside your home, drip some of our favorite scent into a pot of water and simmer mixture on the stove top for several hours.

2. Try Tug-Worthy Toilet Paper

To ensure there’s always a fresh scent in the bathroom, add a few drops of essential oil onto the cardboard roll that holds the toilet paper. The fragrance will release with each pull. Remember to repeat with each new roll you hang.

3. Reinvent the Room Deodorizer

Conventional so-called room deodorizers are just chemical-filled band-aids used to mask odors. Make your own with ease: add 25 drops of your favorite essential oil to 16 ounces of water, put in a spray bottle, and voila – fresh, pure, natural smelling indoor air!

And don’t forget about hydrosol - it’s less concentrated than essential oil, but equally aromatherapeutic!

Our sense of smell impacts our daily perceptions and our reactions to what’s going on around us – physically, emotionally and mentally. Infusing your home with healing scents is a great way to boost your mood and keep you centered.  Now take one big beautiful breath, and enjoy!

1Perscription for or Nutritional Healing, Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

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A Sea of Bodily Love: Sponges & Loofahs

by Leslie Billera on March 1, 2010 · 0 comments

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We hope by now you’re treating yourself to at least one relaxing, aromatherapeutic bath a week that’s:

  • Good for the earth: the non-toxic ingredients in organic bath and beauty products don’t wind up in our water streams.
  • Great for your body: by making smart choices about the products you put on your skin, you’re investing your health.

Now it’s time to think about transporting all the nutrient-rich soaps, sea salts, scrubs and more available from Napa Valley Bath in the most eco-conscious way…

Sea and Be Seen

Opt for sea sponges versus synthetic sponges, which are typically made from petrochemicals.

For thousands of years, people have been cleansing themselves with multi-celled sea sponges. Sea sponges live in almost every aquatic environment, filtering nutrients from the water through their pores.

Real sea sponges:

  • Are a non-endangered species, so they are greener alternative to synthetic sponges
  • Regenerate, so there’s no worries about over-harvesting
  • Hold a greater amount of water
  • Biodegrade, so there’s no waste

So ditch that pink, plasticized pouf hanging in your shower – your green bath is truly sea sponge-worthy!

Love Your Loofah

Did you know that a loofah is a dried plant related to the squash family?  Loofah sponges can be used every day to:

  • Give a boost to your circulatory system
  • Cleanse and exfoliate your skin
  • Help prevent cellulite build-up

Make sure that any loofah you buy is organically-grown and unbleached.

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