Natural Products Expo West 2014: Favourite Finds

Natural Products Expo West 2014 proved to be yet another success. The event grew five percent from last year’s overwhelming attendance by summoning over 67,000 industry members, more than 2,600 exhibiting companies and the most first-time exhibitors in the event’s history. Woo hoo! From food and beverage to supplements and beauty to household and pet products (even some clothing lines), this event offered a glimpse through the window of the global natural products industry and its unstoppable - or shall we say, healthy - growth. 

One of our best experiences this year (and always) was the morning yoga sessions. On Thursday morning, Bhakti Chai hosted a Rise n’Shine Yoga Concert featuring none other than Michael Franti. While the morning yoga session pack out with no yoga mats available, the next best thing to practicing yoga while Michael Franti rocked out, was to have a coffee (ok, I'll admit: I'm not one for sugar in the morning so I passed on the chai), catch the energy of all the yogis and get my morning groove on. 

After sipping and snacking the natural goodness of Natural Products Expo West, we’ve listed our favourite finds in the natural foods industry from this year’s show - in addition to some delightful beauty products as well.

Ethical Bean Coffee

As a native Vancouverite, I’m always delighted to see Canadians represent south of the border. I LOVE this artisian roasted BC brew (nope, I’m not talking about beer)! What’s all the buzz about? This community-centric company takes a stand for social responsibility, global awareness and environmental accountability. What better way to start your day than with a cup of ethical, fair trade and certified organic coffee?

Balanced Guru 

I had to loop by Balanced Guru’s booth a few times before I could even catch a glimpse of what everyone was so excited about. With products designed to maintain and nourish your beauty inside and out, it’s no surprise that this line of botanical blends was the Winner of the Green Spa Network and named 2013’s Innovative New Green Product Award recipient.

At Balanced Guru, you will find a fully Certified Organic product line of Skin Care, Body Care, Hair Care, spa, energy and aromatherapy. Their simple, yet colorful packaging is not only certified organic, cruelty free but also affordable. Reflecting the colors of the chakras (Yogi Alert: check out their energy blends and mists!) this line is sure to resonant with your beauty regime on all levels.

In the spirit of what moves their hearts and lifts their spirits, they have aligned with various organizations (including Seane Corn’s Off the Mat into the World) who are promoting positive action. Talk about beauty within and without!

Sibu Beauty

Sea Buckthorn is becoming an increasingly popular ingredient in nutritional supplements and beauty products alike. With over 190 bioactive compounds, sea buckthorn is a phenomenal source of Omegas 3, 6, and 9 in addition to it's a rich source of Omega-7 - an essential fatty acid vital to collagen production and healthy skin, hair and nails.

Sibu Beauty has fully embraced skin from within ... and without. With their line of Sea Buckthorn skin care products they also have nutritional supplements to revitalize, renew, and replenish from the inside out.

I sipped the Sea Buckthorn Liquid Supplement and it sure has a punch! Even its vibrant orange color makes you feel alive. This all natural liquid dietary supplement is made from the nutrient-dense sea buckthorn berry harvested in the Himalayas of Tibet. This tangy blend is a mixture of tart and sweet, and a delicious way to begin and end each day. 

I Am Enlightened Creations

Looking to elevate your health and your consciousness? Look no further that I AM Enlightened Creations Chakra Flower Elixirs, Liquid Supplements and Chakra Crystal Mists. Not only is each bottle filled with nutritional botanical formulations but each bottle is infused with positive intentions to help you access your transformative power to be your best. 

Inspired by Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, these vegan Liquid Supplements offer the perfect blend for any mood whether you’re looking for a boost of energy for your body, mind or mood. These unique, nutrient-rich blends are perfect when you’re on the go in a single dose bottle. What’s even better? They are sugar-free, gluten-free, GMO-free and organically sweetened.

Their signature Chakra Flower Elixir, I AM Enlightened, is intended to open you to clarity, wisdom and a deeper connection to your intuitive awareness. Add a few drops to your daily health regime for physical, emotional, and spiritual nourishment.

What I love most about this line is that it promotes the mind-body connection. Which ever product speaks to you, I’m sure the one thing you’ll be saying is I AM HEALTHY.

If missed my post from 2013, here's the link to my article.  

Catch ya next year!

Stick your tongue out.

I’m a curious person. While curiosity hasn’t killed this cat, it did get me to explore the ancient Ayurvedic art of tongue scraping. Why? Well, I wasn’t sure until I did a bit more research. Read on.

In Ayurveda, proper digestion is considered to be the foundation of health. Given that digestion begins with taste, it's important to remove any toxins that may obstruct optimal digestive functioning. Tongue scraping also activates saliva production and promotes agni (the body’s digestive fire) to facilitate digestion.

Turns out that tongue scraping is an oral hygiene practice that  also removes bacteria, food debris, fungi (EW!), toxins, and dead cells from the surface of your tongue. The thing is is that when you sleep, your digestive system works to remove toxins and one of the ways that happens is by depositing them onto the surface of your tongue. If we don’t scrape away these toxins, they can get reabsorbed by the body and can lead to all sorts of unwanted conditions like respiratory difficulties, digestive problems, and a compromised immune system. No thanks!

Of course brushing and flossing are super important to keep your mouth clean, turns out that a tongue scraper is most effective at removing toxins and bacteria - where nearly half of your oral bacteria live on and in the deep crevices of our tongue. The scraping action of a tongue scraper collects these toxic tongue coatings (which can range in color from clear, white, yellow, or even green - I know, GROSS!) and removes them from the body. Thank goodness!

If overall health and wellbeing isn’t motivating enough, here are a few more reasons to try tongue scraping:

Got bad breath?

Given that most bad breath comes from the bacteria at the back of the tongue (an area that's difficult to reach with a toothbrush), well, need I say more?

Taste the flavor!

Proper digestion begins with taste and salivation. By removing the toxic mucus on your tongue your taste buds will be much more clear allowing for greater enjoyment of food flavors, and also to help your body digest food.

Boost your immunity.

Your tongue is part of your body’s first line of defense. Scraping your tongue prevents toxins from being reabsorbed into your body and boosts overall immune function.

Dental health.

Tongue scraping promotes general tooth and gum health and removes bacteria and toxins responsible for plaque build-up, tooth decay,  and gum infections.

Natural Products Expo West

I returned from sipping, sampling and snacking my way through this year's Natural Products Expo West - a mecca of of all things natural for people, pets and the planet. With a record breaking 63,000 attendees, and 2,428 exhibiting companies, it was super fun discovering new natural finds and, at times, very overwhelming: the crowds, the line ups, the enthusiasm for a healthier way of being. Like a kid in a (natural, organic) candy shop, the most fun for me was exploring new natural skin care products and products to keep us beautiful inside and out. Here are a few brands that stood out for me, and why:

My Natural Products Expo adventure started out with a morning yoga class (sponsored by Rainbow Light who generously gave us all new yoga mats) a taught by Kia Miller. I've been meaning to catch one of her classes whenever I'm in LA so this was an absolute delight. Kia teaches an authentic, lovely practice that incorporates the essence of yoga. With just the right mix of kundalini, hatha and vinyasa, I was off to a great day. Thanks, Kia!

SnapSac

I'm not one to flash name brands on my clothes or my hand bags so these cute, eco-friendly totes won my heart over - and they make shopping fun, cute and save the planet all at the same time. I was a lucky winner of one of SnapSac's MegaTotes which I lugged around with me the entire weekend: show samples, magazines, marketing materials and my yoga mat! To my delight, this durable tote made it through the weekend (no tears along the seams, no rips on the handle) with heaps of complements. It stores perfectly folded (see small image below) for its next use: Farmers Market, here we come!

Healing Hazel 

Yes, I know. These are indeed a little on the hippy side, but cool nonetheless. This Canadian Company, Healing Hazel , offers Hazel Wood bracelets and 100% Baltic Amber necklaces. Hazel Wood, utilized by the First Nations people for its benefits, is said to help neutralize the body's acidity. And in a world replete with stress, processed foods and lack of fresh air, these seem like a brilliant idea for us all.

Amber, a natural resin, is known for is natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Worn either as a necklace (great for teething infants) or as a bracelet (I picked up a few and created an amber mala that I wear around my wrist. LOVE!) the amber beads release tiny amounts of healing oils that are absorbed into the bloodstream to help alleviate symptoms associated with allergies, arthritis and pain. Not only do these amber mala beads look cool, but they are also in tune with crystal healing. What a gem! I'm convinced you'll be seeing these around the festival circuits this summer . . .

rareEssence

These luxurious eau de parfums smell delightful! rareESSENCE perfumes are made with consciously sourced, sustainable, 100% essential oils and are produced in small batches to ensure proper cure time. rareESSENCE master perfumers have also added a vibrational flower essence to these organic and biodynamic perfumer’s spirits. Embodying the essence of intentional alchemy, this line of powerful plant and flower synergies allows you to experience the real essences and energy of plants. 

Urban Moonshine
Cultures around the world have long believed that bitter flavours are essential to good health because they stimulate the digestive system. Thus began the tradition of steeping bitter-tasting roots, leaves, berries and fruits in alcohol and serving the mixture before or after a meal. Whether brewed according to secret recipes by medieval monks or concocted by wise women, the first bitters were intended for medicinal purposes. 

Over time, the concept of bitters was passed into the hands of apothecaries and on to the makers of 19th Century patent medicines. After bartenders discovered that bitters softened the often harsh liquors of the day, the cocktail was born. Until the late 1880s, any drink called a cocktail contained bitters—this includes such classics as the martini, the Manhattan and the Old-Fashioned. Only in the 1950s did the taste for bitters fade. And now, 2013, bitters are back! And I'm not referring to the bitter flavours we love in coffee, hoppy beers or dark chocolate. I'm talkin' Urban Moonshine, friends!

This line of organic bitters is made from a blend of certified Organic herbs and roots and use 100% certified organic alcohol. In the spirit of sparking the digestive system, waking up your pallet, supporting liver function and healthy skin, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, and enhancing overall health and wellness, Urban Moonshine sure packs a punch. While it nearly knocked me off my feet (literally), I could feel the medicine of this magical elixir at work.

Whether you enjoy bitters as an apertif, digestif, or as a remedy to stimulate sluggish digestion, settle an upset stomach, relieve bloating or heartburn, calm a hangover or gently cleanse the liver, bitters are back.

I'll admit: I'm addicted to lip balms. I am forever scouring for natural, organic goodness to nourish my lips and these are two of my favourite finds:

SW Basics of Brooklyn
These guys sure looked familiar: as seen in last few issues of Vogue (yes, I read Vogue and LOVE it!), the folks over at S.W. Basics are indeed one of the few absolutely, positively, 100% truly all-natural companies using only ingredients that are either certified organic, Fair Trade, or sourced from small family farms. This no-frills skincare line doesn't include any of those crazy synthetic chemicals and chooses to leave out trendy, exotic botanicals, and luxury fillers. Instead, they use the fewest possible ingredients for effective skincare because they believe that fewer ingredients means higher potency and less of a chance for irritation, which is why their lip balms are so awesome even on super-sensitive skin. 

S.W. Basics adheres to the tenant that "simplicity is the essence of awesome" and I couldn't agree more. The Cocoa Lip Balm is made simply with only 3 ingredients:

Cocoa Butter

Coconut Oil 

Beeswax

They believe that there’s nothing going on your mouth that shouldn’t be going in your mouth. How awesome is that?

Buddha Balm
Buddha Brand is a lifestyle wellness company that keeps the heart of enhancing lives and inspiring wellbeing at their company's core. Defined not by its products - although their Buddha Balm is the BOMB - but by a set of core values and a higher purpose, this company certainly stands for the greater good.

I love that their all natural lip balms contain no petroleum, parabens or preservatives. Instead, they are formulated with certified organic ingredients, all natural flavours (burnt sugar fig & mandarin orange ginger are my best!) and zinc oxide, a natural ingredient that provides protection from the sun by acting as a physical barrier against harmful rays. Not only healthy for my lips but tasty, too!

Surya Brasil
Looking for something new? Surya Brasil offers beauty, health and well-being with Brazilian flair! This unique line of vegan body care products includes natural hair color and organic body care using sustainable Amazonian plants, innovative manufacturing techniques and biodegradable packaging. The method behind their madness is to bring together Nature, the Science of Ayurveda and the technology for contemporary beauty.

100% plant-based and formulated with unique, ethically harvested plants and fruits from the Amazon (such as Buriti and Cupuacu), Surya Brasil also offers a sleek and sophisticated hair and body care collection for men, Sapien. There's no denying that passion is at play with Surya Brasil and it is through their passion for natural beauty that they strive to transform the beauty industry to hold the purest values of not only beauty, but also health and wellbeing while maintaining environmentally sustainable practices. 

And lastly: have you seen Mansome? Jack Passion, World Beard Champion, was over at Grandpa Brands Company and was the perfect encounter to end a very long, but inspiring weekend.

What's on Tap?

Flip to page 61 in the July issue of the Vancouver View for my latest article:

Get Juicy!

Flip to page 60 in the June Issue of the Vancouver View for my recent article on some Serious Summer Sipping!

Here are a few great ingredients and their amazingness:

Apple:

Apples are filled vitamin C, antioxidants, and soluble fiber. They are also a great way to naturally sweeten an otherwise bitter juice.

Beets:

Beets are blood-builders. They detoxify the blood and then renew it with minerals. Combined with carrots, consuming beets is a major way to heal the liver and kidneys.

Carrots:

An excellent source of antioxidants and beta-carotene, carrots are easily assimilated into our bodies. They play an outstanding role in anti-cancer effects on the body and provide optimal immune support.

Cucumber:

Cucumber is the best natural diuretic and aids in kidney, liver, and pancreatic detoxification. 

Fennel:

A great digestive aid, fennel is helpful to eliminate fluid retention and is a great juice to combat fatigue.

Ginger:

In addition to aiding in digestion, circulation, and reducing inflammation, this super root fights against cold and flu symptoms.

Grapefruit:

With more than a day’s worth of the vitamin,  this citrus also contains lycopene and limonoids inhibit many forms of cancer, pectins in the fruit provide soluble fiber to lower cholesterol and prevent kidney stones.

Kale:

Contains more easily absorbed calcium than milk! Kale is high in fiber, rich in Lutein, a major anti-cancer phytochemical, and is one of the best sources of beta-carotene, an antioxidant believed to be a major player in the battle against cancer, heart disease, and certain age-related chronic diseases. It is also rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A.

Lemon:

They have an incredibly alkalizing effect on the body, and as they stimulate the digestive system they purify the liver and clear out toxins. 

Mint:

Soothes the digestive tract and has been known to slow the growth of bacteria in the body and contains many anti-fungal properties.

Parsley:

One of the most potent disease-fighting spices, it aids in blood purification, fatigue, digestive restoration, and is great for clear skin due to high concentrations of beta carotene and chlorophyll.

Pineapple:

Loaded with anti-oxidants, manganese, and an enzyme called bromelain, which is great to help prevent inflammation.

Spinach:

A good source of Vitamin A, C, K, foliate, potassium, beta-carotene, iron and lutein. Promotes normal vision, immune, digestive, and nervous system functions.

Watercress:

This nutrient-dense veggie is rich in calcium, absorbable iron, potassium and a whole host of other vitamins and minerals.

What's your favourite way to sip Summer away?


Wherever summer takes you, make it deliciously yours ...

Anti-inflammatory Diet

The buzz of an anti-inflammatory diet should soon become common sense - if it isn't already. Have a read:

Simplify the Season

Between holiday shopping, festivity planning, not to mention a boost in work functions and social soirées, the most wonderful time of the year can sometimes feel like the most stressful time of the year!

So why not simplify?  

Keep your calm during this busy season:

Breathe.

Say YES! ... to some festive fun AND to time for yourself. Take care of your health and wellbeing.

Treat yourself. Hello mani-pedi! Massage, yes please!

Find your holiday inspirations to keep you merry and bright: winter strolls through fairy lit gardens? Ice skating? Snow hikes + fondue? A cozy glass of red at the piano bar? Making beeswax candles? Cozying up by the fire with your love? Connect with old friends or meet some new ones? Apres ski ... oops, I meant skiing! 

Remember what the Holidays are actually about: friends & family & fun!

Peace and joy to you!

Tis the Season

Flip to page 57 for my last column for 2011 ... see you next year in the Vancouver View.

Back to Basics

Check out my latest article in the Vancouver View:

page 59