Thursday, July 23, 2009

Acai: Eco-Beauty in a Bracelet!

acai berries grown in Brazil

My last post shared the fabulous skin care benefits of acai in Fresh From Your Kitchen: acai berry-oxidant facial mask

Today I'm bringing you another incredible "green beauty" use of acai; The Andean Collection's fair trade jewelry made with acai berries! Acai berries are known for their high antioxidant properties and are a sustainable, durable and natural alternative to synthetic beads commonly used in jewelry making.

The AC's socially conscious fashion creates fair trade jewelry that has enhanced the lives of its indigenous artisans. The AC shared the moving story of artisan Olga Lucia Moran:
Prior to making jewelry for The AC, Moran made her living by selling grain at the local market, where she made so little that she and her husband would often forgo meals to feed their three children. Based on just two jewelry orders, Olga was able to build an extra room in her two-room clay brick house and purchase a washing machine, after hand washing clothes for 26 years.

What I love about this bracelet (in addition to the company's fair trade and green practices) is the price point. At $22, this bracelet makes a fabulous green gift for any gal. The wonderful compliments I've received wearing it are pretty terrific too!

You can learn more about The AC and founder Amanda Judge here

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Green Skin Care: Fresh From Your Kitchen

acai berry-oxidant mask
1t acai juice
My pick? Bom Dia by Bolthouse Farms. Packed with acai, pomegranate and resveratrol
1T whole milk yogurt
I like Stonyfield Farm organic strawberries & cream
1t pink clay
2 organic strawberries

Directions:
In food processor or blender, mix strawberries (stems removed), yogurt, juice. Blend until creamy. Add clay and mix in. Makes enough for you and a friend to apply to face and neck region.

Application:
Transfer to small bowl, apply to clean face with fan brush.
Kick back and relax for 20 minutes.
Rinse off, remove residue with mild cleanser and apply nurturing treatment serum. Try: The Grapeseed Co. Green Tea & Grapes Creme Cleanser & Rose & Grape Serum


What it Does:
Acai WebMD claims "acai oil may be a safe alternative to other tropical oils used in beauty products such as facial and body creams, anti-aging skin therapies, shampoos and conditioners, and other products. When acai oil is processed and stored long-term, the antioxidant levels remain high"

Strawberries are chock full of vitamin C and contain round seeds that gently exfoliate the skin, naturally. Yogurt contains a naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acid from lactic acid in the cream that exfoliates and renews the cellular surface of the skin, while brightening and toning with the help of the clay.

Resveratrol is rich in vitamin E and polyphenols and has been linked to anti-aging claims in medical research.

You can find the above ingredients at fine grocers, whole foods and natural supermarkets. White, kaolin or green clays can substitute if you cannot find pink.

Related posts:
The Grapeseed Co. brings you easy Fresh From Your Kitchen DIY spa treatments you can create with a trip to the grocer or health food store.
Check out past features:
B.C.C. hair mask
vanilla dream salt glow
strawberry kiwi exfoliating mask
super silky bedtime bath salts
cold care
cool cucumber under eye mask
lemon ginger revitalizing bath
breakout busters
parsley facial steam

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Win a Large Dirty Dog Organics Paw Print Gift Bag


Want a chance to win large sized products from
our fab green line for your pooch?

Our friends over at Biscuts by Lambchop
are holding a contest for the silliest dog photos!
including:
8oz pet wash
4 oz fur freshener
and a cute fabric paw print gift sack you can re-use for treats

Woofer-uffer-roo!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Natural Solutions Magazine: The Beauty of Wine



The Grapeseed Co.
and
Kristin Fraser Cotte
are featured in the August 2009
issue of
Natural Solutions Magazine




Check out the informative article
" The Beauty of Wine"by clicking on the pages to enlarge and read or
pick up a copy on newsstands through August!




Saturday, July 11, 2009

Welcome to our New Retailers

You can now find The Grapeseed Co. products with these fabulous new retailers. Welcome!

Apothocary Wellness
Baltimore, MD

EarthLover, LLC
Georgia

Glo Face & Body Spa
Brooklyn, NY

The Wow Factor: Go Green
Arkansas

Good Earth Beauty
New York

Jack 'n Jill Organics
Chicago, IL

Off Leash (under new ownership!) *Dirty Dog Organics only
Santa Barbara, CA

Peggy Pigtails
Chicago, IL

Remington Bath
13300 E HWY 20 Clearlake Oaks, CA