Sunkissed Workshop :: Herbal Facial Steam

I was honored to have been chosen to lead an Herbal Facial Steam workshop at a lovely event in Stockton at Huddle Cowork - hosted by Goodstock Productions! The morning started out with yoga, led by a wonderful teacher, then fresh fruit parfaits and organic juices, a few vendors of natural and healing goods (including my Sunkissed Dream products) and then the workshop! I had a blast sharing and showing all the lovely ladies how easy and rewarding it is to create their own herbal/floral blend for a steam and perform it at home! 

A news team from Good Day Sacramento was there and interviewed me! Here's the video, where I share how to easily perform a facial steam in the comfort of your home ::
Herbal Facial Steam

Until next time, keep dreaming. xoxo

Sunkissed Yoga :: Mats + Cats

About 6 months ago I made a commitment to try and practice yoga every day. And in the past 6 months, there's only been a few days that I've missed. There's definitely been days where I've only done a short 15 minute practice, but I still got on my mat! I'm pretty proud of myself for staying so consistent- but I have to say it's the yoga that's drawing me back, not necessarily my strong will or determination. 

Now I'm at the point where if I DON'T get my vinyasa or chaturanga or tree pose or forward fold in, my day just doesn't feel quite right.
I have definitely noticed that my mindset is more energized and focused when I start my day with yoga - and I look forward to doing it as soon as I wake up and even when I'm going to bed the night before.
Sometimes I treat myself to a full practice before bed time, intermixing sipping my bedtime tea (more on that in another post!) and doing my stretching and breathing.

Back problems run in my family, and has already crept in on me. One of my goals in building my practice is to restore and strengthen my back so I don't see more problems and pain as I get older (30 is right around the corner for me...ah!).
The biggest thing I've learned (or been reminded of) in these past months that I've really been diving into this beautiful and ancient discipline is to bring what I learn on my mat into my daily life. To stay calm and strong, to keep my head above my heart and to remember to show myself and others love and forgiveness always. 

"A special combination of substances designed to bring about
a specific effect upon the body or mind is [thus] called a yoga."
- The Yoga of Herbs, David Frawley & Vasant Lad

This is an Ayurvedic definition of yoga from an herbal medicine book I'm reading, but I like how it relates to the practice of physical yoga. 

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Since my practice is getting more "serious" I decided to purchase a new yoga mat, my old one wasn't as grippy as I'd like, and I was looking for something a little more eco-friendly.

I found this AMAZING mat by Barefoot Yoga that I am in love with and would recommend to anyone! It is on the thinner side, so if you have bad knees or other sensitive areas, it may not be right for you (or you can just put another thicker mat under it when you're practicing, like I do.) It's called The Original Eco Yoga Mat and it is exlusively sold by Barefoot Yoga Co. The jute and natural fibers are so grippy and feel so "earthy" to practice on. The underside is rubber, so it also grips the floor very well. It is biodegradable and made sustainably- so nothing to feel guilty about at all!

I love this natural color, it reminds me of sand, but they also have some brighter options. 

And my kitty, Tiki, who also enjoys practicing yoga (she just likes to the lay on the mat and get in my way) gives her approval as well.

PS: these super fun pants are from Omgirl and I got them here. Organic cotton, not too thin, and super comfy!

I'd recommend this yoga channel to get started, if you don't already have a favorite or are looking for something new. I hope you can find the same amazing benefits and energy that I have from making this a part of my daily ritual.

Until next time, keep dreaming. xoxo

Sunkissed Infusions :: Herbal Teas for Health, Happiness & Energy

Herbal teas, or infusions, have wonderful healing powers. I've found a new love for tea since I started my journey to a more self-sustainable and natural lifestyle.
Drinking an infusion of specially selected herbs can be a great remedy for anything from a headache to a cold to menstrual cramps. You can drink them to promote general health and ward off colds and other sickness. Or you can simply make and drink them for their delightful and lovely look and taste. 

Here's 4 different infusions that I made recently for an Open House I hosted for my natural skin care business. Some were more popular than others (as far as taste).
I invite you to try these, or versions of these! I also invite you to research these herbs. I'd look into Mountain Rose Herbs, a well respected company that has in depth information and sells of all of these and A LOT more.
If you are pregnant, breast feeding or have a serious health issue,
be sure to contact your doctor before using any herbs. 

• ROSE (Rosa spp.) + HIBISCUS (Hibiscus sabdariffa) + LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis) - This was a favorite!
  Lifts the spirit and promotes good health and positive energy
• YARROW (Achillea millefoleum) + RASPBERRY LEAF (Rubus idaeus) + GREEN TEA
   Energizes and boosts immunity
• NETTLE LEAF (Urtica dioica) + CALENDULA (Calendula officinalis) + PEPPERMINT (Mentha spp.)
  Helps relieve hay fever, congestion & colds
• LAVENDER (Lavendula spp.) + LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis) + CHAMOMILE (Matriaca chamomilla) + BASIL (Ocimum basilicum)
  Helps relieve headaches and stress

For the above infusions, I prepared them like this:

•  one part each herb (totally about 6-8 tbsp dried herbs, 8-10 for fresh herbs)
• put herbs into a quart size (or larger) glass jar with a tight fitting lid
• fill the jar with boiling water (should completely cover the herbs)
• let sit for 20-30 minutes (the longer they sit, the stronger they will be, and their taste can change dramatically)
• strain herbs into a clean glass container, with a muslin cloth (best so you can squeeze out extra infusion) or a fine mesh strainer
• finally, enjoy a cup hot or iced- with honey, lemon, milk, agave, or all of these!
• You can pour the remaining infusion into a clean container and put in the refrigerator where it will keep for a couple of days

Another way to create a lovely and medicinal tea is to simply use a teapot with a filter in it, fill a reusable tea bag with your chosen herbs, or place the herbs right into the teapot if you like the way the beautiful herbs & flowers look floating around!
I usually use my glass teapot that I got on this page - or this one. 

Fill it with about an ounce of dried herbs (2 oz for fresh) and 12-16 oz water, bring to a gentle boil, let sit for 20 minutes, strain into your teacup, then enjoy!

If you don't have these herbs handy or can't get them at a store near you (check your local health food store), I'd suggest purchasing them here or here.

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HAPPY INFUSING!
Until next time, keep dreaming. xo

Sunkissed Baby + Mama :: Natural Skin Care for This Sacred Time in Your Life

Being pregnant is A LOT of work, I've never done it, so I don't "really know" what it's like. But, creating a life, harbouring a child inside of you and growing to however big you grow does not look easy (or enjoyable sometimes). But the reward is totally worth, I've heard!
So, to honor and treat mama's & new baby's well - I created a line of products for this precious and hard working time in their lives. 

:: Here's the line up ::

 + MOMMY BALMY // ORGANIC BELLY + BODY BALM

This is a deeply emollient and softening balm. I've infused organic calendula flowers & burdock root in high quality oil for weeks before adding it to this luscious and sweet earth smelling creation. Rich, luxurious oils of avocado, jojoba, coconut & unrefined shea butter combined with powerful skin-healing properties of calendula & burdock root will nourish your baby-harbouring body. 
+ aids in keeping your skin supple & elastic
+ helps to avoid stretch marks and scarring
+ omission of essential oils (or other fragrance) raises the safety factor for use during pregnancy

get it here >>

+ BABY BOOTY DUST // ALL NATURAL BABY POWDER

My calming, lavender smelling, talc-free baby powder is full of wonderful herbs & soothing ingredients. I finely grind the high quality herbs, so they feel soft and smooth against your little one's skin. This all natural baby powder 
+ is full of antimicrobial, antiseptic & soothing ingredients
+ will help prevent diaper rash by absorbing moisture
+ will aid in healing diaper rash and minor infections
+ does not contain chemicals or other ingredients that are harmful if used or inhaled
 After a few sprinkles of this booty dust, they'll be back to all smiles and ready to take on their day (or nap). 
++ You can also use this as a bath soak for baby - or a foot soak for athlete's foot or other skin irritations like eczema.

get it here >>

+ BABY LAV // ORGANIC LAVENDER BABY CREAM WITH CALENDULA 

Ok....I'm obsessed with this lotion! I use it all the time on myself, and am working on a "Lady Lav" version (for us ladies). With the calming smell of lavender and the sweet, soothing smell and properties of calendula - your little one will love how this feels on their brand new skin! I've infused organic calendula flowers in high grade organic olive oil for weeks before adding it to this sweet concoction. 
+ Aids in healing skin irritations & rashes
+ Helps soothe and calm skin and senses
+ Leaves a fresh, clean & intoxicating smell
+ All natural & organic ingredients are completely safe for your precious mini-you
You'll be tempted to slather this all over yourself...go for it, I know I do!

get it here >>

I'm excited to give this as gifts to a few expecting gals I know! My little sis, who's pregnant, has been enjoying the belly balm and said she loves using it right out of the shower, before bed time and it smells like earth. I can't wait to use all of this when my husband and I decide to create a new human together! I hope any mama who tries this can feel the love that I put into it. 

Click here to visit the baby + mama section of my shop to get a few more details and purchase some for yourself or a friend, sister, aunt, cousin - someone special!

Until next time. xoxo

Sunkissed Casa :: Future Abode

Happy Tuesday dreamers! Been super busy with my all natural skin care line the last couple weeks, as I'm preparing to sell my products in a local store! I've been creating some new products, building up inventory, labeling, pricing, photographing etc. etc....Luckily I really enjoy both sides of my business - the creative and the "business" side of it. It's slowly but surely growing and I'm very hopeful that soon enough more people will find and love my products and the message I am sharing. 

Anyways...I thought I'd take a break from that to share some of my favorite Pins on my "la casa" Pinterest board. I love our home right now, it's a hundred year old beauty with a gorgeous yard - but one day when we own our own place, I will be more than ready to customize it to our perfect cabinesque+bungalow+spanish-style+colorful+bohemian abode. Enjoy the following photos and be sure to find all the links on my "la casa" board and follow along with me for more!

ps: Sunkissed Dream has it's own Instagram now! 
I'd love for you to follow along with my journey.

Keep dreaming. xoxo

Sunkissed DIY: All Natural Dish Soap in 5 Minutes!

On my quest to transition to natural skin care, hair care, and home care I have had a hate-hate relationship with all natural dish soap! I've been trying to perfect it for about 2 months now...UGH! I searched and searched and just kept coming across the same basic recipe: boiling water, grated soap, wait 24 hours, etc...I thought I was going to go crazy because each time I made a batch, it didn't work! I had to keep adding more of this and that and reheating. 

Anyways, enough of my rant...I'm sure those recipes I tried can work great for others but they just didn't seem to work for me; or maybe I'm simply not doing it right. But with the amount of dishes we do in my house (no dishwasher), I was spending like 30 minutes once a week just making dish soap- no thanks. So, in my unnecessary "anger" last week when the dish soap got all chunky and was barely sudsy (again), I started dumping stuff into my soap container, and to be honest it was the best batch I've made so far! I got so excited, I made my husband come see! He was excited too, since he usually does the dishes after dinner, and hadn't been too thrilled with my concoctions.

So I figured I should share my findings (thankfully I remember what I did) with other "dish-traught" dish washers, that are trying to be more sustainable and careful with chemical cleansers. As I said, I'm sure a lot of people have their own way that works great- but this is what works for me and it's so quick and easy (once you have the ingredients)!!

Without further adieu, 5 Minute DIY Dish Soap 

All these ingredients are things I would recommend having around your home if you're transitioning to natural cleaners, laundry detergent, beauty, hair care, etc- they all have unlimited uses!

||  I N G R E D I E N T S  |

• Pure Liquid Castille Soap | 1 cup + | - I use Dr. Bronners - there's all different scents you can choose from!
• Super Washing Soda | 1 to 1 1/2 tbsp| - you can find this in the laundry/cleaners aisle of most any store.
• Essential oils of Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Sweet Orange - these aren't necessary but aid in the antimicrobial & astringent properties of the soap (cleaner dishes/cleaner hands). They also give it a clean, citrusy scent! You can use one or all, or other essential oils of your choice, but I'd recommend using oils that have similar properties.
• Vitamin E Oil | 1 tsp | (optional) - helps preserve the soap (even though you'll most likely use it before it goes bad), it also helps to soften the soap & keeps it from drying out your hands so much because of the washing soda.
• Vegetable Glycerin | 2 tsp | (optional) - helps with suds & residue buildup, and also softens the soap. 
• Hot water (you can also use distilled or bottled water if you think your tap water is too dirty to use for the soap).
• An old dish soap container or a cute one like this- I like mine because I can mix the soap right there in the jar (yes- impatience again).

||  D I R E C T I O N S  |

• Fill your soap container half way with hot water (needs to be very warm so it can dissolve the washing soda).
• Add 1 tbsp super washing soda (this works in my 16 oz soap container). If your container is bigger, I'd suggest adding another 1/2 tbsp.
• Stir, shake, mix- whatever you want to do to get that soda dissolved!
• Now fill up almost the whole rest of the soap container with your liquid castille soap- leave a little bit of room for the remaining ingredients if you're adding them.
• Add in the Vitamin E oil & vegetable glycerin if you are using it, if not go on to the next step.
• Add in 10-20 drops total of your essential oils. I do this:
• 8-10 drops tea tree
• 5 drops lemongrass
• 5 drops sweet orange
• Stir, shake, mix- get it all together! You're done-zo!!

At first it will be pretty liquidy, but you can still use it! The consistency doesn't change the properties or effects of the soap.  It will thicken over time, so be ready to add a little warm water and shake it up again in a day or so if it gets too thick for you. I have found that this combination suds up very well, doesn't leave any residue on my glasses, and smells wonderful! This stuff fights grease and grime as good as Dawn or Ajax in my opinion!  Let me know what you think and I hope this works great for you!

Until next time. xoxo