Here is a little update from my sidewalk garden since May.
The nasturtiums have really took off in the small pot. And the catnip and bamboo is still green and doing well.
The Meyer Improved Lemon has started to resemble more of a tree or at least a branch now. I may have to find a larger pot for it soon.
I’ve always wanted to grow Cypress Vines (also called Star Glory) and was really happy to find the seed packets for sale.
I know some people can’t stand any type of vines and think they are messy to grow and get rid of. But I am some of the few folks that love climbing flowering vines, from morning glories to clematis.
These tiny red star shaped blooms are a nice contrast to the green fern like leaves. Unlike morning glory, the bright flowers stay open all day long. Photo from Missouri Plants.
When I see photos of Cypress Vines and morning glories, I always think of my father. Like myself, he also loved to grow flowering vines.
My father had grown Cypress Vines in the entrance of our tropical childhood home in Thailand. Every time I left or entered the front door, I felt like the plants were greeting me. The leaves were very soft to touch and looked very green and fuzzy. Actually more feathery. And the bright red star shaped flowers were so cheerful.
This is California’s new license plate redesigned, actually it’s just one artist’s conception of it.
The artist is Stefan Bucher, who was commissioned by Fast Company to redesign California’s license plate. Originally an idea from GOOD Design, which asked “How do we solve Los Angeles quintessential problems including: “Tacos, Traffic, Ugliness, Water, Pollution, Isolation, and Acts of God, respectively.”
When I saw this new license plate design, I just thought it was too funny. The far right corner mentions, “QR contains vehicle license and registration information, as well as your credit score.” Come to think of it, maybe this won’t be far from how the future of California will look. I sure hope not. Image from Stefan Bucher.
Back in December of 2009, GOOD Design had an idea to bring artist together to solve LA’s situation. Here is what GOOD Design wrote, “The collection of people and ideas was wonderfully diverse, and offered some fun, serious, and occasionally totally outlandish things to think about as how to make LA an even better place.”
Since I use olive oil both for cooking and soap making, I thought it was interesting that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be enforcing how the oils are labeled.
I have heard other soap makers mention how some olive oil are not always 100% pure. They are usually mixed with other oils but are not labeled so on the bottle. This would definitely ruin any soap recipe.
Starting in October of this year, the federal government will differentiate the cheap oils from the gourmet oils.
With the cold-pressed, pure, golden hued oils as being top of the line. Real olive oil lovers describe the taste much like those used in wine tasting. With terms like nut or apple flavor and a peppery finishes.
The new regulations will include indicators for fatty acid composition, which helps separate olive oils from seed oils. There is also the ultraviolet light absorption, which indicates the oil’s state of preservation, as well as a taste test by experts. What they are aiming for is to establish a common language for the oil trade. And providing consumers more assurance about the quality of olive oil that they purchase.
Photo by Gaia Herbs.
Since almost all U.S. grown olive oil comes from California, the California Olive Oil Council had adopted their own mandatory quality test for it’s member in 2003. To get the seal of approval for “extra virgin” oil, it had to meet an acidity test and a taste test.
This new regulation would definitely help out the small olive oil farmers that press and bottle their oils in small batches.
In Europe, where a majority of the world’s olive oil comes from - they too have also clamped down on purity of olive oil since the 1990s.
Olive oil can demand higher prices then nut or seeds, but cost much more to harvest as they are very labor intensive. It’s also important to note that not all olive oils coming from Italy is from that country. As many oils can come from other countries and may even be mixed with other oils too. I sometimes find olive oils from Turkey that is packed in Italy.
These handmade soaps were made using extra virgin olive oils. Many expert soap makers actually prefer using pomace olive oil. Which also happens to the the lowest grade olive oil and a bit cheaper. It’s suppose to make for a really good bar of soap. I have tried making it with both pomace and extra virgin olive oil and really didn’t notice any major differences. Pomace olive oil can be found at large warehouse type stores sold in huge tin containers.
Other interesting notes on olive oil: it’s best to buy those packed in darker glass bottles. Some say it’s best to refrigerate them after opening, to keep it from going rancid. I don’t usually refrigerate mine since I go through them so fast, they never go bad in my kitchen!
My latest hair care review is made by Giovanni. It’s an invigorating shampoo and conditioner made with tea tree oil and other great essential oils too. It’s called “Tea Tree Triple Treat” and it’s the perfect summer time shampoo.
Image from Amazon. Available in pack of 3 for about $19.
Tea tree oil is known to be very good for treating troubled skin. In this case, it also helps deal with dry, patchy, or itchy scalp. So it would make sense to add tea tree into a shampoo.
Tea tree oil on it’s own can smell really strong, but in combination with other essential oils, it’s much nicer. I’ve noticed it works well with such oils such as lemongrass or peppermint.
It was really the ingredients used in Giovanni’s that got my attention. Such as organic eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, and other good essential oils. It’s even got sea salt and trace minerals.
It’s also vegan (no animal by product), cruelty free (no animal was harmed to make this stuff), and sulfate free (no extra chemicals used to create lather). It’s also made right here in the U.S.A.
Ever since Açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries came into the health market, it’s interest has not slowed down. Native Brazilians have been eating acai berries long before the rest of the world knew about it. And to the natives, it’s just part of their daily diet.
My latest bar of Açaí Berry Superfruit handmade soap. It’s made with acai berry extract. And also other superfruit such as pomegranate juice powder. I also included organic beet powder and grape seed extract.
Acai has also found it’s way to the beauty industry too. Some of Ikove Amazonian beauty products are made using Açaí as it provides a remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help to combat premature aging. It contains essential amino acid complex and valuable trace minerals.
The Acai berry extract or pulp can be added to anti-aging creams, after sun products, body creams and lotions. Science Daily News noted, “Acai berries are packed with antioxidants that are essential to assist our bodies as they help fight illness and reduce the aging process.” It’s just good all around.
Recently I did a review for Pacifica’s Tahitian Garden solid perfume. In addition to the solid perfume, Pacifica also makes perfume sprays. And if you’re a fan of tropical fruits (or any fruity scents) then you’ll love Pacifica’s Brazilian Mango Grapefruit. It smells very natural, almost like cutting into sweet ripe mangoes.
The Brazilian Mango Grapefruit perfume spray is also very easy to wear. What’s neat is that there is no artificial fruit scent here, just Pacifica’s natural blend of essential and natural oils of grapefruit and orange.
Citrus scents are some of my favorite essential oils, as they are very uplifting and energizing.
Pacifica sent me this bottle of Brazilian Mango Grapefruit perfume spray to try out. I love the design of the bottle. It’s small enough you can bring it with you and just spray a little bit on your wrist for a quick perky scent.
Ingredients: Pacifica’s Brazilian Mango Grapefruit Spray Perfumes contain natural denatured alcohol (from corn) and Pacifica’s own fragrance blend with natural and essential oils including grapefruit and orange. No parabens, animal testing, animal ingredients or artificial colors. 100% VEGAN and Gluten-free.
Other fruit scents in Pacifica’s line include Bali Lime Papaya, Tuscan Blood Orange, Mediterranean Fig, and of course my favorite Hawaiian Ruby Guava.
