Fresh Face: Apotheca Skin Body Wellness

Ayurveda at Apotheca

2012-01-21T12:50:00.000-08:00

I had a lovely conversation with one of my favorite regular clients this morning, about Ayurveda and specifically about Abhyanga massage. Our resident Yoga Teacher and Ayurvedic practitioner Karly offers some amazing work in this discipline and if you haven't yet tried it, now is a perfect time to come in, get warm, and get balanced.

What is Abhyanga? A warm oil massage that nourishes the skin, deeply relaxes the muscles and brings ease to the mind. Abhyanga is a traditional Ayurvedic massage modality designed to relax, rejuvenate and restore balance within the whole person. Tailored to each client's particular dosha, or Ayurvedic constitutional type, this is a wonderful stand-alone treatment everyone should try at least once. Book your session here.

What is Marma Point Massage? A traditional Ayurvedic style of massage which utilizes the body's vital points to promote healing and relaxation. Pressure, massage, and essential oils are used to balance of the flow of energy through the muscles, joints and organs of the body. Customized to each client's particular dosha, it makes an amazing addition at the end of a traditional deep tissue or stress-relieving massage, and is available as an add-on to these sessions for $25.

To make an appointment with Karly or to learn more about her Ayurveda services, visit our booking page here.

Now is a Great Time to Renew Your Skincare Routine

2012-01-11T15:38:00.001-08:00

We're in it! The new year. Our fluctuating Bay Area temperatures combined with holiday travel and lots of office time spent with heaters blazing can leave skin crying for attention. As the weather goes crazy (sunny, freezing, foggy, freezing, rainy, sunny? How do we keep up?) it's a great time to check in and review your skincare routine. Today I'll be talking a bit about the skincare step I see most often neglected and also most frequently overdone: Exfoliation.

Like I said, some of us may overdo it and some of us don't exfoliate at all. We all need modest exfoliation to dislodge dead skin cells, remove impurities and help the skin refresh and renew. But too much can not only sensitize the skin, it can also cause what we call "topical addiction." When the skin doesn't have to metabolize and renew by itself, it becomes lazy and reliant on over-use of product. It's a vicious cycle, and best avoided for the long-term health and beauty of your skin.

So how often is often enough? Once to twice a week at the most! No exfoliant is "gentle enough for every day." If your exfoliating product is as gentle as its marketing hype says then it isn't giving you any benefit. And if it is giving your skin cells a good dislodging then more than twice a week is too much.

Start your exfoliation routine with a gentle cleanser without acids (glycolic, salicylic, other AHAs), without granules (such as bits of apricot kernel shell and synthetic "beads"), and finally without synthetic colors, scents, or surfactants. We use 302 around here and we couldn't be more pleased. On opposite ends of the spectrum we have 302 Acne Cleanser ($26.10), a gentle but effective product for breakout-prone skin, and the 302 Sensitive Rx (also $26.10), also gentle enough for even the most sensitive/sensitized skin. We also carry products for oily and combination skins, as well as the more nebulous and highly coveted skin of the "normal" variety.

If you've been following along you get now that everyone with skin should add an exfoliating step to their skincare routine no more than twice a week. If you are using a gentle cleanser like the ones mentioned above, simply add a quarter teaspoon of plain baking soda to it and apply with a circular motion for two minutes. Effective, easy, non-toxic and dead cheap at roughly 3 cents per treatment.

Other effective and gentle exfoliants you may try at home are a weekly or twice-weekly yogurt mask (around $4.). Yogurt has lactic acid, which gently exfoliates as it moisturizes. Always use unsweetened, high-quality yogurt: low-fat for oily skin or full-fat for drier skin types, and add a touch of rice- or oat bran for extra gentle deep cleanse.

Lately my favorite exfoliant is our own Sweet Honey Weekly Mask ($22) from k23 Skincare. Its rich, raw honey base is intensely hydrating and anti-bacterial. Fig extract lends anti-oxidants for healthy aging, and papaya enzyme dissolves dead skin cells gently and effectively. Jojoba meal adds just the right kick for the rosy glow of healthy circulation. Add essential oils for balance and healing and you have the perfect weekly treat for your face.

For some of you, exfoliation will mean using your trusty rotating brush. I have one and I love it but I don't go crazy with it and neither should you. Definitely do not use the stuff that came with it. Invest in some quality skincare products (without synthetic scents, colors, and unnecessary fillers) and your skin will thank you for it.

What about acids? There is a time and a place for acid exfoliation, and unless your skin is quite aged and very hardy (and I am not addressing my 30-something clients here), that time and place is within the context of your monthly professional skincare treatment. More often than not, Apotheca skincare therapists will choose enzyme exfoliation in our professional treatments, since the majority of our clients fall in the 20 to 45-year-old range. If you do opt for acid products they should never constitute a daily part of your skincare regimen.

As with all things, under-doing is usually better than overdoing it. Treat your skin kindly and you will be rewarded with a glowing and healthy complexion, no matter what insanity the Bay Area weather may throw your way.

On Beauty, 1930's Style

2011-12-12T13:50:00.000-08:00

I found this gem on Youtube and had to share it. There is a lot that translates to today- keeping it simple is always key.

Where We Are Giving - August 2011

2011-07-31T15:15:00.000-07:00

There is so much going on in the world. Along with the usual places we donate on a monthly basis, Apotheca pledges to give a combined 10% of our (admittedly modest) profits in August to two very worthy causes.

5% of our profits will go to Oxfam America to help with their work feeding starving people in drought-stricken East Africa.

5% will go to support Tika Hick, an amazing woman who is going through an incredibly challenging time of home foreclosure, a new baby, a double mastectomy, and recently losing her husband in an accident. Watch below or read her story here, and if you are in San Francisco please think about going to the Michael Franti concert benefiting Tika and baby Indigo at Little Baobab on August 10th.

Every Home Needs a First Aid Kit

2011-07-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

Last week I found myself shivering with a 102 fever, a healthy and energetic three year old to mind and a husband out of town on business. Not my happiest hour, and when I put some cold chicken, half-frozen broccoli and a slab of butter on my toddler's plate for dinner at 6pm I knew I had to call on my family for some emergency help. My sister came, made me tea and rescheduled my next day's clients. She also brought me two extra-strength acetaminophen tablets which by 10pm's fit of headachey insomnia had still done nothing to bring my fever down. I wish I had remembered sooner that I have my trusty Urgent Care Kit of 18 different homeopathic remedies for everything from fever to bee stings to food poisoning. I took the recommended dose of Belladonna and by 9am I was still feeling off but was able to walk my kiddo a mile to preschool. Another dose before napping all morning and by 2pm it was as if I had never been sick.

Homeopathy is a fascinating system of medicine that has no side effects and can easily be incorporated into anyone's wellness lifestyle. I'm by no means a trained homeopath but I have successfully used its remedies to treat or support recovery of everything from my own eczema to my son's croup. To learn about this fascinating and safe system of medicine, this web site is a good place to start.

Why it's important to do the research or work with someone you trust

2011-07-21T09:34:00.001-07:00

Meet the Therapists: Karly

2011-07-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

"As a Licensed Massage Therapist, Registered Yoga Teacher, and student of Ayurveda, I use all three practices to help clients experience a calm and blissful state of balance. Massage sessions blend a variety of modalities and are designed to address each person’s needs and goals. Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue techniques, Swedish & Thai Massage, and Ayurvedic Body Therapies are the guiding influences behind my practice. Any modality can be emphasized if desired."

Karly teaches private yoga sessions and offers Integrated massage sessions at Apotheca. Please read our Yelp.com reviews to find out what her very happy clients have to say about their sessions with her. Here is a sneak peek from one of our favorites:

"Oh man! This cannot wait:

For more than a year I have had a painful problem with my neck and shoulder which has restricted the range of motion I have been able to turn my head. I just got back from my first session with Karly and BAM! I'm moving smooth and easy again! Suffice it to say, I consider myself one lucky chick!"

Be Your Own Apothecary: Rosemary and Tea Tree Foot Bath

2011-07-12T10:34:00.000-07:00

This one is fabulous for you marathoners, hikers, and anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet. Use cool water for a refreshing feeling on a hot summer day. Or, for this crazy Winter in July we are getting this week in San Francisco, use very warm water to gently heat your feet and leave the whole body feeling bundled up and cozy.

Fresh rosemary is easy to find at your local grocery store and even at your local park. Take just a little sprig and you won't harm this very resilient plant. Rosemary has tonifying properties for the whole body. It is warming and analgesic (pain-killing), and revives the body and mind. Tea tree can't be beat for its antibacterial properties and helps deodorize tired feet like nothing else.

Are you ready for your foot bath? Here's how to do it:

Put a sprig of fresh rosemary, broken into small pieces, into a large bowl, dishpan, or basin of water
Add boiling water to draw out the good oils from the plant
Let cool enough to comfortably touch.
For a warm soak, just add 6-10 drops of Tea Tree essential oil and submerge your feet.
If you prefer a cold soak, wait until your water has cooled and add ice before adding the Tea Tree oil.
Soak your feet until they are nice and pink. Dry off and follow with a good moisturizer like 302 Skincare Body Treatment Intensive, which we love and sell at our office.

Don't forget our contest for a FREE Strategic Massage Session or Express Facial. Read how to enter here. We will be drawing a name at random this Friday, July 15 so enter now.

Summer Giveaways at Apotheca

2011-07-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

Is your neck sore or has testy summer skin got you down? Enter our July contest for a complimentary Express Facial Treatment or Strategic Massage Session. Here's how to enter:

1. Join our Facebook page and comment there that you would like to be entered.
2. Tell us why you need a massage or facial treatment from Apotheca
3. Follow this blog for an extra entry
4. Follow our Twitter page for another extra entry

For those of you who are counting that is a total of three opportunities to win a free facial or massage. The winner will be chosen via the "names in a hat" method by 2pm Friday, July 15th. This contest is open to everyone. Good luck!

Don't forget to visit us for ultrasonic exfoliation add-ons to your regular 60- or 75-minute facial treatment. Regularly $25, this upgrade is available free during the month of July. Book your session online and use "ultra" in the Promotion Code section of your booking form.

How to Be Happy

2011-06-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

According to a recent Mayo Clinic article on finding contentment, happy people spend time:

Devoting time to family and friends
Appreciating what they have
Maintaining an optimistic outlook
Feeling a sense of purpose
Living in the moment

Great advice and a pretty decent article that can help generate some questions about how we approach our contentedness. Personally, I think keeping a Gratitude Journal is paramount. What do you (oh, ghosts of the Internet) do to cultivate your own happiness?

Yoga at Apotheca

2011-04-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

Did your New Year's resolutions have something to do with getting fit and making more time for yourself? How are they coming along? If you could use some support and motivation, come join our resident Registered Yoga Teacher Karly Railsback for private sessions at our convenient downtown space.

Private sessions provide challenge and insight for students of any level. You may be new to yoga and want to develop a solid foundation, or a seasoned practitioner looking to do some fine tuning. You may be shy about yoga studios, or maybe you're "not a gym person." Maybe you need a practice to suit the specific needs of your body. Perhaps you are pregnant or recently gave birth so you're looking for a yoga practice for two. Whatever your intention, private sessions are a great way to get the space and attention you'd like to develop and deepen your yoga practice.

Sessions range from 50 to 90 minutes. Package pricing is available. Come in this Friday, April 8 or on Friday April 22 between 3:30 and 5:30pm for your complimentary 20-minute session. Book your appointments and buy packages here.

About Karly Railsback, RYT

Karly teaches Hatha and Vinyasa Flow yoga with an emphasis on alignment, ease and awareness. Her yoga sessions contain a balance of postures, breathing practices and meditation techniques to awaken the body and ease the mind; creating a refreshing state of balance. She applies principals of Ayurveda to the practice as well.

Karly teaches group yoga classes in San Francisco including: Beginning Yoga, All Levels Yoga, Gentle Yoga, and Vinyasa Flow Yoga.

Karly says, "My study and practice of yoga has been most informed by the Iyengar, Vinyasa, Para Yoga and Anusara Yoga traditions. My intention is to make the powerful and peaceful practice of yoga accessible to all seekers regardless of age, experience or physical ability."

She quotes, “If you can breathe, you can do yoga.” (T. Krishnamacharya)

Spring Has Sprung! It's Time to Detox, Not Botox!

2011-03-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung and we couldn't be more glad! Now that Winter has gone and the urge to shore up and be cozy has given way to longer days we are packing up our bulky sweaters and heading outside. In Ayurveda (the ancient system of Indian diet and healing) as well as in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spring is a season of new beginnings.
Just as we do a thorough Spring Cleaning in our homes (out with the old and in with the fresh, clean, new!) so should we assist our skin and bodies with detoxification and releasing what isn't needed anymore.

For many of us, all those months of cold weather have led to a stagnant way of being- perhaps we are holding a bit more weight than we'd like. Maybe our skin is breaking out, or bumpy, red and itchy. These are all signs of inflammation, aggravated by artificial heating and cooling and a diet too high in sugars simple carbs. (Bad news, party people. Alcohol = sugar to your body.)

We all know how detoxifying skincare can help get you clear, soft skin. But did you know that massage can actually help you lose weight? Reduced stress means a reduced cortisol levels. Excess Cortisol, the stress hormone, has a direct relationship to excess belly fat. And we know conclusively that massage therapy reduces stress. So it seems that stress-reducing bodywork can help you achieve your weight loss goals. Besides that, taking care or yourself in a nurturing way can make the difference between a grab-and-go lifestyle (that leads to too much snacking, poor food choices, and not enough sleep-- also linked to excess weight) and really slowing down, living our goals and taking good care of ourselves.

Yoga is also an excellent aid to detoxifying the skin and body since it (like massage) helps circulation and lymphatic movement. Yoga can't be beat for stress relief, and is also good for the sort of mental "spring cleaning" that comes from mindful movement and, again, slowing down to breathe.
All that sounds better than a horrid week breaking your metabolism by doing the dangerous, starvation-inducing Master Cleanse, doesn't it?

Kick-start your Spring get-healthy program with our seasonal Detox Not Botox package. What you get:

One 60-minute detox facial treatment with lymphatic drainage facial massage

One 45-minute skincare for the back treatment with our amazing new detox mask, le Swamp Thang, featuring Pacific coast seaweed, French green clay and an amazing blend of essential oils sure to banish back acne and get your skin glowing for Spring.

One 70 -minute massage for stress relief or Integrated/ deep tissue massage with full-body dry brushing

Two private yoga sessions

Our own delicious herbal tisane, custom-blended for the season and made from the highest quality organic nutritive herbs, for you to take home.

Regular price: $470. Package price: $423. Buy this package before April 30th for the reduced rate of $399!

Go to our secure booking page and select Detox Not Botox from the package drop down menu. Happy Spring!

Dads and Doulas in the Huffington Post

2010-07-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

". . .if you're a dad-to-be and you are hesitant to rescind your position as the only advocate for the delivery of your child, consider the percentage of caesarian births in this country and how those statistics might change with an experienced doula by your side, giving you and your partner the support you deserve during one of the most challenging and meaningful days of your life."

Commercial Sunscreens Linked to Cancer

2010-07-15T10:51:00.000-07:00

So many of my clients have come in with terrible congested pores and sensitive, rosacea-like skin from using greasy, cheap over-the-counter sunscreens. Ugh. As if preservatives, petrochemicals and pore-blocking additives weren't bad enough, a large study was recently published that proves what we who approach skincare from a holistic perspective have suspected for a long time: chemical sunscreens are not only ineffective- they can be downright toxic.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG)—said, in its fourth annual Sunscreen Guide, that it had evaluated an astounding 500 sunscreens, only finding minimal eight percent to be “acceptable.” A great majority of those common brands found in drug stores and department stores contain an ingredient called Retinyl Palmitate. We already knew this Vitamin A-derivative can sensitize skin. Now the FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) have conducted studies that found potential links between RA and skin cancer.

That's right- SKIN CANCER. From sunscreen.

In the past, RA was in all sorts of sunscreen products and there were no really viable alternatives. Now we have excellent manual - mineral - sunscreens that do the job of protecting skin from UV rays. Without additives, without chemicals. Choose a professional grade mineral sunscreen and see the benefit in beautiful aging and in helping sensitive skin feel cool and healthy. Please remember that whatever you use needs to be applied in an adequate amount, and reapplied every two hours. Even in the fog, San Franciscans.

That and a hat will keep you looking dang fine all summer. Now go out and have fun.

Blog Archive: The Past is Past

2010-05-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

It seems we've been doing this a long time. Past entries from 2005 and 2006 are all here:

http://westwindhealing.blogspot.com/

We're making some. . .

2010-04-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

A good place to help Haiti

2010-01-14T20:01:00.001-08:00

2009-12-28T09:43:00.000-08:00

Where we're giving this morning. Tell Apotheca and win a beautiful organic lavender eye pillow (shipped anywhere in the US):

Where are you giving?

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Khaled in Lebanon (Activity: Retail) You Loaned:$100.00 View loan
profile at:
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=161146&_te=ty
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Efua in Ghana (Activity: Cereals) You Loaned:$100.00 View loan profile
at:
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=164454&_te=ty
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jorge Luis Sáenz Medrano in Nicaragua (Activity: Personal Housing
Expenses) You Loaned:$100.00 View loan profile at:
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=164135&_te=ty
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Zee in Ghana (Activity: Used Clothing) You Loaned:$100.00 View loan
profile at:
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=164409&_te=ty
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walter Enrique Rodas Galo in Nicaragua (Activity: Personal Housing
Expenses) You Loaned:$100.00 View loan profile at:
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=164134&_te=ty
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christiana in Ghana (Activity: Food Production/Sales) You Loaned:$100.00
View loan profile at:
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=164446&_te=ty
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crecer Con Libertad Group in Chile (Activity: Retail) You Loaned:$200.00
View loan profile at:
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=165009&_te=ty

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Deep Scalp Clean with Ingredients You Already Have

2009-12-23T15:48:00.000-08:00

For a lot of people, a San Francisco winter's wild weather changes (the heater, the wind, the sun, the heater- it's like temperature schizophrenia out there) can result in dull, frizzy hair and a flaky scalp. Try this rejuvenating scalp treatment once a week to deep clean the skin on your head and leave your hair shiny and free of product residue.

This weekend I gave myself a scalp "facial" using this scrub and the Neem-based scalp treatment with essential oils that we use in Apotheca's Indian Head Massage treatments. My scalp feels so clean and my tired, dry locks look and feel so much better!

Deep-cleaning Scalp Scrub

Use enough baking soda and apple cider vinegar to make a thick paste

Add honey and cool water to make a consistency that is still a paste, but slippery enough to cover the scalp

Wet your hair and use the pads of your fingertips to work this mixture into your scalp.

Rinse, towel-dry, and just try to keep from running your fingers through your hair.

Winter Wellness, the Swine Flu and You by Miles Peterken, LAc

2009-12-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

The flu season here in the northern hemisphere has made for a lot of surprising headlines in the news this autumn...reports have come of H1N1 vaccine manufacturers being given contractual immunity from liability, shortages of the H1N1 vaccine, statistical reports from Canada suggesting that people given previous flu vaccines are more susceptible to H1N1, and Andrew Weil being taken to task by the FDA for promoting an alternative medicine (an herb used in Chinese medicine, astragalus) to boost the immune system to prevent H1N1 occurrences.

But to a more important discussion: what can you be doing to prevent common colds and, yes, the H1N1 too, this year? As an acupuncturist and herbalist, I have a preference for many of the traditional Chinese herb formulas that treat common colds and quickly eliminate them. I'd like to share with you the basic premise behind what each of these formulas do for an early stage common cold--the chills, the feverishness, the body aches, the sniffles, the sore throat, the headache etc.

Sweat. That's it. Well, there's slightly more to it...this is different from going to the gym and simply breaking a sweat.

It's all about cooking herbs in water (like a tea) and drinking. And then getting into a pair of comfy sweatpants, maybe a robe on top, and staying wrapped up. It's about promoting a sweat to knock out the cold. One will usually feel an immediate lessening of the body aches and chills, and the head will clear.

And this is nothing new. It's been done by many cultures over countless years. But it has been largely forgotten. Is it comfortable? While no one loves sweating in clothes when not being active, it's really not that bad if one sits still. Consider watching a TV or a movie while wrapped up. The sweating does not need to be prolonged--I often find 30 minutes can do the trick. But I promise you it is much better than being sick for days followed by that residual wet cough and fatigue for weeks!

There is some anecdotal evidence of the effectiveness of the Chinese herb formulas in the face of pandemics. In the flu pandemic of 1918, many in Oregon relied on the herbal formulas of Ing "Doc" Hay, a Chinese doctor in John Day, Oregon. He was trusted more than western doctors by the men and women of that area, largely because he had already successfully treated the diseases that were fatal at the time (such as snakebites and infections from barbwire cuts). In the subsequent years 1919 and 1920, Ing Hay never lost a patient to the flu, including many construction workers building a highway through a bitterly cold winter. He brought vats of the bitter tasting brew to the workers.

When it comes to saving you from the prolonged process of feeling miserable from a cold, timing is important. There are a few things I would recommend to always keep on hand in your home, to take as soon as you suspect a cold coming on:

Fresh ginger: about four or five slices (the thickness of a quarter) in a hot tea can often be enough to create sweating about half an hour later. I often add more hot water as I drink (it's a good idea to replenish liquids when sweating). Another great thing to do with ginger is to put a handful into a hot bath, then get wrapped up after as I have mentioned. This will also create a very therapeutic sweat to expel the cold.

If you feel more heat in your body (flushing of the face, a particularly sore throat, but still some body chills and desire to keep covered), add a mint tea to the fresh ginger.

The next item I would highly recommend is the Gypsy Cold Care tea from Traditional Medicines. This is available widely in grocery stores. It has a combination of many of the herbs we use in traditional Chinese medicine, and I find I can often fight off a cold at its first signs with several cups of this. This alone can create a very mild sweat and a warming sensation (throw in a little fresh ginger), but it's important to stay bundled up!

I have been fortunate to have had conversations with nurses, MD's, and acupuncturists from around the US, some who have been treating H1N1 cases, and others who are wishing to help in its prevention. I have followed with a keen interest the formulas currently being used in China both for prevention and treatment. As mentioned in a previous blog, vitamin D is very important. There has also been recent research indicating an increase in antioxidants is particularly effective in combating H1N1.

Chinese medicine has very specific protocols for boosting the immune system when not sick, and treating the sickness quickly when it presents. I encourage anyone in the bay area to use these helpful tips when beginning to feel sick, and to consider traditional Chinese medicine as a very viable way to increase health and prevent colds this season.

A Scary Halloween Story with a Sweet Ending

2009-11-01T11:53:00.001-08:00

Scary? Well, maybe not. But who likes to move house? Or offices, for that matter. But that was what we did for Halloween. And while we didn't dig up any ghosts of Halloweens past, there was a lot of heavy lifting to be done when we could have been eating Sugar Babies in a fabulous costume somewhere.

The good news is, we are up and running in our cute new digs on the 6th floor of the Hobart Building. Still at 582 Market Street, now in Suites 612 and 613. For now, skincare and acupuncture appointments will be in Suite 612 and massage sessions will be in Suite 613.

Our sweet little outpost in Hayes Valley is no more.

We're open for business beginning November 2 and we're planning our real Grand Opening for later in the Fall.

Stay tuned for more.

Happy Autumn!

Moving Sale- 20 - 50% off Tu'eL and PFB Products!

2009-10-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the change of seasons and lighten our load as we move to Suite 612 of the Hobart Building, we're having a big sale on selected products.

Locally made, botanical cleansers, moisturizers, masks, treatment products and sunscreens will be 20-50% off from now through October 31.

Need something to make your skin happy? Send us a note and we'll help you select the right stuff for you-- cheap cheap cheap and shipped to your door! Free pick-up and free shipping on orders of $50+

Write kirstenqb@gmail.com for details and with requests.

Real Food Nutrition in the Bay Area

2009-10-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

It is fantastic to see whole, organic, sustainable, REAL food experiencing such a renaissance in the Bay Area. Slow Food Nation was so fun and educational last summer. The Eat Real Festival was loads of fun this summer. We have so many amazing year-round local resources, my favorites being our gorgeous farmers markets (I like Alemeny best) and the truly wonderful Three Stone Hearth.

We have access to an abundance of great local food here in the Bay Area. There is also a wealth of education available. I want to share two resources with you.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a training with excellent local nutrition educator Julie Matthews of Healthful Living and Nourishing Our Children. Ms. Matthews' approach is built around traditional, unprocessed foods, because, as she writes on her web site, "organic whole foods, unprocessed dairy, traditional fermented foods, and other nutrient-dense foods are ideal ways to build nutrient reserves and support healing." Her areas of focus range from fertility and healthy children to autism, detoxification and emotional issues like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addiction and aggression. Her classes are fun and her manner is approachable and warm. I highly recommend taking a workshop with her, but if you can't do that you can catch up with her on her weekly radio show, "Reality Sandwich" that airs Thursdays @ Noon, on 89.5FM KPOO in San Francisco.

Next weekend is a fun and informative training with the good people over at Circle Community Acupuncture. They write, "Have you ever wondered how Chinese medicine views the Four Seasons? Have you ever wanted to learn how to use food as medicine? If so, join us at our upcoming workshop! The workshop will include some demonstration, recipes and a resource guide to take home, and (best of all) samples of nourishing foods to foster a healthy season. If you thought healthy food was boring and expensive, think again!The workshop will include some demonstration, recipes and a resource guide to take home, and (best of all) samples of nourishing foods to foster a healthy season. If you thought healthy food was boring and expensive, think again!"

The workshop is on Saturday, October 17 at 1:30pm. See their website for contact information.

Now that I'm writing I can't resist throwing in one more recommendation. I tell all my clients about Nina Planck's books, Real Food: What to Eat and Why; and for my pregnant skincare, massage, and doula clients, Real Food for Mother and Baby: The Fertility Diet, Eating for Two, and Baby's First Foods. Ms. Planck's books are readable, sensible, and full of great information that will leave you feeling empowered and inspired about your food choices. Great reads- check them out.

Nutrition is so important for holistic health. What we eat truly affects how we feel and how we look. What are your secrets to incorporating real, whole foods into a busy and active life? What challenges do you face? Has anyone out there transitioned from a processed, industrial diet to a real, whole foods diet? How did it make you feel?

Simply Give Birth

2009-10-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

Simply Give Birth is a new book of inspiring birth stories collected by the brilliant Heather Cushman-Dowdee of Hathor the Cowgoddess fame. It includes more than 30 birth stories collected to inspire strength and empowerment in birth, rather than inspiring the kind of dread that comes from watching those scary birth shows on The Discovery Channel.

From the book:

". . .for too long the other story, the drama, and pain and horrifyingly out-of -control helplessness, has been the predominant tale. It’s time for that story to go the way of dinosaurs. There’s a new way to tell our birth stories, a simple way, with humor and spirit and matter-of-fact exuberance, and that if we collect these types of stories and spread them out into the world, we’ll be spreading the idea that birth is a funny, crazy, everyday, yet still life-changing to our very core, experience. Because it is all that. And more."

Go here to buy the book!

Stay Healthy Without Dangerous Vaccines

2009-10-03T19:40:00.001-07:00

From Dr. Mercola's always-interesting site: how to protect yourself against swine flu and any flu by keeping the immune system strong.

How to Protect Yourself Without Dangerous Drugs and Vaccinations

For now, my point is that there are always going to be threats of flu pandemics, real or created, and there will always be potentially toxic vaccines that are peddled as the solution. But you can break free of that whole drug-solution trap by following some natural health principles.

I have not caught a flu in over two decades, and you can avoid it too, without getting vaccinated, by following these simple guidelines, which will keep your immune system in optimal working order so that you're far less likely to acquire the infection to begin with.

Optimize your vitamin D levels. As I've previously reported, optimizing your vitamin D levels is one of the absolute best strategies for avoiding infections of ALL kinds, and vitamin D deficiency is likely the TRUE culprit behind the seasonality of the flu -- not the flu virus itself.

This is probably the single most important and least expensive action you can take. I would STRONGLY urge you to have your vitamin D level monitored to confirm your levels are therapeutic at 50-70 ng.ml and done by a reliable vitamin D lab like Lab Corp.

For those of you in the US we hope to launch a vitamin D testing service through Lab Corp that allows you to have your vitamin D levels checked at your local blood drawing facility, and relatively inexpensively. We hope to offer this service by June 2009.

If you are coming down with flu like symptoms and have not been on vitamin D you can take doses of 50,000 units a day for three days to treat the acute infection. Some researchers like Dr. Cannell, believe the dose could even be as high as 1000 units per pound of body weight for three days.

However, most of Dr. Cannell's work was with seasonal and not pandemic flu. If your body has never been exposed to the antigens there is chance that the vitamin D might not work. However the best bet is to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D around 60 ng/ml.

BUT to keep this in perspective the regular flu, not the swine flu, has killed 13,000 in the US since January. But there is strong support that these types of figures are grossly exaggerated to increase vaccine sales. However, the fact remains that the regular flu at this point in time is FAR more dangerous than the swine flu and were you worried about the regular flu before the media started talking this up?

Avoid Sugar and Processed Foods. Sugar decreases the function of your immune system almost immediately, and as you likely know, a strong immune system is key to fighting off viruses and other illness. Be aware that sugar is present in foods you may not suspect, like ketchup and fruit juice.
Get Enough Rest. Just like it becomes harder for you to get your daily tasks done if you're tired, if your body is overly fatigued it will be harder for it to fight the flu. Be sure to check out my article Guide to a Good Night's Sleep for some great tips to help you get quality rest.
Have Effective Tools to Address Stress . We all face some stress every day, but if stress becomes overwhelming then your body will be less able to fight off the flu and other illness.

If you feel that stress is taking a toll on your health, consider using an energy psychology tool such as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), which is remarkably effective in relieving stress associated with all kinds of events, from work to family to trauma. You can check out my free, 25-page EFT manual for some guidelines on how to perform EFT.
Exercise. When you exercise, you increase your circulation and your blood flow throughout your body. The components of your immune system are also better circulated, which means your immune system has a better chance of finding an illness before it spreads. You can review my exercise guidelines for some great tips on how to get started.
Take a good source of animal based omega-3 fats like Krill Oil. Increase your intake of healthy and essential fats like the omega-3 found in krill oil, which is crucial for maintaining health. It is also vitally important to avoid damaged omega-6 oils that are trans fats and in processed foods as it will seriously damage your immune response.
Wash Your Hands. Washing your hands will decrease your likelihood of spreading a virus to your nose, mouth or other people. Be sure you don't use antibacterial soap for this -- antibacterial soaps are completely unnecessary, and they cause far more harm than good. Instead, identify a simple chemical-free soap that you can switch your family to.
Eat Garlic Regularly. Garlic works like a broad-spectrum antibiotic against bacteria, virus, and protozoa in the body. And unlike with antibiotics, no resistance can be built up so it is an absolutely safe product to use. However, if you are allergic or don't enjoy garlic it would be best to avoid as it will likely cause more harm than good.
Avoid Hospitals and Vaccines In this particular case, I'd also recommend you stay away from hospitals unless you're having an emergency, as hospitals are prime breeding grounds for infections of all kinds, and could be one of the likeliest places you could be exposed to this new bug. Vaccines will not be available for six months at the minimum but when available they will be ineffective and can lead to crippling paralysis like Guillain-Barré Syndrome just as it did in the 70s.

October Specials at Apotheca

2009-10-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

To celebrate our recent nod in Allure Magazine's October issue Best of the Best in San Francisco, we're offering complimentary upgrades on massage sessions of 70 minutes and longer! No limits- book as many October massages as you like and enjoy even bigger savings.

Massage upgrades are for sessions booked online and with Alicia, Eri, Kim and Kelly only. Use booking code OCTOCALM.

This month you can also get a complimentary brow or lip wax with any facial treatment you book with Alicia Claire. Use our online scheduler and promo: WAX1

Book online here. We look forward to seeing you soon!

"Best of the Best"

2009-09-30T21:22:00.001-07:00

We're pretty pleased to announce that Apotheca was named Best Body Therapy in Allure Magazine's Best of the Best directory for the second year in a row.

We are flattered! Read all about it here.

The Buzz on Busy-ness and Wax

2009-09-30T20:55:00.001-07:00

We're busy working hard to get our new space up and running and preparing for some grand opening surprises and new services. Expect an update soon.

Meanwhile, you don't need to rock the Frida brow 'do unless you want to. This October, we're offering a complimentary brow or lip wax when you book a facial treatment with Alicia Claire. Make your appointment here and use promo code "wax." Be sure to specify which free service you prefer.

Buzz, buzz, buzz,
Kirsten

The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen

2009-06-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

According to the Environmental Working Group, you can reduce your exposure to nearly 90% of pesticides in food by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables.

The top three worst offenders?

Peaches
Apples
Bell peppers

And the three cleanest conventional products are:

Onion
Avocado
Sweet corn

Download your own full guide here.

Apotheca Outpost in Hayes Valley Open in May

2009-04-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

(image from hayesvalley.com)

And we're officially open for business back in the old neighborhood!

I'm so excited to be moving back to Hayes Valley. I worked there so happily for a number of years. I'm happy to find out what's new and what's the same, and to become reacquainted with Octavia Green, the amazing coffee at Blue Bottle, and those tasty, tasty frjtz at Frjtz.

To make an appointment, go here and be sure to choose Hayes Valley when the option comes up. I look forward to seeing you in our cozy new digs!

All the best,
Kirsten

Easy and Fun- "The Single Best Thing You Can Do for Your Health"

2009-04-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

According to the TV doctors over at realage.com, the "single best thing you can do for your health" is a daily 30-minute walk. We'd add that what's good for health is also good for beauty.

The docs write about walking that,

More is better. What’s true for love and vacation (unfortunately not for chocolate or pinot noir) is also true for walking. Get as much as you can.

You can read the rest of the article here.

And while you're at it, it's not too late to sign up for the San Francisco AIDS Walk. Apotheca has donated two gift certificates (one for massage and one for a facial) for the event organizers to give to two of its top participants.

Feel good and do good? Sounds beautiful to us.

Support New Traditions and Win a Facial at Apotheca

2009-04-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

We're supporting New Traditions, a wonderful public (!) creative arts elementary school in the Western Addition. They are having their annual online auction of some really great stuff, and we've donated a Signature Facial Treatment.

To bid on our facial at (opening bid is 50% off!) or any of the dozens of other really fantastic items up for auction (an 11-class pass to Yoga Tree and a Bay Area tour in a 4-seater airplane are standouts) visit the auction web site HERE.

Happy bidding!

Study Says Topical Ellagic Acid Saves Skin

2009-04-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

From Sciencedaily.com:

Using a topical application of the antioxidant ellagic acid, researchers at Hallym University in the Republic of Korea markedly prevented collagen destruction and inflammatory response – major causes of wrinkles -- in both human skin cells and the sensitive skin of hairless mice following continuing exposure to UV-B, the sun's skin-damaging ultraviolet radioactive rays.

The study only talks about topical application, though we know that what we eat has a profound effect on the health and beauty of the skin. Food sources of ellagic acid include raspberries, cranberries, strawberries, walnuts, pecans, and pomegranates. With summer around the corner and a bounty of fresh fruits coming into the farmer's markets, now is a great time to discover what ellagic acid foods can do to improve your skin.

Our ad in the current issue of SF Weekly

2009-01-15T13:41:00.000-08:00

January Philanthropy: Where We're Giving

2009-01-14T11:44:00.000-08:00

Following are a few of the organizations we have been supporting lately. Where do you like to give? Who do you support with time, money, or in some other way? Post your reply in the comments section and be entered in a drawing for the fabulous Slow Food Guide to San Francisco and the Bay Area. Post your comment by 5pm on Friday, January 16th. A winner will be chosen at random and the book mailed out to our lucky reader this weekend.

San Francisco Food Bank

San Francisco Homeless Services Coalition

Home Wellness Treatment: Divine Cocoa-Espresso Body Scrub

2009-01-12T16:10:00.000-08:00

Rich organic oils soften while the chocolate's high antioxidant content nourishes tired, rough skin. Espresso temporarily lessens the look and feel of cellulite. And the scent? Pure heaven.

Ingredients:

Feel free to play around with ratios. If you like a scubbier scrub, decrease your liquids and add more espresso. If you prefer something less invigorating, add less espresso and more oil. Additional macadamia nut oil is excellent for aging skin in need of rejuvenating. Less scrub and additional half and half is great for sensitive skin, or substitute with heavy cream.

1/2 cup coconut butter
1/8 cup half and half
1/8 cup coarsely-ground espresso
2 tablespoons macadamia nut oil
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free)
10 drops sweet orange oil

Obtain all organic ingredients whenever possible. Coconut butter will be solid at room temperature, so begin by melting this, still in the bottle or jar, in a container of hot water. When softened, mix all ingredients and use right away. Cap leftovers tightly and refrigerate, using the remainder within four days.

This treatment is for the body only; do not use on the face. Use before showering, and in lieu of your body brush if you use one. A weekly scrub is excellent during winter months, and this scrub is particularly suitable before shaving or applying self-tanner.

Better than the flu

2008-12-06T09:44:00.000-08:00

From yesterday's Chronicle: A new study shows that happiness is contagious.

"One person's happiness can affect another's for up to a year, the researchers found, and while unhappiness can also spread from person to person, the "infectiousness" of that emotion appears to be far weaker."

Read the full article here.

Current Discounts and Promotions

2008-12-04T18:22:00.001-08:00

New Clients Get $20 Off. This discount is good for those who are new to Apotheca and for those of you we haven't seen for over six months. You may apply this discount to any session of 60 minutes or longer, with David, Eri, Kim, Miles or Tess. To register as a client and book a session, visit our online scheduler and enter discount code NEW.

. . .

Student and Unemployed Discounts are back. All week, every week, any time, for full-time students and currently unemployed folks. For sessions of 60 minutes and longer only. Enter discount code STUDENT when you book your appointment and your discount will be applied at the time of your appointment.

Alas, discounts cannot be combined.

. . .

Book a bikini or Brazilian waxing service any time in December or January and get a free gift from Sweet Spot Labs. To book your appointment, visit our online scheduler and enter discount code SWEETSPOT. One per customer.

. . .

Give something, get something: Buy a gift package (for yourself or someone else) and receive a gift certificate for one of my favorite organizations, kiva.org. The gift will be in your name to give to a friend or keep for yourself. After you arrange your package just drop me a line (at kirstenqb@gmail.com) to let me know who you'd like your Kiva gift sent to and I will arrange it straight away. This promotion is good through December and makes an awesome holiday gift.

Home Wellness Treatment: Dry Brushing with Coconut Oleation

2008-12-04T12:45:00.001-08:00

Dry brushing is one of our most popular treatments at the office studio. No froufy spa treatment (though we are human and we like those too), daily dry brushing is a wonderful practice for improving both skin softness and internal health. By gently brushing the skin, the lymphatic system is stimulated to eliminate waste matter. Dry brushing removes dead skin cells and improves the appearance and existence of cellulite. Because of its detoxifying effect on the body, it also strengthens the immune system. And it wakes you up in the morning!

All good reasons to start a daily dry brushing practice. Here's how to do it:

Get yourself a natural bristle brush or a loofah mitt or loofah "sponge." Stand dry and naked on the bathroom floor. Start with the soles of your feet and move upward in circular strokes toward your heart. Go gently. The lymphatic system is just under the skin so there is no need for great pressure. plus, you want this to feel good, don't you? When you get to your belly, brush in nice circular strokes in a counter-clockwise direction. Counter-clockwise because that's the direction your digestive organs go, and we want to work with them, not against them. Keep brushing the back, the chest, the fronts and backs of your arms. When you get to your neck, move gently downward, again toward the heart.

No need to dry brush your face (too scratchy!) or your head (though a short fingertip massage would be nice to wake up the scalp).

Dry brushing in combination with a lovely oil treatment is a simple and luxurious way to keep your skin feeling and looking beautiful as it staves off the dread winter flakes.

When you've finished dry brushing, apply a thin layer of coconut oil from the soles of your feet to the top of your chest. Avoid coconut oil on the face and neck, as it can be comedogenic for some people. Those of you with very oily or acneic skin will want to avoid the oil on your chest and back as well. But for most people, coconut oil (especially a raw, unprocessed, organic brand) is beautiful for the skin, conveying softening, nourishing and antibacterial properties. Let the oil stay on your body for a few minutes, then head to a nice, warm shower to rinse off. (Not hot, as hot water dehydrates the skin and compromises firmness by weakening collagen. )

Shower as usual but be careful not to slip!

15 minutes from start to finish, and with this daily routine you will notice smoother and softer skin within two weeks. Plus, you'll start your morning smelling a little like Hawaii. And who wouldn't want that?

December Philanthropy: Where We're Giving

2008-12-04T12:23:00.001-08:00

meals on wheels: food and friendship to San Francisco's homebound elderly

kiva.org: loans that change lives

wikipedia: the free online encyclopedia

Join our Kiva Lending Team!

2008-09-04T11:18:00.000-07:00

I want to invite you to join our lending team, Apothecasf, on Kiva, a non-profit website that allows you to lend as little as $25 to a specific low-income entrepreneur in the developing world. You choose who to lend to - whether a baker in Afghanistan, a goat herder in Uganda, a farmer in Peru, a restaurateur in Cambodia, or a tailor in Iraq - and as they repay the loan, you get your money back.

If you join our lending team, we can work together to alleviate poverty. Once you're a part of the team, you can choose to have a future loan on Kiva "count" towards our team's impact. The loan is still yours, and repayments still come to you - but you can also choose to have the loan show up in our team's collective portfolio, so our team's overall impact will grow!

See you on Kiva!
Kirsten

What exactly is "deep tissue" massage?

2008-09-02T20:37:00.000-07:00

A great question, yet the answer is unfortunately so often misunderstood. More often than we'd like, we've had clients come in complaining about massages they have endured before finding us. These "deep tissue" massages left them feeling bruised, battered and more stressed than when they came in. They want to know: Is this what deep tissue massage is all about? Does massage have to hurt to be effective? The answer to both questions is NO and NO. Apotheca's deep tissue therapists, who are properly trained in this work, know that deep tissue massage doesn't just mean working "harder" on the muscles. Deep tissue methods are concerned with working the fascia, a seamless web of connective tissue that covers and connects the muscles, organs, and skeletal structures in our body. By slowly and methodically working this connective matrix--which goes from a gel state to a liquid state when warmed-- a qualified therapist can release chronic patterns of tension and pain. This work can be painful when it is attempted by someone who only knows how to manipulate the muscles themselves. Specific moves, stretches and hand placement can free and mobilize places that regular muscle massage may not be able to get to. The bottom line: Please don't let anybody tell you that deep tissue work simply must hurt to be effective. It is true that in many cases, deep tissue work can be intense. But it should never leave you feeling bruised or abused.

What should I realistically expect from my massage?

Many people ask for more and more pressure, even as they curl their toes and wince in discomfort. They are under the mistaken impression that if their therapist just pushes hard enough, she or he can get rid of all their knots in one session. Alas, they are wrong. Not only will your knots not go away if you approach bodywork from this macho perspective, but you will likely end up with new knots on top of the old. The fact is that undoing chronic knots and tension built up over a lifetime takes time and work. Regular massage is an integral part of a well-rounded wellness tool kit, but it is just one piece in that proverbial "balanced diet" that includes exercise, work on your posture, stress management, plenty of water, a good diet, lots of sleep, and finding (and making time for) the things that make you truly happy.

Dancing and Cupcakes and a Raffle to Benefit Rocket Dog Rescue on August 28

2008-08-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

We've donated a Signature Facial to be raffled off during a fun event benefiting Rocket Dog Rescue next Thursday. Rocket Dog Rescue is a great organization that really helps wayward doggies. This party looks like it will be a lot of fun and the list of raffle prizes is amazing.

For those of you reading who can't attend, there is information about buying raffle tickets in the post linked below.

Come Raise the Woof for Rocket Dog Rescue at Mighty in SF!

When: Thursday, August 28 2008, 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Where: MIGHTY

Read the full post on yelp.com here.

Apotheca Now Offers Same-day Appointments

2008-08-14T13:31:00.002-07:00

No more waiting- if we have something open you can book a session right away. Visit our online schedule to see what appointments we have open, or join us on twitter.com for information about same-day appointments, specials and discounts.

Returning for Duty

2008-08-14T13:31:00.001-07:00

Kirsten is returning for skincare sessions starting August 22. I've missed you all and I can't wait to catch up with you, hear what's been going on, and give you a knock-out treatment. To make your appointment,

visit our online scheduler.

New Discounted Packages are Here!

2008-08-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

At long last, our new packages are available now. We have four great options to choose from: two massage packages, a skincare series, and a sampling of some of our favorite treatments, all at a nicely discounted rate.

Packages make it easy and affordable to get on schedule with the monthly treatments you've been planning!

Click here for packages and rates.

Product Spotlight: TIZO3 SPF 40

2008-08-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

TiZo 40 spf: this sunscreen is the bomb!

It has a silky matte finish with an incredibly slight tint that helps you know where you have covered and what spots you've missed. It is very water-resistant, which means that those of you who tend to feel slimy and sweaty with traditional sunscreens will feel none of that.

This is the only sunscreen I have ever tried that I can honestly say feels like nothing on my face.

Best of all, TiZo is formulated using only mineral sunblock ingredients (titanium, iron and zinc oxides, hence "TIZO").

It has no chemical agents, no oil, no PABA, no parabens and no fragrance. So it is perfect for even the most sensitive skins. I have long had all of my rosacea and sensitive clients on it and I'm glad to be able to offer it in our office now.

I am thrilled to have discovered this product and can't wait to introduce you to it. . . just in time for Indian Summer!

Available in our office and by mail to our registered clients.

Massage and Migraines, from the Huffington Post

2008-08-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

Performed by the University of Miami School of Medicine, as published by the International Journal of Neuroscience, two groups of migraine suffers were studied. The first group (control group) took their prescribed medicine for the entire month, but did not receive massage therapy. The second group took their prescribed medicine as well, but also received a weekly massage. 60% of the massaged group had absolutely no migraines or headaches for the entire month. The massage therapy also helped to alleviate sleep problems and increased serotonin levels.

read more here

Artisan Skincare Manufacturers Threatened. You Can Help.

2008-08-09T19:21:00.000-07:00

Apotheca opposes the FDA Globalization Act of 2008. If passed, this legislation would put thousands of small scale and artisinal skincare manufacturers just like ourselves out of business by forcing us to pay outrageous registration fees and jump through a maddening maze of bureaucratic hoops.

For those of you who like to buy handcrafted niche products, and who value a marketplace filled with diverse and local, sustainable beauty products such as the line Apotheca has spent many long months in formulation: this legislation will make near-impossible your ability to find natural, small scale products.

Instead, it favors the multinational cosmetics houses who spend their enormous budgets on packaging and advertising, and whose products sadly suffer with the addition of cheap, unhealthy synthetic ingredients.

As a conscious and careful small business owner, I believe that consumers must be protected from harmful practices. As an avid supporter of local independent business, I believe that this proposed legislation would only harm consumers by stamping out diversity of choice. It would also sound the death knell to the many small businesses who are the lifeblood of our faltering US economy. I urge others to oppose the FDA Globalization Act of 2008.

For manufacturers and shoppers of independent businesses both, please sign the petition to stop the FDA Globalization Act of 2008 here.

Thank you,

Kirsten Quint Fairbanks,
San Francisco, CA

to http://tinyurl.com/5o82te

Kiva Loan in Need of Help

2008-07-25T20:38:00.000-07:00

I got this in my in-box today. I added to my loan and hope those of you out there in blogland will consider helping too.

* * *
Dear Kirsten Quint Fairbanks,

You have loaned to Ema Laufiso's Group, a loan which has been fundraising for 25 days, and has raised $500 of $2,125.

Kiva currently expires loans that have been fundraising for more than 30 days. This means that the loan for Ema Laufiso's Group will expire in 5 days.

What can you do?

Tell your friends! And forward them this link:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=52521

If the loan cannot raise $1,625.00 in the next 5 days, it will expire, and no funds will be sent to the entrepreneur. Raised funds will instead be refunded as Kiva Credit into the lender's account.

Sincerely,

- The Kiva Team

Gone Fishin'

2008-06-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

I am on maternity leave and out of the digital (and real) offices for a while.

Current Loans on Kiva.org

2008-02-20T08:24:00.001-08:00

A lot of you have purchased gift certificates for your friends and sweetie pies on Valentine's day, so I've had some extra cash to send to my favorite orgnization. This morning, Apotheca sent loans to three entrepreneurs. Below is a bit about each of them. To learn more about Kiva and to make your own loans, go to kiva.org.

Loans can be as little as $25 or as much as you like, and funds go directly to helping a business person of your choosing build a better life. What's not to love?

Raúl Rodolfo Medina Villarreal
Electrical Goods, Mexico

Raising Funds

50% raised
Loan amount: $100

Dory Tarazona Tenazoa
Retail, Peru

Raising Funds

9% raised
Loan amount: $100

Hajibaba Najafov
Fruits & Vegetables, Azerbaijan

Raising Funds
12% raised
Loan amount: $100

Why Choose Quality Skin Care Products?

2008-02-03T23:30:00.000-08:00

Invest In Your Skin

Why Choose Quality Skin Care Products?

By Greg Hagin (reprinted from Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals' Massagetherapy.com)

Over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products are generally less expensive and sometimes more convenient to purchase than professional products available from your esthetician. But it's important to be a savvy consumer in this choice. After all, paying a cheaper price for something that doesn't produce the results you want--and then doing it again and again in an attempt to find a cheap product that does work-- ultimately does not save you money or time. Cheaper products are generally of lesser value and not as effective as their professional counterparts. An investment in quality skin care products, combined with customized services, can help you achieve your skin care goals and the complexion you desire.

Establish a History When receiving a service from your esthetician, be sure to explain the details of your skin history. Your esthetician will be better able to provide you with the proper products and services if she knows the following: What are your skin care goals? What percentage of time do you spend indoors versus outdoors? What is your diet like? Water intake? By giving your esthetician the background and context of life in your skin, literally, the two of you will together create a foundation for moving forward with treatments.

Rely on Expertise Because labeling in the United States is subject only to Food and Drug Administration regulation, labels can be misleading, as well as hard to interpret. Your skin care professional knows how to read a label and can explain the benefits, drawbacks, and purpose of the ingredients listed on the label. Because of her/his training and expertise, your esthetician is vastly more knowledgeable than a clerk selling cosmetics in a retail store. Consequently, you can trust that the information you're receiving is valid, that your esthetician can recognize effective ingredients versus fillers, and that the professional products you are considering have been well developed and researched.

Customized Service Contrary to what OTC brands would lead consumers to believe, our skin and bodies are unique. OTC products rely on the trial-and-error, one-size-fits-all approach. On the other hand, your esthetician is in the business of providing personalized skin care solutions. The use of professional diagnostic tools like skin scanners, woods lamps, and imaging devices can help specifically identify your skin type, aiding in the development of a plan to achieve your desired result. It is a huge advantage to work directly with your esthetician to assess the situation, document it, develop a treatment plan, and track effectiveness. Complementing professional products with specified services will produce the ultimate result.

Convenience? It may be convenient to buy skin care products at the drugstore, where one also can pick up other personal care goods and some motor oil. Heck, while you're at it, you can also buy a case of soda and some dog food. But buying decisions shouldn't always be based on convenience. Just because there is a garage nearby, doesn't mean you automatically take our car there. You want to be sure you trust the mechanic and that he is experienced with the kind of car you drive. Another example: if you have a special occasion, you might prefer to choose from the wine selection at a specialty store instead of a drugstore. And many people drive long distances to get their hair done by someone they trust and with whom they have built a relationship.

This heightened interest in finding just the right professional applies to skin care as well. And when you're talking about something as important as your face, professional expertise far outweighs convenience. Your esthetician will help you establish a proper skin care regimen and continually assess the changing needs of your complexion, ensuring you're getting the right products and services at the right time.

Price and Value Mass-market strategists spend millions on advertising under the assumption they will make it back on sales volume. To maximize profits, producers cut back on production costs, often resulting in cheaper, less effective ingredients and no cutting-edge research and development. You may be paying for the label and not what's inside the bottle.

Furthermore, while professional skin care products do carry a higher price than OTC products, professional lines are more valuable. Here's why: The brand lines your esthetician has available are often more concentrated than OTC products, although they may seem more expensive, in the long run, the price difference between the two is not as great as it appears. Professional skin care products are more exclusive because in almost every case, they are better: they have been well researched, they contain higher quality ingredients, and they are ultimately more effective. Choosing professional products will help you achieve your skin care goals more quickly and effectively.

The Bottom Line The return on your investment in professional skin care products is much greater than with OTC lines. Generally, professional products are more effective, are made of higher quality ingredients, and have been well developed and researched.

In addition, because your esthetician knows you, and because she/he has expertise in product ingredients--and your skin specifically--you can be confident that you're getting a customized treatment plan designed to achieve your skin care goals.

Investing in quality skin care cosmetics will quickly pay off, helping you achieve the complexion you desire. Professional products and services are worth it, because you're worth it.

Number One on Yelp.com

2008-02-02T17:19:00.000-08:00

Out of 1,428 massage and skincare places reviewed on Yelp.com in San Francisco, Apotheca Skin Body Wellness is ranked number 1 again this week.

Thank you, everyone, for sharing your positive experiences at Apotheca on Yelp, Citysearch, wherever. We truly appreciate your vote of confidence.

Tui Na Take 10!

2007-12-13T14:13:00.001-08:00

From now until the end of 2007, all Tui Na massage appointments of 70 minutes or longer will be $10 off. This is a great time to try this unique and very effective style of clothed therapeutic massage, or to arrange a holiday season session for a friend or loved one. For details and appointments, go to our web site, www.apothecasf.com.

Kiva is Popular!

2007-12-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

I logged onto Kiva.org last week to do some lending. I got a notice that loan contributions were being capped at $25 per person. It seems the site has become so popular that Kiva wants to be certain that everyone who logs on gets a chance to participate.

Exciting! Apparently the site was featured on Oprah's show and in Bill Clinton's new book, and pretty much all over. So they're experiencing huge traffic and tons of people wanting to make loans to entrepreneurs all over the world.

Today I logged on again. I made loans to a man in desperate need of home repairs in Mexico, and to a woman who sells fish on the Ivory Coast. I went to make a third loan and I got the following message:

Due to the overwhelming response to recent Kiva press coverage, we will soon run out of businesses on our website. We are limiting everyone to one $25 loan today so that as many people as possible can try Kiva. We thank you for your understanding and for making a single $25 loan today.

Wow! this is a truly thrilling message to get from an organization that perhaps the best use of the Internet to ever be invented. If you have any inclination to try Kiva.org for yourself, now is a great time to do it. The financial commitment is low and the rewards are high. But watch out: you may find microlending becomes addictive.

Thanksgiving 2007 News

2007-11-21T21:42:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Week 2007 Newsletter

New Additions: Please help us welcome a new addition to our wellness team: Tui Na therapist David Lesseps CMT, who comes to us from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. His name will be familiar to many of you to whom I have enthusiastically recommended his work as an acupuncturist. Now we're thrilled that David will be joining Apotheca to bring Tui Na, Chinese Medical Massage, to add to our menu of services.

Those of you who enjoy deep, vigorous work such as shiatsu and Thai massage will love Tui Na. It is particularly effective for treating neck pain and stiffness, back pain, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, and hip, leg and knee pain.

Best of all, Tui Na is done with clothing on, so it is a great option for those of you who can't imagine shedding your clothes for a massage during winter's chilly months.

David's first day will be Monday, November 26th. All Tui Na sessions of 70 minutes and longer will be $10 off on that day. Click here to make your first appointment with David today.

We have another exciting new addition to our service menu, also great for those of you who prefer to stay clothed for your massage. The amazingly talented Eri Cela is now offering tension-busting chair massage for your back, neck, arms and hands. Eri has been back in grad school studying Somatic Psychology and learning a whole host of new techniques to approach your sports injuries, chronic stress and pain. His chair massage is done through your clothes and without massage oil in a specially-designed massage chair. Sessions are perfect for stressed-out office workers, and will leave you relaxed, refreshed and ready to face the day a new person.

And as ever, the wonderfully gifted Sari Gelzer transports you to another (far less stressful) world with her own flowing approach to Swedish-based massage. Sari will be available throughout December so now is a perfect time to book a session and experience her soothing style.

New Product: Tu'el Hy-drate Moisture Gel

2007-11-21T17:47:00.000-08:00

Here is the moisturizer your skin has been thirsty for! Perfect for the helping the skin transition from the ravages to summer to the dehydrating effects of winter's indoor heat. This hydrating liquid gel has Hyaluronic acid to increase surface moisture retention to plump and firm the skin.

Hy-Drate helps prevent chapping, too, so it is excellent for wearing under sunscreen if your winter plans include snowboarding, skiing or other outside sports. It is anti-aging, ideal for all skin types, and wears beautifully alone or under heavier moisturizer. It is particularly great for oily skin that needs surface hydration without added oil. Best of all, it contains no artificial additives, fragrances or colors. Perfect for men or women of any age. $62 for 4oz. If you want to try this great product for yourself, please send an email to kirstenqb@gmail.com to inquire about retail hours.

in other news. . .

2007-11-21T17:41:00.000-08:00

1. Apotheca's holiday schedule: Sari will be taking off December 26th. Eri will be away from December 17 to January 22. Kirsten is spoken for between December 17th and January 12. David's vacation schedule is TBA.

2. January 2008 schedules will be available in the next few weeks. You will get an email when the schedule goes live.

3. We're on the map! We were surprised to find that we've been featured on Sheckys.com's cool new Beauty Map of San Francisco. And we didn't ask. Thanks! Log onto www.shecky's.com to get your own map.

4. Save the date: December 14th at Space Gallery, 1141 Polk Street. Urban art and music featuring artists from Juxtapose Magazine, and Apotheca favorites Mark Brown and James Drason.

And finally,

I will be taking some modified maternity leave from now until Spring. I won't be booking any new massage sessions but I will keep doing skincare until my burgeoning baby bump grows to the point that I can't reach past it to massage your beautiful faces anymore. So I hope you will come in for a facial treatment with me when the 2008 schedule goes up. And in the meantime, I leave you in the very warm and capable hands of Eri, Sari and David for your massages.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

Kirsten

Practitioner: David Lesseps, Tui Na Massage Therapist

2007-09-13T16:47:00.000-07:00

Update: Hooray! David has joined Apotheca to bring his fantastic Tui Na work to our menu!

I've been David's acupuncture patient for the better part of a year and my frequent sessions with him have played a bigger part in helping my physical and spiritual health than any other medical of therapeutic work I have done. I recommend him wholeheartedly to all my friends and massage and skincare clients who are interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine. So when he told me he was taking his Tui Na practice to the Mission I jumped at the chance to schedule a session with him. I'm so glad I did. My session was wonderfully thorough and effective, and the tight shoulders and creaky back I walked in with were loose and fluid when I left his table and went out into the world an hour later. The work is energizing as well as deeply relaxing, and his office is airy, light and calming. I'm eagerly looking forward to my next session. I'm so glad to have David in the cadre of practitioners I visit regularly to keep me feeling well and happy.

(This entry was originally a Yelp.com review.)

Practioner: Ravena Feldman, Craniosacral Therapist

2007-08-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

I had my first Craniosacral session with Ravena Feldman this past week and it was heavenly. I'm an unrepentant holistic treatment junkie and I've had all kinds of therapeutic work-- the proverbial good, bad and sadly ineffective. This session was something very new and wonderful for me. It was my first craniosacral session ever, and I'm still feeling the effects of it, still feeling dreamy and soft and energized and vibrant.

Craniosacral work is unlike manual massage therapy. To learn more about it, take a peek atthis website.

Ravena is a wonderfully competent, capable, confident practitioner. I had come into my appointment from a crazy hectic day, and the minute I stepped through the front door and into her calm and happy presence I felt relaxed and happy myself. The session itself was wonderful. Ravena was able to zero in on the exact areas where I was holding tension and where my body was feeling less than energized. She used quiet, meditative, very light touch and I quickly went from heart-pumping caffeinated go-go-go Kirsten to softly snoring Kirsten, lone resident of Blissland, pop: Me. As I left, she gave me some simple exercises for increasing energy and fertility (two issues I'd requested we address in my session) and sent me out into the world calm, breathing deeply, and unable to stop smiling at everyone I passed.

That smiley freak you passed in the Mission on Thursday? That was me. Thanks to Ravena.

(This entry was originally a Yelp.com review.)

Giving: Addicted to Kiva

2007-08-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

This past week I made another donation on Apotheca's behalf. Kiva is seriously addictive!! Where I used to enjoy shopping for books and music and vintage housewares online, now I can't get enough of finding small business to fund. I love supporting various people in developing countries in their endeavors to start businesses to feed and house their families.

Why is Kiva so compelling? For one thing, I like the idea of using globalization in a positive way. I look at Kiva as the anti-Walmart, an entity made up of thousands of people who want to build up rather than destroy mom-and-pop shops around the world. That resonates with me, being part of a small-fry practice myself. But what it really comes down to is that I live in a place I love doing work I adore. I never forget how lucky I am, and I want to share my good fortune wherever I can.

So this time, we are supporting Nicholas Matata Mukosi in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a 39-year old father of four who requested a loan to buy stock for his small grocery store. We are also lending to Kim-heak Chhim in Kean Svay district, Cambodia. She is a mother of three who sells flowers in the local village. Her husband hires himself out to do freelance tractor work in the local farms. The couple has requested the loan to put toward repairing their house.

For anyone looking for a wonderful way to give back to the global community, I wholeheartedly endorse kiva.org. Check them out. But be careful...it's addictive!

Music: "The underground is in the living room"

2007-08-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to have received my big order of new music from my friends at Dynamophone Records this morning. Those of you who have come in for massage and facial treatments have probably experienced some of this wonderful little local label's beautiful indy offerings in the studio. I was inspired to visit their web site and do some shopping after live listening party put on by Dynamophone's music community resource, Ixmae. The event was at Poleng Lounge, and it featured some of the prettiest and most inventive music I have heard in a long time. The highlight for me was Zoe Keating, a "one-woman string quartet" who uses live electronic samples as she plays to create a lush ensemble sound that really must be experienced to be believed.

Heavenly music. The next time you are in for a visit, listen up and you will likely hear some lovely Dynamophone tunes. I am glad as ever to live in a community full of creative people doing such interesting projects. It's a pleasure to support this local label. And now I'm off to open that box and have a listen.

Products and Ingredients: Sea Turtles and Sun in Oahu

2007-08-15T22:15:00.000-07:00

Aloha Apotheca people! I had the great pleasure of visiting the North Shore of Oahu at the beginning of the month. The white sand and the blue water, the scent of plumeria flowers and the warm tropical sun (especially wonderful to this fogged-in San Francisco girl) were every bit as dreamy a tropical paradise as I would have hoped. As a skincare professional I was of course obsessive about sun protection while away, but despite my best efforts at staying safe while hiking and body surfing and hanging out with a mai tai in the shade, the sun got to me after a while. So I decided to check out Turtle Bay Resorts' fancy-schmancy spa for some pampering post-sun skincare.

The spa uses Epicuren products exclusively. The highlight of my treatment was the Chai Soy Mud mask, used to help purify my poor sunscreen-clogged pores and give my skin some plump and firmness. It felt and smelled terrific, but reading the ingredients afterward I saw that the product was not as safe and natural as I would have hoped, and that the third ingredient in it is. . . talc. Yuck! Didn't we stop using talc a long time ago? It's a known irritant and it's a proven carcinogen. Not a product I would choose or use on my self or my clients. While I enjoyed the treatment tremendously (who doesn't love being primped to nirvana in front of a window overlooking the Pacific?) I was made more confident in my choice of product lines and treatment procedures when all was said and done.

The other nice thing that happened while I was gone is that I rekindled my love of kukui and coconut oils. I love a good coconut oil massage, especially for the scalp, as in the Ayurvedic tradition. So I am working on some lovely services to offer in the fall and winter, when we can all use a bit more tropical warmth in our lives.

Who Gives the Mechanic's Car a Tune-up?

2007-05-11T18:15:00.000-07:00

One of the wonderful things about doing the kind of work we body therapists do is that we can live fully in our bodies. No being stuck in cubicles all day for us. On the other hand, there are potential downsides, namely: the kind of wear and tear that comes from constantly using our bodies as our instruments and our tools. As bodyworkers, if we don't take good care of ourselves we can quickly run the risk of becoming like mechanics whose cars have broken down.

I've been a practicing body therapist for the better part of a decade, and before that I was a PR and marketing writer, driven by insane deadlines and spending the same 50+ hours a week in an office chair that many of my clients do. These occupational hazards, along with mild scoliosis and the strains of beginning distance running could take a serious physical toll. But being a holistically-minded sort who has never been one to swallow unnecessary pills or unhealthy ideas, I have honed a great plan of action to deal with stress and pain over the years. It involves healthy amounts of movement, a balance between time spent in the studio and time spent with friends and family, a yummy diet based in whole and local foods, a bit of wine, a bit of chocolate, and frequent visits to other holistic professionals.

These are the things that keep me sane and feeling great. I love sharing my recommendations and resources with you, especially of the practitioners I visit who keep my body aligned and pain-free.

Why "Apotheca?"

2007-05-11T17:51:00.000-07:00

Before the modern-day pharmacy, with its impersonal fluorescent feel and its synthetic, chemical-laden products for “health” and beauty, there was the apothecary. Unlike the chi chi spa, the commercial skin care counter, or the anonymous, sterile drug store now on virtually every corner of every town and city in America, the local apothecary was the place you would go for personal attention. You could select natural herbal remedies, shop for exotic teas from far-off lands, and choose beauty preparations that were derived from natural plant and mineral sources and individually selected or combined just for you. It was also the place to go for expert services and sensible advice from well-trained professionals who were not just employees but also active members of the community.

With the spirit of the old-time apothecary in mind, we have created Apotheca Skin ~ Body ~ Wellness. Our vision was to dedicate our simple one-room office in an historic downtown building as a friendly sanctuary where you can honor yourself and that slow-paced past. We offer personalized massage and skin care therapies, and bath and body products for the whole person. Think of us like slow food for the body mind and spirit. Or the antidote to the assembly-line spa, the opposite of the mass-market skin care kiosk.

We don’t offer a mass-produced, synthetic, or impersonal fix. We provide one-on-one hand-crafted and personalized custom therapies and products made to ease your body’s tensions, improve your skin’s condition, and give you what your spirit really needs to relax and unwind.

Apotheca Skin Body Wellness proudly offers you our unique blend of bodywork techniques to help get results for your chronic tension and pain, and custom aromatherapy and flower essence work to bring balance to your hectic life. Now we are thrilled to offer holistic skin care therapies to address your skin’s total wellness: to treat acne and rosacea conditions, create custom anti-aging strategies, and maintain your skin’s fitness with a foundation in total health and balance. And like the apothecary of old, we also stock a unique, hand-picked selection of products for skin, body and home. We offer environmentally-friendly products made from natural and organic ingredients, free from harsh chemicals and synthetic additives, to let your nurture your spirit and let your natural radiance shine through.

You’re already beautiful. We want to help you really get your glow on.