Have you ever tried castile soap? Traditionally, "castile soap" is a name used in English-speaking countries for soap made with olive oil originating from the Castile region of Spain.
My castile soap is made from locally grown and pressed olive oil...so what would you call that? Grass-tile? Anyway, it's 100% olive oil, which makes this soap super gentle. The kind of stuff you can safely use on babies and folks with extra tender skin.
In this batch, I have infused lavender, yarrow, chamomile, calendula, and nettle. Each of these herbs gives off it's own skin pampering essence. There is no scent to the soap, just a clean soapy smell. It's really quite decadent in it's simplicity.
Some extra care is to be taken with this soap. Since it is 100% olive oil, if you let it sit in a pool of water, the soap will get "snotty". Yes, a gross term but it is an accurate description of castile soap as it dissolves. Be sure to keep this one well drained and you are assured a long lasting, beautiful bar.
It's not ready for sale yet, since it will need a few weeks to cure. I'll be sure to shout it from the roof tops when it's ready. And as always, once it is ready, free samples at our market booths.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Our Newest Market...
I thought I'd post a photo of our set up at the Nevada City Farmers Market. Since I work the Grass Valley North Star House market at the same time, my husband Ivan works the Nevada City one. We were at this market during it's very first year in 2008, we skipped 2009 but missed it so much (and the wonderful people that organize everything so well) that we decided to split forces and do both Grass Valley and Nevada City. So far, it's been going great!
Hope to see you at one of these markets, they both run every Saturday morning, 8:00-12:00 for Grass Valley and 8:30-12:30 for Nevada City.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Where did the time go?
Wow...was my last posting really in April?? Well, I apologize to anyone who may be out there reading. I'm more active on Facebook, it's easy to login in there and post a one or two liner. If you care to join me over there, just search for "Frontier Angel Soap" and "like" us. I'm on just about everyday for a minute or two, so I'm always available to answer any questions.
What we've been up to? Getting ready for the markets and finally working them all. We have quite a busy schedule this year. Check it out:
What we've been up to? Getting ready for the markets and finally working them all. We have quite a busy schedule this year. Check it out:
May through October
Nevada County Farmers Market
Every Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Northstar house off McCourtney (follow signs), Grass Valley, CA
June through October
Downtown Nevada City Farmers Market
Every Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
off Broad Street in Nevada City, CA
June through August
Thursday Night Downtown Farmers Market
Every Thursday, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Downtown Grass Valley, CA
June through October
Folsom Certified Farmers' Market
Every Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
East Natoma and Blue Ravine Road, Folsom, CA
I am loving these markets! Each one has it's own specialness and I really enjoy getting a chance to meet my customers and talk a bit. Hope you'll come see us and please feel free to ask for a free sample. We always have 'em, unless it's late in the day, we do eventually run out.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Spring Open House!
Last November, a couple crafty friends and I put on a holiday open house that turned out rather well, so we thought we'd do it once again for spring.If you live in Nevada County or surrounding areas, you are invited to our open house! Here are the details:
When: Saturday, April 24Not only will you find Frontier Angel soap for sale, but lovely re-purposed vintage items and beautiful handmade jewelry, all made by local artisans. My friend Feather, she makes the vintage items, is leaving for China this summer, so this will be the last opportunity to purchase her amazing work.
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: near downtown Grass Valley
Our focus is on spring and Mother's Day (which is May 9). Bring Mom with you and share in some free refreshments, shop at your leisure or just come by to visit. Since this is mainly my shindig, my soap will be discounted for this event only.
You can contact me on my website for directions (www.frontierangel.com). Hope to see you there!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Follow up: Laundry and Deodorant
Busy out in the workshop today...restocking 'Pacific Blue', 'Garden Mint' and 'Lemon Bouquet'.
I also whipped up a batch of 100% coconut oil soap. While this might make great soap for sailors (it's the only soap that will lather well in cold, salty water), I actually made this batch for my laundry. Once its ready, I'll grate it fine, add some washing soda and borax, then give it a spin (literally!). We're planning to use our laundry greywater for the garden this summer, so I'm looking for something without artificial fragrances, sulfates, or preservatives.
I'm on to formula #3 for my version of body deodorant, and I think I've found a keeper. The first two versions were to "wet" feeling, batch #3 feels just about right. It will go into testing mode (on us, friends, and family) and if I get thumbs up, then it will be added to our summer product line. So far, I've been loving it. The ingredients are all food grade items and the essential oils were chosen for their anti bacterial properties. Here are the ingredients:
I plan to make one other scent, tea tree/lemongrass. And, I have this awesome idea to save on packaging waste! I'll share that another time...
I also whipped up a batch of 100% coconut oil soap. While this might make great soap for sailors (it's the only soap that will lather well in cold, salty water), I actually made this batch for my laundry. Once its ready, I'll grate it fine, add some washing soda and borax, then give it a spin (literally!). We're planning to use our laundry greywater for the garden this summer, so I'm looking for something without artificial fragrances, sulfates, or preservatives.
I'm on to formula #3 for my version of body deodorant, and I think I've found a keeper. The first two versions were to "wet" feeling, batch #3 feels just about right. It will go into testing mode (on us, friends, and family) and if I get thumbs up, then it will be added to our summer product line. So far, I've been loving it. The ingredients are all food grade items and the essential oils were chosen for their anti bacterial properties. Here are the ingredients:
Mango butter, coconut oil, arrowroot power, tapioca starch, kaolin clay, essential oils of sage, lavender and cedar.
I plan to make one other scent, tea tree/lemongrass. And, I have this awesome idea to save on packaging waste! I'll share that another time...
Monday, March 15, 2010
Green Living - Laundry
As long as I can remember, I have always had what I like to call 'a pioneer spirit'. I love having a vegetable garden, tending fruit trees, putting up the harvest, sewing, baking my own bread, and living as frugal as possible. So I'm always on the look out for articles on how I can go even further in my effort to live simply.
Here's my latest find: dryer balls. In the summer, I line dry all our clothes. But on the wet and cool days, I've got to use the electric clothes dryer. It takes at least an hour for my clothes to dry...just think of the energy that's being used there!
I ran across an article in the paper today about dryer balls. Basically, they are felted balls of wool that you throw in the dryer with your wet clothes. They supposedly help reduce drying time, reduce static cling and soften clothes naturally! Sounds good! You can buy them online at places like etsy, or if you're like me, try your hand at making some. You can use 100% wool yarn from old sweaters and socks. I just happen to have a small stash of wool scraps from a previous felting project that I think will work great.
I can't vouch that these dryer balls will work, but I'm willing to give it a try of it will help reduce my energy bill! For those who use commercial dryer sheets, you really ought to give these a try. Those dryer sheets are made from petroleum, plus they're loaded with artificial fragrances and have been linked to headaches, rashes, nausea and other health concerns. Try a more natural alternative for your health and that of your pocketbook.
Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls
Here's my latest find: dryer balls. In the summer, I line dry all our clothes. But on the wet and cool days, I've got to use the electric clothes dryer. It takes at least an hour for my clothes to dry...just think of the energy that's being used there!
I ran across an article in the paper today about dryer balls. Basically, they are felted balls of wool that you throw in the dryer with your wet clothes. They supposedly help reduce drying time, reduce static cling and soften clothes naturally! Sounds good! You can buy them online at places like etsy, or if you're like me, try your hand at making some. You can use 100% wool yarn from old sweaters and socks. I just happen to have a small stash of wool scraps from a previous felting project that I think will work great.
I can't vouch that these dryer balls will work, but I'm willing to give it a try of it will help reduce my energy bill! For those who use commercial dryer sheets, you really ought to give these a try. Those dryer sheets are made from petroleum, plus they're loaded with artificial fragrances and have been linked to headaches, rashes, nausea and other health concerns. Try a more natural alternative for your health and that of your pocketbook.
Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Great Deodorant Debate
To antiperspirant or to deodorant? That is the age old question. Do you buy into the marketing hype of the big commercial companies and the tag line "never let them see you sweat"? Or do you prefer a more natural product? What choices do you have today and are they really safe? Good questions!
Since I am a big proponent of using real soap with essential oils for scent and products that don't need a preservative, I've always got my mind on the big picture. If it's important to make healthy life style choices, why am I using potentially dangerous after shower products on my body?
Hence our antiperspirant boycott! My husband and I have shelved our previously preferred antiperspirants (those big brand named ones, I won't mention them but it's no Secret and I'm Sure you know which ones I speak of). My husband has chosen to go au naturel. Me? I'm a bit of a chicken, so I have picked up a fairly well known brand of deodorant from our local natural food store. Here are the ingredients:
Propylene Glycol, Water (Aqua), Stearic Acid, Cyclomethicone, Talc, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed OiI, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Coriandrum Sativum (Coriander) Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinal (Ginger) Root Extract.
Hmm...most of these ingredients I can identify, but there are a few which concerned me and I felt they really didn't belong in a supposedly "natural" product. Here are a few:
Propylene Glycol
A cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. In the skin and hair, propylene glycol works as a humescent, which causes retention of moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. The Material Safety Data Sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.
Talc
Talc is a mineral, produced by the mining of talc rocks and then processed by crushing, drying and milling. Processing eliminates a number of trace minerals from the talc, but does not separate minute fibers which are very similar to asbestos.
I think this product will soon be shelved as I don't care to have antifreeze ingredients in my arm pits! So why do I mention all of this? Mostly to help educate and encourage others to question the ingredients in their personal care products. Don't take any one's word for it, do your own research.
I didn't mention much about antiperspirants...for me, it's a no brainer. Never forget the link between aluminium chlorohydrate (the active ingredient in commercial antiperspirants) and Alzheimer's disease. Pretty scary. I've even read about a possible link to breast cancer.
So what's next in our natural deodorant quest? Something made in my workshop, most likely. I'll share more as I continue with my research and testing. In the meantime, what are you using and have you ever read the ingredient label?
Since I am a big proponent of using real soap with essential oils for scent and products that don't need a preservative, I've always got my mind on the big picture. If it's important to make healthy life style choices, why am I using potentially dangerous after shower products on my body?
Hence our antiperspirant boycott! My husband and I have shelved our previously preferred antiperspirants (those big brand named ones, I won't mention them but it's no Secret and I'm Sure you know which ones I speak of). My husband has chosen to go au naturel. Me? I'm a bit of a chicken, so I have picked up a fairly well known brand of deodorant from our local natural food store. Here are the ingredients:
Propylene Glycol, Water (Aqua), Stearic Acid, Cyclomethicone, Talc, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed OiI, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Coriandrum Sativum (Coriander) Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinal (Ginger) Root Extract.
Hmm...most of these ingredients I can identify, but there are a few which concerned me and I felt they really didn't belong in a supposedly "natural" product. Here are a few:
Propylene Glycol
A cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. In the skin and hair, propylene glycol works as a humescent, which causes retention of moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. The Material Safety Data Sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.
Talc
Talc is a mineral, produced by the mining of talc rocks and then processed by crushing, drying and milling. Processing eliminates a number of trace minerals from the talc, but does not separate minute fibers which are very similar to asbestos.
I think this product will soon be shelved as I don't care to have antifreeze ingredients in my arm pits! So why do I mention all of this? Mostly to help educate and encourage others to question the ingredients in their personal care products. Don't take any one's word for it, do your own research.
I didn't mention much about antiperspirants...for me, it's a no brainer. Never forget the link between aluminium chlorohydrate (the active ingredient in commercial antiperspirants) and Alzheimer's disease. Pretty scary. I've even read about a possible link to breast cancer.
So what's next in our natural deodorant quest? Something made in my workshop, most likely. I'll share more as I continue with my research and testing. In the meantime, what are you using and have you ever read the ingredient label?
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