Tag Archives: Organic Products
Alex Wrekk started roasting her own coffee in 2005 for herself. It wasn’t long until those around her took notice of her obvious gift for making a mean bean that could stand up to the best out there. Living in the Northwest, Alex knows the competition well. However, she doesn’t worry about that. She spends her time just creating, selling, and loving the life she lives with Paul, the love of her life, in their 100-year-old home in Portland. Like many other artists, she takes pride in what she offers to customers whether its in the uniqueness of her quirky buttons, zines, or in the quality of her coffee, as I had the pleasure of discovering recently.
The Attraction
One of the reasons that I contacted Alex was because she uses only fair trade and organic coffee to create her specialty blends. This is something that is quickly becoming important to me as I seek to live a healthier life. And, there’s no way I’m giving up my coffee because major companies don’t know how to leave out the pesticides and fillers. Alex’s coffee is affordable, too, not to mention the awesome company name of Brainscan. =) Read on.
My First Organic Coffee
You must know that I am a coffee junkie and one who knows a good bean when I taste it. The first thing I did when I received her samples was smell the package. Immediately, I noticed a rich and robust scent that made my senses come alive. You coffee drinkers out there know what the mere scent of coffee does to you. Second, I brewed the first sample, which was the Ethiopian variety. While it brewed, I again took in the aroma that teased my desire to drink it. I was not disappointed in the several cups that came after that.
With my cup full of the java, I sipped it without adding milk. I needed to know what the true flavor was before making it my own. Surprisingly, I didn’t want to add the milk. Black coffee? Not something I normally have or even like. Your first A+, Alex.
The second flavor was the Small World variety that wasn’t quite as bold as the other but suited my taste. I’m an espresso kind of gal, so the stronger the better. This one is a great every day coffee that I would be happy to serve to guests – definitely for those who like it milder.
You must take a look at her offerings at Etsy.com to truly appreciate her unique talents. I look forward to trying some of her other coffee varieties and even picking up a couple of cute buttons for my fridge, especially the one that says, “DEATH BEFORE DECAF!”
Giveaway
Alex is giving away a pound of her best coffee to one lucky reader. The coffee will come in the gift basket of other organic products that we are reviewing this month. You can enter to win the prize package valued at over $100 by doing any of the following:
1. Visit Brainscan’s website and come back here to share which product you would most love to have.
2. Follow Women’s Life Link on Twitter.
3. Pick up our RSS Feed.
4. Stumble this article.
5. Comment on any of the other reviews we did this month: Red Leaf Tea, Aroma Artisan.
Photo by Pelekes
You might have noticed that I’m on a rather organic/all-natural product kick right now. On my quest for some new personal care products that pass my standards, I discovered Aroma Artisan at Etsy, a company that sells exactly what I was looking for – cold process soaps and unique essential oils with custom fragrances.
Aroma Artisan at Etsy is a division of owner, Tracy Wickland’s grassroots company, My Skin Soap Studio. Since 2001, her business has not only offered a wide variety of delectable soaps and perfumes, butin doing so, supports the use of fair trade and organic ingredients as often as they can manage – a plus for those of you who are Eco and politically conscious.
Eden Perfume
Though I haven’t tried the yummy soaps (oddly, my mouth watered as I read the food and plant-derived ingredient lists), I have experienced 
Tracy’s Eden perfume. This subtly sweet fragrance focuses around 4 primary essential oils: Jasmine sambac absolute, sandalwood, fresh ginger and guaiacwood. With Jasmine and Sandalwood being two of my favorite fragrances, it wasn’t hard to fall in love with the well-executed combination. I actually keep it in my purse for touch ups when I want to take in the heavenly aroma. Because it is an essential oil based scent, it’s not overwhelming like some perfumes can be.
I am also looking forward to trying some of their organic body scrubs that have organic sugar, mango butter, and babassu oil. Just the sound of those ingredients sets a vision into motion of a wonderful soak in the tub, candle light, relaxing CD, and a glass of wine. Ahhhhh….
Personal Service
Another thing that I just love about purchasing from owner-operated, online companies, such as Tracy’s, is the fact that when you deal with the person who actually makes the products, you get personal attention (questions answered) within a short time. I found Tracy great to work with and will definitely be a long time customer.
Organic Product Giveaway (Over $100 value)
Aroma Artisan has offered a 10 ml (1/3 oz) cobalt glass bottle of Eden Perfume ($40 value) to add to our gift basket giveaway at the end of September (entry deadline September 30). To enter for a chance to win this fabulous prize package, do any or all of the following:
1. Leave a comment about which Aroma Artisan at Etsy or My Skin Soap Studio product you would most like to get or any other related topic.
2. Leave a comment on our recent review of Red Leaf Tea (another product included in the giveaway).
3. Pick up our RSS feed, follow us on Twitter, or Stumble the article.
Make sure to leave a comment about which things you did, so we can give you the proper entries. Look for more reviews and chances to enter coming in the next couple of weeks.
My wish list includes the NEW Cocoa Almondine Limited Edition Soap, Turkish Cafe Limited Edition Luxury Soap, and Chai Tea Luxury Soap, and the Orange Fresh Ginger Luxury Organic Sugar Scrub for my bath time repertoire of all-natural products. Enjoy her site! Be well-be beautiful.
Photo by Caramel Chokecherry
A Pleasant Experience
Sitting on the deck with a cup of quality tea, a good book, and a cool September breeze in my face is what I call a perfect way to spend a few moments of peace. There is truly something calming about taking in the scent of a hot beverage that you know is good for you – an indulgence that brings joy and health. Because finding new organic products and edibles is one of my passions, I went looking and found a wonderful source for all-natural, gourmet teas. The Red Leaf Tea company offers a large variety of unique, gourmet teas from all over the world; I was delighted to experience some of them first hand.
Owner, Wanda Rydzewski, runs the premium tea business and markets her collection via the web. With a line up to be proud of, she has definitely earned an A+ for quality in my book. The site also features some honey varieties, teaware, sugars, and gift baskets.
Now for the tea review. The first flavor I tried was the Red Sunset, a rare tea from Europe, it has black tea as a base and has a natural fruit flavor that adds a hint of sweetness to the aromatic brew. The tea has light floral notes and vitamin C because of the added rose petals. I found it refreshing, yet soothing. From the moment I breathed in the aroma, I sensed the sweetness of the fruit. I knew I had found a new favorite…until I tried the Rooibos Africana.
My Favorite
This tea has the recognizable red cup that is characteristic of all rooibos blends. Rooibos Africana goes the extra step however, by adding bright blue malva flowers and purple cornflowers to the crimson mix. I actually couldn’t wait to try it as I waited for it to be ready. It’s rich, spicy flavor found me when I wasn’t feeling well, so the natural “perk” I experienced was a plus. This tea is packed full of health giving benefits, and is known to ease the pain of sore throats, lower swelling, and boost general well being. With subtle touches of vanilla and orange, this tea is a great way to pamper yourself!
Usually, I don’t like to leave the bag steeping long because most teas get too strong and have a bitter taste when you do. To my surprise, these teas did not do that. I wanted to try different steep times so I could get a better feel for the individual flavors. Some of the varieties, like Blue Moon and Yerba Mate were actually better the longer the bag remained in the water. I also found the variance in color for each tea was interesting (I’m just visual like that).
A Special Offer
If you love tea and want to try some that you just aren’t going to find in the supermarket, head over to Red Leaf Tea and check out their impressive variety. Just as a heads up, the tea comes without the bags, so you will need to use a tea strainer spoon or empty bags that they also sell on the site. They have also graciously offered a special deal for Women’s Life Link readers. It is 20%OFF and FREE Shipping on all of their products with the coupon “womenslifelink” for the first 20 customers to shop at their online store. It can be used for current specials as well. Also, look for their upcoming additions: Immortalitea, Smart Tea, and bath teas that will give you additional health benefits. Happy sipping, Ladies! Be well-be beautiful.
Leave a relevant comment to be entered in our September natural product gift basket giveaway. You also get an entry when you visit Redleaftea.com and tell us which tea you’d like to try. You can get additional entries by picking up our RSS feed or following us on Twitter.Please leave separate comments for each entry. Contest ends 9/25/09.
Photo byValcom2the
Tip of the Iceberg Tuesday
(A little controversy for your day)
Are You Dying To Be Beautiful?
One of our goals at Women’s Life Link is to help you understand the importance of obtaining and maintaining your health, and that through this process you will naturally begin to see a more beautiful you emerge. We have focused on some anti-aging topics, but this particular post is one that brings awareness of dangers that various cosmetics and skin care products pose to your body.
A Shocking Reality
“Currently, there are estimated to be more than 10,500 cosmetic and personal care products on the North American market. Of those products, the Environmental Working Group estimates that 99% of the products contain one or more ingredients that have never been evaluated for safety,” reports Dr. Joseph Mercola, an osteopathic physician, health activist, and entrepreneur practicing in Hoffman Estates, IL. This is nothing less than irresponsibility on the part of cosmetic companies and the administrations that regulate the sale of their products, or should I say, the lack of regulation.
If this is true, we can not count on the government to help us determine what is good for us and what is not. In fact, the FDA can not move on banning a product unless it has actually injured or caused death in multiple individuals. Huh? That sounds a little WRONG! I remember finding out that some companies actually put what is called “animal by-products” in their cosmetics. Do you have any idea what an animal by-product is? If you have a weak stomach, you should probably stop reading NOW. For the rest of you, here it goes. ABP’s are what boils to the top of a giant vats of left over parts from the slaughter houses, road kill, and euthanized animals from the shelters. Yes, I wanted to vomit when I heard that.
It’s All About the Money
So why do they use such ingredients in skin care products? The answer: MONEY! It’s a cheap filler and easy to come by. What about the Parabens, Mineral oil, paraffin, and petroleum? And, what about the alcohol, propylene glycol, Sodium Laurel, and Acrylamide? Yes, at least one of these toxic ingredients are found in almost every lotion, lip balm, soap, and anti-aging creme out there – at least the ones made by companies that don’t claim to be organic and healthy. These substances are wreaking havoc on our systems and can make all your “get healthy” efforts null and void.
What Can We Do About It?
The first thing you can do is not purchase these poison-laced products. I recommend replacing your current personal care products with ones that you know for sure are without harmful chemicals and toxic waste. You can do this by researching companies that are considered organic, green, and all natural. Personally, I use products hand-made by artisans. Several of my favorites will be reviewed soon. Make sure to pick up our RSS feed so you don’t miss the recommendations.
Start talking – Another thing you can do is start telling your friends and family about this article and any other information that you come across. When you consider how unhealthy these simple products can be, it shouldn’t be hard to warn the ones you love. Start with yourself though.
Protest – For you go-getter types, you can take a stance with your congressmen or congresswomen. Write them a letter describing your concerns and how you would like for there to be stricter regulations on the production of personal care items. It’s our skin; we deserve better than what we’re getting.
I would appreciate any feedback that you can give on this topic. Let us know about anything that you’ve heard concerning the manufacturing and sale of personal care products and cosmetics. Please take this seriously. You may also like Toxic Shock: For Beginners. For more information on healthy skin care, contact Jeffrie Ann Hall, Esthetician. Be well-be beautiful.
Resource: Mercola.com
Photo by Padmita
I’m sitting here at DC Hair Lounge waiting while my two teen daughters get their back-to-school haircuts. I thought it would be fun to ask co-owner/stylist, Deanna Robbins, a few questions about hair, inspiration, and owning a business.
WLL - What is the worst mistake women make with their hair?
Deanna - Holding on to out-of-date styles for WAY too long. The second worst thing is coloring their own hair at home.
WLL – What do you tell women who are hesitant to change their cut/style?
Deanna - It’s just hair not a hysterectomy!
WLL – What is the most important product that women need to use to keep their hair in tip-top condition?
Deanna - Good shampoo and conditioner, especially if they have color-treated hair. Poor quality hair products just wash your color right down the drain.
WLL – What are your favorite products for yourself and your clients?
Deanna - Kevin Murphy Anti-Gravity (very light, organic volumizer); Sebastian Mousse Forte. For shorter hair, Sebastian Shine Define and Flexible Hold Hairspray. For curly hair, Kevin Murphy Motion Lotion and Easy Rider products.
WLL - Where do you get inspiration for your cutting-edge hair designs?
Deanna - I draw inspiration from my clients who are artists and musicians…their lifestyles are creative. I also love the funky look of the Harajuku girls. It’s also necessary for me to create cuts for busy moms. Their lifestyle is an inspiration that requires me to “think outside the box” in order to give them a fun, modern look that’s easy to manage. (A client pictured at left).
WLL - What is the hardest thing about running your own salon?
Deanna - I would say that it’s a little unpredictable. Leading creative people can be challenging.
WLL - What is the best thing about owning a business?
Deanna - Getting to put my ideas into motion and educating others.
It was a pleasure to talk with Deanna and get some inside, expert advice on hair. She is a savvy woman I consider a great friend and a true inspiration to me in many ways. And, she has just agreed to come on board Women’s Life Link as our Hair Expert! Make sure to subscribe to our
feed so you don’t miss her “Beautiful Women” interview or any of her her upcoming posts.
For more information about DC Hair Lounge and the services they provide, call 317-841-8565. Deanna has offered $10.00 off of a new client haircut for anyone who mentions Women’s Life Link! Trust me, you want her or one of her talented stylists to cut your hair!
Photo by That Scorpio
A woman’s quest for beautiful skin and for affordable, feel-good products to get her there is one that can be frustrating. Even with international accessibility at our fingertips, we can surf around the world only to still be disappointed in the selection (and price) of good, healthy products. Fortunately, for some that unsuccessful search inspires them to not only create their own but make a career out of it; as in the case of Tara Reynolds.
Growing Sacred Herbals
After continuous disappointment with skincare products that contained preservatives and other chemicals, Tara was forced to take action and make what she needed. “I started making my own products from scratch with fine ingredients like rich butters and oils and fine quality essential oils. What I found is that my skin had never looked or felt so good,” said the owner/founder of the four-year-old company, Sacred Herbals. A certified Herbalist and Aromatherapist, Tara is quite qualified to create products that not only promote beautiful skin but a healthy emotional and spirtual experience.
Spirit of Beauty, whose sweet impulses, Flung like the rose of dawn across the sea, Alone can flush the exalted consciousness With shafts of sensible divinity– Light of the world, essential loveliness. - Alan Seeger, Ode to Natural Beauty (st. 2)
My Own “Sacred” Experience
I was delighted to meet Tara via her blog and was immediately drawn to learn more about her line of organic beauty products. She graciously sent me one of her natural body scrubs to try. When the Cocoa Butter Walnut Body Scrub arrived, I couldn’t wait to get in the shower and try it.
Cocoa Butter Walnut Body Scrub
First, I took in the comforting aroma of the patchouli, frankincense, cedar wood, lemon, orange, lavender, and mandarin essential blend that truly made my first experience with the product a pleasant one. Next, I scooped out the firm, well-packed scrub (not gushy and runny like some) and proceeded to swirl it onto my arms and chest area. Immediately, the tiny, ground pieces of walnut began to invigorate my skin with a gentle but effective exfoliation. I’ve used some scrubs that almost hurt to use, so I was glad when this one did its job without inflicting any pain.
Finishing up my total body experience with the scrub, I noticed the aromatherapy affect inside my shower. The scent was motivating and even a little sensual as, for me, patchouli can be. The product rinsed away well and left only a nice trace of the natural oils behind. After towel drying, I noticed how soft and smooth my skin felt. It was as if I had already put on lotion (a nice bonus I did not expect). I have now used the Walnut Scrub several times and couldn’t be happier with the results. It seems to get better every time! The only thing left to do is hurry up and purchase some of Tara’s other natural products.
What They Offer
On the Sacred Herbal site, you’ll find a “full line of skin, bath and body products developed with a standard of achieving nothing less than natural perfection,” as they state on their about page. Some of the products they offer are creamy whipped body butters, irresistible body scrubs, luxury bath bombs, seasonal silky lip balms, hand crafted and blended natural perfumes, exotic blended bath salts and more!
Sacred Herbals Giveaway
For one lucky Women’s Life Link reader, Sacred Herbals is gifting a full-sized jar of the Cocoa Butter Walnut Body Scrub. The contest ends Thursday, August 13, 2009, so enter fast. To obtain entries to the giveaway, do any of the following:
1. Leave a topic-related comment after this post about what you desire in beauty products, what you would like to change about your skin, or how your past search for products has disappointed you (no “enter me”, “love it!”, “I hope I win!” types of comments please).
2. Subscribe to our RSS feed. Let me know when you do this via email or in a comment so I can count it in the entries.
3. Follow Women’s Life Link on Twitter (again, let me know who you are).
4. Drop by Sacred Herbals and check out their full line of beauty products and let us know which item(s) you would like to try.
Photo by Electra
Organic Trend
Although the terms “health” and “fashion” may not be commonly used together right now, I believe we will soon see a deluge of “organic/healthy” clothing and accessories that takes us to a new era of living healthy and looking great while doing it. Since I’d like to see every woman consider the “Be Well-Be Beautiful” concept as a lifestyle, I thought we could take a look at some of the products that are currently offered in the market.
My research first took me to the definition of “organic clothing” which is as follows: Organic clothing is clothing that is made from materials that are raised or grown without the use of chemicals in the form of pesticides – herbicides or other chemicals. Among others, Turkey,India and the US produce some of the finest organic fibers in the world.
Health Benefits of Organic Material
To even think about making a change to “earth-friendly/healthy fashion, we must first understand the driving purpose for such a shift in trends. Because ultimately all of our environmental-saving efforts are set forth for the benefit of prolonging and enhancing the lives of humans, we must consider how it affects our personal health first.
- Wearing clothing made from organic materials reduces the onset of allergic reactions, including, skin irritations, respiratory ailments, and eye conditions.
- The natural fibers will not block or change the energy flow in and around your body as some synthetic products can.
- Organic materials are machine/hand washable which reduces the exposure we have to dry cleaning chemicals.
- Natural fibers allow your skin to oxygenate more efficiently as well as release toxins through perspiration and skin oils.
- Children/babies especially will benefit from all-natural clothing products as they are more susceptible to chemical sensitivities.
Environmental Benefits of Organic Material
Authentic organic fabrics and clothing can also help the environment in a number of ways.
- The manufacture of chemicals is not required.
- Chemical residues are not entered accidentally into the environment.
- Humans and animals are not exposed to factory chemicals.
- When the fabric is no longer used, chemicals are not returned to the earth in landfill, or enter into recycling process.
Stylish Organic Clothing
Now, to the fun part of my research -the clothes! I took a peak around on the web and found the following articles of women’s clothing hip, stylish, and healthy!
Bamboo Hannah Shirt, $41 at Sweetgrassfibers.com
The first interesting healthy fashion find is made from the unlikely source of bamboo. I know… it sounds like something that would be itchy and not very pretty; however, to my surprise, it is the opposite. The material actually feels similar to silk but has a durability that silk can never offer. Sweet Grass, a company that sells all-natural clothing and accessories has a nice collection of stylish pieces that any woman could easily add to their current wardrobe.
Owner and founder, Paige Morse, started her quest for a career in fashion design in the late 1990′s. But in the souks – or markets – of Morocco, Egypt and Turkey, she fell in love with textiles and color, patterns and hue. A creative fire was sparked. After more world traveling and meeting some wise people, she formed the vision that sustains herself, her community, and the planet. Today, located in southern Oregon between the Cascade and Siskiyou mountains, Sweetgrass has grown into a premier eco-fashion company.
Next, we will take a look at California Rising, a 100% organic and sustainable shop that caters to both sexes, but started out with an emphasis on the guys. Let’s just say it appears the ladies have caught on to their cool styles as well. Celebrities enjoying the brand include Amber Valetta, Khandi Alexander, Rachelle Carson , Carnie Wilson, John Salley, Ryan Seacrest, and others. California Rising also provided all the tees for the 2007 “Green” Emmy Awards and made a splash at the last MTV Video Music Awards in Vegas. Please visit their site to check out their fine selection of clothing.
Evan and Dean Bow Blouse, $525 at Junoandjove.com
I fell in love with this beautiful blouse from retailer Juno and Jove. With clothing available at their online “emporium,” you can find the latest in health-conscious fashion by some of the leading designers in the field. The brilliant designs of British Columbia based company Evan and Dean are hip, fashion forward, and made from organic materials.
Other Juno and Jove designers include, Zimmerli of Switzerland, Nature by Hand, Toby Pomeroy (jewelry), Karla Colletto (swimwear), and many more.
Changing anything about our lives, whether it be by adding a few more squats at the gym or buying organic clothing, can be a challenge if you can’t see the benefits. I hope you have learned at least a little more about healthy fashion and how it can serve humans and our environment. Find more information on using organic material in the book Sewing Green. Happy shopping, and remember to be well-be beautiful.
Photo by Hexreedwitch