Save the bees

Everyone knows we need pollinators for our food and honeybees get a lot of attention, but your local native bees need support too! How to help them thrive?

•Plant lots of different shaped flowers. Bees vary in body size, so plant accordingly.
•Plant a variety of native plants and in clusters to help draw pollinators to different areas of your garden.
•Plant things with different flowering times so is always something to eat at your house. 
•Manzanitas are a good plant for early in the season. This is an important time for bees as they have just started nesting and there aren't a lot of things flowering.

For more information about what to grow to support all the pollinators in your area, check xerces.org (North America) or theodorepayne.org (Southern California)

Happy Planting!

Happy Summer Solstice!

Happy Official First Day of Summer!
In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice occurs when the Sun reaches the highest and northernmost points in the sky. The word “solstice” comes from Latin solstitium—from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), reflecting the fact that the Sun appears to stop moving in the sky.
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The June Solstice is normally around June 20th or June 21sr but it really depends on when the Sun reaches its northernmost point from the equator. In the U.S., we notice the Sun is higher in the sky throughout the day, causing the higher temperatures and creating summer.
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A wonderful ritual to do today is to cleanse your home. Clean out a closet and donate what you haven’t worn in the last year, so someone else can enjoy it. 
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The simple act of cleaning with intention can be powerful. While you clean, imagine that you are sweeping out any negativity in your life- things that you want to leave in the past. Open your windows and doors and imagine stagnant energy leaving and fresh, invigorating energy coming in.

Anthony Bourdain

We mourn the loss of friends, family and each person lost to the dark abyss of depression and mental illness. ;
You are not alone. Please please please if you need help, say something to someone. We need your light and your voice in the world. @800273talk
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Maybe you know someone who’s struggling in the darkness right now. Check in with your people. Ask how your loved ones are and really listen. And follow up, even if it feels weird or like you’re bugging them. 💞We Love You💞

Skin Care 101: Knowing Your Skin Type

Many skincare products are recommended for certain skin types. But how do you know what type of skin you have? One easy way to figure out what type of skin type you have is to try this test at home: 

Clean your skin thoroughly, rinse well and pat dry with a towel. Allow it to rest for two hours or overnight and then lightly press a tissue onto the T-zone area of your skin (forehead and bridge of nose) then repeat over the rest of your face. If the tissue comes away with an oily residue, you have oily skin; if there is residue only in the T-zone, you have combination skin. And if the tissue comes away unmarked, wash your face again with facial cleanser and water. If your face feels supple and smooth afterwards, it’s normal (which is the rarest form) and if it feels taut, it’s dry.

Normal Skin: soft, smooth, and springy. Normal skin requires the least specialized care.

Dry Skin: feels taut, dry, and has no shine. Dry skin also tends to be more sensitive so use gentle products to avoid irritation. It requires regular moisturizing, mild cleansers and gentle care. Wash with warm but never hot water. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Protect hands with gloves when cleaning.

Oily skin: has a shine and is supple. The pores are open and are less vulnerable to sun and damage via natural elements. It needs thorough cleansing as the oil acts as a magnet for dirt (leading to acne,etc.) but cleansing needs to be gentle enough to avoid stimulating the sebaceous glands into further oil production. Wash face no more than twice a day. Do not scrub harshly or pop pimples. Look for products marked non-comedogenic, signaling they are not likely to clog pores.

Combination Skin: most common type, as pores on the forehead, nose, and chin are usually larger than those on the rest of the face. The T-zone is oily, while the remainder of the face is dry. It is best treated differently according to the needs of the specific area. 

Here are a few basic tips for all skin types:

1. Wear sunscreen (seriously! one that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.)

2. Protect skin by wearing a hat and sunglasses or avoid extended time in the sun.

3. Wash your skin gently but thoroughly every day and never wear makeup to bed.

4. Don't smoke.

5. Stay hydrated.

6. Moisturize. 

The More You Know: Carrier Oils

Essential oils are powerful plant allies that can soothe and calm. However, if applied undiluted to the skin, many essential oils and absolutes can cause irritation, redness or other reactions. This is where carrier oils shine. A carrier oil is usually a vegetable oil (many are made from nuts or seeds) used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin. They are named carrier oils because they “carry” essential oils onto the skin in a safe manner.

Each carrier oil offers different benefits. Jojoba oil absorbs easily because it’s the closest to our sebum which makes it great for facial creams, etc. Coconut oil is moisturizing and serves as a protective layer, helping to retain the moisture in your skin. Natural lotions, creams, body oils, bath oils, lip balms and other moisturizing skin care products are also made using vegetable (carrier) oils.

Remember, if you are making products with these oils, note the shelf life of each of the oils used.

Popular examples of vegetable oils that are used as carrier oils:
Almond Oil - rich in Vitamins A & E, one year shelf life
Coconut Oil - barrier moisturizer, two-year shelf life
Grapeseed Oil - light and easily absorbed, one year shelf life
Jojoba - moisturizing and easily absorbed, indefinite shelf life
Olive Oil - rich in Vitamin E, anti-inflammatory, up to 3 year shelf life
Pomegranate Seed Oil - high in Omega-5’s, great for skin care, 1-2 year shelf life