Plums are at their peak in Southern Utah right now so I wanted to do a post highlighting them.  Plum oil is up and coming as a skincare ingredient, due to containing omega fatty acids, such as Vitamins A & E, which help to hydrate, heal and refine the skin. Plum kernel oil is an ingredient […]

Around this time of year, I love to put the focus on roses.  It isn’t the season for growing roses, but it is the time when I most use the roses that I have preserved from the summer’s harvest.  In particular, I love to make rose water (or rose hydrosol) from dried rose buds and petals.  Most often, […]

I have never been one to grow flowers purely for decorative purposes.  I like to know that I can use whatever I grow in something, whether it be a skincare or culinary recipe.  The three flowers I love to grow in Utah that are not only beautiful but can be used for other purposes are calendula, chamomile […]

I first learned about rose petal jam when I was ten years old.  I got a book about edible flowers and saw a recipe for it, but I didn’t attempt to make it until years later.  There are lots of rose petal jam recipes out there, but after going through all the recipes I’ve tried, I’ve found […]

Lilacs are known to be an edible flower, but are more well-known for their beauty and lovely fragrance.  Lilacs bloom only once a year for a very short blooming period so if you want to make something with them, you should be prepared in advance of their bloom.  In warmer states, like California, lilacs bloom generally around […]

In the spring, I like to use up any remaining dried herbs and flowers I have grown from the prior summer season. I tend to have a lot of leftover lavender so one way in which I use it is in culinary recipes.  I have made lavender caramels, which are a fun little treat.  However, one of […]

Those who know me know how much I love sea salt.  I love to bathe with it, cook with it, and make scrubs with it.  I love sea salt so much because of the benefits it can have on your skin.  It has antibacterial properties that are pore cleansing.  Also, the magnesium, sodium, potassium, and calcium in sea salt, […]

Exploring the tidepools has always been a favorite activity since I was little. The best is exploring the tidepools with my nieces and nephews. I really cherish those opportunities. In the tidepools on the west coast, there is typically a bunch of kelp that gathers. I was chatting with one of my nephews recently about […]

Since I’ve been studying more on Ayurveda, I came across a recipe for an Ayurvedic hydrating drink in a book called “The New Ayurvedic Kitchen-What to Eat for How You Feel” by Divya Alter.  This drink recipe stuck out to me as it’s often referred to as “Ayurvedic Gatorade”.  As it’s so important to keep hydrated for […]

Oh Cardamom…is there any spice better? There are lots of spices out there, but few come close to cardamom, in my book. I have used cardamom in my skincare products before because of its skin healing benefits and grounding fragrance; however, the cardamom flavor is what makes these buns over the top good! Interestingly, cardamom […]

Bee pollen is a natural product that I have been hearing of for awhile, but that I haven’t begun using until recently.  Essentially, bee pollen is made by young, baby bees.  It is a combination of nectar, honey, pollen and saliva.  It is created when the young bees land on flowers.  The bees carry these pollen balls back to […]

I like to make this recipe right before Autumn begins when the blueberries have come to their peak. This recipe is a nice amalgamation of blueberries and citrus–lemons and oranges. You can substitute the orange for all lemon or keep the oranges in for a more balanced flavor. Blueberries have wonderful benefits for the skin, […]

One of my favorite things to do when I’m by the ocean is to gather up sea water, boil it down to the sea salt and use it in homemade salt scrubs.  Sea salt has so many skin-friendly minerals, including calcium, magnesium and potassium.  These minerals work to speed up healing and combat bacterial and skin infections.  If […]

This face mask is particularly nourishing during autumn. As the weather cools off and our skin gets a little drier, it’s important to apply a skincare regimen that is extra moisturizing.  This face mask fits well into that regimen.  Pumpkin contains zinc, beta carotene and fatty acids, which are all incredibly beneficial for the maintenance of a clear, […]

This past weekend, I picked a bunch of tomatillos and husked them. Tomatillos are full of minerals, vitamins and proteins, which are very beneficial for the skin and body.  What’s the best way to use tomatillos you may ask. Well, I love to make a green salsa with them.  It goes perfect with tortilla chips this time of year.  Here […]

I think that one of the most lovely things about summer is gathering flowers and herbs in June and July, drying them out, and by August incorporating them into a Summertime Potpourri that you can enjoy in your home for up to four months. This is one of my favorite potpourri recipes. You, of course, […]

Exfoliating your skin is essential for removing dead skin cells clogging the skin and exposing new skin cells beneath.  This will allow your skin to absorb moisturizing products more easily and will leave your skin looking fresh and glowing.  I love to use homemade sugar scrub in the shower at least once a week. Just fyi, it is […]

Yarrow is one of my favorite little herbs because it has so many healing properties.  It is so beneficial in treating minor cuts, burns, and rashes.  Some people have skin reactions to yarrow so its best to ensure that your skin doesn’t react negatively to it prior to use.  I love to leave this healing salve handy in […]

The art of ayurvedic oil massage is called Abhyanga and it is an important daily routine in Ayurveda, an ancient Indian health theory and practice that began thousands of years ago. Ayurveda itself is a health practice that is centered on maintaining a balanced body and mind. In this ancient theory, there are a series […]

With the warm weather coming its so important to ensure that your skin and body are getting full hydration. This can be particularly challenging when you live in a super dry climate like Southern Utah and the other southwestern states.  The first tip, albeit obvious, is to make sure you are getting enough water each day. I try […]