Health Treasure Chest: Owens Acres Herbal Teas

The first thing I want to say about Owens Acres is--I LOVE LAURA.  Laura Owens is the owner of Owens Acres and is a Certified Master Herbalist.  She also provides the most prompt, friendly, and informative customer service I have ever encountered.  I emailed back and forth with her so many times with questions, and she has been so patient and kind.  I'd be tempted to recommend Owens Acres just because of Laura, but it turns out they have fantastic products too!  I ordered some teas, natural perfumes, and other fun goodies.


During my informal email interview/pestering of Laura, I asked her this:  Of the teas you make, what are your personal top five most frequently brewed teas? And of course--Why are they your top five?  Answers in italics.
This changes a lot, depending on the weather: 
1.  Lemongrass Rose - Light and great hot or iced anytime.
2.  Peppermint Twist - Warm, soothing, and fruity sweet naturally.
3.  Owens Acres Suntea - Great hot or iced anytime.
4.  Winterberry Bliss - Warm and spicy
5.  Chamomile - soothing, warm, and quiet
6.  I like Lemon Verbena with hibiscus, but it's not an official tea, I sometimes just mix up what ever comes across my mind
I pulled these descriptions of the teas I ordered from the Owens Acres website, but Laura mentioned to use this disclaimer as well:   "Herbalists are not doctors and therefore we do not diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.  If you have a medical question or concern, please consult your physician."

So I ordered a ton of tea.  In fact, I ordered so many that you wouldn't want me to review them all at once so I'll just mention my two favorites.  Italics are descriptions from the Owens Acres website and Laura's answers.

Dandelion Orange Tea

Healthy, sweet, and earthy warm.  Very calming and rich in minerals and vitamins.  Yummy hot or iced and great for kids.  Who knew a tea this good for you could taste good!
-Doesn't taste particularly like oranges, but I've thought it would be fun to add fresh orange slices.  I like that Dandelion is great if you've had your gall bladder removed (like me) since it increases bile flow.  And it turns out Dandelion greens are super healthy to eat on their own too (I've tried them in smoothies in addition to kale and spinach).  Laura suggests using "regular ol' dandelion growing in your lawn as long as you do not fertilize your lawn!"  Here's what Laura had to say about Dandelion:
...anti-rheumatic, blood purifier, diuretic, tonic.  Dandelion is high in potassium and Vitamin A (more than carrots) and is a superior diuretic.  Increase flow of bile from the liver, and can reduce serum cholesterol.  It's just healthful to eat or have in a tea and has been used for centuries as a liver tonic. 

Loose dry Orchard Delight Tea

Orchard Delight

Sweet and fruity blend of dried Pears, Apricots, and Apples with sweet ruby red Hibiscus flowers, zesty Lemon Verbena, and calming Chamomile.  Full of vitamins and antioxidants makes a healing cold tea or yummy iced tea.
-This is my new favorite.  I taste the verbena and chamomile, yet it's subtly fruity and mildly sweet.  It smells amazing!  Someone take me to a late fall orchard--I smell ripe apples and sunshine with a whiff of herbal flowers.  I've been making a whole pot of this and enjoying it throughout the day since it's caffeine free.  Don't get me wrong--I love a good cup of coffee, but I get a little nutty if you give me coffee after 3pm.

Brewing Orchard Delight

Laura offers a huge variety of herbal teas.  I was just browsing the Owens Acres Herbal Tea section and saw a new flavor called Island Song--a blend of Hibiscus, dried Pineapple, Jasmine flowers, Lemongrass, dried Coconut, and dried Mango.  Summer here I come!  Definitely on my "I can't wait to try this!" list.


I also ordered a few of Laura's medicinal teas or "Teas with a Purpose."  Laura has some other great options in this category like teas for IBS, a Bone Builder Tea, Headache and Migraine, and Cold and Flu tea (just to name a few, there's a bunch more!).  Check out Owens Acres Teas with a Purpose.

And guess what?!  Owen's Acres is CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) certified.  Curious about what that means and what it takes to become CCOF certified?  Check out this link about the CCOF certification process.  Here are a few of Laura's answers (in italics) regarding organic:


I noticed you're CCOF certified.  Are all of your products 100% organic (I'm particularly interested in your teas)?                                                                                                                           No. Our farm is a certified organic herb farm and we grow a lot of our ingredients, but unfortunately our climate/elevation don't allow us to grow some of the ingredients.  That said, I make every effort to buy from reputable suppliers and buy organic or wildcrafted when available.  I have a 75% rule, which far exceeds other like companies who use 10% organic ingredients and call it 'organic'.  Products that meet my 75% rule are labeled organic.  


Are the fruits in your fruit tea blends organic? Like your Cherry Jubilee or Orchard Delight teas (both of which I'm excited to try!). 
Yes, all the fruits used in the teas are organic and from California, I use Viva Bella Farms.                                                                                                        


I'm not necessarily an organic purist (I understand the expense and availability often hinders 100% organic), I'm just curious about your product ingredients.  Can you tell me about the difference between CCOF and USDA certified?
Yes, CCOF is "California Certified Organic Farm" which is a higher standard than USDA.  We are also USDA certified.  Our farm is 100% certified, versus some farms who have a small area certified, but still claim their products are 'certified'.  It's very deceptive to the buying public and consumers....

Here's what I like about what Laura has to say--she's honest and frank.  No skirting the issue.  I'd much rather buy from an honest company that tries to do their best to maintain a high ingredient standard (and organic when possible) than one that is not honest in their labeling practices.  


Not a tea fan?  Owens Acres offers tons of other great products.  I'll just mention my favorites because I've tried way too many.

Headache Balm and Headache & Sinus Inhalers

Headache balm--it smells like peppermint.  The other day, I was using it and started craving mint ice cream.  I don't thinks it's supposed to have that affect, but that's just me.  I'm weird.  I apply the balm to my forehead and temples, massage it in, and if I can, I lie down and close my eyes (this is my migraine protocol).  Laura also had headache tea and aromatherapy inhalers available if you want a trio attack.  And tons of other healing salves for a plethora of skin complaints.

Lemon Lotion Bar--this is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE Owens Acres product.  If winter dries out your skin, or you are a constant hand washer/hand sanitizer person in an effort to avoid a cold/flu, or if you work somewhere with constant hand washing like a restaurant or hospital--this is for you!  After I wash my hands, I don't dry them all the way so they're still damp.  Then I scoop a little lotion bar from its screw top tin and apply, massaging it into my hands, focusing on the knuckles and cuticles.  Let is soak in for a minute and there's no greasy or oily feeling.  Your hands will feel so soft and moisturized.  And this lotion bar survives a  hand washing or two, no need to reapply every five minutes like those water-based moisturizers.  Also, it smells like lemon!  Every time I apply it at work someone asks me, "What is that?  It smells so good!"  It's the perfect gift for your favorite nurse or chef! 

Solid Perfumes!  Anyone else have trouble finding a delicious perfume that's free of synthetic fragrance oils?  I find sweet and fruity scents are particularly difficult to find. But I found three winners from the Owens Acres perfumes.  My favorites are Ooh So Citrus, Vanilla Sandalwood, and Calming.  Ooh So Citrus smells wonderfully fruity, citrus-y, cheerful, uplifting, and sweet.  I'm a HUGE citrus fan.  Except lime.  Limes just don't seem as sweet.  Anyhow...  Laura offers solid and roll-on perfumes.  I don't know if it's the beeswax, but the solid Ooh So Citrus perfume smells sweeter than the roll on to me.  It seems to have more depth and an extra something.  I've recently started layering the roll on perfume over the solid for some extra staying power or to update my perfume throughout the day.  I experienced the same thing with the Vanilla Sandalwood solid and roll ons.  Vanilla sandalwood is a yummy, sensual, sweet, yet relaxing scent.  Calming smells about the same as a roll-on and as a solid (a blend of lavender, lemongrass, and orange).  I keep my Calming perfume in my purse for an on-the-go de-stressor.  All of Laura's perfumes/products are scented with essential oils except Fruit Salad, Cucumber, and Mango; which are fragrance oils. Essential oil perfumes don't last as long as synthetic fragrances, but I find refreshing my perfume in the afternoon is an uplifting yet relaxing daily ritual.  Laura's perfumes are also very reasonably priced--only $8.95 for a one ounce solid perfume tin!

Also, YAY TEA!  And thanks to Laura of Owens Acres for answering all of my questions!  Check out the Owens Acres website here.

Beauty Treasure Chest: My Little Black Dress Deodorant by Olive and Oud

I've been using Olive and Oud's deodorant for almost three years now.  That's a weird sentence to have just typed.  But it's true.  It'll be three years in April (I checked my Etsy purchase history to confirm this).  I sound like I'm celebrating an anniversary with a loved one.  It's pretty close to the truth.  If I had to marry a deodorant, it'd be Olive and Oud's Lemon Myrtle Deodorant.  There are lots of natural deodorants out there that work well.  I know, I've used them.  But I can only wear them with light colored clothing that I don't need to pull over my head.  Why?  Because of my streaking problem.

Too much information?  But you know what I'm talking about--sooo many of them have baking soda which leaves those dreaded white streaks on your clothes.  Which is why I call Olive and Oud's deodorant my little black dress deodorant.  Or LBDD for short.  I can wear it with a little black dress and no streaks!  Mostly I wear it with a t-shirt and jeans, but the point is--no streaks!  Of course, there is beeswax and oils so don't over apply because you can get oily/waxy marks on your clothes.  I've never had this happen, but regardless, there's no need to over apply.

It smells lemony, citrusy, and delicious!  With a touch of something herb-y.  But mainly that lovely lovely lemon scent!  And it works too.  No stinky pits at the end of the day.  Of course, you're still going to sweat, this is not an antiperspirant.  But why would you want to try to stop your body from sweating.  Imagine all that nasty sweat clogging your pores and fermenting into something icky.  Plus, sweat helps the body release toxins.  Sweat it out!  Unfortunately, Laura's Lemon Myrtle deodorant isn't listed in her Etsy shop at this time, but convo her on Etsy (Laura is the scent & soap magician behind Olive and Oud, and she's awesome!) and she'll make up a custom listing for you!  And no weird synthetic fragrances.   Check out the ingredients:

Ingredients in Olive and Oud's Lemon Myrtle deodorant:  local beeswax, organic extra virgin coconut oil, cocoa butter, castor oil, lavender, lemon myrtle, blood orange, frankincense, and myrrh essential oils.

Aside from my favorite natural deodorant, Laura makes some fantastic soaps.  Her scents are amazing.  And all natural.  No mysterious synthetic "fragrances."  Just essential oils, absolutes, and resins.  Check the ingredient listings at her Etsy shop.  And what gives her soaps their color?  Things like rose petals, alkanet root, and clays.  Oh, and she only uses sustainable organic palm oil! The most recent soaps I ordered were Vetiver Mint and Mocha Orange Scrub.

The Mocha Orange Scrub has organic fair trade coffee grounds for exfoliation (anyone else need to exfoliate their dry winter skin?) and it smells delicious.  I smell coffee, with hints of chocolate and vanilla, and a splash of orange.  This is one of my favorite soaps.

Laura describes Vetiver Mint as a combination of "light, refreshing spearmint, grapefruit and lemon with sweet, earthy vetiver and vanilla-like Peru Balsam and benzoin.  Spearmint is the dominant note, but the scent combination is probably richer, warmer and more complex than the mint soaps you're used to."  I smell the vanilla-like sweetness with the slightest touch of mint and something more.  It's comforting and warm, yet refreshing.  It's like showering in a warm breeze while eating fresh baked sugar cookies and drinking mint tea all at the same time.  Laura is scent artist.  I wish she made this in a perfume.  I don't think Laura has these soaps available right now, but she also makes a fantastic Lavender scented soap.  And her Almond Cookie soap is divine!  Hint hint, Laura...

Beauty Treasure Chest: Etta + Billie Exfoliating Scrub Bar

This is one of my shower favorites!  I don't have time to do this every day, but at least once a week, I like to exfoliate my legs before shaving.  Exfoliating sloughs off dead skin and lets you get a much closer shave.  I've used tons of salt scrubs and sugar scrubs.  I've even made my own with jojoba oil and sugar.  One problem--they're messy and gloppy and goopy and sloppy.  The Etta + Billie Natural Exfoliating Scrub Bar is the perfect solution.  At first you may need to wet the bar with warm water to get to the salty part before you can start scrubbing.  Don't use this on open cuts (it stings) or your face (not for sensitive areas).  But it's perfection for your legs, arms... I even use it on my hips/sides to try and keep my stretch marks moisturized (and hopefully prevent more from showing up).  Well, that was embarrassing, but true... This is not soap.  It doesn't lather.  It's a like a salt scrub in convenient soap bar form (although, Etta + Billie does sell soaps!).  Just wet it a little and rub in circular motions.  I like to follow with exfoliating mitts to get an extra close scrub. The Etsy listing says the bar lasts 5-8 showers.  But since I only use it once or twice a week, I usually get a month and half to two months out of a bar... longer in the winter when I'm lazy about shaving my legs. Aren't I full of embarrassing admissions tonight...  It's $7.95 for a 3.5 ounce bar.

So anyhow... What else is great about Etta + Billie?  Check out the ingredients in this Scrub Bar.  Good quality natural ingredients.

Ingredients: Sea Salt, Organic Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) seed butter, Fair Trade Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) fruit butter^, Organic Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) essential oil, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) essential oil^, Rosemary Extract, Tocopheral (Vitamin E)  

^grown w/o pesticides/herbicides 

The Shea Butter in this product is wild harvested and processed by a women's collective in West Africa.        

I'm currently using a Coriander and Ylang Ylang scented scrub bar.  I believe I got a couple of these as a gift (which I requested) after having purchased one myself in the past.  Sorry for the weird used product picture.  My bar only has a few more shower and shaves left in it.  I best get over to the Etta + Billie Etsy site and stock up.

The exfoliating scrub bars also come in a few other scents:  Lavender, Peppermint and Cocoa, Grapefruit and Cardamom (I'm excited to try this one!), and Geranium  Patchouli.  Etta + Billie carries other natural goodies too--soaps, lotions, butters, and bath salts--just to name a few.  From perusing the shop's Esty listings, I can tell you the ingredients are good quality oils and butters that are nourishing and moisturizing for your skin.  Lots of organic ingredients.  My guess is when organic is unavailable, Fair trade or wild harvested are used.  No creepy chemical preservatives you can't pronounce (Yay for natural preservatives Rosemary extract and Vitamin E).  Another sign that a company takes being all natural seriously--no synthetic fragrances.  I saw a Sweet Orange and Ylang Ylang solid lotion bar.  I'm citrus obsessed and Sweet Orange essential oil is my favorite (smells just like a fresh peeled orange-yum!).  She also has a Cinnamon and Oatmeal soap scented with--you guessed it--cinnamon and oatmeal!  Sounds like breakfast... or a cookie!

Etta and Billie is currently working on becoming a San Francisco Certified Green Business.  I glanced at the retail checklist to become certified and wow... talk about reducing your carbon footprint.  Now I'm not sure what standards an independent business would be held to to attain green certification, but I think it's a moral business choice to respect the Earth and our posterity.  Nobody is perfect, but each little thing helps (I admit it, I'm not even close to being perfectly green, but it's good to try).  Go green!  Okay, off my soapbox.

I was wondering about the name of this brand... guessing it had something to do with singers Etta James and Billie Holiday, but I was wrong.  Here's the lovely true story from Etta + Billie's Etsy profile:

I decided to name my business Etta + Billie after my grandmothers. I spent a lot of time with each of them growing up and they have always been a huge part of my life. Etta + Billie seemed like the perfect way to honor their selflessness, tenacity, support and courage. 

My Grandma Etta passed away before my business ever really started but my Grandma Billie loves my products and has made me promise to give her a million once I make my first two ;).

Check out Etta + Billie on Etsy.
You can sign up for the Etta and Billie newsletter on her facebook page.
Or check out the owner on twitter.
Or on her blog.