Saturday, September 27, 2008

Pure Unrefined Shea Butter


We are very excited to have formed a business relationship with Ah Shayh to aquire Pure unrefined Shea Butter directly from Ghana. This Shea Butter has greatly raised the nuturing quality of our healing balms, creams and butters. We are proud to support the vision that Ah Shayh displays and find intercontinental encouragement in their goals.

Ah Shayh mission statement is: "Ah Shayh is a collective owned and operated by women of color who are committed to maintaining a partnership with the Dagomba Women's Shea Nut Butter Collective in Tamale, Ghana (Africa).

The vision of the Ah Shayh team is to work with the Dagomba women and their families to provide necessary tools and resources for the production of shea butter. We are dedicated to bringing micro-credit, educational scholarships, and other resources to the women to aid the women and families of Ghana in becoming financially self-sufficient.

We will also work in collaboration with the chief of the village and local government towards the goal of eradicating poverty through access to education, economic opportunities, and support the women to become visible and vocal in their local governments
."

We fell in love with the mission statement and purposeful intent of Ah Shayh and knew we had to try their Shea Butter. We are so very impressed! The Shea Butter sold by Ah Shayh is unrefined and has a very subtle pleasant aroma. Many companies use bleaches, deodorizers, or chemicals to alter the scent and appearance of Shea Butter. It is important to not purchase Shea Butter that has been altered in this way, as these processing methods deplete the product of its healing and medicinal properties, and also destroy the vitamins and minerals naturally present in Shea Butter. Shea Butter naturally has a cream color, and a distinctive scent, which dissapates once applied.

We have used, and continue to use, unrefined Shea Butter in all of our balms, creams and butters, but notice a major difference in Ah Shayh's. The Shea Butter comes in large "bricks", the same as when it left Ghana, and the structure of the finished product is immediately noticable in the finished product. Shea butter, even unrefined shea butter, loses a bit of its beneficial nutrients and properties each time it is melted and shaped, as in pouring into a jar. By the time most unrefined Shea Butters rich manufacturer's like us, it has been melted at least twice.

Shea Butter is naturally rich in Vitamins A, E, and F, as well as a number of other vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A and E help to soothe, hydrate, and balance the skin. They also provide skin collagen, which assists with wrinkles and other signs of ageing. Vitamin F contains essential fatty acids, and helps protect and revitalize damaged skin and hair. Shea Butter is an intense moisturizer for dry skin, and is a wonderful product for revitalizing dull or dry skin on the body or scalp. It promotes skin renewal, increases the circulation, and accelerates wound healing. It is also beneficial for the treatment of many different conditions, such as:
Moisturizer for Dry Skin
Eczema cream
Blemish cream
For Softer Smoother skin
For Burns
Wrinkle Reduction cream
Moisturizer for Dry Hair
Shaving cream
Anti-itch cream
Skin Abrasions

Ah Shayh continues projects such as The Bike Project which empowers students by purchasing bikes to help in their transportation to and from school. In rural Africa many students walk several miles to and from school. To read more about this project click here.

When you purchase our Lavender Shea Balm, Hempie Salve Balm, Foot Balm, X-TREME Body Butter, Mega Therapy Cream, and MSM Mega Therapy Cream, you are supporting the Mission of Ah Shayh and also treating yourself to the very best of therapuetic products for your skin and health.

To see the finished products we are cheerfully creating under the direction of our aesthetician, Diane Orcutt, follow the links attached to the names of the products above or by clicking here.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Patches is back


We were surprised, and pleased, to locate another 100 of our 1st Original Lavender Comfort Bear, "Patches". Unavailable for over a year, and soon to be unavailable again, but here until they are gone. Over 1,000 of these bears have been sold. They are just so cute!
Click here to learn more about "Patches".

Our Monthly Special for September is our "FLIGHT OF LAVENDER 2008". Available until they are gone, we always sell out of our Fine Lavender Oil collection for good reason. It is BEAUTIFUL! A great introduction of the beauty and diversity of small craft grower/distiller essential oil. Available this month for 10% off the regular price. See it on our Monthly Specials page.

Mark your calendars for the Hood River Fruit Loop's Pear Celebration Sept. 20 & 21st. Lots of special events happening along the Fruit Loop Farms, including our Popular Pear/Lavender Scones, Pear/Vanilla/Lavender Jelly, and Lavender Ginger Lemonade. Always a fun and bountiful time here in the Hood River Valley.