Thinking of Merry Memories this holiday season…for so many reasons I love this.  My memories will be so different from many of you.  Why?

Well, I am a 68yo woman!!!!  Ok, that’s the last time I will admit my age to you all.  Yes, you are buying products from a well-aged woman. 

My memories of Christmas are precious to me.  It was the one time of year we all got along as a family, my parents smiled, and presents were wrapped and labeled under our tree.  

Not everyone has that magical family but for a few days a year, we were magic.  

One of my merriest memories is that of picking out our Christmas tree. Every year my sisters and I would band together to head down and pick our favorite real trees to choose from. Yes, you read that right we had a real tree, every year, except for when the aluminum tree invasion was poured down onto the town.  And of course, you had to have the color reel because you couldn’t put any lights on the tree for fear of melting and fire… but it was unique and if you could have one then you would be the talk of the town, though a small town it was.  Larger than King George, Virginia, but still tiny. 

There were always icicles hanging from all our trees, lots of icicles.  And always those large colored bulbs on the trees along with the “now” antique ornaments with the dip in the middle. They still bring back smiles when I now see them. Our tree topper was a cardboard angel head with white a silky circle around her. One of my sisters found one exactly like the one we had, and she now uses it every year on her tree.  

Another of my favorite memories stems from the family we had in Parish, Florida who owned, and still do, a large orchard. The anticipation of receiving wooden crates filled with oranges, grapefruit, and Kumquats was intense.  It was the ONLY time of the year we had citrus fruit in the house. It was gold for us.  It was delivered by train so we would drive down to the train station and pick up our boxes.  

The best gift I would have to say I received was a desk…. I felt so grown up and was so excited. I saw the desk in the bedroom filled with two sets of bunk beds early and just knew it was going to my older sister.  But it took my breath away to find out it was mine. That desk later in my years had to be sold to a lady who I knew would care for it the same as I did.  It helped pay my rent. The best $25 ever.  

But one of my most vivid memories was pulling out of our driveway in our big, finned auto and seeing deer tracks on the roof in the snow.  They were in EVERY house. Don’t tell me there’s no Santa or reindeer.  That was such a magical year…

As the years went by and the parents divorced it became a Christmas of two trees one for each parent. But it is my favorite holiday.  I still try and celebrate traditions I grew up knowing and practicing.  I still won’t admit there’s (NO) Santa.  Sometimes my older boys just shake their heads.  But, just remember, Mom always knows secrets and what’s best….

Here’s to hoping everyone can create the merriest of memories this holiday season.

Love ya’ll, 

North Oak Apothecary

(more…)

(more…)

(more…)

(more…)

North Oak Apothecary, LLC
October 4, 2019
Blog
Natural vs Medical Grade products

I was sitting in a medical office having a Foto Facial done. That’s where your face is numbed slightly, and a laser is used to help eliminate sunspots. I use sunscreen religiously, but I am still prone to getting some sun on my face. I’ve had a similar procedure and liked the results, so I am giving it another go.
As I was talking to the young lady a term came up that stuck in my head; Medical Grade….
She was referring to their skin care line which would help with the healing. I left with no new products but went home and used my serum for mature skin several times a day over the next few days. But that term has stuck in my head. So, I decided to research the difference between the two.
According to “Dermatologists” are some of the best products for skin care and are declared medical grade quality.
Medical grade products avoid the following ingredients;
Parabens
Fragrances
Dyes

I decided to compare a crème deemed by Dermatologist as Medical Grade.
PCA-skin/Hydraluxe
1.7 oz retails for $147 (Be still my heart)
Key Ingredients:
Shea Butter, Algae Extract, niacinamide (Vit B), Vitamin E & Retinol.
It contains in all 41 ingredients as listed below.
Ingredients
Water/Aqua/Eau, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Maltodextrin, Squalane, Behenyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, C20-40 Alkyl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance, Behenyl Behenate, Chlorphenesin, Tribehenin, Cetyl Stearate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Betaine, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Cichorium Intybus (Chicory) Leaf Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Retinyl Palmitate, Coenochloris Signiensis Extract, Lecithin, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract.
Clarity Antioxidant Crème
North Oak Apothecary
4.2 oz retails for $38 (Really?)

Key Ingredients:
Organic Aloe
Vitamins A, B5, C & E

It contains 26 ingredients as listed, however, the Clarity Crème has no scent or Essential oils.

Ingredients: *Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, AvocadoFruit Oil, *Organic Jojoba Seed Oil, Emulsifying Wax, Glycerin, *Organic Palm Fruit Oil, Stearic Acid, Vitamin E, Sunflower Seed Oil, *Organic Neem Seed Oil,
*Organic Rosemary Leaf Extract, *Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Phenoxyethenol, Rose Flower Water,
Rosehip Seed Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Vitamin A Ester, Vitamin C Ester, Provitamin B-5, Allantoin, *Organic White Willow Bark Extract, *Organic Alcohol, Xanthum Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate,
Essential Oil/Scent.

*Denotes Organic

So, my only question to you would be….
Medical Grade crème or a hand-created crème where you can pronounce the words?

Breathe In, Breathe Out

As I sit in the Charlotte airport waiting for my second leg of a flight I look around and review my week, my month and the effects on my psyche.
So much in life we cannot avoid. Everyday interactions with persons who make your coffee to getting you through a TSA checkpoint. (I always get patted down. Am I that cute?)

I’m enroute to spend a few days with hubby in Key West. Obviously looking forward to some time on the beach and a good Old Fashion. He’s working, but it gives me much needed alone time relaxing to put final touches on my launch.
I took some time to assist a family member out of state who is ill. And upon arrival at home, the launch happens and let’s include company for three weeks. Can we do Emojis on a blog??

It is truly rare that I feel stress physically. I become tired, slightly irritable, antsy, but I have always handled it very well. I accept that life brings unavoidable things and just take a deep breath and deal with whatever comes your way.
I realized while visiting family that I was constantly eating. About 3 times the amount.
Wow!! Am I stress eating??? Sure, I could lose 10 pounds, who can’t?

But, seriously? I love working out, I love lifting heavy weights. I’ve never been someone who likes to do a lot of cardio, hence the 10 pounds, but I will slam some weights down.

It made me take a step back and realize what was happening. So, I’m sitting in the airport and had a great flavorful salad full or Falafel, Tahini, fermented Kraut and greens. Delish. But I am a true believer that half the battle for change is realizing it needs to be done and the cause.

So, when I feel this urge to push chips in my face when stressed I will truly try to step back and reflect on the reason. I surely won’t always win that battle, but it’s a start.

So, sit out on your porch, take in the outdoors, even if hot. Enjoy that 5 minute break, stretch your arms up and out to push some tension out. Make some Cucumber water, add ice, Vodka if needed…
Smile often, it keeps them all wondering what you’re up to.
Breathe In, Breathe Out……

I have been a proud member of the HSCG, Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild for five years. I can’t begin to express how much I have learned from the leaders and other entrepreneurs I have met during my tenure.
Below I will use excerpts from the Magazine published by HSCG called “Cut to the Trace”.  Personally, I have used handcrafted soaps for about 20 years.  I bought my first bar and never looked back.  I loved the silky feeling and lack of dry skin after a shower.  The scent tickled my senses and I felt luxury in my hands.  All from a small bar of soap.
At the time you couldn’t find a local soap maker anywhere.  The solution was a lot of research and trial and errors; a lot of errors.  At the time any soap maker you did meet refused to share any information.  That is the glorious part of belonging to the HSCG, everyone there is to exchange knowledge.  So, 18 years later I am here to explain why the love and time that goes into creating a bar of soap for you makes it all worthwhile.
“Handcrafted soap has been in existence since the early days of humanity.  Handcrafted soap is soap in it’s truest and purest form.”
“Cut to the Trace” gives 6 reasons to switch to Handcrafted soaps.

1: When you read the list of ingredients, yes, it will also list the INCI, International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, but listed will also be the common names. Soap makers typically use a blend of butters, oils, essential oils, exfoliants, etc.  The typical oils and butters are Olive Oil, Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, Shea Butters, Sunflower Oils, Castor Oil which stabilizes the lather.  They also use scents which are usually plant based, pure essential oils or blends of both.  Micas and clays can be added for color and some texture.

2: No one is excluded from handcrafted soap use.  Do you have allergies, sensitive skin, Vegan, anti-Palm oils?  The sky truly is the limit with handmade soaping.  Myself I love the creative part of helping with skin conditions and making a special soap for those individuals.  You are not limited to buying factory made soaps with thousands of people in their cue.  I haven’t met a soap maker yet that doesn’t welcome a challenge of creating something different and select for you.

3: You can’t deny that a handcrafted soap doesn’t tingle every sense in your body.  From the blend of scents themselves to the silky lather and knowing that bar of soap was literally made and packaged by hand.

4: We tend to be extremely aware of the environment and how what goes down the drain impacts us on a global level. Yes, we use Sodium Hydroxide in soap making, which is very caustic, however, after the initial formulation is no longer present.

We also tend to use responsibly sourced ingredients and materials.  Natural, organic and fair-trade products are used regularly, and we remain vigilant when it comes to the origin of our products.  Personally, I know the source of every ingredient I use in my products, the country of origin, I use only trusted vendors when purchasing.  I don’t always go the cheaper if I feel I am compromising my final product.

5: We love variety in our product.  We are artisans and are filled with wonder when adding swirls and beautiful tops. Not one bar of soap is a copy of another even from the same batch.  I call it Christmas: when I make the same soap over and over and get a different pattern or result every time.  It’s like unwrapping a present and giddy with excitement to see how the swirling looks this time.

6: Handcrafters are the backbone of our communities.  Support your local artisan who takes pride in their work and have invested hours in creating something special for you, their customer.  Think of it as a personal investment in a strong, vibrant community.