Lavender and the Sun

Did you know that lavender works exceptionally well on burns... thats right, sun or otherwise, if the skin is unbroken. It will bring pain relief and speed healing. Lavender is considered an anti-septic, anti-inflammatory and regenerative, so virtually all cuts, bruises, and scrapes will respond well. The sun has been showing its shy self in Southern CA...so if you find yourself without sun block and consequently a burn....treat yourself with lavender... or Lavender Bliss MIst!!!

Lavender in FULL Bloom

Despite the June (and July) gloom on the coast in Southern, CA... the lavender in Santa Ynez is in full bloom and has never looked better! Even these pics can't quite capture the beauty, the fragrance, the color of the sea of deep dark purple lavender in full bloom. I can't stop thinking of all things lavender...fresh flowers, lavender infused drinks and menu's, spraying LBM everywhere and having it drying upside down and above the kitchen sink....ahhhhh lavender inspiration!!!

Summer is Blooming on the Farm

Ahhhh, the first of Summer 2010's crop!!! Can't you just smell it??

Lavender Lime-Aid a Summer Must

I can't help but share this delectable drink with you! You'll be drinking it all summer long!

LAVENDER LIME-ADE

• 6 cups water
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup dried lavender or 1/3 cup fresh lavender flowers
• 1 tsp. grated lime zest
• 1 cup (~8 limes) fresh-squeezed lime juice and lime slices (optional)

1. In a 2 qt. Saucepan, combine 2 cups water, sugar, lavender and lime zest. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove pan from heat and let syrup stand for 10 min. Strain and discard lavender
2. In large pitcher, stir syrup, lime juice and the remaining 4 cups water. Serve over ice, with lime slices if desired. Serve it all SUMMER LONG...start today!!

Summer Inspiration

This years lavender crop is looking absolutely beautiful...thick, lush, vibrant green with a multitude of spikes ascending towards the sun.

Get ready to find fresh picked lavender at your local farmers market beginning now for the next few months as the weather gets increasingly warm. Fantastic to decorate with, gift, use in drinks, ice cream, as a garnish to fruit, cheese or any platter, and sure to add a smile to anyone who comes in contact with its clean, minty, refreshing scent and beautiful purple flower! What are you waiting for...go and get some!!!

Summer Inspiration

NEW LABEL & LOGO

Lavender Bliss is dressing things up a bit with a new logo and label to boot! We look forward to spreading our Lavender Love to more places...so keep a look out!!!

Inspired by Earth Day

Happy 40th planet Earth! Thinking green here is some Earth Day inspiration I found on 'Your Daily Thread':

“The average American meal travels about 1500 miles to get from farm to plate” (CUESA). For a typical carrot it’s more like 1800 (Sustainable Table). I don’t feel good traveling that kind of distance and neither does our produce, not to mention the greenhouse gas emissions involved in the journey.

According to Steven L. Hopp in his wife Barbara Kingsolver’s book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, if every U.S. citizen ate one meal a week composed of locally, organically raised food, we would reduce American oil use by a million barrels every week.

And it’s not just transportation: “As much as forty percent of the energy used in the food system goes towards the production of chemical fertilizers and pesticides” (Sustainable Table).

By supporting sustainable agriculture you say a big yes to healthy water and soil, biodiversity, pesticide-free food and the important work of small farmers.

Think globally...buy locally! that goes for your lavender needs too!!

Spring has Sprung at Hacienda Almanecer

Pictures speak a thousand words. The 2010 crop of lavender is in good company here.

And....just when you think you don't have a song to sing...sing anyways! Life is good! Lavender Bliss Mist..."a bottle of pure liquid sunshine"!

Sleep Inspiration...

It's true, years of research prove that lavender produces calming, soothing, and sedative effects. "In folklore, linen bags were filled with lavender flowers and placed under the pillow to help people fall asleep. Today, this anecdotal remedy for sleepless nights has been validated by clinical studies proving the benefits of lavender in aiding a sound and restful night's sleep." Mist your face, pajamas, pillow and bed linens and feel the soothing effects of lavender!!

Kids + Lavender

I use Lavender Bliss Mist &/or pure lavender oil with my kids for: cuts, scrapes, burns, relaxation, hair brushing, hand cleaning in a bind, before bed--on their pillows and in the air, when they are sick, and to calm them any time of the day!! Go ahead squirt them, they'll love it and so will you!

Lavender Pistachio Hot Cocoa

OK, have you ever tried cooking with lavender?? Now I have made lavender vanilla ice cream and lavender lemonade which are both delicious but, have you tried Lavender-Pistachio Hot Cocoa? Umm, yumm! Since it is going to rain tomorrow and through the weekend you might give it a try...

you'll need:

2 1/2 cups whole milk, 4 tsp. culinary lavender, 12 oz shaved bittersweet chocolate, whipped cream (home made or store bought), 4 tbsp. chopped roasted salted pistachios + tea infuser for lavender.

In medium sauce pan, bring milk to simmer over med-low heat. Turn off heat, cover pan, add lavender (start with LESS at first if you don't want it too strong--you can always add more) & steep in hot milk for 3-5 minutes---the longer you leave in the milk to stronger the flavor. Remove the tea infuser of lavender (or strain lavender from milk). Add chocolate to warm milk and whisk vigorously until melted and frothing. Pour into 4 cups, top each with dollop of whipped cream & sprinkle with chopped pistachios!

Enjoy every sip!!

Hair Inspiration...

So, when I have bed head and don't feel like jumping in the shower...what do I do...I grab my bottle of Bliss Mist and squirt away! It wets, straightens + makes me feel so good and yummy smelling to boot! I do this with my kiddies too---that helps to beat the am hair brushing fuss-a-thon! Try it... you'll love it!

Love Inspiration...

With Valentines around the corner...I'm thinking pink, purple, yummy, romantic, refreshing, love and chocolate. How about you?

A little history on lavender and love...

Lavender was used for tremblings of the heart and luring men. It is also useful for emotional pain. If someone lost a loved one they used lavender to heal the heart.

It is said that Cleopatra seduced Julius Caesar and Mark Antony while wearing perfumes with lavender in them!

What'cha waiting for... go & get yourself some Lavender Bliss and get your love on!

Green Inspiration...

If this doesn't make you 'think green' I don't know what will. Taken a few weeks ago on the farm in Santa Ynez, the lavender looks healthy, vibrant, robust and well, green. Maybe this will serve as inspiration to implement one new "green" practice in your routine today. There are a million + ways to do that, maybe: rid your casa of harsh and nasty chemical cleaners and opt for safer, greener ones like vinegar, baking soda, lemon,etc.... clean out your closet and bring your old clothes & shoes to a charity or church where those in need can use them, use your recycled bags at the grocery store--don't forget them in your car like I frequently do, introduce a new, local, in season fruit or vegetable to your palate...like cherimoya's or raw grated beets in your salad!!

Kitchen Inspiration...

To up the FUN (and cleaning power since lavender is an antiseptic and antibacterial) in your kitchen add some lavender oil to your counter top or sink cleaner (baking soda+ Dr. Bronners+ lavender oil) and forget about it! and if you really want to lose yourself...add some lavender oil to your mopping water and you'll never want to leave home!!