3 Natural & Easy Product Swaps

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Have you ever looked around at your skin care, hair care, and general everyday products and think to yourself, “there has to be a better option out there than this.” Well, you’re not alone! Many people are starting to come to the realization that the products they use in their homes and on their skin and hair play a much bigger role in their health than they first thought. If you have ever lit a new candle from Target or Bath & Body Works and soon after started to get a headache, there is a good chance they are connected. Maybe you got a new bath bomb or soap bar from LUSH and the fragrance oil used in the product made your head spin or your skin broke out in a rash after you got out of the bath. Again, there is a very good chance there is a connection to be made here. There are countless other examples I could make here but you get my point, there are things in our home and every day products that can cause unpleasant and even serious health issues. In this blog we are going to talk about 3 natural and easy product swaps you can make so that no matter where you are at with your health and natural living journey, you can have peace of mind knowing you are using products that are safe for you and your family and better for the planet.

1. Bath Bombs

Let’s begin with a popular one, bath bombs. Ladies (and men), most of us can say there is nothing quite like a warm soak in the bath after a long week. And to make the experience more enjoyable, we can throw a lovely bath bomb in for fun colors and smells. Well, did you know that most bath bombs contain fake colors, fragrances, and other ingredients that are toxic for our bodies? And we’re sitting and soaking our bodies in that… no thank you! Instead, you can swap out your bath bombs from LUSH, Target, and Ulta for Natural Bath Bombs from Apple Valley Natural Soap.

Our luxurious natural bath bombs are crafted from high quality natural ingredients that are gentle and nourishing to the skin. Our ingredients help to moisturize and soothe the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. 

Many bath bombs being sold today contain harsh ingredients, chemicals and synthetic fragrances that are toxic to the body. These harsh ingredients can disrupt hormones, cause skin irritation, and other health issues. By choosing our all natural bath bombs you will avoid exposing your skin to these harmful chemicals and enjoy a safer, more relaxing bathing experience. 

We have 4 different bath bombs to choose from, plus the option to purchase all 4 in a beautiful gift box at a 15% savings! Give a loved one the perfect gift! Each bath bomb purchase comes wrapped in a waxed paper and sealed with one of our labels. Your purchase will also come with a beautiful card which contains a description and the ingredients for our bath bombs. Try them all and have fun finding your favorites!

Our bath bombs contain a base of Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Epsom Salts & Shea Butter, plus the essential oils. We have 4 different essential oil scented bath bombs to choose from, Lavender Eucalyptus, Grapefruit Mint, Cedar-wood Lavender, and Fresh Citrus.

2. Liquid Soap & Refills with Reusable Soap Pump

This is one many of you might be familiar with at this point, but let’s explore! Liquid Soap is probably one of the most common items you will find in any household. One in each bathroom and some might even change out their soaps to fit the season. Floral scents for Spring, Citrus for Summer, Pumpkin or Apple Pie for Autumn and Balsam Fir or Spiced scents for Winter. And while this might sound nice, there are a few things we need to consider. First, most of the places you might purchase your hand soap from such as Target, the drug store, or Bath & Body Works, are single use plastics, meaning that once you run out of that soap, you just throw away the bottle and put a new one in its place. This is not sustainable and can be harmful for the wellbeing of our planet. Second, these soaps are full of fake fragrances, colors, and other additives that are made to look like they are more moisturizing or anti-bacterial. These ingredients are toxic for our bodies and if the average person washes their hands 9 times throughout the day, just think about how much of that toxic hand soap you are rubbing into your hands. And what about your kids? Their little bodies don’t need all of that nastiness on their sensitive skin.

So instead, you can opt for a natural liquid soap such as Apple Valley Natural Soap’s Liquid Castile or Liquid African Black Soap. Not only is this soap safe for your whole family, it also comes in eco-friendly bottles made from bamboo and sugarcane pulp, which are not only 100% recyclable, but also 98% landfill biodegradable. Take it a step further by adding a reusable soap pump or foaming soap bottle to your kitchen, bathrooms, and wherever else you keep hand soap. This way you can just refill your hand soap whenever you run out and have peace of mind knowing you are taking care of your skin and the planet.

Liquid Castile Soap:

We specifically created this liquid soap with Organic olive oil as the main star, and then added a few other oils to enhance the soaps versatility. By adding other gentle and moisturizing yet cleansing oils, this liquid soap is perfect for hands, face and body, plus it may even help with household cleaning!

Try our natural Castile soap for a nourishing and effective cleansing experience for your hands, face and body. Add you own essential oils for a custom scented cleanse! Our premium Castile type liquid soap’s main ingredient is organic virgin olive oil, which deeply penetrates the skin, moisturizing and nourishing while cleansing. We’ve also chosen to combine the olive oil with a rich blend of premium oils to create a thick and versatile soap with creamy lather, gently cleansing while moisturizing, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth. We offer 3 different non-toxic scent options, Unscented, Lavender, and Lemon Verbena.

African Black Soap:

You can also try our African Black Soap, rich in unrefined Shea Butter & beautifully crafted by families in Africa using only ingredients hand gathered in nature. 

African Black Soap which contains a high quantity of natural shea butter is said to be one of the healthiest soaps for all skin types due to the purity of the ingredients used during production. Handcrafted in small batches with ingredients hand gathered from nature, this soap is created by families who cook over open fires, and the “potash” used to finish the soap comes from the fire pits. This version has no added essential oils, but has a mild scent form the natural ingredients. We offer both Unscented and Peppermint scent options in our African Black Soap.

For both the Liquid Castile Soap and African Black Soap, use with one of our Soap Pump Tops for ease of convenience right out of the bottle! Or select one our of Foaming Soap Pumps by Full Circle made of recyclable glass and bamboo!

3. Essential Oils

Last but not least, let’s talk essential oils. Now, this one is a bit controversial but we are going to look at this from a healthy living and toxic-free home perspective.

Essential Oils are quite simply the oil that is extracted from plants found in nature. There are a bunch of natural benefits, plus essential oils have naturally occurring scents and they smell divine! They are an amazing option for those who are sensitive to strong fake fragrances that you would typically find in candles, soaps, cleaning products, etc. There are so many uses for essential oils but I will highlight a few of my favorite. First, they are an easy swap if you are sensitive to the artificial fragrances in candles, air fresheners, perfumes, etc. Swap out your Bath & Body Works products for a diffuser and lovely smelling essential oils! You can even have fun mixing and matching different oils in your defuser to create new blends. Second, swap out your hand and body soaps that are filled with artificial fragrances for Apple Valley Natural Soap’s amazing soaps that are scented with natural essential oils. Third, swap our your cleaning and home products for those harnessing the power of natural essential oils such as the previously mentioned and very versatile, Liquid Castile Soaps, which are great for household cleaning. Add your own essential oils to the Unscented Liquid Castile soap for a super easy, cost effective way to clean. Have some fun and DIY your own cleaning supplies, laundry soap, etc.

Need some additional help to start? Look no further! At Apple Valley Natural Soap, we have made it our mission to make sure our products are non-toxic and scented with natural essential oils or natural fragrances. Plus, we now offer Organic Essential Oils and Essential Oil Roll-ons.

Organic Essential Oils:

Our Certified Organic therapeutic essential oils have many benefits for all areas of life, from cleaning and skin care to aromatherapy and speeding illness recovery. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for medicinal and health purposes, and they continue to gain popularity as a natural and safe way to treat health concerns. Essential oils are also a safe and effective way to assist with daily needs such as cleaning and body care.

Why Organic essential oils vs non-organic? Organic essential oils are of a higher quality, being produced using high-quality, organic plant material and processed using natural, non-toxic methods. By choosing organic essential oils, you are also supporting sustainable agriculture and methods that are better for the environment. This all means that the oils are more potent, effective, and beneficial.

We offer a variety of organic essential oils such as Organic Eucalyptus Blue Mallee, Organic Lavender, Organic Lemongrass, Organic Peppermint Supreme, Organic Tea Tree and MORE!

Essential Oil Roll-Ons:

Essential Oils when blended carefully create a synergy between their individual properties, which can greatly enhance the individual oils. Our blended essential oils are carried in Organic MCT coconut oil for easy application and perfect for when on the go. All our Essential Oils are 100% natural and pure, plus they are packaged in 10mL dark ultraviolet glass bottles which are designed to block all harmful visible light while beneficial UV and infrared rays extend the freshness of what’s held inside.

We offer 4 different essential oil blend options all designed to help specific needs such as Clarity, Immunity, Lavender (Relaxing), and Serenity. You can use these oils to help with specific needs as well as smelling amazing with a great alternative to perfume.

These are just 3 of MANY product swap ideas we could explore but I hope that this helps to give you a good place to start as you begin your product swap journey. There are things in our home and every day products that can cause unpleasant and even serious health issues. From LUSH to AVNS Natural Bath Bombs, Drug Store Hand Soap to AVNS Liquid Castile & African Black soap, and Bath & Body Works to Organic Essential Oils, these easy product swaps make sure that no matter where you are at with your health and natural living journey, you can have peace of mind knowing you are using products that are safe for you and your family and better for the planet.

Have you made some product swaps in your hair care, skin care, or home care? Do you have favorite or ride or die product swap? Tell us what they are and start a conversation in the comments!

If you found this post interesting, learned something new, or think of someone who might enjoy reading it too, please share this blog post with your family and friends. It means the world to us! You can also leave us a comment to let us know what you learned or share one of your favorite skin care tips with us. We would love to hear from you!

All my love and have a happy week,

Amanda

AVNS Boutique – Experience The Beauty Of Nature

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If you have been following along on our journey for a few years now, you might remember when Apple Valley Natural Soap had the opportunity to move out of the Buck home in Lakeville, Minnesota and into our first wear-house and retail location in Apple Valley, Minnesota. Well, since then we had the amazing opportunity to move into a beautiful retail space in a prime location in Eagan, Minnesota. We were also able to hard launch AVNS Boutique, our beauty, hair and skin care, home and lifestyle retail brand. But, in case you haven’t been following along on Instagram and Facebook or are not subscribed to our weekly newsletter, please, allow me to do the honors of formally introducing you to AVNS Boutique.

The Best New Spot To Shop

AVNS Boutique is designed to bring our customers the best of only naturally made products, from clothing & hair care, to chocolate and perfume. We want AVNS Boutique to be a place where no label reading is necessary. Stop by and find clothing made from hemp, bamboo and organic cotton that your body will love, organic essential oils to aid your life, low acid, mold free coffee grown & harvested with organic practices, natural candles certified as MADE SAFE®, plus much more, all in one place. Rest assured that whatever you choose, it will be naturally good for you and your household.

A Sneak Peek Into What You Will Find At The AVNS Boutique

Have you ever been on our website to order a soap bar, lotion, or bath bomb and just wanted to reach your nose through the screen to smell it? AVNS Boutique is the perfect place to come to get all the hands (and nose) on experience of our products. From soap bars and candles to bamboo clothing and home goods, AVNS Boutique is a one-stop-shop for all of your hair care, skin care, and home goods needs. Plus you never have to worry about toxic or fake ingredients in the products we stock in our shop. Our goal was to make sure that AVNS Boutique wasn’t only a lovely place to shop, but a safe place to shop. You will find ethically sourced, natural, toxin-free items for all areas of your life like toothpaste, coffee, candles, t-shirts, and so much more.

Hours & Address Details

Can’t wait to shop? You’re in luck! We are so excited to be able to bring you AVNS Boutique 4 days a week every single week. AVNS Boutique is open Wednesday through Saturday every week.

Our Hours Are:

Wednesday & Thursday 12pm (Noon) – 6pm

Friday & Saturday 10am – 5pm

Our Address Is:

3825 Cedar Grove Parkway
Suite 1102
Eagan, MN 55122

(Our store faces HWY 13, we are a few doors down from Football Pizza and just off Nicols Rd)

We cannot wait for you to stop by and visit us at AVNS Boutique in Eagan, Minnesota! Have you already visited the AVNS Boutique? Let us know what you thought in the comments and we hope to see you again really soon.

If you found this post interesting, learned something new, or think of someone who might enjoy reading it too, please share this blog post with your family and friends. It means the world to us! You can also leave us a comment to let us know what you learned or share one of your favorite skin care tips with us. We would love to hear from you!

All my love and have happy week,

Amanda Pehrson

Castor Oil: What Is It? The History & Benefits of Castor Oil

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What Is Castor Oil?

Another week, another blog! Welcome back everyone, this week we will be diving into the world of castor oil. You have probably heard of castor oil at least once in your life but wether you are a regular user of castor oil or a newbie, this blog is for you!

What is castor oil anyway? Well, according to the National Institute of Health “castor oil is a [thick] vegetable oil made from the Ricinus Communis [the castor bean or castor oil plant], a plant common in the Eastern areas of the world.” Castor oil is a thick and mostly odorless oil but due to how thick it is, it is very tough to get out of clothing and can leave a dark, wet-looking stain. However, castor oil has been used for centuries for many different things such as (and most commonly) a natural laxative, to encourage birth in 40+ week pregnant women, hair and skin care, and so much more.

The History Of Castor Oil

Castor oil’s “first recorded medicinal use goes back to the time of the Ebers papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical treatise… A traditional name for the plant is “Palma Christi” because of its supposed resemblance to the hand of Christ and its widely-reputed healing power.” “Castor Oil has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to 4,000 B.C. Evidence of its cultivation was discovered circa 500 B.C. in central Egypt where it was used in cosmetics, medicines and as a lamp oil. Castor oil is mentioned in the Ebers papyrus in recipes intended to treat numerous health conditions and ailments.” Castor oil has been used for hair and skin treatments, medicinal purposes, to cure leather, and oil lamps (although we can imagine that would not have smelled very nice) among other things. It was used in Egypt and all over the continent of Africa as well as in China, India and Brazil. Castor beans were brought to America and cultivated as early as the late 1600’s.

The MANY Uses For Castor Oil

We have a few of the benefits and uses of Castor Oil listed on our website:

Castor oil’s benefits for hair & body are many, here are the highlights

  • It is reputed to be good for repairing hair, softening skin, and easing aches and pains.  
  • Rich in fatty acids, as well as antioxidants.
  • Contains anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it effective for treating acne-prone skin, as it penetrates the skin easily without clogging pores or aggravating the skin condition.
  • Stimulates circulation to boost hair growth and locks in moisture.
  • Anti-fungal properties can treat scalp infections by eliminating the bacteria and microorganisms that can cause hair loss, dandruff, and infection. 
  • For mature skin types, it may delay the signs of aging by deeply moisturizing, softening and soothing the skin, boosting elasticity, and stimulating collagen production.
  • Restores the skin’s hydration and reduces the appearance of unwanted blemishes and scars when applied regularly.

Medicinally

  • Soothes skin inflammation caused by dry skin, acne, sunburns.
  • Relieves the discomfort of sore muscles and joint pain, especially for those who suffer from arthritis.
  • Antimicrobial properties help it work effectively as a disinfectant for wounds, minor cuts, and scrapes. 
  • Breaking up adhesions or scar tissue.
  • Strengthening the immune system
  • Increases relaxation and improves sleep quality
  • Improving lymphatic drainage
  • Reducing headaches
  • Detoxifying internal organs
  • Reducing menstrual cramps

Castor oil is a highly absorbent oil so if you put it on your skin, it will penetrate deeply and work quickly. It can be used with a Castor Oil Pack to help to break up blockages, inflammation, and bone spurs and growths under the skin. You can also put a little in your belly button with a small piece of organic cotton for better sleep, to relieve constipation, and improve overall health. Use the castor oil with a castor oil pack on your liver, kidneys, or thyroid* to help with detoxification. Use on your stomach and digestive system to improve inflammation, digestion and gut health. It has been said that castor oil can help with fertility in women. It can also be used both externally and internally to induce labor in 40+ week pregnant women. It has been used for centuries to induce labor because castor oil is a natural uterine contractor (which is why it is not recommended for use during pregnancy.)

*Please note that you should talk with a trusted natural doctor or specialist before you use a castor oil pack for detoxification and be aware of the side effects of the detoxification process. You might not feel your best for a day or two during detoxification as your body has to clean out and flush all of that crap (pun intended) from your body. When using a castor oil pack, start with only 20 minutes at a time a couple of times a week for a couple of weeks or so and slowly increase the time and frequency as your body is able. Eventually you will be able to wear your castor oil pack overnight.

Why the Quality Of Your Castor Oil Matters

As with most things, the quality of the product you use matters. As mentioned earlier, castor oil is a highly absorbent oil so if you put it on your skin, it will penetrate deeply and work quickly. If you are putting something onto your skin that will be quickly absorbed deeply into your body, wouldn’t you want to make sure is it the best of the best? If you are getting castor oil for any topical or internal uses, make sure that it is first and foremost Organic. This means we don’t need to worry about it the castor bean plant having been sprayed with chemicals and pesticides or grown with the use of GMO’s. Next you want to make sure it is Cold Pressed and Expeller Pressed, this means it is not heated while going through the extraction process so none of the goodness and healing benefits of the castor oil have been lost or “cooked out” of the oil. And finally you want to make sure your castor oil is Hexane Free. You might be asking, what in the world is hexane? Great question, according to Toxic-Free Future, “Hexane is a solvent widely used as an industrial cleaner and degreaser and is an ingredient in many consumer products. Easily inhaled or absorbed through the skin, hexane has been recognized for more than 40 years to cause long-lasting and even permanent nerve damage in feet, legs, hands, and arm.” Do you want that in your castor oil to be absorbed into your body and organs? Yeah, I didn’t think so. A castor oil this pure can be tough to find but don’t worry! We have an amazing organic, expeller and cold pressed, hexane free castor oil just for you on our website, or if you are a Minnesota local, you can stop by the AVNS Boutique to pick up a bottle.

Organic Cold Pressed Castor Oil | Expeller Pressed, Hexane Free Castor Oil

A beauty staple for centuries, this unrefined (virgin), certified organic, cold pressed castor oil is a nutrient-rich, moisturizing and conditioning oil for hair, skin & nails. Soothe, soften, and promote healing with our rich, nourishing, hexane free Castor Oil.

Use alone, or with a Castor Oil Pack for cleansing internal organs, helping sore joints, & reducing inflammation. Our Organic Castor Oil is thick and undiluted and is packaged in a 16 ounce amber glass bottle.

(Please note that this product is not intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease. Castor oil may stain clothing or other fabrics. Keep out of the reach of children. For topical use only, do not use on open wounds, and do not use if pregnant.)

How To Use A Castor Oil Pack

What You’ll Need:

1. Unrefined (virgin), certified organic, cold pressed castor oil

2. Select your desired Castor Oil Pack (or all of them)

3. A heating pad or hot water bottle if desired. (A heating pad or hot water bottle is recommended if you are only wearing the castor oil pack for a short period of time, it is not necessary if you are wearing it overnight.)

4. A glass container with a lid to store the oil soaked pack in-between uses. A glass mason jar or glass food storage container would both be great options.

5. Old clothes and towels – as mentioned above, castor oil stains so it is best to wear old clothes that you don’t mind having oil stains. And you’ll want to put an old towel down where you are planning to sit or sleep to protect your furniture from the oil.

6. A place to relax that you will be comfortable.

Directions:

1. Choose your relaxing spot and place the towel down to protect the furniture from oil. And wear old clothes you don’t mind getting oil stains.

2. Have your book, TV show, or music and snack or tea ready to go. (Making this an enjoyable experience is important!)

3. Have your hot water bottle or heating pad ready to go where you will be laying.

4. Drizzle your Castor Oil Pack with about 1 Tablespoon of Castor Oil

5. Place the Castor Oil Pack on where you want it (most commonly over your liver or kidney’s, thyroid, stomach/digestive system, etc.)

6. Get into your relaxing spot and put the heating pad or hot water bottle over the pack.

7. Lay back and relax for 20 minutes to an hour. If you have a pack with ties and you’ve gotten used to using the pack, you can go about your day wearing it or sleep with it on.

8. When it is time to remove the pack, gently take it off and wipe off the excess oil with an old towel or rub the excess oil into your skin. Place the pack into your glass container and put the clothes and towels you used into the wash. (Make sure you don’t put your Castor Oil Pack into the washing machine.)

Personal Castor Oil Testimony

I personally have used castor oil regularly and for many things for almost a year now. I was first introduces to Castor Oil and Castor Oil Packs when my doctor recommended it to help with liver detoxification. I used castor oil packs on my liver primarily for many months and then when I started to deal with inflammation in my abdomen and digestive issues, I used the castor oil packs on my abdomen overnight. I also used castor oil in my belly button overnight with a small piece of organic cotton to help with sleep and to fight against inflammation. During this time I have done lots of research on castor oil and its many benefits. I have personally seen the healing benefits of castor oil and have recommended it to family and friends. I have also used castor oil to help fight against dryness and irritation in my ears from years of being a competitive swimmer, countless ear infections, and antibiotic ear drops. During 2023 I was dealing with some health issues and I would get inflamed lymph nodes and adrenal glands frequently, so I would apply castor oil to them to help with drainage and decrease inflammation. A high quality castor oil is an amazing tool to have in your self care collection and I couldn’t recommend it enough!

If you found this post interesting, learned something new, or think of someone who might enjoy reading it too, please share this blog post with your family and friends. It means the world to us! You can also leave us a comment to let us know what you learned or share one of your favorite skin care tips with us. We would love to hear from you!

All my love and have happy week,

Amanda Pehrson

Sources:

The National Institute of Health – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551626/

Health First Network – https://healthfirstnetwork.ca/blog/why-castor-oil-has-been-around-for-centuries/

Qhemet Biologics – https://qhemetbiologics.com/blogs/news/the-history-benefits-of-castor-oil#:~:text=Castor%20Oil%20has%20been%20found,and%20as%20a%20lamp%20oil.

Apple Valley Natural Soap – https://www.applevalleynaturalsoap.com/organic-cold-pressed-castor-oil-expeller-pressed-hexane-free-castor-oil/

Summer Skin Care

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Is It Just As Or More Important Than Winter Skin Care?

With the much anticipated seasonal release of our Limited Edition Summer Skin Saver soap bar, we are invited to ask the question on the importance of summer skin care. If you’re anything like me, you probably grew up hearing about the importance of washing your face morning and night, using SPF to protect against the suns harmful rays, and using clean products. And if you’re ANYTHING like me, you grew up trying every product known to man that was marketed for Acne Prone Skin. But how much of the success of our perfectly honed skin care routine comes down to the season? Yes, that’s right! How much can we blame our skins irritations and imperfections on wether is it Summer or Winter. Join me as we unpack the impact the seasons have on our skin, the benefits of our Limited Edition Summer Skin Saver soap bar, and much more…

Do The Seasons Really Effect Our Skin?

To put it simply, Yes! Seasons and changes in seasons can play a huge roll in the health and life of our skin. In the Winter for example, it is usually dry and cold which can lead to dry and chapped skin prone to cracking. And in the Summer it is usually hot and humid which can lead to sweating, oily skin and breakouts, and sunburns, or hot and dry which can lead to skin dryness and irritation and sunburns that don’t heal very well. With this information in mind, it can help us to adjust our skin care routine, the products we are using, and our daily habits to promote healthy skin no matter the season. In the winter, it is vital to consume extra water as a part of your daily routine and use really healing and moisturizing products to fight against the dryness. So what should we do in the Summer to keep our skin safe?

How To Protect Our Skin In The Summer

1. Products

The products we use in the summer and leading up to summer really sets us up for either failure or success with our skin. Make sure that you are using products appropriate for your skin type, products that will boost hydration in your skin, and avoiding products that can cause harmful damage to your skin. Some of the products I would recommend for summer skin are our limited edition Summer Skin Saver Bar and organic herbal salve. You will also be able to find amazing moisturizers and other skin care products on our website, applevalleynaturalsoap.com. Another product to pay attention to, is your SPF or sunscreen (we will talk about this a little bit in the Diet section as well, but you’ll want to pay attention here too.) We have been told over and over again to wear our sunscreen if we don’t want sunburns, skin pigmentation issues, and even skin cancer. But have you ever thought that maybe it’s what we’re putting on our bodies (and in our bodies, but more on that later) and what it does when it comes into contact with the sun that is the problem? Did you know that sunscreen (or sunblock) started out simply as zinc oxide? But over the years pharmacists, doctors and manufactures started adding more and more ingredients to create what we know sunscreen to be today. However, studies have shown that there are more harmful ingredients living inside your average bottle of sunscreen than good. And we have found that when these harmful ingredients are put in contact with the sun, they react negatively to those rays actually causing skin cancer and other issues. This can happen on such a microscopic level that we have no idea what is actually happening to our skin when we apply these harmful chemicals. Instead, look for a sunscreen with minimal ingredients, the main one being zinc oxide! Some great options to try are the Earth Harbor ECLIPSE Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 that we actually offer in our AVNS Boutique, the Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, and the Babo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50.

2. Diet

Did you know that what we put into our bodies plays a bigger role in the health of our skin then the products we put on it? It’s true! The products we apply topically morning and night can only do so much to help our skin. What we choose to put inside our bodies will show on our skin. For example, if we partake in a few alcoholic beverages in a weekend without proper rehydration, our skin will show the effects in dryness and dullness with puffiness and bloating in our face and neck. And if we eat a lot of refined sugars, it will most likely make itself known in the next day or two with breakouts/acne and puffiness in the face and neck.

The health of our skin is also a sign of gut health. Do you have dull skin, acne that won’t seem to go away, and dark circles under your eyes even after a good night of sleep? This might be a sign of and unhealthy gut and it might be time to invest in some quality pre and probiotics to help your guts microbiome.

Did you know that seed oils increase the sensitivity of your skin to the suns UV’s? This is a theory that is still in discussion, however most people (myself included) have noticed that with the elimination of seed oils from their diet, the time they were able to be outside in the sun without their skin getting irritated by the sun (sunburned) went up drastically. Plus the severity of the sunburn and rate of recovery from that sunburn dropped (yes, this is a good thing.) Seed oils were first introduced to the United States as early as 1911. Cottonseed Oil was developed and marketed by Procter & Gamble as a creamed shortening called Crisco which was then made available to the public. The first sunscreen in the United States was invented in 1944 by a pharmacist named Benjamin Green which would later become known as Coppertone Suntan Lotion. Coincidence? I think not, but let me know what you think in the comments.

3. Routine

Making sure we have a healthy routine in place, will help the health of our skin for years to come. Getting 8-9 hours of sleep each night, drinking 80 – 100oz of water each day, getting a good sweat in during a workout (but making sure to shower and wash your face afterwards), and applying clean and natural products to our skin after it is cleaned. Staying away from inflammatory foods such as refined grains, refined sugars, and seed oils, taking a high quality pre and probiotic, eating fermented foods, and keeping alcohol consumption in a minimum will all greatly improve the over all health of your skin not just on your face but your whole body during the summer months. Do you love spending time outside in the summer? I mean who doesn’t? One of the best ways to get your skin used to the stronger UV rays from the sun is to sit outside or do something in the sun for very short periods of time everyday. 5, 10, or 15 minutes a day for a couple of weeks and making this a part of your routine will help your skin to acclimate to the suns stronger rays during the summer and reduce the risk of a nasty sunburn.

Summer Skin Saver Limited Edition Soap Bar

With summer comes an increase in outdoor activities, and our skin takes a beating. The negative effects of sun, wind, bugs, and added opportunities for scratches and scrapes require some tender loving care and attention. Gently wash and protect your skin with our limited edition Summer Skin Saver Bar. Super-fatted with lanolin, the oil sheep secrete to keep them warm, dry, and protected, this bar not only cleanses, but it forms a barrier on the skin that locks in existing moisture while at the same time attracting additional moisture from the surrounding air. This barrier created by lanolin is helpful for skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema as it can help seal and protect skin, while also allowing it to breathe and attract moisture.

But that’s not all! Unrefined organic cocoa butter and mango butter add an extra boost of moisturizing benefits while white kaolin clay makes this bar smooth and silky on your skin. We’ve also scented this one with uplifting citrus fruit essential oils. In selecting these essential oils, we made sure that each one either by the nature of the oil itself or by the way it was produced, is NOT photosensitive. Enjoy this zesty, sweet, sparkling bar of happiness for all people everywhere.

Natural Deodorant Creme

Moisturize and deodorize those pits with our all natural, aluminum-free deodorant cremes. Made with anti-bacterial, odor absorbing ingredients like organic virgin coconut oil, diatomaceous earth, aluminum free baking soda, arrowroot powder, and white kaolin clay, our natural deodorant creme is safe and effective.

Our unscented version fights hard with the anti-bacterial, odor absorbing base ingredients (perfect for sensitive skin), while our regular deodorant adds an extra level of protection with the antibacterial essential oils of tea tree, lavender, and lemon.

Organic Herbal Salve

Chock full of soothing, certified organic herbs infused in a base of organic, extra virgin olive oil and unrefined beeswax, this organic herbal salve is amazingly multi-purpose and economical. Apply it to rashes, bug bites, sun burn, wounds, dry, cracked skin, bruises, diaper rash and more!

St. John’s wort has historically been known to help speed up the healing process and prevent scarring, Echinacea has a long history of success with venomous stings and bites and is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Comfrey & Yarrow have astringent properties and have been used to promote cell regeneration and healing. Plantain is acclaimed for its ability to relieve bee stings, insect and spider bites and rashes. Calendula is impressive because of its ability to speed healing, improve the appearance of the skin, lower inflammation, and protect the skin against infections. Rosemary has natural antiseptic properties, which makes it a superior disinfectant for our skin. It can also help protect skin cells from damage often caused by the sun and free radicals. Grapefruit seed extract is an excellent anti-fungal agent.

Keep a jar of this on your counter top! It is safe for your children to grab and put on their frequent summer scratches, bites, and rashes.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the appropriate skin care routine at any time of year is very important. But during the summer, there are things we want to be aware of that will set us up for either failure or success in the seasons to follow. The seasonal changes play a huge roll in the health and overall wellbeing of our skin and we want to make sure we are giving our skin the best chance to have the best summer this summer and every summer after. Make sure you are using natural, clean products on your skin. Make sure you are cleansing well and applying healing products back on to your skin. If you are using an SPF or sunscreen, make sure it is clean with minimal ingredients with the main one being zinc oxide. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, avoiding large amounts of alcohol, eating fermented foods, taking pre and probiotics, and staying away from seed oils in your food. Set up a healthy routine, getting plenty of sleep, getting a good workout or sweat in, and spend a few minutes outside every day to let your skin get acclimated to the sun. And stock up on our favorite summer skin care products like the Limited edition Summer Skin Saver Bar, All natural, aluminum-free deodorant cremes, and organic herbal salve. Most importantly, don’t forget to have FUN this summer! Summer is an amazing season full of fun, days on the water, bonfires, and time out of doors with family and friends. So enjoy it! It is only here for a short time, so make the most of it starting TODAY.

If you found this post interesting, learned something new, or think of someone who might enjoy reading it too, please share this blog post with your family and friends. It means the world to us! You can also leave us a comment to let us know what you learned or share one of your favorite skin care tips with us. We would love to hear from you!

All my love and have happy week,

Amanda Pehrson

5 Unique Eco-Friendly Father’s Day Gifts 2022

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I’ve been scouring the internet for 5 incredible father’s day gifts that are eco-friendly, organic, or produced by a small business! I’m not sure why, but a theme has emerged from this year’s gift guide search and I’m proud to title it: “cooking and cleaning: gifts for the scrupulous chef in your life.” I’m super excited to share these gifts with you today, and I hope they make your father’s day shopping just a bit easier.

5 Unique Father’s Day Gifts

1) BirdmansHome Stoneware Coffee Tumblers & Mugs ($50+)

These beautifully hand crafted, fired stoneware tumblers and mugs are a wonderful and unique gift idea for the men in your life. Sold in a set of two or more they are prefect for having at home, at the office, and a welcome addition to any coffee bar set up.

2) DIY BBQ Making Kit by Grow and Make

What better way to celebrate your bb-cutie than with a BBQ adventure!

Description: Great DIY gift for DAD for Father’s Day!

Make your own tangy barbecue sauces with our Artisan BBQ Sauce Making Kit! Great for family projects. A DIY BBQ sauce kit is the perfect birthday gift for grill cooks, barbecue enthusiasts, or the dad who has everything! Simple instructions make this kit fun and easy for everyone interested in showing off their own exceptional BBQ sauce. Just add tomato paste, oil, and our kit ingredients to make three flavor-packed tomato or mustard-based homemade barbecue sauce recipes. Contains all the grilling spices and seasonings to give your barbecue dishes unique flavor, like cayenne, turmeric, garlic, and liquid smoke.

3) Grill Master Gift Box with Organic Spices by Fresh Jax

This grilling gift set has everything you need for a delicious grill-out!

Description: 

“What’s the hardest part about shopping for the grilling guru in your life? They think they already have everything they need! This Grill Master Gift Set was made with grilling fanatics in mind. This set includes three organic spice blends, a grill master t-shirt to claim reign, grill master koozie to chill drinks, and 4 Alderwood grilling planks!”

Spice Blends

Peppered Habanero Hot Grill Spice: Turn up the heat on steak, kabobs, chili, wings, and caulifower!

Ingredients: Organic cracked black pepper, sea salt, organic cayenne pepper, organic habanero pepper, organic brown mustard seed, organic onion, organic garlic, organic parsley, organic lemon zest.

Grill Master Organic Burger Seasoning: Bean burgers, beet burgers, and beef burgers  alike, will warm you to your core-iander and have you feeling rose-merry with coats of this colorful blend!

Ingredients: Organic cracked black pepper, organic onion, organic paprika, sea salt, organic dill, organic coriander, organic thyme, organic garlic, organic fennel, organic rosemary.

Rosy Cheeks Organic Maple Bourbon BBQ Spice: Craft the perfect backyard BBQ when you use this on chicken, ribs, pulled pork, and baked beans.

Ingredients: Organic paprika, organic light brown sugar, organic cane juice, organic dried maple syrup, cherrywood smoked sea salt, organic onion, Himalayan pink salt, organic cracked black pepper, organic garlic, organic chipotle pepper, organic mesquite, organic flavors, organic cumin, organic turmeric, organic lemon zest.

4) Oven Scrub Cleaner: 100% Natural – Eco-Friendly Cleaner by Everneat

100% Natural Oven Cleaner powered with pumice stone & pure essential oils to deep clean your oven without toxic fumes

– Plant-powered ingredients

– Vegan & cruelty-free

– Powerful cleaning

– Refillable & reusable

– Approved by professionals

– Probiotic cleaning

Safe for:

– Porcelain-enameled steel ovens, racks & oven interior glass

– Cast-iron

– Scratch-resistant metals & surfaces

5) Eco Friendly Pet Hair Remover – Lint Brush by Modern Pets Living

This business sells tons of cool pet products, so if you’re looking for something even a little more “upscale” check out the rest of their site!

“A must-have minimalist design pet hair remover and a great substitute for your traditional lint roller. A comfortable wooden handle and large brushing surface area will make this daily task a breeze.

– 3 colors to choose from

– Natural wooden handle

– Self-cleaning housing

– Modern Matte Finish

– Electrostatic Reusable Brush

– Sustainable, green, and reusable

– Made from recycled materials

– Measurements: 12 in x 3 in x 1.8 in

Care Instructions:

– Gentle hand wash only

– Allow to fully dry before usage”

Much Love,

Nora

5 Unique Ways To Use and Reuse Flowers!

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We get the flower hype, we love using floral essential oils to scent our soaps. Our Bella Rose Shampoo bar and Lavender Buttermilk Shampoo bar are just a few of our floral scented soaps! But what else can you do with flowers? A lot!  From jewelry to tasty treats, let’s celebrate the floral explosion of springtime with a purposeful harvest! 

Photo by Miguel u00c1. Padriu00f1u00e1n on Pexels.com

1. DIY Potpourri

    Such a fun, simple way to keep those expired Mother’s Day bouquets going! According to Grower Direct, “Potpourri was created in the 12th century for the purpose of freshening rooms in castles for the people of that time. Spices or herbs were placed in huge cooking cauldrons after the meal tasks of the day had been completed.” Many people today continue to use potpourri as a natural way to keep their living spaces smelling fresh! I used to wonder why my Nana kept a bunch of dried up flowers in a bowl on the bathroom counter…now I know! Here’s a potpourri recipe specifically for repurposing old bouquets. You can always change the ingredients of a potpourri to match the season. Pinecones during Christmas or cloves and oranges for fall!

    2. Flower Beads

      I feel like this is a great project for a rainy day! This craft is a beautiful way to memorialize a special day like a wedding or anniversary and if you make the beads entirely out of the flowers from the occasion you have a very sentimental keepsake that can last you a super long time. According to Beading Gem, “Real rose petal beads have been made for centuries. The Catholic Church sanctioned the use of rose petal beads in rosaries back in the 16th century. Indeed, the word rosary comes from the Latin rosarium or rose garden. The craft was practiced by convent sisters,Victorians and even by mission people in early California. It is easy to understand why the beads were so popular for they give out a lovely fragrance especially when worn or handled.” A recipe for making the beads in a more traditional fashion can be found here. However, if you’re looking for something a little less intricate you can always simplify the recipe by blending crushed up flowers in a pre-made clay!

      photo from The View From Great Island

      3. Ice Cube Decorations

        Jazz up your brunch or picnic with edible, beautiful ice cubes! I will attach a detailed article from The View From Great Island so you can be sure that these ice cube treats turn out after only a couple practice tries…but there are a couple important details to note if you want your ice cubes to turn out right away! Try a silicone ice cube tray for best results. Make sure you are boiling distilled water for the clearest ice to see the flowers! And try using edible greens in your cubes to ensure anything consumed will be safe. Some flowers include roses, pansies, nasturtiums, marigolds, violets and geraniums. You could also add a little extra flavor by using mint leaves! 

        4. Dandelion honey

          Looking for a vegan honey recipe? Try dandelion honey. Yes, it is a bit of a process to make, but you’ll save the bees a lot of work and what a cool experience! The benefits of dandelion honey include it being a vegan substitute, an alternative for people who are allergic to honey, plus you can put the dandelions to good use! Did you know that dandelions are technically considered a weed? My mom would disagree, she would argue that that dandelion is just a very dedicated and persistent flower, but the dandelion was actually introduced to North America and is not native. “In the mid-1600s, European settlers brought the common dandelion (scientific name, Taraxacum officinale) to eastern America and cultivated it in their gardens for food and medicine. Since then it has spread across the continent as a weed.” You can actually incorporate dandelions into a lot of different food dishes, but to start here is a recipe for dandelion honey from The Spruce Eats.

          5. Edible Flower Shortbread Cookies

            Just a simple, delicious cookie recipe sure to wow any guests with the pressed pressed topping of an edible flower! Recipe from Two Cups Flour can be found right here!

            I think the cookie recipe is definitely on the top of my to-try list! What about you?

            Much Love,

            Nora

            New Location Opening!

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            You’ve probably heard and seen some buzz about our new physical storefront in Apple Valley…but if you haven’t…here’s all the details!

            Grand Opening

            Everyone is welcome to come to our Grand Opening weekend! You can pop by on Friday May 20th or Saturday May 21st and we’ll be open both days from 10-5pm! Stock up on your favorite products without having to worry about shipping, discover exclusive products that are only sold in-store, and enter a giveaway for a chance to win a bundle of AVNS products! (If you are out of state keep an eye out for our online inclusive giveaway in June!)

            “We are calling the retail space The AVNS Market, and it has grown out of a dream I’ve had for the last few years. A dream to have a retail area where we sell products that are good for us and the environment, products that are fun, sweet & unique, while also being able to support other small businesses. We hope the AVNS Market will offer a relaxing, joy filled shopping experience for all.”

            -Marianne Buck

            Location:

            7570 West 147th Street

            Suite 301

            Apple Valley, MN 55124

            Hours:

            1st & 3rd Weekends Of The Month

            Friday & Saturday 

            10am – 5pm

            (Not open Sundays, Holiday hours may vary)

            Since purchasing the business in 2018, someday being able to open a physical storefront was always the hope for the future of AVNS. Three years of hard work from the Buck family and AVNS family as a whole has finally paid off as we prepare to open our doors to anyone who wants to visit! 

            “When we saw the space in Apple Valley, MN as a possibility for the business I immediately saw the brick wall and knew it could be something special. After deciding to move ahead with signing the lease (a huge scary step of faith), we focused on getting the business up and running for on-line orders. Once everything was running smoothly, I started thinking and processing through what it would take to turn part of the space into a relaxing shopping experience. Once I found some inspiration the transformation took off. 

            Now that the shop is ready to open its doors to the public, I’ve found myself doubting the decisions and the journey, but then remind myself that my future doesn’t rest in my hands, I have confidence that God has led us on this journey and He doesn’t make mistakes. Over the last week or so I’ve been blessed with many affirmations about our decision, and recently found out that research is now showing that many people are moving away from doing only on-line shopping as they want to get out and shop in person. They want to touch, feel, smell and be around others after having 2 years of not being able to. I am amazed that a decision that my husband and I made months ago, which we felt was stepping out into the unknown, is now proving to be the right path for us.” 

            -Marianne Buck

            We love what having an online store has to offer: the ability to cater to customers who live far away, the efficiency that online shopping allows, and we hope to continue growing our online store for all our far away friends! 

            We’re excited that our physical store will give people the chance to come and connect with us and our products on a personal level…not sure if you’ll like the smell of a particular soap? Now you can just pop by and sniff it for yourself!

            I haven’t had the chance to explore our new line of candles yet, so my visit gave me the chance to sniff around and I absolutely fell in love with the quaint clay pot that the Sun-Kissed Coconut All Natural Soy Candle came in…not to mention the amazing smell and the fact that the lid and pot can be turned into a flowerpot and seeds after the candle has been used up! I had to take one home for a Mother’s Day gift!

            I’ve been fortunate enough to have already had the chance to pay the Apple Valley Natural Soap Market an in-person visit, and let me tell you…once you walk through the doors into this dreamy naturally scented haven of crafted goods you’ll want to stay all day! 

            One of the most exciting things about the AVNS Market is all the cool products that are only available in-store. Jewelry that incorporates essential oils, eco-friendly dish ware, cotton goods like blankets, towels and robes, reusable beauty products.

            Hope you stop by!

            Much Love,

            Nora

            Mother’s Day Eco-Friendly Gift Guide 2022

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            Gift giving can be extremely difficult, especially when shopping for loved ones. Obviously, Mother’s Day shopping is no easy task. How do you find something that expresses your sentiment, but will also be useful and enjoyed by the mom or mother-figure in your life? The internet may seem like a helpful tool for finding gifts that are unique and creative, but it can also be exhausting to have to sort through the countless ideas and options that are thrown your way. 

            That’s why I take the time to page through Etsy for these gift giving occasions…pulling some of the most fun, most practical gift ideas I can find and bringing them to our blog. The goal is to give you a small, but inspiring sample of exciting and meaningful Mother’s Day Gifts that are hopefully eco-friendly!

            I usually rank my gift guides in order of how much I would personally want the gift, and I usually save the thing I would personally want most and find the absolute coolest for last…but let me say…this year I would put all of these gifts last if it were possible (okay, maybe I do have one stand out favorite…but it was a close call!)

            Copper Earrings by CapturedIllusions

            Description from creator

            These are knock-out. They shine and you just cannot miss them. These earrings are made from hand hammered copper that has been domed. They are complimented by sterling silver wires. 7/8″x1-1/2″ includes wire.

            These make the perfect additional “something something” to tuck into one of our giftboxes!

            100% Organic Cotton Turkish Beach Towel by FESHKA

            These made me think of my own mom, who loves nothing more than a huge beach towel to sprawl out in the sun on a hot day! These towels are versatile, durable and quick drying!

            Description from creator

            Feshka beach towels are made of 100% organic Turkish cotton, making our towels extremely soft and durable. Designed to be practical, lightweight, and fashionable, Feshka towels introduce versatile usage over the traditional towel.

            You can use them as: Beach and Pool Towel, Picnic Blanket, Dog Blanket, Yoga Mat, TV Blanket, Camping Blanket, Shawl, Scarf, Wrap, Throw Blanket, Sarong, Travel Blanket. Table Cloth, Bath Towel, or Baby Blanket.

            Our towels are prewashed to give you the best experience right out of the box. Use of 100% organic Turkish cotton, which consists of extra-long fibers, makes them extra smooth. Feshka towels become softer with every wash. They are made to last and perfect as a gift!

            Feshka towels are thinner than terry towels, dry super fast and can also be used as bathroom towels. Quick drying means you can use them over and over again! No more smelly towels. It’s perfect for your next journey!

            The unique weaving technique and the use of Turkish cotton allow our towels to repel sand even if they are wet! Enjoy your beach days with the comfort of Feshka Original Turkish Towels while leaving the sand at the beach!

            We know being healthy isn’t just what you do with your body but what you put on it. Being GOTS and OEKO-TEX® certified means our products are 100% organic, safe for skin and the environment.

            It’s time to say goodbye to your old bulky towels that take forever to dry and pack up. Made with the most premium Turkish cotton and hand-loomed in Turkey, Feshka towels will give you a brand-new experience of beach towels.

            What Exactly Are Turkish Towels?

            Turkey is one of the most renowned countries for superior fabric production from their exceptional cotton fields. Turkish towels–sometimes called Peshtemal-are made from premium Turkish Cotton that has extra-long fibers which results in stronger and smoother cotton threads. Because of this unique material, Turkish towels are known to become even softer, fluffier, and more absorbent with successive washings.

            More information:

            *Dimensions: 37″ x 67″ (94cm x 170cm)

            *100% Turkish Organic Cotton

            *Sand Resistant Design!

            *Made and Loomed in Turkey

            *After Care Instructions: Machine Wash Cold. Air Dry.

            Your towels will ship from California with FREE SHIPPING!

            Embrace the summer theme by pairing this towel with one of our outdoorsy, summery bars! Our Summer Skin Saver is out now and our Camping soap will be too! 

            Mother’s Day Personalized Book by ISeeMeBooksUS

            I had relatives that used to make me personalized books for Christmas when I was little where I was the main character and I always felt so cool and a little bit famous. I don’t think you have to be seven to feel that way! I think every mom is the hero of her story and it deserves to be in print!

            Description from creator

            Honor a loving super mom with a uniquely personalized book that’s perfect for Mother’s Day, a birthday, or any day of the year just because! Everyone knows moms have super-vision for finding things and super-strength for carrying copious amounts of stuff. Moms are called on to be builders, bakers, doctors, and duct-tapers. Moms can do anything! She brightens our days and wraps us in love. “My Super Mom” makes a sweet photo-personalized gift for moms who are clever, creative, multi-tasking champions! Written by Jennifer Fox and illustrated by Sarah Gramelspacher. Made in the USA. 20 pages; 8.5 x 8.5 inch. HARDCOVER OR SOFTCOVER OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

            Even heroes need a spa day! Make sure mom knows this by pairing this fun read with a gift set of soaps, scrubs, and luxury oils! Then she can read in the tub!

            Handwritten Recipe Cutting Board for Mother’s Day by Cuttingboarder

            I believe that Mother’s Day also serves as a remembrance and celebration of mothers in general. The gift you’re giving may not be going to a mother, but perhaps someone who has lost a mother. My Nana was and is the foundation of my family and when I saw this gift idea I imagined giving one with her handwriting on it to my aunt and how much that would mean to her. 

            Description from creator

            Create a cherished family heirloom with this engraved, handwritten recipe cutting board! We will take your favorite recipe, from Grandma, Mom, or anyone, and laser engrave it into our high quality, hardwood cutting boards. The perfect gift to remember a loved one and their special recipe!

            Keep in theme with cooking and kitchens by pairing this gift with our Kitchen Salt and Spice Bar!

            Mother’s Day Chocolates by BrownSugarChocolate

            These are so incredibly cool. Who doesn’t love edible artwork? I just can’t get over the fact that these are gorgeous and gluten free!

            Description from creator

            Brown Sugar Chocolate is a small artisan chocolate company. We make your chocolates to order. We craft each chocolate to have perfect flavor and beautiful artistry. These chocolates are a celebration in a box. Our ingredients are simple and all of our chocolates are free from gluten, eggs, nuts, and corn products.

            Our flavors include…

            Creme Brulee

            Cinnamon Roll

            Salted Chocolate Caramel

            Double Espresso

            Raspberry

            Key Lime Pie

            Strawberry

            Classic Chocolate

            Passion Fruit

            Cookie Dough Monster

            Lavender Honey

            This is a 6 piece assorted box with a Mother’s Day theme in a super cute eco-friendly box.

            Obviously pair with our Cocoa Butter Bar so you can wash your hands with chocolate after eating it!

            Octopus glass straw by Luv4Erth

            These are probably the cutest little creatures I have ever seen in my entire life. If you aren’t captivated by these goofy little straw buddies I don’t know what to say.

            Description from creator

             All Straws are handmade by us in Murrieta, CA USA

            🐙 This listing is for 1 custom, made to order glass drinking straw with a Octopus design

            🐙 Custom colors – Select a primary color for the octopus and even add secondary colors in the Personalization (Octopus Straws are clear and the design is colored)

            🐙 Straight or bent, your choice! Tell us in the Personalization

            🐙 Dishwasher safe, eco-friendly, hypoallergenic

            🐙 Free straw cleaning brush included!

            🐙 Add a carrying pouch for $2.00

            🐙 Since straws are handmade each straw is unique from the next

            🐙 Our straws are durable with 10mm outer diameter and 2.2mm thick

            Obviously this would go super cute with some kind of beverage themed gift…and we have soaps that smell like beverages! Pick From Pink Lemonade, Root Beer Float and more!

            Happy Mother’s Day!

            Much Love,

            Nora

            The Natural Benefits of Honey For Your Skin and Hair

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            Honey has a multitude of natural benefits for your skin and hair. It soothes, protects, cleans and helps the natural hydration process. There are tons of ways you can utilize honey in your skincare and haircare routine and we’ve made it simple for you to have options with honey in your skincare and haircare routines by including honey as an ingredient in some of our natural shampoos and natural soaps.

            The Natural Benefits of Honey For Skin

            Honey as a natural antibiotic makes it a great and gentle cleanser for your skin. The natural properties of honey are released when they come in contact with skin, which is when the antiseptic component is activated.

            The acids in honey act as a natural exfoliant for your skin. They remove dead skin cells, which allows new skin to breathe. This natural exfoliation process makes skin tone appear more even. This occurs on the scalp too, which promotes hair growth.

            Our Honey Carrot and Tangerine Face and Body Bar contains honey and is wildly popular with customers for its amazing smell and its success for leaving skin soft and clean!

            “Made with freshly juiced, organic carrots instead of filtered water, this gorgeous, vitamin A packed bar will nourish your skin. Perfect for your face and all over too! Raw honey acts as a humectant, trapping moisture in your skin cells, and rich, emollient oils and butters will leave your skin soft and silky.”

            The Natural Benefits of Honey for Hair

            Honey is a humectant which means it draws or attracts moisture. This is a fantastic way to hydrate your hair and when coupled with a sealant that will lock in the moisture…you’ve got a great nourishing routine for your hair. 

            Our Hemp and Honey Shampoo Bar is the perfect humectant and oil combo for your hair…especially curly hair! Formulated with loads of organic hemp seed oil, this shampoo bar deeply moisturizes both hair and scalp with a thick sudsy lather while the ingredients impart a multitude of fantastic benefits. The perfect bar for those who suffer from scalp issues, or have fine hair.

            Hemp products are continually making headlines in the beauty community for their fantastic benefits for the body! Check out our whole Hemp collection here on sale now!

            DIY Honey Hair Mask

            This DIY hair mask is a popular but simple two -ingredient journey to shiny, radiant hair. I would always get compliments after I had used this hair mask!

            Simply combine ½ cup honey and ¼ cup olive oil in the microwave for 10-15 seconds so it is warm, stir to blend and apply roots to tips. I like to wrap my hair in a showercap to hold in the heat and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Then wash hair as usual making ure to rinse out the mixture completely so you aren’t left with greasy hair!

            For more honey hair masks, check out this website!

            What Kind Of Honey Is Best For Your Hair & Face?

            Raw honey or Manuka honey are the best and purest options you can use for your hair and skin. Avoid refined honey if possible! 

            Much Love,

            Nora

            Customer’s 5 Favorite Natural Soap Bars Of 2022

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            These natural body bars were ranked at the top of the list!

            I would like to take a moment to genuinely thank all of the people who took the time to complete our survey. I truly enjoyed going through the responses and reading the feedback that people left on why they love our soaps. I love many of the same things about these soaps and it warms my heart to be able to hear from all of you and knowing you care enough to put the time in to help us create this list.

            Wildflowers Coconut Bar

            Not on our list of best smelling body bars for 2021, but I honestly don’t know why not…since it has definitely become a staple soap in my shower!

            “I love the scent of the wildflowers and the coconut is so nice on my dry skin!”

            – Satisfied Customer

            Enjoy our hard, long-lasting, super sudsy, uber moisturizing organic coconut oil body bars made with 100% organic coconut oil and nothing else. If you’ve never tried one of these—well, you haven’t really lived. What is the Wildflowers Coconut Bar like? Softly sweet, floral, and feminine.

            Ingredients: saponified organic coconut oil and essential oils of lavender, sweet orange, bitter orange, cedar leaf, cinnamon leaf, fragrance.

            Lime Spa Salt Bar

            This salt bar was voted 4th best smelling soap in 2021! And customers who love this bar would agree!

            This mega salt bar, weighing 8-9 ounces, is made with European spa salt which is solar evaporated and harvested from the pristine waters of the Mediterranean Sea. This salt is produced using the ancient method of solar evaporation in a region that is free of pollution and has high evaporation rates. Rich in trace minerals that help soothe pain, reduce inflammation, improve circulation and cell regeneration and hydrate tissue, European spa salt is one of the purest salts in the world.

            European spa salt gently exfoliates and pulls out toxins and impurities from the skin. It actually feels like smooth marble and is extremely hard and long lasting. Clay removes bacteria, impurities, oil, and dead skin with its exceptional ability to absorb. This tightens pores and rejuvenates skin cells. Spirulina is a natural antimicrobial, it actually kills off candida, which can be an underlying cause of acne. It also contains 8 essential amino acids, and is high in protein, which is necessary for cell repair and growth. On top of that, spirulina contains a rare fatty acid known as gamma linolenic acid. That combined with being a rich source of antioxidants makes this a highly effective tool against free radicals. When free radicals are eliminated, this increases the skin’s metabolism, and helps your body produce new, healthy cells faster.

            We also added organic shea nut butter to make a rich, creamy bar with a delightfully refreshing lime essential oil blend. There are many uses for our salt bars, and this one is great in bathrooms with lots of activity. As with our other salt bars, it lasts a VERY long time!

            Ingredients: saponified oils of organic coconut, organic shea nut butter, and castor bean, European Spa salt, French green clay, organic spirulina, and essential oils of lime and organic may chang.

            I haven’t tried this bar, but our salt bars are absolutely lovely and make for a amazing spa day product!

            “Scent is like taking a vacation in the shower and the texture is absolutely luxurious”

            – Satisfied Customer

            Honey Carrot and Tangerine Face and Body Bar

            Is anyone surprised that this bar made the list? Voted 2nd best smelling soap, it’s kinda a no-brainer. Like everyone, I LOVE the scent of this bar, but also the wonders it works on my face!

            If you want to spin around and keel over from happiness, this bar is your ticket to glory. Made with freshly juiced, organic carrots instead of filtered water, this gorgeous, vitamin A packed bar will nourish your skin. Perfect for your face and all over too! Raw honey acts as a humectant, trapping moisture in your skin cells, and rich, emollient oils and butters will leave your skin soft and silky. But one of the best things about this bar is the juicy carrot tangerine scent that makes you think you died and went to tangerine carrot honey heaven. 

            Ingredients: saponified oils of organic coconut, organic sustainable palm, organic sunflower, unrefined organic cocoa butter, mango seed butter, apricot kernel, and castor bean. organic carrot juice, organic raw honey, rosemary oil extract, grapefruit seed extract, and essential oils of lime, tangerine, litsea cubeba, orange, and basil.

            “I have rosacea it’s AMAZINGLY gentle on my face, but still leaves it clean”

            – Satisfied Customer

            Lavender Rosemary Salt Bar

            People love this bar for its amazing smell and long lasting quality!

            Lavender and Rosemary, what’s not to love with this scent profile? Floral and herbaceous, like a walk through the garden.

            A multipurpose, brimming with goodness, HUGE salt bar!

            Also, have you ever wondered if you can use a salt bar for a shampoo?

            Well, the answer is yes you can!

            This salt bar, plus our Lavender Lemon Salt bar make a wonderful shampoo for those with itchy scalps who have tried everything under the sun (including a wide range of our products) to alleviate the itch. Even some of our team members who periodically get itchy scalps, find relief with these 2 salt bars. If you do choose to try a salt bar as a shampoo, try a sample or half bar first as this bar won’t be for everyone. If you have a lot of hair, you may find that it doesn’t lather as much as our regular shampoo bars. A suggestion for this to still get the anti itch benefits from the salt bar, but also get a rich lather, is to use the salt bar gently against the scalp and lather as much as possible, do not rinse but follow with a shampoo bar. Use the shampoo bar until you have a think lather and then rinse with water. Follow with an acidic rinse if needed.

            Giant bars of long lasting beauty. If you haven’t tried a sink salt bar, you haven’t lived.

            Ingredients: saponified oils of organic coconut, organic shea nut butter, and castor bean, European spa salt, and essential oils of lavender and rosemary.

            Black Licorice Hand Face and Body Soap

            My favorite body bar!

            Our Black Licorice Hand, Foot & Body Soap is a natural bar created for black licorice lovers only!

            The release of this fantastic soap is our first nod to the change of seasons and cooler months. This amazing black licorice soap is for those who simply just LOVE the scent of black licorice. Brace yourself for an incredible licorice scent along with a satisfying exfoliation experience from the black walnut hull powder (which also gives it the dark coloring). Licorice root not only smells great, but has many health benefits. The herb is used directly on the skin to help with eczema, skin rashes, psoriasis, and itchy, dry skin. Black walnut is also regarded to be useful in the treatment of skin diseases and complaints such as eczema, ringworm, athlete’s foot etc. It’s long been used as a natural remedy for acne, canker sores, psoriasis and other fungal infections.

            There’s nothing like it on the planet!

            Ingredients: saponified oils of organic coconut, organic sustainable palm, organic olive, organic sunflower, unrefined organic shea nut butter, castor bean, non-gmo licorice root, organic black walnut hull powder, rosemary oil extract, and star anise essential oil.

            “I have dry skin and very dry hair (yes, I use this on my hair) and it leaves both soft and silky. Hands down the best cleanser I have ever used on my hair (even if it is too superfatted for most people).”

            – Satisfied Customer

            See what happened when I used this bar on my hair!

            Popular 2nd Favorites!

            Honey Carrot and Tangerine were both extremely popular again, but we also had some new soaps take the spotlight!

            Lavender Lemon Salt Soap Bar

            Lavender and lemon. A match made in heaven. I love this bar in the kitchen and the bathroom. And the living room and the family room and the bedroom and the…

            Giant bars of long lasting beauty. If you haven’t tried a sink salt bar, you haven’t lived.

            Ingredients: saponified oils of organic coconut, organic shea nut butter, and castor bean, European spa salt, and essential oils of lavender and lemon.

            “This bar has a nice, refreshing springtime scent which is amazing and wonderful to have especially during the long winter months in Minnesota. The scent in your kitchen and on your hands is calm and up-lifting.”

            – Satisfied Customer

            Cocoa Butter and Vanilla Bean Face and Body Bar

            Voted best smelling body bar in 2021. People love this face soap for its scent!

            You know you want to wash your face and body in organic, virgin cocoa butter and Madagascar vanilla beans. Here’s your chance. Sumptuous—and zero calories. This pure cocoa butter soap bar is unscented, but you can smell the faint scent of organic cocoa butter and vanilla. Naturally. Perfect for sensitive souls.

            Warning: This pure cocoa butter soap bar is extremely moisturizing and may reduce your need for extra moisturizers, thereby saving you time and money as well as simplifying your life. And who would want that?

            Ingredients: saponified oils of a madagascar vanilla bean infused organic extra virgin olive, organic cocoa butter, and organic coconut oil. No added scent.

            Kitchen Salt And Spice Bar

            “First, it smells wonderful. Second, it really does remove smells from garlic and onion from your hands. Third, and unexpected surprise: it took beet juice stain off my hands, and a spot of spilled tomato sauce from fabric. I can’t wait to keep testing this on mystery spots in the laundry!”

            – Satisfied Customer

            This bar is an excellent choice for cleaning odors from hands with its rich, spicy, fabulous scent. It’s my favorite bar for the kitchen, especially after chopping onions or working with garlic or peppers. It has two odor-killing ingredients: coffee and anise essential oil. Whether you are a gardener, a fisherman, or a mechanic, this is what you’ve been looking for.

            Need exfoliation? Ground coffee beans and salt will do the trick to get off stubborn dirt. But you’ll also want to keep your hard working hands moisturized, softened, and protected, so we’ve packed this bar with loads of unrefined shea nut butter. European spa salt makes this bar antibacterial, rock hard, and long lasting. No more mushy soap by the kitchen sink. Really, there’s nothing not to love about this bar.

            Ginormous 8-9 ounce bars.

            Ingredients: saponified oils of organic coconut, organic shea nut butter, and castor bean, european spa salt, organic coffee, organic coffee grounds, and essential oils of anise, cinnamon leaf, cassia, organic may chang, lemon, organic eucalyptus, organic rosemary, ginger, and clove.

            Chocolate Orange Body Bar

            People love the orange and chocolate combination! It’s a reason to look forward to winter when this bar hits the shelves again!

            Loads of organic cocoa butter (almost 50%!) give this bar its dreamy, creamy feel on the skin and its rich, chocolatey scent. Sweet orange essential oil adds that luscious twist of heaven. Don’t miss this special edition bar.

            Some of the wonderful benefits from the ingredients in this tantalizing soap:

            • Cocoa Butter is readily absorbed by your skin for superb moisturizing, as well as a great antioxidant to protect the health and youthful appearance of skin.
            • Coconut oil which is a super-oil full of naturally present antioxidants, it is an excellent anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. 
            • Olive oil which is packed with anti-aging antioxidants and hydrating squalene, making it superb for hair, skin, and nails.
            • Sunflower oil helps the skin retain moisture and is very high in vitamin E, an antioxidant which helps to protect the skin from environmental stressors.

            Ingredients: saponified oils of organic cocoa butter, organic sunflower, sweet almond, organic coconut, organic olive, and castor bean, rosemary oil extract, organic cocoa powder, sweet orange essential oil, and mica glitter.

            I definitely have to give the Lime Spa Salt Bar and the Kitchen Salt and Spice Bar a try! Which bars do you need to try next?!

            Much Love,

            Nora