Go Green: MacroGreens Superfood

The first big learning experience in my early days of "natural retail" was greens powder.  Oh, it was nasty at first - even when prepared it for customers in the easiest-to-drink way, with organic unfiltered apple juice.  It was still all grassy in taste.  I knew why it was so great for me, but it was a big adjustment in the journey of getting healthier, as I certainly wasn't in "alkaline" balance.  Yet I powered through, and learned to love what greens could do for me within months.

Now "super greens" powders are a mandatory part of my day, sometimes 2 or 3 times.  It's energy and detoxification in the easiest way; the perfect alternative to coffee or those horrific energy shots for those in need of a pick-me-up.  And my days of forcing down grassy unpleasant powders are over.  The Macro Greens powder is the most delicious tasting variety I've encountered for the nutrient powerhouse they contain.  It's equivalent in antioxidants to 5 servings of vegetables, and though certainly not designed to replace eating your produce, is a wonderful way to increase your vitamins.  (For me, it's a miracle worker amidst busy work days and eating erratically while working at Wild Ginger Apothecary.  If you've been in, chances are I've sampled them to you midday!)

MacroLife shares a detox (and weight loss) trick that I love as well: one serving of their tasty greens 30 minutes before each meal to curb your appetite and detoxify.  Adding probiotics, adaptogenic herbs, and other superfoods really does curb your sugar cravings, ease digestion, boost your immune system, and increase brain function.  Once, twice, or even three times will leave you feeling better than ever in no time.  Plus it's Raw, Vegan, Gluten Free, and Non-GMO!

Skeptic of the green taste?  Start with using the organic unfiltered apple juice, or even half with water.  You'll ease into "greens on the rocks" before you know it.

Cheers!

Day at the beach: Solar Recover

I'll save the facts about the harsh UV rays from Florida's intense sunshine, but we've all experienced it first hand.  These beautiful beaches and salty waters of ours aren't easy on your skin or hair, and even a brief day trip can leave you over-sunned and parched. 

Solar Recover Save Your Skin is a best seller at Wild Ginger Apothecary for good reason:  it's easy to use, powerful yet light, and refreshing.  Even in a hurry, it's my go-to hydration.  It's a favorite trick to touch up when my arms and legs are dry throughout the day, I can spray easily without a greasy residue potentially trashing my outfit.  You can't spray it too much, and trust me, I've tried.

The Save Your Hair spray is the equivalent in a hair rescue.  Spray post sun-scorched beach day and your hair won't feel like straw for long.  You can spray out of the shower as a light de-tangler, too - a favorite solution for my thin straight hair in lieu of a heavier conditioner.  

There's not much you need on a beautiful day besides a beach towel, swimsuit, and SPF... but you'll be grateful once you add this duo to that mix. 

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

Sweet Dreams: Nighty Night Pillow Mist + Dream Pillows

Lack of deep sleep: likely the biggest cause of stress and anxiety in my customers.  And let's be honest, it's my biggest cause of stress and anxiety somedays too!  I've tried all sorts of vitamins and supplements (and had good, bad, and horrible results) - but there had to be a less invasive way for regular use.  We're all over the sleep-remedy hangover, or better yet, sleeping through our alarms.

The first to arrive to Wild Ginger Apothecary was BotanicalMe Nighty Night Pillow Mist.  It's not just the usual lavender: this dreamy, relaxing blend has 20 essential oils that work as a calming sedative.  Notes of Valerian (in the first pleasant combo I'd encountered), Chamomile, and Ylang-Ylang leave your pillows, sheets, and entire bedroom with a heavenly aroma that really does calm you the heck down.  In minutes you're more relaxed, and you'll soon look forward to this bedroom ritual just like I do.  Spray throughout your home anytime you need to chill out. (Try with your kids, if you have them, parents swear by this stuff!)

Sprays or aromatherapy not your thing?  Not a lavender fan (in any combination)?  There's another secret weapon... Long Creek Herb's Sleep Pillow.  It's a tiny pillow you slide into your existing pillowcase, and as crazy at it sounds, works like magic.  

I was a skeptic, so I put my friend with the worst sleeping challenges I'd ever seen to the test.  And just like that, they slept better than in 10 years.  Another friend and customer's four year old is able to sleep through the night for the first time ever... and if the pillow is missing, they notice a huge difference.  Pro parent tip:  keep an extra one handy.  No placebo effect here: the creator swears by "hiding" these miniature pillows for your sleep deprived loved ones.  (These "magic pillows" are particularly helpful with easing nightmares, for sufferers of PTSD, and to quiet stressful sleep.)

Note: the "Restful" pillow is for a quiet calm sleep.  There is also a "Pleasant" pillow to enhance dreams and help you dream in color.  If you're lucky enough to sleep easy already, the latter can still apply to you!

Sweet dreams!

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

PRESS: Refinery29's "Beauty Apothecaries That Should Be On Your Radar"

The concept of Wild Ginger Apothecary has been over a decade in the works, reworking itself in a number of ways until resulting in everything I had ever dreamt of (just hadn't been able to pinpoint).  One of the formative moments in the vision process was a visit to The Detox Market in San Francisco.  It was a life changing experience and proof this life goal wasn't going to fade.  The are eco-friendly heroes, setting the industry standard for the rest of us to aspire to.

You can imagine my enthusiasm and pride in being featured alongside my idols in Refinery29's Must See Apothecaries - 14 of their top spots throughout North America.  We might just be a little fish in a big pond, but there's nowhere I'd rather swim.  

As seen in Refinery29 

Beauty Apothecaries That Should Be On Your Radar

"In constantly crowded, mass retail stores where employees are almost always juggling a few customers at a time, it's not easy to get a one-on-one experience. That's far from the case at WGA."

More information online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.   Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

PRESS: Local Love Beer Soap Release

Teaming up with my buddies at JDub's Brewing Company wasn't just an excuse to hit my favorite local brewery.  It was the perfect pairing to kick off the "Local Love" soap (and collaboration) series I've been brainstorming since Wild Ginger Apothecary was an empty storefront.  Thanks to local soap guru's Lolablue, it resulted in a great artisan product.  Natural, small-batch, creative, quirky:  there's nothing quite like it in town, just like all of our businesses.  And the minty scent is so crisp you'll find yourself wanting to wash up just to use it.

As seen in This Week In Sarasota:

Do This: Wild Ginger Apothecary Poolside Soap Release

"Wild Ginger Apothecary, a Gulf Gate-based alternative and holistic health-and-beauty product supplier, has teamed up with the brewery for its first release as part of its collaborative Local Love soap series.  Handcrafted by Lolablue in North Port, the ginger-and-mint infused soap is made with JDub’s Poolside Kolsch instead of water..." 

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.   Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

PRESS: Edible Sarasota's "Small Bites"

There's always the one magazine I can't recycle after reading: Edible Sarasota.  

Full of all things amazing in Sarasota: from food and drink, to small business, to epic photography.  Edible reads like a coffee table book that you can pick up again and again, yet still receive joy from.  It was a wish come true and a huge compliment to be featured in their gorgeous magazine before even hitting our first year.  They published a beautiful article about myself and Wild Ginger Apothecary, alongside some of the area's must-see spots... So now I have an even better reason to keep a copy around for years to come. 

As seen in Edible Sarasota: 

Small Bites:  Wild Ginger Apothecary

"Nicole believes that products should be sampled and tested before purchase and she always has fun goodies behind the counter such as morsels of spiced stone-ground chocolate or a top-selling natural deodorant or tiny vials of serum from the skincare line that she swears by. Nicole prides herself on weaning people off of chemically enhanced and animal-tested products by introducing them to natural alternatives that are just as, if not more, effective than their toxic counterparts."

More information online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.   Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

PRESS: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

As seen in Sarasota Herald-Tribune:

At Wild Ginger, owner taking root in Gulf Gate 

"Leffler opened her store on Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate community late last year. She sells eco-friendly, holistic and healthy alternatives to everyday products like deodorant, toothpaste and even perfume."

Staying hydrated on the go!

For all my attempts to simplify my life, accumulating water bottles (and containers, and kitchen gadgets) has become a hobby.  I have glass water bottles (cute, but heavy), I have every variety of mainstream stainless, I even have some BPA-free sport bottles from a decade ago.  You can imagine how hard it was for me to decide on just one brand to bring into Wild Ginger Apothecary!

The number one piece of health advice I give every customer, friend, and health coaching client is to drink more water!  Generally speaking, half your body weight in ounces is recommended.  That's a lot! And even those of us who think we drink enough probably don't come close.  Staying hydrated is key to brain function, energy, clear skin, natural detoxification, and fighting inflammation.  (And the list goes on.)  There's no easier way to ensure you are drinking enough water than keeping a water bottle you love with you every single day.

I absolutely love the versatility of the ThinkSport Water Bottle.  It's double-walled 18/8 medical grade stainless steel with no chemical liner, and really keeps hot or cold beverages at a steady temperature for hours.  Plus there's the handy tea strainer (for your favorite organic herbal teas), and the option to drink from the wide or narrow mouth.  I'm famous for dumping my water bottles on my face while driving, so that alone has been a huge help.

The best part of all is that they are under $20... making it the perfect gift or addition to your healthy-lifestyle lineup.

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Store hours are 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

Get dirty to get clean: tooth powder hits the spot.

Sometimes you have to get dirty to get clean.  (Think face masks, body scrubs, the previous post on mud hair wash...)  Getting hooked on Holistic Heights Tooth Powder - or "tooth dirt" as I lovingly describe it - is a prime example.

Who knew it was so hard to find a completely clean toothpaste that was more than just baking soda or coconut oil?  I even read blogs about using activated charcoal to whiten (with a mouthful of black powder) and that didn't fit into my daily routine.   I searched high and low, and even the "nontoxic" options had fillers like glycerin.  Less is more in natural beauty, so this Tooth Powder hit the spot. It indeed whitens, while giving you the cleanest, freshest mouth ever.

Your basic oral care needs are met: tartar and plaque fighting, less bacteria, no more bad breath, healthier gums.  But using a holistic, Ayurvedic blend of medicinal herbs - like Neem, Myrrh, and Clove - takes it even further by healing at the same time.  My life-long teeth sensitivity has decreased to almost nothing, my teeth feel cleaner than I could have imagined, and the "tooth dirt" has become a novelty among roommates and houseguests.  Together with oil-pulling, my teeth have never been happier.

This remains my favorite item to sample to customers at Wild Ginger Apothecary - try it once, and you'll never go back to the tube of toothpaste!

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Store hours are 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

Is "no-poo" for you?

By now, everyone in the natural health scene has at least read about the "no-poo" method of washing your hair.  Perhaps you've read about those who have given up cleansing all together, just rinsing with water.  Others tout baking soda and apple cider vinegar rinses.  It all sounds great until it comes to executing this hair-care adventure.

I'm rigid about only carrying products at Wild Ginger Apothecary that I have used and believe in.  I repeat it over and over again because of products like Mud Puddle Hair Wash.  I was amazed to stumble across something so basic, so natural, and so pure that I had to try it.  And I was glad I did!

Mud Puddle isn't a hair wash like it describes.  It's hair mud.  A thick, gel-like clay glob that is unlike anything you've tried before.  Bentonite clay (detoxifying for everything it touches) pulls impurities from your hair and scalp to gently clean. And one thing is for sure: it doesn't get safer than this for cleansing your hair.  The adjustment period is trying (especially for longer hair) but eventually you're left with soft, healthy hair that will be grateful to be free of harsh cleansing agents.  That means a happier scalp, less hair damage, and less frequency of washing!

Is the idea of hair mud too wild for you to try just yet?  There is a middle road you can take.  I learned to love shampoo bars after my fourth broken arm.  (No jokes about being accident prone, please.)  Try applying, then lathering, gel-based shampoo with one arm!  Shampoo bars were a miracle for ease of use, by simply rubbing over my hair to apply.  And my hair (and scalp) were much more agreeable with the switch.

Want to break away from sulfate-filled conventional shampoo?  A good start is the Herban Lifestyle Shampoo Bar.  It's eco-friendly with no bottle, and made only with minimally processed organic oils.  You get 40-60 shampoos in one bar, too, making it a bargain for $10.  Once you try it, you can do an apple cider vinegar rinse (1:4 ratio with water) every few weeks for extra clarifying.  (You can try this regardless of the cleansing method you use - you'll love it!)

Give one or both of these a shot, and maybe the "no-poo" method with be for you!

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Store hours are 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

I Love Kombucha (and why you will too)!

I remember my first experience with Kombucha a decade ago.  Kind of like your first beer, you have a hard time determining just what you think about it: is it too tart, too sweet, too fizzy, too acidic? But then you realize it's the perfect combination of all those things, and you wonder why you haven't known about it years earlier.  The 2-for-1 sales on 'booch became my best friend, and I'd pack my refrigerator full every chance I got.  I've been addicted ever since.

What is Kombucha? It's a fermented tea that been revered as an "elixir of life" for 3000 years.  It helps your immune and digestive systems, detoxifies, and gives you energy.  This I can personally vouch for!  Plus it's full of probiotics, amino acids, B vitamins and more.  (And did I mention it's the best hangover remedy out there? You're welcome.)

Lucky for those of us in Sarasota, we have an amazing local brand: Kombucha 221BC.  Aneta + Eric make some of the most creative 'booch flavors I've had.  (Lemon Lime Cayenne might even beat out Ginger for my absolute favorite.)  They've been a great friend to Wild Ginger Apothecary, and we've been proud to sample their delicious tea at both our Grand Opening as well as our monthly First Friday Gulf Gate parties.  Stop by and see us for a Kombucha Cocktail: they are really fantastic! They are available to buy throughout town and at our favorite neighbor, CROP Juice.(More on their fabulous juices soon!)

Drinking so much 'booch you want to venture making your own? I've got the answer for you for that, too.  I postponed brewing my own for years because I thought it'd be impossible to get a Scoby.  When I came across this super-easy Kombucha Starter Kit, it was the perfect solution.  Easy to follow directions and less than $1 a serving for your first batch: well worth trying it!  We have numerous herbal teas you can infuse your batch with at Wild Ginger Apothecary; one personal favorite was the Evening Spa for a calming, lavender flavored tea.  I have to admit, though, original black tea is my go-to.  It's a crowd favorite with it's cider-like finish. 

If you're looking for an energizing and refreshing beverage that's far healthier than soda, give Kombucha a try!  You can impress your friends with what Scoby means (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast) and feel good about indulging.  Cheers!

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Store hours are 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

Powerful Duo: Acure's Brightening Scrub + Argan Oil

There's best-sellers that are hard to understand, and then there are two of Acure's biggest hits: Brightening Facial Scrub and Argan Oil.  Yet another family-owned vendor, Acure remains firm in their commitment to use sustainable and pure ingredients, despite the growth of their brand.  It's hard not to love them.

Maybe there's something about using a seaweed scrub when I live near the beach, but I can't get enough of this brightening scrub.  It's not too harsh to use a few times a week, and it really works as described: leaving your face with an extra-clean, dewy glow. Plus, Acure's exclusive "Chlorella Growth Factor" is amazing for regenerating skin cells.  After so much time in the sun and sea, that's a welcome addition.  It's bright sea-monster green, too, which makes it a lot more exciting to use.  You're never too old to be entertained by the simple things!

Then there is Argan Oil.  You've used it by now, right?  It's appearing in everything - and for good reason.  Harvested by women's cooperatives in Morocco, it's called "liquid gold" because of it's super-healing capabilities.  It's perfect for sensitive facial skin, dry spots on your body, hands and feet, and even dry hair.  Argan Oil is my must-have for travel: one little bottle does basically everything I need from removing makeup, to taming my hair, to hydrating my face.  It belongs in every green beauty toolkit. 

As always, I love providing customers at Wild Ginger Apothecary samples of any products they are interested in.  Just be prepared: once you bring either of these items home, you'll be hooked!

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Store hours are 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

Fresh as a Daisy with Schmidt's Deodorant

There were two items I waited until the very end to go natural for: eyeliner and aluminum-free deodorant.  I was convinced there were just some items that couldn't compare on the chemical-free circuit!  During the last decade of natural retail I have tried dozens of natural deodorants, and never once did I find one that actually worked for longer than a few hours.  The thought of using one once I moved back to the tropical, steamy south during the middle of summer was sheer horror.

I had to believe the massive buzz for Schmidt's Deodorant, so it became one of the very first products I evaluated in the months before Wild Ginger Apothecary opened.  Trust me: if this all-natural, nontoxic, aluminum-free deodorant kept me odor-free during 95 degree days (and the chaos of setting up a store), it works.  Who knew The Today Show would be so spot-on with the natural market?

It is an adjustment to apply a paste deodorant, and that's the initial shock.  But beyond that, it's amazingly effective.  I love to sample it out to customers (and friends) so they'll be equally impressed.  Every customer that drives an hour or two to purchase it confirms that this really is the best all-natural deodorant available on the market (and certainly in Sarasota).

With 5 scent options to choose from (Cedarwood + Juniper, Calendula + Ylang Ylang, Bergamot + Lime, Fragrance-Free, and Lavender + Sage) you'll have a hard time choosing one.  But you'll smell so fresh that you won't mind keeping a variety around!

Schmidt's all-natural aluminum-free deodorant is available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Store hours are 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

Skinny & Co. Coconut Love and a Brighter Smile

Anyone who knows me can vouch for my love of coconut - especially coconut oil.  For face, body, hair, cooking.  Coconut scented lotions, potions, and everything in between.  So you can imagine my excitement finding one of the purest coconut oils on the planet!

Skinny & Co. has a patented process for their ultra-smooth coconut oil that allows it to remain 100% raw!  It was a unpleasant adjustment at first: I love the intense coconut flavor of the "Extra Virgin Organic" brands I'd used before and the Skinny doesn't have that.  But then research confirmed: the more heat the oil is exposed to, the stronger the coconut taste.  Now I have a logical explanation for the taste of the fresh, raw coconut oil I was shocked by living in Costa Rica.

By now, you've likely heard thousands of testimonials on the wonders of coconut oil.  It's the natural health + beauty favorite across the board.  You've probably heard it helps with metabolism, strengthening your immune system, and even balancing your blood sugar.

But have you heard about oil pulling?  Swishing coconut oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes a day can result in AMAZING oral health benefits.  I have at least a customer a day ask how my teeth got so white - and it's thanks to oil pulling. (Definitely not the red wine, coffee, or dark chocolate I still indulge in occasionally.)  Your teeth and gums will never feel better - especially if you follow with a tooth powder instead of a chemical-filled toothpaste.  The combination is by far the best thing I've ever done for my teeth.  Stay tuned for more on our tooth powder soon!

Set your timer, start with 5 minutes, and watch for the results.  At the very least you'll be amazed with a fresher-than-ever mouth.  Here's to a brighter smile!

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Store hours are 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

New blog, new favorite items! Meet Kensington Apothecary!

I'm long overdue to create a Wild Ginger Apothecary blog, so better late than never!  Now to just catch up on the last 5 months of excitement...

There are hundreds of items I love in the store, with new and exciting products arriving weekly.  Yet there is one particular new line that deserves extra press: Kensington Apothecary.  At first I was simply excited to find a skincare product including my beloved Kombucha.  But there's so much more!  So many of my absolute favorite ingredients for food come through in a facial care line so complete I wonder how I lived without it.  Coconut, Blackcurrant, Pumpkin, Sake, and so many more.  (And 'booch.  Seriously, how perfect for Wild Ginger?)

One big goal at Wild Ginger Apothecary is to have amazingly effective products that everyone can afford.  I have many skincare items that will blow your mind and not your wallet (and will give noticeable results, I promise).  This product line does the same, but has specific items available for 4 major skin type/lifestyle categories:  Blemish Prone, Graceful Aging, The Cocktail Circuit, and Surf/Ski/Sun.  You can mix-and-match any of the four steps: Cleanser, Tonic, Serum, and Facial Oil.  I like to get really crafty and mix my cocktail-recovery with my post-sun treatment.  Find what works for you, and you'll be hooked in no time too.  

At first I was sad I missed out on this amazing line during my indulgent 20's... but then I realized there's not a better place or time for antioxidant sun-damage support.  Welcome to Sarasota, Kensington.  We're so happy you're here.

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Store hours are 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY!