Posts Tagged ‘olive oil’

Posted on August 24, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Rough patch? The ‘Why’ Behind Dry

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 – order yours here!

Posted on June 10, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Eau de Daddy-O

Tapped out of ideas for your paternal figurehead?

If you’re feeling creative – and your pop is open to new and different scents – try your hand at making him a Black Pepper and Lavender essential oil blend.

Black pepper essential oil is – not surprisingly – a strong, sharp, spicy-smelling oil. It is faintly reminiscent of clove oil according to the essential oil pros at Aroma-Pure where you can read more, as well as buy it. Black pepper essential oil offers the following aromatherapeutic benefits:

• Aphrodisiac (you’re welcome mom)
• Increases self confidence and is grounding and stabilizing
• Recommended for concentration and memory loss (you’re welcome again mom)
• Heightens alertness

Spicy black pepper essential oil blends well with the following two or three essential oils: Bergamot, Clary Sage, Clove, Coriander, Fennel, Frankincense, Geranium, Ginger, Grapefruit, Juniper, Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Sage, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang – and our personal fave – lavender.

Here’s how to make a Black Pepper and Lavender Essential Oil for dad:

• Begin with a drop or two of pepper black essential oil
• Add four drops of lavender or any other of the essential oils list above that blend well with pepper black essential oil
• Add an ounce of carrier or base oil like sweet almond oil, sesame oil or olive oil

If your dad is anything like mine, he’ll probably give you a hard time about this unusual gift (I still remember the mockery I got for getting him a ‘head chair’ for sunbathing on the beach). If that’s the case – or not – use this unique DIY scent as a way to enlighten dad on the myriad dangers of conventional personal care products, including fragrance, and why organic and 100% all-natural is the only way to go.

Dad: the Olive of Our Eye

For the less experimental dad who loves to cook, how about some amazing extra virgin olive oil from Napa Valley?  Whether he uses it all up in his favorite summertime marinade or hides it away for that extra special meal, it’s the perfect gift.

Here’s what makes extra virgin olive oil so darn special, in case dad asks:

1. Olives are only pressed once
2. Oleic Acid content is under .8
3. No defects found in the taste of the oil

Browse NVB’s parent company St. Helena’s Olive Oil Co online shop and click, buy and impress dad this Father’s Day with some Napa Valley love!

Posted on June 5, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Take the Ingredient Test!

There’s a lot to get testy about when it comes to chemical cocktails in our personal care products. And teens and babies are even more vulnerable.

Here’s just 5 ingredients found in ‘conventional’ bath and beauty products…

1. Parabens
2. Sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate
3. Triclosan and triclocarban
4. Fragrances and dyes
5. Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazaolinone

In fact, hundreds of the chemicals found as a matter of course in the U.S. are illegal in other countries.

So with all the juicy details we’ve been sharing about what to do – and what not to do – the big question, in the words of ex-Mayor Koch, might be: “How’m I doing?”

The Two-Fold Toxicity Test

Here’s one way: see if you can match up the ingredients above with the most common toxic health associations, below, (note – the answers are at the end of this post, so don’t scroll down prematurely!)

a. allergies, nervous system

b. hormone effects

c. allergies, cancer, nervous system

d. skin damage, toxic contaminants

e. thyroid and environmental concerns

Another way is to take Planet Green’s “Are You A Green Beauty?” quiz. Ten questions, ten answers, and a quick way to gauge how green your personal care knowledge really is! Not only will you test your savvy, you’ll learn lots on the way – we loved the tip about olive oil as integral manicure ingredient – it’s a great lubricant for both hands and nails.

Let us know what are your most burning questions about bath and beauty ingredients. We’ll try to answer them right here, asap!

Answers:   1. b; 2. d; 3 e; 4 c; 5 a

Posted on May 29, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

2 DIY Olive Oil and Lavender-Kissed Cleansers!

If your facial cleanser is leaving your skin feeling dry, it’s removing too much of its natural moisturizer, known as sebum.

On the other hand, if your cleanser leaves your skin feeling greasy or sticky, either it isn’t removing enough oil or it contains heavy emollient and film-forming ingredients that clog pores.

Squeaky, Cheeky Clean!

A great facial cleanser removes grime from your skin – without stripping it of healthy lipids which you need to protect from the environment.

That’s where a great DIY green cleanser comes in.  Olive and sunflower oils are suitable for almost every skin. Try the following recipe, which green cosmetics author and advocate Julie Gabriel considers “a green replica of conventional cleansing” products.

Just Olive Cleansing Oil

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces organic extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 ampoule of vitamin E (a blend of tocopherols and tocotrienols)
• 1 drop essential oil of chamomile

note: an ampoule is a small sealed vial

How to:

1. Pour the oil into a stainless steel shaker; add the vitamin E and essential oil. (if you have acne outbreaks, replace the chamomile oil with one drop of tea tree or geranium oil).

2. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

3. Pour the contents into a pump bottle. Thanks to the antioxidant action of vitamin E and chamomile, this blend has a long shelf life in dry, cool conditions.

The following DIY recipe can be used as a mask if you’re experiencing pimples, dullness, or overall uneven complexion. Just leave it on for 5 minutes to let it do its magic.

Day in Provence Cleansing Powder

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon loose organic green tea
• 1 teaspoon dried rose petals
• 1 teaspoon dried calendula (marigold petals)
• 1 teaspoon dried lavender florets
• 1 uncoated aspirin tablet
• 1 ounce white clay (bentonite)
• 1 ounce rice bran
• 3 capsules of vitamin C

1. Crush the green tea, rose and calendula petals, and lavender florets in a mortar.  Add the aspirin tablet, crush it, and blend with plant particles. Add the clay and blend thoroughly. Add rice bran. Twist open capsules of vitamin C and add them to the mix.

2. Transfer to a wide-neck glass bottle and shake vigorously so the ingredients form a homogeneous mix.

3. Use daily by pouring a teaspoonful (size of two quarters) into a dry hand. Add a few drops of water, form a dense paste, and rub into face, avoiding the eye area.

note: this concoction can be stored up to three months in an airtight twist-cap bottle.

Let us know how you like the results, right here: we’d love to hear from you!

recipes via The Green Beauty Guide, by Julie Gabriel

Posted on April 27, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Sustainability and the Three Ps

Sustainability is another big buzz word being tossed around a lot these days, from marketing claims to news reports to lawmakers in the White House.

But what, exactly, is sustainability?

I like the definition coined by the UN in 1987: sustainability is the ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

It’s a focus on being ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially just and humane, according to the Alliance for Sustainability.

The Three Ps

Tying in nicely to sustainability is the equal balance of people, planet and profit – another favorite concept of mine commonly referred to as the ‘the triple bottom line.’

Napa Valley Bath, for example, is a sustainable organization. Here’s how NVB plays nice with the three Ps:

• People: NVB practices fair trade. Everyone involved in the made-in-the-USA production of its bath and body products is treated equally and paid fairly.
• Planet: All of NVB’s product ingredients are organic or at minimum, grown and sourced responsibly. That means there is no unnecessary burden on the land, and no pesticides or herbicides to poison the water or air.
• Profit: To all those who think ‘green and good,’ can’t produce the other green – money – Napa Valley Bath says “not true.” Peggy O’Kelly, NVB’s owner and founder, has been committed to doing the right thing by people and the environment since she founded St. Helena’s Olive Oil in 1994. And guess what? She makes a profit doing it. Peggy even spreads the love even further by letting people nationwide host their own at-home parties featuring St. Helena’s Olive Oil products!

What words come to mind when you think of ‘sustainability’? Share your thoughts and insights right here!

Posted on April 8, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Celebrate Wise Women This Mother’s Day!

Forget about the Mother’s Day gift scramble. We’ve done the work for you with our Wise Woman Gift Set. This treasure trove of treats is bound to result in big hugs, lots of kisses, and one grateful mom.

The Book
At the heart of this gift package is a striking, sepia-toned hard cover book called Wise Women: A Celebration of Their Insights, Courage, and Beauty. Author Joyce Tenneson traveled all over America to photograph and interview women from ages 65 to 100. The book contains 80 portraits, from famous luminaries like Sandra Day O’Connor and Angela Lansbury, to regular women who are no less important in the lives of their loved ones.

Each profile features a statement about aging from the remarkable ladies profiled – a veritable feast of inspiration this Mother’s Day.

The Goodies

Lavender Sea Salt Scrub 16oz.
What mom doesn’t want to slough away dry skin and restore her luminosity? Give her the tools with this amazing elixir. The combination of locally-grown extra virgin Sevillano olive oil, organic lavender, shea nut butter and dead sea salts does the trick. Throw in its aromatherapeutic benefits, and it’s a little slice of heaven.

Lavender Lotion 8oz.

It’s not easy to create the true sent of French lavender without the use of chemical constituents. Leave it to the geniuses behind Napa Valley Bath to make it happen with a proprietary blend of four distinctive lavenders to achieve this super light lotion’s delicate scent. Certified organic herbal extracts renew skin, and highest quality food-grade safflower veggie oil, nourishing seaweed (algae), and aloe vera heal and hydrate.

Organic Peppermint Oil with Mint Leaves Spa Soap
A deep breath of peppermint invigorates the mind. The active ingredient in peppermint oil, menthol, is great for skin; with its natural cooling capabilities, it nourishes dull skin and improves oily skin. A wow-worthy scent and skin-tastic, 100% organic soap? Like mom, it’s just breathtaking.

Read what Peggy O’Kelly, Napa Valley Bath founder and creator of the Wise Woman Gift Set, has to say about why this gift is so special – and place your order – here.

Posted on April 1, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Organic Soap is the Best, Bar None

Last time we dished on bath soap, we focused on the yucky ingredients found in typical conventional brands.

To balance out that post, here are some super-positive factoids on why hand-crafted organic soap is better for you – and the planet.

• Low-intensity manufacturing: Organic soap is an all-natural bath and body product that boasts low impact production unlike most detergent-based shampoos, liquid gels and bubble baths.
• Skin-sensitivity: Organic soap means no additives, and that’s better for people with sensitive skin as well as allergy sufferers.
• Antibacterial-free: Organic soap doesn’t contain antibacterial agents, which can cause dry skin and eczema (not to mention the creation of ‘super bacteria’).
• DIY-Friendly: Yes, you can make your own organic soap. Soap-making kits make it easy for you to try it in your own kitchen. Key ingredients include vegetable oils (like our fave, extra virgin olive oil), caustic soda and essential oils.

Bar Soap: Treat it with TLC

While liquid soaps are convenient – no watery pool or residue left in its wake – it also takes a heavy toll on the environment.  Think about the plastic – recycled or not – for every bottle you throw away after use.

Invest in a good soap dish; it will keep your tub tidy and protect your nurturing bar of organic soap from degrading prematurely.

Posted on March 24, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

2 Healthy Treats Inspired by Easter and Passover

Whether you celebrate Easter, Passover, neither or something else, these two treats are a great way to celebrate spring!

Make a Natural Egg Facial Mask for Dry Skin

When I think Easter, I think eggs.  Here’s an interesting way to infuse some spring into your skin using:

·        Organic eggs

·        Honey (a great skin healing agent)

·        Organic virgin olive oil (another great skin healing agent)

·        Organic lavender essential oil

How-to:

1. Mix egg yolk, a teaspoon of warm honey and a teaspoon of olive oil together in a bowl.

2. Apply the egg yolk to your face and neck. Let it stand for 30 to 40 minutes or until dry and rinse with cool water.

3. Rub organic olive oil into your skin for extra moisturizing. Add an optional two drops of organic essential lavender oil to your olive oil to prevent wrinkles and enjoy lavender’s stress-relieving aromatherapeutic effects.

Upgrade Your Matzah Brei!

Shifting gears over to healthy eating I found this recipe and fell in love. Give your matzah brei a new twist by making it into an organic pear frittata this Passover and impress your family with this tasty treat.

Matzah Brei Pear Frittata

Ingredients:

• Extra virgin olive oil spray
• 2 ripe pears, sliced, cores and stems removed (if organic, don’t peel)
• 2 whole wheat or whole grain spelt matzah boards (organic is best)
• 6 egg whites
• Dash sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric

How-to:

1.  Spray a non-stick 12” skillet with oil. Place pears in skillet.
2.  Rinse the matzahs with hot water until they are pliable. Break matzahs and fit into the pan over the pears.
3.  Beat egg whites with salt and turmeric. Pour over matzahs and pears.
4.  Heat the frittata on top of the stove until the edges are set. Finish baking in a 350° oven until top is dry.
5.  Top with organic sugar, honey, maple syrup or Passover confectionery sugar.

From Florence Goodman’s  book “Something Healthy to Eat, as seen on The JewishJournal.org

Do you have a healthy tradition you enjoy this time of year? Share it with others, here!

Posted on March 16, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Expert Voice: Laura Klein, Green Lifestyle Expert

At Napa Valley Bath, we celebrate body, mind and soul every day. In our ‘Expert Voice’ series, we’ll get insights and updates from those who are doing the same.

Meet Laura Klein, a green living authority and founder of OrganicAuthority.com and Laura Klein’s Green Club.  Laura has devoted her life to communicating how living a green lifestyle is healthier for you – and for the planet.

Pesky Parabens Everywhere

“Unfortunately, there are tons of toxic ingredients in our personal care products,” says Laura, “but I always zero in on paraben preservatives since they’re so rampant.”

Parabens are found in most cosmetic and beauty care products. Look for them as methyl-, propyl-, butyl- and ethyl-paraben on ingredient lists. They’ve been linked to cancer as well as infertility, birth defects and developmental delays in children.

“The repetitive, every day use of parabens is where the danger lies,” Laura says. And with women using 12 personal care products a day on average, exposure adds up fast.

Without further ado, here are some of Laura’s paraben-free, DIY recipes, courtesy of LauraKleinGreenClub.com. Try them out, and let us know what you think!

Laura Klein’s Green Goodness Deep Exfoliating Foot Scrub

Use this quick and easy recipe to revitalize tired feet and scrub away dead skin cells.

Healing Ingredients:

1 cup of sea salt
½ cup of extra virgin cold pressed olive oil
10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil

Additional Tools:

A wide-mouth glass jar
Wash cloth (preferably organic cotton)

How To:

Mix the salt and olive oil in your container. Sprinkle in your essential oil. Stir to combine.

Place a towel underneath your feet and sit down. Apply the scrub to your feet using an organic cotton washcloth. Gently exfoliate callus-prone heels and toes using light circular motions.

For a softer scrub for those of you who don’t have heavily calloused feet, replace the salt with cornmeal and/or baking soda.

Laura Klein’s Green Goodness Organic Oatmeal Mask

Oatmeal calms and softens skin. A natural anti-inflammatory, it creates a thin moisture retaining layer on the surface of the skin and acts as a super gentle exfoliant.

Healing Ingredients:

2 tablespoons dry, organic oatmeal (rolled, not instant)
2 teaspoons honey
1 egg white

How To:

An oatmeal mask is ideal for a tub soak. Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Mix into a thick paste. Apply to cleansed skin. Relax for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Follow with your favorite all natural moisturizer.

Posted on February 18, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Groom Your NVI (Napa Valley Intelligentsia)

Napa Valley conjures fields of lavender, sweeping vineyards and abundant olive trees.  But how much do you really know about Napa?

It’s time to ramp up on your Napa Valley dinner party parlance…

• Napa Valley is 30 miles long; its regions include American Canyon, Napa, Lake Berryessa, Yountville, Oakville/Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga.

• In addition to its famous grapes, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables thrive in Napa including oranges, prunes, apples, olives and more.

• The Napa Valley is a name derived from the language of the area’s native Wappo Indians and has come to mean “land of plenty.”

• The Wappo Indians had no written language. They shared their ideas, stories, and feelings by speaking only. Stories and customs were passes down by parents to their children.

• 1823 marks the first written description of Napa. Word spread of the region’s abundance, and by the late 1840s, quicksilver mines and lumber mills had set up shop.

• Steamships ferried people from San Francisco, and the railroad carried tourists seeking the healing waters of Calistoga.

• Tough times did darken Napa’s sunny days:  Napa’s famous Silverado mine dried up in 1875, a grapevine disease in 1893 killed off most of the vines, and prohibition shut down most wineries altogether in 1920.

• In 1968, California’s first Agricultural Preserve was created. This zoning ordinance established agriculture and open space as the “best use” for the land within Napa County. Known as the “Ag Preserve,” it’s an agricultural model followed by many others today.

Now uncork one of Napa Valley’s hundreds of wines, start simmering the sauce, and over artisan bread dipped in the local extra virgin olive oil, enjoy a northern California-style dinner peppered with Napa Valley love and lore.