I Love Kombucha (and why you will too)!

221bc

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

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

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

booch

Drinking so much 'booch you want to venture making your own? I've got the answer for you for that, too.  I postponed brewing my own for years because I thought it'd be impossible to get a Scoby.  When I came across this super-easy Kombucha Starter Kit, it was the perfect solution.  Easy to follow directions and less than $1 a serving for your first batch: well worth trying it!  We have numerous herbal teas you can infuse your batch with at Wild Ginger Apothecary; one personal favorite was the Evening Spa for a calming, lavender flavored tea.  I have to admit, though, original black tea is my go-to.  It's a crowd favorite with it's cider-like finish. 
If you're looking for an energizing and refreshing beverage that's far healthier than soda, give Kombucha a try!  You can impress your friends with what Scoby means (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast) and feel good about indulging. Cheers!
 

xx
Nicole


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

Nicole Leffler

I am an intuitive business consultant and wellness junkie at Dharma Hive and New Moon Neuro. I am a soul searcher, dreamer, explorer, mama, community builder and educator.

When soul work and living your dharma meets business, true manifestation of your career dreams is possible. I believe and live this! I use all these experiences in my spiritual practice and business today. I have consulted businesses large and small since my management career began, eventually discovering the sweet spot of working with mindful entrepreneurs — near and far.

Fresh as a Daisy with Schmidt's Deodorant

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

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

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

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

xx
Nicole

Schmidt's all-natural aluminum-free deodorant is available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

Nicole Leffler

I am an intuitive business consultant and wellness junkie at Dharma Hive and New Moon Neuro. I am a soul searcher, dreamer, explorer, mama, community builder and educator.

When soul work and living your dharma meets business, true manifestation of your career dreams is possible. I believe and live this! I use all these experiences in my spiritual practice and business today. I have consulted businesses large and small since my management career began, eventually discovering the sweet spot of working with mindful entrepreneurs — near and far.

Skinny & Co. Coconut Love and a Brighter Smile

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

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

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

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

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

xx
Nicole

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

Nicole Leffler

I am an intuitive business consultant and wellness junkie at Dharma Hive and New Moon Neuro. I am a soul searcher, dreamer, explorer, mama, community builder and educator.

When soul work and living your dharma meets business, true manifestation of your career dreams is possible. I believe and live this! I use all these experiences in my spiritual practice and business today. I have consulted businesses large and small since my management career began, eventually discovering the sweet spot of working with mindful entrepreneurs — near and far.

New blog, new favorite items! Meet Kensington Apothecary!

kensington apothecary

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

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

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

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

xx
Nicole

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

  

Nicole Leffler

I am an intuitive business consultant and wellness junkie at Dharma Hive and New Moon Neuro. I am a soul searcher, dreamer, explorer, mama, community builder and educator.

When soul work and living your dharma meets business, true manifestation of your career dreams is possible. I believe and live this! I use all these experiences in my spiritual practice and business today. I have consulted businesses large and small since my management career began, eventually discovering the sweet spot of working with mindful entrepreneurs — near and far.