The Plant That Never Stops Giving

So we have this great product called an "Ayate Cloth" that so many of you visit on our site but are not sure what to do with. I thought I'd explain a bit further for the curious.

Ayate is the name given to this very strong fiber which is taken from that beautiful huge plant we all think of as a cactus even though it is not, it is actually a succulent and is known as agave or century plant. It is native to Mexico even though we see it in all mediterranean climates, (thanks to the Spanish conquistadores). Now aside from being the plant that never stops giving, because it will provide you with food, drink, clothes and tools, the woven fiber is an all safe mildew resistant body exfoliant, but more importantly it is the only facial grade exfoliating cloth I know of, even for fair skin types.

Once wet the weave tightens and softens, the result is a stimulating and smoothing effect on the skin. It is very pleasant to use and will never smell like a washcloth can... It is also very durable and one Ayate Cloth will last you a good year. For those of you who like to put everything in the laundry, it is also machine washable!

We carry it as a simple wash cloth and also as a mitt with a sponge inside. As summer approaches and you want to revive your winter looking skin, give the Ayate Cloth a try, I think you'll enjoy it, and remember : you can use it on your face as well!

The Small Things

Thirty years ago I found myself working in the cafeteria of a college in Phoenix, Az. A young woman worked there with me, her name was Rotunda, and ironically she was definitely rotund. I was already very health conscious back then and one morning upon seeing her eat some kind of Fruit Loop or Lucky Charm cereal, I asked her how she could eat that "stuff", to which she very candidly replied: "Because it makes me happy!" (with rising intonation). I was so taken aback by her sincerity there was nothing I could say.

I have often thought of Rotunda's reply to my judgment filled question and asked myself: "What makes me happy?", inflection on the "me". Well aside from a beautiful day and the scent of lemons, there is nothing like a shower with a silky smooth bar of my soap scented as if by miracle. Something I enjoy even more when I travel and take my soap with me.

It is in those small things, like a bowl of cereal, the smell of fresh cut grass, the sight of blossoming magnolias, or a really good bar of herbal olive oil soap that we find the comfort to move on; those small things keep us going until the big things straighten out, if they ever do.

What makes you happy?

"Does It Work?"

In our Sugar Loaf store customers will look at our Insect Repellent and many ask: "Does it work?". I imagine that question stems from having used a natural insect repellent which didn't work, or again from this incredible confidence we seem to give the pharmaceutical/chemical industry. They may wonder: "If there is no pesticide how on earth can it work?".

Well, my answer is that the world did not wait for the Petro-chemical industry to repel bugs!

As many of you know we are great believers in the benefits of essential oils. Certain essential oils have been used to repel insects for millennia, all across the world. We have selected five essential oils for their insect repelling qualities, geranium, citronella, basil, cedarwood, lemongrass, and put them in a wonderfully moisturizing base of sweet almond and safflower oil.

If you are someone to whom mosquitoes are attracted, (as they are to me), you will be far less attractive to them; they may fly around you but they will not land on you or sting you. If you are gardening or hiking and sweating you will need to repeat applications, but you can it's harmless!! And NO there is no deet. And the answer is YES our All Natural Insect Repellent works! Try it, see for yourself! Would we sell it if it didn't?